Kamala Kara

WOW, The Caves of Androzani is incredible. Obviously the script is fantastic, but I was shocked by the tactility of everything -- the androids' hyper-colored vision, the wild zooms on the spaceship crash, the extraordinarily tense sequence of trying to remove the handcuffs. Every episode left me shocked and delighted. I think this may be my new favorite Classic Who serial???

The Caves of Androzani 🤝 Midnight 🤝 Wild Blue Yonder

The Doctor shows up in the middle of a complicated situation, does nothing to help anyone, and barely escapes with his life

...then my personal favorite is Horror of Fang Rock

I just finished watching "Face of Evil" of Classic Who. This is the introduction episode for Leela as a companion for the 4th Doctor. Overall, I liked it quite a bit. Though, parts felt a bit slow.

The basic premise is The Doctor lands on a world of humans who live in a tribal society. They are going to kill Leela for not wanting to lead an assault on their dark god, Xoanon. During her escape, she meets The Doctor, who she mistakes as the "evil one." The tribe seem to believe The Doctor is the devil. This leads the Doctor to end up deeply involved with the tribal and religious conflict of these people. Eventually, uncovering their ancient history.

The twists in "Face of Evil" work very well. I already knew what was going to happen, but how it happens is pretty clever. The subtle word play hinting at the groups true history is rather clever in hindsight. The ultimate reveal of the villain and The Doctor's connection to them was great. That part I wasn't spoiled on and I felt it was a good way to show the fallibility of the Doctor and humble it, as well as remind us how much power and negative effects his deeds can have on the world. I was disappointed to find out the episode wasn't a sequel and the prior events referenced have no clear place in the time line. If the episode was perhaps a sequel to "The Ark in Space," that could make things a lot stronger, since The Doctor did interface with machinery in that story.

For the introduction of Leela, I think it works just fine. She gets a lot of time to show off what she brings to the table. She is also fiercely independent and assured, but with a warrior's edge. An interesting change from Sara Jane who, while independent and a feminist of her time, was sweet and not prone to these kinds of warrior threats.

There is a fair bit of action, but not all of it works the best. The vying for power within the tribe goes nowhere and is ultimately swept under the rug. The trial doesn't make sense to me at all. Is it just a test to see if you can cut a rope with a crossbow with a single shot? Seems a bit too simple and unsatisfying, especially when it comes to tension. Also, wasn't the point to prove the Doctor wasn't the "evil one?" If he survives, he couldn't be? So, wouldn't his victory mean he is the evil one? That part didn't make sense to me.

I got to shout out the absolutely weird opener where Tom Baker just breaks the fourth wall and just talks straight to the camera for 3 minutes to explain him being here. It made me go "what?" Also, I love how Leela forces her way into the TARDIS and accidentally becomes a companion by hitting buttons, rather than be swept away by The Doctor. It really helps drive home her character.

I also feel the ending is a bit too quick and easy. Like, sure, they solved the problem, but it feels like the villain may try their eugenics shit again. Maybe I'm bias, but when he asks "where did I go wrong" at the end it makes me question if he really understood why eugenics is gross and wrong and racist and not real science and why he shouldn't do it.

Overall, "Face of Evil" was fun ride and a good introduction to a new companion. The sets were nice -- though, I was expecting a spider monster that never came due to all the cobwebs --, the acting was good, the twist was clever, and the effects weren't actually that bad at all.

One of the first episodes of pre-revival or "Classic Who" that I ever saw was the very end of "Horror at Fang Rock." This episode follows a rather basic premise. The Doctor and Leela end up missing their destination and end up at the Fang Rock lighthouse. The very same night, something falls from the sky and people begin mysteriously dying...and coming back. What follows is a classic murder mystery story with a supernatural twist.

Overall, this episode was a good first experience with "classic who" and is the serial I have shown people to introduce them to classic who. The simple premise, the straight forward monster, the cheesy and funny special effects, its short length, and its relatively brisk pace for classic who makes it a good way to get your feet wet. It also helps that there isn't anything racist in it that I can recall, which is very much an issue in classic who. As a matter of fact, the prior episode, "The Talons of Weng-Chiang" is possible the most racist episode of Doctor Who. Just to give an idea of what I mean.

The monster special effects and the lighthouse compositing are pretty bad. I actually didn't notice the compositing the first time I saw it, but my girlfriend pointed it out and now I can't unsee it. The monster, though? It's cabbage in a plastic wrap. It always makes me laugh.

Tom Baker is...listen, I can sit and watch this man read a phone book to me. The cadence of his voice is great in a way I have trouble describing. Leela, who has this kind of caveman thing going on, is a fun contrast. Their relationship does play into the "noble savage" archetype that is racist, but, as I said, this show is from the 1970s so you kind of take these things on board when watching. Louise Jameson does a great job portraying this strong, stern warrior woman who doesn't take any guff.

The supporting cast is overall strong and responsible. The lighthouse crew are just trying to do their job. You got the naive new guy, the old guy who seems tough but is secretly nice, and the guy in charge who wants to think to the future. Not too long after, a group of nobles join the mix. Their internal conflict over stock and honor end up being a responsible excuse for them causing problems that complicate the Doctor and Leela's plans to save everyone. Though, I do have to say the final death is the most confusing one of them all and a bit out of character. Why did THAT one go for the diamonds when THE ONE WHO DIED EARLIER seemed more the type?

Overall, it's a solid 7-8 out of 10 episode and a good way to introduce people to the show. It was my introduction and that worked.