The scenes of the virus outbreak across London would be impressive in their realism if done in #DoctorWho today, never mind 1970.
When the ticket inspector in the station faints, I still don’t know if those are extras or genuine (bemused) members of the public bustling past him.
The Ambassadors… (TWANG!) …Of Death: (that’s it’s official name, don’t argue.)
This is the epitome of the idea season 7 is a grittier, more adult take on #DoctorWho. So many layers of conspiracy and double-crossing and mystery. Not one to watch and only pay half-attention to.
The crew of the Space Centre are all wearing quasi-futuristic uniforms, makes it look very Troughton-era.
The Doctor is *fantastically* rude to Cornish when he barges in and arrogantly takes over. Honestly, who could blame Cornish if he told him to go f*** himself! #DoctorWho
Some good editing in this story, like the creepy reveal of the blue-faced alien to Liz, which is shot like something from a horror film.
And the cliffhanger to episode six, with the quick cuts of Carrington pointing his gun at the Doctor. #DoctorWho
Inferno: *turns around wearing eyepatch to write this*
One of the very best Pertwees. Parallel universe stories are always fun, seeing alternate versions of the regular characters. Nick Courtney in particular makes the Brigade-Leader an utter bastard. #DoctorWho
The golden rule of sci-fi that no-one every obeys: Don’t touch the weird alien thing with your bare hands! Nothing good ever comes from touching the weird alien thing with your bare hands!
(Characters touch the strange green slime with their bare hands)
I love how it’s basically a glitterball used to depict the transition between universes.
Strange how they just accept the Doctor’s improbable story at the end, especially when they’re all being left to die. The Brigade-Leader’s desperation to live is more believable! #DoctorWho
As interesting and innovative as season 7 was, with its obvious Quatermass influences, I don’t know if #DoctorWho could have continued as long as it did with that format. The pendulum inevitably had to swing back a bit to more kid-friendly adventures with monsters and chases.
And with that in mind, goodbye sensible intelligent scientist Liz and hello ditzy stumbling childlike Jo!
Interesting how at this stage the relationship between the Doctor and the Master is portrayed as just ‘occasional adversaries’.
No hint of the whole later backstory of childhood friends turned bitter mortal enemies duelling forever across all time and space. #DoctorWho
Barry Letts really liked experimenting with CSO, didn’t he? (Greenscreen for you under-40s!)
*Obligatory pisstake of Mrs Farrell’s CSO kitchen* #DoctorWho
The Mind Of Evil: what a surprise, it’s the Master again! Though to be fair, this probably was the one time this season that viewers may not have been expecting him.
Love seeing him as a proper Bond villain - fur-lined coat, cigars, chauffeur-driven limo, the works! #DoctorWho
The least foul-mouthed prisoners you’ll ever see on TV. Even in the middle of a riot there’s not a single utterance of a four-letter-word amongst them. 😆
Also very funny how Jo practically takes down the riot single-handedly. #DoctorWho
Lol at the Brigadier’s frustration when the Doctor ingratiates himself with the Chinese diplomats while he’s ignored.
I wish they’d continued these sort of comedy moments with the Brig’s character but *without* turning him into a complete buffoon, as they later do. #DoctorWho
As much as I admire Barry Letts for everything he did with #DoctorWho, there are stories like this that have a real “Oh, that’ll do…” feel to the production.
So many little moments that could be done better with just a little more care and attention given to them. #DoctorWho
The Axons threaten the Doctor and ensure his cooperation by… ageing Jo into an old woman!
And the Doctor reacts in horror as though it’s the most revolting thing he’s ever seen… For someone claiming to be thousands of years old he can be terribly ageist! 😆 #DoctorWho
At times Colony In Space looks like an ideological battle between Colony of the Hairy Hippies vs the Company of Balding Men with Dodgy Hairstyles.
No wonder Caldwell ends up siding with the hippies, as one of the few IMC guys with a moustache. 👨🏻 #DoctorWho
“Don’t bother trying to explain it to him Jo, *he* wouldn’t understand…”
The start of the Brigadier’s character declining into being portrayed as an idiot and the butt of the joke… 😕 #DoctorWho
I’ve usually found this one a bit dull but enjoyed it more this time round. I love the aesthetic of these futuristic Pertwees - 500 years in the future and everyone’s using chunky 70s technology. 😀
A tentative first step towards a return to outer space stories. #DoctorWho
When the Doctor’s apparently frozen to death, they put his ‘body’ on a table in the pub with paying customers nearby.
Imagine if they’d had TripAdvisor reviews back then: “Nice rustic pub. Good beer. Quaint little village. Frozen corpse on table put us right off though. (3/5 stars)”⭐️⭐️⭐️ #DoctorWho
The villagers really are a gullible bunch of prats to fall for the Doctor’s ‘magic’. I know they’ve seen the Master summon Bok, but even so.
And at the end he has a jolly dance around the maypole with them, the same people who wanted to burn him to death an hour ago! #DoctorWho
Love the scene where the Doctor cooly destroys every argument the Controller comes out with to justify his role in this society.
And bring back the Ogrons in the modern show! Make it happen, RTD. With no complications. #DoctorWho
I can’t take Peladon seriously in his ‘principal boy’ pantomime outfit. You expect him to start slapping his thigh any moment.
And really, you’re asking the audience to take the piss by having him loudly proclaim “There is no plot!” 😄 #DoctorWho
The Mutants:
No, I’m not going to say it. Everyone’s said it. It’s an obvious joke that’s been done a million times. I’m going to resist the temptation and will definitely not say that…
…THE OPENING SCENE IS LIKE THE “IT’S!” MAN FROM MONTY PYTHON!!
Goddamnit!
Gavin Winters
Neil Corry
Sherri G., PhD ♿🌈