Keys of Marinus - The Sensorites

Dorney
Started Keys of Marinus last night. It's quite fun so far, if a little oddly staged and directed. It does seem Terry Nation is trying to recreate the success of the Daleks episode 1, with a long drawn out opening with little happening, a mysterious city, and slow menace, but does lose it a little when the story dictates it has to rush to an end.And it's interesting to see the non-altruistic nature of the TARDIS crew, flatly refusing to help when asked. It's not been as obvious so far (this is the first time they're asked to be heroic).

Dorney
Well, had the Velvet Web tonight. Quite interesting, and it's bizarre they didn't try to build a plot around the premise. Some of the alternative view stuff, altered perspective stuff is great. But it's all a bit rushed in one episode. And they all seem to forget about the Key to wallow in luxury!

Dorney
Well I fell a bit behind over XMas, what with various other things wanting my time, so I'm about four episodes behind (up to the Warriors of Death: Aztecs 2)The Screaming Jungle struck me very much as an episode that would work brilliantly if it had been wiped. The cheapness of the set, the dodgy direction of it all would be unnoticeable if all we had to go on was a soundtrack. It's a shame, as the speeded up forest is probably the nicest concept of the Marinus stories.The Snows of Terror is the only one of the stories that seems to fit one episode well - mainly because it doesn't seem to have an idea what it's about. No actual concept, or premise. It's they land in a snowy landscape. That's it. No real twists, no real idea. Not really about anything.The last two, Sentence of Death and Keys of Marinus are both entertaining enough. It's odd how the absence of the Doctor for two episodes doesn't really matter and shows how much of an ensemble show it is. Shame the whodunnit is made as easy as it is - it's solved in ten minutes. And why reveal who the villain is straight away, when it's played as a big suprise in the second half (why does he come to pick up the key wearing a bag on his head - surely that makes him look more suspicious? It's as if he expects someone to come and capture him and he wants them to have a nice dramatic moment).The stuff with Yartek is all very rushed, and Sabetha in Altos are suddenly in love (they've shown sod all inclination to romance in the previous four episodes).The Aztecs so far is sublime, of course. Doesn't quite feel like the same series as the rest of the stories though, which is odd. The DVD vidfiring adds to this feeling a bit - not that that's a bad thing. Probably the first story to have a really solid dramatic core - possibly excepting Unearthly Child and Edge of Destruction.

Dorney
Finished the Aztecs, and loved it as much as ever. Still feels like another series. And the shortness seems a bit of a shock after having had practically nothing but sprawling epics. Nice to see a taut script for once, probably the first time.Sensorites 1 doesn't work that well by being seen right next to it. It's pleasant enough, and quite tense at moments, but the writing is clearly weaker than the previous story - lots of padding and rather weird exposition (both combined in the odd initial scene with the 'story so far' recap). Seen on it's own it probably works better - but the padding would still be obvious.Strange and eerie cliffhanger though.

Alzarian
Congrats on your epic quest. My own random thoughts having read your posts...1-4. The first episode is still pretty cool, and the use of flashbacks gives this episode a totally different feel from the rest. And I suppose I'm more forgiving, but I find the next three episodes to be enjoyable, becuase it further develops the cast.5-11. The first appearance of the Daleks is handled rather well. They really are a magnificent creation, though I would in time grow rather weary of their monotic voices. Nonetheless, in this story they are fresh, and I really adore the costume design. Plus the hints of a romance for Barbara...12-13. The scene in "The Brink of Disaster" when Barbara lectures the Doctor is extremely powerful coming after the first twelve episodes. I much prefer this sort of continuity, that is, character development.14-20. I still haven't experienced the Marco Polo episodes in any format, except for having read the Target novelization long ago. I've yet to get the audio, and will, but must admit that there is a part of me that likes it remaining a mystery. Guess I'm wondering if it could live up to the epic adventure in my mind. I must say that I love the fact that this story breaks convention, (if that is possible so early in the series), by spanning a period of several months, as the crew travels by land. Very refreshing choice from the usual adventure in one or two days.21-26. The Keys of Marinus sequence is rather cool in my personal opinion, but then i like the idea of a quest, and the changing locales every episode gives this a bit more of an epic feel than most stories. The 2nd episode has the best bug-eyed moster yet. This story is really a collection of mini-adventures, almost a short story collection, and I appreciate the change in style as an experiment. Plus, how nice to see that Earth isn't the only planet with variety.27-30. Barbara is truly a goddess, and this show would have been nothing without the combined talents of William Russell, but especially Jacqueline Hill. The only sadness I get out of watching the early serials, is the realization that the balanced ensemble piece would eventually become a starring vehicle for one lead actor, with "companions". Back in this time, all roles were fairly well balanced.

Dorney
Very good points - the romance in the Daleks is so ignored (perhaps because fans want her to be with Ian). Very subtle and sweet.And there is definitely the feeling of a true ensemble show. The fact that the Dr doesn't feature at all in two episodes reemphasise this.The ongoing saga thing worked very well initially, with the first three really working as a unit, a journey. Basically a thirteen episode story (you never realise how much backstory is saved til the Daleks, what with the food machine turning up). Barbaras continuity gush in Edge seems perfectly justified in this context - it's still one big story, links going from tale to tale. By the time of Sensorites it isn't seeming the same. The lack of a solid, obvious link between Marco Polo, Marinus and the Aztecs loses continuity. The update at the beginning of Sensorites seem to be lip service.

Dorney
Up to episode three of the Sensorites.The second part is quite nice - ok, padded as hell, with Ian and Barbara searching for the Sensorites for no clear purpose (the moment they find them they run away). But it's quite tense and claustrophobic.One thing very noticeable so far are the weak resolutions to cliffhangers. Both are quite good, but seem arbitrary. At the end of part one, the Sensorites have a dramatic arrival - and then their presence is ignored for ten minutes or so (longer in real time) as the cast carry on the thread of the plot that the cliffhanger interrupted. Episode two's resolution is similar - Susan's acquiescence is desposed of so quickly and offhandedly it's untrue.You do really get the feeling the story was written first, the cliffhangers added in at the correct point at a later date.The move to the Sense-sphere is a jolt. There's real claustrophobia to the initial episodes, and it's bound to dissipate. Generally it's all okay. Nothing too exciting, but pleasant and interesting enough. It's probably best viewed in its first series context, as the show hasn't totally become an action adventure series yet - this is a slow thoughtful piece, that's more about ideas than actual plot. Rather atypical, and quite grown up in its treatment of aliens.The masks ain't bad either - for the time, they're quite convincing.

Dorney
Episode four. Still ambling along pleasantly enough.It's quite nice as an attempt at an alien culture. Too often in the show the aliens are all one note - defined by one characteristic. They're all either good or evil, the Daleks are fascists, the Sontarans warriors, the Draconians nobles, etc. The Sensorites are as varied as humanity. Anyone who complains that they aren't very alien is missing the point. They're a race of individuals, which is rather cool.And the criticism of the sash swapping seems out of place to me too. It's explicitly discussed in the show, and the Administrator only tries it on with the general populace who won't know them that well.Speaking of the administrator - Poor old Peter Glaze gets to play the chief villain and is only ever referred to as 'Fourth' Sensorite in the end credits! Despite his character having a proper name.

Dorney
Just finished the Sensorites - I'm an episode behind, so I'll pop on Reign later today.Thoughts on the last two - another couple of rather trite cliffhanger resolutions (the whole kidnap subplot goes nowhere at all, it lasts about five minutes).Interesting how John becomes a bland and badly acted cypher the moment his mind comes back. Dartnell has nothing but strange line deliveries...The famous 'I heard them over... over... talking' fluff is my favourite so far. If Hartnell or anyone else does them, they usually cover with a degree of conviction. (Going straight onto the correct line as if nothing's happened, or just pretending you said what you meant to say even if it's gibberish). However, in this one you can see him panic as he hasn't the faintest idea how to get out. Wonderful.John Bailey is rather brilliant as the lead human - shame that the other two humans are acting like the Tribe of Gum whilst he's acting like a school prefect. The ending is rather rushed though - the Administrator is foiled off camera, John and Carol depart off camera, we don't find out whether there was a monster, and if not what made the sound...Slightly barking cliffhanger too, with the Doctor completely over-reacting.General thoughts - rather nice. Not terribly exciting and never going to be the best story in the world - but the padding is no worse than 'The Daleks' and it's very different. Absolutely MUST be watched in episodes rather than a whole. Watch it for two hours solid, your mind will open and drive you mad too.