*Spoiler Alert* This review won't follow the old spoiler free format so be warned.
From The Author
Hi everyone! School has started so I've been very late to write lately. But... I'm going to make it up to you! I have a lot of free time this week and I'm motivated so I'm gonna try to churn them out like nobodies business! -Seth
Some thoughts on the episode:
I remember when I first went on Netflix and found this episode, it looked pretty awesome so I decided to give it a try. But.. I went in somewhat by mistake. I had never seen a classic Master episode and saw something that said he was in this story and so... I spent this ENTIRE story just waiting for him to show up. I spent this whole thing thinking it was a Master story and just waiting for him! Seriously! Spoilers; He does show up in the regeneration sequence but just to say "die doctor! die!!". Somewhat reminds me of Moriarty in His Last Vow.
This story has been widely rated as the best story ever, and while I have many I would place above it, I do have to say it is a great episode, really showing off Peter Davison's talent. So far I havent seen much of him but after this I would like to see more of him.
Most of the story revolves around a chemical called "Spectrox". Which in a processed form prolongs life but in raw form is deadly to the touch. The Andronazi system from which the story gets it's name is a twin planetary system comprising of a heavily populated main planet and a mostly abandoned smaller planet where Spectrox is found but deadly volcanic mud flows keep things dangerous. The main planet does have a government but is mostly controlled by Spectrox magnate Morgus.
Oh! we finally find out what the celery is for! It turns purple in the presence of certain gasses the Doctor is allergic to. It's something I feel we still need a reference to in the Classic-reference heavy season 8.
We meet a very interesting character in the form of Sharaz Jek (Because all cool people in the future have 1 syllable last names) A not really good-not really bad character who mostly wants revenge. He is an accidentally disfigured genius who craves beauty. I'm actually really happy they chose to show his face in the end. otherwise it's just another 'Oh yeah I'm sure He's really hideous under there' thing. He's hideous enough to kill! Literally. He surrounds himself with Androids of his creation as they don't care about his looks. true story.
Wow one story in and Peri is already one of my favorite companions ever. I'm really interested in seeing her interact with the 6th Doctor.
Speaking of #6...
Wow I love his answer to Peri. It's basically 'Are you the Doctor? DUH!' I'm really looking forward to his stories.
Anything I don't like? Yeah, there are a few things; This story seemed SOOOOOO long. Which is really saying something as I generally liked the episode. Also I find the whole 'Milk the queen bat' thing a bit silly. I'm a bit surprised that NO ONE has any ready-made antidote for something so deadly. I get that Jek uses robots but you'd think he'd have some handy. It soon became obvious this was a countdown format story. And seriously. Milk a giant bat for antidote? yeah, just seems a bit silly to me. But I'm fine suspending some belief when it comes to Doctor Who so I suppose it's not too much to deal with.
"Adric?"
In my conclusion I must say I enjoyed it but I don't think it's worth re-watching and is a bit overrated. Don't get me wrong, It's good. Just not as good as I expected. I'll give it a 3/5. But I am very excited to start watching Colon Baker's stories. If perhaps my excitement over the 5th doctor was overhyped then just maybe my caution over the 6th doctor was misplaced as well.
Hope you enjoyed -Seth
P.S. Want an episode reviewed? I need ideas! leave it in the comments :)
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