Jon Pertwee is fabulous and fully realised as the Doctor with Roger Delgado never bested as the Master: a great supporting team and peerless writing from the best writer bar none to write Dr Who in all its variforms: some of the concepts are terrifying! Great bloody stuff!
To add to your Time Eddy segment, I would like to compare the season 8 episode Terror of the Autons to Season 10's Frontier in Space, the first and last appearance of the Robert Delgado Master. In Terror of the Autons, Jo Grant is beating herself up in that the Master hypnotizes her to make her a pawn to destroy the Doctor. Later in Frontier in Space, Jo is ready and she recites nursery rhymes to block the master attempts to control her. A moment of character growth for Jo Grant as she comes full circle in her 3 season run.
I've always found this to be a very worthwhile sequel to the superb Spearhead from Space, not least because the Autons, just by dint of their mostly unspeaking, sinister appearance, are able to add quality tension to any scene, making their quick return very welcome. A successful follow-up, of course, requires appropriate evolution of established concepts, and this was ably provided by the expansion of 'controlled plastic' into objects other than manikins. With the addition of a rival Time Lord, and a new companion, came the undoubted potential for things to get a little crowded, yet making the Master and Jo Grant interact so compellingly provided an elegant solution to this. It can't be overemphasised how starkly the newly-introduced, most renegade of Time Lords contrasted his Neru-suited, impeccable manners with the most unspeakable acts. Killing an innocent wasn't enough; shrinking them was insufficient; no, stuffing the shrunken corpse into their lunchbox, nestled next to a boiled egg, was, in one case, where he drew his line, with a speedy encore in the form of a hypnotized scientist, forcibly dressed as a clown, compelled to commit mass murder at a circus. The seventies coincided with a slew of well made, visceral horror films, yet I'd venture that nothing to be found therein came close to this for raw nastiness. Jo was the antithesis of the previous series' Liz Shaw, which was a sensible direction to take. Her vulnerability, and questionable adequacy (at least in terms of her early introduction) undoubtedly resulted in her being so readily likeable, together with allowing for requisite character development; also, her fierce loyalty to the Doctor was established admirably quickly, and the chemistry between them was to become a firm basis for how successful was their time together. The story really was as trimmed and perfectly paced as for one could wish, each subsequent episode delivering very satisfactorily upon the highly enjoyable previous one. Whilst disagreeing with not one of the panel's thoughtful reservations, many of which had simply never occurred to me, I tend to regard most of the classic era with an unashamedly rose-coloured view, an affliction for which The Sense Sphere continues to offer a ready antidote. So it is that I've always judged this story to be without any meaningful flaws! I love the idea of rating the cliff-hangers, and judge the end of episode two's 'ripped mask' to be the most effective and meaningful. The War Chief was an excellent, complex, and, ultimately, a sympathetic character, but the Master he most categorically was not. The flailing efforts of Davies, Cook, Collinson et al, is what will continue to distance current era production teams from real Doctor Who, and the show's future history will judge them to be the badly-scrawled footnote that they have become. Many thanks, Brendan, Hugh, Michelle, and John, and Brian. Differing opinions make for entertaining debate/discussion, yet it's been a pleasure to agree with practically every word said tonight! All the best for now. Paul
Hugh, Brian, John, Michelle & Brendan - what a panel, what a discussion, what a story! My first exposure to T of A was the documentary on bbc2 with the talking anorak in the early 90's, there were some clips including the troll doll, all in b & w. From that moment I wanted to see it little knowing a colourised VHS release was just around the corner! Who the heck are you!? I am The Master, and you will obey me!
So much to say, but suffice it that altering someone else’s work is the height of audacity, and is equivalent to wanting a mustache on the Mona Lisa. It’s disgusting, and makes me livid.
Nice show as usual. There is no doubt in my mind that the War Chief is NOT The Master ( he hadn't been invented yet). However there is a possibility that the Master WAS the War Chief. However there is no tangible connection between the two. I prefer to think that they probably shopped at the same tailor and maybe went to Bad Guy School together. I'm eagerly awaiting delivery of my War Games In Colour Blu-ray. I will then make up my own mind. Terror of the Autons is a fabulous story and I love the Blu-ray upgrade,it's very much a subtle tweak rather than an overhaul. I agree with the CSO criticisms again its very much improved in the Blu-ray without altering the look and feel of it.
If Ian Marter had been available to play the role, do you think he would've made a good Captain Mike Yates? And if it had worked out that way, do you think Richard Franklin would've made a good Harry Sullivan?
It's hard to imagine anyone else playing Harry, but Ian could certainly have played Captain Yates, and I think Richard Franklin could have played Harry, and I'm sure we would have enjoyed his version too.
I give the story an Outstanding rating. The introduction of Jo Grant, which I never thought of as a ditsy blonde. She got the job with the help of a relative but once there she was determined to prove her worth. Which just happened to get her in trouble. Going from making a list of Plastic Factories to investigating the factories makes sense to me as that seems to be within her character to prove her worthiness as part of U.N.I.T. Introduction of The Master (The Master & The War Chief are TWO different Timelords & I don't want to hear any more of that arrant nonsense). The resolution is a bit underwhelming, which could've been improved if they had have had The Doctor tell The Master that he still had his dematerialization circuit. Never understood why people say Pertwee's Doctor is part of the establishment. The way he talks to the Brigadier and berates the military mind proves otherwise. He is with U.N.I.T because he needs them as much as they need him. If you're an alien stuck on a planet, would you not "ally" yourself with a top security military instillation so you could get your hands on the latest technology that is available?
I started skipping through this one, then finally gave up on it - the negativity is over the top. Again. ------ Terror of the Auton's is a landmark story in the television series' history in several different ways - it is the first to fully exploit being shot in colour (though most viewers would be watching on B&W sets!) and this lends this serial a genuinely glossy and professional filmic quality, different to the last season, and with a very different and more relaxed tone to the presentation of the characters. Jo Grant stumbles into the world of the Doctor and it is notable that there is no Tardis here, no being whisked away into other worlds, instead her perspective isn't that much different to any other female cast member of an ITC series of the era - Jeannie in Randall & Hopkirk for example, but Jo's youth and relative unworldliness give her a much more questioning and very vulnerable character. Straight away she is faced with the Master and is completely unprepared for how to deal with him, she becomes very easy prey, but this fits well with the more down to earth presentation of the series at this time, and Jo therefore becomes the everyman... The mythology of the Timelords is another notable element introduced with this story, for the first time since the end of The War Games, and that story looks and feels like a whole *other* era in time compared to Terror of the Autons! It's only been two years since that story closed out Patrick Troughton's time on the series, and yet it feels like a whole other series from years ago, so _great_ are the changes on 'Doctor Who' by Terror of the Autons here. The Timelords mythology seen here can be argued to be an extension of what was seen in The War Games, the bowler hatted envoy who appears to the Doctor is part 'god', part magician, clearly on a level above the now grounded and 'mentally blocked/inhibited' Doctor. And the Master too is strongly implied to be a level above too. But this imbalance is subtly adding to the 'plight' of the Doctor as the audience is being presented with a central character (the Doctor) who is battling for his survival and a place to fit in, on a world he doesn't quite belong on, and is being faced with not just the power of his own brethren (Timelords) but also whatever alien and hostile forces arrive on earth - HE is the one with the sense of personal responsibility, and the only one with the skills, to deal with these threats. No Tardis, no superpowers like other Timelords, just what knowledge the Timelords have left to him, and what he is learning are his only dependable allies - in UNIT. They need him, and he needs them. And this is the Journey of self-discovery and reflection this exiled Doctor is on... The themes were set up last season. What Barry Letts and Terrance Dicks do here is significantly Polish and advance them - there is a new sense of Purpose with this serial, a recalibration and relaunch of the series, the Master offers a more personal and very plausible struggle for the Doctor in this Exiled phase, he also offers a more plausible extra reason for the threats that are coming to earth to test the planet and the Doctor. But above it all is the sense that new Producer Barry Letts is aiming for the stars with the series - a man with ambitions for the series he has been handed to take care of, and as the director of this serial he delivers 100% effort! Action, New Energy, New Faces, New Purpose, and a Brilliantly charismatic and 'game' leading man who is responding to all this by giving 100% too - Jon Pertwee Loves what he is seeing here, and with Barry Letts firing his enthusiasm it makes for a brilliant example of Synergy, coming together and inspiring all departments involved to join in and deliver 100%! Over 50 years later now, and it is still a Production that fizzes with that same energy and freshness it had back when transmitted. As such it will always stand the test of time, and never lose any of its enjoyability and sense of energy...
I thought we rated it good. How is that negative? Comments are not predictable or directed by me so I’m always surprised. I called it outstanding so hardly negative. Some of their opinions - equally valid from passionate informed fans with their own free will - is how it compares to season7. A comparison I did not even invite
@@noblerees1 I think that comment goes in tandem with his very last comment. "Over 50 years later now, and it is still a Production that fizzes with that same energy and freshness it had back when transmitted. As such it will always stand the test of time, and never lose any of its enjoyability and sense of energy..." None of us like it and aren't afraid to express that. Nor should we be.
❤Master stories. 👍🙌🙌🙌Keep up the good work!!
Thank you
Really enjoyed doing this review.
Jon Pertwee is fabulous and fully realised as the Doctor with Roger Delgado never bested as the Master: a great supporting team and peerless writing from the best writer bar none to write Dr Who in all its variforms: some of the concepts are terrifying! Great bloody stuff!
To add to your Time Eddy segment, I would like to compare the season 8 episode Terror of the Autons to Season 10's Frontier in Space, the first and last appearance of the Robert Delgado Master. In Terror of the Autons, Jo Grant is beating herself up in that the Master hypnotizes her to make her a pawn to destroy the Doctor. Later in Frontier in Space, Jo is ready and she recites nursery rhymes to block the master attempts to control her. A moment of character growth for Jo Grant as she comes full circle in her 3 season run.
Good call and example
I've always found this to be a very worthwhile sequel to the superb Spearhead from Space, not least because the Autons, just by dint of their mostly unspeaking, sinister appearance, are able to add quality tension to any scene, making their quick return very welcome. A successful follow-up, of course, requires appropriate evolution of established concepts, and this was ably provided by the expansion of 'controlled plastic' into objects other than manikins. With the addition of a rival Time Lord, and a new companion, came the undoubted potential for things to get a little crowded, yet making the Master and Jo Grant interact so compellingly provided an elegant solution to this.
It can't be overemphasised how starkly the newly-introduced, most renegade of Time Lords contrasted his Neru-suited, impeccable manners with the most unspeakable acts. Killing an innocent wasn't enough; shrinking them was insufficient; no, stuffing the shrunken corpse into their lunchbox, nestled next to a boiled egg, was, in one case, where he drew his line, with a speedy encore in the form of a hypnotized scientist, forcibly dressed as a clown, compelled to commit mass murder at a circus. The seventies coincided with a slew of well made, visceral horror films, yet I'd venture that nothing to be found therein came close to this for raw nastiness.
Jo was the antithesis of the previous series' Liz Shaw, which was a sensible direction to take. Her vulnerability, and questionable adequacy (at least in terms of her early introduction) undoubtedly resulted in her being so readily likeable, together with allowing for requisite character development; also, her fierce loyalty to the Doctor was established admirably quickly, and the chemistry between them was to become a firm basis for how successful was their time together.
The story really was as trimmed and perfectly paced as for one could wish, each subsequent episode delivering very satisfactorily upon the highly enjoyable previous one.
Whilst disagreeing with not one of the panel's thoughtful reservations, many of which had simply never occurred to me, I tend to regard most of the classic era with an unashamedly rose-coloured view, an affliction for which The Sense Sphere continues to offer a ready antidote. So it is that I've always judged this story to be without any meaningful flaws!
I love the idea of rating the cliff-hangers, and judge the end of episode two's 'ripped mask' to be the most effective and meaningful.
The War Chief was an excellent, complex, and, ultimately, a sympathetic character, but the Master he most categorically was not. The flailing efforts of Davies, Cook, Collinson et al, is what will continue to distance current era production teams from real Doctor Who, and the show's future history will judge them to be the badly-scrawled footnote that they have become.
Many thanks, Brendan, Hugh, Michelle, and John, and Brian. Differing opinions make for entertaining debate/discussion, yet it's been a pleasure to agree with practically every word said tonight! All the best for now.
Paul
Thanks for tuning in. I never know what they are going to say
Hugh, Brian, John, Michelle & Brendan - what a panel, what a discussion, what a story! My first exposure to T of A was the documentary on bbc2 with the talking anorak in the early 90's, there were some clips including the troll doll, all in b & w. From that moment I wanted to see it little knowing a colourised VHS release was just around the corner! Who the heck are you!? I am The Master, and you will obey me!
Thanks Michael! I really appreciate that. 🙂
So much to say, but suffice it that altering someone else’s work is the height of audacity, and is equivalent to wanting a mustache on the Mona Lisa. It’s disgusting, and makes me livid.
Nice show as usual. There is no doubt in my mind that the War Chief is NOT The Master ( he hadn't been invented yet). However there is a possibility that the Master WAS the War Chief. However there is no tangible connection between the two. I prefer to think that they probably shopped at the same tailor and maybe went to Bad Guy School together.
I'm eagerly awaiting delivery of my War Games In Colour Blu-ray. I will then make up my own mind. Terror of the Autons is a fabulous story and I love the Blu-ray upgrade,it's very much a subtle tweak rather than an overhaul. I agree with the CSO criticisms again its very much improved in the Blu-ray without altering the look and feel of it.
Thank you
If Ian Marter had been available to play the role, do you think he would've made a good Captain Mike Yates?
And if it had worked out that way, do you think Richard Franklin would've made a good Harry Sullivan?
It's hard to imagine anyone else playing Harry, but Ian could certainly have played Captain Yates, and I think Richard Franklin could have played Harry, and I'm sure we would have enjoyed his version too.
I give the story an Outstanding rating. The introduction of Jo Grant, which I never thought of as a ditsy blonde. She got the job with the help of a relative but once there she was determined to prove her worth. Which just happened to get her in trouble. Going from making a list of Plastic Factories to investigating the factories makes sense to me as that seems to be within her character to prove her worthiness as part of U.N.I.T.
Introduction of The Master (The Master & The War Chief are TWO different Timelords & I don't want to hear any more of that arrant nonsense). The resolution is a bit underwhelming, which could've been improved if they had have had The Doctor tell The Master that he still had his dematerialization circuit.
Never understood why people say Pertwee's Doctor is part of the establishment. The way he talks to the Brigadier and berates the military mind proves otherwise. He is with U.N.I.T because he needs them as much as they need him. If you're an alien stuck on a planet, would you not "ally" yourself with a top security military instillation so you could get your hands on the latest technology that is available?
So many seminal moments in dr who
I started skipping through this one, then finally gave up on it - the negativity is over the top. Again.
------
Terror of the Auton's is a landmark story in the television series' history in several different ways - it is the first to fully exploit being shot in colour (though most viewers would be watching on B&W sets!) and this lends this serial a genuinely glossy and professional filmic quality, different to the last season, and with a very different and more relaxed tone to the presentation of the characters.
Jo Grant stumbles into the world of the Doctor and it is notable that there is no Tardis here, no being whisked away into other worlds, instead her perspective isn't that much different to any other female cast member of an ITC series of the era - Jeannie in Randall & Hopkirk for example, but Jo's youth and relative unworldliness give her a much more questioning and very vulnerable character. Straight away she is faced with the Master and is completely unprepared for how to deal with him, she becomes very easy prey, but this fits well with the more down to earth presentation of the series at this time, and Jo therefore becomes the everyman...
The mythology of the Timelords is another notable element introduced with this story, for the first time since the end of The War Games, and that story looks and feels like a whole *other* era in time compared to Terror of the Autons! It's only been two years since that story closed out Patrick Troughton's time on the series, and yet it feels like a whole other series from years ago, so _great_ are the changes on 'Doctor Who' by Terror of the Autons here.
The Timelords mythology seen here can be argued to be an extension of what was seen in The War Games, the bowler hatted envoy who appears to the Doctor is part 'god', part magician, clearly on a level above the now grounded and 'mentally blocked/inhibited' Doctor. And the Master too is strongly implied to be a level above too. But this imbalance is subtly adding to the 'plight' of the Doctor as the audience is being presented with a central character (the Doctor) who is battling for his survival and a place to fit in, on a world he doesn't quite belong on, and is being faced with not just the power of his own brethren (Timelords) but also whatever alien and hostile forces arrive on earth - HE is the one with the sense of personal responsibility, and the only one with the skills, to deal with these threats. No Tardis, no superpowers like other Timelords, just what knowledge the Timelords have left to him, and what he is learning are his only dependable allies - in UNIT. They need him, and he needs them. And this is the Journey of self-discovery and reflection this exiled Doctor is on...
The themes were set up last season. What Barry Letts and Terrance Dicks do here is significantly Polish and advance them - there is a new sense of Purpose with this serial, a recalibration and relaunch of the series, the Master offers a more personal and very plausible struggle for the Doctor in this Exiled phase, he also offers a more plausible extra reason for the threats that are coming to earth to test the planet and the Doctor. But above it all is the sense that new Producer Barry Letts is aiming for the stars with the series - a man with ambitions for the series he has been handed to take care of, and as the director of this serial he delivers 100% effort!
Action, New Energy, New Faces, New Purpose, and a Brilliantly charismatic and 'game' leading man who is responding to all this by giving 100% too - Jon Pertwee Loves what he is seeing here, and with Barry Letts firing his enthusiasm it makes for a brilliant example of Synergy, coming together and inspiring all departments involved to join in and deliver 100%!
Over 50 years later now, and it is still a Production that fizzes with that same energy and freshness it had back when transmitted. As such it will always stand the test of time, and never lose any of its enjoyability and sense of energy...
I thought we rated it good. How is that negative? Comments are not predictable or directed by me so I’m always surprised. I called it outstanding so hardly negative. Some of their opinions - equally valid from passionate informed fans with their own free will - is how it compares to season7. A comparison I did not even invite
You missed the good to outstanding Judgement with the praise for fear factor and master
@@noblerees1 I think that comment goes in tandem with his very last comment. "Over 50 years later now, and it is still a Production that fizzes with that same energy and freshness it had back when transmitted. As such it will always stand the test of time, and never lose any of its enjoyability and sense of energy..." None of us like it and aren't afraid to express that. Nor should we be.