tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9184670870721990382024-03-26T16:25:36.037-04:00LongishThoughts On Television, Literature, & CultureHannah Longhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15529410255089707007noreply@blogger.comBlogger267125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918467087072199038.post-57777859834424327242020-06-08T11:00:00.017-04:002023-11-26T19:48:24.211-05:00How to Bingewatch Classic Doctor Who: A Skip/Watch List<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFjcCBuY4wItoqkjo5VEFb7vU-JvXtUa4TzWiApfnY6n3309dSPqTntZzw5FUAMbbrRKXHA639Yj93XWKLljmDCwT6gl8D8sJJeRAATaU3shCYUnMHSiHPe_PRN1SlPsCUIXE6FTdDx2OS/s1600/final+classic+who+cover+trimmed.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="954" data-original-width="1600" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFjcCBuY4wItoqkjo5VEFb7vU-JvXtUa4TzWiApfnY6n3309dSPqTntZzw5FUAMbbrRKXHA639Yj93XWKLljmDCwT6gl8D8sJJeRAATaU3shCYUnMHSiHPe_PRN1SlPsCUIXE6FTdDx2OS/s640/final+classic+who+cover+trimmed.png" width="640" /></a></div><p>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">As I noted in <a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/2018/10/how-to-bingewatch-doctor-who-skipwatch.html">my New Who skip/watch list</a>, it can be intimidating knowing where to jump into the new show, with its 13 seasons and five (or seven, depending on how you count) Doctors. But this is nothing compared to Classic Who, which lasted 26 seasons and seven (or eight, depending on how you count) Doctors. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The good news is that Classic Who really isn't reliant on over-arching storylines, so it's easy to jump in with any Doctor. The bigger question is where the most <i>appealing</i> starting place is. Because of the show's wildly differing quality (and, admittedly, often dated SFX), it's important to choose a strong starting point. Once you're hooked on the charm of the cast and the whimsy of the premise, it's much easier to overlook silly things like "budgetary constraints" and "cheesy dialogue" (mostly).</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">First of all, a word about format. If you're familiar with the new show, you'll be expecting quick 45-minute adventures. In Classic Who, almost every adventure is four or six 25-minute episodes long. This allows for much more epic, in-depth story-telling in some cases, and in others, it means a lot of filler. You'll get used to the pace, you just have to settle in for a while. Now, I get frustrated with the rocketing pace of the new show! </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Jump ahead to:</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/2020/06/how-to-bingewatch-classic-who-skipwatch.html#First">First Doctor</a></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/2020/06/how-to-bingewatch-classic-who-skipwatch.html#Second">Second Doctor</a></span></span></p><p><a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/2020/06/how-to-bingewatch-classic-who-skipwatch.html#Third"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Third Doctor</span></span></a></p><p><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/2020/06/how-to-bingewatch-classic-who-skipwatch.html#Fourth">Fourth Doctor</a></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/2020/06/how-to-bingewatch-classic-who-skipwatch.html#Fifth">Fifth Doctor</a></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/2020/06/how-to-bingewatch-classic-who-skipwatch.html#Sixth">Sixth Doctor</a></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/2020/06/how-to-bingewatch-classic-who-skipwatch.html#Seventh">Seventh Doctor</a> </span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Where to Watch?</span></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">If you're in the UK, it's on BBC iPlayer, and if you're in the US, Tubi has almost all of Classic Who streaming for free. Britbox is a good paid option. Some of the missing episodes are available as animated reconstructions from the BBC and others as fan reconstructions around the internet. There are a handful of episodes available to buy digitally on Amazon Prime</span></span><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">or Google TV.</span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Jumping-In Points</span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It's probably best to start with a Doctor who's both funny and consistent, as well as one from an era with a high quality of writing and direction. The show's golden period stretched from the second to the fourth Doctor, so these are the Doctors I recommend as introductions, in this order (keep scrolling if you just want to read the epis0de-by-episode list):</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>1. The Fourth Doctor - Tom Baker </b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I began with Tom Baker, who is magnetic and amusing and heroic and happened to join the show during the fantastic collaboration of a wonderful producer (Philip Hinchcliffe) and a wonderful script editor (Robert Holmes). With his huge toothy grin and mile-long patchwork scarf, Baker became <i>the</i> iconic image of the Doctor, and it's easy to see why. He also had a wonderful selection of companions throughout his run, including the Best Companion of All Time</span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="st">™ Sarah Jane Smith. If you're a New Who fan you will be familiar with her, so that's another possible reason for starting with Baker. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="st">Baker doesn't have the greatest opening episode (though it was my first Classic Who episode, so I'm affectionate towards it) - there's a clunky villain and it's still in a format better suited to the Third Doctor. It's fine to jump forward and watch <i>Robot</i> later, so I'd recommend <b><i>Pyramids of Mars</i></b>. It's witty and despite some rather lame mummy henchmen, has a spine-chilling Big Bad. </span> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>2. The Second Doctor - Patrick Troughton </b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">While Tom Baker was often accused (plausibly) of simply playing himself, Patrick Troughton was a real character actor who beautifully guided the Doctor through the first transition to a new actor. He didn't play it safe - after the impish old Edwardian <span style="font-size: small;">First Doctor </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">fell to the floor of the TARDIS in <i>The Tenth Planet</i>, up Troughton popped as an odd and alarming cosmic hobo who would - amazingly - reinvent the authoritative adventurer known as the Doctor. William Hartnell did great things with the character, but the Troughton era took the show into a realm of immense mythological scope. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Troughton has an excellent opening episode, but it's almost entirely lost, and I wouldn't recommend a new viewer start out on a reconstructed lost episode. Instead, begin with the first complete Troughton episode: <b><i>Tomb of the Cybermen</i></b>. It has some cringey bits (especially the inclusion of a stereotyped black character), and is a bit repetitive, but it's funny, a great encapsulation of the Laurel-and-Hardy-esque relationship between the Second Doctor and his main companion, Jamie, and is very atmospheric.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>3. The Third Doctor - Jon Pertwee</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I love Pertwee, and his first season is one of the absolute strongest the show ever did. His era is</span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> a bit cozy and features one of the show's best supporting casts giving it a familial atmosphere. </span></span>That said, the period is also atypical. The Doctor is stranded on Earth, condemned to exile by the Time Lords. He has to settle in and get used to having a job: the scientific adviser for the United Nations Intelligence Taskforce (UNIT). For that reason, I'd recommend starting with a more typical season of the show to get used to it. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">However, if the Doctor and a regular cast of friends and frenemies (Pertwee and Roger Delgado's Master are a great pair) having thrilling adventures on 1970s Earth sounds like fun to you - check out Pertwee's <i>perfect </i>first episode: <b><i>Spearhead from Space</i></b>.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Since I'm assuming you're the sort to be a die-hard fan already, I'm also including some tips for how to go from Classic Who to the Big Finish audio dramas that both redeemed controversial Doctors like Six and gave character arcs to short-lived Doctors like Eight</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It's also possible, by the way, to simply begin at the beginning, in which case, keep reading from here.... </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Key: </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: lime;"><span style="background-color: #f1c232;">Essential</span><span style="background-color: white;"> - </span>Watch<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span>- <span style="background-color: magenta;">Maybe<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span>- <span style="background-color: #e06666;">Skip</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><div id="First">Season 1 (William Hartnell)</div></span></div>
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<i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Ejt-7RNHd8Zk8L21WKatuq5Ml-utxYZnW9c-C2cSKLoTH6-kA6u7s160km8oRJsQhGqL5BDOhotgB4Y3ninZ9dpaCc666Q7wboLZwsLApPQMyg2VhopL8pfxaRCSEy9nayUxVauXnfzU/s1600/Screenshot+%25283479%2529.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Ejt-7RNHd8Zk8L21WKatuq5Ml-utxYZnW9c-C2cSKLoTH6-kA6u7s160km8oRJsQhGqL5BDOhotgB4Y3ninZ9dpaCc666Q7wboLZwsLApPQMyg2VhopL8pfxaRCSEy9nayUxVauXnfzU/s640/Screenshot+%25283479%2529.png" width="640" /></a>
</i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>This is a show trying to find its feet. Is it an ensemble show, or is the main character the mysterious man billed in the credits (really) as "Dr. Who"? Is it an educational children's history show or a scifi horror drama? It's all of those things! So many classic moments which still work, from the first scenes in </i>An Unearthly Child<i> to the grim moral dilemma of </i>The Aztecs<i>. If you're up for it, it's also totally possible to start the show at the beginning.</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>An Unearthly Child</b> - </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: lime;">Watch<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span>- I’d watch the first (superb) episode of the serial - which is eerie and strange - <i>The Twilight Zone</i> meets <i>Narnia</i>, but the rest is very cheesy and painfully dated. Skip all of that and go on to good stuff.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Daleks</b> - </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: lime;">Watch<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span>- A decent introduction to the Doctor’s most iconic enemies. There’s a lot of filler later on though. If I were being honest, this is more of a "maybe," but from a history-of-the-show viewpoint, it is iconic. If nothing else, watch <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MziTyG-iuBQ">the unsettling first Dalek cliffhanger</a> and the brutal <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-9M69-rdE8">first full appearance</a> of the monsters.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Edge of Destruction</b> - </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: lime;">Watch<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span>- A tight, paranoid 45 minute drama inside the TARDIS - worth seeing. This is also a turning point for the Doctor, who until this point has been cold and withdrawn.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Marco Polo</b> <i>(all episodes missing)</i> - </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: #e06666;">Skip<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span>- All of this seven-episode serial is lost, which is a terrible shame - the reconstructed version makes it seem like this would have been visually spectacular. The story itself is interesting and epic in scope, but it meanders in the middle and ultimately, not enough happens to justify its length (or at least, not enough to seek out a reconstruction). </span></span><br />
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</b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Keys of Marinus</b> - </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: #e06666;">Skip<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span>- Not bad - a sequence of adventures from Terry Nation - but not exactly great either. A filler episode.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Aztecs </b>- </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: lime;">Watch<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span>- A really terrific, fascinating historical episode which lets the characters sink their teeth into some solid drama. Do we have a right to interfere in history? Barbara takes it on herself to try. Best of the First Doctor, in my humble opinion.</span></span><br />
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</b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Sensorites</b> - </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: #e06666;">Skip<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span>- A few nice moments, but it’s largely tedious and too long. Do, however, watch <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWZNr9L4oqg">Susan give us our first description</a> of the Time Lords' home planet. And here's <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V77Y889PeBA">a nice scene</a> as the group reflect on their adventures.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Reign of Terror </b><i>(episodes 4 - 5 missing)</i> - </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: magenta;">Maybe<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span>- If you’re willing to endure a few reconstructed episodes, this is a good, dark serial where our heroes have to stay alive in the French Revolution. The Doctor ponces about in a plumed hat, which is worth the price of admission. It inspired <a href="https://twitter.com/HannahGraceLong/status/1043681496186462209">this tweet</a>, which I'm proud of.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Season 2 (William Hartnell)</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc38OqFgIEJF9DXyUA8zXos9sIzJw2EeC2nnp9KcQsnJiaGDNYie1nXPkC0rwGaA5PtVY6fZt65F2bhvUWQaocNMFLpeo6JX34rSdXBWgZZophispTdeQlXLgEelLu3aa_B6cNWbr2KJLF/s1600/Screenshot+%25283876%2529.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc38OqFgIEJF9DXyUA8zXos9sIzJw2EeC2nnp9KcQsnJiaGDNYie1nXPkC0rwGaA5PtVY6fZt65F2bhvUWQaocNMFLpeo6JX34rSdXBWgZZophispTdeQlXLgEelLu3aa_B6cNWbr2KJLF/s640/Screenshot+%25283876%2529.png" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>The second season is a bit more pedestrian, but still has fine moments. The TARDIS team have bonded and William Hartnell is much more avuncular and twinkly in the lead role.</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Planet of Giants</b> - </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: lime;">Watch<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span>- A fun, short (no pun intended) adventure where the team get miniaturized and has to thwart an evil plot.</span></span><br />
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</b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Dalek Invasion of Earth</b> - </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: lime;">Watch<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span>- Kind of overrated, but full of iconic visuals, and the last scene is rightly considered one of the First Doctor’s best, as he delivers a speech for all time. No, I'm not going to link to it - go watch the episode.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Rescue</b> - </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: #e06666;">Skip<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span>- A middling, short story which introduces companion, Vicki. There's nothing here that's unmissable.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Romans</b> - </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: lime;">Watch<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span>- It’s a fun, dorky historical and Ian spends a lot of time in a toga, so it comes highly recommended from me. Also the First Doctor accidentally ends up swept up on a journey that leads him to the court of Nero himself where he has to engage in "the gentle art of fisticuffs." Clearly, the Doctor is starting to take a more proactive role in the story.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Web Planet</b> - </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: #e06666;">Skip<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span>- It’s not awful, but between some really weird stylistic choices (Vaseline on the camera lens?) and a fairly slow plot, it’s pretty skippable. I do love the weird character designs and movements, though - props for ambition, ambition for props.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Crusade</b> <i>(episodes 2 & 4 missing)</i> - </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: lime;">Watch<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span>- A terrific historical, which is compelling despite the two missing episodes. Julian Glover guest stars as Richard the Lionheart and Jean Marsh as his sister Joanna - the two have extraordinary chemistry. It all just <i>works</i>.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Space Museum</b> - </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: #e06666;">Skip<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span>- Not super memorable. Neat idea, but it doesn't go anywhere.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Chase</b> - </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: magenta;">Maybe<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span>- Character goodbyes probably make this adventure worth watching - farewell, Ian and Barbara...(if you skip, here's <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYVd7GKTLWo">their exit</a>, which you definitely need to see.)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Time Meddler </b>- </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: magenta;">Maybe<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span>- A bit slow, but this is the first Time Lord we meet who isn’t related to the Doctor (and with his own TARDIS), so that’s pretty cool. It's a neat medieval milieu as well. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Season 3 (William Hartnell)</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNSUMqC1ILlPgusZdq2ogLM1RCOCgSKDPKZrf5EpQwfHLOUOw_ovglWrPXpe66v6IQ_a5tDwvwvAyCFNE5MwVLXw-AIHZJ-DUvh6K7em5hVa1craWUCgAzzezlkcnfbozQ9KEqUk0razK2/s1600/Screenshot+%25283495%2529.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNSUMqC1ILlPgusZdq2ogLM1RCOCgSKDPKZrf5EpQwfHLOUOw_ovglWrPXpe66v6IQ_a5tDwvwvAyCFNE5MwVLXw-AIHZJ-DUvh6K7em5hVa1craWUCgAzzezlkcnfbozQ9KEqUk0razK2/s640/Screenshot+%25283495%2529.png" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>An uneven season which grows stronger as it progresses, and shoots for the moon with the ambitious epic </i>The Daleks' Master Plan<i>. The Doctor really starts to contemplate his losses and the weight of his traveling. Hartnell is also much stronger here - his health is still not what it was, but he's certainly not flubbing lines as often as he was in season 2.</i><b><br /></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Galaxy 4</b> <i>(episodes 1 - 2 & 4 missing)</i> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: #e06666;">Skip<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span>- While there are some really good moments in the second and third episode (plot reversals! dramatic dream sequences!), it’s just not worth it for the long periods waiting for robots - "Chumblies" - to trundle across the ground.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Mission to the Unknown</b> <i>(missing)</i> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: magenta;">Maybe<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: #e06666;"><span style="background-color: white;">- This one filler episode was created to set up <i>The Daleks' Master Plan</i> and give viewers something to watch while all the main cast are on vacation. The original is missing but some fans remade it, and you can watch it <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NW8yk-m5Ig8&t=86s">here</a>. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Myth Makers </b><i>(all episodes missing) </i>- </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: #e06666;">Skip<span style="background-color: white;"> - </span></span></span></span></span></span></span>Just kill me now. This story was probably pretty entertaining when it could be seen, as the Doctor gets mistaken for Zeus at the siege of Troy and that <i>had</i> to be fun, but it's a chore to listen to tons and tons of exposition in still pictures. The third episode picks up a bit, but it's all too brief. It also helps to be familiar with Greek mythology - or rather, Shakespeare - as it turns out (spoiler!) Cressida and Diomedes were <i>actually</i> Vicki and Steven. Vicki - I mean, Cressida - ends up falling for Troilus and that's how she leaves the TARDIS. Meanwhile, Trojan maid Katarina joins the TARDIS team.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Daleks' Master Plan</b> - <i>(episodes 1, 3 - 4, 6 - 9, and 11 - 12 missing)</i> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: lime;">Watch<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>- A dark, immense tale which does what <i>The Chase</i> wanted to do, but better. It's a bit bloated, but it also doesn't shy away from some real consequences for the Doctor, and William Hartnell has seldom been better. A magnificent epic. Do, however, </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: #e06666;">skip<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>The Feast of Steven</i>, which is a Christmas filler episode that my sister aptly described as "one long headache." </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Massacre of St Bartholomew's Eve</b> <i>(all episodes missing)</i> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: magenta;">Maybe<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span>- The story’s a little bit hard to follow in a reconstruction, but the ending is serious and thoughtful, as Steven grapples with the realities of non-interference in history. If nothing else, you have to <span style="background-color: lime;">watch</span> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuxYssJ4TwQ">that ending</a>, which is really excellent drama - and which melds into a Hartnell monologue with near David Tennant levels of Doctor Pathos. Also - <i>hahahaha </i>- he totally kidnaps Dodo because she reminds him of Susan. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Ark</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: lime;">Watch<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span>- A dorky time travel adventure that originates several important scifi ideas that will pop up in the show again.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Celestial Toymaker</b> <i>(episodes 1 - 3 missing)</i> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: lime;">Watch<span style="background-color: white;"> - A gonzo ride into the mind of the Celestial Toymaker, a god who forces his captives - in this case, the Doctor, Steven, and Dodo - to play a series of nonsense games or be trapped in his universe for eternity. It's interesting and, for those days, high concept. Slightly overrated, yes (season 6's <i>The Mind Robber </i>is the platonic ideal of this type of tale), but it's a neat story. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Gunfighters </b>- </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: magenta;">Maybe<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span>- Here’s the thing - you get to see daffy old William Hartnell get mistaken for Doc Holliday in Tombstone. But on the other hand, it’s too long and they repeat the earworm theme song every three minutes. I don’t know, I rather liked it. It's part of the First Doctor Experience.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Savages</b> <i>(all episodes missing)</i> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: lime;">Watch<span style="background-color: white;"> - Alas, there's nothing left of this episode, which is a shame, because it's an interesting morality tale in which the Doctor gets to be thunderingly righteous in the aid of an oppressed minority people. He even talks about human beings in terms of <i>souls</i>, which makes his argument all the stronger. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The War Machines </b>- </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: magenta;">Maybe<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span>- The last complete Hartnell episode. It's an okay story, introducing new companions Ben and Polly and providing an exit for Dodo Chaplet. Kind of forgettable otherwise, though. Polly is the best female companion we've had since Barbara. Watch her meet Ben <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QTjvckGyt4">here</a>, to get an idea of their personalities. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><div id="Second">Season 4 (William Hartnell and Patrick Troughton)</div></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpEbcA5NHXhNyuvnKMqH_QdIipnFwd915pcfC-bEjwfm-C6bpu-GmtT8WnTsO_N2SdzHRozPggct4UhKDkQJvc8gK6VL-5AyHZWcDuepAkVgustqEAfzkN09iS7Uezi5t9sTSRGGrbE_y7/s1600/Screenshot+%25283542%2529.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpEbcA5NHXhNyuvnKMqH_QdIipnFwd915pcfC-bEjwfm-C6bpu-GmtT8WnTsO_N2SdzHRozPggct4UhKDkQJvc8gK6VL-5AyHZWcDuepAkVgustqEAfzkN09iS7Uezi5t9sTSRGGrbE_y7/s640/Screenshot+%25283542%2529.png" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>It's happening! William Hartnell's increasingly frail health prompts the BBC to find a way to recast the lead in their hit series. Remarkably, instead of casting a William Hartnell lookalike, they decide to go with Patrick Troughton, an impish little man with a Beatles moptop and a twinkle in his eye that may be friendly or may be cunning. He's certainly not the man we knew, and he's not interested in holding our hand through the craziness of the first regeneration.</i><b><br /></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Smugglers</b> <i>(all episodes missing)</i> - <span style="background-color: #e06666;">Skip<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span>- A rote historical episode in which nothing of note occurs. If you want, you can watch <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XUfGVuj_fU">the first scene</a>, where Polly and Ben realize they've accidentally ended up on an adventure through time and space (and it really was an accident, instead of the usual kidnapping! Character development!) </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Tenth Planet</b> <i>(episode 4 missing) </i>- </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: lime;">Watch<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- Not the most exciting plot, but it's the introduction of a key villain (man, their design here is <i>so </i>much better than the new series) and the occasion of the first regeneration. I'd say essential, but since it's harder to get a hold of, I guess not. Still, it's a big moment in the show's history.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Power of the Daleks</b><i> (all episodes missing)</i> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: lime;">Watch<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>- It’s worth watching a reconstruction (I always prefer the fan-made versions, cobbled together from BBC <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tele-snaps">telesnaps</a>, instead of animated versions), as this one’s a classic. Patrick Troughton is a zany, alienating, unpredictable version of the man we knew as the Doctor. He may be good, but is he safe?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Highlanders</b> <i>(all episodes missing)</i> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: #e06666;">Skip<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>- The Doctor is still attempting to find himself, which translates to dressing up every chance he gets, putting on silly accents, and coveting a selection of hats. The main important thing which occurs in this episode is the introduction of new companion, Jamie McCrimmon, but otherwise, it's a bit of a snoozefest.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Underwater Menace</b> <i>(episodes 1 & 4 missing) </i>- </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: #e06666;">Skip<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>- There are a few fun bits with Patrick Troughton mugging in funny hats with his recorder, but it's slow. Really slow. Check out <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CR8SQyqV6TQ">this</a> famously corny line delivery so you will get the memes. </span></span><br /><b><br /></b>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Moonbase</b> (episodes 1 & 3 missing) - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: lime;">Watch<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>- A taut (and in Classic Who, that word hardly <i>ever </i>gets used) base-under-siege episode and one of the best episodes for this iconic villain. A fine Polly episode too. Troughton has found his Doctor. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Macra Terror</b> <i>(all episodes missing)</i> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: #e06666;">Skip<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- The Doctor and company land in a utopian society that - you won't be shocked - turns out to be not so utopian after all. Despite all the decadence on display, there's clearly a dark secret undergirding this paradise, and the Doctor is determined to find out what it is. This is kinda quirky and intriguing, but despite the genuinely memorable monster and some cool atmosphere, it doesn't end up going anywhere.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Faceless Ones</b> <i>(episodes 2, 4, 5 & 6 missing)</i> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: magenta;">Maybe<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>- The Doctor investigates a murder mystery at an airport. It's fine. The aliens have an interesting motivation for stealing "faces." It's mostly notable for how it shows the developing relationship between Patrick Troughton and Frazer Hines - they make a terrific double act. But Polly and Ben barely feel involved, ironically - as it's their last episode. If nothing else, <span style="background-color: lime;">watch</span> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=steM5zhFIRM">the final scene</a>. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Evil of the Daleks</b> <i>(episodes 1, 3 - 7 missing)</i> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: magenta;">Maybe<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>- An interesting episode which starts to introduce a more complex side to the Daleks, and showcases the Second Doctor's more manipulative side. The first half is really terrific, but the dropoff in the second half is rough. It features <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z64Tm08Bm90">one terrific showdown</a> between Troughton and the Daleks which is worth watching, but the rest of it isn't really worth the slog through reconstructions.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Season 5 (Patrick Troughton)</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR3xVW8qvoe16c_-3xbhzhCOkttDNUOxIUgPz9UpMy8iqbc0iGVKcH-xpfEb5gz73Q-Wh23WGURV2ZJJ6TZ1biqfu4_BeTg44PTECdPmsfKZt0C8FspDUi-m-pTsY6Q_s-7TLSmlI1ow1C/s1600/Screenshot+%25282726%2529.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR3xVW8qvoe16c_-3xbhzhCOkttDNUOxIUgPz9UpMy8iqbc0iGVKcH-xpfEb5gz73Q-Wh23WGURV2ZJJ6TZ1biqfu4_BeTg44PTECdPmsfKZt0C8FspDUi-m-pTsY6Q_s-7TLSmlI1ow1C/s640/Screenshot+%25282726%2529.png" width="640" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Finally, some complete Patrick Troughton episodes! Let's be honest, you probably didn't slog through the previous almost-entirely-missing season, so this season is probably your introduction to the man, the myth, the legend. He's firmly established in the character by now, with a wonderful rapport with his definitive companion, 18th Century highlander, Jamie McCrimmon. A great season, introducing a handful of new monsters, though it ends with a clunker.</i></span><b><br /></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Tomb of the Cybermen</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: lime;">Watch<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span>- A terrific Cyberman story with some truly funny and charming moments. Its only downside is an unfortunately stereotyped African strongman (who nevertheless plays an important and moving role in the plot) and a tendency toward repetition and slow-walking shots and line deliveries because they don't have quite enough script to fill the time. Still, the first fully complete Patrick Troughton episode shows him at the height of his charms alongside his best companion, Jamie. We get a magical "bigger on the inside" scene and one of Troughton's greatest monologues. We're reminded that the Doctor is ancient and mysterious - but also relatable.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Abominable Snowmen</b><i> (Episodes 1 & 3 - 6 missing)</i> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: lime;">Watch<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span>- A strong adventure set in the Himalayas with a well-developed supporting cast and a mysterious new villain. Victoria really starts to show some spunk here, redeeming herself after her damsel in distress act in <i><span style="background-color: white;">Tomb </span>of the Cybermen</i>. Check out Josh Snares terrific reconstructions of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=130c1-ws0lg">episode one</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYgyntcrxuc">three</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTw3E4o4BGg">four</a>. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Ice Warriors</b> <i>(Episodes 2 - 3 missing) </i>- </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: #e06666;">Skip</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: #e06666;"><span style="background-color: white;">- A lot of this episode works, with Peter Sallis turning in a particularly good supporting performance. The Ice Warriors, however, are so slow and sinister that they end up becoming a bit boring, and Victoria is back to her old screamer ways (seriously, one week she's Sarah Jane, the next Mel Bush). The episode is also prone towards preaching on and on about the evils of computers - we know, <i>we get it</i>. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Enemy of the World</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: lime;">Watch<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- The Doctor meets his evil doppelganger in this spy thriller. It’s really fun and lets Patrick Troughton flex. <i>Who </i>does Bond. It was lost for decades, but was one of the two serials - the other is <i>The Web of Fear</i> - discovered in Nigeria. Pause a moment and appreciate that - after decades, a lost <i>Doctor Who </i>episode turned up <i>in Africa</i> and just <i>happened </i>to be a classic. Actually, both of them are classics. What a wonderful world. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Web of Fear</b> (Episode 3 missing) - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: lime;">Watch<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span>- A terrific episode set in the London underground - the Yeti are a bit cheesy, but features the introduction of a super-important recurring character, and it’s a great episode for atmosphere. Another great Victoria episode, too.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Fury from the Deep </b>(All episodes missing) - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: lime;">Watch<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span>- This was the final serial I watched (well, "watched") and I must say, it was an excellent note to go out on. Riveting, unsettling, and quickly paced, this is the rare reconstruction which kept me on the edge of my seat throughout (I watched Loose Canon's reconstruction but I might actually look into getting the animated version). In addition to all its other charms, it has a great emotional arc for Victoria as she starts to decide she's had enough of the TARDIS life. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Wheel in Space</b> </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">(Episodes 1 - 2 & 4 - 5 missing) - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: #e06666;">Skip<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>- It's the introduction of young genius companion Zoe Heriot, but there's not enough here to make it worth watching. You do get this line: "Logic, my dear Zoe, merely enables one to be wrong with <i>authority</i>." And Jamie coins the Doctor's long-time alias, John Smith. Here's <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyKjhK9lng8">Zoe meeting the Doctor</a>. And <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64_sk2a8ZYQ">the Doctor welcomes Zoe</a> on board with a little pleasant hazing. Both of those clips are good to watch, and if you were wondering how Jamie was taking Victoria's exit, here's a reconstruction of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8ok1hR3fnc">that scene</a>.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Season 6 (Patrick Troughton)</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC8gcC62BG6oMw31j_ShDATiouDUzV9BHvA1N32tF9xmfZ1Kv-wIljyFnzNTjWDCAAeEfu8Ck0DP5mLrAqBMiy98cHw1F3PMr6dDqZ-kFLpIteBEUn_bVbZ7r8OKjInPZUJkJ5EH3ekQrr/s1600/Screenshot+%25283562%2529.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC8gcC62BG6oMw31j_ShDATiouDUzV9BHvA1N32tF9xmfZ1Kv-wIljyFnzNTjWDCAAeEfu8Ck0DP5mLrAqBMiy98cHw1F3PMr6dDqZ-kFLpIteBEUn_bVbZ7r8OKjInPZUJkJ5EH3ekQrr/s640/Screenshot+%25283562%2529.png" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Troughton's final season is a mixed bag, but when it's great, it's incredible. Iconic moments abound and the season pushes the show's mythology towards truly incredible heights.</i><b><br /></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Dominators</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: #e06666;">Skip<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>- Meh. Truly awful costumes. Quite forgettable story. Frazer Hines and Patrick Troughton are funny, but sometimes somebody needed to remind them to take the show seriously. (My sister: WHAT seriously? You should put this one on "maybe" because it's so funny and it's complete.)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Mind Robber</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: lime;">Watch<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span>- My all-time favorite Classic Who episode. Very strange and meta, questioning the very fabric of the show itself. Insanely ambitious and ahead of its time - the episode tends to split audiences, but its whimsy (some may claim "silliness") is bolstered by boundless creativity and smart plotting. A true Hall of Fame episode. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Invasion</b> <i>(Episodes 1 & 4 missing)</i> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: lime;">Watch<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span>- A fun thriller set in London - lots of important plot elements start lining up for the third Doctor’s era. Return of Alistair Lethbridge-Stewart, intro of Benton and UNIT, and the super iconic shot of Cybermen at a famous location. Not strictly <i>essential</i>, but there's so much here that will turn up later that you really need to watch it.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Krotons</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: #e06666;">Skip<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>- Really quite a bad episode. Dull and unmemorable, despite some nice character moments scattered throughout.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Seeds of Death</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: magenta;">Maybe<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span>- A fun futuristic episode, introducing yet another key villain. Fantastic set design. It features what may be Patrick Troughton's <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7TXk5CfLu0">most iconic line</a> (and line reading).</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Space Pirates </b><i>(Episodes 1, 3 - 6 missing)</i> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: #e06666;">Skip<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>- Robert Holmes's second episode does not live up to the heights to which he will eventually rise as a writer. It's supposed to be about pirates! Not the boring personal drama between a man who looks like he walked right out of a TV Western and the daughter of his rival! Or something! Boring.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The War Games</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: lime;"><span style="background-color: #f1c232;">Essential</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span>- The second Doctor’s swan song, an ambitious epic which sometimes feels like Stanley Kubrick's <i>Paths of Glory</i> (I'm not kidding - and in fact, to my delight, I once observed as much to Frazer Hines). Overlong, but packs a real emotional punch, and introduces a <i>ton </i>of the show’s mythology. Patrick Troughton has never been better. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><div id="Third">Season 7 (Jon Pertwee)</div></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGSicUFyfUEKu8Ap-uK4mbwj3ZnXV9GSoIF85e4LnvwOToYGUNbW0CD5FEiwjVTK5ga497zcd-tsyYqWDr0onxoPnsfi0nQghZthbGTWrdTsUiMzMzV15M2iE_-fSo4-PgxmOCiAX69rg4/s1600/Screenshot+%25283672%2529.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGSicUFyfUEKu8Ap-uK4mbwj3ZnXV9GSoIF85e4LnvwOToYGUNbW0CD5FEiwjVTK5ga497zcd-tsyYqWDr0onxoPnsfi0nQghZthbGTWrdTsUiMzMzV15M2iE_-fSo4-PgxmOCiAX69rg4/s640/Screenshot+%25283672%2529.png" width="640" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>The Third Doctor's first season brings </i>Doctor Who<i> into the marvelous world of color. Jon Pertwee was primarily a comic actor, so it came as a surprise to everyone (including him, a bit) when he played the role " as himself," drawing on his background as a Naval Intelligence operative during the war. He's supported by a marvelous cast, including Nicholas Courtenay as Brigadier Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart (if you liked Kate Stewart in New Who, this is her dad.) While I love the gentler side he shows in later seasons, Pertwee may be at his best in his first outing, still showing the immaturity and unpredictability which characterized his predecessor's "trickster" persona.</i><b><br /></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Spearhead from Space</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: lime;"><span style="background-color: #f1c232;">Essential</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span>- </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The
first episode, due to a strike, was shot on location and entirely on
film instead of tape which means it looks fantastic, even now. </span>It's also a really great regeneration episode (topped only by <i>The Eleventh Hour</i>, in my opinion) which introduces the Doctor’s new milieu and sets up the supporting cast who will anchor the show for its earthbound years.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Doctor Who and the Silurians</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: lime;">Watch<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span>- Most people like this one - I did not. I'm giving in to peer pressure here, though, to say I'm probably wrong. Check it out, but don't blame me if it's a boring seven episodes starring ugly green aliens from the dawn of time.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Ambassadors of Death</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: magenta;">Maybe<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span>- An okay episode with some sassy stuff from Liz Shaw, who I like.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Inferno </b>- </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: lime;">Watch<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span>- A searingly intense ride with some great acting from the show’s regulars. The classic show sometimes struggles to have emotional stakes, but certainly not here.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Season 8 (Jon Pertwee)</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Ax7c2J9JJ_AKd2I2-0Wd3-h3U66zW8paFPlF0P1H56TZWzsMm4GZibibuAwUlU9DvvGNEaYZ8svpjJ9_3aXAor6ZR17WouJz8xZDEXR15zJEIiZwC1YF98zhlm1z7xTjehw4MYHv5-Bu/s1600/Screenshot+%25283584%2529.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Ax7c2J9JJ_AKd2I2-0Wd3-h3U66zW8paFPlF0P1H56TZWzsMm4GZibibuAwUlU9DvvGNEaYZ8svpjJ9_3aXAor6ZR17WouJz8xZDEXR15zJEIiZwC1YF98zhlm1z7xTjehw4MYHv5-Bu/s640/Screenshot+%25283584%2529.png" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>The Third Doctor's second season isn't quite as experimental, swapping out the daring Liz Shaw for the more traditional (if adorable) Jo Grant, but it does introduce the Third Doctor's definitive villain, and there are some solid stories here. </i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Terror of the Autons</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: lime;"><span style="background-color: #f1c232;">Essential</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span>- Introduces two important characters: the Doctor's new companion, Jo Grant, and his arch-nemesis, the Master. The Doctor has clearly started to acclimate to his new role, though he's not happy about it.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Mind of Evil</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: lime;">Watch<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span>- A solid political thriller that doesn’t entirely make sense. Just roll with it. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Claws of Axos</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: magenta;">Maybe<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>- Not essential, but a fun story.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Colony in Space</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: #e06666;">Skip<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>- A dull story which picks up just a bit near the end. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6Tk6wzTjvs">This scene</a> is the best part. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Dæmons</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: lime;">Watch<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span>- A cheesy, fun adventure set in a pastoral village. <i>Doctor Who</i> meets <i>Midsomer Murders</i>. The UNIT family has an outing (this is probably the best UNIT story ever) and the Doctor seems to finally have accepted his place on Earth. </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Also, the introduction of the Third Doctor's catchphrase! </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Season 9 (Jon Pertwee)</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoeBr2IfEi6a5TjtcwWj30XxxhkkyqSIMSlpgMIOEUpiSx8B-vVIfJFag-yD1S1_6lE4uKmdHK3QL1MZYUhDvL6oI79sxKFNFZLoe_au5lAQ09mPVQAgcA7MQmr8P0YJgBnja3NnD9tz9F/s1600/Screenshot+%25283599%2529.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoeBr2IfEi6a5TjtcwWj30XxxhkkyqSIMSlpgMIOEUpiSx8B-vVIfJFag-yD1S1_6lE4uKmdHK3QL1MZYUhDvL6oI79sxKFNFZLoe_au5lAQ09mPVQAgcA7MQmr8P0YJgBnja3NnD9tz9F/s640/Screenshot+%25283599%2529.png" width="640" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>A weaker season, though Pertwee is always charming. </i><b><br /></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Day of the Daleks</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: magenta;">Maybe<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> - What could have been a middling story is bumped up a bit by a startling third act twist. Pertwee has a grand old time wining and dining. It's not a classic, but it's entertaining. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Curse of Peladon</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: #e06666;">Skip<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- Starts out weird, and Alpha Centauri is absolutely embarrassing, but it has some interesting character dynamics, and Jo gets to shine here. Its politics are really obvious - a commentary on Britain's entry into the EU. Still, I'm gonna say no.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Sea Devils</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: lime;">Watch<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- The Master and the Doctor get into a sword fight and the Doctor gets to ride around in a hovercraft. Nuff said. The plot is nothing to write home about, but Pertwee is so awesome you don't care - he gets involved in all sorts of exciting action. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Mutants </b>- </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: #e06666;">Skip<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>- Pretty boring, but the ending has some weird and striking concepts it embraces.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Time Monster</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: magenta;">Maybe<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span>- Cheesy and clunky. It’s kind of a mess. But it does have individual striking moments - a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PsgcvIlSeU">sweet scene</a> between the Doctor and Jo (aww), what happens to Benton (LOL), the conversations between the Master and Jo (what the heck). I rather love this one. "So Bad It's Good" category.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Season 10 (Jon Pertwee)</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvhYkBIj8lCAGxRVLB3s-bObWHV99oflEq0hyBqopQBaMY__n09hHrz2G2Yt1VkJJ6b5EX-RRx-yUhzlTf-0pIsgd8luTgjLQbnN8Ua_XlSd1FzLOTbiOihuXwAa5aIoupJ95n4Gi0JC8e/s1600/Screenshot+%25283587%2529.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvhYkBIj8lCAGxRVLB3s-bObWHV99oflEq0hyBqopQBaMY__n09hHrz2G2Yt1VkJJ6b5EX-RRx-yUhzlTf-0pIsgd8luTgjLQbnN8Ua_XlSd1FzLOTbiOihuXwAa5aIoupJ95n4Gi0JC8e/s640/Screenshot+%25283587%2529.png" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>The show arrives at its tenth anniversary, with a season more inventive than the previous one. We get our first multi-Doctor story and the show starts to gravitate back towards a more traditional travel-oriented premise. Still, the show is beginning to a feel a little comfortable with itself - the Tom Baker shot in the arm that it needs is still a season away.</i><b><br /></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Three Doctors</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: lime;">Watch<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span>- One should never skip multi-Doctor episodes, and this one is a delight. It’s easily my favorite multi-Doctor classic episode, and maybe my favorite overall. Pertwee and Troughton are a wonderful double act, though it's a shame William Hartnell was too ill to contribute very much.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Carnival of Monsters</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: lime;">Watch<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span>- A delightfully wacky episode in which the Doctor and Jo are trapped in, basically, an ant circus for miniaturized humans.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Frontier in Space</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: magenta;">Maybe<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>- The first half’s rather dull, but then the Master turns up and gives an excellent, and sadly, final performance (Roger Delgado would die soon after in a car accident in Turkey). He's in league with...the Uruk Hai? Sorry, Ogrons.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Planet of the Daleks</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: #e06666;">Skip<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>- There are nice reflective moments here - Pertwee gives a nice speech to a side character about bravery. Jo Grant is more proactive. But too much of it is spent with the Doctor or Jo sidelined for plot reasons (he's in a coma - but when he wakes up, he takes the time to switch clothes before dealing with the immediate crisis) and the non-Dalek villains clearly suffered from a lack of budget (they're invisible). An underbaked side romance for Jo just makes the story feel all the more Who-by-the-numbers.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Green Death</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: lime;"><span style="background-color: #f1c232;">Essential</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span>- Okay, it’s cheesy and preachy and...well, the monsters are actually pretty gross...but you have to see Jo Grant’s exit. It has real pathos, and has one of the best performances Pertwee ever gave.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Season 11 (Jon Pertwee)</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWAWC0WGDc5BpOg3M9RUwJSqMkPWe5TJ7lgep5PJ9yAUkoaH5Uly_TWSpufhByoh-OkLfBFeCJHg0KHsBjyxWItYLr5Eduw8TaUaFd_fdnjcQ6SfjRCPHJTI327X1I4xwIc1LPJJoSWoqD/s1600/Screenshot+%25283743%2529.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWAWC0WGDc5BpOg3M9RUwJSqMkPWe5TJ7lgep5PJ9yAUkoaH5Uly_TWSpufhByoh-OkLfBFeCJHg0KHsBjyxWItYLr5Eduw8TaUaFd_fdnjcQ6SfjRCPHJTI327X1I4xwIc1LPJJoSWoqD/s640/Screenshot+%25283743%2529.png" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>A new companion! Pertwee and Elizabeth Sladen have some great moments in this season (</i>The Time Warrior<i> is one for the ages), but it's clear the UNIT years have run out of steam. Behind the scenes, Pertwee had decided that he didn't want to go on without Delgado or Katy Manning, so this season feels a bit like it's treading water before an inevitable exit.</i><b><br /></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Time Warrior</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: lime;">Watch<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span>- Introduction of Everybody's Favorite Companion</span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="st">™ </span>Sarah Jane Smith and a near-perfect adventure story, combining an iconic new monster with a fun historical setting and sizzling dialogue. My platonic ideal for a <i>Doctor Who</i> episode.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Invasion of the Dinosaurs </b>- </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: lime;">Watch<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span>- A fun, plot-heavy episode with some big implications for the UNIT fam and some very poorly realized dinosaurs. I understand some lame people don't like this episode because Jon Pertwee fends off an obviously fake pterodactyl with a mop. Clearly you just don't like fun. Possibly <a href="https://youtu.be/PxsLII_XTR8">my favorite <i>Doctor Who </i>meme</a> resulted from this episode.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Death to the Daleks</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: #e06666;">Skip<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>- Nothing much happens in this one. Kind of forgettable.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Monster of Peladon</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: #e06666;">Skip<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>- A cheesier, more plodding sequel to <i>Curse of Peladon</i>. Sarah Jane has a few fun girl power lines, but it's <i>very </i>skippable. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Planet of the Spiders</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: magenta;">Maybe<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>- Some really cringey character and design moments in this, but it’s a regeneration story, so you kind of have to watch it (I'm just so annoyed by the cringey stuff that I don't have it as "watch.") Pertwee's final moments are touching. We get a little more closure for Mike Yates.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><div id="Fourth">Season 12 (Tom Baker)</div></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcwK1zF9db2SOX63m65mmbKCrIRFoj_ssH0iFzyUqCQ4KbGVNj5fCcxZeWCzn9MzDF317oHO_tSeLAKBBT6XNBXuT5A5M7HgTjZ6uHviSh_99EHdzncfoF8oBidnv97e5tSvVaKMKb9BbE/s1600/Screenshot+%25283546%2529.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcwK1zF9db2SOX63m65mmbKCrIRFoj_ssH0iFzyUqCQ4KbGVNj5fCcxZeWCzn9MzDF317oHO_tSeLAKBBT6XNBXuT5A5M7HgTjZ6uHviSh_99EHdzncfoF8oBidnv97e5tSvVaKMKb9BbE/s640/Screenshot+%25283546%2529.png" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Tom Baker arrives in a blaze of glory. He has great companions, great writing, an incredible wardrobe, charisma out the wazoo - Baker really had all the luck. It's for those reasons that I often suggest starting with Baker, because this was the golden moment when the show was firing on all cylinders (much as I love other eras).</i><b><br /></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Robot </b>- </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: lime;">Watch<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span>- While this serial isn’t ideally suited to Tom Baker (it's written like a Pertwee episode), it’s not bad, plus, there are some classic moments from the new Fourth Doctor. If this is your jumping-in point, realize that the robot itself is extremely clunky and unimpressive, even by Classic Who's standards.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Ark in Space</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: magenta;">Maybe<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span>- I find this one overrated. Coupled with a painfully dated monster makes this one that I wouldn’t recommend to new Classic viewers. Maybe save for later?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Sontaran Experiment </b>- </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: magenta;">Maybe<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span>- Short and sweet, but nothing really special.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Genesis of the Daleks</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: lime;">Watch<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>- A truly great episode. Space Nazis and the first appearance of Davros in this moody and atmospheric "morality of time travel" adventure.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Revenge of the Cybermen</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: magenta;">Maybe<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span>- Baker’s first encounter with the Doctor's other most iconic robot foes is pretty forgettable. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Season 13 </span></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">(Tom Baker)</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3YGcKecrV91FSVxpHDPyDw1YURmW93G6alN8oXfsFxYa9UmFDn12HODEV7WH38Jk1_C29trEVrCa7vSncT9M8Rq1huQsY8P6lGUPZtg_2gQi9aWexpXvWMlfrgJmu078Zesly42UzJjXs/s1600/Screenshot+%25283611%2529.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3YGcKecrV91FSVxpHDPyDw1YURmW93G6alN8oXfsFxYa9UmFDn12HODEV7WH38Jk1_C29trEVrCa7vSncT9M8Rq1huQsY8P6lGUPZtg_2gQi9aWexpXvWMlfrgJmu078Zesly42UzJjXs/s640/Screenshot+%25283611%2529.png" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Tom Baker and Sarah Jane return for a second season. Harry Sullivan, alas, doesn't make it beyond episode one, as they'd realized that with a young Doctor they didn't need an athletic male companion to do the derring do anymore (I think Harry should have been kept for other reasons, but anyway.)</i><b><br /></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Terror of the Zygons</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: #e06666;">Skip<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>- A Scottish doppelganger thriller with a poorly realized Loch Ness monster.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Planet of Evil</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: #e06666;">Skip<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>- Dull.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Pyramids of Mars</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: lime;">Watch<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>- Terrific. Evil mummies, British manor houses, Doctor having a midlife crisis? Yes, please. This is always the one I point new viewers towards. Sarah Jane is clearly becoming more proactive, the Doctor has some real complexity and darkness to struggle with, and while the mummy henchmen are a little corny, the big bad is amazing.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Android Invasion</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: magenta;">Maybe<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span>- Doctor and Sarah return to a Pertwee format. It’s fun. Doppelgangers abound.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Brain of Morbius </b>- </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: lime;">Watch<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>- Weird, wacky Gothic Frankenstein story. Mad scientist Solon makes this one. Accidentally foreshadows an important twist in the new show.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Seeds of Doom</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: lime;">Watch<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>- A fun thriller which is like Bond meets <i>The Thing.</i> I don't think the author got the memo about the Doctor being a pacifist.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Season 14 </span></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">(Tom Baker)</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU2QGns27pRiBOKH_kSyMvPyfd041unnwzBNBtkAU5JB6BBV6nu_3HzgPPP4-3FGF5eQrzlR6eWRJAbqX7ioXbLngB5cOuAwgot3M8WZJW0WNLNs67znZAFJ8J2lba86zqRZqarF4ooN5Q/s1600/Screenshot+%25283642%2529.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU2QGns27pRiBOKH_kSyMvPyfd041unnwzBNBtkAU5JB6BBV6nu_3HzgPPP4-3FGF5eQrzlR6eWRJAbqX7ioXbLngB5cOuAwgot3M8WZJW0WNLNs67znZAFJ8J2lba86zqRZqarF4ooN5Q/s640/Screenshot+%25283642%2529.png" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>While this season starts off weakly, it goes on to be one of the strongest the show ever did. Experimental, confident, intense, and funny, the show wasn't missing a beat.</i><b><br /></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Masque of Mandragora</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: #e06666;">Skip<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>- A middle of the road historical story. Nothing special. The Doctor makes a heroic escape on a horse after tripping a guard with his scarf? Eh.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Hand of Fear</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: lime;">Watch<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>- Sarah Jane’s exit is quite sweet, though the story's nothing special. Pay attention for Tom Baker's subtle, unspoken disquiet throughout the tale, as he begins to realize Sarah Jane has become as reckless as he is (real echoes of this story show up in <i>Face the Raven</i>). </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Deadly Assassin</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: lime;">Watch<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>- A fun, super-dark story in which the Doctor’s caught up in political intrigues on Gallifrey. Feels like the Classic analog to <i>Heaven Sent.</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Face of Evil</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: lime;">Watch<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>- A strange story about superstition and technology. Introduces new companion Leela, and gives Tom Baker some great moments. That first cliffhanger! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Robots of Death</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: lime;">Watch<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- A stylish mystery story. I watched a horribly mangled version of this episode, so I'm probably not the best authority on it. Most people like this one a lot.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Talons of Weng-Chiang</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: lime;">Watch<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>- While overrated, there are some brilliant inventions here. The Doctor goes toe-to-toe with a mysterious Gothic villain (and his henchman, in unfortunate and dreadful yellowface prosthetics). Showman Henry Gordon Jago and pathologist George Litefoot are terrific. If you enjoy those two, you should check out their Big Finish spin-off series, <i>Jago and Litefoot</i>, where they investigate paranormal and supernatural phenomena in Victorian England. The first five seasons of the show are currently available for free on Spotify. It's easily the best <i>Doctor Who</i> spinoff. I adore it.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Season 15 </span></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">(Tom Baker)</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Producer Philip Hinchcliffe leaves (alas), and with his departure the show starts to transition to a more PG approach. Not everybody likes the robot dog (Tom Baker certainly didn't!) but there's still a lot of good to be found in this era.</i><b><br /></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Horror of Fang Rock</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: lime;">Watch<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>- The last of the great hammer horror inspired stories finds the Doctor and Leela trapped in a lighthouse battling a murderous (and a bit poor realized) monster.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Invisible Enemy </b>- </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: magenta;">Maybe<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span>- Introduction of a surprisingly fun new companion: K-9. Not the world’s greatest episode otherwise.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Image of the Fendahl</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: #e06666;">Skip<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>- Wacky episode set in a village with a few scientists and an evil alien skull. Nothing notable except a supporting role from Wanda Ventham, but she'd already turned up in <i>The Faceless Ones</i>.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Sun Makers</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: lime;">Watch<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>- The Doctor takes on a slightly cartoonish but entertaining dystopian regime. K-9 is a badass. I like this one. It’s Robert Holmes, so check it out.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Underworld </b>- </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: #e06666;">Skip<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>- Pretty unimpressive.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Invasion of Time</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: lime;">Watch<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>- Important plot stuff. Leela departs.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Season 16</span></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> (Tom Baker)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>With Leela departed, it's time for yet another companion - and the first season to try serialization, as Romana and the Doctor search for the "key of time." As an experiment, it's just okay, but while it's not up to the earlier heights of the Tom Baker era, this is a solid collection of episodes. </i><b><br /></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Ribos Operation</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: lime;">Watch<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- It’s not the best episode (a bit too much sitting around talking Plot Details for my liking), but there’s important set up for the season, and as it's a Robert Holmes-penned episode it's certainly watchable. Besides: new companion! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Pirate Planet</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: magenta;">Maybe<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span>- A Douglas Adams-penned episode. It’s just okay. Why is it that <i>Doctor Who</i> just can't do pirates well?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Stones of Blood</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: magenta;">Maybe<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span>- This faux-Gothic adventure has its charms - nothing special about the story, but it’s quippy and Beatrix Lehmann is delightful as an elderly professor who should’ve become a full-time companion.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Androids of Tara</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: lime;">Watch<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>- Great fun. The Doctor and Romana end up in a world with knights in armor and androids and a delightful mixture of time periods. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Power of Kroll</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: magenta;">Maybe<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span>- A strange, atmospheric episode by Robert Holmes. Kind of trippy. The Doctor reveals a hilariously unexpected new skill.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Armageddon Factor</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: magenta;">Maybe<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>- Probably? Another season finale with a lot of plot stuff going on. Tom Baker is <i>great </i>in the final scene. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Season 17 (Tom Baker)</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiidBO176iF880xVW-G1J7nD72QNDHB5wAbsglWhwlk3Mds4oE35CdErw6uHz78NlG4a0Lm9nW3S5vXIyT9tiJCMqr_kKnRDvlHsKzQXgqQts2-Ii_C24IUHofZGahD9BnnIyuFE-BG8QdY/s1600/Screenshot+%25283913%2529.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiidBO176iF880xVW-G1J7nD72QNDHB5wAbsglWhwlk3Mds4oE35CdErw6uHz78NlG4a0Lm9nW3S5vXIyT9tiJCMqr_kKnRDvlHsKzQXgqQts2-Ii_C24IUHofZGahD9BnnIyuFE-BG8QdY/s640/Screenshot+%25283913%2529.png" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>A...sort of new...companion. Unfortunately a pretty uneven season with one classic.</i><b><br /></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Destiny of the Daleks</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: magenta;">Maybe<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span>- A rather unmemorable first episode for Romana II.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>City of Death</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: lime;">Watch<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>- A great episode with a big budget, penned by Douglas Adams. Almost always in top 5 lists.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Creature from the Pit</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: #e06666;">Skip<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>- Unremarkable episode except for an unfortunately designed monster (even more unfortunately named: Erato). To be avoided.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Nightmare of Eden</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: magenta;">Maybe<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span>- Some interesting scifi concepts and a bit of heavy handed moralizing. It’s okay.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Horns of Nimon </b>- </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: #e06666;">Skip<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>- Camp classic. I love Romana’s pink riding outfit and Graham Crowden’s hamminess, but there’s just not enough here to call it good. On the other hand, its ham is beloved by the fans and there are <a href="https://lmmyles.com/2018/07/05/the-horns-of-nimon-fanvid-playlist/">hysterical video parodies</a> that you won’t fully appreciate without seeing the episode...</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Shada </b>- </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: magenta;">Maybe<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- It’s unfinished, but I liked this one. Probably not worth forging through, but some excellent moments and concepts - a shame it was never completed.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Season 18 (Tom Baker) </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4RcQJRYnrvTmKgC06KHZwQ_Q3I_rhe1IIxQzPARNMkevpI6L50BHB_ABVtCAdznEcB6IshfUfNAFyJzgr-7UceA-d4G2v3uXOhQOzkF9C-l5iOTPaqrY793VNcH5d08XVeyjlF8U3gE0H/s1600/Screenshot+%25283784%2529.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4RcQJRYnrvTmKgC06KHZwQ_Q3I_rhe1IIxQzPARNMkevpI6L50BHB_ABVtCAdznEcB6IshfUfNAFyJzgr-7UceA-d4G2v3uXOhQOzkF9C-l5iOTPaqrY793VNcH5d08XVeyjlF8U3gE0H/s640/Screenshot+%25283784%2529.png" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Tom Baker's final season regains a sense of purpose and weight as the dread of his regeneration grows. No more of that "oh, by the way, it's a regeneration episode" randomness of previous Doctors. Everybody knew what was coming here.</i><b><br /></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Leisure Hive</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: #e06666;">Skip<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>- Pretty cheesy, though it does have Tom Baker in old age makeup, which is fun. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Meglos</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: magenta;">Maybe<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span>- A kind of fun Doctor doppelganger story.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Full Circle</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: magenta;">Maybe<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span>- Introduction of new companion, Adric. Not a great episode, but it explains why Adric is always going on about getting back to "e space." </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>State of Decay</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: #e06666;">Skip<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>- Evil vampires. Adric being an idiot.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Warriors' Gate</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: lime;">Watch<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>- A great episode, and the exit for Romana. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Keeper of Traken/Logopolis</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: lime;"><span style="background-color: #f1c232;">Essential<span style="background-color: white;"> - Tom Baker's final bow, and the introduction of two new companions.</span></span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><div id="Fifth">Season 19 (Peter Davison)</div></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiUvUefp9OMYhWQy2j9_wynkbBB3mbM63gSeLcy2fS9Jh7MaBLU0lN_kb1xYQf9dZSRG9zOZctW56GWd0hj9rZkkNt6WXKAtjCDEVipFNnHGKOTblC9Pv5wXAalKYnI8PxjRiVGR1kTv9R/s1600/Screenshot+%25283873%2529.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiUvUefp9OMYhWQy2j9_wynkbBB3mbM63gSeLcy2fS9Jh7MaBLU0lN_kb1xYQf9dZSRG9zOZctW56GWd0hj9rZkkNt6WXKAtjCDEVipFNnHGKOTblC9Pv5wXAalKYnI8PxjRiVGR1kTv9R/s640/Screenshot+%25283873%2529.png" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Peter Davison had the unenviable task of following the wildly popular Tom Baker. He does so admirably, with a fey and amiable lightness of touch dramatically at odds with Baker's vain showboating. Unfortunately, the writers don't always know what to do with Davison's new approach, but when the episode gives him the opportunity, he can be great.</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Castrovalva</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: lime;">Watch<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>- Essential, a new type of regeneration story. It’s easy to see the influence in New Who. I love the high concept set design, and the throwbacks are nice. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Four to Doomsday</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: #e06666;">Skip<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>- Nothing happens in this one.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Kinda </b>- </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: magenta;">Maybe<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span>- A weird hallucinogenic adventure. Pretty well-regarded, but I wasn't crazy about it.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Visitation</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: lime;">Watch<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>- A solid historical with some great Davison Doctor moments. I know this one isn't widely loved but I enjoyed it. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Black Orchid</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: magenta;">Maybe<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span>- It’s lightweight, but fun. The Doctor and co. visit the 1920s.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Earthshock </b>- </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: lime;"><span style="background-color: #f1c232;">Essential<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">-</span></span> You'll see why when you've finished. A really serious twist makes the show's stakes really matter again. And Adric is even kind of...likable in this? Davison gets some great moments too.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Time-Flight</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: #e06666;">Skip<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>- Deathly dull. Read the summary to figure out the one important plot development, but only if you're planning to watch the next episode.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Season 20 (Peter Davison)</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEb0HkTu9a6ke9lfFtbTHRAis3L5ktZHifCytPos7JV4617kUwRjOI90OL4rFlkhr1ACH9ryrJaT3kwegLgHvDNGAoll5wYVU6hyphenhyphennn7j5pecOxT-rN_wXEeBpBoNsDXuVpI8SvxEECDe6l/s1600/Screenshot+%25283859%2529.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEb0HkTu9a6ke9lfFtbTHRAis3L5ktZHifCytPos7JV4617kUwRjOI90OL4rFlkhr1ACH9ryrJaT3kwegLgHvDNGAoll5wYVU6hyphenhyphennn7j5pecOxT-rN_wXEeBpBoNsDXuVpI8SvxEECDe6l/s640/Screenshot+%25283859%2529.png" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>An odd season, but one which features a fantastic arc with new companion, Turlough. There's fan service, but it's understated, and it's not afraid to push the limits of what's possible. </i><b><br /></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Arc of Infinity</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: #e06666;">Skip<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>- A weird Time Lord adventure in which we see the return of an old villain. They're on location in Amsterdam, which is neat, and a plot point from Time-Flight is undone, but if neither of those things is all that important to you, skip it. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Snakedance </b>- </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: magenta;">Maybe<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span>- Very weird, in the same way as <i>Kinda</i>. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Mawdryn Undead</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: lime;">Watch<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>- It’s a bit slow, but it features the return of the Brigadier, so it’s unmissable. It begins the Black Guardian trilogy, which focuses on new companion, Turlough.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Terminus </b>- </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: #e06666;">Skip<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>- A dull middle episode in the Black Guardian trilogy. Though <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkJJv-xHink">one important thing</a> happens.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Enlightenment </b>- </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: lime;">Watch<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>- A really terrific conclusion to the trilogy. Strikingly realized art direction and good pacing make this one of the Fifth Doctor’s best episodes.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The King's Demons</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: #e06666;">Skip<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>- A rather mediocre historical featuring The Mastahhhh. It explains the origin of Kamelion, but do you really need to know that? Nope. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Five Doctors</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: magenta;">Maybe<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span>- It’s the return of some familiar faces, but it’s really uneventful and not as good as <i>The Three Doctors</i>.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Season 21</span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> (Peter Davison)</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMYOeKfWvUTwlRHdwCpW3Q4Ld_r13-Lk17tz-ehm1id2JfUj6xdO1IguEjyJXUPVhINsCadQpKmEJ4-1BmUSKx5N3EVZ4GDut6H335BDMOYC4GvCw_iWYMvqbY0UFaNJY-G-lcZQPtojd1/s1600/Screenshot+%25283800%2529.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMYOeKfWvUTwlRHdwCpW3Q4Ld_r13-Lk17tz-ehm1id2JfUj6xdO1IguEjyJXUPVhINsCadQpKmEJ4-1BmUSKx5N3EVZ4GDut6H335BDMOYC4GvCw_iWYMvqbY0UFaNJY-G-lcZQPtojd1/s640/Screenshot+%25283800%2529.png" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <i>Peter Davison's final season grows stronger as it goes, though it's off to a rough start.</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Warriors of the Deep</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: #e06666;">Skip<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>- A famously awful monster and a mess of a plot. Solid <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9YJ6fjVVcc">ending scene</a> though.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Awakening</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: #e06666;">Skip<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>- I remember nothing about this one.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Frontios </b>- <span style="background-color: magenta;">Maybe</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span>- The Doctor and company visit a planet where the human population is just holding onto survival. The plot is nothing to write home about, but some of the Fifth Doctor's best lines appear here. "Tell them I came and went like a summer cloud."</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Resurrection of the Daleks</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: magenta;">Maybe<span style="background-color: white;"> - On the one hand, it's got some cool <i>moments </i>but all in all, it just doesn't amount to much except a <i>lot </i>of death. It's so violent, in fact, that it results in <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHjr4JusPA8">this final scene</a>, which you should <span style="background-color: lime;">watch</span>. As companion exits go, it's not bad.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Planet of Fire</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: lime;">Watch<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>- The end of Turlough’s story, the intro of a new companion, and a pretty good episode.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Caves of Androzani</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: lime;"><span style="background-color: #f1c232;">Essential</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- Essential, also a highly respected, ghoulishly dark episode ending Peter Davison’s tenure in the TARDIS. There are parts of it that don't work for me (some of the fourth-wall-breaking is kinda cringe and I'd give a lot to have literally any other companion accompany the Fifth Doctor to his doom), but the <i>iconography</i> of the ending is extraordinary.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Twin Dilemma</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: #e06666;">Skip<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>- A truly dreadful opening episode for Colin Baker's benighted TV run as the Doctor. Yes, it has some hilariously bombastic moments from the pompous Sixth Doctor, but the episode itself is painful. Be kind to yourself and skip. Maybe watch <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTVD_9wdcT4">his first scene</a>, though, just because Colin is clearly having a lot of fun with it.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><div id="Sixth">Season 22 (Colin Baker)</div></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV0PLXgM4twfxsJ1LCfKZC4xg4Sf-CdcW8g0H7_fh0PSIh4LQUhSplFdfpXH1OF3hJk-4zdsGE1xk0GbSax0D9va4ivaPFGFD9-kZ3557qlwaVo42c55vM-vkkN39v4FeEiqhB2SvbNAoo/s1600/Screenshot+%25283813%2529.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV0PLXgM4twfxsJ1LCfKZC4xg4Sf-CdcW8g0H7_fh0PSIh4LQUhSplFdfpXH1OF3hJk-4zdsGE1xk0GbSax0D9va4ivaPFGFD9-kZ3557qlwaVo42c55vM-vkkN39v4FeEiqhB2SvbNAoo/s640/Screenshot+%25283813%2529.png" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>All right, we need to talk about the Sixth Doctor. He's flamboyant and arrogant and unlike any other Doctor and I love him. His tenure on the show featured a dreadful run of episodes, and he starts off with the worst companion of all time, bumbling "American" Peri Brown. <b>But </b>he manages to thoroughly redeem himself in the audio world of Big Finish. I'll return to that at the end of this section.</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b> </b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Attack of the Cybermen</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: magenta;">Maybe<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span>- Less painful than some Baker stories, but not terribly inventive. A ton of throwbacks, which are kind of random but fun. There is an intensity here that might make it worth watching, and the Doctor fixes the chameleon circuit! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Vengeance on Varos</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: magenta;">Maybe<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span>- If you want to see at least one Colin Baker story, this one is an interesting and grim satire of reality TV that, if not great, is at least a good episode in the era’s style. <i>Doctor Who</i> does <i>The Hunger Games</i>, sorta? But even grimmer. I enjoyed the story, even if I think its sensibilities are not really <i>Doctor Who</i>-ish. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Mark of the Rani </b>- </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: #e06666;">Skip<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>- This has nice bits - it has some good locations and gets Colin out of the rainbow suit, which is nice. It brings back the Master and introduces a new female villain: the Rani. But it's mostly forgettable.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Two Doctors </b>- </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: #e06666;">Skip<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- Oh dear, where to start? It’s horrifying watching poor whimsical Patrick Troughton forced into the grimdark circus that is the Colin Baker years, but at the same time, it’s Patrick Troughton. He’s back! With Jamie! Which is delightful! But what a waste!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Timelash</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: #e06666;">Skip<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>- Widely considered the worst <i>Who </i>story of all time….an opinion with which I disagree, (I tend to prefer bad to boring) but it is, of course, absolutely dreadful.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Revelation of the Daleks</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: #e06666;">Skip<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: magenta;"><span style="background-color: white;">- I almost went with "maybe" for this one. The plot is not that great, but it looks fantastic. Classic Who's best director, Graeme Harper, returns with moving cameras and pleasing color and </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: magenta;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span data-dobid="hdw">mise en scène. But the first episode sidelines the Doctor and Peri for so long that the story seems like it takes forever to get anywhere. Colin Baker's Doctor is gentler here. Still, is it worth it? Probably not. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Season 23 (Colin Baker)</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGfIfPof0r9bQjnc6bRuSMfEyk61h6Gu-lb4IoT3TBSOe67IbY5tbfuksGsEd7-iV6f6cvlF8jqpFLGVyywJ95WueNLKUAkjOo2AsI_Dd1NhpGAweYgvFnLuphP7JhjDuXC-YXx540XTGH/s1600/Screenshot+%25283740%2529.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGfIfPof0r9bQjnc6bRuSMfEyk61h6Gu-lb4IoT3TBSOe67IbY5tbfuksGsEd7-iV6f6cvlF8jqpFLGVyywJ95WueNLKUAkjOo2AsI_Dd1NhpGAweYgvFnLuphP7JhjDuXC-YXx540XTGH/s640/Screenshot+%25283740%2529.png" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">For Colin Baker's second season, the writers decided to try for an extremely experimental approach: one massive story framed by a trial. The Doctor is on trial before the Time Lords, accused of genocide - the first three episode are retrospective pieces of evidence presented by the prosecution. All in all, the four episodes are known as Trial of a Timelord: </span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Mysterious Planet, Mindwarp, Terror of the Vervoids, and The Ultimate Foe.</span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Skip, Watch, or Maybe? This is tough. It's a weird and high concept series that still has some but not all of the problems of the previous season. The Doctor is kinder. It's an interesting, twisty plot - but it does still have a lot of the same pitfalls, and I don't point to any part of it as definitively <i>great</i>. I'm gonna go with </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: magenta;">Maybe</span></span></span></span></span></span></span>. </span></span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Here's where I'm going to stop you and explain why I love the Sixth Doctor so much.</span></span></i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> After the show was cancelled, a group of fans formed Big Finish, a company which produced audio dramas set in the world of </i>Doctor Who<i>. Early Big Finish is some of the most wonderful story-telling produced in the show's world, and much of it influenced (and is still referenced in) the revived show (remember the Eighth Doctor listing his companions? That was Big Finish.) I recommend you head over to Spotify now and start with </i><a href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1Na7uyFWzY5y4iFU5bhSeq?si=f5d6afd534bb4ea4">The Marian Conspiracy</a><i>, a wonderful introduction to his most wonderful of companions, aging history teacher Evelyn Smythe. </i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Colin's final story, chronologically, is </i>The Last Adventure<i>, in which he battles the Valeyard. </i></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>On the original show, Colin was fired and so Sylvester McCoy regenerated with an obscured face and a blond wig, having...apparently, tripped and hit his head on the TARDIS console? Yeah. Happily, </i></span></span></i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Last Adventure</span></span><i> ends with a good retconned circumstance for his regeneration, segueing smoothly into the opening of the next TV episode. Many fans have made animated versions of that scene from the audio drama, but <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wB2YNAaKnZU&feature=youtu.be">this deepfake one</a> is the best, giving Colin, finally, a decent send-off. (If you want something a bit funnier, try <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFahehmZFVs&feature=youtu.be">this</a>.)</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><div id="Seventh">Season 24 (Sylvester McCoy)</div></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmuoCrIy6BHd2uqSyzhuRGWbq8rguAr629lE8Wny_511o5Vgudt9eBsuVxpqLE8LW_3VZ_GmNYT_bqBam8yFGtAOVKURSsryy1vFJopLO9AorWJ9vkvuFTzJdj1c_moZtsEdsVOjbCYFTy/s1600/Screenshot+%25283679%2529.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="850" data-original-width="1384" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmuoCrIy6BHd2uqSyzhuRGWbq8rguAr629lE8Wny_511o5Vgudt9eBsuVxpqLE8LW_3VZ_GmNYT_bqBam8yFGtAOVKURSsryy1vFJopLO9AorWJ9vkvuFTzJdj1c_moZtsEdsVOjbCYFTy/s640/Screenshot+%25283679%2529.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Sylvester McCoy starts off with an absolute dump of a season. You can probably skip to the next season safely, but check out the final scene of </i>Dragonfire<i>, below.</i><br /><b></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Time and the Rani </b>- </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: #e06666;">Skip<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>- An embarrassment of an introductory episode. The best part is Sylvester McCoy playing spoons, if that tells you anything.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Paradise Towers</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: #e06666;">Skip<span style="background-color: white;"> - I like parts of this. There are weird friendly cannibal ladies. And a Tom Hiddleston lookalike. Oddly enough, it was based on a story which was later remade as a film starring...Tom Hiddleston. The premise is okay. But it's all drenched in that terrible 80's <i>Who</i> dreck and over-acting.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Delta and the Bannermen</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: magenta;">Maybe<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span>- Soooo this one is really weird and probably an episode most people dislike, but I think it's fun. The Doctor and Mel think they're going to 1950s Disneyland, but they end up at a Welsh hotel which is the center of a drama featuring several extraterrestrial visitors. It's possible that I liked it was because the rest of this season is dreadful, but it's the best of the early McCoy panto period for sure. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Dragonfire </b>- </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: #e06666;">Skip<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>- The main reason to watch this is that it's the exit for Mel and the entry point for the first really good companion we've had for ages: Ace McShane. The episode's not great, but Mel's goodbye is <i>very good</i>. McCoy delivers a touching speech. <span style="background-color: lime;">Watch<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span>the goodbye and the speech <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYeAwGXs9jI">here</a>.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Season 25 </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">(Sylvester McCoy)</span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhLnpfFjQodYqWDXf3sFedh3vs0CYZLudxzB-bljf_fQEnoOBAs643N2GVhqzqUTfRLBX54Sa0y3lRkv_02KkT93zVXqBqlVyyYB9ttltI9A0JZmIW72uhiyEsj1zRIHqoONwjs-m7gSaS/s1600/Screenshot+%25284100%2529.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhLnpfFjQodYqWDXf3sFedh3vs0CYZLudxzB-bljf_fQEnoOBAs643N2GVhqzqUTfRLBX54Sa0y3lRkv_02KkT93zVXqBqlVyyYB9ttltI9A0JZmIW72uhiyEsj1zRIHqoONwjs-m7gSaS/s640/Screenshot+%25284100%2529.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Finally! The downward trend begins to reverse itself. The Seventh Doctor has a great new companion and a show which seems to remember its history and its dignity. No more panto. Mostly. </span></span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Remembrance of the Daleks</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: lime;">Watch<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>- The show reinvents itself. We have a new companion, a new tone, and we might as well have a new Doctor, as Sylvester McCoy reveals the Doctor's dark side. Sylvester McCoy said at a convention I attended that he based this shift in portrayal on his grandmother who lived to over 100 - that "weariness" and age is something he tries to convey - and succeeds beautifully.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Happiness Patrol </b>- </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: lime;">Watch<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- I once saw a clip from this episode and was utterly horrified at the depths of camp to which 80's <i>Doctor Who</i> had sunk. But when I actually got around to watching it...it's <i>good</i>. The story is set in a futuristic, fascist society where no one is allowed to be sad. There's also...the Kandy Man, who looks like a children's show character, but who is, with his high reedy voice and horrifying ways of killing people, an unexpected success as a villain. So is Helen A. - the society's dictator (based on Margaret Thatcher, but that wasn't obvious to me as a modern American viewer) played by a mustache-twirly Sheila Hancock.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Silver Nemesis </b>- </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: magenta;">Maybe<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- Corny, uneven, heavily incorporating elements of Arthurian legend which will be important to the Seventh Doctor's mythos. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Greatest Show in the Galaxy</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: lime;">Watch<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>- Most of this is really good, though some late Sylvester clowning nearly sinks the whole affair. Creepy clowns galore! And a definite <i>Mad Max </i>vibe to the waste land in which the Doctor and Ace find themselves.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Season 26 </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">(Sylvester McCoy)</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>The final season of the series has its ups and downs, but continues the trend of pushing the story in interesting directions. You can definitely see concepts that will be picked up again in the revived show, over a decade later.</i><b><br /></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Battlefield</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: magenta;">Maybe<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span>- Cons: It's got a cheesy plot and villain. Pros: It's the return of the Brig. Do you need another pro? </span></span><br />
<b><br /></b>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Ghost Light</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: lime;">Watch<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> - A strange, incomprehensible Victorian tale which reveals important details about Ace's past and clearly foreshadows a more New Who-style companion arc. I'm probably not selling it well, but it's entertaining! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Curse of Fenric</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: lime;">Watch<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> - Zombies and Vikings and paradoxes, oh my! This is a startling, dark story which continues the thread begun in <i>Ghost Light</i>. Some excellent acting from McCoy, and Ace gets to show some range.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Survival</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: magenta;">Maybe<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span>- The final episode of the show is nothing special. Something about mutant animals and ancient instincts and blah, blah, blah - but it does have <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_1LKxS-iR0">a beautiful ending scene</a>. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And that's it! This has been a labor of love for several years as I watched through the show. I thought it would be a breeze to get this done, but working my way through the missing episodes took longer than anticipated. Now it’s all done, but I expect to tweak it as I inevitably rewatch and reassess (that’s what I love about having my own blog - sneak-editing shamelessly.) As it is, I think I can stand by this list as The (Mostly) Definitive Bingewatch Guide. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">From here, it's time to watch the Doctor TV Movie (a confession: I haven't yet) or even better, jump into <a href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1TOYmaNJVX9VVF6hcqswSR?si=5701f43d7b714d51">the Eighth Doctor's audio dramas</a>. Maybe one day I'll do a Big Finish Listen Guide....<br /></span></p>Hannah Longhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15529410255089707007noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918467087072199038.post-16447398876815234012020-05-17T15:25:00.005-04:002023-09-13T13:41:34.217-04:00How to Bingewatch Star Wars: The Clone Wars<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>A Guest Post by Sarah Long</i><br />
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Are you ready to set off on an epic journey of suffering and terribleness?! You may have a bad feeling about this but trust me, 'cause you'll thank me later! <br />
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The episodes below are <i>largely </i>organized according to release date, but a few I've reordered according to the chronological in-story timeline, but only when they work well watched earlier than their release date order.<br />
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I've also just cut out all the episodes you definitely want to skip to save time. The real goal here is to fast track you from season 1, through the two essential arcs in season 2, and then on to when the show gets really good in season 3. If you're already a die hard Star Wars fan, then you might enjoy the "maybe" episodes, too.<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Key: </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: lime;"><span style="background-color: #f1c232;">Essential</span><span style="background-color: white;"> - </span>Watch<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span>- <span style="background-color: magenta;">Maybe<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<h3>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Season 1 </span></b></span></h3>
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<b>3.1 Clone Cadets</b> - <span style="background-color: lime;">Watch</span> - This is a prequel to the next episode, you could watch this one first if you want, but it just better familiarizes you with the clones.<br />
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<b>1.5 Rookies</b> - <span style="background-color: #f1c232;">Essential</span> - This is a great place to start with the clones, and a beloved early episode.<br />
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<b>The Clone Wars Movie</b> - <span style="background-color: lime;">Watch (part of)</span> - This movie is really quite bad, but I would
watch it as long as the characters are on Christophsis, (the first part
of the movie) this is enough to introduce you to the relationship
between Anakin Skywalker and his obnoxious new padawan, Ahsoka.
If you only have time for the highlights, watch <a href="https://youtu.be/w1Vg338Q6bE">this clip</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bJp38ZiR3g">this</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmAMGxN7-4U">this one</a>. <br />
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<b>1.9 Cloak of Darkness</b> - <span style="background-color: magenta;">Maybe</span> - There are two early Ventress episodes - and you have to watch one or the other if you’re not familiar with her (the other one is in season 3), before you jump into an important arc featuring her. This is just an okay episode, otherwise.<br />
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<b>1.10 Lair of Grievous </b>- <span style="background-color: magenta;">Maybe</span> - Nonessential, but cool. Fleshes Grievous out as a villain, which is nice.<br />
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<b>1.11 - 1.12 Dooku Captured/ The Gungan General</b> - <span style="background-color: #d5a6bd;">So Bad It’s Kinda Good</span> - These episodes have Jar Jar, which is terrible, but it introduces one of the greatest side characters in all <i>Star Wars</i>, the Jack Sparrow of the <i>Clone Wars</i>: Hondo Ohnaka. Also it has some really great Anakin/Obi-Wan stuff. You don't have to watch it.<br />
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<b>1.13 - 1.14 Jedi Crash/ Defenders of the Peace</b> - <span style="background-color: magenta;">Maybe</span> - Quite good but skippable. Filler episodes, but they have Aayla Secura, who I think is cool.<br />
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<b>1.16 Hidden enemy</b> - <span style="background-color: magenta;">Maybe</span> - Quite good but not essential, a clone-focused episode.<br />
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<b>1.19 - 1.21 Storm Over Ryloth/Innocents of Ryloth/Liberty on Ryloth</b> - <span style="background-color: magenta;">Maybe</span> - Nonessential but I would recommend the first two, especially <i>Storm Over Ryloth</i>. Some good Anakin-Ahsoka character development stuff. <span class="_5yl5"><span><i>Innocents of Ryloth</i> is more like "probably watch." It's definitely a fan favorite - just found it cringey as a kid. It definitely makes later moments more powerful.</span></span><br />
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<h3>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Season 2 </span></b></span></h3>
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<b>1.22, 2.1 - 2.3 Hostage Crisis/Holocron Heist/Cargo of Doom/Children of the Force</b> - <span style="background-color: lime;">Watch</span> - I would definitely watch these, but they're skippable if you really want to. Introduces a great villain in the suave bounty hunter Cad Bane and they're a good showcase for the more healthy Anakin-Padme relationship in this show.<br />
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<b>2.17 Bounty Hunters </b>- <span style="background-color: lime;">Watch</span> - Nonessential, but I really enjoyed it.<span class="_5yl5"> It has Hondo being evil, interesting side characters who are actually <i>good </i>bounty hunters, Hondo, pirates in flying saucers, Anakin, Ahsoka and Obi-Wan banter, an actual plot, and Hondo. It's very much a basic "train the villagers to fight outlaws" plot, but...Hondo.</span><br />
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<b>2.18 - 2.19 The Zillo Beast/The Zillo Beast Strikes Back</b> - <span style="background-color: magenta;">Maybe</span> - I'm not crazy about these but some people really like them. Do you like Godzilla? You’ll probably like these. Skippable.<br />
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<b>2.5 - 2.8 Landing at Point Rain/Weapons Factory/Legacy of Terror/Brain Invaders </b>- <span style="background-color: #f1c232;">Essential</span> - Do not skip these; they're very good. Ahsoka shows some important growth and we start to see Anakin's tragic flaw. This is the second battle of Geonosis.<br />
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<b>2.10 The Deserter</b> - <span style="background-color: lime;">Watch</span> - Nonessential, but really good. One of the central missions of <i>The Clone Wars</i> is to humanize the clones, and this one does that in such an interesting way. This is where the fun begins! Get ready for a very good show from this point on!<br />
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<b>2.12 - 2.14 The Mandalore Plot/Voyage of Temptation/Duchess of Mandalore</b> - <span style="background-color: #f1c232;">Essential</span> - Very essential and good - do not skip! Obi-Wan reunites with Satine, an old friend whose ideals challenge his commitment to the Order.<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>2.20 - 2.22 Death Trap/R2 Come Home/Lethal Trackdown </b>- </span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: magenta;">Maybe</span> - These episodes are definitely optional, with a very boring, mediocre middle episode, but an epic Western-inspired finale. They center around young Boba Fett, who is important in future episodes. But again, not essential. Main reason to watch is just that they introduce where Boba is at this point.</span></span></span></div>
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<h3>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: large;">Season 3 </span></span></b></span></h3>
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<b>3.2 ARC Troopers </b>- <span style="background-color: lime;">Watch</span> - A nice introduction to Asajj Ventress if you skipped <i>Cloak of Darkness</i>. Definitely watch this one. It's also the third in the Cadets/Rookies trilogy. <br />
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<b>3.10 Heroes On Both Sides</b> - <span style="background-color: magenta;">Maybe</span> - Nonessential, but good, I would recommend it. Main thing you need to know is that Ahsoka ends up with a crush on a Separatist boy named Lux Bonteri. This subplot continues in a later arc.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgka7nzJOGsHbMBchpNYaum6qzOmJhLhHD5xWUTTOmNruGLQyOftiH4a_37y-7nERJa5qQs1PkO2oThHpWwvy5nt2tMjewB3BCiB8oPS8VWvZ1zD4D_CEO2qPg3BSSji_u5qH2rJa1monnd/s1600/ventress.webp" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="1600" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgka7nzJOGsHbMBchpNYaum6qzOmJhLhHD5xWUTTOmNruGLQyOftiH4a_37y-7nERJa5qQs1PkO2oThHpWwvy5nt2tMjewB3BCiB8oPS8VWvZ1zD4D_CEO2qPg3BSSji_u5qH2rJa1monnd/s400/ventress.webp" width="400" /></a><b>3.12 - 3.14 Nightsisters/Monster/Witches of the Mist</b> - <span style="background-color: #f1c232;">Essential</span> - Don't skip! These are fantastic and essential. Ventress becomes really important here. Something wicked this way comes...<br />
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<b>3.15 - 3.17 Overlords/Altar of Mortis/Ghosts of Mortis</b> - <span style="background-color: lime;">Watch</span> - These aren't essential but please watch them. They're amazing. A significant and strange addition to the <i>Star Wars </i>mythology.<br />
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<b>3.18 - 3.20 The Citadel/Counterattack/Citadel Rescue</b> - <span style="background-color: #f1c232;">Essential</span> - Good and essential. These episodes introduce an authority figure who will be important to Anakin and Ahsoka going forward.<br />
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<b>3.21 - 3.22 Padawan Lost/Wookie Hunt</b> - <span style="background-color: #f1c232;">Essential</span> - Extremely good - don't skip! Dave Filoni always used to say these were his favorite episodes. Really important for Ahsoka and Anakin.<br />
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<h3>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Season 4 </span></b></span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTRpgkm_Ak7SUCkkSdMKJS4KtpkCpD7BzzJBMeCLE0iDqtzvBbYacBA-Rpu5dXJe-10caC64-u8HuXRM_REwdrj2SeqMf6_EmvzsaxwWPQUPx5WcvI_fLnUznIou-Rgc1oszYMJtejwegp/s1600/season+4.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="571" data-original-width="1353" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTRpgkm_Ak7SUCkkSdMKJS4KtpkCpD7BzzJBMeCLE0iDqtzvBbYacBA-Rpu5dXJe-10caC64-u8HuXRM_REwdrj2SeqMf6_EmvzsaxwWPQUPx5WcvI_fLnUznIou-Rgc1oszYMJtejwegp/s640/season+4.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>4.7 - 4.10 Darkness on Umbara/The General/Plan of Dissent/Carnage of Krell</b> - <span style="background-color: #f1c232;">Essential</span> - These are my all time favorite clone episodes, they are amazing don't skip! A riveting and excellent arc finds the clones more vulnerable than they’ve ever been. Essential Rex development.<br />
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<b>4.11 - 4.13 Kidnapped/Slaves of the Republic/Escape from Kadavo</b> - <span style="background-color: magenta;">Maybe</span> - Okay, but skippable. You get to meet Ahsoka’s people, which is cool, and there’s some interesting character work with her, Anakin, and Obi-Wan.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWy6SqvmEG67fNNMBpEV453TGpwukHzT6bvQpBqGRJbKLOfnByQYyAMdPWKw2y-64feil83vyfDonoUuzpg6mfFuUgkvbxQKG1t6CKinGTagaDrvy4hGuGkB-eWf3Cz7tmIhJwfh1hwOAE/s1600/Screenshot+%2528306%2529.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="665" data-original-width="1600" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWy6SqvmEG67fNNMBpEV453TGpwukHzT6bvQpBqGRJbKLOfnByQYyAMdPWKw2y-64feil83vyfDonoUuzpg6mfFuUgkvbxQKG1t6CKinGTagaDrvy4hGuGkB-eWf3Cz7tmIhJwfh1hwOAE/s400/Screenshot+%2528306%2529.png" width="400" /></a><b>4.14 A Friend in Need</b> - <span style="background-color: magenta;">Maybe</span> - Nonessential but it has an awesome Saber fight. Also you need to have seen <i>Heroes on Both Sides</i> first! This is the next episode in the Lux Bonteri subplot.<br />
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<b>4.15 - 4.18 Deception/Friends and Enemies/The Box/Crisis on Naboo</b> - <span style="background-color: lime;">Watch</span> - Nonessential but I love these episodes and highly recommend them! These episodes push Anakin into very uncertain waters, and Obi-Wan finds himself in way over his head.<br />
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<b>4.19 Massacre</b> - <span style="background-color: #f1c232;">Essential</span> - Basically a great action-focused, dark side, evil-tastic episode. Sets up the <i>Brothers/Revenge</i> plot.<br />
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<b>4.20 Bounty</b> - <span style="background-color: lime;">Watch</span> - Not exactly essential but I would definitely watch it. A good Ventress episode.<br />
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<b>4.21 - 4.22 Brothers/Revenge</b> - <span style="background-color: #f1c232;">Essential</span> - Very good, very essential! Spooky, intense, huge stakes for the characters. An all-time great lightsaber fight. You need to see these to understand the big arcs in season 5.<br />
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<h3>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Season 5 </span></b></span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg90YxbkUCLrZhXuPWFW_JurkucMPA46b5GaAc0g5Kpj5rhSh3oU2JlmXfjVNIaXkCS3b3V1PYG8FoK-2cF9R8-usu8vQzRnqPNysBOZrcb03EiSjq1L_6Qe27reyFaRMJ7C3JwtTH0l0ru/s1600/maul+5.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="1400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg90YxbkUCLrZhXuPWFW_JurkucMPA46b5GaAc0g5Kpj5rhSh3oU2JlmXfjVNIaXkCS3b3V1PYG8FoK-2cF9R8-usu8vQzRnqPNysBOZrcb03EiSjq1L_6Qe27reyFaRMJ7C3JwtTH0l0ru/s640/maul+5.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>5.1 Revival </b>- <span style="background-color: #f1c232;">Essential</span> - An important part of a dramatic season 5 arc, and the continuance of <i>Brothers/Revenge</i>. This arc is continued in <i>Eminence.</i><br />
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<b>5.2 - 5.5 A War on Two Fronts/Front Runners/The Soft War/Tipping Points </b>- <span style="background-color: magenta;">Maybe</span> - Kinda meh but not bad - the conclusion of the Lux Bonteri arc. You need to have seen <i>Heroes on Both Sides</i> and <i>A Friend in Need</i>. There’s a big <i>Rogue One</i> tie-in.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfRDmkdlaS75q6TT32qsiu7NYAjzwzRH5__ULzFxSlZ0COck2lN5f6wmCVdEaHosrbkifTkFDFUUBsCLDGBttePx94Gtrkrm5D5tWLo229LekuOE20xRQ78rSYMCLTSW68geOE70qs_rqU/s1600/obi+on+mandalore.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="574" data-original-width="1347" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfRDmkdlaS75q6TT32qsiu7NYAjzwzRH5__ULzFxSlZ0COck2lN5f6wmCVdEaHosrbkifTkFDFUUBsCLDGBttePx94Gtrkrm5D5tWLo229LekuOE20xRQ78rSYMCLTSW68geOE70qs_rqU/s400/obi+on+mandalore.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<b>5.6 - 5.9 The Gathering/A Test of Strength/Bound for Rescue/A Necessary Bond</b> - <span style="background-color: lime;">Watch</span> - Nonessential, but cool. Ahsoka likes younglings more than Anakin does.<br />
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<b>5.10 - 5.13 Secret Weapons/A Sunny Day in the Void/Missing in Action/Point of No Return</b> - <span style="background-color: magenta;">Maybe</span> - These aren't great, but Gregor from <i>Missing in Action</i> is a fan favorite and rightly so, you might skip the other episodes. George Lucas came up with these as weird concept episodes.<br />
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<b>5.14 - 5.16 Eminence/Shades of Reason/The Lawless</b> - <span style="background-color: #f1c232;">Essential</span> - These episodes are amazing - some of the best ever and <i>unskippable</i>! The next episodes in the Duchess Satine arc.<br />
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<b>5.17 - 5.20 Sabotage/The Jedi Who Knew Too Much/To Catch a Jedi/The Wrong Jedi</b> - <span style="background-color: #f1c232;">Essential</span> - These episodes are amazing and essential. Possibly my favorite arc. In these episodes...<i>everything </i>changes. <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<h3>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Season 6 </span></b></span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFutZqUBJ-WOGvTe-kV1pFDTkh9mF53z9jITwuvj6oRBLO-m5AZ3aT5X1BeR9OsQKjEjyoPaig_MUrcrt3yyR1V4rk4WcUl1z2EXWfe12b3_euL3hcQkFQ-gygNinxYrHKhAJ_3BgBbaTE/s1600/Screenshot+%2528312%2529.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="686" data-original-width="1600" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFutZqUBJ-WOGvTe-kV1pFDTkh9mF53z9jITwuvj6oRBLO-m5AZ3aT5X1BeR9OsQKjEjyoPaig_MUrcrt3yyR1V4rk4WcUl1z2EXWfe12b3_euL3hcQkFQ-gygNinxYrHKhAJ_3BgBbaTE/s640/Screenshot+%2528312%2529.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>6.1 - 6.4 The Unknown/Conspiracy/Fugitive/Orders</b> - <span style="background-color: #f1c232;">Essential</span> - Very important to watch and some of the greatest episodes of the show. A paranoid thriller-style story follows a character who's starting to realize there's a galaxy-wide conspiracy at work. <br />
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<b>6.5 - 6.7 An Old Friend/The Rise of Clovis/Crisis at the Heart</b> - <span style="background-color: lime;">Watch</span> - Nonessential but good. It gives some good perspective on Anakin’s…state of mind.<br />
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<b>6.10 - 6.13 The Lost One/Voices/Destiny/Sacrifice</b> - <span style="background-color: lime;">Watch</span> - These Yoda-centric episodes are very good, but not essential? I'd still watch them. They set up an otherwise out-of-the-blue plot point in <i>Revenge of the Sith</i>. <br />
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<h3>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Season 7 </span></b></span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0eBMqP14gtpXZN8m-hkMfJZbFoMtimGlIeH45mFqIx-1uHsEFV_Tgxfqk2aXR7wwfCvVmGH9yveZr_DYnH6pjcsfjqiiALEzriqZhBxrUF6eSH-4h3Ayqea5K_AoZ0PwcT4qwc9l_VDHC/s1600/Screenshot+%2528261%2529.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0eBMqP14gtpXZN8m-hkMfJZbFoMtimGlIeH45mFqIx-1uHsEFV_Tgxfqk2aXR7wwfCvVmGH9yveZr_DYnH6pjcsfjqiiALEzriqZhBxrUF6eSH-4h3Ayqea5K_AoZ0PwcT4qwc9l_VDHC/s640/Screenshot+%2528261%2529.png" width="640" /></a><br />
<b>7.1-7.4 The Bad Batch/A Distant Echo/On the Wings of Keeradaks/Unfinished Business </b>- <span style="background-color: lime;">Watch</span> - Mostly action-focused, but some good Rex character moments.<br />
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<b>7.5 - 7.8 Gone with a Trace/Dead No Deal/Dangerous Debt/Together Again </b>- <span style="background-color: lime;">Watch</span> - These aren’t great episodes, but they do some important work setting up where Ahsoka is leading into the finale. I think their ratings will improve once fans have some perspective - right now they hate them because they feel like this was wasted space.<br />
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<b>7.9 - 7.12 Old Friends Not Forgotten/The Phantom Apprentice/Shattered/Victory and Death</b> - <span style="background-color: #f1c232;">Essential</span> - These episodes have the high ground.<br />
Hannah Longhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15529410255089707007noreply@blogger.com37tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918467087072199038.post-80272738711967968802020-02-25T21:36:00.002-05:002020-05-03T15:50:17.069-04:00Endeavour Series 7 - Zenana - Review<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdukqXegJ4nX5mKsH7RU8P5kvcFs17NgKUCc1x87y-UG3yRNX9-bQoPWbnrlhzsuhDrF_KcDqrPfb-Vdft8u2mlPJJ10aTrfE3GAHxOyYZN2uDxKCPOX_zFLRylCkd6KPyEXQe9ryZBt1j/s1600/Screenshot+%252882%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdukqXegJ4nX5mKsH7RU8P5kvcFs17NgKUCc1x87y-UG3yRNX9-bQoPWbnrlhzsuhDrF_KcDqrPfb-Vdft8u2mlPJJ10aTrfE3GAHxOyYZN2uDxKCPOX_zFLRylCkd6KPyEXQe9ryZBt1j/s640/Screenshot+%252882%2529.png" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/2020/02/endeavour-series-7-raga-review.html">My review of the previous episode: <i>Raga</i>. </a><br />
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Is it the 1980s yet? I feel like I just lived an entire decade in one episode. Rocketing from one plot twist to another, with red herrings galore and operatic aspirations, <i>Zenana </i>is certainly never dull. But is it good?<br />
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The story starts with yet another tow-path murder. Thursday is furious. It's the young woman he'd warned in the previous episode, Bridget Mulcahy. He has some strong words for Morse, who remained convinced that Professor Blish was the tow-path killer. The chef, Tony Jakkobsen, was killed in an unrelated incident, Morse thought. But with Bridget's murder, it seems undeniable that the killer is still at large.<br />
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Thursday immediately arrests the first victim's boyfriend, Carl Sturgis. Morse, having lost the confidence of both Thursday and Bright, continues investigating the series of freak accidents which Dorothea keeps bringing to his attention. Nothing connects the dead, it seems. But Morse doesn't have official approval to continue investigating.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjpb4PQ6xuQDXpHfxWXAfi9LGFjd6gBxUqKxttRqbQJ1L1gF4iBjBSG8yOC971Xun2vSouT7w_c8YVghhWdXf_f-DuNoyETwTU0rSF8P1lutNkkVu0N9Vu27z1IZAT_fw901ql-zCysf9O/s1600/Screenshot+%252863%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjpb4PQ6xuQDXpHfxWXAfi9LGFjd6gBxUqKxttRqbQJ1L1gF4iBjBSG8yOC971Xun2vSouT7w_c8YVghhWdXf_f-DuNoyETwTU0rSF8P1lutNkkVu0N9Vu27z1IZAT_fw901ql-zCysf9O/s640/Screenshot+%252863%2529.png" width="640" /></a><br />
But then there's another murder! Thursday was wrong. Carl Sturgis didn't kill this latest victim since he was imprisoned. He's released, whereupon he crows loudly to the media and goes his merry way. The victim, Petra Cornwell, was a student at a local women's college, where a debate is currently underway about whether to become coed. Sexist Magdalena Byrne is firmly against it, while others think it's not such a bad idea. She'd complained earlier about Dr. Dai Ferman, who returns, a suspicious reminder of his status as a suspect in the first episode. <i>Endeavour </i>really has given up any pretensions of being a handful of episodes - this season was a miniseries.<br />
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Next up, Morse revisits Jenny Tate, the psychic woman who saw glimpses of the tow-path murderer in her dreams. She reveals to him the depths of her psychosis, and the horrifying backstory (a bullying older brother, a fire of which she was the only survivor).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo2XGWeSTYMVL1nWGFq-OxXApdGhasroTF5ph9qQp8QA4qA2fKoXGoxh2IoMpF5OLY37ySfkoxc3G_2QjfSffOFfE1-dHJOat6xEGyKpvwPFJzVx77NkwCMzNFJ7c1dFHQCnk9zODfUvBs/s1600/Screenshot+%252866%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo2XGWeSTYMVL1nWGFq-OxXApdGhasroTF5ph9qQp8QA4qA2fKoXGoxh2IoMpF5OLY37ySfkoxc3G_2QjfSffOFfE1-dHJOat6xEGyKpvwPFJzVx77NkwCMzNFJ7c1dFHQCnk9zODfUvBs/s640/Screenshot+%252866%2529.png" width="640" /></a><br />
Another freak accident leaves another woman dead at the college, but by this time, Thursday has had it with Morse's cleverness. After a snarled argument over Petra's body, Morse volunteers to transfer to Castlegate, and when he refuses to drop the freak accident line of inquiry, Thursday takes him off the tow-path killing investigation entirely. <br />
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Meanwhile, the women of Oxford band together and catch...a copycat killer? Morse sneers at the beat cops' celebrations. It's hard to like him when he's like this. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw6-tW9pzivaeAe1LBBLYlKj9ZEC3zZW6cGygsSF0u_SVX3JJaZ7BZkvCn7GO75iVnsCdvGhtrtxxPWv0HhaZ0g1qkRCx_Uae2bilc1I8aa258E9-6i3E9r9stmZWeV8WjDsBoCas4SXwL/s1600/Screenshot+%252873%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw6-tW9pzivaeAe1LBBLYlKj9ZEC3zZW6cGygsSF0u_SVX3JJaZ7BZkvCn7GO75iVnsCdvGhtrtxxPWv0HhaZ0g1qkRCx_Uae2bilc1I8aa258E9-6i3E9r9stmZWeV8WjDsBoCas4SXwL/s640/Screenshot+%252873%2529.png" width="640" /></a><br />
"You stand there and you look down your nose at everyone," Thursday says. "Nobody's good enough."<br />
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"Well, there was one person," Morse returns, "but he lost his way."<br />
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About this time, Ludo reveals that he's discovered Violetta and Morse,
but she decides to stay with her husband. A few minutes later we find
out that, despite seemingly successful cancer treatments, Mrs. Bright
has died in a freak accident. And we're only halfway through the episode
at this point!<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix42PDxHKhE1FMbCXOg0Okn4Pn1TFGCDhbJUHf1liahxElsP2yXF0ILXeqJEk2wiGs48au21-6yMwPAJL1h9aerOTVG5rrBFqA-mVHXHxM72flkcqE-Ozn0pWog3hiPzWjjlWKf5F5wXhN/s1600/Screenshot+%2528103%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix42PDxHKhE1FMbCXOg0Okn4Pn1TFGCDhbJUHf1liahxElsP2yXF0ILXeqJEk2wiGs48au21-6yMwPAJL1h9aerOTVG5rrBFqA-mVHXHxM72flkcqE-Ozn0pWog3hiPzWjjlWKf5F5wXhN/s640/Screenshot+%2528103%2529.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morse did not expect to find himself in the plot of <i>Knives Out</i>, but here we are.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Creeping up to the hour point, Morse finally reveals that he's cracked the freak accident case. It's a truly clever scheme, explaining why all of the cases are connected while no one seems to have a motivation to kill the victims. This leads to a tense standoff in a creepy abandoned house, a brutal stabbing (reader, I gaped at the screen for a full five seconds), another Morse-Thursday tete-a-tete and finally, Morse doing the unforgivable: he hurts Bright's feelings (I mean, he does a good deal more than that, but <i>that </i>is the unforgivable sin of <i>Endeavour </i>World.)<br />
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This places Morse firmly outside the familial bourn. He sends what I thought at first was a suicide note, but is instead an apology, to Joan Thursday, to pass on to her father. It's not a suicide note, but it has strong echoes of such a missive, for Morse is hurtling off, gun in hand, to meet his destiny in Venice. Nothing about this situation is gonna end well.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0tGusyPO0fVtsMxFa-V06BEqyzI_h-sohgaYVtMWQSsjOupdMBwQers06CkjE1XizDxbt0vrCkS9chtu2-QAOB254ZlH6innosdorZGyNqEvxIDGyVNGlgdA_nW5E-D077y1CCX1grOpp/s1600/Screenshot+%2528105%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0tGusyPO0fVtsMxFa-V06BEqyzI_h-sohgaYVtMWQSsjOupdMBwQers06CkjE1XizDxbt0vrCkS9chtu2-QAOB254ZlH6innosdorZGyNqEvxIDGyVNGlgdA_nW5E-D077y1CCX1grOpp/s640/Screenshot+%2528105%2529.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ryan Gage really owns every scene he's in. It's the accent.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This is the closest the show has had to an operatic finale since <i>Coda</i>. That may be a debatable statement, but I don't think all the elements of grand tragedy and romance have fallen together quite like this since season 3 (season 4 focused on domestic drama, season 5 on gang warfare, season 6 lacked any romantic element). But in the end, it just doesn't pay off on the lovely buildup.<br />
<br />
We get Venice, we get Ludo being a smarmy mustache-twirly bad guy, we get some vague Bond Villain lines about how Morse was set up...but is Morse really faced with a status-quo-altering truth about his behavior this season? He's behaved very badly, but he not only doesn't cause this tragedy himself, but he doesn't have to face or grapple with the uncomfortable idea that Violetta never cared for him. Her dying declaration of love seems to validate his attentions, which were a betrayal of friendship and fidelity (a betrayal which he himself thought wrong). Does he repent of his breach with Thursday face-to-face? All of that change happens off-screen - he apologizes through voiceover. He barely reacts when Fred turns up in Venice. How does this change him?<br />
<br />
The final confrontation is shot in a graveyard, but charmlessly. We get a sort of ugly gray confrontation instead of a grand setting to reflect the drama. Boring! Bring back the soaring cloudy skylines and gold accents of <i>Fugue</i>. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyxJ3ZR10zgGae4g0dy0W_MXX-3MxDnqW5jw2Y_rOb7YlKxIXnLbrdEvT9i719kDwVymWilsDxek96r3_Al2Y-uCOqoaBahgrX5vCn-rDx3kuVa7BI6fCQMxWLtf0aZLKd9M0bDAXtttEc/s1600/Screenshot+%2528116%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyxJ3ZR10zgGae4g0dy0W_MXX-3MxDnqW5jw2Y_rOb7YlKxIXnLbrdEvT9i719kDwVymWilsDxek96r3_Al2Y-uCOqoaBahgrX5vCn-rDx3kuVa7BI6fCQMxWLtf0aZLKd9M0bDAXtttEc/s640/Screenshot+%2528116%2529.png" width="640" /></a><br />
<b>Series 7 Overview</b><br />
<br />
In this season, Russell Lewis completely embraced the interconnected storytelling which has grown throughout the show's run. Even individual cases aren't fully wrapped up, as one story bleeds into another. It's an ambitious experiment, but one that doesn't really work. I'm left with a lot of questions.<br />
<br />
Where has the psycho cannibal brother been all these years? Did he just casually know the wife of the other murder victim? Did he also kill the flasher on the tow-path? The way that was shot made it look like a woman killed him with a sword stick. Was that sword stick what Carl used to stab Strange? Speaking of which: <i>How did Strange survive that and why was nobody panicking about that? </i>And right after that, why would Morse leave a wounded Strange and tied-up Jenny alone to go look for the killer when all he had to do was shut the door and wait for backup?<br />
<br />
Why did Ludo want to entrap Morse, what was his advantage? Why take such a huge risk by murdering Mrs. Bright? What was motivating him anyway? Did Violetta really expect us to believe that she hated everything Ludo was doing and was somehow secretly noble? She's still a cipher! How did they arrange for the woman to fall off the ladder?<br />
<br />
Why did Morse apologize to Thursday? What changed?<br />
<br />
So many things are happening that the episode is largely able to hide the contrivances at its center, but contrivances they remain. I feel that even another ten minutes could have helped smoothing over these details, but as it is, much of it is soapier than it first seems, being delivered by such a distinguished and dignified cast.<br />
<ul>
<li>Strange's loyalty to Morse is endearing. He doesn't have Thursday's baggage, but he <i>should </i>feel Morse's arrogance more keenly. He shrugs it off instead. He's growing up, and knows Morse's value as a clever, if insolent, detective, kept on a short leash. It's becoming more natural to see how he has become Morse's superior officer. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Up to this episode, Max really didn't have a standout moment in this season, but boy, did he make up for it with his impassioned rebuke of the squabbling Morse and Thursday. I half-expected Thursday to mumble "yes, sir." </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Anton Lesser has a very good line in Slowly Crumbling Inside which he gets to demonstrate to great effect here. But killing Mrs. Bright in such a way was a cheap twist.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>I fail to understand why Morse didn't just <i>constantly </i>regale Lewis with tales of the days when he and Strange sustained gunshot wounds, tiger attacks, and seemingly fatal stabs from psychopaths.</li>
</ul>
My reviews of <i>Endeavour</i>:<br />
<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/search/label/Endeavour%20series%201">Series 1</a><br />
<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/search/label/Endeavour%20series%202">Series 2</a><br />
<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/search/label/Endeavour%20series%203">Series 3</a><br />
<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/search/label/Endeavour%20series%204">Series 4</a> <br />
<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/search/label/Endeavour%20series%205">Series 5</a><br />
<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/search/label/Endeavour%20series%206">Series 6</a><br />
<br />
<br />
LongishHannah Longhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15529410255089707007noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918467087072199038.post-47024694976032735402020-02-24T13:11:00.000-05:002020-03-03T09:40:05.441-05:00Endeavour Series 7 - Raga - Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<br />
<a href="https://longish95.blogspot.com/2020/02/endeavour-series-7-oracle-review.html">My review of the previous episode: <i>Oracle</i></a><br />
<br />
If I felt that last week's episode left some arcs oddly unresolved, this week's story shows why that was. We find the main cast embroiled with the same conflicts which started in episode one. Endeavour is still being courted by Ludo Talenti - figuratively? the man does seem <i>very </i>flirty - and certainly literally by Violetta Talenti. I'm almost suspicious that Ludo and Violetta are setting Morse up somehow. Ludo clearly seems to have some ulterior motives for renewing his friendship with Morse.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>The investigation into the man with the slit throat on the tow path is ongoing. Morse thinks it's clearly a different case from the Molly Andrews murder, which seemed to be nicely wrapped up in the previous episode. Professor Blish, of course, didn't explicitly confess to the murder, which bothered me at the time, but this coyness was actually the writer's intentional choice - to allow Thursday's doubt to continue. And continue it does, to the point that Thursday has been following around his preferred suspect, the dead girl's boyfriend, Carl Sturgis, after hours. This seemed indefensible at first, until Thursday hears the same eerie whistling that turned up in the first episode. Could that be the girl with the sword? Or is the real killer still loose?<br />
<br />
The actual story of the episode centers on two murdered Pakistani men. The first instance was clearly a killing motivated by racism, albeit the panicked, probably unpremeditated racism of a stupid young skinhead calling himself Gary Rogers (played by Roger Allam's real-life son, William). His hatred was ginned up by a local conservative politician. He lives with his mother, Mrs. Radowicz (played by Roger Allam's real-life wife, Rebecca Saire - and who showed up <a href="https://longish95.blogspot.com/2018/02/endeavour-series-5-colours-episode.html">in series 5</a> previously in the same role).<br />
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<br />
The A plot is that of a murdered delivery man, Mr. Aziz, who's killed right as he steps into the flat where he's dropping off food. He works for the Jolly Rajah, a restaurant operated by a multi-generational Pakistani family. The father, Uqbah Sardar, is suffering the early stages of dementia, but refuses to stop working. His brother, Rafiq, slaves away in the kitchen, and his two sons, Farook (a doctor) and Salim (married to Nuha) are poised to inherit their father's money. <br />
<br />
The dead man died in the flat of Oberon Prince, a famous food critic. Prince goes missing immediately after the murder, which shoots him up the list of suspects. His ex-wife, Rosemary, tells Morse that her former husband could be violent when he drank. Her brief interview is so long and well-acted that I was convinced she was the real Number One Suspect.<br />
<br />
In the same apartment building is Ilsa Trent, Martin Gorman's daughter. She's having an affair with Farook. Everyone knows everyone in this case, it seems like.<br />
<br />
The theme of this story is guilt - and more specifically, sin. "Do you believe in sin?" Violetta asks Morse.<br />
<br />
"No," he says, though he adds, later, "I'm not very good at forgiveness."<br />
<br />
A difficult situation - to not believe in sin and yet be unable to forgive!<br />
<br />
It's a strange episode, this - this will be the first series of <i>Endeavour </i>which is only three episodes, so the story almost feels like an unusually long film, with this as the middle act. The family drama at the center of the story is engaging, but the final solution is logistically unlikely. My suspicion for a while has been that the next series (<i>Endeavour </i>has been renewed for another season) will be the last, and this season so far feels a bit like the show treading water before a big finale. Big status quo shifts are not really on the table for the characters. But perhaps they'll turn up in the next episode.<br />
<br />
That's not really a criticism - I do find the throughlines of the story intriguing - is Thursday pursuing a phantom or a reality? Is Morse being set up by two bored rich people - and if so, why? He has no money to give them - and I can think of no reason why they'd want revenge. But there's something definitely not right about the way both of them seem intent to seduce him.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Speaking of seduction...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<ul>
<li>Thursday's canaries! </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Russell Lewis is so good with those little character grace notes - the gentle shadings, the unexpected line of dialogue that cuts to the heart of the matter. The most touching scene of the episode is between Thursday and Mr. Sardar, as the older man (an excellent Madhav Sharma) says, "I feel like I'm fading. There's a darkness at the edge of sight, slowly creeping in--" he says this, describing how he can't abandon work, which is the exact problem Thursday has, "--and the more you look out of the corner of your eye, the more it slips out of view. But I know it's there." And then, finally, an achingly sad expression of regret for his own stinginess. Thursday: "You should have said." Sardar: "I should have paid him more." </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>"Violetta hates the opera." How can Morse possibly be attracted to this woman? (Of course, they met at the opera, so perhaps she's lying to her husband about her musical tastes too.) </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>I nearly thought Strange's seductive cooking may have been for Joan, until her mother said she was off on secondment. Who is the mysterious Strange Bae? </li>
</ul>
<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/2020/02/endeavour-series-7-zenana-review.html">My review of the next episode: <i>Zenana</i></a><br />
<br />
My reviews of <i>Endeavour</i>:<br />
<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/search/label/Endeavour%20series%201">Series 1</a><br />
<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/search/label/Endeavour%20series%202">Series 2</a><br />
<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/search/label/Endeavour%20series%203">Series 3</a><br />
<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/search/label/Endeavour%20series%204">Series 4</a> <br />
<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/search/label/Endeavour%20series%205">Series 5</a><br />
<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/search/label/Endeavour%20series%206">Series 6</a><br />
<ul>
</ul>
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Longish</span>Hannah Longhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15529410255089707007noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918467087072199038.post-81671678670353680292020-02-10T23:14:00.002-05:002020-02-24T13:11:36.405-05:00Endeavour Series 7 - Oracle - Review<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvTKVHx7fCODwZ6wtS6Sr5CPWdKjc1DjUyZ_V7ymcF3hh8Mtr7kuI_aJhk8aFsqRdl2ACMYEcW19KTkJ1jaieHq7mkyDGrCp2IM2xvLfnQSgs7Q2817Jwdu_hyrVklZ65-Wpi1y7eH6eVB/s1600/Screenshot+%252810%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvTKVHx7fCODwZ6wtS6Sr5CPWdKjc1DjUyZ_V7ymcF3hh8Mtr7kuI_aJhk8aFsqRdl2ACMYEcW19KTkJ1jaieHq7mkyDGrCp2IM2xvLfnQSgs7Q2817Jwdu_hyrVklZ65-Wpi1y7eH6eVB/s640/Screenshot+%252810%2529.png" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name">
<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/2019/03/endeavour-series-6-deguello-episode.html">My review of the previous season finale: <i>Degüello</i> </a></div>
<br />
For the first time since <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0611653/">1992</a>, we are in a Morse episode set in a different country. Morse is in Venice, falling for a pretty Italian woman named Violetta. He's not there long, but it starts the story - and the new decade (1970s, 2020s) - off on a romantic foot. <br />
<br />
Meanwhile, in Oxford, foul play is afoot. A woman, Molly Andrews, is murdered on a towpath. Thursday is convinced the killer was Carl Sturgis - the dead girl's boyfriend, which Morse calls into question fairly quickly on his return to duty. Bright isn't alarmed, but he assigns Morse to revisit the case, which creates conflict between Thursday and his former protege. <br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>The good news is that the two men don't immediately fall into the same conflicts - they're old friends at this point, so there's no point in getting insanely angry over a professional disagreement. But as Morse continues, he uncovers other discrepancies - leads ignored,
brushed over. Thursday has embraced a foregone conclusion. A boat was logged going through the area of the murder, with
a skipper, Abraham Patrovski, who has a bad reputation. Thursday didn't follow up on that. He seems angry and burnt out with the job, with life. He takes it out on those around him, even poor Win.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpCrjXSKYCj1k_1-_zA44cckhPD8SNkFPIQECnopxV_QtKSqTZi3TD8Q-Vxs-GQrgo07NQnfFQcVAyaQvbDLb87QU3iRbObEQ-1o7d55jT-7Tk9YQPX4bwrTWm8_IVT5-wHFIfwz95z4yU/s1600/Screenshot+%25283%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpCrjXSKYCj1k_1-_zA44cckhPD8SNkFPIQECnopxV_QtKSqTZi3TD8Q-Vxs-GQrgo07NQnfFQcVAyaQvbDLb87QU3iRbObEQ-1o7d55jT-7Tk9YQPX4bwrTWm8_IVT5-wHFIfwz95z4yU/s640/Screenshot+%25283%2529.png" width="640" /></a><br />
There are more suspects. Dr. Naomi Benford is the pretty, telegenic new scientist who's just nabbed a television contract. Dr. Dai Ferman (a scoundrelly Welshman) and
Dr. Jeremy Kreitsek (the awkward lone POC in the department) work are her colleagues. They all report to the slightly cartoonish misogynist Professor Blish (imagine a creepy Steve Martin). All three men are jealous of Benford's success. Collectively, the scientists' work is about measuring psychic ability, an endeavor which the episode views with friendly agnosticism. Interestingly, it's Morse the Brain who's more open to it than Thursday the Ordinary Guy. But I guess Morse has lived through a few years, some bad drugs, a cult or two, a ghost, revisiting his Quaker upbringing, and a tiger that might as well be supernatural since he said in <i>Nocturne </i>that the only thing that comes after death, in his experience, was "the police." Naive materialist child.<br />
<br />
The question comes up again when Thursday and Morse meet a woman, Jenny Tate, who seems to be having visions (she's often followed around by Tony Jakkobsen, the chef where she works, so there's another Suspect). She gives a....not terribly convincing account of her vision of the murderer. She knows one important clue, but she might have found that out many ways. She doesn't strongly describe the killer. It's unclear in the end whether she was actually involved or not, so the incident seems to exist more for thematic reasons than plot ones. It's weird that neither Thursday nor Endeavour try and find out if she is lying. Hashtag believe psychic women, or something. <br />
<br />
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Dorothea is pretty involved in this one, interviewing Naomi Benford and offering Morse sage advice, as per the usual. Strange is prominent as well, as he and Morse lock horns a couple times. The first time, Strange is justified - Morse has been skirting the rules<i> </i>to take evidence home. The next, Strange unjustly claims that Morse is trying to cause trouble, ignoring how slipshod Thursday's investigation was. That's Strange, of course, loyal to the force, a knee-jerk pro-authority bureaucrat at heart. But that argument doesn't get very far before Morse moves on to the next clue.<br />
<br />
That switcheroo keeps happening. The episode spins up some interesting conflicts, but they all unspool when they're reaching their climax. Morse and Thursday almost have an argument, but not really. Thursday and Mrs. Thursday have an argument in which he accuses her of never experiencing bloody real life - but she experiences it almost exactly after that, and is unimpressed. The characters question the reality of the supernatural, but in the end, the psychic seems to have been a distraction from a rather obvious suspect - we don't even get the full story of the murdered woman's death.<br />
<br />
Some of that is foreshadowing, mind. The Morse, Thursday, and Strange conflicts are clearly being set up for later. Thematically, the supernatural stuff works too, as Bright grapples with his wife's illness and her request that he join her in her prayers for faith healing. It seems tradition that there's always a great Thursday-and-Bright-Talking-About-Life scene in these later seasons, and this is another good one. Yes, the faith healers may be weird (and, I'd add, probably heretical) fundamentalists, but who has not faced the question - <i>what if they're right? And we miss out because we didn't believe?</i> It's a haunting thought.<br />
<br />
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<br />
Speaking of haunting thoughts, that brings me to the other big development in the story - Morse and Violetta. A haunting teasing through line. And Ludo, who's a fun character, feels like Joss Bixby 2.0,. This time a rival as well as a friend. Of course Morse has the most appalling luck in love. I'm curious to see where this is going. Violetta is mysterious, but little more than a beautiful cipher at this point. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://longish95.blogspot.com/2020/02/endeavour-series-7-raga-review.html">My review of the next episode: <i>Raga</i>.</a><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>"The female of the species might hold good for Kipling, but he never walked a crooked mile in these brogues." </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Dorothea Frazil briefly meets Sally Alexander, a feminist crusader who was Abigail Thaw's real-life mother, John Thaw's first wife. And it gets better - the woman playing Sally is Abigail's daughter. </li>
</ul>
<br />
My reviews of <i>Endeavour</i>:<br />
<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/search/label/Endeavour%20series%201">Series 1</a><br />
<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/search/label/Endeavour%20series%202">Series 2</a><br />
<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/search/label/Endeavour%20series%203">Series 3</a><br />
<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/search/label/Endeavour%20series%204">Series 4</a> <br />
<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/search/label/Endeavour%20series%205">Series 5</a><br />
<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/search/label/Endeavour%20series%206">Series 6</a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Longish </span>Hannah Longhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15529410255089707007noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918467087072199038.post-45900067955967475162019-03-08T12:31:00.002-05:002023-12-08T13:44:13.993-05:00Endeavour Series 6 - Degüello - Episode Review<div style="text-align: left;">
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<br />
<br />
<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/2019/03/endeavour-series-6-confection-episode.html">My review of last week's episode:<i> Confection.</i></a><br />
<br />
<i>"Do you think a golem's wandering around Oxford?"</i><br />
<br />
Alas, there's not. There's usually a wild card episode in <i>Endeavour</i> seasons, but <i>Degüello </i>doesn't quite live up to the promise of that dialogue! That said, it's one of the most satisfying conclusions the show has produced in a while, largely because it feels like, well, a <i>conclusion</i>.<br />
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I've been talking about how much this season has been drifting towards becoming <i>Inspector Morse</i>. This episode, however, takes an abrupt about-turn to embrace its optimistic <i>Endeavour </i>spirit. I really ought to mind. But somehow, I can't. The show has earned it. These characters have earned it. <i>Should </i>the season have a happy ending? Probably not. Did I enjoy it immensely? Absolutely.<br />
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Chief librarian Osbert Page is bumped off while searching the
library for stragglers before closing. At his flat, Morse finds a map
with the words anemoi (Greek for "the wind gods") and "H.B." written on
it. Clues abound at the crime scene itself, from muddy footprints, to a
scrap of Hebrew writing, to a book recently checked out from the obscene
collection. The book was checked out by Dr. Jasper Nicholson, who seems
to be the target of an intimidation campaign, receiving more written
Hebrew phrases, a clay figure, and a name scrawled on his blackboard:
Dora. Taken together, these clues evoke the Hebrew legend of the Golem, a
clay giant animated by written words placed into his head (and a major
plot point in a Terry Pratchett novel - <i>this </i>is the episode where they should have referenced Sam Vimes).<br />
<br />
The
investigation takes Morse to the door of Deborah Teagarden, a German Jewish
woman whose uncle and his family were killed in the Holocaust. Somehow
involved, also, is Professor Burrows, a cheerful old man who is just a
little Too Helpful To Be Innocent. He's<b> </b>good, but Aidan McArdle is great as Nicholson - a sadly small role for such a
great actor (watch him in <i>Poirot </i>sometime).<br />
<br />
All of this, really, is the episode's B-plot, to give it something to do while the season's big story-line draws to a close.<br />
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The actual first body in this episode is a heroin overdose found in house full
of druggie squatters. Even without Eddie Nero, Oxford's drug crime has not diminished. It's another link to this season's general theme - the search for George Fancy's killer. Strange has been tracking the gun that killed Fancy, which isn't on the records, so Bright and Strange initially assume it came
from outside Oxford. They should have been looking closer to home, because once again, we're dealing with corruption in high places. Politician Clive Burkitt seems just a little <i>too</i> perfect.<br />
<br />
He's also deeply involved in the episode's big historical moment, which was inspired by a real-life story: a collapsed high rise, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronan_Point">Ronan Point</a>, in London in 1968. The catastrophic scene in <i>Endeavour </i>is unquestionably this episode's technical high point. It's terrifying and claustrophobic, though the show's budget doesn't feel at all like a constraint in wide shots.<br />
<br />
Naturally, the collapse wasn't an accident. Corruption is afoot! The disaster served to expose a scandal, but it also exposes a body buried in the concrete a year earlier (it turns out he worked for the council, was poking around into their shady use of adulterated concrete, and was the "H.B." mentioned in the librarian's notes).<br />
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Morse and Strange are on the case, but things are complicated by the fact that Thursday is on the enemy's side. It turns out he really <i>was</i> taking a bribe for real. The conflict with Win and a lifetime of police service with little to show for it finally got to the old man.<br />
<br />
The question then, is how to redeem him. Because at the end of the day, this isn't an episode of <i>Inspector Morse</i>, it's <i>Endeavour</i>. It's an episode that is devoted to restoring these characters to their former glory.<br />
<br />
For instance, this is Anton Lesser's finest hour - at least, finest since the Incident With the Tiger. The Masons clearly heard about that Incident, because they send <i>two </i>heavies to kill the little head of Traffic Division in the street instead of slipping something in his tea on the sly. Bright does many awesome things. He runs a disaster scene, gets saved by his kid fans like Indiana Jones in Cairo, sassily defies corruption in high places, rallies the resistance, and is a supportive loving husband to boot. The scene in which he takes charge at the collapsed high rise is particularly good. After a furious bout of competent orders, once he's got everyone else working, he pauses a moment to look horrified and overwhelmed, all on his own, and Anton Lesser, you win this episode.<br />
<br />
Strange, Max, Dorothea, and Joan are fine, though they're mostly supporting players. Thursday comes to the fore again, as he decides - after a confrontation with both Win and Endeavour - to give the pay-off money back. But it doesn't work that easily. He can't just turn his back on the seedy underworld he'd been sucked into. <br />
<br />
"It's you or Morse," Box tells him. <i>Damn</i>, I thought. <i>This feels like real stakes again</i>.<br />
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And it does! This recalls the heady days of season 2. It's like Blenheim Vale, which Thursday references, but if Blenheim Vale had ended <i>happily</i> or ended at all (as you'll remember, it was really left unresolved). Yes, this episode doesn't quite have the courage of its convictions. Fred Thursday gets off far too lightly for all of the corrupt things he's done this season. He beat up an unarmed suspect! He took a bribe! He has gall, acting the white knight in his confrontation with Birkitt, McGyffin, and Box. When he tells them they're villains, he should include himself in the pile, contrasting with his plaintive line, "Morse is an idealist." <br />
<br />
But the season has been such a dark one that I'm not as bothered as usual about deferred consequences. Everyone has been through the ringer. It's nice to have a rare victory.<br />
<br />
<b>Series 6 Overview:</b><br />
Looking back over the season, I'm struck more by its stability than its risk-taking. Most of the episodes are meat-and-potatoes <i>Inspector Morse</i>-style stories. But that doesn't mean it's not interesting. Just the opposite, the settled focus has given it a lot of strength. It's more dangerous this time - Morse is on the outside, and it suits him. Yes, Fred hasn't been himself, but he hasn't really been himself since season 2. There was a clear mandate for the season: find Fancy's killer and push Morse farther towards cynicism and isolation. Both goals were accomplished. Lewis dropped the Morse-and-Joan story-line, or at least pushed it to the side, which was a great decision - that was always a dead end.<br />
<br />
Speaking of which, the show now feels like it could absolutely be head-lined by Shaun Evans on his own (it has felt that way for a while, but his isolation within the department demonstrated that concretely). He's gone from strength to strength. Fred Thursday's quivering nerdy little bagman has grown into a hardened and resentful but confident detective. He's a zip-thin live wire of a man. He doesn't feel like he should be Fred's second-in-command anymore. He has gravitas. If all the other characters left and he got saddled with a Geordie sidekick, it would work.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://longish95.blogspot.com/2020/02/endeavour-series-7-oracle-review.html">My review of next season's premiere: <i>Oracle</i> </a><br />
<br />
My reviews of <i>Endeavour</i>:<br />
<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/search/label/Endeavour%20series%201">Series 1</a><br />
<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/search/label/Endeavour%20series%202">Series 2</a><br />
<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/search/label/Endeavour%20series%203">Series 3</a><br />
<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/search/label/Endeavour%20series%204">Series 4</a><br />
<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/search/label/Endeavour%20series%205">Series 5</a><br />
<a href="https://longish95.blogspot.com/search/label/Endeavour%20series%206">Series 6</a><br />
<br />
<b>Notes:</b><br />
<ul>
<li><b>Morsestache update</b>: I've experienced a strange reversal over the course of the season. I have won the victory over myself and come to love the Morsestache. Now, I look at previous reviews and see pictures of bare-lipped Shaun Evans and think, <i>who is this strangely naked young waif?</i></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>"I'm more of a Holly Martins man, myself." - Thursday, apparently a fan of the cowboy genre, except Holly Martins is a fictional Western writer who's the protagonist of the noir film, <i>The Third Man</i>, so this is all <i>very</i> meta.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Morse has moved into the house where he will live for the rest of his life. That bittersweet note feels out of place in such a warm, familial ending, but it's a positive sign - the show knows where it's going now. It feels sure-footed and confident again. Bring on <a href="https://longish95.blogspot.com/2020/02/endeavour-series-7-oracle-review.html">Series 7</a>.</li>
</ul>
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<i> </i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Longish</span>Hannah Longhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15529410255089707007noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918467087072199038.post-3614319232188759062019-03-03T17:17:00.001-05:002020-05-03T15:17:43.396-04:00Endeavour Series 6 - Confection - Episode Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/2019/02/endeavour-series-6-apollo-episode-review.html">My review of the previous episode: <i>Apollo</i>.</a><br />
<br />
The first body is an overdose. Max and Morse are standing alongside when Strange blunders up and says, "Puked 'is guts up, then?" It's a reminder of Strange's crusade to find Fancy's killer, which plays a back-up role in an episode that's full to the brim with dead bodies. It's also a chance for Max to get in a zinger, as he often does when Strange discusses puke. ("What a lyrical child you must have been, sergeant," is still my favorite, but "Been at the Keats again, sergeant?" ain't bad.) <br />
<br />
Russell Lewis had to be frustrated that <i>Inspector Morse</i> already had an episode named <i>Happy Families</i>, because that's the theme of the story more than anything. Unhappy families, of course. There aren't any fireworks (no tigers or haunted houses to be found here, as there usually are in the season's third episode), but this is a strong meat-and-potatoes story which, like last week's story, manages to land quite a few serious character-based punches.<br />
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<br />
But first, there's the mystery. The Creswells are a snobby rich family who own a sweet factory. When the paterfamilias Creswell is murdered, his sons Murray and Rupert say they can't imagine why. Tagging along are Clemmie Creswell, Murray's wife - and Sarah Clemp, Rupert's fiancee.<br />
<br />
When Morse and P.C. Rich Potter are out investigating, they stumble across another body. Her husband's body is indoors. It seems that he may have been responsible for killing the lord of the manor and his wife, Mary Jane, under the assumption that the latter two were sleeping together. He got that idea from a poison pen letter, which Morse finds out from a secretary at the sweet factory, Miss Neal. These poison pen letters have been circulating for some time in the village.<br />
<br />
Another body is found at a college - research fellow Rufus Burrow is found dead in a bathtub, apparently a suicide. Morse, of course, suspects there's more to it. Max pushes back. "People do despair, Morse," he says. Max appears to have become Morse's main confidant (as well as Bright's, interestingly), edging out Dorothea, who has a small cameo. Max has become the moral center of the series, the connection to the peaceful domestic life - which is ironic, seeing as how he's the most alone of all the characters. But everyone else, in their respective relationships, are <i>really </i>alone in a more terrible way. <br />
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Searching Burrows' flat leads Morse to conclude that everything may be connected (shocker). He finds Burrows' aunt and informs her of her nephew's death, accidentally informing the village as well. It's a timely reminder of the power of gossip in a story that's all about poison pen letters.<br />
<br />
Isla Fairford knows a lot about gossip. In the course of their investigations, Morse and Thursday interview
local vet Charles Shepherd. This is how Morse meets Shepherd's very
attractive daughter Isla, and her son Henry. She pretends her son's father is dead to avoid it. "No awkward questions. No shame." <br />
<br />
"I'm not in the habit of doing this," says Morse, England's lyingest liar, "but would you like to go for a drink?" Dating Endeavour adds at least 5 points to anyone's Likely Suspect score. Morse, however, thinks that this could be his chance to have a normal life and family. Strange snorts. He knows Morse too well to believe that's likely.<br />
<i></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiawhdwhznWWIWndYTrH1mqyfAOGe6LM4tZo3XcEUlFNvQRG_MN3K6Uu6IZOMh-4rFD1GtX82E168tT8YlJBsu4hg1WQlDNuIqn8bjkuFGMnd7n2LyPnco4BPzj-dMaWK4g9Si2gAUJvfGo/s1600/Screenshot+%25283973%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiawhdwhznWWIWndYTrH1mqyfAOGe6LM4tZo3XcEUlFNvQRG_MN3K6Uu6IZOMh-4rFD1GtX82E168tT8YlJBsu4hg1WQlDNuIqn8bjkuFGMnd7n2LyPnco4BPzj-dMaWK4g9Si2gAUJvfGo/s640/Screenshot+%25283973%2529.png" width="640" /></a>Meanwhile, the regular cast is also facing family drama. Fred's last ditch attempt to woo back Win fails. On top of that, he tracks her down at a dancing class, dancing with someone else! (Remember last season, when the Thursdays competed in a dance competition together?) It's all too much for the good copper, and he is finally talked into taking a bribe by D.I. Box. Could he possibly be serious about this? It took a lot of convincing for him to be faking it.<br />
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At the same time, it's hard to imagine that Fred Thursday has fallen so far, to stoop to taking bribes from a man who's transparently incompetent. I'll admit, the idea that Morse never mentions Thursday later in life because Thursday fell from the straight and narrow would be terribly interesting (and heartbreaking, of course, in the spirit of this tragic show!) but it feels a bit implausible. I'd buy it if D.I. Box was Fred's sort of guy - an old-timer who fought in the war and knows just how to push Fred's buttons - but Box is slimey and doesn't seem to believe any of his cant about helping people.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM_KPpwQ-HMesCqEi2EP6GjuOciibfU3I4nJV5WHVmdIxxhqACGS2lbMsvpMRmyYBLOYCi3UvasgZUmHbpUnSnzC5d7EcB7snZ-zdqK9sgwLmHtACrbo58zgXXiSOC39LPugvgoYxeAAvD/s1600/Screenshot+%25283990%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM_KPpwQ-HMesCqEi2EP6GjuOciibfU3I4nJV5WHVmdIxxhqACGS2lbMsvpMRmyYBLOYCi3UvasgZUmHbpUnSnzC5d7EcB7snZ-zdqK9sgwLmHtACrbo58zgXXiSOC39LPugvgoYxeAAvD/s640/Screenshot+%25283990%2529.png" width="640" /></a>And we finally get to meet Mrs. Bright! Mr. B. makes her dinner and bobs around like a concerned turtle as she inexplicably starts to cry. I shouldn't make light of this, because this whole subplot is utterly heart-breaking. Anton Lesser, ladies and gentlemen. He has certainly made the most of his short scenes this season. The scene in which he consults Max about his wife's cancer is devastating.<br />
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Lastly, of course, there's Strange, who's on his own and on a mission, which he's pulled Morse into. The final scene of the story, in which Morse realize just how isolated he's become in the station, is a powerful glimpse into his future as a nonconformist genius. This whole season feels like it's been a glimpse into the future - it really does seem like it has an ending in sight, which has imbued the show with a new sense of purpose. I'm looking forward to next week!<br />
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<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/2019/03/endeavour-series-6-deguello-episode.html">My review of next week's episode: <i>Deguello</i>.</a><br />
<br />
My reviews of <i>Endeavour</i>:<br />
<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/search/label/Endeavour%20series%201">Series 1</a><br />
<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/search/label/Endeavour%20series%202">Series 2</a><br />
<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/search/label/Endeavour%20series%203">Series 3</a><br />
<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/search/label/Endeavour%20series%204">Series 4</a><br />
<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/search/label/Endeavour%20series%205">Series 5</a><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">If you enjoyed this article,<span style="line-height: 16.016px;"> </span><a href="http://www.longish95.blogspot.com/p/the-detectives.html" style="color: #57df57; line-height: 16.016px;">check out my full list</a> of detective reviews.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: "Crimson Text";">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">If you want to keep up with great TV mysteries, follow my detective news site <i>Murder! 'Orrible Murder!</i> on <a href="http://murderorriblemurder.tumblr.com/" style="color: #57df57;">Tumblr</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/OrribleMurder" style="color: #57df57;">Twitter</a>, or <a href="https://www.facebook.com/detectiveupdates/" style="color: #57df57;">Facebook</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Hannah</span>Hannah Longhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15529410255089707007noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918467087072199038.post-31515102352599976442019-02-21T13:06:00.001-05:002019-03-03T17:38:21.565-05:00Endeavour Series 6 - Apollo - Episode Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiurVGx4AcwGgwiaNSSUHeKpQmw62T51uMdwCnUxj2liLXBRBUJnUyFkUkeJKFolZg1x0D_MxLOFVtW9QC4sACIMrLo9pr8NxsY6T__qn3kHfWx7ZYgtCj1DO11IiuAwSOHI8nq9qD4ptfo/s1600/Capture6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="666" data-original-width="1269" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiurVGx4AcwGgwiaNSSUHeKpQmw62T51uMdwCnUxj2liLXBRBUJnUyFkUkeJKFolZg1x0D_MxLOFVtW9QC4sACIMrLo9pr8NxsY6T__qn3kHfWx7ZYgtCj1DO11IiuAwSOHI8nq9qD4ptfo/s640/Capture6.JPG" width="640" /></a><a href="https://longish95.blogspot.com/2019/02/endeavour-series-6-pylon-episode-review.html">My review of the previous episode: <i>Pylon</i>.</a><br />
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We've seen Shaun Evans in front of the camera, but this is our first chance to see what he can do behind it. It turns out, the answer is: quite a lot. After a rather functional finale established the new status quo, <i>Endeavour</i> finds time to dig into real character conflict in this insightful, thematically rich second episode that balances all of its subplots beautifully.<br />
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The story starts with Adam Drake - a snarky jerk - and his girlfriend, Christine Chase. They attend a party with Drake's colleagues - the Humbolts and Wingqvists. Adam and Christine's bodies are discovered the next day at the scene of an apparent wreck. <br />
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Meanwhile, Thursday is assaulted by some thugs and on doctor's orders he's put on light duties, which means he and Morse - newly reassigned to Castlegate CID - investigate the wreck together. Christine's body has been
disturbed, and it looks like she died before the "accident."<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpRYAthWAVM4NwYvlEqE3JnWamOATUS22bdiaHKxzaiK7kgpg0QOC2guv2ym_Mm024w0MgHC0cmrPfQRDdTk7ViXWetjWYhnkvmFIp5Y7NKbg3b9JFZyHHMIIY50-gO526ZMuLu4mAKuL2/s1600/Capture2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="669" data-original-width="1259" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpRYAthWAVM4NwYvlEqE3JnWamOATUS22bdiaHKxzaiK7kgpg0QOC2guv2ym_Mm024w0MgHC0cmrPfQRDdTk7ViXWetjWYhnkvmFIp5Y7NKbg3b9JFZyHHMIIY50-gO526ZMuLu4mAKuL2/s640/Capture2.JPG" width="640" /></a>Morse and Thursday narrow it down to two main groups of suspects. There are Drake's friends, who work with him at the observatory (it's 1969, so guess what major historical event is about to occur). Larry Humboldt and his wife Isobel have two children, an insouciant teenager named Flora and a small boy named Matthew. The other couple are Elliot Wingkvist and his wife, Natalie, who hosted the party. Natalie burned something in the garden before the police arrived.<br />
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The dead woman, Christine, on the other hand, was an assistant at a TV studio producing a puppet scifi show for kids. Brother and sister Jeff and Hildegard Slayton run the studio, and another couple, Eric and Marilyn Gidby, are puppeteers. Eric obviously dramatically disliked Adam Drake.<br />
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One last outlier suspect: Gideon van Horne. He's a self-help guru who helps people unlock their inner selfishness. Or so Morse puts it, when he confronts Van Horne in the latter's pristine white offices. Van Horne seems utterly unconcerned. He has no shame. Shame is a negative emotion.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJaIk1VF8rTUlYFu8EqSjFrPDW1XEiuFZnLxKk6huhjOnf4x8n-jWnNUKTLFfrvXiGN2lWltaHgCLcXy-fraAHHkKdITVwJa_xvpAUOdGFL6YedGhiTak4-m8fomUrclLajg-U-PvEBzPm/s1600/Capture4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="656" data-original-width="1269" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJaIk1VF8rTUlYFu8EqSjFrPDW1XEiuFZnLxKk6huhjOnf4x8n-jWnNUKTLFfrvXiGN2lWltaHgCLcXy-fraAHHkKdITVwJa_xvpAUOdGFL6YedGhiTak4-m8fomUrclLajg-U-PvEBzPm/s640/Capture4.JPG" width="640" /></a>And this is a story about shame, or rather, the way shame works in connection to human reputation. All of the scientists are social climbers, jockeying for position. Bright is concerned that he looks a fool because of the Pelican campaign (he's right to be worried). Thursday is worried what Win thinks of him, and he's ashamed that he's not really up to the job anymore. The murderer's motivations, in the end, revolve around humiliation. Morse is no exception. Thursday rebukes Morse for being more concerned for his own reputation than the suspects'. He's wrong in that particular instance, but Morse <i>is </i>worried what everyone thinks of him. "We all know you're smart. You don't have to prove it all the time. Take a day off," snaps Joan when Morse is being a jerk.<br />
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That particular scene feels like a snapshot of Older Morse at his worst. It's not the only flash-forward. At one point in the episode, Thursday and Morse are looking at cars. They find a beat-up old jag. Significant Music plays. Could this be Morse's iconic red jaguar?<br />
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These feel like real, substantive steps towards an end goal - and if Russell Lewis to be believed, the end is <a href="https://www.denofgeek.com/uk/tv/endeavour/62953/endeavour-s-russell-lewis-on-the-show-s-longevity-we-re-getting-very-near-the-end">not far away</a>. The signs are more than just respectful nods to the older show (I notice, appreciatively, every time Shaun Evans tugs his ear in the same way that John Thaw did), but more significantly, Morse is starting to show the prickliness and condescension that will insulate him from the world in later life. Sometimes that condescension is warranted, such as when it's directed at D.C.I. Box. But with Joan, it rather dramatically isn't. When she refuses to give in to his bullying, Morse charges off, breaking protocol to interview a minor because Joan wouldn't answer his questions.<br />
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This impulsive malcontent seems very similar to Thaw's Morse, while not out of step with the more innocent Endeavour we've known. (Frankly, the mustache is probably here to help take the shine off of Shaun Evans' youthful face.) Morse's wistfulness and idealistic certainty have morphed into frustration and arrogance. His anger is understandable, if his outbursts aren't. This is going to become a habit one day.<br />
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Of course, wistfulness remains the sweetness in the bitterness. That scene is followed by another between Fred Thursday and Bright. They're lamenting changing times, times that are leaving them behind. It's a beautifully judged scene and if it and the previous scene were the only good character moments of the episode, it would be excellent, but the story is chock full. Morse quickly realizes Strange is lying about his attempts to find Fancy's killer. Morse meets with Bright, who is genuinely happy to see him (how times have changed!)<br />
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The one thing that lets the episode down is how the ultimate resolution hangs on so many coincidences. There's an accident and a sabotage gone wrong and another murder to frame a third party for the sabotage. That last one only worked because part of the car was involved in a hit and run and one of Eddie Nero's men covered it up...Oxford really is the crime capital of the world.<br />
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But I guess we already knew that.<br />
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<a href="https://longish95.blogspot.com/2019/03/endeavour-series-6-confection-episode.html">My review of next week's episode: <i>Confection</i>. </a><br />
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My reviews of <i>Endeavour</i>:<br />
<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/search/label/Endeavour%20series%201">Series 1</a><br />
<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/search/label/Endeavour%20series%202">Series 2</a><br />
<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/search/label/Endeavour%20series%203">Series 3</a><br />
<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/search/label/Endeavour%20series%204">Series 4</a><br />
<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/search/label/Endeavour%20series%205">Series 5</a><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">If you enjoyed this article,<span style="line-height: 16.016px;"> </span><a href="http://www.longish95.blogspot.com/p/the-detectives.html" style="color: #57df57; line-height: 16.016px;">check out my full list</a> of detective reviews.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: "Crimson Text";">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">If you want to keep up with great TV mysteries, follow my detective news site <i>Murder! 'Orrible Murder!</i> on <a href="http://murderorriblemurder.tumblr.com/" style="color: #57df57;">Tumblr</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/OrribleMurder" style="color: #57df57;">Twitter</a>, or <a href="https://www.facebook.com/detectiveupdates/" style="color: #57df57;">Facebook</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Longish</span>Hannah Longhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15529410255089707007noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918467087072199038.post-81266427996067062962019-02-18T16:08:00.000-05:002019-03-09T23:44:23.003-05:00Endeavour Series 6 - Pylon - Episode Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOCI09eK2vVuO-se7aCm9Xr1thPlIi00u1iMdoX8ysVtjtOHc6SHd1Dy16C3urUu89f-qS2JpAhY2MFmhI_8wg4vFVmxl6XuwhiLTtRLLyF4BRjJyf0p0pGuc-CIYt9k1IQitcgotydzdX/s1600/Screenshot+%25283945%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOCI09eK2vVuO-se7aCm9Xr1thPlIi00u1iMdoX8ysVtjtOHc6SHd1Dy16C3urUu89f-qS2JpAhY2MFmhI_8wg4vFVmxl6XuwhiLTtRLLyF4BRjJyf0p0pGuc-CIYt9k1IQitcgotydzdX/s640/Screenshot+%25283945%2529.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/2018/03/endeavour-series-5-icarus-episode-review.html"> My review of the previous season finale: <i>Icarus</i>. </a><br />
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There's a certain ineffable quality about <i>Endeavour</i>. I always feel like I've visited a far-off country when I return to the series, regardless of my critiques of individual episodes (this is me obliquely referring to my grumpy review of last season's finale). Why is that? There's a good dollop of nostalgia, certainly, as this episode's beginning demonstrates (C.S. Bright stars in a re-creation of a classic British road-crossing PSA). But there's also an air of lost grandeur - a <i>Brideshead Revisited </i>wistfulness which laments changing institutions and lost innocence.<br />
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Both <i>Inspector Morse</i> and <i>Endeavour</i> are full of that emotion. <i>Pylon</i> is as well, though it ultimately tries too hard to be too many things to fully cohere as a story. Nevertheless, it's another fresh start for the show, and it reminded me anew the reasons to appreciate it.<br />
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I'll get into those later in this review. First, we need to talk about the Morsestache. <br />
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This is my face, when I contemplate the Morsestache. I received two concerned DMs from friends when they first beheld the Morsestache. Together with <a href="https://youtu.be/SYf5YPNnfRY?t=72">Jeeves</a>, we are united in dislike of this upper lip development. We feel betrayed. Please do not bother us at this difficult time.<br />
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All right, now I've gotten that off my chest, let's talk about this episode, which is <i>Endeavour</i> meets <i>Alice in Wonderland</i>. Morse - who's been transferred from plain-clothes to uniform - investigates the death and disappearances of several young girls.The rest of the Cowley gang have been scattered to the four winds. Jim Strange is on the path to promotion. A demoted Fred Thursday is working for a smarmy, corrupt boss, D.C.I. Ronnie Box (you might remember him from <a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/2018/02/endeavour-passenger-episode-review.html"><i>Passenger</i></a>). Bright is consigned to the traffic division and barely plays a role in the story. Joan is working with Viv Wall as a trainee with "the welfare" which brings her into direct conflict with her father, who's losing his own sense of who he is. So's Morse. "In disguise, or hiding from someone?" asks Joan of the uniformed Endeavour. "You don't look like you."<br />
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Oh, and Max DeBryn is fine. He's got a garden. He cooks. He drinks a lot.<br />
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The search to find Fancy's killer has been shuffled to the side as Morse and Thursday both think there's no point fighting The Man. Instead, Fancy's case is championed by that noted scofflaw and anti-heroic rebel....<b>checks notes</b>...Jim Strange? It's a bit of a bizarre character choice which seems more driven by the need for Strange to play a role in the plot than any deductions from his true worldview.<br />
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But the overall theme of the episode is the characters' journey from disillusionment to renewed purpose. I think. It's hard to tell in the pretty tangled story.<br />
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In what I thought, at first, was an appearance of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHcMIXxkn3M">Tír na nÓg</a>, Morse follows a runaway horse into a field to find the body of a young girl, arranged with flowers. It's Ann Kirby, who went missing some time earlier. When another girl, Rosie Johnson, disappears, the police decide they're probably dealing with a pedophile. There's discussion of a cold case from a few years before regarding a third disappearance - that of schoolgirl Emily Bayard.<br />
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A variety of Likely Pervert Stereotypes cycle through the suspect list. There's a priest who talks vaguely about things he feels guilty about. "We all have our doubts," says the vicar, which sparks Morse's suspicion, but should really have alerted him to the Themes. And then another "Known Pervert," Gilbert Sipkin, who turns up just long enough for Fred Thursday to beat the stuffing out of him.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB-ALQHcAkgv1Dn_ekXiss4v2_Wd3uyKOo2mIVVUp0V060Zs7uYiAtvvT4v0ZxZ2Sv3q1aOT30B1J8jes3Qm2F0Pw3odXmmTFqcvPTf6kHITTdfCxutq4RX4Bo0NWbbuOZNsP1sfFnDUq2/s1600/Screenshot+%25283947%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB-ALQHcAkgv1Dn_ekXiss4v2_Wd3uyKOo2mIVVUp0V060Zs7uYiAtvvT4v0ZxZ2Sv3q1aOT30B1J8jes3Qm2F0Pw3odXmmTFqcvPTf6kHITTdfCxutq4RX4Bo0NWbbuOZNsP1sfFnDUq2/s640/Screenshot+%25283947%2529.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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There's a very friendly farmer, Alfie Skynner, with a wife, Maggie, and child, Laurel. Also a mentally ill man, Stanley Clemence, whose mother was
murdered years before. He was rescued from the scene by a younger Fred Thursday.
Stanley's father, Phil, was hanged for the crime, even though he was probably
set up by Fred's old bag-man, D.S. Lott (who got around).<br />
<br />
The next suspect is Tingwell, who owned the runaway horse and used to be friends with Phil Clemence. Then there's a school photographer, Ernest Croglin, who sadly remembers Ann Kirby as "my li'l bookworm" (he's played by Barry from <i>Last of the Summer Wine</i>). And then Dr. Lester Sheridan is an effete photographer who keeps copies of Lewis Carroll's "Alice photographs" around. As one does. "That's art!" he complains.<br />
<br />
The specifics of the plot aren't particularly important - they're resolved in the usual far-fetched way (though it's unusual that no one suspects the first death could have been an accident). But they do result in Fred and Morse inching back towards each other. Morse hides some evidence to protect Thursday's reputation. And Thursday starts talking to Morse again. For some reason Thursday had been giving Morse the cold shoulder, probably because Thursday's still blaming himself for what happened to Fancy, and for how he's slowly slipping off the pedestal where Morse sets him.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_CRpjBmUPu03goIRiGdVV2jldp7XF5u9rDK37dxlggffTARm3PU8dA_hwxCt9qn65LbSMniwcqHiJ-eGHpVDURKocER3br9nmEB5m-J6Xs5byU65kMKkAiLRBqtAnepqi4l6Dg5ddjVtF/s1600/Screenshot+%25283942%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_CRpjBmUPu03goIRiGdVV2jldp7XF5u9rDK37dxlggffTARm3PU8dA_hwxCt9qn65LbSMniwcqHiJ-eGHpVDURKocER3br9nmEB5m-J6Xs5byU65kMKkAiLRBqtAnepqi4l6Dg5ddjVtF/s640/Screenshot+%25283942%2529.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Morsestache</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The way the story's going, that process won't be stopping any time soon. Fred worries about the past but not the present corruption. While he learns that his boss is definitely planting evidence, he, Fred,
doesn't do anything about it. Instead, he keeps belly-aching about a procedural error on an old case that resulted
in a murderer being arrested incorrectly.<br />
<br />
I do wish this episode did more to set up what the overarching concerns of the season will be (it hints at them, but doesn't foreshadow anything in particular), however since series 5 probably took on too many plots and didn't stick around to resolve them, maybe that's for the best. Like I said, I'm reminded of why I love the show - I'd really missed these familiar faces and characters. The mood of the thing remains achingly sad and nostalgic and comforting. For all its flaws, there's no show quite like it. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://longish95.blogspot.com/2019/02/endeavour-series-6-apollo-episode-review.html">My review of the next episode: <i>Apollo</i>.</a><br />
<br />
<b>Notes:</b><br />
<ul>
<li>I've not found a place to mention in the review, but the cinematography's really excellent in this one. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Max DeBryn: "Well, something has to be lovely. Doesn't it." Russell Lewis so good at these little character asides. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>The scene where Morse finds the body also immediately brought to mind the scene where Morse and Lewis are standing in a wheat field in <i>Who Killed Harry Field</i>? </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Here's <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JgaId8o9Jo">a classic British road-crossing PSA</a> that may be what inspired PELICON. But my <i>favorite</i> classic British road-crossing PSA stars <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_r1UiNZ3G4Y">a very chipper Jon Pertwee</a>.</li>
</ul>
My reviews of <i>Endeavour</i>:<br />
<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/search/label/Endeavour%20series%201">Series 1</a><br />
<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/search/label/Endeavour%20series%202">Series 2</a><br />
<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/search/label/Endeavour%20series%203">Series 3</a><br />
<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/search/label/Endeavour%20series%204">Series 4</a><br />
<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/search/label/Endeavour%20series%205">Series 5</a> <br />
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<div style="background-color: white; font-family: "Crimson Text";">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">If you enjoyed this article,<span style="line-height: 16.016px;"> </span><a href="http://www.longish95.blogspot.com/p/the-detectives.html" style="color: #57df57; line-height: 16.016px;">check out my full list</a> of detective reviews.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: "Crimson Text";">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">If you want to keep up with great TV mysteries, follow my detective news site <i>Murder! 'Orrible Murder!</i> on <a href="http://murderorriblemurder.tumblr.com/" style="color: #57df57;">Tumblr</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/OrribleMurder" style="color: #57df57;">Twitter</a>, or <a href="https://www.facebook.com/detectiveupdates/" style="color: #57df57;">Facebook</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Longish</span>Hannah Longhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15529410255089707007noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918467087072199038.post-42392472772582063442018-10-06T16:38:00.011-04:002023-11-07T10:34:35.615-05:00How to Bingewatch Doctor Who: Skip/Watch List <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9owvVkTButEGLF4WHMNq-weoPd86q_fEi9qAR3EpNX3j_tCRIifulCsiE2aPXDROQHjaG4c_udV9o49ny4wf_XmTI02bM9sJmkpkfMaE1YiVes4IvaAUUIJh0UkEZ9FjaqRH4PYvK4x7I/s1600/jodie+2.png"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9owvVkTButEGLF4WHMNq-weoPd86q_fEi9qAR3EpNX3j_tCRIifulCsiE2aPXDROQHjaG4c_udV9o49ny4wf_XmTI02bM9sJmkpkfMaE1YiVes4IvaAUUIJh0UkEZ9FjaqRH4PYvK4x7I/s640/jodie+2.png" width="640" /></a> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">New Who - the Revived Show </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">[Updated through series 13]</span></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Doctor Who</i> is a great show, but let's be honest, it can be a bit intimidating to know where to jump in with a 59-year-old series. Luckily, I'm here to help! </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Let's start out with some history. <i>Doctor Who</i> started in 1963, but was cancelled in the 80s and subsequently revived in 2005. It's been running ever since. I'm assuming you want to start with the post-2005 revived show, called "New Who" or "NuWho," so this list covers that. I've also posted <a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/2020/06/how-to-bingewatch-classic-who-skipwatch.html">a list for the classic show</a>. </span></span></span><br /><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">If you want start by sampling a good standalone episode, <i>Blink </i>(series 3) and <i>Midnight </i>(series 4) would be good choices - especially <i>Blink</i>, as it’s a Doctor-lite episode, while <i>Midnight </i>is a companion-lite episode that works better in context. Other options? <i>A Christmas Carol</i> is quite splendid, and features Matt Smith. <i>Mummy on the Orient Express</i> is a decent Peter Capaldi episode in series 8. </span></span></span><br />
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</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Entry Points</b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And these are the best episodes to jump into the overarching story with no prior knowledge of the show:</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Series 1, Episode 1: Rose (The Ninth Doctor: Christopher Eccleston)</span></b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Series 2, Episode 2: New Earth (The Tenth Doctor: David Tennant) </b>(but as this isn't the first episode of the season, watch a standalone first)</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Series 5, Episode 1: The Eleventh Hour (The Eleventh Doctor: Matt Smith) </span></b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">(but go back to watch <i>Silence in the Library/Forest of the Dead </i>before seeing <i>The Time of Angels</i>) </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Series 10, Episode 1: The Pilot (The Twelfth Doctor: Peter Capaldi)</span></b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Series 11, Episode 1: The Woman Who Fell to Earth (The Thirteenth Doctor: Jodie Whittaker</b>) (best for if you just want to jump in as close to the current day as possible - this season isn't well loved)</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Once you've seen one of them, you know the premise of the show. Then you can follow the skip/watch list on this page (scroll down.)</span></span></span><br />
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</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">How to pick which point to jump in? </span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Series 1</i> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The first thing you need to know about the show so far is it’s split into two segments - series 1-4 were masterminded by writer <b>Russell T. Davies</b> and feature <b>Christopher Eccleston</b> and <b>David Tennant</b> in the role of the Doctor. These seasons are uneven and a bit dated, but feature some of the show’s finest moments. While, theoretically, you could start at the beginning of series 2, 3, or 4 (Tennant's seasons), it could be quite difficult to keep up, so starting with series 1, episode 1 is a good idea and then you can learn the plot of the story as you go.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Series 5</i></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Alternatively, when <b>Steven Moffat</b> (of <i>Sherlock </i>fame) took over in Series 5, the whole show got a new style and design, starting, basically, from the ground up, with a new Doctor (<b>Matt Smith</b>) and a new companion. You should watch the series 4 two-parter <i>Silence in the Library/Forest of the Dead</i> for context right after <i>The Eleventh Hour</i>, but otherwise you should be able to follow things from there. Moffat’s era is more consistently good (it does have its own problems), but the downside of starting here is you miss two terrific Doctors and some amazing TV. (As for the rough episodes, that is what this skip/watch list is for!)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Series 10</i> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Series 10 is <b>Peter Capaldi</b>'s final season as the Doctor, but it reintroduces the show to newcomers and has terrific production values. It isn't the greatest season of the series - in fact, it is generally quite mediocre, but if you really want to start with Peter Capaldi, this is the best entry point.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Series 11</i></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Again, not the world's greatest season, but a clean introduction to the world if you want to start with <b>Jodie Whittaker</b>. I recommend starting elsewhere, though.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Full Skip/Watch List</b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Key: </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: lime;"><span style="background-color: #f1c232;">Essential</span><span style="background-color: white;"> - </span>Watch<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span>- <span style="background-color: magenta;">Maybe<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span>- <span style="background-color: #e06666;">Skip </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>🌟</b></span> - Special episode, which probably means it will be bundled separately from the rest of the season, at least on Amazon Prime</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>🎅</b></span></b></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>🌟</b></span></b></span> - Christmas special episode, also bundled differently</b></span></span><br />
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</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">Series 1 - Christopher Eccleston</span></span></span></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgRBmhWEeOJnh9UDMU8lLK5m_BamLP4KDVbJkWt5oUNMID4q3J0qwHLR-gTYFoJ5zakqP3sUcL9kJVtLjsDyRsYHV6b6GVGVnqJXSoDo-1A_RksW_TSi9_44eltKhNZh_anYtZlLv3Id0M/s1600/Screenshot+%25283232%2529.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgRBmhWEeOJnh9UDMU8lLK5m_BamLP4KDVbJkWt5oUNMID4q3J0qwHLR-gTYFoJ5zakqP3sUcL9kJVtLjsDyRsYHV6b6GVGVnqJXSoDo-1A_RksW_TSi9_44eltKhNZh_anYtZlLv3Id0M/s640/Screenshot+%25283232%2529.png" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>While the first season has its weak spots, Christopher Eccleston is highly underrated as the first reboot Doctor. He's charismatic and tough without being a typical brawny hero - he's smart without being soppy. And Billie Piper is wonderful as everygirl Rose Tyler.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Rose </b>- <span style="background-color: #f1c232;">Essential</span> - This one is pretty essential. It introduces the Doctor, his first companion, and the premise of the show. A bit dated, but not a bad episode. Just roll with it; it gets better.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: bold;">The End of the World </span>- <span style="background-color: #04ff00;">Watch</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span>- Not essential, and a bit "low-budget-<i>Star</i>-<i>Trek</i>," but it’s Rose’s first adventure off-world and features some quirky aliens who will turn up later. The character work here is really lovely and it introduces a key theme of the show: time, fate, and death. The shot of Rose and the Doctor observing the blazing Earth near the end is one for the ages. In addition, we find out a major revelation about the Doctor’s past, but if you want to skip the episode you can just watch that scene <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXdRts6kJC0">here</a>.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Unquiet Dead </b>- <span style="background-color: magenta;">Maybe<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span>- This one isn’t essential at all, but Simon Callow puts in a fun performance as Charles Dickens and there’s wacky supernatural stuff going on. I’m rather affectionate towards it.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Aliens of London / World War Three </b>- <span style="background-color: #e06666;">Skip<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span>- This two-parter features the first appearance of a very amusing recurring character, Harriet Jones, and some good stuff from Jackie Tyler and Mickey Smith, <i>but </i>it’s not enough to overcome some of the series’ dumbest villains: the Slitheen. Do, however, read the Wikipedia summary for both episodes <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aliens_of_London">here</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_Three_(Doctor_Who)">here</a>. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Dalek </b>- <span style="background-color: #f1c232;">Essential</span> - Re-introduces the show’s most iconic villain, and shows a new side to the Doctor. What really happened in the Time War? You get more hints. Fun fact: this episode is largely based on <i>Jubilee</i>, a classic Sixth Doctor audio story which you can stream <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/5nuQd8ibwND43GAVP9FT0B?si=C3JUOuBISM-qNjKeO6lQWQ">here</a>. </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjblP3dnLjiYCo8iqLJvWvz3SBkSOo1mUV1AsDPfD5u6_qSAZu160rEQcLw1Hr2WxNgdCE6dzLI7HbKYZtAvOP6fYC1t9suV2Gufs4alg4RikxBtyGpl6ktfYTwlGqSWsjLl9b2f9PoUm1m/s1600/Screenshot+%25283431%2529.png"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjblP3dnLjiYCo8iqLJvWvz3SBkSOo1mUV1AsDPfD5u6_qSAZu160rEQcLw1Hr2WxNgdCE6dzLI7HbKYZtAvOP6fYC1t9suV2Gufs4alg4RikxBtyGpl6ktfYTwlGqSWsjLl9b2f9PoUm1m/s640/Screenshot+%25283431%2529.png" width="640" /></a></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Long Game</b> - <span style="background-color: magenta;">Maybe<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span>- Some interesting world-building, a small tie-in to the finale, and guest appearance from Simon Pegg - good, not great, but enjoyable.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Father's Day </b>- <span style="background-color: lime;">Watch<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span>- While this one isn't essential for the plot, it is an absolutely heart-wrenching story focusing on Rose. A classic. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Empty Child / The Doctor Dances </b>- <span style="background-color: lime;">Watch<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span>- More classics! These episodes, the first to be written by the infamous Steven Moffat, are my all-time favorites in the show. Creepy, funny, intriguing, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eucatastrophe">eucatastrophic</a> - not dated at all - it's where the show hits its stride. It also introduces a great new supporting character, who's important to the plot from here on. It's very nearly essential, if just for his introduction.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Boom Town</b> - <span style="background-color: #e06666;">Skip<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span>- Has some fun bits with Jack and Mickey, but also the return of the Slitheen.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Bad Wolf / The Parting of the Ways </b>- <span style="background-color: #f1c232;">Essential</span> - It's the finale, so it's essential. Prepare a tissue box.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">Series 2 - David Tennant </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjLtxMIgx24M6ATlfAO5lcxX2YN7lh7oSWvffx0zk2WnHPzekZMBwa4cpy9o-HF5DD8khfbTDLGLvZxUFsvbXTuVvxWX3BSUVMQEzhSOfRQj76YfeG4rEqcgKpkKS3DKjokEwAot_cNiML/s1600/Screenshot+%25283287%2529.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjLtxMIgx24M6ATlfAO5lcxX2YN7lh7oSWvffx0zk2WnHPzekZMBwa4cpy9o-HF5DD8khfbTDLGLvZxUFsvbXTuVvxWX3BSUVMQEzhSOfRQj76YfeG4rEqcgKpkKS3DKjokEwAot_cNiML/s640/Screenshot+%25283287%2529.png" width="640" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I am not a huge fan of series 2, largely because I do not like Rose Tyler and Ten together. My watchlist will, therefore, be heavy on the skipping, but play it by ear - if you like them, as most do, you’ll probably want to watch more episodes.</span></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Christmas Invasion</b> - <span style="background-color: #f1c232;">Essential</span> - Not the greatest Christmas special ever, but you can’t skip it, for obvious reasons. It introduces you to the concept of regeneration, and how all of that works, as Rose gets used to a new Doctor.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>New Earth</b> - <span style="background-color: magenta;">Maybe<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span>- Return of the Face of Boe, and some funny bits, but kind of cheesy.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Tooth and Claw</b> - <span style="background-color: #e06666;">Skip<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span>- Many people like this one, but I wasn’t a big fan. It’s a bit too silly for my taste. It does explain the origin of Torchwood.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>School Reunion</b> - </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: lime;">Watch<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span>- Not essential, but it’s a very good episode, featuring a cameo by a Classic Who companion who will be important later in New Who. If you’re interested in seeing a good Classic episode with Sarah Jane Smith, I’d recommend <i>The Time Warrior</i> or <i>Pyramid of Mars</i>.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGBzfzXZDuj-Fqv5BBnEoyvvjECc4RM_CKmyJZaZMzBwqzgF0ZC1wOQ5KUSTn_WQnh7LqrLL26Cnj4Ow51uVZ7a-gwI0ySwwu0NO3t-eMfZyLQ3tBeibAgirfIsV9qEoJzkjwlHtE_3zj-/s1600/Screenshot+%25283242%2529.png"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGBzfzXZDuj-Fqv5BBnEoyvvjECc4RM_CKmyJZaZMzBwqzgF0ZC1wOQ5KUSTn_WQnh7LqrLL26Cnj4Ow51uVZ7a-gwI0ySwwu0NO3t-eMfZyLQ3tBeibAgirfIsV9qEoJzkjwlHtE_3zj-/s640/Screenshot+%25283242%2529.png" width="640" /> </a></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Girl in the Fireplace</b> - <span style="background-color: lime;">Watch<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span>-
Not essential, but a lovely, lovely story. Great premise. Terrific
villains. Another episode from Steven Moffat. Consistently turns up in
top 5 lists.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Rise of the Cybermen / The Age of Steel </b>- </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: #f1c232;">Essential</span> to the plot of this season, a lot of character work and the reintroduction of an iconic classic villain. Don't love their redesign, but do love a good anti-transhumanism scifi episode! </span><b><br /></b></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Idiot's Lantern</b> - <span style="background-color: #e06666;">Skip<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span>- Inoffensive, clunky. Doctor with goofy 50’s hairdo. Tennant overacting. Not worth the time.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Impossible Planet / The Satan Pit</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: lime;">Watch<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span>- An excellent examination of the Doctor's character - and of faith itself. Ultimately, when we get to the end of all our rules and systems, do we truly believe in? It's not an essential watch, but a good one.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Love & Monsters</b> - <span style="background-color: #e06666;">Skip<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span>- The first two thirds of this are actually really good, but the ending’s awful. Rose and the Doctor are barely in it.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Fear Her </b>- </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: #e06666;">Skip</span></span> - Just bad, and boring. It was rated as the worst New Who episode by fans, and for good reason. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Army of Ghosts / Doomsday</b> - <span style="background-color: #f1c232;">Essential</span> - Farewell to Rose Tyler. If you're invested in Rose (and co.) at all, you have to see this. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">Series 3 - David Tennant</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGwfMuv77eeN1n2qIAzjqx7oeuI8vhDtdE7GdtiLcFGvWUKn077M4c-LllkXUKbxqTzELJQ9OFbTpIFOhCAO8leZplXWKHqvf1NPrrRik3AeRB_HyVjUHAuVZd7LMEJixfdL6KiTU86oce/s1600/Screenshot+%25283249%2529.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGwfMuv77eeN1n2qIAzjqx7oeuI8vhDtdE7GdtiLcFGvWUKn077M4c-LllkXUKbxqTzELJQ9OFbTpIFOhCAO8leZplXWKHqvf1NPrrRik3AeRB_HyVjUHAuVZd7LMEJixfdL6KiTU86oce/s640/Screenshot+%25283249%2529.png" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /><i>Tennant's second season gets off to a slow start, but then delivers some series-best episodes and pulls off an interesting, eventful, kind of terrible, season finale. </i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Runaway Bride</b> - <span style="background-color: lime;">Watch<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span>- Donna Noble is The Best. This isn't essential, exactly, but Donna's going to be back in series 4 as a full-time companion, so it's important to see. Also, Ten works through some feelings about the last season finale. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Smith and Jones</b> - <span style="background-color: #f1c232;">Essential</span> - The Doctor gets to know his new companion. It’s an okay episode - you could probably pick up what was going on without it, but if you want to see Martha's character introduction, here is is.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Shakespeare Code</b> - <span style="background-color: magenta;">Maybe<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span>- William Shakespeare is hilariously flirty, which is the main reason this is worth seeing.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Gridlock </b>- <span style="background-color: magenta;">Maybe<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span>- Return of the Face of Boe, and some nice bits. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8agYk3Jv4c">The Doctor talks about Gallifrey</a>, which is worth watching if you skip. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Daleks in Manhattan / Evolution of the Daleks</b> - <span style="background-color: #e06666;">Skip<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span>- Return of the pig men + Daleks! Ew, no. Andrew Garfield cameo’s fun, but otherwise nothing here worth your time.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTwROUmGa5DtGCgC-tT1ZF6-gQkErNCiF4-p80Mp89PZPfNNvRu0KRqXsb82ghrQQC0z5s0gFkhArbPr5SwGfSf0gzZ586OV5N_htorqHFA5QcYGVLajE0EEWiVwEDG9-fj_Vaq24FNSjq/s1600/Screenshot+%25283438%2529.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTwROUmGa5DtGCgC-tT1ZF6-gQkErNCiF4-p80Mp89PZPfNNvRu0KRqXsb82ghrQQC0z5s0gFkhArbPr5SwGfSf0gzZ586OV5N_htorqHFA5QcYGVLajE0EEWiVwEDG9-fj_Vaq24FNSjq/s640/Screenshot+%25283438%2529.png" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Lazarus Experiment</b> - <span style="background-color: #e06666;">Skip<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span>- Read the Wikipedia summary if you like, but there’s really nothing here. Mark Gatiss turns up, though.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>42</b> - <span style="background-color: #e06666;">Skip<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span>- It’s okay, but doesn’t rise to anything great. Very generic.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Human Nature / The Family of Blood</b> - <span style="background-color: lime;">Watch<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span>- One of the show’s best two-parters, featuring some very impressive heart-wrenching stuff from David Tennant. This started to turn me from a casual fan into a devotee. Not essential, but it does introduce an important concept that will turn up in the finale. And it’s just good.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Blink </b>- <span style="background-color: lime;">Watch<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span>- This episode is famously regarded as the perfect episode, and for good reason. An impeccable scifi tale.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Utopia / The Sound of Drums / Last of the Time Lords </b>- <span style="background-color: #f1c232;">Essential</span> - All three have essential plot stuff to relate, but the last one is so mind-bendingly awful that I’d just read the wiki summary. Want to watch a good Classic episode with the [REDACTED VILLAIN]? I’d recommend <i>Terror of the Autons</i> or <i>The Daemons</i>.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">Series 4 - David Tennant</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWFtsdvgzlJqyySGoXbusHRF-BB2SF2w_2Skb9A_j5gsKPwLQDhh9kLViWHuIzOMG5UvpkaZSRC9xb7sLVWGlsgGN_lDL0Y-8qv5JkKXTgdMmkBctyJ5Bbez5Zfnj3rs4d5PUJ65dF2H9O/s1600/Screenshot+%25283322%2529.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWFtsdvgzlJqyySGoXbusHRF-BB2SF2w_2Skb9A_j5gsKPwLQDhh9kLViWHuIzOMG5UvpkaZSRC9xb7sLVWGlsgGN_lDL0Y-8qv5JkKXTgdMmkBctyJ5Bbez5Zfnj3rs4d5PUJ65dF2H9O/s640/Screenshot+%25283322%2529.png" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And finally the show achieves consistent excellence. There are a few mediocre episodes in this season, but no bad ones, and there’s nothing to be lost in watching every episode from here onward.</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Voyage of the Damned </b>- <span style="background-color: #e06666;">Skip<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span>- An okay but inessential special - the okayness is outweighed by the inclusion of two of the show’s cheesiest scenes ever. Fun fact though: You’ll be introduced to the character who will become the best companion of the Russell T. Davies era, in a scene you can watch <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKEbG34auGs">here</a>. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Partners in Crime</b> - <span style="background-color: #f1c232;">Essential</span> - The return of Donna Noble! Corny villain but the screwball antics between Tennant and Catherine Tate make this worth it.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Fires of Pompeii</b> - <span style="background-color: lime;">Watch<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span>- A solid historical episode which introduces the important concept of fixed points in time. Not strictly essential for this season, but good. Two cameos from actors who will, later on, play different, major characters. Also, ties in to an important plot point in series 9.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Planet of the Ood </b>- <span style="background-color: lime;">Watch<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span>- Not essential, but very good, and ties in a little bit to David Tennant’s last episode. One of my favorite songs in the show makes its debut here.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Sontaran Stratagem / The Poison Sky</b> - <span style="background-color: magenta;">Maybe<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span>- A decent pair of episodes which feature the return of old characters and some rather cheesy (in a fun way) villains who will be important later. Not essential. The Sontarans are only okay in this - for a better Sontaran episode, check out <i>The Time Warrior</i>.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDxTIoBcUMYd1gzhuMgIKzvwcG4SAOIy_0MlORNPbD97IoOs_HwVvxTQtazGF8PsUVy4_U6CCZQRbMDJtRLhlrer34eMcvuZLOUSb7ejLVeSjRMG7eonl-E0zVt7mdACozlm4gNvhylgqu/s1600/Screenshot+%25283260%2529.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDxTIoBcUMYd1gzhuMgIKzvwcG4SAOIy_0MlORNPbD97IoOs_HwVvxTQtazGF8PsUVy4_U6CCZQRbMDJtRLhlrer34eMcvuZLOUSb7ejLVeSjRMG7eonl-E0zVt7mdACozlm4gNvhylgqu/s640/Screenshot+%25283260%2529.png" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Doctor's Daughter</b> - <span style="background-color: #e06666;">Skip<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span>- Underrated, with some nice moments from Tennant, but not the best either. Two things to know. One: the title is a complete misnomer (boooo) and two: you find out something rather solemn and interesting about the Doctor’s past, in <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikj43sMSVUc">this scene.</a> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Unicorn and the Wasp</b> - <span style="background-color: #e06666;">Skip<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span>- If you like Agatha Christie and the murder mystery genre then it's worth a shot. Kind of fun, not special or essential.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Silence in the Library / Forest of the Dead</b> - <span style="background-color: #f1c232;">Essential</span> - Absolutely stellar television, this two-parter introduces one of my favorite characters in all of <i>Doctor Who</i>. It's really important to understand the arc of series 6.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Midnight </b>- <span style="background-color: lime;">Watch<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span>- Okay, this one’s just plain creepy, but it’s also good. Not essential. Want this sort of horror-lite Classic Who experience? Try <i>The Caves of Androzani</i>.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Turn Left</b> - <span style="background-color: #f1c232;">Essential</span> - In some ways a Doctor-lite standalone, but it's very important in the episodes that come up, and a good character piece for Donna. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Stolen Earth / Journey's End</b> - <span style="background-color: #f1c232;">Essential</span> - This brings to a conclusion most of the major arcs of the Russell T. Davies years. </span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">The Specials "Series 4.5" - David Tennant</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTGYT8NRuuG16qLH7rGATo8Vd0B924lXkkWXJ4qnbgnjX8LbNp5qQXd4rAyA4ABk2I48Fv1WZ55zQ1K3Ky-vFMTAPVU0mIyLZyxhd6T66lMwvrgLAvAUegjvwZ0Uvcf1FZRMkQn7CZK7hF/s1600/Screenshot+%25283367%2529.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTGYT8NRuuG16qLH7rGATo8Vd0B924lXkkWXJ4qnbgnjX8LbNp5qQXd4rAyA4ABk2I48Fv1WZ55zQ1K3Ky-vFMTAPVU0mIyLZyxhd6T66lMwvrgLAvAUegjvwZ0Uvcf1FZRMkQn7CZK7hF/s640/Screenshot+%25283367%2529.png" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">What are these? Well (“wuuuuhlll”), they’re four TV movies that function as a mini-season, with the companion-less Doctor living out his last days (hours? years?).</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>🌟The Next Doctor </b>- <span style="background-color: lime;">Watch<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span>- Not in any way essential, but this one’s a lot of fun. Plus, David Morrissey is awesome.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>🌟Planet of the Dead </b>- </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: #e06666;">Skip<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span>- It’s pretty forgettable. A prophecy spoken near the end turns out to be important in <i>The End of Time</i> but you can watch that clip <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEhgV06LgC0">here</a>.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>🌟The Waters of Mars</b> - <span style="background-color: lime;">Watch<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span>- Not absolutely essential but important to understand where the Doctor is emotionally and mentally in the next episode. It’s a good, scary episode, too.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>🎅</b></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>🌟</b></span>The End of Time Part 1 and 2</b> - <span style="background-color: #f1c232;">Essential</span> - David Tennant’s swan song...is...a little bit of a mess, but you kind of have to watch it if you've come this far. Bernard Cribbins is a true heart-breaker in these episodes and despite all the ridiculousness happening around him, he manages to bring genuine human emotions to every scene he has with David Tennant (who's also excellent).</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">Series 5 - Matt Smith</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9UB8bQSuuOq6svLNrOgt8KMch1ZY_ijW-D2qXr_IBHYkcUAiuQtqvnvXua6_d1wxsdq45hLEBEByDH6hRm-efjwAsdCf1KRrbrABVCoov3AUYAkMOMl-y4c8s3PY0GZzNqgNqkG5_tnPZ/s1600/Screenshot+%25283291%2529.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9UB8bQSuuOq6svLNrOgt8KMch1ZY_ijW-D2qXr_IBHYkcUAiuQtqvnvXua6_d1wxsdq45hLEBEByDH6hRm-efjwAsdCf1KRrbrABVCoov3AUYAkMOMl-y4c8s3PY0GZzNqgNqkG5_tnPZ/s640/Screenshot+%25283291%2529.png" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Oh, Matt Smith. You think you’ll hate him, but I promise you, you won’t. GERONIMO!</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Eleventh Hour</b> - <span style="background-color: #f1c232;">Essential</span> - Watch. It. The best first episode a New Who Doctor has ever had. It introduces the new flavor of the show and it's sudden, dramatic improvement in production values.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Beast Below </b>- <span style="background-color: magenta;">Maybe<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span>- Not strictly essential, but a sweet story which makes good use of the show’s new budget and lets Amy and the Doctor get to know one another.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Victory of the Daleks</b> - <span style="background-color: #e06666;">Skip<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span>- Not bad, but not great, and not essential. Matt Smith really doesn't yet have a good handle on the Doctor here. Dalek reboot. Winston Churchill. Skippable.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Time of Angels / Flesh and Stone</b> - <span style="background-color: #f1c232;">Essential</span> - Brilliant and probably essential. Return of a certain supporting character, who gets to meet Amy. Introduces key concept in season arc. Lots of character development.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Vampires of Venice</b> - <span style="background-color: lime;">Watch</span> - It's not that this is a particularly great episode, but it features the return of Rory, who is terrific, and some important character development. That said, you could, strictly speaking, still pick up what was happening if you skipped this episode.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg89sodXmCsBdnmyzbhyX1GJTyxkF8w8j7aRq6d0uHAFhRbyntWEYDUHxCq5RddQzVOW1w1cWBFz4xudJRGiVVMtBL_A1My7-WrBx1LghLKQj9d-Rf6I941936ya9Upr-Nl39j92D3XMk0E/s1600/Screenshot+%25283295%2529.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg89sodXmCsBdnmyzbhyX1GJTyxkF8w8j7aRq6d0uHAFhRbyntWEYDUHxCq5RddQzVOW1w1cWBFz4xudJRGiVVMtBL_A1My7-WrBx1LghLKQj9d-Rf6I941936ya9Upr-Nl39j92D3XMk0E/s640/Screenshot+%25283295%2529.png" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Amy's Choice</b> - <span style="background-color: lime;">Watch</span> - Again, not absolutely essential, but some quite significant character development. A good episode, to boot.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Hungry Earth / Cold Blood</b> - <span style="background-color: magenta;">Maybe<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span>- A decent, somewhat lackluster two-parter, but also possible to skip if you MAKE SURE to watch the last five <span style="background-color: #f1c232;">essential<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span>minutes of the second episode <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwHvdc5L460">here</a>. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Vincent and the Doctor</b> - </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: lime;">Watch</span> </span>- Not essential, but a great meditation on depression and despair. A poetic glimpse into the stormy mind of a great painter.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Lodger</b> - <span style="background-color: lime;">Watch</span> - A standalone with James Corden actually being funny. This seriously misled me as to his comic value in other mediums. (Also not essential, but it ties into an episode next season which is also fun).</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Pandorica Opens / The Big Bang</b> - <span style="background-color: #f1c232;">Essential</span> - We get some answers and the first crazy-twisty Steven Moffat finale. Get used to those. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">Series 6 - Matt Smith</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih0xfRpf1xP7yLbrEozgm04w0BdsyVa8v4fJuToEjTqYNhdE5jtZI6TvzL1x7JmDqjznUW4jfhS6Uge3P3v9ZqY4ydDDxQiQPy0iq4yQ-x99Unsg97tIBAjuIJ1rWfQXaaFkozwqGI_eys/s1600/Screenshot+%25283361%2529.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih0xfRpf1xP7yLbrEozgm04w0BdsyVa8v4fJuToEjTqYNhdE5jtZI6TvzL1x7JmDqjznUW4jfhS6Uge3P3v9ZqY4ydDDxQiQPy0iq4yQ-x99Unsg97tIBAjuIJ1rWfQXaaFkozwqGI_eys/s640/Screenshot+%25283361%2529.png" width="640" /></a><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Michael Gambon! Utah! Revelatory stuff! This season is heavy on mythology as the River Song story line really gets going and a parallel story with Amy that, well, spoilers.</span></i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>🎅</b></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>🌟</b></span>A Christmas Carol</b> - <span style="background-color: lime;">Watch</span> - A delightful standalone Christmas episode. You don’t have to watch it, but it’s really wonderful. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Impossible Astronaut / Day of the Moon</b> - <span style="background-color: #f1c232;">Essential</span> - Entertaining two-part opener. Also: the show is off on location in the great U.S. of A.!</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Curse of the Black Spot</b> - <span style="background-color: #e06666;">Skip<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span>- Pirates and stuff, but really not a huge effect on the season, and the story’s a bit mediocre. Hugh Bonneville guest stars.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Doctor's Wife</b> - <span style="background-color: lime;">Watch</span> - A lovely episode penned by the great Neil Gaiman. A top 10, maybe top 5 episode of the show.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Rebel Flesh / The Almost People</b> - <span style="background-color: #f1c232;">Essential</span> - Technically, you only need to see <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMnyeBcjDIk">the very ending</a> to see the relevant plot revelation, but it's a decent story and I'm not sure the ending will really make sense unless you see the rest of it. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>A Good Man Goes to War</b> - <span style="background-color: #f1c232;">Essential</span> - The mid-season finale. We finally find out who River is.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYCsD5agdywBn66vigaxrUTCqvLqtxxGzqPMMkxk84oxjgtngj5bqDiEMch72cxRHSnXr4ibEgyhtmxhLg608mG0_QElHSLu9xIoenGL6TE5FJ_toLsuILksqdQxjqx1mI-XMBqXi3aeJR/s1600/Screenshot+%25283347%2529.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYCsD5agdywBn66vigaxrUTCqvLqtxxGzqPMMkxk84oxjgtngj5bqDiEMch72cxRHSnXr4ibEgyhtmxhLg608mG0_QElHSLu9xIoenGL6TE5FJ_toLsuILksqdQxjqx1mI-XMBqXi3aeJR/s640/Screenshot+%25283347%2529.png" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Let's Kill Hitler</b> - <span style="background-color: #f1c232;">Essential</span> - Don’t take it too seriously - it's probably not going to go the way you think.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Night Terrors</b> - <span style="background-color: #e06666;">Skip</span> - Inessential, though well-constructed and fairly interesting. A basic episode.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Girl Who Waited</b> - <span style="background-color: lime;">Watch</span> - Also not essential, but a terrific gut punch of an episode focusing on Amy and Rory. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The God Complex</b> - <span style="background-color: magenta;">Maybe<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span>- Not essential, but shows some development for one character, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SFtIZ28Bgw">the last five minutes</a> are sort of important to watch. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Closing Time</b> - <span style="background-color: lime;">Watch</span> - Not essential, but hilarious, and a good set-up for the next episode. You’ll have to go back and watch <i>The Lodger</i> if you didn’t the first time. James Corden returns.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Wedding of River Song</b> - <span style="background-color: #f1c232;">Essential</span> -What it says on the tin: though not exactly. It's the Doctor, could it really be that simple? </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">Series 7 Part 1 - Matt Smith</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8vXFV27sFUm2-6Q-4Gm0s1DoQq6sByull8bt1Xkbo2sNPhCh-vbpQVnZtQx1zmdKrg_9MFybhmf3bDefrmoGp80OqCMVBiSPCahIwlM7Bu16vPUJF6_iPYr6eaYDkdEQi8xeyx_rk9hJp/s1600/Screenshot+%25283356%2529.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8vXFV27sFUm2-6Q-4Gm0s1DoQq6sByull8bt1Xkbo2sNPhCh-vbpQVnZtQx1zmdKrg_9MFybhmf3bDefrmoGp80OqCMVBiSPCahIwlM7Bu16vPUJF6_iPYr6eaYDkdEQi8xeyx_rk9hJp/s640/Screenshot+%25283356%2529.png" width="640" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Show’s beginning to feel a bit tired, but it’s still turning out good episodes. The second half of the season gives it a kick start and we’re back to smashing, exciting </span></i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Who</span><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">. Make sure you pay attention to where the Christmas specials go - they’re not a part of the season on Amazon, they’re usually off on their own page, and you have to seek them out to watch them. That’s important, because the mid-season Christmas special is an essential episode.</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>🎅</b></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>🌟</b></span>The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe</b> - <span style="background-color: lime;">Watch</span> - Really quite a lovely episode. Not essential but recommended. Christmas Card England.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Asylum of the Daleks</b> - <span style="background-color: #f1c232;">Essential</span> - I have my issues with this episode, but it’s important to see for plot and character introduction reasons.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Dinosaurs on a Spaceship</b> - <span style="background-color: lime;">Watch</span> - Not strictly essential, but introduces an entertaining side character, Brian, and is a lot of fun.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>A Town Called Mercy</b> - <span style="background-color: magenta;">Maybe<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span>- Solid episode that doesn’t have a lot of impact on the rest of the season. Nice <i>Magnificent Seven</i> reference.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Power of Three</b> - <span style="background-color: #e06666;">Skip</span> - Features the return of Brian. Meh. All in all, skippable.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Angels Take Manhattan </b>- <span style="background-color: #f1c232;">Essential</span> - The exit of Amy and Rory. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">Series 7 Part 2 - Matt Smith</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXzfAICQzJZB6PDw1WcqBd42_nTBpmMK_r7_0GMW88JlF-Dvkc8eWS5JyoFl-JYI1E4gkF46p56KVdqFqzkCKTJ_OPcmUQLrnvC7lqZOrmrk42S1L0dq8Z9swiVDgGutcc2RjFZr6MwjZh/s1600/Screenshot+%25283370%2529.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXzfAICQzJZB6PDw1WcqBd42_nTBpmMK_r7_0GMW88JlF-Dvkc8eWS5JyoFl-JYI1E4gkF46p56KVdqFqzkCKTJ_OPcmUQLrnvC7lqZOrmrk42S1L0dq8Z9swiVDgGutcc2RjFZr6MwjZh/s640/Screenshot+%25283370%2529.png" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>🎅</b></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>🌟</b></span>The Snowmen</b> - <span style="background-color: #f1c232;">Essential</span> - Features some important context for the new companion. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It brings back a Classic era villain which you can see in the great Patrick Troughton serial, <i>The Web of Fear.</i> </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Bells of Saint John</b> - <span style="background-color: #f1c232;">Essential</span> - A sm</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ashing episode, providing a proper introduction for new companion, Clara.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Rings of Akhaten</b> - <span style="background-color: magenta;">Maybe<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span>- I liked this one. It’s a bit crazy, but I liked it. This one tends to divide fans, but I’m on the positive side. Matt Smith gets to do some capital-A Acting in one terrific scene.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Cold War</b> - <span style="background-color: #e06666;">Skip<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span>- Some nice bits with David Warner, and a scary we’re-trapped-in-the-ice-with-an-alien plot, but nothing really special happens here.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Hide </b>- <span style="background-color: lime;">Watch</span> - A fun, scary yarn. Not essential, but good.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Journey to the Centre of the TARDIS</b> - <span style="background-color: #e06666;">Skip</span> - Overall rather pointless - but read the Wikipedia summary, because one thing that happens is important in the finale.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Crimson Horror</b> - <span style="background-color: #e06666;">Skip</span> - Just plain bad. Subtlety has died a melodramatic death.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Nightmare in Silver</b> - <span style="background-color: magenta;">Maybe<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span>- A good, if a bit overstuffed, episode, Neil Gaiman’s second.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Name of the Doctor </b>- <span style="background-color: #f1c232;">Essential</span> - We wrap up the Clara-The-Impossible-Girl arc and deal with Trenzalore. Everything's setting up for the show's massive 50th anniversary extravaganza, so that's what the deal is with the final shot. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">50th Anniversary Specials </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggNgFxiOOGd3jgpcFWfRkBUjUm5R2nAS6uIACvV3R1O7Ejjfo6ZqXEfTb9VPA_HkPFekVHTIZK00jVzIYuz_awhNT1ciZQzhT7xR1wAxzFroeKB8lCHc1bo794x3oHHGtEgdOQEPkMGTPd/s1600/Screenshot+%25283402%2529.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggNgFxiOOGd3jgpcFWfRkBUjUm5R2nAS6uIACvV3R1O7Ejjfo6ZqXEfTb9VPA_HkPFekVHTIZK00jVzIYuz_awhNT1ciZQzhT7xR1wAxzFroeKB8lCHc1bo794x3oHHGtEgdOQEPkMGTPd/s640/Screenshot+%25283402%2529.png" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Before you watch these specials, you should check out <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-U3jrS-uhuo&amp=&t=230s">this minisode</a> which shows the transition between the Eighth Doctor and the Doctor who fought in the Time War. If I were you, I’d also check out an eighth Doctor audio drama on Spotify first (I recommend </span></i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Chimes of Midnight</span><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">), to get an idea of what he's like, but that’s optional. Here's <a href="http://big-finish-sketches.tumblr.com/post/51879642533/a-brief-guide-to-the-time-and-space-adventures-of">a good skip/watch guide</a> for the Eighth Doctor's audio adventures.</span></i></span><br /><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Also, be sure to catch <a href="https://vimeo.com/81726249">this fun </a></span></span></i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://vimeo.com/81726249">Doctor Who</a></span></span><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://vimeo.com/81726249"> spoof film</a> (starring several Doctors, companions, and crew members), if you’ve got the chance. Personally, I think it's the best thing produced in the 50th Anniversary extravaganza.</span></span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>🌟The Day of the Docto</b>r - <span style="background-color: #f1c232;">Essential</span> - Obviously, one must watch this. There is no way one cannot. Besides being the <i>Doctor Who </i>nerd’s greatest gift, it is also an essential part of the story line going forward. It’s a bit overrated, but fun.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>🎅</b></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>🌟</b></span>The Time of the Doctor</b> - <span style="background-color: #f1c232;">Essential</span> - Aaaand farewell to Matt Smith. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Series 8 - Peter Capaldi </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI6c-Jp_zIbcU6K5ejT319CV1ZrkqSkCaxyULG8msPq2dnCtXSJsF2sKFbBGj9FIF9Ruz8Z5PfQanfrCaunY_1SWHDSH-AvzCFlcYA7L6S0qHn7xFoRi0_oAUTfz2sy4VOjA5FzXBYp96M/s1600/Screenshot+%25283378%2529.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI6c-Jp_zIbcU6K5ejT319CV1ZrkqSkCaxyULG8msPq2dnCtXSJsF2sKFbBGj9FIF9Ruz8Z5PfQanfrCaunY_1SWHDSH-AvzCFlcYA7L6S0qHn7xFoRi0_oAUTfz2sy4VOjA5FzXBYp96M/s640/Screenshot+%25283378%2529.png" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>So, Peter Capaldi. A bit of an aimless first season with scattered moments of greatness. Capaldi certainly puts his distinctive stamp on the character. </i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Deep Breath</b> - <span style="background-color: #f1c232;">Essential</span> - Not the greatest Doctor intro ever, but Peter Capaldi puts in some solid work.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Into the Dalek</b> - <span style="background-color: magenta;">Maybe<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span>- Half-baked. Introduces an important recurring character early on in <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4peuXK0yVb0">this scene</a>. Besides that, there's nothing essential here, though there's a tie-in from this story to Capaldi's regeneration episode, believe it or not.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Robot of Sherwood</b> - <span style="background-color: lime;">Watch</span> - Cheesy, but fun. Inessential. Capaldi gets to show his funny side. I’ll be honest: I love this one devotedly. Lots of people think it's another Gatiss flop. But I find it a charming, oddball story with a surprisingly devastating debunking of a Marxist view of religion (checkmate, atheists.) So what I'm saying is, this is a "maybe" but it's a "watch" in my heart.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Listen </b>- <span style="background-color: lime;">Watch</span> - A good, scary episode that focuses around that recurring character introduced early in the first few minutes of <i>Into the Dalek</i>. Great screwball comedy stuff for Clara.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Time Heist</b> - <span style="background-color: #e06666;">Skip</span> - A middling bank robbery episode.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Caretaker </b>- <span style="background-color: lime;">Watch</span> - Lots of character development here. Probably essential.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Larhkl_eDLhdBkx4DaOIdsYC_c-T-kMpQomX3zgnq7basUzGQsfVsILr1SbVsebLRgMTo7DQSTCA3QNWsc5gcRbb0p73TPm5LC3b_1nFl8_A3wGTFJSRXtUChgGxyMGIBXNcySH-GmHh/s1600/Screenshot+%25283388%2529.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Larhkl_eDLhdBkx4DaOIdsYC_c-T-kMpQomX3zgnq7basUzGQsfVsILr1SbVsebLRgMTo7DQSTCA3QNWsc5gcRbb0p73TPm5LC3b_1nFl8_A3wGTFJSRXtUChgGxyMGIBXNcySH-GmHh/s640/Screenshot+%25283388%2529.png" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Kill the Moon</b> - <span style="background-color: #e06666;">Skip</span> - A surprisingly blatant pro-life theme coupled with some character drama makes this one interesting, but the utter corniness of the plot's scifi elements makes it skippable.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Mummy on the Orient Express</b> - <span style="background-color: lime;">Watch</span> - A murder on...well, the Orient Express. Not essential, but excellent. If you skipped the previous episode, just know that Clara and the Doctor had <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rk58yAmBJaM">a fight</a>.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Flatline </b>- <span style="background-color: lime;">Watch</span> - A funny, scary one-off with Clara taking the lead. Not essential, but really good.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>In the Forest of the Night</b> -<span style="background-color: #e06666;"><span style="background-color: white;"> </span>Skip</span> - Not very good. Danny and Clara get a certain secret out in the open. Nothing of moment occurs.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Dark Water / Death in Heaven</b> - <span style="background-color: #f1c232;">Essential</span> -We find out what's up with Missy and the Doctor decides on who he is. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Series 9 - Peter Capaldi</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBNEtPMWO7Bo-bzfHd4Hzw2_3wKbCep1tCrIEa_7gWbM3vx69E73_ymYjGUXiGFwBbkJujzbyuz64N7CPYz0Nrk2GIMDXeHFW8iLzzflfi3w3DIiBRvoy6Bn2fdOjgWY71kmtvV1xxGZAp/s1600/Screenshot+%25283417%2529.png"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBNEtPMWO7Bo-bzfHd4Hzw2_3wKbCep1tCrIEa_7gWbM3vx69E73_ymYjGUXiGFwBbkJujzbyuz64N7CPYz0Nrk2GIMDXeHFW8iLzzflfi3w3DIiBRvoy6Bn2fdOjgWY71kmtvV1xxGZAp/s640/Screenshot+%25283417%2529.png" width="640" /></a></span>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Capaldi lightens up a bit and the writers get together a season arc that actually drives the story forward.</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>🎅</b></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>🌟</b></span>Last Christmas</b> - <span style="background-color: lime;">Watch</span> - A fun, intense Christmas meets Alien adventure. Essential in that it reverses the two lies that the previous installment ended with, but you can skip if you need to.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Magician's Apprentice / The Witch's Familiar</b> - <span style="background-color: #f1c232;">Essential</span> - You might want to view <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PXdwqlJ19U">this clip</a> from Classic Who to give the story some context. Actually, I always recommend just watching that whole episode (<i>Genesis of the Daleks</i>).</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Under the Lake / Before the Flood</b> - <span style="background-color: magenta;">Maybe<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span>- They’re quite fun and intense, but haven’t a huge impact on the rest of the season.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Girl Who Died / The Woman Who Lived</b> - <span style="background-color: #f1c232;">Essential</span> - If you haven’t watched <i>The Fires of Pompeii</i> from Series 4, you really should before you watch <i>The Girl Who Died</i>.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv2lIX4hrT9ox2bI_SSWu1owm-z4J9TEIEsL6FBjIoH2czRVX1aItVh4mVaON_iDSh3W5WOKm9-5kaYbJHYv_tmDnJBhv1CASvMBkXPnOVgmwUVCHEcLHWerhlLLySckfe2qJwXstJghql/s1600/Screenshot+%25283390%2529.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv2lIX4hrT9ox2bI_SSWu1owm-z4J9TEIEsL6FBjIoH2czRVX1aItVh4mVaON_iDSh3W5WOKm9-5kaYbJHYv_tmDnJBhv1CASvMBkXPnOVgmwUVCHEcLHWerhlLLySckfe2qJwXstJghql/s640/Screenshot+%25283390%2529.png" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Zygon Invasion / The Zygon Inversion</b> - <span style="background-color: lime;">Watch</span> - I’m not a huge fan of the Zygons, so I was bored by the Zygon-heavy first episode, but by golly it picks up in the second half. Peter Capaldi dazzles. Worth it for his performance.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Sleep No More</b> - <span style="background-color: #e06666;">Skip<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span>- Awful. I have erased it from my memory.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Face the Raven</b> - <span style="background-color: #f1c232;">Essential</span> - You have to watch this one to at all understand what happens in the next two.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Heaven Sent / Hell Bent</b> - <span style="background-color: #f1c232;">Essential<span style="background-color: white;"> - The Doctor faces an entirely unique puzzle in <i>Heaven Sent</i>, leading into the series finale.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">🎅</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>🌟</b></span>The Husbands of River Song</b> - <span style="background-color: lime;">Watch</span> - A lovely, if lightweight River episode. Screwball comedy for the most part, but it acts as a nice corrective to some of the misbegotten plot twists earlier in her relationship with the Doctor. It brings her storyline to a close in a bittersweet manner, though with an rather too Moffaty twist. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Series 10 - Peter Capaldi</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA1GdHBKZ76quS7h6UXaDsMiP_LIoxVjoRcj0KWhXPvq2t70S2FzKDFb789N4CxiYI5ZHIcnrGb73e_BUzNM8ZG0ATNZeLS5MXTRK6v_R8L-FjgeJNtIwKb7y1hhPMxCEMoT91LDf9BYk6/s1600/Screenshot+%25283397%2529.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA1GdHBKZ76quS7h6UXaDsMiP_LIoxVjoRcj0KWhXPvq2t70S2FzKDFb789N4CxiYI5ZHIcnrGb73e_BUzNM8ZG0ATNZeLS5MXTRK6v_R8L-FjgeJNtIwKb7y1hhPMxCEMoT91LDf9BYk6/s640/Screenshot+%25283397%2529.png" width="640" /></a><i>The show takes a step back from the mythology for a soft reboot with a fresh companion. Since it's Steven Moffat's last, this season pretty much stands on its own and doesn't have much influence down the line, but Bill Potts is important to Twelve's exit episode, so it's a good idea to know who she is.</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">🎅</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>🌟</b></span>The Return of Doctor Mysterio</b> - <span style="background-color: magenta;">Maybe<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span>- Slight and inessential, but rather fun. A few remarks about what happened after the ending of the previous Christmas special. Nardole is far more palatable here.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Pilot</b> - <span style="background-color: #f1c232;">Essential</span> - We meet a new companion, Bill Potts, whose warmth and </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span data-dobid="hdw">naiveté</span> make for quite a change from cerebral, fierce Clara. Her introduction gives the show a shot in teh arm.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Smile </b>- <span style="background-color: magenta;">Maybe<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span>- Good - a bit half-baked, but fun. Bill and the Doctor get to know one another.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Thin Ice</b> - <span style="background-color: lime;">Watch</span> - A great episode and a crucial one for Bill to start understanding the darkness of the Doctor's past. One of the greatest speeches in the show.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Knock Knock</b> - <span style="background-color: magenta;">Maybe<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span>- A good haunted house mystery. Inessential. Lovely to see David Suchet in <i>Who</i>.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Oxygen</b> - </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: #f1c232;">Essential</span> </span>- Proper scary. Also annoyingly preachy. Essential? Ish. It depends on whether you want to skip the arc of the next three episodes, which resolve this episode's cliffhanger (if you skip them, just assume magic resolved it - this is <i>Doctor Who</i>). </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJyliGYRrDX6TrcSiQvbMSA9ZXXuhRmuU26ef965XqU3dNEsJu3XOAGNmN6puQRdgOMOo7vAMww6Q-j7Ef_eK7m5j1uFI3kHlrSSQc7DQv1MASMF9GDGk06ULV8f8izdaPiqS5fAt-TybC/s1600/Screenshot+%25283396%2529.png"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJyliGYRrDX6TrcSiQvbMSA9ZXXuhRmuU26ef965XqU3dNEsJu3XOAGNmN6puQRdgOMOo7vAMww6Q-j7Ef_eK7m5j1uFI3kHlrSSQc7DQv1MASMF9GDGk06ULV8f8izdaPiqS5fAt-TybC/s640/Screenshot+%25283396%2529.png" width="640" /></a> </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Extremis </b>- </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: #f1c232;">Essential</span> </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- So, this one has some important series arc stuff going on, but it begins the three-part Monk trilogy which, warning: doesn’t really impact anything else in the season.<i> But</i> it reveals the contents of the Vault, <i>how </i>it/he/she came to be in the Vault, and introduces a key phrase which will motivate the Doctor throughout the series finale. I'd say yes. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Pyramid at the End of the World/The Lie of the Land</b> - <span style="background-color: magenta;">Maybe<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span>- The Monk Trilogy - which begins with <i>Extremis</i> - kind of ends up being a big pile of nothing, so might as well skip it. The Doctor wins, all right? </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Empress of Mars</b> - <span style="background-color: #e06666;">Skip<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span>- the traditional meh Mark Gatiss-penned episode. Not necessarily recommending it, but there’s a huge throwback to the Third Doctor serial <i>The Curse of Peladon</i>. Do watch <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3s3DwFduchk">this </a></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3s3DwFduchk"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: #f1c232;">essential</span> clip</span></a>, in which the Doctor finds out Nardole called in some help to pilot the TARDIS while the Doctor and Bill were on Mars. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Eaters of Light</b> - </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: magenta;">Maybe</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span>- Not essential, but an enjoyable historical jaunt, and more important Vault-related character development. If you skip, make sure to watch <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wy_uh2a8rA&pp=ygUaZG9jdG9yIHdobyBlYXRlcnMgb2YgbGlnaHQ%3D">this <span style="background-color: #f1c232;">essential </span>clip</a>.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>World Enough and Time / The Doctor Falls</b> - <span style="background-color: #f1c232;">Essential</span> - Capaldi does some of his finest work in this two-parter, in what should have been his swan song. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>🎅Twice Upon a Time</b> - <span style="background-color: lime;">Watch</span> - Essential...ish. In a lot of ways, the only thing you really need to see is the regeneration scene itself, because this special is Steven Moffat treading water. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Series 11 - Jodie Whittaker</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBairPjegPacNVf2xtLCnja8Uk2CYsg_yp-Skm-7jiSSfQozHw4brWTuQDFzukg4X4b7a5FUYr7d6CIVV5sRhbcuG891OvRVozkcVXOmmxOjkshmhZReWVQpuNZ5UcmNvj_yq567OAPxHs/s1600/Screenshot+%25283690%2529.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBairPjegPacNVf2xtLCnja8Uk2CYsg_yp-Skm-7jiSSfQozHw4brWTuQDFzukg4X4b7a5FUYr7d6CIVV5sRhbcuG891OvRVozkcVXOmmxOjkshmhZReWVQpuNZ5UcmNvj_yq567OAPxHs/s640/Screenshot+%25283690%2529.png" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>It's a girl! Another reboot, this one almost complete, with a rather David Tennant-esque Whittaker swinging the show back towards a friendlier tone. Obviously, I don't know if any of these episodes will be essential to forthcoming seasons, but I'm making the judgment based on which ones further the plot we know so far.</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Woman Who Fell to Earth</b> - <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: #f1c232;">Essential</span> </span></span>- Thirteen meets her companions. Is it good? Not really! Is it essential? Yeah, I guess.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Ghost Monument</b> - <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: #f1c232;">Essential</span> </span></span>- The first adventure includes a key scene which was delayed in episode one.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Rosa </b>- <span style="background-color: magenta;">Maybe</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span>- Nearly a pure historical! Rare, these days. This one isn't essential, but it has some nice moments and it's generally well liked (not by me, but I'm bowing to the popular will on this one.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Arachnids in the UK</b> - <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: #e06666;">Skip<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span>- The gang return to their own time for this one, but - spoiler alert - they all hop back on the TARDIS at the end. Nothing of note occurs here.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Tsuranga Conundrum</b> - <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: #e06666;">Skip<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span>- Dumb as dirt. Skip away.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><br /></b>
<b>Demons of the Punjab</b> - <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: lime;">Watch</span> </span></span>- Finally, an episode which feels like it has real human characters in it! And it's quite touching.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Kerblam!</b> - <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: #e06666;">Skip<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span>- A big "meh" - the Doctor and company foil an evil plan in a factory. Nothing special.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Witchfinders</b> - <span style="background-color: magenta;">Maybe</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span>- This isn't perfect, but it's got some nice moments for Thirteen, who feels like she's really finding her feet. Some really fun moments with Alan Cummings as a guest star.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>It Takes You Away</b> - <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: lime;">Watch</span> </span></span>- The finest episode of the season, by a long shot.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Battle of Ranskoor Av Kolos</b> - <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: #e06666;">Skip<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span>- This may be a controversial choice, but I don't think anything important happens in this episode. At all. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>🌟</b><b>Resolution</b> - <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: lime;">Watch</span> </span></span>- Return of...guess who?? This story is quite fun. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Series 12 - Jodie Whittaker</span></span></span></div><p>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilRqt7MLvfDRIgxkYgPnUmS0yDUXq2L-cqoFW15FHV6KHfCCtrTR2gGN9sS4H0TREXyu2hm5w632WwmQ0-SI_-LoUhT33wZqwJoGw178kbCDDzRMH3X7ccTypK_3g4Ep_4tGID28GQmPCp/s1600/Screenshot+%2528138%2529.png"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilRqt7MLvfDRIgxkYgPnUmS0yDUXq2L-cqoFW15FHV6KHfCCtrTR2gGN9sS4H0TREXyu2hm5w632WwmQ0-SI_-LoUhT33wZqwJoGw178kbCDDzRMH3X7ccTypK_3g4Ep_4tGID28GQmPCp/s640/Screenshot+%2528138%2529.png" width="640" /></a><br />
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<i>An oddball season responds to audience criticisms of the show as safe and predictable by flipping the table of the show's premise entirely.</i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Spyfall Part 1 and 2</b> - <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: #f1c232;">Essential</span> </span></span>- A fun Bondian romp which introduces a formidable and fascinating antagonist.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Orphan 55</b> - </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: #e06666;">Skip</span></span></span></span> - A dull and rambling episode. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Nikola Tesla's Night of Terror</b> </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: magenta;">Maybe<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span>- The gang get dressed up in period clothes and there are a few fun guest stars, but there's just not much of an idea here.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Fugitive of the Judoon</b> - </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: #f1c232;">Essential</span> </span></span></span>- A rollercoaster of an episode that introduces some vital new pieces to the show's mythology. Sort of.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Praxeus</b> - <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: #e06666;">Skip<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span>- Extremely generic and forgettable.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><br /></b>
<b>Can You Hear Me? </b>- <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: lime;">Watch</span> </span></span>- This episode is two-thirds great and then a final third spent scrambling to finish - it's like the first episode of a Classic Who serial that doesn't get to fulfill its true potential. But what we <i>do </i>get is brilliantly batty and strange. If you want to watch a Classic episode in the same space, check out the excellent Fifth Doctor episode, <i>Enlightenment.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Haunting of Villa Diodati </b>- </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: lime;">Watch</span> </span></span></span>- Spooky and Gothic and edgy, this may just be my favorite episode of the season. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Ascension of the Cybermen/The Timeless Child</b> - </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: #f1c232;">Essential</span> </span></span></span></span>- The finale's essentialness probably depends somewhat on how later seasons treat the big reveal, but for now, it's important to see Chibnall's big twist.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>🌟</b></span></b></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Revolution of the Daleks </b>- <span style="background-color: red;">Skip</span> - Depends on how much you want to see the return of Jack Harkness. Nothing really special here.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></p><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Series 13 - Jodie Whittaker</span></span></span></div><p><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Q06g76EnwzoZlW9lO_CYJFARPuRoXZMy1PjKjJCt3UBjsRGjqYky6PYj3UFeHKY3y_WI8YsLTPw2iAJK6I-kMYugjFGkLT0_PMf62kmH3r8r8PPL-HV9c8HonJx91-3u2k4XenVfQMWWrXs1v2PYjbrp5qiBaesuRPiNqF_e7Ms2WAXWv6R1X3dCQA/s1920/Screenshot%20(102).png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Q06g76EnwzoZlW9lO_CYJFARPuRoXZMy1PjKjJCt3UBjsRGjqYky6PYj3UFeHKY3y_WI8YsLTPw2iAJK6I-kMYugjFGkLT0_PMf62kmH3r8r8PPL-HV9c8HonJx91-3u2k4XenVfQMWWrXs1v2PYjbrp5qiBaesuRPiNqF_e7Ms2WAXWv6R1X3dCQA/w640-h360/Screenshot%20(102).png" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">After two more or less traditional seasons, Chibnall and co. attempt something new - a miniseries. And you know, it kinda works? Having the space to develop a real epic suits this era of the show, and while not all the storylines Chibnall tosses into the air land satisfyingly, there's an ambition and wit here which hooked me. I found myself genuinely energized after finishing each episode.<br /></span></i><p></p><p><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Overall grade? <span style="background-color: #04ff00;">Watch.<span style="background-color: white;"><span> Given the format, you sort of have to do the whole thing, but I'd say it's worth it.</span></span></span><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Halloween Apocalypse</b> - Introduction of new companion, Dan Lewis, and a couple new fantastic alien species. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>War of the Sontarans</b> - Love a solid historical episode, and while the plot's nothing special, it's an enjoyable time.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Once, Upon Time</b> - Little bit of stalling going on here.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Village of the Angels</b> - This one is the high point of the series for my money. It just kept getting more ambitious, had a well-realized setting and mystery, and the introduction of a new semi-companion whose self-possession and quality as an actor make him...maybe the best Thirteen companion? Anyway, I love Professor Jericho.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Survivors of the Flux </b>- Once again, the addition of Kevin McNally is just such a shot in the arm to the show.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Vanquishers </b>- Nice high-concept ending. Doesn't all quite hang together but it was a fun ride.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH-01-y4NCZ992-xGRBkXm-r8kx-s9o5D-Qaeqb-2IT0qoqMxaUlDrk5x2qwAfR5xwqfi6WcInQYo4h9wZ6iZVsYDrGzvE-56XwfW2AtuAVTU1vc4XZOyrd0xwRjwXy10Ldw0KmP_sc8IYDsKi1TQ-gtE76jBg4TQIh1qAx6aTO-nqm1IlUxnHiexmug/s1920/Screenshot%20(106).png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH-01-y4NCZ992-xGRBkXm-r8kx-s9o5D-Qaeqb-2IT0qoqMxaUlDrk5x2qwAfR5xwqfi6WcInQYo4h9wZ6iZVsYDrGzvE-56XwfW2AtuAVTU1vc4XZOyrd0xwRjwXy10Ldw0KmP_sc8IYDsKi1TQ-gtE76jBg4TQIh1qAx6aTO-nqm1IlUxnHiexmug/w640-h360/Screenshot%20(106).png" width="640" /></a></div><b>Specials:</b><p></p><p><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>🌟</b></span></b></span></span><b>Eve of the Daleks</b> - <span style="background-color: red;">Skip</span> - The puzzle here is tightly put together, but I found the characters rather tedious and improbable. The backstories they get make them more mysterious and not less! The time loop aspect is a nice metaphor but the characters have to do things in a very strange way to make it make sense.<br /></p><p><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>🌟</b></span></b></span></span><b>Legend of the Sea Devils</b> - <span style="background-color: red;">Skip</span> - I felt like my intelligence was being insulted by the wafer-thin plot and characters. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyAv33rCKxU">This scene</a> is probably going to be important to understand emotionally where the characters are in the next episode.</p><p><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>🌟</b></span></span><b>The Power of the Doctor</b> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: #f1c232;">Essential</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span>- Goodbye, Jodie. </p><p><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Be sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/HannahGraceLong">follow me on Twitter</a> to keep up with my reviews and thoughts on the new series. And for the other fans: let me know in the comments just how wrong this skip/watch list is.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Longish</span></span></span></p>Hannah Longhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15529410255089707007noreply@blogger.com62tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918467087072199038.post-37287741664514242112018-03-12T00:59:00.001-04:002019-03-09T23:40:34.609-05:00Endeavour Series 5 - Icarus - Episode review<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtB9H8Eqktc27KyneirUpL10n3QJ8c5B84IvoDIjmHPERXVFODy0XPSwdEtcwuI9KGn2ixBQ6h_HYqLn5_KlM2e1wzTdlzhG7xzuvQZzgN9JyAniwGlYYtHT2ciqrBUtQmxxt8ginA69Ps/s1600/Screenshot+%25283172%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtB9H8Eqktc27KyneirUpL10n3QJ8c5B84IvoDIjmHPERXVFODy0XPSwdEtcwuI9KGn2ixBQ6h_HYqLn5_KlM2e1wzTdlzhG7xzuvQZzgN9JyAniwGlYYtHT2ciqrBUtQmxxt8ginA69Ps/s640/Screenshot+%25283172%2529.png" width="640" /></a><a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/2018/03/endeavour-series-5-quartet-episode.html">My review of the previous episode: <i>Quartet</i>.</a><br />
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That's it for Cowley, then. Mr. Bright begins the episode announcing the station's closure, to a welcome return of an opera soundtrack. The news confirms Fred in his plans to retire. Fancy, in love with Trewlove, has bought a ring. Trewlove wants to transfer to the Yard.<br />
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At first, I thought Morse was taking Thursday's retirement so hard that he'd quit the police force, but it turns out he's going undercover as a teacher at a boy's school. He's not alone. Trewlove is along to play Mrs. Morse, a narrative stretch that does actually push the characters in interesting directions, but still feels implausible.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>Division is concerned about a missing teacher, John Ivory. Even more so since the two officers investigating his disappearance died in a car crash. Eddie Nero's son, Brett, is at the school. He's one of a chorus of snarky and sarcastic young students, including a bullied boy named Clarence Stanlow and a list of Dickensian names like Clunchfist, Queach, Summerhead, Morris Minor, Rackway and Gaudibund.<br />
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Morse isn't at the school long before he finds a bloodied shirt in his desk - riddled with over twenty stab wounds, says Max. It reminds Morse of <i>Julius Caesar</i>, the play the boys are currently practicing. Not long later, he discovers the body of Roundtree, a boy expelled soon before Ivory disappeared. Professor Bodnar says Ivory was a bully who corrupted the boys, but Mrs. Seymour claims Ivory protected the weaker ones from the others - first Roundtree, then Stanlow.<br />
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The matron, Mrs. Seymour, says Ivory wasn't on good terms with the leader of the corps. The man, Blackwell, is a bully who flogs the students and belongs to Lady Bayswater's "Make Britain Greater" coalition (still a totally distracting modern motto).<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, on the home front, newlyweds Morse and Trewlove chat about death and the future (Trewlove, as she did in her first episode, hints that she might have weirdly morbid tastes). Fancy is jealous, and turns all his pipsqueak glory onto Morse, who rolls his eyes and tells him to grow up. Trewlove says she sees their relationship as a fling, which makes sense. Fancy and Trewlove didn't work for me, and I actually find it more affecting to know that Fancy's love is unrequited.<br />
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A midnight call from Charlie Thursday reveals that he's been operating as a front for organized crime, and Fred's retirement savings are gone for good. Win is heartbroken that Fred would give his savings to Charlie without asking. Soon after, she storms out of the house with packed bags, dropping a vague hint about secrets and Joan.<br />
<br />
While Trewlove doesn't want to be defended, it's pretty clear after this season that she needs to be. When Clenchfist, Rackway, and Queach - stoned out of their brains - corner and threaten her, she wilts. But it reveals the vital clue - drugs are involved at the school. Ivory was working with Nero, who's currently got his hands busy dealing with Cromwell Ames.<br />
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Speaking of the devil, Ames's attempt on Nero's life leaves him unrepentant and uncooperative. Thursday, Strange, and Fancy find Ames anyway, bringing him to the station on murder charges. Since they don't really have any evidence, they let him go. It's too bad, because later Ames and company sweep into Nero's HQ, guns blazing. George Fancy is killed in the crossfire (<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/2018/02/endeavour-series-5-colours-episode.html">called it!</a>) and when it seems Division's red tape may have contributed to his death, Bright snaps back into his not-ours-to-question-why-wot-wot old self.<br />
<br />
As the gang clear out the Cowley station, and Trewlove heads to London, the situation is left infuriatingly unresolved. While George's death adds a soberness to the episode for about ten minutes, Bright's passivity is unbelievable and the other characters' acceptance of his orders is just frustrating. I've enjoyed his character arc. I can't believe the man he is now would take that sitting down.<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>A man was gunned down due to Division incompetence. His killer is still out there. You don't get to say it's not your problem REGINALD BRIGHT. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
And are we to believe that it's Jim "The Establishment" Strange who rallies the troops? Not Endeavour "Break Into A Factory To Find Evidence" Morse or Fred "Oh Bugger I Seem To Have Left My Tobacco In The Car" Thursday? Consequences are delayed for Fancy's killer, which worries me, as I remember how we never got the resolution to the Blenheim Vale case, another <i>Endeavour </i>cliffhanger.<br />
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<br />
There are a lot of delayed consequences in this episode. Besides the fact that three boys threaten a woman and get away with it, we never see the abusive teacher Blackwell really punished. Our rogue's gallery of villains all die in a shootout, cancelling out any payoff we could have gotten on that storyline. It doesn't actually matter that Nero's son was at the school. Charlie sees no consequences for his actions but Fred's anger, and Joan smooths over Win's exit by saying she'll be back. <i>Nothing matters</i>.<br />
<br />
Excepting Fancy and Trewlove, none of the arcs we've been waiting to see resolved actually have a resolution. Thursday doesn't resign - the Thursday family drama remains a ball and chain shackled to the show's forward progress. Joan/Strange isn't even hinted at. The much-hinted-at Cromwell Ames has less than five minutes of screen-time. The episode doesn't commit to <i>anything</i>. Russell Lewis could bring back Bright, Thursday, Strange, Max, maybe even Trewlove in the next season. That the episode ends by picking up the interminable Joan/Morse romance was so soapy that I could hardly believe it.<br />
<br />
It was bad.<br />
<br />
<b>Series 5</b><br />
<br />
Russell Lewis has run out of ideas and is clinging to the old ones. The only reason this season needed to be this long was to give us more time with Roger Allam before he left the show. Since he didn't, the whole season feels even more aimless and frustrating. I'd been hanging on, hoping the finale would provide the reason for the protracted, meandering season, but since it didn't, I'm forced to reevaluate the rest of the season poorly.<br />
<br />
The best episode in the season was probably <i>Muse</i>, a strong start which promised Morse's development towards John Thaw which did not materialize in later episodes. <i>Passenger</i>, in retrospect, was more style than substance, but still entertaining. <i>Cartouche</i> and <i>Colours</i> were both awful. <i>Quartet</i> was a middle episode. As for <i>Icarus</i>, it's competently made but a mess of stereotypes and overwrought conspiracy compounded by its dreadful lack of resolution. The only good thing I have to say about it is that it has lovely cinematography (which it does.)<br />
<br />
Unless the show can move beyond the Thursdays, it will never get anywhere, and the future's not looking good.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/2019/02/endeavour-series-6-pylon-episode-review.html">My review of the next series premiere: <i>Pylon</i>. </a><br />
<br />
<b>Notes:</b><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>That Stanlow has a wall full of assassinated icons and is reading <i>A Nation of Immigrants</i> seemed to telegraph rather too obviously that he's on the side of the angels. I was happy for this to be subverted. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Also subverted - the friendly witness who gives tons of useful information and then turns out to be the killer. In this case, Bodnar, who turns out to be innocent. But I also feel like he's a character Lewis invented for ease of exposition, much like Dr. Schneider last week.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>“Gentlemen, I’ll start with George, if I may. We don’t want him lying here in such company a moment longer than he has to.” Awww, Max.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Do people really act that aggressive and angry when they're high on - what was it - heroin? Maybe if they're going through withdrawal, but that wasn't the vibe I got. That the evidence of addiction wasn't more obvious in the boys ran against my instincts too.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Check out Ray's comment for possible allusions to Genesis and Peter Gabriel in <i>Quartet </i>and <i>Icarus</i>.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
My reviews of <i>Endeavour</i>:<br />
<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/search/label/Endeavour%20series%201">Series 1</a><br />
<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/search/label/Endeavour%20series%202">Series 2</a><br />
<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/search/label/Endeavour%20series%203">Series 3</a><br />
<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/search/label/Endeavour%20series%204">Series 4</a><br />
<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/search/label/Endeavour%20series%205">Series 5</a><br />
<br />
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Hannah Longhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15529410255089707007noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918467087072199038.post-13859363104028953082018-03-05T00:53:00.000-05:002018-08-11T12:52:43.523-04:00Endeavour Series 5 - Quartet - Episode Review<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK1rg7KjqEBbuTsTcwHnxPRiLeXQdxGZq83e2eYrPwpLA_mSU_7c_vm4G53L6m8xAiB5Mjct7r_HRdobNJfkNNH_vBGVDVp2lBXKdFGFY4iN58yKBNZqQ2iYRbm3RP2D2kF8MWBYlz0njK/s1600/Screenshot+%25283158%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK1rg7KjqEBbuTsTcwHnxPRiLeXQdxGZq83e2eYrPwpLA_mSU_7c_vm4G53L6m8xAiB5Mjct7r_HRdobNJfkNNH_vBGVDVp2lBXKdFGFY4iN58yKBNZqQ2iYRbm3RP2D2kF8MWBYlz0njK/s640/Screenshot+%25283158%2529.png" width="640" /></a><br />
<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/2018/02/endeavour-series-5-colours-episode.html">My review of the previous episode: <i>Colours</i>.</a><br />
<br />
There's no real reason for all of the Thames Valley crew to be at the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeux_Sans_Fronti%C3%A8res">Jeux Sans Frontières</a>, a weird game show pitting European teams against each other. Are they there for security? I mean, that's for beat cops, not detectives. I can't imagine Morse or Max attend such events for fun, especially Max, who's fully decked out in his usual bow-tie and suit. In any case, it's lucky the team are there to immediately respond when the German "Giant" is assassinated by the Swiss. A little boy is caught in the cross-fire. The Swiss giant disappears. International incident, here we come.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>It turns out the person who was originally going to race for Switzerland called in sick, and when Morse goes to the Swiss team's hotel, he finds the original racer strangled and stuffed into a wardrobe.<br />
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The plot thickens when Special Branch sweeps into the Cowley Station in the night and spirit away the evidence. Morse, frustrated, refuses to abandon the case, beginning an investigation on his own. Max's corpses and notes may have been confiscated, but he remembers the dead German's dentures looked like they were made in East Germany, even though he was supposed to be from Bavaria, in the West. Morse calls in Dorothea and they compare notes (she also, in her capacity as Morse's big sister, advises him not to let Claudine go).<br />
<br />
Thanks to Dorothea's information, Morse tracks down Gerhardt Schneider, a friend of Karl Pfuscher, who's unusually and suspiciously helpful, providing information about Pfuscher's girlfriend, Danulke, another beau named Samantha Smith, and Professor Alexander Richmond, who says he doesn't remember Pfuscher (the porter, Albert Mullion, confirms there were no messages left the day Karl was in Oxford).<br />
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<br /></div>
<div>
Schneider's information also leads Morse to Millie Bagshot, played by Ellie Haddington of <i>Foyle's War</i> fame. In a bit of Cold War intrigue, it turns out Bagshot is really a secret agent who saves Morse from the Russian assassin that killed Pfuscher. (<a href="http://longview95.blogspot.com/2015/01/foyles-war-elise-episode-review.html">I <i>knew</i> Hilda Pierce</a> faked her death! She moved to Oxford in the 50's and lives on in the British detective expanded universe.)<br />
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Meanwhile, Morse gets a call from "Singleton," a mysterious man who summons Morse to London and takes him to meet "Louis," another member of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Peculiar">"Royal Peculiar"</a> of the Church of St. Peter ad Vincula. I'm not entirely sure whether they mean that to be taken literally, or if they're just coyly implying they work for a powerful government agency. Enlighten me, internet.<br />
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Singleton and Louis, who are rather like two lost Wodehouse characters who stumbled into a Fleming novel, tell Morse to check out Sebastian Fenix, a perfumier, and in particular whatever he's doing in lab 4. Morse goes to visit Fenix, who's got creepy fish and gives Morse perfume (don't take that the wrong way). On a return visit to the factory, Morse finds some pure ambergris, which provides evidence that Fenix is striking illicit deals with Russian Baltic whalers.</div>
<br />
Fancy and Trewlove's first date appears to have gone well, as Morse spots them smooching on a bridge. Meanwhile, Claudine dumps Morse to go to Vietnam (what is it with these women with French names who dump Morse to go to foreign countries? Shout out to Adele). Joan turns up to keep him company and they have another close encounter which ends with a kiss that turns into a clue.<br />
<br />
A seemingly unrelated subplot with Thursday visiting Joe and Elsie Dozier's news agency leads to some extra drama. Joe is beating Elsie, and when he mysteriously trips on the stairs, Fred pointedly looks the other way. It turns out he doesn't give Elsie enough credit. In a twist which would make Dickens blush, it turns out Joe and Ellie were the other half of a Soviet cell operating out of Oxford. The other half are Mullion and Richmond.<br />
<br />
I haven't decided how much I'm willing to forgive the show on the corniness front. Any attempt to do a Morse-as-James-Bond episode was going to run up against plausibility issues, but coming as it does right after last week's credulity-straining episode means I'm not in a forgiving mood.<br />
<i><br /></i>
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<i>Quartet</i> has style and menace, but it never quite builds the right amount of paranoia or self-awareness to sell itself as a spy plot (<i>Masonic Mysteries</i> was nuts, but characters constantly drew attention to that fact, which made it somehow OK). Morse breaks into a factory, purloins evidence, and avoids the dastardly snake-fish without ever really seeming in danger of life or limb. True, he does get garroted, but most of the threats he receives throughout the story don't hold much water. Singleton and Louis, a young Statler and Waldorf, just don't seem like real people. Bagshot <i>is </i>real, but she's basically Hilda from <i>Foyle's War</i>. That the most concrete result of the episode is for Thursday to decide it's time to retire shows how the stakes never quite manage to matter.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/2018/03/endeavour-series-5-icarus-episode-review.html">My review of the series finale: <i>Icarus</i>.</a><br />
<br />
<b>Notes:</b><br />
<ul>
<li>"It's a machete-wielding West Indian with a distinctive facial scar we're trying to find, <i>in Oxford</i>. It's not the Scarlet Pimpernel." -<b>Bright</b>, nicely <a href="http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/LampshadeHanging">hanging a lampshade</a> on the gang's incompetent search for Cromwell Ames.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Speaking of which, we finally meet Cromwell Ames, who, it turns out, is just as much a cliche as he's seemed so far. Honestly, when Bright trots out the description of the man, I started to suspect it may be a false lead. He seems like every "ethnic" villain in Arthur Conan Doyle.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>"Forget it, sergeant, it's Summertown." Come on, Fred. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Charlie Thursday called again. He hasn't got the money back. Looks like Fred is concealing that from Win. Does that mean he wagered all his retirement money on Charlie? Will Fred be able to tango happily into the sunset?</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>But speaking of which, Fred! He's finally decided to hang up the "tin star." Poor Morse looks adrift, and he says for the second time that he's not "ready." He's not ready for many endings, from Claudine's exit to Fred's. What will this mean for the future of the show? The end of the Thursday saga is due - it's run out of dramatic steam. It will force the show to reinvent itself, possibly with McNutt. That's all well and good. But it will be difficult for everyone to get over the absence of Roger Allam, who's been an essential part of the show from day one.</li>
</ul>
<div>
My reviews of <i>Endeavour</i>:<br />
<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/search/label/Endeavour%20series%201">Series 1</a><br />
<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/search/label/Endeavour%20series%202">Series 2</a><br />
<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/search/label/Endeavour%20series%203">Series 3</a><br />
<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/search/label/Endeavour%20series%204">Series 4</a><br />
<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/search/label/Endeavour%20series%205">Series 5</a></div>
<br />
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Hannah Longhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15529410255089707007noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918467087072199038.post-78216679697218163032018-02-27T20:43:00.000-05:002020-02-17T22:40:19.856-05:00Endeavour Series 5 - Colours - Episode Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuIH-IOxLaTrC3phsw9o1SHUxL3uL6VQ1dfy7d6ph0eIRIkmmhydXFLUWs6kYjCmgQM00SYuqR59z3CO2P37C_fjPBVZM7fOkPb52UfgW1iml0ADOkTdZnG4Fw2Wmif5AmyYQcOjQPsl9E/s1600/Screenshot+%25283125%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuIH-IOxLaTrC3phsw9o1SHUxL3uL6VQ1dfy7d6ph0eIRIkmmhydXFLUWs6kYjCmgQM00SYuqR59z3CO2P37C_fjPBVZM7fOkPb52UfgW1iml0ADOkTdZnG4Fw2Wmif5AmyYQcOjQPsl9E/s640/Screenshot+%25283125%2529.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/2018/02/endeavour-passenger-episode-review.html">My review of the previous episode: <i>Passenger</i>. </a><br />
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I didn't see that beginning coming.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
We start with Fred and Win on the dance floor, impressing a panel of judges. "Semi-finals next," says Win, happily assuming they'll have the time when Fred retires. But will he?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZr7VT6qoi61GhoH8zteo4U52t_0jM_uJpQnmJeiVEb2UbXvPt6VyFGPuZGUbV7UI0LcSCCmPje85mB4rBZ_ePw4Uv7rR5lwKyIChbfbL0QDmmdEiJPAEsO7PXME7fdQ0K_Wd9Gjdg4PCX/s1600/Screenshot+%25283117%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZr7VT6qoi61GhoH8zteo4U52t_0jM_uJpQnmJeiVEb2UbXvPt6VyFGPuZGUbV7UI0LcSCCmPje85mB4rBZ_ePw4Uv7rR5lwKyIChbfbL0QDmmdEiJPAEsO7PXME7fdQ0K_Wd9Gjdg4PCX/s640/Screenshot+%25283117%2529.png" width="640" /></a>Meanwhile, a debate on immigration between a blonde, priggish woman, Lady Bayswater (an echo of the Le Pens, or is this just my guess at European politics?) and a black man, "Marcus X," takes place at a college. Morse is in the audience with Claudine, who Joan set him up with last week. "Just a girl," Morse says, when Strange asks, and that seems to characterize the relationship well. He sees her as a fling, but he seems rather hurt when she reveals she sees him as the same thing.<br />
<br />
As Lady Bayswater leaves the debate, protester Kit Hutchens throws something into her face and is promptly arrest. It's all fine, though, he explains - she deserved it. Hitler danced at her wedding.<br />
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On a local military base, we catch up with long-absent Sam Thursday, now Lance Corporal Thursday. He has a pair of mates, Private Oswald and Private Collier, and the regiment is planning to disintegrate and ship out to Germany in a few days. The men are thrilled when a group of alluring models visit the base, but wen one of them, Jean Ward, is killed in the practice shooting range "Murdertown," the Cowley boys have to come in to investigate.<br />
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Bright assigns Thursday to a managerial role since Sam is involved. (It's another episode pushing Thursday towards a desk job. Could we see Chief Superintendent Thursday next series? And D.I. Strange, or D.I. McNutt?)<br />
<br />
British TV shows never can really capture the military, either the writers or the actors (Nicholas Courtney's Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart is a notable exception). When an officer makes a comment about Oswald's "lot," and Oswald snaps back, "What are 'my lot' like?" without suffering any real reprimand, my suspension of disbelief evaporated. Anton Lesser actually has a military bearing, with his ramrod straight back and commanding authority, so his presence makes all the others conspicuous by comparison.<br />
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Other soldiers? There's Sergeant Major Davies, a minor character, and the commanding officers, Colonel Champion, Major Coward, and Mad Jack McDuff, who suffers from some form of extreme PTSD.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDiRQgrW888MCue18YTY5Y3C2NT9s3uop_jbJQUQaKMKJg4LJxrW4TjuqRJgc05ZF-Ad-gwlLRTe_TjpzvB1gxe-5EAUu2UFl-EiV0E1h8zh81I3tQWnwy2NSjYm-jAQUG5LLHQtru8nTf/s1600/Screenshot+%25283119%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDiRQgrW888MCue18YTY5Y3C2NT9s3uop_jbJQUQaKMKJg4LJxrW4TjuqRJgc05ZF-Ad-gwlLRTe_TjpzvB1gxe-5EAUu2UFl-EiV0E1h8zh81I3tQWnwy2NSjYm-jAQUG5LLHQtru8nTf/s640/Screenshot+%25283119%2529.png" width="640" /></a>When Morse and Strange interview Jean's photographer and ex-lover, Justin Farridge, he says she was really the Right Hon. Moira Creighton-Ward, step-daughter of Lady Bayswater. The question of Moira's parentage comes up, Thursday and Morse suspect it could have been Colonel Champion or Mungo Coward. Thursday and Morse confront Lady Bayswater on the topic and Thursday has a hard time reining in his feelings when she goes Full Third Reich on him. Morse keeps his emotions in check, but cleverly manipulates her into telling him what he wants to know.<br />
<br />
In a subplot, a segregated hair salon has sparked protests and brings together an improbable number of supporting characters. Police stand outside guarding the shop and patrons, including Trewlove. Claudine darts about taking pictures. Joan Thursday and Kit Hutchens are among the protesters, who are led by a charismatic Marcus X. When one protester lunges at a customer, a riot breaks out. Trewlove ends up with a black eye and Joan ends up arrested, though she's promptly released by Strange (Joan/Strange is totally happening).<br />
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On the Thursday family front, Sam is irrationally angry with his father for the arrest of his friend, Oswald (to whom all the evidence points, and for whom Sam can offer no reasonable excuse). It's supposed to be a heartwarming character arc as Sam learns to respect his father, but I can't get over how unreasonably bratty he was to Fred.<br />
<br />
The episode as a whole is rather boring. L'affaire de Joan has been going on so long that it's become static. The demise of the Oxford City Police as a thing is a dramatic nonstarter. I'm not <i>really</i> seeing any sparks between Fancy and Trewlove. The story overlooks so many coincidences it could be Midsomer. And the dialogue in this one is downright awful. "The face that launched a thousand snips" and some laughably unerotic conversation about apes between Morse and Claudette are the worst of it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5PUTfFVIvvLQeLOFE1PEOrS2p1msVYpQvGOGpRTWcB7NbWsy89jZlvYNG7gLHcG-UEmzDtWoDVj3yhdiGMTR-347437Ee7HNvIONPqKLQNEYKhhQsXpN_IlVW-tQUzYNvvUTdzqy9bpYe/s1600/Screenshot+%25283136%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5PUTfFVIvvLQeLOFE1PEOrS2p1msVYpQvGOGpRTWcB7NbWsy89jZlvYNG7gLHcG-UEmzDtWoDVj3yhdiGMTR-347437Ee7HNvIONPqKLQNEYKhhQsXpN_IlVW-tQUzYNvvUTdzqy9bpYe/s640/Screenshot+%25283136%2529.png" width="640" /></a><br />
And whatever happened to Morse the opera fan? Morse the sophisticated ale snob? Morse's hobbies have disappeared, and with them a large chunk of who he is.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/2018/03/endeavour-series-5-quartet-episode.html">My review of the next episode: <i>Quartet</i>.</a><br />
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<b>Notes:</b><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>After rewatching <i>Passenger</i>, I'm failing to see Fancy/Trewlove happening. He looks like he's about 12. She's so calm and competent that she needs someone more mature.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>As for Joan/Strange I'm torn. Strange has matured, but he's never going to be a character intelligent enough to match Joan. I feel like she might settle.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>I don't feel like this season has a real engine driving things forward. Like season 2, it's fairly aimless, so it's going to have to end with a bang to redeem itself. Take bets in the comments about who's going to die. (Calling it now - Fancy is really <a href="http://murderorriblemurder.tumblr.com/post/130717190940/morse-to-come-masterlist">Ron Pigot</a>.)</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>With the huge focus on the Thursday family it feels like Russell Lewis is wrapping up threads. I predict this season will be the last with the Thursdays.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Peter Hitchens <a href="http://hitchensblog.mailonsunday.co.uk/2018/02/1968-as-i-remember-it-and-how-it-is-portrayed-in-the-tv-series-endeavour-.html">pointed</a> out the reference to Roderick Spode in Thursday's rant, but also astutely criticized the political inconsistencies of said rant.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>The owner of the hair salon, Mrs. Radowicz, is played by Rebecca Saire, Roger Allam's real-life wife. </li>
</ul>
My reviews of <i>Endeavour</i>:<br />
<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/search/label/Endeavour%20series%201">Series 1</a><br />
<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/search/label/Endeavour%20series%202">Series 2</a><br />
<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/search/label/Endeavour%20series%203">Series 3</a><br />
<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/search/label/Endeavour%20series%204">Series 4</a><br />
<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/search/label/Endeavour%20series%205">Series 5</a><br />
<br />
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Hannah Longhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15529410255089707007noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918467087072199038.post-71869687907929004532018-02-19T02:39:00.000-05:002018-02-27T20:49:00.138-05:00Endeavour Series 5 - Passenger - Episode Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/2018/02/endeavour-series-5-cartouche-episode.html"> My review of the previous episode: <i>Cartouche</i>.</a><br />
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<i>"It won't do, Morse. It won't bloody do." </i><br />
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If I was a wrongdoer and heard Fred Thursday speak those words, I'd be quaking in my boots. It means things are serious. And indeed they are.<br />
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<i>Passenger</i> begins with the usual intercut scenes. A trainspotter watches an engine whoosh into the station while a giggling couple cavort in bed. Meanwhile, some thugs hijack a lorry, brutally striking down the driver.<br />
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Back at the office, the pressure is on for officers to prove their worth to division. Thursday is put in a managerial role as two obviously smarmy bastards from Robbery arrive to assist with the lorry investigation: D.I. Ronnie Box and D.S. Patrick Dawson.<br />
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Fancy's on his first serious job looking for missing person Frances Porter. He doesn't get off to a good start, failing to ask Frances' husband Noel and sister-in-law Jilly Conway for a picture of the missing woman. Morse looks longsuffering and helps him out. Ultimately, Thursday assigns Morse to the case as well.<br />
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Morse goes to Frances's last known location, her job at a boutique called <i>Alice's Marmalade Cat</i>. An unrecognizable <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yq6NUKNF3LQ">Hadley Fraser</a> plays the owner, Marty Bedlo. A slim, timid employee named Anoushka Nolan tips Morse off that Frances had stolen a red hat and shoes to go see her lover, "Don," in King's Cross. Morse tracks him down via a car registration number left at the lovers' hotel. He's really Don Mercer, a married dessert salesman. He said he left Frances on the train to Oxford (he later backtracks and said he let her walk to the station), but when Morse talks to Station Master Karl Patterson, he says there were no trains to Oxford that night.<br />
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<i>Not quite true</i>, says "railway enthusiast" Cedric Naughton who's definitely this episode's Obvious Suspect. There's a special train that goes through the station sometimes, Naughton says, and Morse, on a hunch, follows this route and tracks down a distant, abandoned station where he finds Frances's body, absent her shoes. When Dorothea turns up soon afterward and brings up an old local murder - Linda Gresham, she mentions that the killer - nicknamed "Prince Charming" - took his victim's shoes as a souvenir. Morse is appreciative, but Thursday is grumpily tight-lipped. "We both have jobs to do," she says, sassily. I love her so much.<br />
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A few things happen with the Thursday family this episode. Fred hears from his scummy brother Charlie again - sounds like he needs more help. Morse goes to Joan's housewarming party, where she tries to set him up with a pretty French girl. Joan and Morse's interactions, hesitant, polite, not quite easy with one another, show that while Joan seems to genuinely be moving on, Morse can't give her up. He keeps hoping, and then losing himself in casual sex with other women. Not the healthiest way of coping.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, on her rounds, Trewlove is looking through a pile of records at a roadside stall when she notices one of them was the Rosalind Calloway record stolen from Morse's flat last season (all you armchair detectives in the comments can rest easy, Russell Lewis is <i>on </i>the case). Noting the vendors' number, she passes the information on to George, <i>sorry</i>, Fancy, with whom she is almost-but-not-quite flirting.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjchfPSaRu144Uh3IKPIexscMTAVRWcE9M0wYKP0FyZgvXdbixdhqXj8EvvdHIvO3CIuEsMnXyO3vByq-7AfMYQJ3Lo6XSvM1_alMiv3qegww8gaHp_3_VQrPd87olK9HUkwxHwrzlcmJzE/s1600/Screenshot+%25283079%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjchfPSaRu144Uh3IKPIexscMTAVRWcE9M0wYKP0FyZgvXdbixdhqXj8EvvdHIvO3CIuEsMnXyO3vByq-7AfMYQJ3Lo6XSvM1_alMiv3qegww8gaHp_3_VQrPd87olK9HUkwxHwrzlcmJzE/s640/Screenshot+%25283079%2529.png" width="640" /></a>The two division scumbags gang up on Trewlove in the office, and Box is on the verge of striking her when all the Cowley boys dive in to fight back. The scene is over too quickly. I wanted to see Strange batter Dawson with his trombone. Poor Bright throws all his ha'penny grandeur at Ronnie Box, who is surly and goes on about a whole new world of politics and power. Bright is such an interesting character.<br />
<br />
Fancy makes a deal with the vendor, Jamaican Lloyd Collins, to get some whisky stolen in the lorry hijacking, but when he arrives at the meeting place he finds Collins done to death, croaking the name of his killer, "Cromwell Ames." A dead cockerel lies beside him, and the voodoo sign leads Thursday and Strange to track down a Jamaican bar and start asking questions. That's the end of that storyline for this week, but presumably it will pick up again next Sunday as we find out more about this mysterious (and marvelously named) threat to Eddie Nero's criminal empire.<br />
<br />
The next body discovered raises more questions, as several mistakes make it seem like we may be dealing not with the same killer but a copycat murder. Eventually, it's a visit to Frances's aged mother which provides the cinching clue in a mystery which keeps our interest every step of the way.<br />
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I don't really have anything to critique about this episode. It's not the most ambitious of stories, but it's a solid story executed beautifully. Stunning direction and use of location and color. The cinematography is full of interesting lighting and framing, approaching familiar locales and people with new angles. Even the mise en scène is done with unusual precision and delicacy. It all adds up to a terrific and beautiful atmosphere.<br />
<br />
The plots interweave gracefully and it's easy to follow everything. It kept me guessing who the killer was all the way through (not that I didn't suspect that person, but the episode made me suspect <i>everyone</i>). There's just enough personal stuff to spice up what's a refreshingly mystery-central story. This one is a winner.<br />
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<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/2018/02/endeavour-series-5-colours-episode.html">My review of the next episode: <i>Colours</i>.</a><br />
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<b>Notes:</b><br />
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<ul>
<li>Trewlove delivering savage burns the two idiots from Division is amazing. This episode is the first one where I completely love her character. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b>Don</b>: "Christ." <b>Thursday</b>: "He's nothing to do with it, but you are." I much approve.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>"Man would come by better moral instruction in a monkey-house" - <b>Bright</b> on modern sexual morality.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Not commented on, though, is the casual racism - this has turned up several times in this series, and I trust Russell Lewis enough to think it's probably building up to an indictment of the characters we love in coming episodes. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Boy, does Dorothea own every scene she's in.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>D.I. Box's smarmy sidekick, D.S. Dawson will turn up in <i>Inspector Morse: Second Time Around</i> as D.I. Patrick Dawson. In that, he's played by the great character actor Kenneth Colley.</li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">If you enjoyed this article,<span style="line-height: 16.016px;"> </span><a href="http://www.longish95.blogspot.com/p/the-detectives.html" style="color: #57df57; line-height: 16.016px; text-decoration-line: none;">check out my full list</a> of detective reviews.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Longish</span>Hannah Longhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15529410255089707007noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918467087072199038.post-25547311227870156682018-02-18T21:51:00.003-05:002020-05-03T13:31:22.528-04:00Endeavour Series 5 - Cartouche - Episode Review<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyHXpdCML94ALroubPY_QOFhXnrUNbJtnjGmS0j7Gt9lqDfc4wXwbHIpHxMF10sXZPoid8J9CVq5gfdWXSVTlkL3HxM15Xrq6L1aPV3vxqE7Zhyphenhyphenz9UVXvk3IleK5ZeabnbDdPcXzArFX7V/s1600/Screenshot+%25283054%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="355" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyHXpdCML94ALroubPY_QOFhXnrUNbJtnjGmS0j7Gt9lqDfc4wXwbHIpHxMF10sXZPoid8J9CVq5gfdWXSVTlkL3HxM15Xrq6L1aPV3vxqE7Zhyphenhyphenz9UVXvk3IleK5ZeabnbDdPcXzArFX7V/s640/Screenshot+%25283054%2529.png" width="640" /></a><a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/2018/02/endeavour-series-5-muse-episode-review.html">My review of the previous episode: <i>Muse</i>. </a><br />
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The characters have settled in for series 5 with a slower, less edgy second episode. The story begins in a classic theater showing old mummy thrillers featuring Emil Vandemar, the fictional third star in a trifecta of horror masters (together with Karloff and Lugosi). Vandemar is preparing to show his new film, <i>The Pharoah's Curse</i>, also starring Jason Curwin, Veronique Carlton, and directed by Zoltan Xarkoff.<br />
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The next day, theatergoer Ronald Beavis is found dead in his bed in Jericho. He died due to strychnine poisoning from an orange squash. Beavis was a former sergeant for the Oxford City Police, but he'd recently been working in a museum of antiquities. His Egyptian co-worker, Dr. Moharram Shoukry, spends most of the episode bitter about culture appropriated from his home country, be it artifacts or cheesy movies. (My impression is that he's a bit of a stereotype - the mystical foreigner who asks questions about "the after life" and says self-importantly that he "speaks for the dead.")<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPqKvw5YJUGUbIsSWlxBK7AEn0GwB-RufnEt_HRz1mW-RFxmKZb1HblbrOeITe3Dty9pRo46gQ2WnBl9BV9MAToCDhb-6ys3jIZWEb_ayJ6ubBGokTAaurLGCkLO0qE00nd7ctRcGjMOvW/s1600/Screenshot+%25283028%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPqKvw5YJUGUbIsSWlxBK7AEn0GwB-RufnEt_HRz1mW-RFxmKZb1HblbrOeITe3Dty9pRo46gQ2WnBl9BV9MAToCDhb-6ys3jIZWEb_ayJ6ubBGokTAaurLGCkLO0qE00nd7ctRcGjMOvW/s640/Screenshot+%25283028%2529.png" width="640" /></a><br />
Among the characters at the theater are Betty Perske, a popcorn girl (who shares Lauren Bacall's real name), Leslie Garnier, the flamboyant organist, Kenneth Bullings, a younger employee, his grandad the projectionist, Lambert Kegworth, the one-armed doorman, Commissionaire Edmund Gordon, and Armand De Vere, the theater manager who wishes the owners would sell.<br />
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The story sees the return of Eddie Nero, the crook that Thursday tried to slap with procurement charges last week. He's still a slimeball. I was surprised to find he's returning as a regular character. Is this one of the season's themes? Thursday's ongoing battle against Oxford Organized Crime?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ALNwcyrRZkm7f4HyTDnD79VhjdcWCEkqVL_dnywAl0NbmkRRrLTgsvoPb3hU2nP0l6Y0q1pXolCNGPTFgMvqihr6GLhBhNnrGTctXHkcR5tOf-zFvzb6rpc9yTEDQLNtrHfD5350FFWl/s1600/Screenshot+%25283033%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ALNwcyrRZkm7f4HyTDnD79VhjdcWCEkqVL_dnywAl0NbmkRRrLTgsvoPb3hU2nP0l6Y0q1pXolCNGPTFgMvqihr6GLhBhNnrGTctXHkcR5tOf-zFvzb6rpc9yTEDQLNtrHfD5350FFWl/s640/Screenshot+%25283033%2529.png" width="640" /></a>Kenyon Asian families receive petrol bombs through their letterbox and then later, a brick through a window at a public advice center where Joan Thursday works. Combined with Shoukry's complaints about imperialism, it seems like the episode is going to have a racism theme, but instead this turns out to be a red herring. We don't escape a moral-of-the-story moment, though as Thursday and Bright's private musings about racism, nativism, and the future of the country drag on just long enough to feel preachy ("Making Britain Greater" feels like a rather clumsy reference to Donald Trump).<br />
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One of Eddie Nero's men, Liam Flynn, is operating a protection racket, squeezing cash out of a storeowner father and his daughter, Guilia Gallo. He's later stabbed to death in the street. "I didn't know better," Thursday tells Nero, "sounds like someone's trying to turn you over."<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoDFHeNbKM6NEzuhi_8RtNAMLAaDTMKHntU7Q0gR6Cq9GcUtdef_tQh8b5_CRj2ir0wWloppSubrqIayB6wX_HFWv-JPemvwTKK2ENG9jblCNITsWMvfVLWlpW8dBUDdAM4x63aVfyeDdT/s1600/Screenshot+%25283041%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoDFHeNbKM6NEzuhi_8RtNAMLAaDTMKHntU7Q0gR6Cq9GcUtdef_tQh8b5_CRj2ir0wWloppSubrqIayB6wX_HFWv-JPemvwTKK2ENG9jblCNITsWMvfVLWlpW8dBUDdAM4x63aVfyeDdT/s640/Screenshot+%25283041%2529.png" width="640" /></a>All of this is happening as our main cast are dealing with their own troubles. There's a sitcommy aspect to Adventures With the Thursday Extended Family, as Morse jumps in bed with Joan's cousin, Carol (keep it in the family, eh?), Fred is constantly embarrassed by his gauche, hard-up brother, Charlie ("What'll you have, Reg?" "<i>Reginald</i>."), and Strange calls Joan "Joanie" and Joan calls Strange "Jim" which is Pretty Familiar Don't You Think?? (Flashback to <a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/2017/01/endeavour-series-4-canticle-episode.html?showComment=1484766356042#c1240485768256748679">the time I played with the ridiculous fan theory of Joan Strange</a>).<br />
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<i>Cartouche</i> isn't the greatest effort. It plods along, and parts of it don't pay off. There are some good guest performances (Donald Sumpter is always terrific - check him out in Poirot's <i>ABC Murders</i>), but nothing really special. The Thursday family subplot doesn't feel like it adds anything to the story. Coincidental plot devices abound. We need another scene with Joan? Someone throws a petrol bomb through the window of the place she works. We need Morse and Thursday to find out about the history of the theater? They go down that unconnected line of inquiry just because. Maybe those coincidences will tighten up as we learn more about Eddie Nero, but otherwise they just feel like a whole lot of foreshadowing for a future episode has ended up as padding here.<br />
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That said, it does have its charms. The scenes between Thursday and Joan remain smartly written, as two proud, stubborn, too-much-alike characters try and relate to one another. Everything with Jim Strange is terrific. While the Carol-and-Morse plot is a little lazy, it's not awful. Still, here's hoping for better next week.<br />
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<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/2018/02/endeavour-passenger-episode-review.html">My review of next week's episode: <i>Passenger</i>.</a><br />
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<b>Notes:</b><br />
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<ul>
<li>Thursday going on about Laurel and Hardy is delightful - he's really quite cheerful this season.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Is Fancy/Trewlove gonna happen? I could ship it.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Joan/Strange? Definitely shipping it in a this-can't-possibly-work-but-I-want-to-see-Russell-Lewis-try kind of way.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>How many times have we had poor Oxford detectives dragged out of burning buildings? At least twice before. Some random extra policeman pulls Morse out of his burning flat in <i>Masonic Mysteries</i>, and Lewis drags a comatose Hathaway out of the murderer's burning flat in <i>Life Born of Fire</i>. </li>
</ul>
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Hannah Longhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15529410255089707007noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918467087072199038.post-12722988930358186422018-02-05T01:56:00.003-05:002020-05-03T15:15:34.070-04:00Endeavour Series 5 - Muse - Episode Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/2017/01/endeavour-series-4-harvest-episode.html">My review of last season's finale: <i>Harvest</i>.</a><br />
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Things are changing for the Oxford Constabulary - for one thing, it's looking at a name change. Morse and Robbie Lewis's Thames Valley Police is on the way in and it's uncertain who will make the cut. Older coppers like Bright and Thursday fret about retirement; Morse worries he'll be reassigned elsewhere. Meanwhile, in come the young crowd. Sociable young constable George Fancy is Morse's new protege, a sort of proto-Lewis with an eye for the ladies. In fact, Fancy chats up the first lady he meets, Trewlove, which immediately made me guess where the episode's themes were going.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>Sure enough, the story's pretty easy to predict, though the sheer number of names and faces keeps us too unsteady to quite guess the ending. Several characters appear only once, speaking roles which lead nowhere. Male suspects are awful and unlikeable; female suspects are imperfect but usually sympathetic. That said, <i>Muse</i> is a welcome return from the Oxford gang. The show's quality remains high - something I'd been curious about in this new, longer season. The dialogue and relationships between our main cast remain winsome and subtle. Russell Lewis has lived with these characters for five years, and it shows.<br />
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The first victim dies in a car, shot two times, with a stake driven through his ear. Joey Sikes was a taxi driver and an ex-boxer for Eddie Nero, a con-man who's obviously very familiar to Thursday.<br />
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The second victim, quick on the heels of the first, is a Lonsdale don named Robin Gray - dead in bed with his eyes gouged out. Morse met him the day before, investigating a break-in at a museum. The museum was showing a Faberge egg owned by one of the Romanovs. A rose left at the scene of the crime is the calling card of the notorious thief, "the Shadow" (Morse can barely hold in his contempt).<br />
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A woman in a white coat, Eve Thorne, was seen going to Gray's flat before he was murdered. Eve is a life model for Gray's art classes. Gray left behind his young widow, Lucy, who quickly catches the attention of the other men around college, particularly Gray's friends, Tancred Howlett and Adrian Crowley. Yet another woman's name is on a beer mat - "Delilah" - who Morse initially assumes is a stripper named Paula Ellis, but which is actually a working name for Eve, who is, herself, in the pay of a pimp named Lefty Townsend.<br />
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On his way to track her down, Morse meets Spencer Bell, who represents the estate of the person who owned the Faberge egg, and Gerald Pickman (nods to continuity - Pickman's done a job for Richardson's and Kent Finn), as well as his wife, Cassie, and son, Alec.<br />
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The third victim is Simon Lake, best man of Robin Gray, this time decapitated, with the Faberge egg stolen from his safe. Eve Thorne was sleeping with him the day Joey Sikes was murdered - and Sikes had just dropped her off at Lake's flat. Morse shows an unusual amount of disdain for Thorne, calling her "a common prostitute." It's not that I'd think he wouldn't dislike her as something "vulgar," but coming right out and saying it seems uncharacteristically discourteous (and unnecessary, to boot - what's the point in saying it? Compare his awkward but courteous response to Camilla in <i>The Secret of Bay 5B.</i>)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGFhfCRU5Kc8OXKMLXJiYfNtiXnjntnclqRK4fMp7ioXhK5Y4kA7wSn8JZgHffMQt-hGJMeWZIWr7x7ARZUREFxcha8y78qcqNA1qdaL8ZwDdrjFWAGV-fPZtdmdq51M43wQ7lMwzUc9r1/s1600/Screenshot+%25283014%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGFhfCRU5Kc8OXKMLXJiYfNtiXnjntnclqRK4fMp7ioXhK5Y4kA7wSn8JZgHffMQt-hGJMeWZIWr7x7ARZUREFxcha8y78qcqNA1qdaL8ZwDdrjFWAGV-fPZtdmdq51M43wQ7lMwzUc9r1/s1600/Screenshot+%25283014%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGFhfCRU5Kc8OXKMLXJiYfNtiXnjntnclqRK4fMp7ioXhK5Y4kA7wSn8JZgHffMQt-hGJMeWZIWr7x7ARZUREFxcha8y78qcqNA1qdaL8ZwDdrjFWAGV-fPZtdmdq51M43wQ7lMwzUc9r1/s640/Screenshot+%25283014%2529.png" width="640" /></a><br />
The episode sees the surprisingly unceremonious return of Joan. I expected the series to go right back to hinting vaguely about Joan's whereabouts, but she meets Morse quickly and immediately brings up the elephant in the room. "I slipped," she says, simply. Morse seems to accept it. Joan is clearly in a better place - she's away from the scummy boyfriend, she's in contact with her parents. But Fred is still worried. Is he just being paranoid, or is there more to the story than that she's simply living happily with some friends?<br />
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Morse, meanwhile, is frustrated about his uncertain future and is (ha! but of course!) rooming with Strange. "Beggars can't," Thursday says, and he might be talking about Morse's new protege, as well. As Lewis will note later in Endeavour's life, it's a different story when Morse's inferior officer isn't a female (<b>Morse</b>: Wouldn't you say I was fair? <b>Lewis</b>: Fairer to women than men, sometimes. <b>Morse</b>: Well, they're the fair sex.)<br />
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Morse is terribly hard on Fancy, who doesn't seem likely to have the character to bear it or the kindness to care for Morse despite it. It does take some kindness these days - Morse is irritable and snobbish and a cheapskate - when Strange cheerily assumes Morse would take him in if their circumstances were reversed, Thursday is skeptical. But Morse shows flashes of his better self - he nobly takes the rap for Fancy with Thursday, and is quick to defend the honor of Trewlove, Lucy Gray, and Eve Thorne to men criticizing them.<br />
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And everyone else? The whole gang is back and they're in fine form. Dorothea is quick to the scene after the museum burglary - her big-sister relationship with Morse is adorable - though that's the only moment she has in the episode. Max is snarktastic. Jim Strange gets to be Morse's bro roommate, which is hilarious. Thursday feels like he's back to his old self, dropping most of the internal angst he's gained since Blenheim Vale and getting to chew his way through some delightful insults. That said, his worry for Joan still hangs over him like a shadow.<br />
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There's a lot for the episode to forge through - reestablishing characters, introducing a new cast member, dealing with a panoply of suspects, and setting up story lines for the rest of the series - so it's not surprising that it feels like each aspect get a bit of short shrift in the extremely brief denouement. All in all, though, it's thoroughly watchable, enjoyable stuff, and the dialogue alone, zippy and jam-packed with period slang and literary references, makes the show worth watching, never mind the wonderful performances from our lead and supporting cast. With six episodes instead of four, we'll have plenty of time to unpack what's next for the characters - and we're off to a promising start.<br />
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<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/2018/02/endeavour-series-5-cartouche-episode.html">My review of the next episode: <i>Cartouche.</i></a><br />
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<b>Notes:</b><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Jim Strange plays the trombone. This is perfect. I am going to assume he continues this practice in <i>Inspector Morse</i> from now on.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>I loved how that scene between Joan and Fred played out. They're so similar. Both too proud to admit weakness. Fred's controlling; Joan's independent. She can't accept his love. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Morse had his own <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfUkwCvXHEo">"didn't any of you guys go to Sunday School?"</a> moment.</li>
</ul>
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<br />
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">If you enjoyed this article,<span style="line-height: 16.016px;"> </span><a href="http://www.longish95.blogspot.com/p/the-detectives.html" style="color: #57df57; line-height: 16.016px; text-decoration-line: none;">check out my full list</a> of detective reviews.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">If you want to keep up with great TV mysteries, follow my detective news site <i>Murder! 'Orrible Murder!</i> on <a href="http://murderorriblemurder.tumblr.com/" style="color: #57df57; text-decoration-line: none;">Tumblr</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/OrribleMurder" style="color: #57df57; text-decoration-line: none;">Twitter</a>, or <a href="https://www.facebook.com/detectiveupdates/" style="color: #57df57; text-decoration-line: none;">Facebook</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">Longish</span></div>
</div>
Hannah Longhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15529410255089707007noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918467087072199038.post-11317016641659902332018-02-04T17:01:00.000-05:002018-02-04T17:01:00.870-05:00Vera Series 8 - Darkwater - Episode Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSZ2COl7p90K7LkCZEigXQQ4Ou1QrBFYYmVyAzWYKe8uTCkPfX4x2FuRX6fQZmYzhDOJbXMaoekAAzuXxWgpFmsDKngmYAuJ5NpIgKDVBe_TYfoZzWvwG2lVtd18Iies3xrvOblVyqtssx/s1600/Screenshot+%25282993%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSZ2COl7p90K7LkCZEigXQQ4Ou1QrBFYYmVyAzWYKe8uTCkPfX4x2FuRX6fQZmYzhDOJbXMaoekAAzuXxWgpFmsDKngmYAuJ5NpIgKDVBe_TYfoZzWvwG2lVtd18Iies3xrvOblVyqtssx/s640/Screenshot+%25282993%2529.png" width="640" /></a><a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/2018/01/vera-series-8-home-review.html">My review of the previous episode: <i>Home</i>.</a><br />
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A striking location is the star of the show as authorities recover the body of a teenager from a pristine reservoir. His name was Ethan Dewley, a bullied youth whose parents, Sean and Ellie, had just split up. His mother lived in the city. Marcus suspects that, due to head injuries, Ethan's death wasn't accidental.<br />
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Adam Jannen, who bullied Ethan, was also in the area with a few friends. He'd lit out after yet another boy who'd been watching the group, clutching a grimy bike. Things get even more complicated when it turns out Adam's mother was having an affair with Ethan's father, leading to Ethan's parents' separation.<br />
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One of the men who worked at the dam, Gary Whenchurch, said his son Simon and daughter Alice both knew Ethan. Simon's working hard to become successful in the military, while Alice feels underappreciated and unnoticed.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV9blr_3V-kEIL5YoJs21paD0FSFNxbgCUcIhOCF-GnO_PoJFXmbpmtNObyJ8LVMkUi6wv0qVSbBDVTGNhyphenhyphenIq0RB0gn1FQz8VTyxK6qu9VS0-CFo5MgG4N8n7C1kAY9cAV2RqNOGBc1l2j/s1600/Screenshot+%25282983%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV9blr_3V-kEIL5YoJs21paD0FSFNxbgCUcIhOCF-GnO_PoJFXmbpmtNObyJ8LVMkUi6wv0qVSbBDVTGNhyphenhyphenIq0RB0gn1FQz8VTyxK6qu9VS0-CFo5MgG4N8n7C1kAY9cAV2RqNOGBc1l2j/s640/Screenshot+%25282983%2529.png" width="640" /></a>A local woman, Laura Halcombe, reported a possibly related crime: her house was burgled and a picture stolen. She has previous for sleeping with a teenage boy, so when it's revealed she knew Ethan Dewley and might have been interacting with Adam Jannan online, she shoots high on the suspect list. Relatedly, her new beau, appropriately-aged Jim Briscoe, also has a motive to get rid of Ethan - but is it jealousy or was Ethan blackmailing Laura?<br />
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The episode features the return of George from the Basement, the Missing Persons expert who we last saw in the <a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/2017/04/vera-blanket-mire-episode-review.html">finale of series 7</a>. He's a delightfully shoddy little man, and his crush on Vera is a fun subplot in the episode. I can't imagine any Vera romance actually working - I mean, Vera's Paddington-meets-Miss-Marple act is quite asexual - but it's something different for the characters to deal with, albeit briefly, and that's interesting.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKLwmY9mYfQXn0hfVMMQB8jXgYzIQyagAK11MjFW0FVQw65t5Ohk4q657-UB9UBdGtFG873vIWjqQtV8jjf5ABNFX29aHjwOfni8_wEBAA8FvvlqJLIH8iRm30Yxi5OjNcSBfqqVaio71K/s1600/Screenshot+%25282991%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKLwmY9mYfQXn0hfVMMQB8jXgYzIQyagAK11MjFW0FVQw65t5Ohk4q657-UB9UBdGtFG873vIWjqQtV8jjf5ABNFX29aHjwOfni8_wEBAA8FvvlqJLIH8iRm30Yxi5OjNcSBfqqVaio71K/s400/Screenshot+%25282991%2529.png" width="400" /></a><br />
It just goes to show - the characters need to find some arcs. I mean, obviously, the show doesn't need to go there, practically. It's already been renewed for its ninth season, which signals people want more of the same, but it's a waste of talent. Aiden still needs more to do and his relationship with Vera should be more of a challenge for both of them. He was originally conceived as a sort of cocky reckless jock - lean into that.<br />
<br />
Have him get into some serious trouble and Vera have to get him out of it. Or vice versa would be even more interesting - have Vera get into some serious trouble, messing with someone just a little too powerful ("Why yes, pet, I am going to take down your criminal empire") - and then have <i>Aiden </i>man up and help her. Nothing is really challenging to Vera at this point. She pursued a suspect into a dark house in the last episode and then he knocked <i>himself</i> out. In this one, she walked out onto a ledge and saved a girl. Brenda Blethyn is 71. Vera herself used to be a mess of insecurities and flaws. Let Aiden get some exercise, physical and mental.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.longish95.blogspot.com/2016/01/vera-series-1-review.html" style="color: #57df57; text-decoration-line: none;">My review of the first season of <i>Vera</i>.</a></span><br />
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: "Crimson Text";">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.longish95.blogspot.com/2016/02/vera-series-2-review.html" style="color: #57df57; text-decoration-line: none;">My review of the second season of <i>Vera</i>.</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.longish95.blogspot.com/2016/02/vera-series-3-review.html" style="color: #57df57; text-decoration-line: none;">My review of the t</a></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.longish95.blogspot.com/2016/02/vera-series-3-review.html" style="color: #57df57; text-decoration-line: none;">hird season of <i>Vera</i>.</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.longish95.blogspot.com/search/label/Vera%20series%204%20review" style="color: #57df57; text-decoration-line: none;">My reviews of the fourth season of <i>Vera</i>.</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.longish95.blogspot.com/search/label/Vera%20series%205%20review" style="color: #57df57; text-decoration-line: none;">My reviews of the fifth season of <i>Vera</i>.</a></span><br /><a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/search/label/Vera%20series%206%20review" style="color: #57df57; text-decoration-line: none;">My reviews of the sixth season of <i>Vera</i>.</a><br /><a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/search/label/Vera%20series%207%20review" style="color: #57df57; text-decoration-line: none;">My reviews of the seventh season of <i>Vera</i>.</a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: "Crimson Text";">
<br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you enjoyed this article,<span style="line-height: 16.016px;"> </span><a href="http://www.longish95.blogspot.com/p/the-detectives.html" style="color: #57df57; line-height: 16.016px; text-decoration-line: none;">check out my full list</a> of detective reviews.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: "Crimson Text";">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">If you want to keep up with great TV mysteries, follow my detective news site <i>Murder! 'Orrible Murder!</i> on <a href="http://murderorriblemurder.tumblr.com/" style="color: #57df57; text-decoration-line: none;">Tumblr</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/OrribleMurder" style="color: #57df57; text-decoration-line: none;">Twitter</a>, or <a href="https://www.facebook.com/detectiveupdates/" style="color: #57df57; text-decoration-line: none;">Facebook</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Longish</span>Hannah Longhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15529410255089707007noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918467087072199038.post-26891304287994169872018-01-27T15:35:00.001-05:002018-01-27T15:35:42.912-05:00Vera Series 8 - Home - Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDZMDTs5-3y1nWAPxEQdW4Z6tR_X0ywq6ABw6aeBO2T7wzDob_rcHvlEJ9-i_8KSxH8OX-DGLEAkus_AbCl1pylf7GAHi01a_2WjQvQ02Nh9cvi_57J_Nd4_9Hroz4_r6sgN7e3uypMKGi/s1600/Screenshot+%25282980%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="355" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDZMDTs5-3y1nWAPxEQdW4Z6tR_X0ywq6ABw6aeBO2T7wzDob_rcHvlEJ9-i_8KSxH8OX-DGLEAkus_AbCl1pylf7GAHi01a_2WjQvQ02Nh9cvi_57J_Nd4_9Hroz4_r6sgN7e3uypMKGi/s640/Screenshot+%25282980%2529.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/2018/01/vera-series-8-black-ice-episode-review.html"> My review of the previous episode: <i>Black Ice</i>. </a><br />
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Elliot discovers his mum's body in the backyard. There'd been trouble the night before. A panning shot showed a series of domestic scenes glimpsed through windows, the final one of Elliot's mother and sister screaming at each other, before the sister, Molly, storms out.<br />
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The victim is Allison Glenn. She has two children with her husband, Michael Glenn, an officer at Greenport prison. Michael's heartbroken - but his whereabouts the night before are unknown. At first, Vera assumes he was working, but it turns out he was with his scumbag scammer brother, Jason, and even then, not the whole night.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx8x-Km3Qt7CSfK_wyQA1B-I8S6SiSWH0TKYD9StuwwC7pGSyqbEuWfSSnPfV6mZw2QHRfXcDgwVZciFJJY01zUDMTmDHV5b72vDg71n7AirHzsZa4aLcRL-kjRkxBoZ2Tajf9hu9kCgXs/s1600/Screenshot+%25282981%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="355" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx8x-Km3Qt7CSfK_wyQA1B-I8S6SiSWH0TKYD9StuwwC7pGSyqbEuWfSSnPfV6mZw2QHRfXcDgwVZciFJJY01zUDMTmDHV5b72vDg71n7AirHzsZa4aLcRL-kjRkxBoZ2Tajf9hu9kCgXs/s640/Screenshot+%25282981%2529.png" width="640" /></a><br />
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Allison always told her family she was an orphan who grew up in care. Actually, she'd run away from her father, a scraggly, nagging, potentially abusive farmer named Robert Naresby. Her brother, Tom, is simple but affectionate. Her mother left the family 10 years before Allison fled. Social worker Graham Harper said he wasn't surprised Allison left - her father wasn't the most likable of people.<br />
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More trouble is found with the neighboring family, divorced mother Asha Dabra and her son Sahil. Allison had complained to her daughter's teacher, Tina Brennan, that Sahil was showing an "unhealthy" amount of interest in her teenager daughter, Molly. Sahil is troubled because of his parents' divorce and custody dispute, but he has been violent. Both of the teenagers have issues - Molly is found later with alcohol poisoning and Sahil abandons her when the police arrive.<br />
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Michael Glenn's unexplained disappearance is further complicated by the fact that a taxi driver says he took him to the home of Audrey Latham, who used to work for a notorious crime lord, Brian Delaney. This leads to something which I was hoping would be better than it was: Vera's showdown with a mobster. It's an idea the show should revisit. Vera needs an archnemesis. This guy isn't enough - she needs someone she can really match wits with. An anti-Vera, well-dressed and socially successful, named something like Eloise or Madame Moriarty? Or should we see the return of Vera's long-lost sister, Carrie Kinsdale née Cara Stanhope, turning her own detection powers to the dark side? Aiden goes bad? I'm only half-kidding. Give me your best ideas in the comments.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn5C5uLlw8S04FxE5Vl7gE6yUri2sCAjnHhmpyZmthxNZIXFVF-6CZwHEzxAshrwXOajwLf0QAeZ2JCdoX-U7_jCYaPm2vcrdxTAcw8RGLc4qL2VKCZHihYD2811gJjIslto_VbZf8PZhe/s1600/Screenshot+%25282977%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn5C5uLlw8S04FxE5Vl7gE6yUri2sCAjnHhmpyZmthxNZIXFVF-6CZwHEzxAshrwXOajwLf0QAeZ2JCdoX-U7_jCYaPm2vcrdxTAcw8RGLc4qL2VKCZHihYD2811gJjIslto_VbZf8PZhe/s640/Screenshot+%25282977%2529.png" width="640" /></a><br />
The episode itself is quite good. Some fine direction and camera angles keep it looking interesting. A theme of parents and children adds a layer to the story's thematic resonance, and a solid cast. Steven Robertson (Sandy from <i>Shetland</i>) is particularly good as Tom. There are a lot of plot threads to keep up with, but it's pretty easy to follow. However, there are so many narrative misdirections and red herrings that it becomes rather ridiculous towards the end. Give it credit, it had me certain I knew the killer at least twice, but after a while, I would have traded misdirection for a little while spent building characters to preserve the ending's emotional impact.<br />
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That said, despite some clunky, repetitive early scenes (I could predict the beats of Vera persuading Molly to talk to her), it does add some welcome levity - Vera surreptitiously punching a vending machine to help a kid out is perfect - and one much-needed Vera-and-Aiden bonding moment. Aiden's cooking, Vera's getting out frozen food - that he guesses what she's eating shows he's become pretty savvy about Vera's lifestyle away from work. Though is it just me, or do they always bond over food? Put the pair of them on the <i>Great British Baking Show</i> and we'll really see some character development.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.longish95.blogspot.com/2016/01/vera-series-1-review.html" style="color: #57df57; text-decoration-line: none;">My review of the first season of <i>Vera</i>.</a></span><br />
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: "Crimson Text";">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.longish95.blogspot.com/2016/02/vera-series-2-review.html" style="color: #57df57; text-decoration-line: none;">My review of the second season of <i>Vera</i>.</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.longish95.blogspot.com/2016/02/vera-series-3-review.html" style="color: #57df57; text-decoration-line: none;">My review of the t</a></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.longish95.blogspot.com/2016/02/vera-series-3-review.html" style="color: #57df57; text-decoration-line: none;">hird season of <i>Vera</i>.</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.longish95.blogspot.com/search/label/Vera%20series%204%20review" style="color: #57df57; text-decoration-line: none;">My reviews of the fourth season of <i>Vera</i>.</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.longish95.blogspot.com/search/label/Vera%20series%205%20review" style="color: #57df57; text-decoration-line: none;">My reviews of the fifth season of <i>Vera</i>.</a></span><br /><a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/search/label/Vera%20series%206%20review" style="color: #57df57; text-decoration-line: none;">My reviews of the sixth season of <i>Vera</i>.</a><br /><a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/search/label/Vera%20series%207%20review" style="color: #57df57; text-decoration-line: none;">My reviews of the seventh season of <i>Vera</i>.</a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: "Crimson Text";">
<br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you enjoyed this article,<span style="line-height: 16.016px;"> </span><a href="http://www.longish95.blogspot.com/p/the-detectives.html" style="color: #57df57; line-height: 16.016px; text-decoration-line: none;">check out my full list</a> of detective reviews.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: "Crimson Text";">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">If you want to keep up with great TV mysteries, follow my detective news site <i>Murder! 'Orrible Murder!</i> on <a href="http://murderorriblemurder.tumblr.com/" style="color: #57df57; text-decoration-line: none;">Tumblr</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/OrribleMurder" style="color: #57df57; text-decoration-line: none;">Twitter</a>, or <a href="https://www.facebook.com/detectiveupdates/" style="color: #57df57; text-decoration-line: none;">Facebook</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Longish</span>Hannah Longhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15529410255089707007noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918467087072199038.post-1189441271636833282018-01-24T12:31:00.000-05:002018-01-24T12:45:13.819-05:00Endeavour Series 5 U.K. Air Date Revealed + First Look<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVEBy7uEn1KRA3E2ljVy7kMmEaByLdf-lnW0WzIXFRgwyWU4npg1jp7931s9BzsbV8EngdxgSYcuEu_0rmnt7ZONU3pFT8_6DPNqwAY2F74p6DFYK8bZasEAlAQ9gZk9VhulSMKDebd8Nr/s1600/endeavour+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="684" data-original-width="960" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVEBy7uEn1KRA3E2ljVy7kMmEaByLdf-lnW0WzIXFRgwyWU4npg1jp7931s9BzsbV8EngdxgSYcuEu_0rmnt7ZONU3pFT8_6DPNqwAY2F74p6DFYK8bZasEAlAQ9gZk9VhulSMKDebd8Nr/s640/endeavour+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We've finally gotten <a href="https://www.itv.com/presscentre/programme-information-hub">confirmation</a> of when the fifth series of <i>Endeavour</i> will air in the U.K.<br />
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Episode one, <i>Muse</i>, will air on ITV at 8:00 PM on Sunday, February 4. Presumably, the following five episodes (the series has been bumped from four to six episodes this year) will continue in the same time slot. Here's a first look:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="true" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="315" scrolling="no" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fdetectiveupdates%2Fvideos%2F1978031752211612%2F&show_text=0&width=560" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" width="560"></iframe>
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My reviews:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrfzRbNY95kl_w7YltQX7Bv4aMPTmJs_OMo4eRJV_aFOFIuB9NGt05WzqfPPCLzNQgUlJssLHmmfDxIGhjFvAFbnXNfJMXaXpSf6QKmBSuUYbbwuPLEtqdmnz0Xu2-N1Qzg5U5clA_rcxu/s1600/endeavour+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrfzRbNY95kl_w7YltQX7Bv4aMPTmJs_OMo4eRJV_aFOFIuB9NGt05WzqfPPCLzNQgUlJssLHmmfDxIGhjFvAFbnXNfJMXaXpSf6QKmBSuUYbbwuPLEtqdmnz0Xu2-N1Qzg5U5clA_rcxu/s400/endeavour+2.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "crimson text";">Season 1 -</span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "crimson text";"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.longish95.blogspot.com/2013/07/endeavour-girl-episode-review.html" style="background-color: white; color: #57df57; font-family: "Crimson Text"; text-decoration-line: none;">Episode 1 - Girl</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "crimson text";"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "crimson text";"> </span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "crimson text";"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.longish95.blogspot.com/2013/07/endeavour-fugue-episode-review.html" style="background-color: white; color: #57df57; font-family: "Crimson Text"; text-decoration-line: none;">Episode 2 - Fugue</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "crimson text";"> </span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "crimson text";"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.longish95.blogspot.com/2013/07/endeavour-rocket-episode-review.html" style="background-color: white; color: #57df57; font-family: "Crimson Text"; text-decoration-line: none;">Episode 3 - Rocket</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "crimson text";"> </span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "crimson text";"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.longish95.blogspot.com/2013/07/endeavour-home-episode-review.html" style="background-color: white; color: #57df57; font-family: "Crimson Text"; text-decoration-line: none;">Episode 4 - Home</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "crimson text";"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "crimson text";"> </span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "crimson text";"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "crimson text";">Season 2 -</span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "crimson text";"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.longish95.blogspot.com/2014/04/endeavour-season-2-trove-episode-review.html" style="background-color: white; color: #57df57; font-family: "Crimson Text"; text-decoration-line: none;">Episode 1 - Trove</a></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "crimson text";"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.longish95.blogspot.com/2014/04/endeavour-season-2-nocturne-episode.html" style="background-color: white; color: #57df57; font-family: "Crimson Text"; text-decoration-line: none;">Episode 2 - Nocturne</a></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "crimson text";"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.longish95.blogspot.com/2014/04/endeavour-season-2-sway-episode-review.html" style="background-color: white; color: #57df57; font-family: "Crimson Text"; text-decoration-line: none;">Episode 3 - Sway</a></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "crimson text";"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.longish95.blogspot.com/2014/04/endeavour-season-2-neverland-episode.html" style="background-color: white; color: #57df57; font-family: "Crimson Text"; text-decoration-line: none;">Episode 4 - Neverland</a></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "crimson text";"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "crimson text";">Season 3 -</span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "crimson text";"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.longish95.blogspot.com/2016/01/endeavour-season-2-ride-episode-review.html" style="background-color: white; color: #57df57; font-family: "Crimson Text"; text-decoration-line: none;">Episode 1 - Ride</a></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "crimson text";"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.longish95.blogspot.com/2016/01/endeavour-season-3-arcadia-episode.html" style="background-color: white; color: #57df57; font-family: "Crimson Text"; text-decoration-line: none;">Episode 2 - Arcadia</a></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "crimson text";"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.longish95.blogspot.com/2016/01/endeavour-season-3-prey-episode-review.html" style="background-color: white; color: #57df57; font-family: "Crimson Text"; text-decoration-line: none;">Episode 3 - Prey</a></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "crimson text";"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.longish95.blogspot.com/2016/01/endeavour-coda-episode-review.html" style="background-color: white; color: #57df57; font-family: "Crimson Text"; text-decoration-line: none;">Episode 4 - Coda</a></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "crimson text";"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "crimson text";">Season 4 -</span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "crimson text";"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/2017/01/endeavour-series-4-game-episode-review.html" style="background-color: white; color: #57df57; font-family: "Crimson Text"; text-decoration-line: none;">Episode 1 - Game</a></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "crimson text";"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/2017/01/endeavour-series-4-canticle-episode.html" style="background-color: white; color: #57df57; font-family: "Crimson Text"; text-decoration-line: none;">Episode 2 - Canticle</a></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "crimson text";"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/2017/01/endeavour-series-4-lazaretto-episode.html" style="background-color: white; color: #57df57; font-family: "Crimson Text"; text-decoration-line: none;">Episode 3 - Lazaretto</a></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "crimson text";"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/2017/01/endeavour-series-4-harvest-episode.html" style="background-color: white; color: #57df57; font-family: "Crimson Text"; text-decoration-line: none;">Episode 4 - Harvest</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Longish</span></div>
Hannah Longhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15529410255089707007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918467087072199038.post-89602662761268439052018-01-19T00:16:00.001-05:002018-01-19T12:01:42.858-05:00Inspector George Gently - Series 8 - Gently and the New Age<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/2018/01/inspector-george-gently-gently.html">My review of the previous episode: <i>Gently Liberated</i>.</a><br />
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[Spoilers ahead]<br />
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As a mystery,<i> Inspector George Gently</i> is hard to assign a genre. It's more violent than cozies like <i>Foyle's War</i>, but hasn't abandoned its whodunnit roots for the high-octane pulp of <i>Luther</i>. Its violence is anchored by the moral code of its protagonist. Noir? Gritty mystery? In any case, both its morality and its darkness come together for one last showdown in <i>Gently and the New Age</i>. </div>
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It's a nice thing to see a show go out on top. Many drag it out, watering down the substance till they've become a self-parody. <i>Inspector George Gently</i> doesn't do that, giving us a final episode true to the integrity of the series and the character, though probably not the story we expected. It might not be the best episode the show has ever produced, but it's a strong ending and that's quite an achievement for a show that's been running for over a decade.<br />
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Another thing I like about <i>Gently and the New Age</i> is that it forces the audience to do as George would do: follow the evidence. In the previous installment of series 8, <i><a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/2018/01/inspector-george-gently-gently.html">Gently Liberated</a></i>, it was obvious who we should trust: the sympathetic, abused women at the center of the plot, as opposed to the powerful, sleazy male characters.<br />
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This episode gives us similar hints, but the solutions are more complicated. Michael Clements, the simpatico politician at the center of the plot, gets to deliver an inspiring speech about the future of the North and the country, invoking his anti-Vietnam activism and support for a closer relationship with Europe. Even Bacchus says, "That's what I call leadership." Nevertheless, George steadfastly resists attempts to justify Clements' shadiness. He clings to his principles, "because <i>what else is there</i>?" And the episode ends with Clements' political career in tatters.<br />
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How do we get there? Rewind to the beginning, with a murder on a picket line. A scab is assassinated in a crowd outside the Bateson-Donnelly company. As it turns out, the victim was really an undercover journalist who burgled the company's files.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2LxSysGiRlBazjc2LgUMvbGWlnR_yftJeEMmOJubTmcXARMwoQxd66UfzhRHGomPrgZk_AOtHFzHSqcvjNGJc823qU9ujW59rx6hPb5tSnEK5T4omNCSwWF1QXkm9ii7Rwdzqv-9H8lRZ/s1600/Screenshot+%25282937%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="1600" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2LxSysGiRlBazjc2LgUMvbGWlnR_yftJeEMmOJubTmcXARMwoQxd66UfzhRHGomPrgZk_AOtHFzHSqcvjNGJc823qU9ujW59rx6hPb5tSnEK5T4omNCSwWF1QXkm9ii7Rwdzqv-9H8lRZ/s640/Screenshot+%25282937%2529.png" width="640" /></a>Bacchus and Rachel arrive on a scene dominated by two figures: Owen Thompson, a brash socialist determined not to cooperate with the police, and Clements, a polite socialist with a bright future in Labour.<br />
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Meanwhile, Gently's testimony in court takes down a a cadre of corrupt cops, prompting a Scotland Yard man, Ian Lister, to request aid on a cold case. Lister thinks there may be inconsistencies in the original investigation, based on an anonymous tip-off from a Whitehall phone box (American viewers: think Capitol Hill).<br />
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Scotland Yard has changed, Lister proclaims. They're determined to root out corruption now. If you believe that, you haven't been watching the show for the last 10 years.<br />
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Especially when it turns out the case could have a political angle. Before Leslie Pierce was murdered, she attended a reception for the opening of a new plant. Her boss, Eddie Paton, reveals that Michael Clements was the guest of honor at that reception. Could Clements have known Leslie? There were rumors about his relationships with younger women.<br />
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Clements says it's all a plot to discredit him. His assistant, Adele Watson, claims it doesn't matter because Clements is On the Right Side of History™. George isn't sure, but the case gets even more complicated when Clements offers Gently a deal: give him a week to clear his name, and in exchange, Gently will get the name of the man who killed his wife, Isabella, way back in episode one.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihV7OZsO6e1WNkSTk4VxqRG51z109fMR3Wflih65T9IxWFvmjv_Z3j_m5ZFsb3znu7qBEZND3ZQtZ6xSsGEsRZd6CwqMB9Qr-TnAFL11I1tuaxP_rHGrvVsIH_vdmv49FdAu2n_Wm1GwLA/s1600/Screenshot+%25282867%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="807" data-original-width="1600" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihV7OZsO6e1WNkSTk4VxqRG51z109fMR3Wflih65T9IxWFvmjv_Z3j_m5ZFsb3znu7qBEZND3ZQtZ6xSsGEsRZd6CwqMB9Qr-TnAFL11I1tuaxP_rHGrvVsIH_vdmv49FdAu2n_Wm1GwLA/s640/Screenshot+%25282867%2529.png" width="640" /></a>Isabella is Gently's weakness. He can't resist the chance to find out the truth, so for the first time, he takes a crooked deal. Yet when he finally confronts the killer - a hired thug named Alan Croxley - Croxley crushes him. It's a clarifying moment. The world's moving too fast for Gently. He's always hung on like a tired old bull dog, but he's getting too old for this.<br />
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And he doesn't have John to watch his back. They're still not talking. Poor Rachel is the liaison between the two, working for Gently on his secret case and acting as Bacchus's partner on the Bateson-Donnelly investigation (the pair are fun together - Bacchus has enough self-awareness to kid Rachel with a joke about Leon Trotsky).<br />
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Bacchus wants to reconcile with Gently, but he's too much of an arrogant jackass to make a move. When Gently gets deep into the case it's Rachel, not Bacchus, that he calls for emotional support. And let's be honest, that's probably the better choice.<br />
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Nevetheless, it makes me sad that Gently and Bacchus's relationship is left unresolved. John Bacchus has been around for the entire show. He took a bullet for Gently. Shrugging and agreeing to organize George's retirement party is hardly Robbie Lewis's tragic, loyal "Goodbye, sir." It should have been Bacchus, not Michael Clements, to whom George gives his last speech, defining all the things he stands for.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirYtBwA4cdGYzzPRCaD303Sthx8wvFjNahpfzBGx3ymGPlBDzFGFi2UHtMt161fqMJZUu_8xQYuCyivhD6PE24OGTY-H2k2mRyxjAWcvvhCgbyFSuu0OJJ648P8UmAiLyZhlaQzsiMdn3y/s1600/Screenshot+%25282950%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirYtBwA4cdGYzzPRCaD303Sthx8wvFjNahpfzBGx3ymGPlBDzFGFi2UHtMt161fqMJZUu_8xQYuCyivhD6PE24OGTY-H2k2mRyxjAWcvvhCgbyFSuu0OJJ648P8UmAiLyZhlaQzsiMdn3y/s640/Screenshot+%25282950%2529.png" width="640" /></a><br />
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But it's fitting, I suppose, that George is alone. He's a bit of a cowboy anyway.<br />
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When Gently first came to the North, he thought he was leaving behind a world of conspiracy and corruption, but that wasn't really true. One of the show's finales left Gently and Bacchus, bleeding out on the floor of Durham Cathedral. George's rock-solid Greatest Generation principles were tested by a new world with new mores in <i><a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/2015/05/inspector-george-gently-series-7-son-of.html">Son of a Gun.</a></i><br />
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The consolations of working in the North for Gently were a mixture between retirement and fatherhood - a less hectic life and a protege in Bacchus.<br />
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In the end, he can't really keep either of those things. His past caught up and killed him. He has a falling-out with Bacchus and they never really reconcile.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgSjVVvcR7Mk9iJZKKAL9fz4K5t0DyJibL6hvKLoU8cmLtr7rcojnbTNsCDQMlm6w-4wpgbcbNnVl98-j096UdqpNSAYNjWn1AYF6Tu697I1uclQSFhn9f_jLGpkn9QbrrEwz2Sd0Pb4dS/s1600/Screenshot+%25282960%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="790" data-original-width="1600" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgSjVVvcR7Mk9iJZKKAL9fz4K5t0DyJibL6hvKLoU8cmLtr7rcojnbTNsCDQMlm6w-4wpgbcbNnVl98-j096UdqpNSAYNjWn1AYF6Tu697I1uclQSFhn9f_jLGpkn9QbrrEwz2Sd0Pb4dS/s640/Screenshot+%25282960%2529.png" width="640" /></a><br />
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That's not to say his time in the North was pointless. The final moments of the episode hint that Bacchus and Rachel will continue investigating into the sunset, walking in George's footsteps. And George's final act is to take down a conspiracy. There's an inevitability in his final downfall. He died as he lived. His duty killed him in the end. He wouldn't have died of anything else.<br />
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"Because what else is there, Michael? What else is there?"<br />
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What now? While Lee Ingleby has played with <a href="http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/news/a825905/lee-ingleby-george-gently-spin-off-bacchus/">an <i>Inspector Bacchus</i> spinoff</a>, I can't really see it. The character has feet of clay. He's not a leader. But it would be interesting - how will he fare when he has to literally fill Gently's shoes? He's a genuinely unpredictable character - you never quite know if you can rely on him.<br />
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And as for Martin Shaw, I'm going to miss him. He had that great moral gravity essential to these type of shows - the gift of both his age and his ponderous, booming voice. It's a shame that the show never had the same audience as <i>Poirot </i>or <i>Morse</i>. It should have.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOrPoau_6hy84om-9jdX5lNdFjgZ3k0Ihp15MLsmgkjkCIYSSMC85SK3BKnKxuPM_73Y80kfzHIpGx0aRrZ8mqLK49PD4tzSAapXSVaNTvMW_-r2aPYJlEZ9aTpN57owC2YbbTFVK_eCRT/s1600/Screenshot+%25282896%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOrPoau_6hy84om-9jdX5lNdFjgZ3k0Ihp15MLsmgkjkCIYSSMC85SK3BKnKxuPM_73Y80kfzHIpGx0aRrZ8mqLK49PD4tzSAapXSVaNTvMW_-r2aPYJlEZ9aTpN57owC2YbbTFVK_eCRT/s640/Screenshot+%25282896%2529.png" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">If you enjoyed this article,<span style="line-height: 16.016px;"> </span><a href="http://www.longish95.blogspot.com/p/the-detectives.html" style="color: #57df57; line-height: 16.016px; text-decoration-line: none;">check out my full list</a> of detective reviews.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you want to keep up with great TV mysteries, follow my detective news site <i>Murder! 'Orrible Murder!</i> on <a href="http://murderorriblemurder.tumblr.com/" style="color: #57df57; text-decoration-line: none;">Tumblr</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/OrribleMurder" style="color: #57df57; text-decoration-line: none;">Twitter</a>, or <a href="https://www.facebook.com/detectiveupdates/" style="color: #57df57; text-decoration-line: none;">Facebook</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Longish</span>Hannah Longhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15529410255089707007noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918467087072199038.post-18764897280877553892018-01-15T11:41:00.000-05:002018-01-27T16:03:23.200-05:00Vera Series 8 - Black Ice - Episode Review<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp1pmNMEXHoLEhpB96wkJuIm5Fc2pYrsqwyGuJOBiLZzGTTSCaZ-8fKYXKn_1wOTRPcT7gccYGoEiiRSviVrnkyj6rIDJZ2gHoxWJH6lL_EJJ-7jmFMmgTtMvB__T8oXOZd75TSJvIBTZ5/s1600/Screenshot+%25282934%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp1pmNMEXHoLEhpB96wkJuIm5Fc2pYrsqwyGuJOBiLZzGTTSCaZ-8fKYXKn_1wOTRPcT7gccYGoEiiRSviVrnkyj6rIDJZ2gHoxWJH6lL_EJJ-7jmFMmgTtMvB__T8oXOZd75TSJvIBTZ5/s640/Screenshot+%25282934%2529.png" width="640" /></a><a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/2018/01/vera-series-8-blood-and-bone-episode.html">My review of the previous episode: <i>Blood and Bone.</i></a><br />
<i><br /></i>Faye Wakeland is driving along when another car slams into her back bumper, forcing her off the road. She's found the next day by some passing equestrians, clinging to life. Her unborn child died.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>Vera and Aiden arrive on the scene, accompanied by new D.C. Jacqueline Williams. "Jack" was introduced in last week's episode, but I didn't realize she was supposed to be a regular character. Vera is trying to train her up, using the classic Vera Stanhope School of Hard Knocks Approach. (Apparently, Aiden has graduated.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzToohIFSvjQQ_4aPmBMy0cZDzFXVMaI_sI-hIyl4WULk_KMDN0LgyY3NBqYcFqprbwhSusis1D5GgwnrMBqrRj3h0z1bvk8CRXacX3NYmKaNO_Nppa1_dcRl8vwWHEjRYCDbglxFnREXA/s1600/Screenshot+%25282929%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzToohIFSvjQQ_4aPmBMy0cZDzFXVMaI_sI-hIyl4WULk_KMDN0LgyY3NBqYcFqprbwhSusis1D5GgwnrMBqrRj3h0z1bvk8CRXacX3NYmKaNO_Nppa1_dcRl8vwWHEjRYCDbglxFnREXA/s640/Screenshot+%25282929%2529.png" width="640" /></a></div>
Faye lived with a girl, Simone Challoner, and her brother, Noel. Noel, it turns out, was in love with Faye. He'd met her at the hospital where he worked. He doesn't know if the baby was his. When Faye dies of her wounds, he's devastated.<br />
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Another possible father is Adil Dohni, a bent lawyer who had helped Faye sue her parents for her father's money. Was that legal action justified? Depends on who you ask. Faye tried to get a restraining order out on her stepmother, Susan, claiming she'd tried to run her over. Susan says that's an exaggeration - she says Faye was a habitual liar and victim. Or was Susan just a bully?<br />
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Faye's married boss, Tony Everitt, knew about the baby, but his wife, Louise, seems surprised when they bring it up. Faye worked for their taxi service and Louise says the last number she gave Faye was a landline. They didn't call back when she didn't turn up.<br />
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There were inconsistent accounts about Faye's character. Susan claims her stepdaughter was a "Class A blackmailer," and her bank account confirms that. She was receiving money from Roddy Macklin, a co-worker, and her boss, Tony. In addition, she'd reserved a house for one day a week, paying the college-aged tenants, Owen Reynolds and Hamed Ladd, to stay away. They were wanting for cash, so they tried not to ask why people kept coming in and out of the house.<br />
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Roddy Macklin committed suicide, a move which might have been brought on by his depression or the fact that his son, Liam, was actually Noel Challoner's son. Tracking diesel fuel from the accident site leads Vera and team to discover Roddy's van, submersed in a reservoir. The back of the van is full of unpaid bills.<br />
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There's a lot to keep up with in this episode. At times, it seems like none of the different threads will come together, but they do. Blethyn is always good, and I like the easy, pally relationship with Aiden. It's a relatively entertaining episode, less intense than the premiere. And fun fact: directed by David Leon, erstwhile D.S. Joe Ashworth.<br />
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<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/2018/01/vera-series-8-home-review.html">My review of the next episode: <i>Home.</i></a><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.longish95.blogspot.com/2016/01/vera-series-1-review.html" style="color: #57df57; text-decoration-line: none;">My review of the first season of <i>Vera</i>.</a></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.longish95.blogspot.com/2016/02/vera-series-2-review.html" style="color: #57df57; text-decoration-line: none;">My review of the second season of <i>Vera</i>.</a></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.longish95.blogspot.com/2016/02/vera-series-3-review.html" style="color: #57df57; text-decoration-line: none;">My review of the t</a></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.longish95.blogspot.com/2016/02/vera-series-3-review.html" style="color: #57df57; text-decoration-line: none;">hird season of <i>Vera</i>.</a></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.longish95.blogspot.com/search/label/Vera%20series%204%20review" style="color: #57df57; text-decoration-line: none;">My reviews of the fourth season of <i>Vera</i>.</a></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.longish95.blogspot.com/search/label/Vera%20series%205%20review" style="color: #57df57; text-decoration-line: none;">My reviews of the fifth season of <i>Vera</i>.</a></span><br />
<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/search/label/Vera%20series%206%20review" style="background-color: white; color: #57df57; font-family: "Crimson Text"; text-decoration-line: none;">My reviews of the sixth season of <i>Vera</i>.</a><br />
<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/search/label/Vera%20series%207%20review" style="background-color: white; color: #57df57; font-family: "Crimson Text"; text-decoration-line: none;">My reviews of the seventh season of <i>Vera</i>.</a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Longish</span>Hannah Longhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15529410255089707007noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918467087072199038.post-87020926085915886252018-01-08T12:18:00.000-05:002018-01-15T11:42:27.032-05:00Vera Series 8 - Blood and Bone - Episode Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/2017/04/vera-blanket-mire-episode-review.html">My review of the previous season finale: <i>The Blanket Mire</i>.</a><br />
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Vera series 8 starts off with a rather lukewarm installment, at least compared to the shot across the bow that was the premiere to series 6. Oh wait, this is series 8? I remember nothing about the entire last season. This isn't starting well.<br />
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In an opening that had me sneak-googling the word abattoir, a body is discovered in the furnace of a slaughterhouse. A fortunate power outage meant that the body - a gruesome sight - was found before it had disintegrated completely. It's soon identified as D.C. Harry Fenton, a local copper on the verge of retirement.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>The abattoir boss, Iain Hobswain, isn't particularly happy Vera and her team are poking around, probably because he's been investigated for skimping on regulations. We soon learn the body was delivered to the abattoir in a truck for Acreman's Haulage, driven by surly ex-con Naz Ahmed. His manager, Gill Crowley, isn't thrilled they're looking into Acreman's either - unsurprisingly, when it turns out they're being investigated for fraud. (Everybody's in trouble for something.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCv5X9HRGLzmxHaMOQfijlq_zeJumHTWa9rMUKX4vKSg18y8D2oIBDSyGj22jmUhbsPlumckh3bYqt4_Qkbn_3aOavuA_Jm7Drv10ibaCf8jVn2ZCAlN4Fmg3EP89ChgXZJuHdyC_4A8qP/s1600/Screenshot+%25282868%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCv5X9HRGLzmxHaMOQfijlq_zeJumHTWa9rMUKX4vKSg18y8D2oIBDSyGj22jmUhbsPlumckh3bYqt4_Qkbn_3aOavuA_Jm7Drv10ibaCf8jVn2ZCAlN4Fmg3EP89ChgXZJuHdyC_4A8qP/s640/Screenshot+%25282868%2529.png" width="640" /></a><br />
In charge of that investigation is D.I. Sunetra Chandha, who's very anxious about the case as well. She keeps badgering Vera for information, and attempting to wheedle it out of Aiden (he has nothing else to do in this episode except be flirted with).<br />
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Back at Harry's home is his wife, Rita, and daughter, Hayley. Rita was convinced Harry was having an affair, thanks to some mysterious phonecalls. Her daughter thinks she's being paranoid. Mysteriously, Dale Acreman sent Harry Fenton's wife flowers, yet when Vera challenges him about it, he claims they were sent by his P.A.<br />
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One lead is the fact that Harry was murdered the day he was due to retire. Harry's friends at the local pub - the Hennings family - were planning his retirement bash. Their rather innocent son Gareth works at Acreman's Haulage.<br />
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In one last subplot, Vera talks to his partner, D.C. Jacqueline Williams, about Harry's investigations (one plot point about a 1989 picket line doesn't end up going anywhere, but reveals why Harry was worried his involvement in the Acreman fraud investigation could be a conflict of interest).<br />
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As I said, while competent, the episode doesn't break any new ground. Brenda Blethyn could make literally anything watchable (and she's tremendously watchable here), but it makes me wish she had something she could really sink her teeth into. I don't need you to kill anyone, but give Vera some genuine work conflict, not just a half-hearted flirting subplot.<br />
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<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/2018/01/vera-series-8-black-ice-episode-review.html">My review of the next episode: <i>Black Ice</i>.</a><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.longish95.blogspot.com/2016/01/vera-series-1-review.html" style="color: #57df57; text-decoration-line: none;">My review of the first season of <i>Vera</i>.</a><br /><a href="http://www.longish95.blogspot.com/2016/02/vera-series-2-review.html" style="color: #57df57; text-decoration-line: none;">My review of the second season of <i>Vera</i>.</a><br /><a href="http://www.longish95.blogspot.com/2016/02/vera-series-3-review.html" style="color: #57df57; text-decoration-line: none;">My review of the t</a></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.longish95.blogspot.com/2016/02/vera-series-3-review.html" style="color: #57df57; text-decoration-line: none;">hird season of <i>Vera</i>.</a></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.longish95.blogspot.com/search/label/Vera%20series%204%20review" style="color: #57df57; text-decoration-line: none;">My reviews of the fourth season of <i>Vera</i>.</a><br /><a href="http://www.longish95.blogspot.com/search/label/Vera%20series%205%20review" style="color: #57df57; text-decoration-line: none;">My reviews of the fifth season of <i>Vera</i>.</a></span><br />
<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/search/label/Vera%20series%206%20review" style="background-color: white; color: #57df57; font-family: "Crimson Text"; text-decoration-line: none;">My reviews of the sixth season of <i>Vera</i>.</a><br />
<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/search/label/Vera%20series%207%20review">My reviews of the seventh season of <i>Vera</i>.</a><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">If you enjoyed this article,<span style="line-height: 16.016px;"> </span><a href="http://www.longish95.blogspot.com/p/the-detectives.html" style="color: #57df57; line-height: 16.016px; text-decoration-line: none;">check out my full list</a> of detective reviews.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">If you want to keep up with great TV mysteries, follow my detective news site <i>Murder! 'Orrible Murder!</i> on <a href="http://murderorriblemurder.tumblr.com/" style="color: #57df57; text-decoration-line: none;">Tumblr</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/OrribleMurder" style="color: #57df57; text-decoration-line: none;">Twitter</a>, or <a href="https://www.facebook.com/detectiveupdates/" style="color: #57df57; text-decoration-line: none;">Facebook</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Longish</span></span></div>
<br />Hannah Longhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15529410255089707007noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918467087072199038.post-15156344343773513942018-01-07T00:16:00.000-05:002018-01-20T02:01:47.707-05:00Inspector George Gently - Series 8 - Gently Liberated<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjloTFUSRbol-hIpYMialKNwuYadyUayC1mv1GSVQQxmLwpV2TFlpIHNeZfiNKsro1v_-ybqIeuMYnrAdExUKInqtGt_DU7JokvTKq9uk3X8EUtHOyP9n90AICJulwiKYkxWAO4XiifbfdS/s1600/Screenshot+%25282830%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjloTFUSRbol-hIpYMialKNwuYadyUayC1mv1GSVQQxmLwpV2TFlpIHNeZfiNKsro1v_-ybqIeuMYnrAdExUKInqtGt_DU7JokvTKq9uk3X8EUtHOyP9n90AICJulwiKYkxWAO4XiifbfdS/s640/Screenshot+%25282830%2529.png" width="640" /></a><br />
<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/2015/05/inspector-george-gently-series-7-son-of.html">My review of the previous episode, <i>Son of a Gun</i>.</a><br />
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I haven't watched any George Gently in a long time. As reentry episodes go, this is a good one, if just because it has everything that has defined the show for the last ten years. There's George - stolid, reliable, a lion for justice. Bacchus - smarmy, unreliable, a jackal who wants to be a lion. There's corruption in high places and '60s fashion and mistreatment of minorities. We've seen all of this before, but the knowledge that this is the show's final season gives it an edge that lifts it above a somewhat basic plot.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizGh3tkEpjc2Hs6am4_bXx67zrMbSNCjeFG1HYMVrR8QNsWRGPMEFeINPmgBHDN8vzCmoRCVDCUlbGKjh52_F-bkBYCWxifr_v_2yuAxRXmcMueklxzfUk3nL0F-mQdkmZ9C_2H0TvBSBZ/s1600/Screenshot+%25282841%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizGh3tkEpjc2Hs6am4_bXx67zrMbSNCjeFG1HYMVrR8QNsWRGPMEFeINPmgBHDN8vzCmoRCVDCUlbGKjh52_F-bkBYCWxifr_v_2yuAxRXmcMueklxzfUk3nL0F-mQdkmZ9C_2H0TvBSBZ/s400/Screenshot+%25282841%2529.png" width="400" /></a>The episode starts at a police benefit. Two young officers box while tuxedo'd colleagues look on. George is suddenly convicted by the brutality of it - or maybe his MS diagnosis and impending forced retirement is getting to him. Not that he'll talk about it - he's still resisted telling Bacchus about his illness.<br />
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Near the end of the dinner, an officer calls the team away - a body has been found in a factory vat. It's identified as Alistair Liddell, an employee who went missing eight years before. The case brings Gently and Bacchus into even greater conflict, as Bacchus was on the original investigation and he's adamant that they should let sleeping dogs lie. Unsurprisingly, there's some guilt involved too, as this was in the days before Bacchus was...if not redeemed, at least <i>improved</i>.<br />
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At the time, they arrested Alistair's wife. It was a high-publicity case, as she allegedly murdered her husband while her daughter slept upstairs. The body was never found, but the woman, Eve Liddell, went down for murder, despite retracting an early confession. Bacchus is convinced he got it right - Gently thinks there's more to the story. as they repeat old quarrels on a more dramatic level.<br />
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As Gently investigates, it seems more and more likely that the crime was committed by two people. For one thing, Eve would've needed help disposing of the body. They've finally found Alistair's remains in a vat at the factory where he worked, so it's likely Eve's accomplice worked there. His coworkers clearly weren't huge fans of the man. There had been accidents at the job site, a man ended up burned badly. Was Alistair involved?<br />
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On the other hand, Eve's story doesn't hang together - she claims she went out for a walk for no reason. Neighbor Patricia Willis reports she heard the two arguing before the murder. There were rumors her husband, Harry, was sleeping with Eve.<br />
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The daughter, Marion, has left her previous life behind and is flowering in art school. Gently and Bacchus barge right in wearing suits and grim expressions, and you can feel the echoes of <i>Broadchurch </i>as the ponderous music begins.<br />
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With the revelation of the Liddells' broken home life, the show again revisits the theme of battered, abused women failed by men. Speaking of which, Bacchus's sheer scumminess in the episode makes me wish the story would finally commit to some real character development for him. He's had his moments of heroism and goodness, but when the show needs him to remain the source of conflict, he reverts to his bigoted, reactionary self. There's a tragic aspect to this, as we've journeyed with him and empathize, but at the end of the day, George is right: he's not a good policeman and he probably never will be.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsM8xA1SsmI1gxmQHI29HOLzq4P31YtN0XhhXkWlLtVteDd-dI4GYEY6fom9cV0pbY2QAr2Eb3qI_PzvSQGpqxQZ49bf9o51rCZjrCxtlna_z13uetdBNamGsN6TL5N6zMVxTj4cJHDCLB/s1600/Screenshot+%25282838%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsM8xA1SsmI1gxmQHI29HOLzq4P31YtN0XhhXkWlLtVteDd-dI4GYEY6fom9cV0pbY2QAr2Eb3qI_PzvSQGpqxQZ49bf9o51rCZjrCxtlna_z13uetdBNamGsN6TL5N6zMVxTj4cJHDCLB/s400/Screenshot+%25282838%2529.png" width="400" /></a><br />
If this had been the final episode, it would have been a satisfying conclusion - Gently and Bacchus, ultimately, are too different. George rejects Bacchus and turns to his other young mentee, the one who is so much more like him: Rachel.<br />
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It's a realistic way to end the show. After all, Gently and Bacchus said unforgivable things to each other in this episode. Gently destroyed Bacchus's sense of self-worth, attacking him on everything from his integrity to his sloppy hygiene. Bacchus attacked George's wife and his legacy - the two things that matter to him. It's a devastating scene with both actors giving it their absolute best. Bacchus's hesitant apology at the end of the episode isn't enough for Gently and it shouldn't be. I still haven't seen the finale, but it'll be difficult for them to sell a genuine reconciliation between the two men.<br />
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That isn't to say I don't want one.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "crimson text";">Want something good to watch? </span><a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/p/the-detectives.html" style="background-color: white; color: #57df57; font-family: "Crimson Text"; text-decoration-line: none;">Check out my full list of good detective shows here.</a><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Longish</span>Hannah Longhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15529410255089707007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918467087072199038.post-54458111245555699822018-01-05T20:40:00.001-05:002018-01-26T13:42:45.915-05:00Upcoming Detective Shows in 2018 - Vera, Endeavour, Luther...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Coming soon (Vera, Endeavour):</b><br />
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It's been a while, but I've finally found the time to write up another of these updates. I've managed to miss a few series (<i>Brokenwood </i>4 has come and gone, and <i>Father Brown</i> 6 is airing now), so the list is a bit more spare than usual, but here goes.<br />
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<img alt="BritBox" src="http://image.email.us.britbox.com/lib/fe90127474600d7f70/m/1/VERA-Season-8.jpg" /><br />
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<i>Vera</i><br />
January 7 will see <i><a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/p/an-pantheon-of-classic-detectives-i.html#Vera">Vera</a> </i>returning to the U.K. for an eighth series. It'll hit the U.S. through <a href="https://www.britbox.com/">Britbox</a> the very same day, a welcome new year's gift for American viewers. Here's a <a href="https://www.itv.com/presscentre/press-packs/vera-0#">summary</a> of the first episode:<br />
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DCI<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Vera<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Stanhope<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> (Brenda Blethyn) is called to a chilling murder scene when the charred remains of a body are discovered in an abattoir incinerator. With limited forensic evidence, she is disturbed to identify the body as DC Harry Fenton, a respected police officer from the Northumberland & City Fraud Unit.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></blockquote>
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My reviews of Vera:<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "crimson text"; font-size: 14.3px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "crimson text";"> </span><a href="http://www.longish95.blogspot.com/2016/01/vera-series-1-review.html" style="background-color: white; color: #57df57; font-family: "Crimson Text"; text-decoration-line: none;">Series 1</a><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "crimson text";"> </span><a href="http://www.longish95.blogspot.com/2016/02/vera-series-2-review.html" style="background-color: white; color: #57df57; font-family: "Crimson Text"; text-decoration-line: none;">Series 2</a><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "crimson text";"> </span><a href="http://www.longish95.blogspot.com/2016/02/vera-series-3-review.html" style="background-color: white; color: #57df57; font-family: "Crimson Text"; text-decoration-line: none;">Series 3</a><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "crimson text";"> <a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/search/label/Vera%20series%204%20review">Series 4</a></span><br />
<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/search/label/Vera%20series%205%20review">Series 5</a><br />
<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/search/label/Vera%20series%206%20review">Series 6</a><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"> <a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/search/label/Vera%20series%207%20review">Series 7</a></span><br />
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<a href="http://78.media.tumblr.com/9494be0899d0710259d2d0d478701034/tumblr_inline_oxam4mjtfu1t5lpuz_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://78.media.tumblr.com/9494be0899d0710259d2d0d478701034/tumblr_inline_oxam4mjtfu1t5lpuz_500.jpg" height="440" width="640" /></a><br />
<i>Endeavour </i><br />
Oxford-based crime drama <i><a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/p/the-detectives.html#Endeavour">Endeavour</a> </i>finished shooting its fifth series <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BbVJnl0gaH7/">in</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PaulDJCripps/status/929043522677825537">November</a>. Breaking from custom, the show is making a six-episode season, which hints to me that it may be coming to an end (update: shout out to sylphida in the comments for pointing out that Mammoth Screen has <a href="https://twitter.com/mammothscreen/status/923912999756279810">hinted </a>a sixth series could happen).<br />
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Series 5 will <a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/2018/01/endeavour-series-5-uk-air-date.html">begin</a> airing on February 4 in the U.K. An <a href="https://www.itv.com/presscentre/press-releases/endeavour-return-itv-fifth-series-extended-run-six-films">ITV press release</a> quoted executive producer Tom Mullens:<br />
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We’re delighted that <i>Endeavour </i>will return next year with another set of striking stories from Russell Lewis and once again it’s an honour to have Shaun Evans and Roger Allam on board, bringing Morse and Thursday exquisitely to life in the ‘revolutionary’ world of 1968.</blockquote>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "crimson text";">Season 1 -</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "crimson text";"> </span><a href="http://www.longish95.blogspot.com/2013/07/endeavour-girl-episode-review.html" style="background-color: white; color: #57df57; font-family: "Crimson Text"; text-decoration-line: none;">Episode 1 - Girl</a> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: "crimson text";"> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "crimson text";"> </span><a href="http://www.longish95.blogspot.com/2013/07/endeavour-fugue-episode-review.html" style="background-color: white; color: #57df57; font-family: "Crimson Text"; text-decoration-line: none;">Episode 2 - Fugue</a> <br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "crimson text";"> </span><a href="http://www.longish95.blogspot.com/2013/07/endeavour-rocket-episode-review.html" style="background-color: white; color: #57df57; font-family: "Crimson Text"; text-decoration-line: none;">Episode 3 - Rocket</a> <br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "crimson text";"> </span><a href="http://www.longish95.blogspot.com/2013/07/endeavour-home-episode-review.html" style="background-color: white; color: #57df57; font-family: "Crimson Text"; text-decoration-line: none;">Episode 4 - Home</a> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: "crimson text";"> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "crimson text";"> Season 2 -</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "crimson text";"> </span><a href="http://www.longish95.blogspot.com/2014/04/endeavour-season-2-trove-episode-review.html" style="background-color: white; color: #57df57; font-family: "Crimson Text"; text-decoration-line: none;">Episode 1 - Trove</a><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "crimson text";"> </span><a href="http://www.longish95.blogspot.com/2014/04/endeavour-season-2-nocturne-episode.html" style="background-color: white; color: #57df57; font-family: "Crimson Text"; text-decoration-line: none;">Episode 2 - Nocturne</a><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "crimson text";"> </span><a href="http://www.longish95.blogspot.com/2014/04/endeavour-season-2-sway-episode-review.html" style="background-color: white; color: #57df57; font-family: "Crimson Text"; text-decoration-line: none;">Episode 3 - Sway</a><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "crimson text";"> </span><a href="http://www.longish95.blogspot.com/2014/04/endeavour-season-2-neverland-episode.html" style="background-color: white; color: #57df57; font-family: "Crimson Text"; text-decoration-line: none;">Episode 4 - Neverland</a><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "crimson text";"> Season 3 -</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "crimson text";"> </span><a href="http://www.longish95.blogspot.com/2016/01/endeavour-season-2-ride-episode-review.html" style="background-color: white; color: #57df57; font-family: "Crimson Text"; text-decoration-line: none;">Episode 1 - Ride</a><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "crimson text";"> </span><a href="http://www.longish95.blogspot.com/2016/01/endeavour-season-3-arcadia-episode.html" style="background-color: white; color: #57df57; font-family: "Crimson Text"; text-decoration-line: none;">Episode 2 - Arcadia</a><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "crimson text";"> </span><a href="http://www.longish95.blogspot.com/2016/01/endeavour-season-3-prey-episode-review.html" style="background-color: white; color: #57df57; font-family: "Crimson Text"; text-decoration-line: none;">Episode 3 - Prey</a><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "crimson text";"> </span><a href="http://www.longish95.blogspot.com/2016/01/endeavour-coda-episode-review.html" style="background-color: white; color: #57df57; font-family: "Crimson Text"; text-decoration-line: none;">Episode 4 - Coda</a><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "crimson text";"> Season 4 -</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "crimson text";"> </span><a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/2017/01/endeavour-series-4-game-episode-review.html" style="background-color: white; color: #57df57; font-family: "Crimson Text"; text-decoration-line: none;">Episode 1 - Game</a><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "crimson text";"> </span><a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/2017/01/endeavour-series-4-canticle-episode.html" style="background-color: white; color: #57df57; font-family: "Crimson Text"; text-decoration-line: none;">Episode 2 - Canticle</a><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "crimson text";"> </span><a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/2017/01/endeavour-series-4-lazaretto-episode.html" style="background-color: white; color: #57df57; font-family: "Crimson Text"; text-decoration-line: none;">Episode 3 - Lazaretto</a><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "crimson text";"> </span><a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/2017/01/endeavour-series-4-harvest-episode.html" style="background-color: white; color: #57df57; font-family: "Crimson Text"; text-decoration-line: none;">Episode 4 - Harvest</a></div>
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<b>Wrapped Filming/Filming Soon (Shetland, Luther):</b></h4>
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<i>Shetland </i><br />
The fourth season of <i><a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/p/an-pantheon-of-classic-detectives-i.html#Shetland">Shetland</a> </i>will air in the U.K. on <a href="http://www.shetnews.co.uk/newsbites/15802-crime-drama-shetland-returns">February 13</a>. The show's third season shifted from an episodic structure to a series-long storytelling approach, mimicking hits like <i>Broadchurch</i>.<br />
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<br />This time detective Jimmy Perez, played again by Douglas Henshall, has to deal with murders from the past and present - which have unsettling similarities. </blockquote>
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When Shetlander Thomas Malone (Stephen Walters) has his murder conviction overturned after 23 years, which he's spent behind bars, Perez has to reopen the investigation into the 1994 death of local teenager Lizzie Kilmuir.</blockquote>
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<a href="http://images.amcnetworks.com/bbcamerica.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/LutherGeneric.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image result for john luther series 4" border="0" src="http://images.amcnetworks.com/bbcamerica.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/LutherGeneric.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
<i>Luther</i><br />
The BBC hit show <i><a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/p/the-detectives.html#Luther">Luther</a> </i>is getting a fifth season, with <a href="http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2018-01-05/idris-elba-to-return-for-four-more-episodes-of-luther/">four</a> episodes this time around. Every time we get a new season, it's rumored to be the last, so who knows whether this will be a finale for Idris Elba's John Luther. Filming was <a href="http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/luther/news/a844664/luther-series-5-idris-elba-neil-cross-movie/">planned</a> for January 2018, so we can probably expect to see a few filming photos to leak out soon.<br />
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UPDATE: Idris Elba has confirmed filming <a href="https://www.facebook.com/idriselba/videos/10155641167758692/">started</a> January 11.<br />
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Renewed/Planned/Rumored (The Brokenwood Mysteries, Miss Fisher Movie, Grantchester, Death on the Nile):</h4>
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<i>The Brokenwood Mysteries </i><br />
New Zealand series <i><a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/p/the-detectives.html#Brokenwood">The Brokenwood Mysteries</a></i> has been <a href="https://twitter.com/Primetv_NZ/status/940005535843106816">renewed</a> for a fifth series, scheduled to air in N.Z. in 2018, and probably a bit later for the rest of the world. The show is New Zealand's response to Midsomer Murders, with a little Twin Peaks thrown in.</div>
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<i>Miss Fisher & The Crypt of Tears</i><br />
<i><a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/p/the-detectives.html#Phryne">Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries</a></i>, chronicling the adventures of the fun and glamorous lady detective from Australia, will be hitting the big screen after a successful <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/468758721/miss-fisher-the-movie?ref=nav_search&result=project&term=miss%20fisher">Kickstarter campaign</a>. Sailing past its initial goal, the film met many additional stretch goals, including an increased budget for costumes, visual effects, and hiring international talent.<br />
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Set in the late 1920’s, Miss Fisher & the Crypt of Tears honors the heightened exoticisms of the murder mystery genre as the Honourable Miss Phryne Fisher, lady detective, escapes the small screen and takes off on a global adventure - via romantic wayside stops in the Far East, glamorous sojourns in the mansions of London, and a battle to survive the rolling sands of the Arabian Desert long enough to find the missing treasure, solve numerous murders and break all aviation records as she wings her way home again!</blockquote>
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<a href="http://cultbox.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/EMBARGOED_UNTIL_13TH_APRIL_GRANTCHESTER_EP1_33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image result for grantchester series 4" border="0" src="http://cultbox.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/EMBARGOED_UNTIL_13TH_APRIL_GRANTCHESTER_EP1_33.jpg" height="358" width="640" /></a></div>
<i>Grantchester</i><br />
It's <a href="https://blogs.weta.org/tellyvisions/2017/08/03/grantchester-season-4-still-not-confirmed-nor-james-nortons-return">still mysterious</a> whether a fourth season of <i><a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/p/the-detectives.html#Grantchester">Grantchester</a> </i>will happen. With James Norton's career taking off, it's likely ITV is struggling to persuade the show's leading man to return. The show could continue, but whether it'll go on with its hunky hero is up in the air.<br />
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<a href="https://pmcvariety.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/murder-orient.jpg?w=1000&h=563&crop=1" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Murder on the Orient Express" border="0" height="360" src="https://pmcvariety.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/murder-orient.jpg?w=1000&h=563&crop=1" width="640" /></a></div>
<i>Death on the Nile</i><br />
Will Kenneth Branagh's <i><a href="https://letterboxd.com/hannah_long/film/murder-on-the-orient-express-2017/">Murder on the Orient Express</a></i> get a sequel? It's clear the film was setting it up, as the final lines referenced another famous Poirot story, which it looks like <a href="http://variety.com/2017/film/news/murder-on-the-orient-express-sequel-death-on-the-nile-1202620018/">Fox is developing</a>: <i>Death on the Nile</i>. Will Branagh's Poirot be back? Time will tell.<br />
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Which of these series are you most looking forward to? Any series I missed? Weigh in in the comments.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "crimson text";">If you want to keep up with great TV mysteries, follow my detective news site </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: "Crimson Text";">Murder! 'Orrible Murder!</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "crimson text";"> on </span><a href="http://murderorriblemurder.tumblr.com/" style="background-color: white; color: #57df57; font-family: "Crimson Text"; text-decoration-line: none;">Tumblr</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "crimson text";">, </span><a href="https://twitter.com/OrribleMurder" style="background-color: white; color: #57df57; font-family: "Crimson Text"; text-decoration-line: none;">Twitter</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "crimson text";">, or </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/detectiveupdates/" style="background-color: white; color: #57df57; font-family: "Crimson Text"; text-decoration-line: none;">Facebook</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "crimson text";">.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "crimson text";"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Longish</span></span><br />
<br />Hannah Longhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15529410255089707007noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918467087072199038.post-14780055209430078042017-12-26T01:37:00.001-05:002022-11-22T09:10:11.894-05:00Doctor Who - Twice Upon a Time - A Mess of Sentiment and Self-Indulgence<a href="https://atom-tickets-res.cloudinary.com/image/upload/c_fill,g_north,h_425,q_auto,w_992/v1507924917/ingestion-images-archive-prod/archive/1507924917005_259139_cops_4.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image result for doctor who twice upon a time" border="0" height="273" src="https://atom-tickets-res.cloudinary.com/image/upload/c_fill,g_north,h_425,q_auto,w_992/v1507924917/ingestion-images-archive-prod/archive/1507924917005_259139_cops_4.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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[SPOILERS]<br />
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<a href="http://longish95.blogspot.com/2017/07/doctor-who-series-10-doctor-falls.html">My review of the previous episode: <i>The Doctor Falls</i>.</a><br />
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I feel like if you looked up the definition of placeholder in the dictionary, this episode would be right there.<br />
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That's not entirely anyone's fault. Steven Moffat always intended Peter Capaldi to regenerate at the end of series 10, but when incoming showrunner Chris Chibnall refused to start off on a Christmas episode, it was left to Moffat to come up with some reason for Peter Capaldi to stick around for an episode.<br />
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As it is, he pulls a few good moments together and coats the rest in sentimentality and a boatload of nostalgia. That's always an enjoyable experience, I guess, if you shut your brain off. If there's anything clear at the end, it's that <i>Doctor Who</i> is desperately in need of new ideas, and Steven Moffat is out of gas.<br />
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<a name='more'></a><div>Here's the plot: we meet a villain; the gang flee to meet a random minor character from a mediocre early Capaldi episode; the Doctor finds out that the villains are actually benevolent. The Doctors regenerate.</div>
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The end.<br />
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The only real conflict in this episode is whether the Doctors will choose to regenerate. Much of the story's humor comes from the First Doctor's shock at seeing what he will become - an intergalactic superhero with a big mouth and a flashy TARDIS. The First Doctor doesn't want to continue because he wants to remain himself, to maintain control over his destiny. His case for this sounds a great deal like the death with dignity argument, and gives the story's aspirational glance at his future an <i>It's a Wonderful Life</i> vibe.<br />
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Ultimately, he finds that inspiration by seeing his future self save one life, messing with time a bit so an iconic Christmas moment can save the day. Bill's claim that the Doctor holds the universe together is a little overblown (that's a case of mistaken identity - Christmas isn't about the Doctor, y'know, but it is about <i>someone</i>). While this trick worked in <i>Day of the Doctor</i>, saving just one human and spouting platitudes about music isn't powerful enough to really pull off the character development for either character.<br />
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*Steven Moffat materializes in a time machine called the RETCON (Rewriting Every Thing Connecting Overarching Narrative)*<br />
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"But he's the Brig's granddad."<br />
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*dematerializes*<br />
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Well...okay, that's not a bad argument.<br />
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<a href="http://digitalspyuk.cdnds.net/17/50/980x490/landscape-1513451486-14584558-low-res-doctor-who.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image result for doctor who twice upon a time" border="0" height="320" src="http://digitalspyuk.cdnds.net/17/50/980x490/landscape-1513451486-14584558-low-res-doctor-who.jpg" width="640" /></a>In the end, the Twelfth Doctor, too, accepts his role in the universe. But it's a dull, half-hearted acceptance. He knows all of his companions are dead or Nardole, which is a pretty depressing reality. He's just got to keep going. It's valiant, but in a small, grim way - anti-climactic after the dramatic finale to series 10.<br />
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That's strange for an episode which is generally very upbeat. Peter Capaldi is living his fanboy dream. Bill brings her fun energy to the story, but it's still cheap to bring her back and not give her a character arc. All she does is react to the Doctors. (Now <i>that</i> is sexist.)<br />
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David Bradley is enjoyable as the First Doctor. He's clearly having a great time, playing the straight man to Capaldi's goofiness and employing a little of the First Doctor's naughty sexism (it wasn't that ubiquitous, but yeah, it was that hilariously bad). He doesn't work, though, largely because you simply can't recast the Doctor with another actor. The Doctor's not a part; he's an actor. (I'm going to write more about that).<br />
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<i>Doctor Who </i>hasn't done regeneration stories well in a long time (nothing matches the final 25 minutes of 1969's <i>The War Games</i> if you ask me), but I usually find the actual moment of regeneration emotional. Not so here. The story didn't have any momentum and deleting the villains removed any actual stakes, so the actual tension of the change, and the dread inevitability that permeated the final moments of Nine, Ten (if you skip that horrid 30-minute epilogue as I do), and Eleven's regenerations is missing. Moffat is on total auto-pilot. He's barely trying.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
The whole episode is a raving self-indulgent mess, with Capaldi soliloquizing to his heart's content. I'm puzzled to read all the reviews delighted with the story's emotion - it's nothing <i>but</i> emotion, which is the problem! Capaldi delivers a long string of inspiration-poster-quotes and then explodes in a scene almost identical to the ending of <i>The Doctor Falls</i>. It's horrible and sad, because Capaldi deserved better. Moffat's written damn good speeches for <i>Doctor Who</i> before. This wasn't one of them. It's almost entirely recycled Capaldi Biggest Hits. It's like Moffat knew Capaldi had to have a final speech, so he pulled some stuff from the archives and perfunctorily stuck it in a blender. It really needs an editor.<br />
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And doesn't that just sum it up? Poor Steven Moffat. He needed an editor.<br />
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<b>Closing Thoughts on the Moffat Era</b><br />
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But you know what? It's the end of an era. So let's not end on that note. Because, despite this trainwreck of an episode, Steven Moffat is one of the best writers the show has ever had. He was consistently the best writer in the Davies era, and has delivered some of the show's most beautiful and compelling stories in his own era. He's a truly brilliant writer, and has been a gift to the series. His failures as a showrunner have been numerous, but he also gave us Matt Smith's brilliant Doctor, and 7 out of my top 10 New Who episodes are Moffat episodes (<i>The Empty Child, Silence in the Library, Blink, </i><i>The Eleventh Hour, A Christmas Carol, The Girl in the Fireplace, Heaven Sent.</i>)<br />
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The final Jodie Whittaker scene, showing almost nothing of her character (unlike the best of these scenes) and recycling the Matt Smith exploding TARDIS sequence doesn't make me optimistic about Chris Chibnall. The show needs new ideas - the only new idea he's shown is <i>what if...the Doctor...was a woman!</i> And that won't carry the show.<br />
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Shout out to Murray Gold. Rumor is he won't be returning for series 11, which is sad. He's really grown immensely as a composer. It's mind-blowing that the man who composed this <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9OAkfCKERI">dorky sci-fi music</a> also composed this <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pICWVgHL08">Beethoven-esque virtuoso score.</a><br />
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As for Capaldi, he was a rough sell for me. I despised his first season, and he only partially won me over in series 9. But he's had some incredibly fine moments, and his mellower self's dorky optimism never fails to get to me. He's fully given himself to the part and it's admirable.<br />
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Here are my top 5 Capaldi moments. (My top 5 episodes? From 5 to 1: <i>Listen. Robin of Sherwood. Mummy on the Orient Express. The Husbands of River Song. Heaven Sent.</i>)<br />
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5. The moment I decided <i>yep, okay, he's the Doctor.</i><br />
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4. What <i>should </i>have been Capaldi's final speech, from <i>The Doctor Falls.</i><br />
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3. I love all of <i>The Husbands of River Song</i>, but there are two standout moments, so I'm going to cheat and include both. The first is a lovely, moving ending to the River Song saga. And then Peter Capaldi's funniest moment in the series.<br />
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2. Going to cheat again and say all of <i>Heaven Sent</i>, which is really one long Capaldi moment.<br />
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1. An obvious choice, but Capaldi really does it all here. He has to sell the idea that he's persuading a stone-cold terrorist to step down. He does it flawlessly. He's a force of nature.<br />
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Doctor, I let you go.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Longish</span>Hannah Longhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15529410255089707007noreply@blogger.com8