The Krotons

29 Dec 2004, 12:51 pm
Dorney
Time Lord

Bromley, Kent
Joined April 22, 2004
Last On: Today 2:51 pm
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Re: Day by Day

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The Krotons 1:

Often, when I start my reviews, I have a vague idea of an opening line or an opening thought. Seeing as it's the festive season and I'm about to work my way through the Krotons I did think about something along the lines of 'well, I'm not going to make any Christmas Turkey jokes', or something equally crap, but this was blasted from my mind by something bizarre.

You see, opening up the box to put in the VHS last night, I was shocked to discover that it was still in its celophane wrapper. I'd never actually watched the VHS. Inside the box I discovered a receipt, as I used to be in the habit of storing each receipt in the relevant box. This receipt was dated April 1997. The Krotons has sat, unwatched and unopened on my shelf for nearly eight years.

It's somewhat indicative of the general feel of the story's reception in fandom. In deed, it is by some degree a good indicator of how useful going through the stories in order is - as I've said before, it does force you to watch all the stories you might not have come back to.

And it's a shame especially because I, well, rather like it. The first episode is, so far, quite interesting and intriguing, offering a few nasty little conceits. OK, there are problems. The sets seem a little crowded (that hall should be bigger), and one or two of the performances are a bit weak (the main Gond leader most obviously). And the plot seems in a little bit of a rush to get going - the Gonds are terribly quick to accept the word of a stranger, and are prepared to renounce their long standing beliefs almost instantly - and we sort of know who the villains are a little too quickly, when there should have been a little more mystery.

But there's a lot of good stuff there. The selection and murder of the best students is suitably creepy and nasty (especially because of the joy at their initial taking). And you can't really knock Phillip Madoc in anything (it's something of a shame that a character we shouldn't really be noticing yet is clearly the most commanding performance in the story, but that's a minor quibble when he's so darn good). There's a rather enjoyable fight scene for Jamie (compare and contrast with Zoe's in the Mind Robber). But perhaps most clearly of all it's just relatively well written. My main criticism of the last four stories has been the seeming lack of narrative progression. This story actually does seem to progress, at least so far. The fact that it's the only properly brief story this season - heck, since Tomb - has to help, as suddenly you don't get the feeling of a writer struggling to fill in the time. And there's also some nice characterisation around the fringes (the scientist bloke I seem to recall being fun, and the regulars have plenty of good material). And finally, the plot genuinely does intrigue. Keeping the Kroton's off screen adds to the enigma of the story, and you find yourself asking a lot of questions. Sure, overall it's a little simplistic and unsophisticated, but it's entertaining, and seems to have the beginnings of a proper plot. Could be quite enjoyable.

Shame I hadn't broken into earlier, perhaps.

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Last edited by Dorney; 29 Dec 2004 at 1:34 pm.


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#166 30 Dec 2004, 12:21 pm
Dorney
Time Lord

Bromley, Kent
Joined April 22, 2004
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Re: Day by Day

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The Krotons 2:

Still quite liking this one. Something of a quiet episode this, only really featuring the regulars, the Krotons, and the Gond leader with anything more than a transitory appearance. And all the better for it. I can't think of an episode that has used its regulars and their individual strength's and personalities as effectively as this for quite some time. Even sequences like Zoe's defeat of the Cyber invasion fleet don't really count, as that's a slightly ludicrous comic book version of her intelligence - here, it seems relatively realistically handled.

Basically, this episode is very much driven by the personalities of the regulars. The plot progresses because of who they are, and that's a good thing. Too often you get stories where the regulars are just an addenda to the events, here they drive it (the Kroton's couldn't be resurrected without them). And it's good to see that even this early, Robert Holmes can already pinpoint the personalities of the regulars. The Doctor/Zoe banter is the principal joy of this episode. The humour of this scene is done in the best way - through characterisation rather than simply adding jokes. We laugh because of how the characters interact and experience the situation, and because we know them and their idiosyncracies.

Jamie gets a slightly less active role, but again it's his personality that drives the set up of the cliffhanger, and the differences between him and the others in the TARDIS crew that cause it. It's quality writing, with each of the characters roles only being playable by them - it has to be Zoe first at the computer, rather than the Doctor, because she's naive enough not to realise what will happen, education and knowledge without much common sense being her defining characteristic. Similarly the Doctor is the more heroic sacrificial figure - he could go in alone, and Zoe would let him. And Jamie of course is defined by a fairly A-B mindset - honest, reliable and true, and very very loyal. If you want a story to show how well this team works, look no further. To be honest, their individual characterisation is so good that it doesn't really matter that every other character seems to be drawn from stock - the serious and sensible, honourable leader; the lippy rebel, and so on.

It's quite a slight episode otherwise, but it does keep moving the plot onward, and that's still something of a relief. The revelation that the Kroton's have been in suspension all the time is a fantastic twist, and shows quite clearly that the story has a few ideas up its sleeve. And I don't think they look all that dreadful. Sure, they're not the best looking monster going, and their clippy little hand things aren't much use, but they're not inherently dreadful - and the voice is wonderful.

So still fun. Unsophisticated, but fun.


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#167 5 Jan 2005, 11:22 pm
Dorney
Time Lord

Bromley, Kent
Joined April 22, 2004
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Re: Day by Day

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The Krotons 3:

Well, if I must.

I've been putting this one off for a while now. First, I watched it on New Years Eve. And then I had better things to do. But that's only part of the problem.

This episode is just so.... well, episode three-ish. Nothing really happens. It's the traditional shape of the first two episodes setting up and then embellishing the premise, the monsters, the threat and so on... and then we just get an episode of treading water waiting for the climax to take place.

This is most obvious in the fact that now the monsters have been reactivated, they suddenly decide that they'd don't want to do anything. Well, one chases after the Doctor and Zoe, but that's hardly a model of industry. They don't really interact with the guest cast at all, and as a result, seeing as the Doctor and Zoe are equally distracted, the Gonds have to interact with themselves. Suddenly the story veers from being an engaging mystery into petty politics (regardless of Phillip Madoc's undeniable charisma, this strand remains clear window dressing). It's still kind of entertaining - but now the monsters have woken up, we want monster action. Not monster discussion.

There's a lot of fun stuff in the episode - the HADS is quite a nice little trick for winding up the tension... even if it is a total cheat in the long run. There's a smashing cliffhanger. And the Kroton's are still quite entertaining. But it's all sound and fury, signifying nothing. Too much of the episode is spent with the Gonds yelling at each other, and completely failing to do anything.

The only real bonuses are in the characterisation, with most of the guest cast getting clearly developed (Eelek and Beta make a nice little impression). And it remains passably enjoyable, if not terribly exciting. If I'm honest, I'm still enjoying the story enough that I'm looking forward to the final episode.

And that's about all I can think of to say. Sorry.


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#168 7 Jan 2005, 12:17 am
Dorney
Time Lord

Bromley, Kent
Joined April 22, 2004
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Re: Day by Day

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The Krotons 4:

A little too late, we get an explanation of the plot. The whole desires of the Krotons are rather nasty when you think about them - years of slavery and oppression is merely the by-product of the Kroton's plans, rather than their raison d'etre. The sheer casual nature of that is terrifying. They simply want to turn them into batteries. It's a lovely, dark, central conceit.

And it's a surprisingly dark episode too. Eelek turning the Doctor and Zoe over to the Kroton's is quite casually nasty and relatively realistic (for once, all the noble slaves aren't portrayed as nice chaps to a man, some are opportunistic). And rather interestingly, Selris' death follows the pattern of your traditional self-sacrifice - but he clearly doesn't intend or plan on dying (his final moments are even slightly cowardly).

If anything, it goes to prove there's a far more interesting story here than the reputation suggests. Sure, it has the feel of a cheapie, with the central hall feeling far too crowded far too often. But it's got a lot more plot going for it than any story so far this season (and it still would if it was expanded to their lengths), and quite an original plot. In fact, I can't really see why this story has a bad reputation. Low points: The cheapness, the Kroton's design (and even then, it really is just the skirt) and Selris' performance. Even the slightly deus ex machina ending has been carefully layered since episode three. Yes, it's a simple story, but is that a shooting offence? We need the small ones. Massive epics are all well and good, but we'd get tired if they were all we had. My main feeling is that Krotons gets picked on because it was the 5 Faces repeat, and it was pretty much the first example a lot of fans had of watching a Troughton story out of context (in deed, I think the review in the 2nd Dr Handbook pretty much slags the story for not being as good as its soundtrack, so this seems fair). In contrast to the fuzzy memories of season 5, this can't have seemed to be anywhere near what the fans though Who should be in 1980. My long standing suggestion in this thread is that Who fans remain determined to worship the stories that they think are more 'adult'. Hence the popularity of the Invasion, a bland storyline told with absolute conviction. Personally, I want entertaining stories, and ultimately I think I prefer the Krotons.

Overall, it's a well structured and entertaining piece. A slow build, and a lovely denoument, with some nicely done comic business from the Doctor and Zoe offsetting the finale. Jamie's been a little stuck out of the action for the past two episodes, but he gets plenty of amusing stuff with Beta in this episode. In plot terms, it's got a lovely progression, with the story clearly gaining momentum and direction throughout. In this season that's a rarity that should be celebrated.

Not a classic, it has to be said, more a quietly successful unambitious romp. It wants to entertain, engage and amuse and it does so. The most straightforwardly unpretentious and enjoyable story this season.


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#169 7 Jan 2005, 2:05 am
Max K Wilkie
Time Lord

Sydney, Australia
Joined April 18, 2004
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Re: Day by Day

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I really love your reviews, Dorney, and I can't wait for you to get to Season Seven - my overall favourite season from the show. And It contains my favourite story, Ambassadors. But your other reviews will most definately keep me entertained!

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Mind the gap.

The Next Doctor - 9/10
Planet of the Dead - 7/10


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#170 7 Jan 2005, 7:33 am
The Secretive Bus
Time Lord

Edinburgh
Joined April 18, 2004
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Re: Day by Day

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Nice Krotons review - I'd say I prefer it to The Invasion too, mainly because I hadn't built up any sort of opinion of The Krotons before I watched it, so wasn't disappointed when it turned out a little simplistic. Still, I love the Krotons themselves with their accents, and it's just a rather good little story all round.

I'm actually rather looking forward to your Space Pirates reviews, as it's a slagged off story but I personally think it's rather great having listened to the sound track. Watched episode 2 again yesterday and it was very entertaining...

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Ben grins out of the cockpit window:
“I am only borrowing this. I’m Ben Chatham” before expertly taking off into the clouds.

- "Face of Death" by Sparacus


"They laughed at Gallileo once."
- Sparacus