Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Terror of the Autons

Can't be bothered to do a whole review. But I did like it. Some observations:

The Timelord who comes to warn the Doc. Is that Vansell in an earlier regeneration? The Doctor evidently recognises, and can't stand him; and giving a warning without actually providing help is such a typically Timelordy thing to do.

the Autons are terrifying. But the plastic-spitting daffodils getting Jo might just be one of the all-time nastiest pieces of Doctor Who.


It's all typical UNIT stuff. There's nothing new here, but much like the Master himself, it's done with such style.

I'm getting fonder of regular charisma-doner Mike Yates the more I see of him. Smashing an Auton in his car! Making cocoa with a bunsen burner!



What is amazing is how coherent the image of the Master is set out here. Things we later take for granted - the Master, as usual, goes out of his way to involve the Doc, while the Doctor's attitude can only be described as criminally irresponsible - he seems quite pleased that the Master will have to stay. As for the man himself - sneaky, creepy and oh-so-charming...

I keep comparing the Master and the Joker. Look at the trick he plays here, getting his double in the mask gunned down. Pure Dark Knight stuff!

Retro-references abound! The phone call! The Pharos project!

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