I am of the opinion that the Doctor lightened up, and actually started to care about humans, and the Earth in particular, when Vicki came aboard. She was the first new companion after the Doctor left Susan on Earth, and her intro ("The Rescue," -- two-parter, which I recommend) was the first time he realized: "No... I don't do well without someone to look out for and protect."
Of course, the Monk DOES come back! The Daleks Masterplan is available as audio only, and it's during the middle, somewhat "filler" episodes, that we learn what became of the pesky Meddler, and he's soon up to his old tricks. What those two stories have in common, for me at least, is that like The Chase, the Hartnell story which introduced Steven, the final episodes of each are the most memorable, the reason to watch again. Love that final moment with the Monks TARDIS, and believe me when I say there are still some great Hartnell moments to come in the season that follows
I thought you were going to say what they have in common is that Douglas Camfield directed them both. That alone should be a selling point if you want someone to watch a Classic 'Doctor Who' story. "Hey, watch 'Inferno'!" "What's it about?" "Doesn't matter, Douglas Camfield's the director!"
Dalek Master Plan is one of my top 2 (Power of the Daleks being the other) that I hope, if they can only find 2 more missing stories, that they are them (and I know PotD has an animated version...but it’s not the same, ya know)
@@waz207 You don't rate the animated Power as much as the pure audio, then? That's a shame because that DVD was to be my next purchase! Let me ask a silly question: Do you dream in black and white? Or rather, imagine - as I do - the audios in b/w, with low budget fx?! I ask because - even so - I can't help wondering if our imaginations fill in the blanks a little too much, making an ok episode seem like a sci fi epic. With audio, it must all come down to the writing, of course, regardless of director or design. After listening to Masterplan, for example, I checked out some colourised clips on RUclips and was suprised at how small the sets were, compared to the vast chambers I had pictured, nor was the simple hooded Zephon the kind of Ringwraith-like nightmare of my imagination! I'm not downplaying Masterplan here, it was great and just talking about it makes me want to listen again. But I wonder if the animated reconstructions, like Power, try too hard to look small scale, studio bound, and very much of the time. Why not go for grand scale and epic? It is, after all, supposed to entice a modern audience. Anywho, enough rambling, I just thought I'd investigate wether to go with audio over visual for these lost stories...but I suspect I already know your opinion ;)
I think the monk would be a good antagonist for 13. A little less cataclysmic than the master or davros but the monk represents the opposite of what Jodie's Doctor is. The Doctor Cares and wants to help everyone to the best of her ability within reason. The monk is aloof and wants to meddle with things. His lack of care or consideration is something I think could bounce off 13 quite well.
John Whittington if 13 had to face a Time-Lord, then I’m in complete agreement. Tho I would make it at the end that the monk and the Rani were teamed up, but save the Rani for a later season...just the tease of a villain many people wanted to see return would be a good pick up for the show
Wayne Sasuta I don't think the monk would really care for being around the Rani. The Monk is mostly a goofy criminal that likes to mess around with things. It might make for a good contrast. Maybe the monk and Rani could be rivals like the Doctor and master are
Yeah and the audio drama company Big Go has a comedy actor Rufus Hound who has been playing the Monk in what I assume is his third regeneration. Bottom line he'd be perfect to appear on the tv show which would be nice to have more integrated connection between all DW media (tv, audio, comic etc).
As to William Hartnell's departure, browsing through my copy of the 'The First Doctor Handbook' (published 1994), I found that the decision to replace Hartnell was nearly a year away. 'Time Meddler' was shot in June 1965. The decision to find a replacement for the first Doctor was finally made in June 1966 and Hartnell agreed to leave about a month later, during shooting of 'The Smugglers'. Good read on the motivation of the Monk!
This is one of my favourite First Doctor stories. That same joyous demeanour you mention is also why I rank The Romans and The Chase so high when I look back at Hartnell's tenure. I love when he cracks himself up and he feels proper alien when he makes jokes about humans. Two of the best Hartnell moments are when he pops out of an old Dalek casing cackling to himself (The Space Museum) and when he realizes he inspired Nero to burn Rome and he can barely contain his laughter at the thought of making history (The Romans). Such a wonderful character, and by season 2 his love for the role is super evident in the acting. Not many would be capable of starting a franchise this well. Hartnell did it with grace, joie de vivre, and, yes, a heaping spoonful of grumpy grandpa.
Hartnell intended to do 5 seasons, but the producer during Season 3 didn't like Hartnell and wanted him out. He kept failing, but then during the production of the first Season 4 story, Hartnell and all the higher ups all realised Hartnell wasn't capable of doing a show like this for 5 years, hence why the next story was his last.
The actor who played the Monk, Peter Butterworth, is mostly known for all his roles in the Carry On movies. My personal favorites with him in it are: Carry On Screaming and Carry On Up the Khyber. If you're into British humor go watch them.
I loved the exchanges between the doctor and the monk. You can fell that despite their opposing views they respect each other. It laid the groundwork for the amazing dynamic between the master and the doctor.
Whether this man did or never watch classic who, its clear he doesnt know what he talking about. Doctor who back then until 1969 was on nearly all year. Regular actors were writen out of certain episodes for sanctioned holidays back then. Also editing videotape tv was limited to a shot as live approach. Fluffed lines had to be left in. Hartnell was what it was. Council of Geeks, research? Really? You dont say?!?
While it's true that Hartnell was showing signs of his illness, they were in very early stages. They certainly wouldn't have been enough to warrant replacing him at the time. TV was made very differently in those days, with retakes only being allowed in extreme circumstances, such as a camera fault, due to the expense of editing at the time. Also, Hartnell's absence was planned; he would have been on holiday at the time, his voice having been recorded sometime prior. It wasn't until John Wiles, the show's second producer, came in that Hartnell started to become difficult. So much so that The Celestial Toymaker was intended to be Hartnell's final story. When that idea was vetoed, Wiles quit. However, it became apparant to new producer Innes Lloyd that Hartnell was struggling and the decision to replace him was then taken.
Thanks Andrew, It's common knowledge to fans of the era that holidays for the actors were built into the schedule, to assume it was issues with the lead was irritating to sit though.
Especially when a mistake of that nature informs an opinion on the story. Of course, the biggest blooper - for want of a better term - was from Maureen O'Brien as Vicki. She completely forgets a line in one scene with Steven, leaving Peter Purves to pick up the slack. O'Brien wasn't suffering from a degenerative condition, it's just something happened on television at that time.
And of course, the literal cost of editing meant you had to leave those bloopers in. It gives a new appreciation for the director when you realise they had a limited number of edits, and had to plan scene changes so you didn't need to make an edit.
Apart from the unearthly child, this was the first complete serial of the 1st Doctor that I ever watched. Like you, this serial really got me to appreciate the 1st Doctor as this cool, grandfather like character that pretty much knew everything. My favorite part is probably when he breaks the monk's Tardis.
Rogue Time Lords include: The Doctor, Susan, The Monk, The War Chief, The Master, Romana, Drax, The Rani, and The Valeyard. Of those characters, we only really spend time with The Doctor, Susan, The Master, and Romana.
So, from what I understand of the shooting process of Hartnell's era, and the reasons of his departure, he was regularly tired in the tail end of seasons because of the really taxing schedule. His missing in episode 2 is actually because he was on holiday, which happened to him, but also to companions quite a bit at the time, since the schedule was one episode per week, missing a week meant missing an episode. And yes; the decision for him to leave was taken quite a bit later, since he only left in the beginning of season 4, and there was a change of producers with The Myth Makers, with Verity Lambert leaving. Also Hartnell's health started really deteriorating only at the beginning of the 70s, (before The Three Doctors) and he also acted in demanding theater work right after leaving the part. He said later in his life that he did not willingly give it up, and there are a lot of rumors that his bad health was exaggerated by the new producers, because his salary was becoming too big an expense (five times what the companions earned). There are accounts that he had poor relations with them though, so the decision may have been mutual. tl;dr : Hartnell was fine while shooting the Time Meddler, just tired because it was the last serial of a season with a very demanding shooting schedule. His departure was decided later, after different producers took helm of the show, and his health was only one of the reasons that lead to his leaving the show.
I like this story - are some issues (nuclear bazookers? Hartnell getting older / sick) - but overall quite enjoyable and gives us the first look at another Time Lord. I would like to see the Meddling Monk come back - I actually thought Rosa was a missed opportunity in that regard in the most recent series. If they want to make more stories with the Dr "preserving history" a recurring villain looking to actively push history off track could work very well.
I just watched it today and loved it. It’s similar to Mark of the Rani because it isn’t a really one with non stop action or a building plot, things happen slowly over time. I found the first two episodes (which many people slag off as boring and filler) to build up tension really well. The second half is equally good. This episode is so under rated. Glad how the Monk returned in the 8th doctor adventures in The Book of Kells, The Resurrection of Mars and To the Death. If you liked this episode, listen to the BF audio The Book of Kells as it is very similar but some of the filler is taken out and it has a very similar plot. Edit : What I also liked was how much I learnt about the Battle of Hastings. I learnt more about it than I ever did in history class. I never picked up on Hartnell’s ill health effects in this episode, tbh I found him really funny in Part One and Three, especially when he was showing Steven around the Tardis. “And that is a scanner, and that is a chair with a panda on it, sheer poetry my boy!” had me in stitches. The cliffhanger to Part Three was epic as well, even more so to the audience of the time. It is the first time that we realise that The Doctor is not human as before we could have thought that he was a clever human who made a time machine.
'Sheer poetry!" The Monk is so hip... He uses vinyl! The Monk does come back on TV. He appears in the partly missing The Dalek Masterplan. He also often appears in Big Finish adventures played by Graham Garden and Rufus Hound (in two different incarnations.) They mixed sci-fi and historical stuff for the first time in the adventure before The Time Meddler - The Chase. Other renagade Time Lords include Drax and Morbius.
Fun fact, but this was actually one of the first William Hartnell serials that I watched, and on all the occasions that I've seen it, I love it. The Monk is amazing, it's a great introduction for Steven, and yeah. As you said, though, it is quite sad that Hartnell isn't in this one that much. Also, another fun fact: A few seconds of footage (12 seconds) got cut from episode four (the scene where the Vikings were being attacked by the locals, and then the fade to the Doctor in the monastery? There was more footage before the fade), and those few seconds of footage haven't been found since, and considering that the copy we have of episode four is probably the last copy in existence, we might never see those 12 seconds ever again.
Love this episode. Hartnell technically left during season 4, but I know what you mean. The 1st and 9th Doctor are the only Doctor’s with legitimate planned out character arcs. You can see through out season 1 and the departure of Susan, Ian and Barbara how much he’s been affected. I also think Steven and Vicki are underrated companions and an underrated duo.
The term “Time-Lords” is first brought up specifically in Troughton’s last story, just as the planet name of Gallifrey is not mentioned until midway through Pertwee’s run. I like how they didn’t go nuts with a lot of backstory behind the Doctor until they were quite into the run...as it always brought anticipation for more info on this crazy alien, the blue box, etc. Nowadays, it’s hard to come up with “new” concepts or ideas without fans tearing into it in some regard.
This is one of the earliest Doctor Who DVDs I ever got and I love it. The star field closing credits at the end of the serial is my favorite end credits sequence ever. I wish the Monk would return to the tv series: he's only appeared in books and audios, unfortunately (where they give him the name Mortimus).
i would have loved the villain in "Rosa" be the Monk instead of Krasko. it would have been better if it was the Monks meddling that "accidentally" causes all the problems. instead of generic space racist.
I just wanted to drop some info, but this story might be incomplete forever. See, censorship overseas removed 12 seconds from Episode 4 of the vikings getting killed by the locals after being left behind by the Monk. Now, I don't exactly know when Episode 4 was found, but seeming that the current copy of the episode is the only known surviving copy, this clip is lost forever....BUT WAIT! The audio for the 12 seconds *does* exist, so even if the scene is gone, it can still be experienced through audio.
Probably my favourite of the extant Hartnell episodes. The Meddling Monk is such a fun character, and I do wish Peter Butterworth had shown up a couple more times. I'd love for the Rufus Hound incarnation of the Monk to show up in the TV series at some point. I've only heard him in the new _Missy_ series, but I think he'd make a great antagonist for the current show.
From what I gather, he's really good in the "Doom Coalition" series for the 8th Doctor too. Also, the other actor to play the monk in the 8th Doctor Adventures (I forget his name) is also incredibly good. At this point I think the Monk is just one of the most well-written and played villains in all of DW, every story he's in is absolutely stellar.
Hartnell wasn't sick during the time meddler, he was on vacation, as was common for the time; Back then they made one Episode per week so when an actor had a holiday, they had to write around that: missingepisodes.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_22.html
Well, keep in mind that the Classic Who was not written with arc stories in mind. Saying that because in the Doctor vs Monk conversations, the Monk's scheme keeps being called The Master Plan(I think?). Therefore, the Monk may not be the Master, but he's definitely that character's inspiration.
My only problem with the subtext basically saying the Monk has a better TARDIS is that he said it was a Mark 4. The Doctor's is a Mark 40 and it was a "museum piece" when he left.
Loved this adventure for the first Doctor, though he's not in it very much, but the bit with the Doctor in the Monk's TARDIS is one of my favorite Doctor Who moments.
I only seen this one once about 10 years ago. I remember Hartnell and Butterworth looked like they they were really relishing playing their scenes together. Really getting into the rivalry.
I kinda wish they'd do a proper historical again - no aliens, no monsters, just the doctor and friends in a sticky situation where they have to avoid screwing over the timeline and/or getting getting into too much trouble - like the crusades, for example.
Definitely check out more Vicki stories if you get chance, apart form Ian and Barbara she’s my favourite first Doctor companion, and really brings out the best in him (they definitely have a warmth about them in their chemistry, and Hartnell loved the actress in real life too).
I just want to shout out the great Alethea Charlton as the Saxon woman. She also played “Her” in the Tribe of Gum. Brilliant actress gone way too soon.
If you follow back the reasearch the monk is based on the original concept put forward for the doctor where he was trying to subvert history to undo some horrible tragedy he had caused in his youth.
Its one of my favourite 1st doctor stories. I think Peter Butterworth who plays the monk is really good and funny. British audiences will remember him mostly from 60s and 70s comedies especially the 'carry on' films' so a more serious role for him was interesting but he pulled it off.
I feel this story is a bit if a missed opportunity as they really gloss over the fact that in the episode it says he helped Da Vinci make his flying machine. I think that could have been really interesting; would be cool if he ever came back.
As stated earlier, the Monk was also in the Daleks' Master Plan which I caught a glimpse of on my 'Lost Years' DVD set. I really like this one, especially for a 1st Doctor story. This and Aztecs are my 2 favorite 1st Doctor stories. The Monk is just fun here too. I may not agree with his objectives but he was a brilliant character. Not trying to be pedantic as I know that gets annoying but the War Chief in the Wargames was another renegade Time Lord (the Wargames is really good too and despite the 10 episode length it never dragged for me).
"That is a chair with a panda on it." "What do you think it is? A space helmet for a cow?!" This is a story I've been watching for about 20 years, but I got over my nostalgia and I think it's pretty slow overall. The Monk and The Doctor have great scenes together, but the real reason to watch this is for the awesome comedic lines in the first part.
Great review. I'm sure others will have corrected your few errors already, but here I go again... The Monk DOES return in the very next season of Doctor Who - in the partly missing Dalek's Masterplan... But we do still have an episode fearturing him left in the archive from that story. Big Finish and the comic strips have also used the Monk again. Another rogue Time Lord who you failed to name is another class-mate of the Doctor, the Master and the Rani - Drax. He first appears in the 1978 story The Armageddon Factor and has appeared many times in Big Finish stories. Also the first story to feature the mixing of sci-fi threat and a historical setting is actually the story BEFORE this one - the dalek story The Chase has the daleks invade the Mary Celeste and be responcible for it's abandonment. Surprised you didn't address the implied rape in this story? Perhaps you were trying to avoid youtube de-funding the video? The current version of this story is missing a couple of minutes of footage - due to it having been lost to a censorship in the country that the film cans was recovered from. It's a scene where the villagers catch up with the two main viking charcters and kill them.
I feel like in Series 11 Krasko in ‘Rosa’ was Chibnall’s attempt at a Meddling Monk-esque character, maybe even meant as a regeneration, given Chibnall’s insistence that the series would draw more inspiration from Classic villains. Then again I would be disappointed if it was, given that it would have been a huge waste of a good Classic villain. That’s the vibe I got from his character anyway!
I love the Monk, so much! Hes michevoous rather than wicked! I quite like that he sells thoae two Vikings out, so he can get away! An admiral commitment to self-preservation!
That's one of the episodes I suggest to friends that want to know a bit more of the 1st. It's fun and light enough. There's one more rogue Timelord that you forgot: The War Chief from the 2nd doctor last serial. Although... Some comics and novelisations have implied over the years that he was an early incarnation of the Master... So the list may be correct ^^"
I watched this episode on Friday and am about to upload my review for it now. Kinda a coincidence cause I didn't think this was regarded as a "classic"
I really liked this episode. It was just a lot fun, and it was great to see Peter Butterworth outside of a Carry On movie and playing a role that was a smidgen more serious (by the time I got around to seeing this episode, I'd already sat and watched a whole slew of Carry On movies with my Dad, who was into British comedy in a big way) but still somewhat comedic. I'm fairly sure Butterworth wasn't in Carry On Sergeant, which is the first film in the series, and the one that William Hartnell was in. Speaking of, its kind of interesting how the same names pop up again and again in British tv. Bernard Cribbins, who played Donna's grandfather in New Who, Wilf, was also in the Carry On movies. Carry On Jack, I believe. You'll also find Jon Pertwee (the 3rd Doctor) in Carry On Cleo, Carry On Cowboy, Carry On Screaming and Carry On Columbus. It's like six degrees of separation in British tv and film.
Peter Butterworth joined the Carry On team with ...Cowboy in 1965, shortly after The Time Meddler. The Cribster was indeed in ...Jack, and was also in ...Spying and the unfairly-maligned ...Columbus. Hours of fun can be had spotting the Doctor Who actors in those films.
Hey Nathaniel and the rest of the council :) What would you all recommend as the best Classic Doctor Who stories? I've seen some of the third doctor's run but that's all
Here's my own personal "one from each Classic Doctor" list: Dalek Invasion of Earth Tombs of the Cybermen The Time Warrior The City of Death Caves of Androzani Vengeance on Varos Remembrance of the Daleks
Have you read (or heard) the new book from Tom Baker, Doctor Who and the Scratchman? I have thoughts that I won't share (spoilers) but I'm curious what you thought.
I am of the opinion that the Doctor lightened up, and actually started to care about humans, and the Earth in particular, when Vicki came aboard. She was the first new companion after the Doctor left Susan on Earth, and her intro ("The Rescue," -- two-parter, which I recommend) was the first time he realized: "No... I don't do well without someone to look out for and protect."
Of course, the Monk DOES come back! The Daleks Masterplan is available as audio only, and it's during the middle, somewhat "filler" episodes, that we learn what became of the pesky Meddler, and he's soon up to his old tricks.
What those two stories have in common, for me at least, is that like The Chase, the Hartnell story which introduced Steven, the final episodes of each are the most memorable, the reason to watch again.
Love that final moment with the Monks TARDIS, and believe me when I say there are still some great Hartnell moments to come in the season that follows
I thought you were going to say what they have in common is that Douglas Camfield directed them both. That alone should be a selling point if you want someone to watch a Classic 'Doctor Who' story.
"Hey, watch 'Inferno'!"
"What's it about?"
"Doesn't matter, Douglas Camfield's the director!"
Dalek Master Plan is one of my top 2 (Power of the Daleks being the other) that I hope, if they can only find 2 more missing stories, that they are them (and I know PotD has an animated version...but it’s not the same, ya know)
@@waz207 You don't rate the animated Power as much as the pure audio, then? That's a shame because that DVD was to be my next purchase!
Let me ask a silly question: Do you dream in black and white? Or rather, imagine - as I do - the audios in b/w, with low budget fx?!
I ask because - even so - I can't help wondering if our imaginations fill in the blanks a little too much, making an ok episode seem like a sci fi epic.
With audio, it must all come down to the writing, of course, regardless of director or design. After listening to Masterplan, for example, I checked out some colourised clips on RUclips and was suprised at how small the sets were, compared to the vast chambers I had pictured, nor was the simple hooded Zephon the kind of Ringwraith-like nightmare of my imagination!
I'm not downplaying Masterplan here, it was great and just talking about it makes me want to listen again. But I wonder if the animated reconstructions, like Power, try too hard to look small scale, studio bound, and very much of the time. Why not go for grand scale and epic? It is, after all, supposed to entice a modern audience.
Anywho, enough rambling, I just thought I'd investigate wether to go with audio over visual for these lost stories...but I suspect I already know your opinion ;)
'Available as audio only'...
Actually, episodes 2, 5, and 10 exist...And the Monk appearing in 10.
I think the monk would be a good antagonist for 13. A little less cataclysmic than the master or davros but the monk represents the opposite of what Jodie's Doctor is. The Doctor Cares and wants to help everyone to the best of her ability within reason.
The monk is aloof and wants to meddle with things. His lack of care or consideration is something I think could bounce off 13 quite well.
John Whittington if 13 had to face a Time-Lord, then I’m in complete agreement. Tho I would make it at the end that the monk and the Rani were teamed up, but save the Rani for a later season...just the tease of a villain many people wanted to see return would be a good pick up for the show
Wayne Sasuta I don't think the monk would really care for being around the Rani. The Monk is mostly a goofy criminal that likes to mess around with things. It might make for a good contrast.
Maybe the monk and Rani could be rivals like the Doctor and master are
I didnt see classic dr who but the monk would ba a good reason to have several historical episodes, and he sounds fun.
Yeah and the audio drama company Big Go has a comedy actor Rufus Hound who has been playing the Monk in what I assume is his third regeneration. Bottom line he'd be perfect to appear on the tv show which would be nice to have more integrated connection between all DW media (tv, audio, comic etc).
SearchAndResearch wasn't he in The Woman Who Lived? Maybe he was the monk but he didn't recognise the Doctor
As to William Hartnell's departure, browsing through my copy of the 'The First Doctor Handbook' (published 1994), I found that the decision to replace Hartnell was nearly a year away. 'Time Meddler' was shot in June 1965. The decision to find a replacement for the first Doctor was finally made in June 1966 and Hartnell agreed to leave about a month later, during shooting of 'The Smugglers'.
Good read on the motivation of the Monk!
This is one of my favourite First Doctor stories. That same joyous demeanour you mention is also why I rank The Romans and The Chase so high when I look back at Hartnell's tenure. I love when he cracks himself up and he feels proper alien when he makes jokes about humans. Two of the best Hartnell moments are when he pops out of an old Dalek casing cackling to himself (The Space Museum) and when he realizes he inspired Nero to burn Rome and he can barely contain his laughter at the thought of making history (The Romans). Such a wonderful character, and by season 2 his love for the role is super evident in the acting. Not many would be capable of starting a franchise this well. Hartnell did it with grace, joie de vivre, and, yes, a heaping spoonful of grumpy grandpa.
Hartnell intended to do 5 seasons, but the producer during Season 3 didn't like Hartnell and wanted him out. He kept failing, but then during the production of the first Season 4 story, Hartnell and all the higher ups all realised Hartnell wasn't capable of doing a show like this for 5 years, hence why the next story was his last.
The actor who played the Monk, Peter Butterworth, is mostly known for all his roles in the Carry On movies. My personal favorites with him in it are: Carry On Screaming and Carry On Up the Khyber. If you're into British humor go watch them.
Plus his son is an actor so if they bring him back it would be fun to have him as a regeneration.
I loved the exchanges between the doctor and the monk. You can fell that despite their opposing views they respect each other. It laid the groundwork for the amazing dynamic between the master and the doctor.
Whether this man did or never watch classic who, its clear he doesnt know what he talking about. Doctor who back then until 1969 was on nearly all year. Regular actors were writen out of certain episodes for sanctioned holidays back then. Also editing videotape tv was limited to a shot as live approach. Fluffed lines had to be left in. Hartnell was what it was. Council of Geeks, research? Really? You dont say?!?
While it's true that Hartnell was showing signs of his illness, they were in very early stages. They certainly wouldn't have been enough to warrant replacing him at the time. TV was made very differently in those days, with retakes only being allowed in extreme circumstances, such as a camera fault, due to the expense of editing at the time. Also, Hartnell's absence was planned; he would have been on holiday at the time, his voice having been recorded sometime prior. It wasn't until John Wiles, the show's second producer, came in that Hartnell started to become difficult. So much so that The Celestial Toymaker was intended to be Hartnell's final story. When that idea was vetoed, Wiles quit. However, it became apparant to new producer Innes Lloyd that Hartnell was struggling and the decision to replace him was then taken.
Bang on. The decision to replace Hartnell wasn't taken til much later than this; around the end of season three's filming really.
During the filming of The Smugglers, if I remember rightly.
Thanks Andrew, It's common knowledge to fans of the era that holidays for the actors were built into the schedule, to assume it was issues with the lead was irritating to sit though.
Especially when a mistake of that nature informs an opinion on the story. Of course, the biggest blooper - for want of a better term - was from Maureen O'Brien as Vicki. She completely forgets a line in one scene with Steven, leaving Peter Purves to pick up the slack. O'Brien wasn't suffering from a degenerative condition, it's just something happened on television at that time.
And of course, the literal cost of editing meant you had to leave those bloopers in. It gives a new appreciation for the director when you realise they had a limited number of edits, and had to plan scene changes so you didn't need to make an edit.
Apart from the unearthly child, this was the first complete serial of the 1st Doctor that I ever watched. Like you, this serial really got me to appreciate the 1st Doctor as this cool, grandfather like character that pretty much knew everything. My favorite part is probably when he breaks the monk's Tardis.
Rogue Time Lords include: The Doctor, Susan, The Monk, The War Chief, The Master, Romana, Drax, The Rani, and The Valeyard. Of those characters, we only really spend time with The Doctor, Susan, The Master, and Romana.
So, from what I understand of the shooting process of Hartnell's era, and the reasons of his departure, he was regularly tired in the tail end of seasons because of the really taxing schedule. His missing in episode 2 is actually because he was on holiday, which happened to him, but also to companions quite a bit at the time, since the schedule was one episode per week, missing a week meant missing an episode.
And yes; the decision for him to leave was taken quite a bit later, since he only left in the beginning of season 4, and there was a change of producers with The Myth Makers, with Verity Lambert leaving. Also Hartnell's health started really deteriorating only at the beginning of the 70s, (before The Three Doctors) and he also acted in demanding theater work right after leaving the part.
He said later in his life that he did not willingly give it up, and there are a lot of rumors that his bad health was exaggerated by the new producers, because his salary was becoming too big an expense (five times what the companions earned). There are accounts that he had poor relations with them though, so the decision may have been mutual.
tl;dr : Hartnell was fine while shooting the Time Meddler, just tired because it was the last serial of a season with a very demanding shooting schedule. His departure was decided later, after different producers took helm of the show, and his health was only one of the reasons that lead to his leaving the show.
I like this story - are some issues (nuclear bazookers? Hartnell getting older / sick) - but overall quite enjoyable and gives us the first look at another Time Lord.
I would like to see the Meddling Monk come back - I actually thought Rosa was a missed opportunity in that regard in the most recent series.
If they want to make more stories with the Dr "preserving history" a recurring villain looking to actively push history off track could work very well.
I thought the same thing while watching Rosa.
I just watched it today and loved it. It’s similar to Mark of the Rani because it isn’t a really one with non stop action or a building plot, things happen slowly over time. I found the first two episodes (which many people slag off as boring and filler) to build up tension really well. The second half is equally good. This episode is so under rated. Glad how the Monk returned in the 8th doctor adventures in The Book of Kells, The Resurrection of Mars and To the Death. If you liked this episode, listen to the BF audio The Book of Kells as it is very similar but some of the filler is taken out and it has a very similar plot.
Edit : What I also liked was how much I learnt about the Battle of Hastings. I learnt more about it than I ever did in history class. I never picked up on Hartnell’s ill health effects in this episode, tbh I found him really funny in Part One and Three, especially when he was showing Steven around the Tardis. “And that is a scanner, and that is a chair with a panda on it, sheer poetry my boy!” had me in stitches. The cliffhanger to Part Three was epic as well, even more so to the audience of the time. It is the first time that we realise that The Doctor is not human as before we could have thought that he was a clever human who made a time machine.
'Sheer poetry!" The Monk is so hip... He uses vinyl! The Monk does come back on TV. He appears in the partly missing The Dalek Masterplan. He also often appears in Big Finish adventures played by Graham Garden and Rufus Hound (in two different incarnations.) They mixed sci-fi and historical stuff for the first time in the adventure before The Time Meddler - The Chase. Other renagade Time Lords include Drax and Morbius.
My favourite Hartnell era story. 10/10
Mine too
Fun fact, but this was actually one of the first William Hartnell serials that I watched, and on all the occasions that I've seen it, I love it. The Monk is amazing, it's a great introduction for Steven, and yeah. As you said, though, it is quite sad that Hartnell isn't in this one that much.
Also, another fun fact: A few seconds of footage (12 seconds) got cut from episode four (the scene where the Vikings were being attacked by the locals, and then the fade to the Doctor in the monastery? There was more footage before the fade), and those few seconds of footage haven't been found since, and considering that the copy we have of episode four is probably the last copy in existence, we might never see those 12 seconds ever again.
I believe we do have the audio though and that makes it quite clear
Love this episode. Hartnell technically left during season 4, but I know what you mean. The 1st and 9th Doctor are the only Doctor’s with legitimate planned out character arcs. You can see through out season 1 and the departure of Susan, Ian and Barbara how much he’s been affected. I also think Steven and Vicki are underrated companions and an underrated duo.
The term “Time-Lords” is first brought up specifically in Troughton’s last story, just as the planet name of Gallifrey is not mentioned until midway through Pertwee’s run.
I like how they didn’t go nuts with a lot of backstory behind the Doctor until they were quite into the run...as it always brought anticipation for more info on this crazy alien, the blue box, etc.
Nowadays, it’s hard to come up with “new” concepts or ideas without fans tearing into it in some regard.
Vicki is an underrated companion. Watch The Romans.
I love her!
This is one of the earliest Doctor Who DVDs I ever got and I love it. The star field closing credits at the end of the serial is my favorite end credits sequence ever. I wish the Monk would return to the tv series: he's only appeared in books and audios, unfortunately (where they give him the name Mortimus).
Ah, meddling kids!
Scooby-dooby-doo!
i would have loved the villain in "Rosa" be the Monk instead of Krasko. it would have been better if it was the Monks meddling that "accidentally" causes all the problems. instead of generic space racist.
That would've required Chibnall to reference the classic series, and that's never gonna happen.
I remember seeing clips of this programme when I was a kid. Vickey and Stephen crawling into the Monks TARDIS being one scene that I remember.
I just wanted to drop some info, but this story might be incomplete forever. See, censorship overseas removed 12 seconds from Episode 4 of the vikings getting killed by the locals after being left behind by the Monk. Now, I don't exactly know when Episode 4 was found, but seeming that the current copy of the episode is the only known surviving copy, this clip is lost forever....BUT WAIT! The audio for the 12 seconds *does* exist, so even if the scene is gone, it can still be experienced through audio.
Probably my favourite of the extant Hartnell episodes. The Meddling Monk is such a fun character, and I do wish Peter Butterworth had shown up a couple more times.
I'd love for the Rufus Hound incarnation of the Monk to show up in the TV series at some point. I've only heard him in the new _Missy_ series, but I think he'd make a great antagonist for the current show.
From what I gather, he's really good in the "Doom Coalition" series for the 8th Doctor too. Also, the other actor to play the monk in the 8th Doctor Adventures (I forget his name) is also incredibly good. At this point I think the Monk is just one of the most well-written and played villains in all of DW, every story he's in is absolutely stellar.
Can you review THE ENEMY OF THE WORLD next time? (Or have it as a patreon option?)
BRICKTALES that is an awesome 2nd Doctor story, one of the best during his run imo
The Monk does have a second classic appearance in The Daleks' Master Plan. Unfortunately, this is one of the missing episodes.
You missed out the War Chief 8:30
Imagine how much better Rosa would have been if instead of having a random "Space Racist" trying to stop Rosa, it was the Meddling Monk.
HOW CAN I MAKE THIS ABOUT MY HATRED OF SERIES 11?
@@Silverwind87 its quite easy tho to hate on season 11 chibnall and jodie. Because of how terrible it is.
@@the5thdoctor You don't have to shove it into every conversation.
Hartnell wasn't sick during the time meddler, he was on vacation, as was common for the time; Back then they made one Episode per week so when an actor had a holiday, they had to write around that: missingepisodes.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_22.html
Well, keep in mind that the Classic Who was not written with arc stories in mind. Saying that because in the Doctor vs Monk conversations, the Monk's scheme keeps being called The Master Plan(I think?).
Therefore, the Monk may not be the Master, but he's definitely that character's inspiration.
I would love for The Monk the come back. I find him a compelling foil to The Doctor trying to defend history, where The Monk tries to "fix" history.
This was my first classic doctor who episode to watch. Nice review
My only problem with the subtext basically saying the Monk has a better TARDIS is that he said it was a Mark 4. The Doctor's is a Mark 40 and it was a "museum piece" when he left.
Loved this adventure for the first Doctor, though he's not in it very much, but the bit with the Doctor in the Monk's TARDIS is one of my favorite Doctor Who moments.
I only seen this one once about 10 years ago. I remember Hartnell and Butterworth looked like they they were really relishing playing their scenes together. Really getting into the rivalry.
Fun fact, this is the first time someone referred to the Doctor as Doc. To the Doctor's annoyance.
I kinda wish they'd do a proper historical again - no aliens, no monsters, just the doctor and friends in a sticky situation where they have to avoid screwing over the timeline and/or getting getting into too much trouble - like the crusades, for example.
The monk is brought back by Big Finish as an antagonist for the 8th Doctor.
And just recently in the new Missy series.
Also against 2,3, and 5
when i watched the classic who livestream on twitch people told me Hartnell was absent because he was on holiday at the time of filming
Definitely check out more Vicki stories if you get chance, apart form Ian and Barbara she’s my favourite first Doctor companion, and really brings out the best in him (they definitely have a warmth about them in their chemistry, and Hartnell loved the actress in real life too).
What do you think it is, a space helmet for a cow?
I just want to shout out the great Alethea Charlton as the Saxon woman. She also played “Her” in the Tribe of Gum. Brilliant actress gone way too soon.
If you follow back the reasearch the monk is based on the original concept put forward for the doctor where he was trying to subvert history to undo some horrible tragedy he had caused in his youth.
Its one of my favourite 1st doctor stories. I think Peter Butterworth who plays the monk is really good and funny. British audiences will remember him mostly from 60s and 70s comedies especially the 'carry on' films' so a more serious role for him was interesting but he pulled it off.
I feel this story is a bit if a missed opportunity as they really gloss over the fact that in the episode it says he helped Da Vinci make his flying machine. I think that could have been really interesting; would be cool if he ever came back.
As stated earlier, the Monk was also in the Daleks' Master Plan which I caught a glimpse of on my 'Lost Years' DVD set. I really like this one, especially for a 1st Doctor story. This and Aztecs are my 2 favorite 1st Doctor stories. The Monk is just fun here too. I may not agree with his objectives but he was a brilliant character.
Not trying to be pedantic as I know that gets annoying but the War Chief in the Wargames was another renegade Time Lord (the Wargames is really good too and despite the 10 episode length it never dragged for me).
I think I've watched "The Time Meddler" three times but if I was asked who the companions were I pretty sure I would have said Barbara, Ian and Susan.
"That is a chair with a panda on it."
"What do you think it is? A space helmet for a cow?!"
This is a story I've been watching for about 20 years, but I got over my nostalgia and I think it's pretty slow overall. The Monk and The Doctor have great scenes together, but the real reason to watch this is for the awesome comedic lines in the first part.
1:42 - edit there to go look on Wikipedia?
For me he was precursoer to the master, probably explains why he wasn't used again (daleks masterplan aside)
The Monk comes back in The Daleks Master Plan
Nerd moment: Actually, Hartnell's era ended with the second story of the fourth season, the Tenth Planet.
Great review. I'm sure others will have corrected your few errors already, but here I go again... The Monk DOES return in the very next season of Doctor Who - in the partly missing Dalek's Masterplan... But we do still have an episode fearturing him left in the archive from that story. Big Finish and the comic strips have also used the Monk again. Another rogue Time Lord who you failed to name is another class-mate of the Doctor, the Master and the Rani - Drax. He first appears in the 1978 story The Armageddon Factor and has appeared many times in Big Finish stories. Also the first story to feature the mixing of sci-fi threat and a historical setting is actually the story BEFORE this one - the dalek story The Chase has the daleks invade the Mary Celeste and be responcible for it's abandonment. Surprised you didn't address the implied rape in this story? Perhaps you were trying to avoid youtube de-funding the video? The current version of this story is missing a couple of minutes of footage - due to it having been lost to a censorship in the country that the film cans was recovered from. It's a scene where the villagers catch up with the two main viking charcters and kill them.
You forgot to mention the fact that that one Saxon woman gets.....um......possibly taken advantage of by the Vikings.
Woah your camera's exposure is off the charts today
I feel like in Series 11 Krasko in ‘Rosa’ was Chibnall’s attempt at a Meddling Monk-esque character, maybe even meant as a regeneration, given Chibnall’s insistence that the series would draw more inspiration from Classic villains. Then again I would be disappointed if it was, given that it would have been a huge waste of a good Classic villain. That’s the vibe I got from his character anyway!
Joyous? Mischievous? You need to see the Romans! I just love the Doctor and Vicky as a duo really ahahah
I love the Monk, so much!
Hes michevoous rather than wicked!
I quite like that he sells thoae two Vikings out, so he can get away! An admiral commitment to self-preservation!
Did you get a new camera? It looks great.
That's one of the episodes I suggest to friends that want to know a bit more of the 1st. It's fun and light enough.
There's one more rogue Timelord that you forgot: The War Chief from the 2nd doctor last serial. Although... Some comics and novelisations have implied over the years that he was an early incarnation of the Master... So the list may be correct ^^"
My favorite 1st Doctor story
Man I hope you get to some of the Monk Audios some day (though they're all newer, so they're still full price)
Hi
Just to let you know the next classic review 'the mark of the Rani' won't work in UK due to copyright.
Love your content
The filter/lighting looks a little bright...
I watched this episode on Friday and am about to upload my review for it now. Kinda a coincidence cause I didn't think this was regarded as a "classic"
I really liked this episode. It was just a lot fun, and it was great to see Peter Butterworth outside of a Carry On movie and playing a role that was a smidgen more serious (by the time I got around to seeing this episode, I'd already sat and watched a whole slew of Carry On movies with my Dad, who was into British comedy in a big way) but still somewhat comedic. I'm fairly sure Butterworth wasn't in Carry On Sergeant, which is the first film in the series, and the one that William Hartnell was in. Speaking of, its kind of interesting how the same names pop up again and again in British tv. Bernard Cribbins, who played Donna's grandfather in New Who, Wilf, was also in the Carry On movies. Carry On Jack, I believe. You'll also find Jon Pertwee (the 3rd Doctor) in Carry On Cleo, Carry On Cowboy, Carry On Screaming and Carry On Columbus. It's like six degrees of separation in British tv and film.
Peter Butterworth joined the Carry On team with ...Cowboy in 1965, shortly after The Time Meddler. The Cribster was indeed in ...Jack, and was also in ...Spying and the unfairly-maligned ...Columbus. Hours of fun can be had spotting the Doctor Who actors in those films.
“Northumbria”, when referring to the historical name for the north of England, is one word. It’s not “North Umbria”.
he looks like a ghost in this video
Always had a soft spot for this one.
Miss u monk
I find it to be a very average, slow episode. I wish we had more monk vs the doctor scenes.
I'd be OK with seeing the monk come back. Maybe an added twist of one of the companions being him via the whole Time Lord Essence Watch trick.
I have an idea, but could you review The Gunfighters next time?
I try to not do the same Doctor two months in a row. Plus my Patreon supporters vote on which story I do next. I'm sure I'll get to it eventually.
Okay.
Is it just the crappy screen I'm watching you on or is your lighting washing you out?
Space helmet for cows
I found it to be a very entertaining story.
I like mozzarella sticks 😋
Nice vid
Hey Nathaniel and the rest of the council :) What would you all recommend as the best Classic Doctor Who stories? I've seen some of the third doctor's run but that's all
Here's my own personal "one from each Classic Doctor" list:
Dalek Invasion of Earth
Tombs of the Cybermen
The Time Warrior
The City of Death
Caves of Androzani
Vengeance on Varos
Remembrance of the Daleks
@@CouncilofGeeks Thanks :)
Have you read (or heard) the new book from Tom Baker, Doctor Who and the Scratchman? I have thoughts that I won't share (spoilers) but I'm curious what you thought.
If it's anywhere near as good as The Boy Who Kicked Pigs, then I am down!
I liked it and recommend the audio version - read by Tom Baker himself.
Someone say metal?...no, ok