PS Creativity > Reviews > Into The Vortex > Season Eleven

AAAH! It's TOMMY B! Hurrah for the Fourth Doctor! His inter-connected debut season did well in the voting, obviously with
Genesis of the Daleks coming out on top... Tom Baker + Daleks + Davros + Sarah Jane in nice jumper = MAGIC!

>> Season Twelve averages 7.66 out of 10 <<

Some comments from a few members...

Genesis of the Daleks

"The cast are utterly superb (especially Wisher's Davros), and while the story might have benefited from being a tighter 4-part story, it's still a classic." -- Phillip Culley (9/10)

"Some stories are iconic for a reason. This one is simply one of the finest Doctor Who stories there's ever been. So much has been said about this one in the past that I won't say very much more, except that I loved the audio version best of all for Tom's doomy narration." -- Si Hart (9.5/10)

"I used to love this one. If you'd asked me before the BBC Video release of this in the early 90s, I'd probably have given it 9 or 10. But the fact is that I didn't particularly enjoy that viewing of it, and haven't watched it since. I can probably put this down to over-familiarity...you don't go from loving a story to being barely able to watch it for nothing, but as far as the story went there was no particular reason for me to dislike it other than this. Like Jonno, I'm finding this one hard to rate, so I've gone for 7/10 here for now. I'll have to watch it again though, before I can give a more accurate score. The problem is that I don't particularly want to at the moment, there are numerous other stories which appeal more to me at this moment in time..." -- MacNimon (7/10)

"The first all round great story of the Tom Baker years as David Maloney gets to direct another classic and generally rises to the challenge. A grim, well paced allegorical story with so much death and menace it's almost not for kids. More Robert Holmes than Terry Nation perhaps, but still one of the finest Dalek serials of the '70s, and Micheal Wisher and Peter Miles play two of the greatest Who villians ever." -- Carol Baynes (9/10)

"Davros and Nyder are fantastic, unfortunantly its so badly padded and lucky happenings are just a little too regular in this one-Nation writes better comedy and wrote far better b/w dalek tales!" -- Raston (1/10)

"It seems to be the trend to knock this story for being repeated too often, but there's a very good reason it gets repeated: it's bloody good. The Daleks are an almost secondary diversion to this story, where it is Davros who really steals the show. His scenes with Nyder are a highlight of the story... devious? He's an utter bastard & we love him for it." -- Paul Clement (9/10)

The Ark In Space

"My favourite story – ever. The 10/10 is based on love and admiration rather than flawlessness, but it is nevertheless the perfect DW story for me; bleak, dramatic, believable (bubble-wrap notwithstanding), tense and well acted throughout. I’ve watched it countless times and never, ever get tired of it. In fact I can honestly say that my appreciation of it increases with each viewing." -- Antony Cox (10/10)

"If the whole thing had been as good as the opening episode it would have got a 10, but even when it's not as good, it's still a remarkable piece of television. The interplay between the main characters is already excellent." -- Paul Clement (9/10)

"I've always enjoyed it, but watching the recent BBC3 repeat I really enjoyed it. The Doctor's continuing defence of humanity is moving in places, and Tom is just so commanding already." -- Andrew Curnow (9/10)

"Lots of nostalgia here, one of the first Dr Who stories I saw (borrowed off a friend of my mum). And I loved it! As is the way with these things, the magic does wear off a little, but I still think it's a solid Holmes script, with lots to like. The Wirrn are an interesting foe, it was very brave of the production team to attempt to realise a race of space insects, and they largely succeeded (people mention the bubblewrap but that's only laughable with hindsight). Gorgeous sets too, a real triumph, and fine direction. By this point, only having made six episodes, Tom Baker's Doctor does seem a little vunerable... he gets stunned by a gun, knocked out with a punch, nearly suffocated and electricuted, partly possessed... he gets a rough ride! Rather a bleak story, it's nice that the setting feels like space for once (not some made up planet), and I love the 'human spirit' angle. A very welcome change from the cosy silliness of the Pertwee era, which began to grate somewhat, and one of my faves." -- Pip Madeley (9/10)

"Humans! A classic in terms of atmosphere and bubble-wrap." -- Rob McCow (9/10)

"The Wirrn falling out of the cupboard was about the only thing that I remember from this story from when i watched it on it's original transmision. But it's fantastic story fantastic sets Tom, is now into over drive and his almost double act with Ian Marter, brings some lovely humour into the story. Only gripe in when Sarah ended up in suspended animation is that her clothes changed as well.." -- Larry (8/10)

The Sontaran Experiment

"Nasty, brutish and short sums this story up very well! The story might be slight, but it's premise is very good and it's very watchable." -- Si Hart (8/10)

"I’ve recently taken to this story after years of not giving it much thought. I love the crispness of the OB video (something which should also be noted about Robot) and the real feeling of true isolation which the silent wilderness of Dartmoor lends to the story. These elements aside, it’s also a good little story and again, well acted by everyone involved, particularly Kevin Lindsay." -- Antony Cox (8/10)

"Love the cliffhanger, still one of my favourites, especially Sarah's shocked reaction. Looks good and not dated or anything, and inspired location filming. Nice and compact and seems to fit its length well." -- Jonno Simmons (8/10)

"Disappointingly rushed ending, but otherwise an enjoyable story, with mostly good acting." -- Stuart Wallis (7/10)

"Nice to see the Sontarans return but not a patch on it's predecessor, The Time Warrior. It's entertaining but feels to me like a gap filler - but then I suppose it was really." -- Ralph Mitchell (6.5/10)

Robot

"This is a very likeable story that's good fun to watch. Tom instantly makes the part his own and he seems to know what he's doing right from the start. The Robot looks very cool indeed, and although the effects are ropy in more than a few places, Kettlewell's hair makes it well worth a watch." -- Si Hart (8/10)

"It's a real run on from the latter Pertwee seasons, and that's not a good thing. The plot isn't all that interesting, and UNIT are a shadow of their former glorious self." -- Paul Clement (3/10)

""I think the nose is a definite improvement!" A hugely enjoyable opening story for the Fourth Doctor, it feels fun and silly despite basically being about nuclear terrorism, and it gives the charismatic Tom Baker the chance to really shine. And what an outfit! Elisabeth Sladen gives a good turn too - it's nice to see her being the investigative Miss Smith from season eleven, she wouldn't get too many chances after this, sadly. The story would get another mark, if it weren't for the treatment of UNIT - as I've said over the past few seasons, they're not the impressive army they once were, and Nicholas Courtney deserved better material to work with. John Levene gets some good bits though, and there's excellent guest performances from Patricia Maynard and Edward Burnham (though I always get confused when out of nowhere Kettlewell turns baddie, really jarring that). Crap tank aside, it's good solid fun, with much humour to enjoy." -- Pip Madeley (8/10)

"If this was a Pertwee story, it wouldn't have had a strong enough story to make a lasting impression, as the plot itself is pretty insubstantial. But what more than makes up for this is the fact that it was used as a vehicle to introduce a new Doctor...a nice simple story which allows Tom Baker to shine almost from the word go. After 5 years of Pertwee, this story works as the perfect ice-breaker for those not sure what to expect... it still felt like a Pertwee-era story, but by it's end we already loved the new Doctor. One of the most enjoyable post-regeneration stories." -- MacNimon (7/10)

"Yes it's got many, many faults, but I can't help but love it. It feels so darned fresh, and for once the use of videotape instead of film really adds to the show, giving it a gorgeous sense of something new." -- Andrew Curnow (9/10)

"Dear Ms. XXXXX, I am writing to inform you that your son died in action serving the Brigadier today. He was trod on by a giant robot that the Brigadier ordered him to shoot. The robot became giant after the Brigadier shot it with a disrupter gun that he thought would kill it. Yours Sincerely, RSM Benton (soon to be Brigadier.) PS. Better make sure his coffin is water-tight. His death was very messy." -- Rob McCow (10/10)


Revenge of the Cybermen

"Huge nostalgia attached to this one, & my favourite Cyberleader ever!" -- Wayne Jefferies (8/10)

"I know it's not that great a story, but nostalgia kicks in with me for Christmas '86 when I unwrapped the video. Great fun- again another story that I've watched a lot and not got tired of." -- Si Hart (8/10)

"I had hoped for better from this Cyberman return after a long absence - it just felt a little flat at times but I think it's a grower for me as I enjoyed it more on second viewing. I just expected something a bit more spectacular for one of the Doctor's legendary adversaries." -- Ralph Mitchell (7/10)

"One of the series' wasted opportunities. The Cybermen could have reinvented as bed wettingly scary- freaky even- under the guidance of Hinchcliffe and Holmes, but instead we get a bunch of blokes in silver gimp suits looking for some gold, who set their sex toys loose to jump all over Sarah Jane. Some decent direction here though, and Wookey hole caves look marvellous. I do like Chris Robbie's Cyber leader as well. The redesigned Cyber suits are actually very good, but they do look rather sexy...yep, it's probably just me." -- Carol Baynes (6/10)

"Yes, I know this one is rubbish too, but I love it. Anybody who first saw this one on video in the late-80s will understand why; and anybody who didn't never will. Even now I like to fling, "Cybermen do not subscribe to any theory of morality in war Doctor" into conversation." -- Andrew Curnow (9/10)

"The Cybes look good, but despite the added nostalgic kick from the video (first seen in late 86) it's never been one of my favourites. Again, the location filming is very good and atmospheric, and there's some good Harry and Sarah stuff." -- Jonno Simmons (6.5/10)

 

last updated 10th March 2007
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