Not ashamed to say that I blubbered when I realised it was Alpha Centauri speaking in this episode (it still gives me chills!) - as a kid I made an Alpha Centauri model using a ping-pong ball, a Jiff Lemon container and some pipe-cleaners!
I've told this story before when other reactors have reached this episode, and I'll do it again here: When my Aspie son (who is about 4-5 years younger than Paula) was young, I used to have Classic Who stories running on vid as audiovisual wallpaper. Flash forward to when this story aired and we get to end. Ysanne Churchman's voice starts coming from the speaker, and he leans expectantly forward in his seat with an expression that indicates that he is rapidly searching his memory banks to place the voice. When the Alpha Centauri reveal comes, he starts bouncing in his seat like he's 5-7 years old again. It was so pure.
Mind you, this is the same kid who, when he was three years old, I caught him sitting bolt upright in his bed in the middle of the night entertaining himself by reciting the dialogue of both participants in the Seventh Doctor's "unlimited rice pudding" confrontation, word perfectly.
Soon as I heard the voice, "THAT'S ALPHA!" - which i suspect a lot of us did. And it's literally a voice from the past, played again by Ysanne Churchman - who must be in her nineties by now. The original of the 'trash compacter' effect in the 60s Ice Warrior serials was a distorted foil reflection, of the doomed actor, being poked from behind. The updated effect was certainly a surprise and gruesome. I seem to recall that the full costume took some stick - and still does. I thought it a brilliant conception. One of the most distinctive and memorable aliens of the series.
Ysanne Churchman is still with us and will soon be turning 97 years old. The character of Alpha Centauri appeared during the Pertwee era. A nice little easter egg for old show fans like me
Alpha Centauri only appeared in two Pertwee stories (no Troughton) and Ysanne Churchman voiced a completely different creature in Pertwee's final story.
I was dying to see your Reactions when the Doctor mentioned the movie 'Frozen'. but you were talking over it so I never got a Reaction to it. Othe than that Good Reactions to a good and at times funny Episode.
While I'm not typically a fan of Mark Gatiss' Doctor Who episodes, one thing I will say I like about most of them is how much passion and enthusiasm he pours into his scripts. He always gives the energy of someone who's excited to be able to write the kind of stories he came up with as a kid on the playground, and that's especially apparent in "Empress of Mars". This entire episode feels like Mark going on a sugar high and putting as many of his favourite weird and creative ideas into one single script - Ice Warriors, Victorian British soldiers on Mars doing what they do best (i.e. imperialist bullshit), loads of fun action scenes, secret tombs full of treasures, and even an Alpha Centauri cameo to boot. The end result is that while "Empress of Mars" is (like most of Mark's scripts) not a particularly strong or memorable episode, it is nonetheless a really fun way to spend 45 minutes. The Ice Warriors themselves are really well-written and performed by the actors, there's some fun humorous scenes between the Doctor and Bill (kind of bummed that you talked over the big payoff to the running gag about the movie references during the climax, but I digress), and the whole story moves with such quick energy that you can't help but be swept along with the fun of it all. I don't think it's much of a spoiler to say that this is the last of Mark's scripts as of now, and if he doesn't come back to the show in the future, I think he's found a decent episode to bow out on (certainly glad we got this and not the "Sleep No More" sequel he was initially planning)
Just fresh from a dream about going to a Christmas party with Katrina. I mean, it was a great party, the only thing missing was an explanation as to why I was there. 🤔
I think series 10 and series 3 and 4 are my favorites. Capaldi and Tennant are also basically tied for my favorite Doctor. Peter Capaldi might have an ever so slight edge... But David Tennant made me truly fall in love with the show so it's hard to say for sure.
I trust the lady version of the master the same as the male version of the master, like certain properties I won't spoil because you'll get to them I trust them all to be exactly who they are. It's difficult for characters to betray you when you've already worked Thier betrayal into your plan.
This episode was like whatever, ok concept, love the location, loved Ice Warriors, loved Alpha Centurians and all the callbacks, but I'm over awful white men with moustache as villains. Like give me an alien. Imagine, if this literally was a callback to the Waters episode instead of this mix of historical episode and futuristic episode.
Could you please react to remembrance of the daleks and survival which is the last story of the classic era before tv movie also react to that please at some point in between 10th and 11th season. Or some break between capaldi and whitiker . I've seen all of doctor who. Watching reminds me of impact to known reg viewers. Just a suggestion not to bothered but watching classic stories are special. Thanks for the reactions and channel your the best.
Has Paula changed her hair?, it looks really good!, or is it just me?. Also this is where this season is now at it's best for me! :). I looove missy, she's easily in my top 3 timelords/ladies of all time. I honestly wish she was cast as the Doctor, she would have been incredible, maybe even one of the greatest. She can steal a scene by just standing there doing nothing. Also, THEY NEED TO CAST SHANE ZAZA as a Doctor, he would be great!. They're missing a great opportunity tsk..
![ROSÉ(로제) - APT. (Band VER.) (With. 이영지) [더 시즌즈-이영지의 레인보우] | KBS 241129 방송](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/IW8qaemx74g/mqdefault.jpg)
Oh! This episode was better than I remembered!
Not ashamed to say that I blubbered when I realised it was Alpha Centauri speaking in this episode (it still gives me chills!) - as a kid I made an Alpha Centauri model using a ping-pong ball, a Jiff Lemon container and some pipe-cleaners!
Alpha C was also a favorite of mine! Always will love me a genderless hermaphrodite hexapod hypochondriac!
@@tenmark7055 Yep! I knew that Alpha Centauri was a hermaphrodite many years before I knew what a hermaphrodite was!?!
Eee, we used to dream of pipe-cleaners...
@@ajivins1 I can safely say I've never used one to clean a pipe. I can only imagine it was something I'd seen on Blue Peter!
I cried when I heard Alpha Centauri as well!
I've told this story before when other reactors have reached this episode, and I'll do it again here: When my Aspie son (who is about 4-5 years younger than Paula) was young, I used to have Classic Who stories running on vid as audiovisual wallpaper. Flash forward to when this story aired and we get to end. Ysanne Churchman's voice starts coming from the speaker, and he leans expectantly forward in his seat with an expression that indicates that he is rapidly searching his memory banks to place the voice. When the Alpha Centauri reveal comes, he starts bouncing in his seat like he's 5-7 years old again.
It was so pure.
That's one of the great things about new reactions to old episodes - we get to relive our own memories too!
Mind you, this is the same kid who, when he was three years old, I caught him sitting bolt upright in his bed in the middle of the night entertaining himself by reciting the dialogue of both participants in the Seventh Doctor's "unlimited rice pudding" confrontation, word perfectly.
I really appreciate you sharing that story. It gave me the warm fuzzies 🙂
The Alpha Centauri scene brought me to tears. One of my favorite scenes .
Soon as I heard the voice, "THAT'S ALPHA!" - which i suspect a lot of us did. And it's literally a voice from the past, played again by Ysanne Churchman - who must be in her nineties by now. The original of the 'trash compacter' effect in the 60s Ice Warrior serials was a distorted foil reflection, of the doomed actor, being poked from behind. The updated effect was certainly a surprise and gruesome. I seem to recall that the full costume took some stick - and still does. I thought it a brilliant conception. One of the most distinctive and memorable aliens of the series.
Ysanne will be 97 in May, she was 92 when this was broadcast. Her first acting job was in 1938!
@@Tyrconnell I thought she had to be, at least, in her mid-to-late nineties. Good for her. I hope she's in good health and happy.
Ysanne Churchman is still with us and will soon be turning 97 years old. The character of Alpha Centauri appeared during the Pertwee era. A nice little easter egg for old show fans like me
Alpha Centauri only appeared in two Pertwee stories (no Troughton) and Ysanne Churchman voiced a completely different creature in Pertwee's final story.
I was dying to see your Reactions when the Doctor mentioned the movie 'Frozen'. but you were talking over it so I never got a Reaction to it. Othe than that Good Reactions to a good and at times funny Episode.
The main bad guy with the mustache was played by Ferdinand Kingsley, son of Ben Kingsley.
I love him! (I mean, I hate his character, but he's always a great actor in all that I've seen him in)
Ice warriors with Doctors 2,3,11,12 and hopefully more...Alpha Centauri with Doctors 3 and 12 and hopefully more
Missy's arc in this series is perfect. Hey final episode is satisfying, and then when you watch it again and think about it... It's just amazing.
@10:40 Love the coincidence when Paula scratches her neck as the soldier is about to give his backstory 😄
My only disappointment is that there is never enough Missy. NEVER.
You have the ms 80s scarf awesome. Love the channel.
Have to put a Peldon story on the next classic poll now.
I watched this at a convention as it went out, thoroughly enjoyed it. The following day the Empress herself was on stage.
Katrina with the 4th Doctor fit
You guys should definitely do one of Jon Pertwee's Peladon stories next time you give us some classic reactions.
While I'm not typically a fan of Mark Gatiss' Doctor Who episodes, one thing I will say I like about most of them is how much passion and enthusiasm he pours into his scripts. He always gives the energy of someone who's excited to be able to write the kind of stories he came up with as a kid on the playground, and that's especially apparent in "Empress of Mars". This entire episode feels like Mark going on a sugar high and putting as many of his favourite weird and creative ideas into one single script - Ice Warriors, Victorian British soldiers on Mars doing what they do best (i.e. imperialist bullshit), loads of fun action scenes, secret tombs full of treasures, and even an Alpha Centauri cameo to boot. The end result is that while "Empress of Mars" is (like most of Mark's scripts) not a particularly strong or memorable episode, it is nonetheless a really fun way to spend 45 minutes. The Ice Warriors themselves are really well-written and performed by the actors, there's some fun humorous scenes between the Doctor and Bill (kind of bummed that you talked over the big payoff to the running gag about the movie references during the climax, but I digress), and the whole story moves with such quick energy that you can't help but be swept along with the fun of it all. I don't think it's much of a spoiler to say that this is the last of Mark's scripts as of now, and if he doesn't come back to the show in the future, I think he's found a decent episode to bow out on (certainly glad we got this and not the "Sleep No More" sequel he was initially planning)
Another great episode in a great season!
Just fresh from a dream about going to a Christmas party with Katrina. I mean, it was a great party, the only thing missing was an explanation as to why I was there. 🤔
Glad you enjoyed Gally! It was so great this year. Hope you come back next year!
Alpha Centauri was in "Curse of Peladon" and "Monster of Peladon", two Pertwee Stories! She was NOT in Troughton Stories!
I'd definitely be up for a Gally wrap-up vid! 😃
Katrina, I'd LOVE to know where you got that scarf!
Can't wait for the next one ...
Another quality red shirted cat video!
Ooooh. I was at Gallifrey One as well. A fantastic gathering of Whovians. It is hard to trust Missy, isn't it?
You ought to see Gatiss's 2010 'First Men in the Moon' for more anachronistic Englishmen in space. For more Matt Lucas you should see Little Britain.
Curse of Peladon!
I think series 10 and series 3 and 4 are my favorites. Capaldi and Tennant are also basically tied for my favorite Doctor. Peter Capaldi might have an ever so slight edge... But David Tennant made me truly fall in love with the show so it's hard to say for sure.
I wonder if Mark Gatiss will return as a writer with RTD’s return. Maybe an Ice Warriors two parter at some point.
You should watch Pyramids of Mars or any other 20th century Doctor Who.
We need you back together
I trust the lady version of the master the same as the male version of the master, like certain properties I won't spoil because you'll get to them I trust them all to be exactly who they are. It's difficult for characters to betray you when you've already worked Thier betrayal into your plan.
If you like Matt Lucas, check out 'George Dawes'. IMO his finest character.
This episode was like whatever, ok concept, love the location, loved Ice Warriors, loved Alpha Centurians and all the callbacks, but I'm over awful white men with moustache as villains. Like give me an alien. Imagine, if this literally was a callback to the Waters episode instead of this mix of historical episode and futuristic episode.
Could you please react to remembrance of the daleks and survival which is the last story of the classic era before tv movie also react to that please at some point in between 10th and 11th season. Or some break between capaldi and whitiker . I've seen all of doctor who. Watching reminds me of impact to known reg viewers. Just a suggestion not to bothered but watching classic stories are special. Thanks for the reactions and channel your the best.
Tom's sacarf
Never got here so early
Has Paula changed her hair?, it looks really good!, or is it just me?. Also this is where this season is now at it's best for me! :). I looove missy, she's easily in my top 3 timelords/ladies of all time. I honestly wish she was cast as the Doctor, she would have been incredible, maybe even one of the greatest. She can steal a scene by just standing there doing nothing. Also, THEY NEED TO CAST SHANE ZAZA as a Doctor, he would be great!. They're missing a great opportunity tsk..
Season 10 favorite ?? Sorry, i prefer season 9, 2, 3, 4, ,5 and 6.
I'm glad there are so many that you love!
@@caitlin329 I cannot pick one,, please, do not make me pick one. Still Capaldi is my Doctor.