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Post by timjolly on Mar 18, 2022 3:05:33 GMT
Considering it’s coming up to the anniversary of Troughton’s birth/death I thought I’d binge watch a lot of his stories.
Getting through the animations I was struck by just how much Ben/Polly stories were decimated but now how much more of an appreciation I have of them as companions when before with random episodes and poor audios they barely registered. Likewise seeing more and more of Jamie re affirmed as a consistent favourite.
So the question is after watching easily 30+ animated episodes have you changed your opinion on Ben/Polly/Jamie/Victoria?
In addition, have you gained an appreciation for some of their stories more? Or on the flip side perhaps some aren’t as great as you remembered?
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Post by robrudderham on Mar 18, 2022 10:01:06 GMT
Although I'm old enough to have seen everything first hand from An Unearthly Child upwards, for me the Troughton years are the golden age of Dr Who. Perhaps they just got me at the right age.
It's tragic of course that so many are missing, but I've thoroughly enjoyed watching the missing episodes via the Loose Cannon reconstructions (which for me are much more like the real thing that the animations, which I find unsatisfactory - perhaps I'm aided by memories of having seen them first time round). As such, I've been in a position for many years now to appreciate the qualities of the Troughton companions. The second Doctor was particularly blessed with a wonderful set of them.
Ben and Polly were an excellent contrast to each other and deserved a better exit than just being written out of the Faceless Ones as an afterthought. Victoria and Zoe came from differnet worlds (in more ways than one), but both played beautifully off the Doctor and Jamie, the ever-present. And the Daleks, the Cybermen, the Yeti, the Ice Warriors, the Brig and Unit, Gallifrey... so much Dr Who lore was established or built on in this era.
I mostly sit quietly in this group and can offer no insight into the likelihood of missing episodes turning up. I just keep everything crossed that one day...
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Post by odysseaschristou on Mar 18, 2022 10:08:04 GMT
My “Doctor” was Tom Baker, but having watched all the available William Hartnell and Patrick Troughton episodes, I now have a deep love for the early black and white Who. I, however do not rate the character of Ben or think much of Michael Craze acting. For me, having no Ben would not have been a problem. Polly on the other hand was a rounded character and gave a lot to the narrative. Jamie and the Doctor made a fantastic team and worked so well together. Victoria I found competent enough.
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Post by George D on Mar 19, 2022 0:40:24 GMT
I would love to hear robs memories of the 60s dr who , specifically seasons 3 and 4.
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Post by maxstenner on Mar 20, 2022 14:14:15 GMT
I liked Ben, Polly and Jamie, but my favourite companion of the era is definitely Zoe. She is a great change from previous female Who companions, in that she does something other than scream, yell and act like an utter idiot. I think the companion dynamics with Ben’s brainwashing is the main reason that The Macra Terror is my favourite Troughton story.
Victoria is well, to put it in her own ‘words’ aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh
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Post by mattg on Mar 20, 2022 15:01:18 GMT
I liked Ben, Polly and Jamie, but my favourite companion of the era is definitely Zoe. She is a great change from previous female Who companions, in that she does something other than scream, yell and act like an utter idiot. I think the companion dynamics with Ben’s brainwashing is the main reason that The Macra Terror is my favourite Troughton story. Victoria is well, to put it in her own ‘words’ aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh The fundamental flaw to Victoria’s character was that she was written (and portrayed) just a little too realistically. Indeed, any deracinated upper middle-class Victorian suddenly catapulted out into a monster-filled universe would likely scream their lungs out on a regular basis! Though these reactions are contextually plausible of course it unfortunately made for a rather bland and limited character overall. That said, if Victoria Waterfield had been a Nu Who character instead she’d likely be dual wielding huge laser rifles like a pro whilst commanding platoons of U.N.I.T soldiers a mere twenty or so minutes into her introductory story no doubt! As always then somewhere in between those two extremes would likely have served the character best. Zoe was definitely an improvement over her predecessor though. She also benefited from the writers remembering that her character boasted a prodigious intellect/computer skills of which were subsequently incorporated into various stories (unlike poor Mel decades later ironically)… |
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Post by robrudderham on Mar 20, 2022 21:09:36 GMT
I would love to hear robs memories of the 60s dr who , specifically seasons 3 and 4. Well, I was about 12, which makes it all a very long time ago, but specifically, story by story:
Season 3:
Galaxy 4: I remember the Chumbleys, but little else, not a lasting impression.
Mission To The Unknown: Great atmosphere on Kemball, great sense of mystery and foreboding. Where was it all leading, and why was the Doctor not in it? Loved this episode, and the recent student recon was outstanding.
The Myth Makers: Although the teenage me was a little disappointed by the hiistoricals, of course, this one was an exception. Always had a thing for Greek myths, I guess. Very clever to fit this between MTTU and the epic it prequelled, even if it was frustrating at the time to have to wait.
The Daleks' Masterplan: Really seemed like Dr Who had arrived. TV, Film, Comics, Annuals, Merchandise. I remember having a battery operated Dalek, probably one of the first on the market. The story was absorbing and multi-levelled with Brett Vyon, Mavik Chen, Katerina, the Meddling Monk, the Council members etc. The death of Sara Kingdom was a very moving tragedy for my younger self. The Feast of Stephen left little impression, and, havving seen the recon, I can see why! But I do remember Dr Who wishing the audience a Merry Christmas.
The Massacre: I have to say I have little memory of this, but having watched the recon, I really like it, although I can see why it didn't appeal to the 12 yrear old me.
The Ark: Loved the 700 jump between the first two and last two episodes; good to see time travel being used not just as a device to get the Doctor to an adventure, but playing a part in it too.
The Celestial Toymaker: This was a real favourite, with the games and characters and surreal atmosphere. Loved Michael Cough's Toymaker, and a great pity he didn't go on to be a regular adversary for the Doctor. The off-beat nature of this story struck a chord with me, similar perhaps to the Mind Robber from the Troughton era.
The Gunfighters: Westerns were still pretty high in the public conscousness back then, and this was suitably over the top and highly enjoyable. Probably Dodo's finest hour.
The Savages: Not a favourite, I'm afraid. When watching the recon, I realised I could barely remember it (although I know I saw them all first time tround). It's strange that the historicals around this time seemed superior, since previously I'd regarded them mostly as stories to be sat through waiting for the next sci-fi setting.
The War Machines: The setting was very much a forerunner for many Troughton stories, and thus I think of this as a bit of a Troughton prototype. London swung. And although I have some sympathy for the view that Michael Craze was not the greatest actor to ever portray a companion, I liked the contrast between Ben & Polly very much.
The Smugglers: Another great historical, but then I'd always had a liking for pirate stories too. Some excellent performances from the ensemble cast, I thought.
The Tenth Planet: I remember the Cybermen being very menacing, and knew we'd found arrival for the Daleks as the Doctor's greatest nemesis. The setting was atmospheric and claustrophbic, a familar Who trope, and the regeneration was truly wrenching and moving. These days we take it for granted, but back then, we wondered just what the hell it all meant.
Whew. Don't have time to cover Season 4 in this post, perhaps some time soon. Makes me want to go and watch all these again!
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Post by George D on Mar 21, 2022 1:32:49 GMT
Great assessment.
I agree makes us all wish we could see them.
Also wish the celestial toymaker returned.
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Post by timjolly on Mar 21, 2022 11:58:05 GMT
Great assessment. I agree makes us all wish we could see them. Also wish the celestial toymaker returned. If they continue with the animations, CT will look amazing in colour. Not to mention the Highlanders would look great as well… |
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Post by George D on Mar 21, 2022 23:24:10 GMT
I don't remember much from 12. Nice others have better memories
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Post by rebeccajansen on Apr 2, 2022 4:24:49 GMT
I'd say the Troughton run from Evil Of The Daleks to Fury From The Deep with Victoria and Jamie was up there with the Tom Baker and Sarah Jane run with Hinchcliffe from Terror Of The Zygons to The Hand Of Fear. I think the show and companions worked best with that touch of Hammer!
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