In an effort to find something quick that can be written as part of Daily Doctor Who, we are continuing with Say Something Nice, where I look back at each of the Doctor Who stories and pull out one or two cool things about it.
(Daily Doctor Who #118)
Read the previous entry here. Today, we continue with the second season’s final story…
The Time Meddler
Featuring the same cast as last time: William Hartnell as the Doctor, Maureen O’Brien as Vicki, and Peter Purves as Steven Taylor. Guest star Peter Butterworth plays the Monk, who would later become one of the few recurring characters from the early days of the series. Written by Dennis Spooner and directed by Douglas Camfield.
Individual episodes are called The Watcher, The Meddling Monk, A Battle of Wits and Checkmate.
Say Something Nice…
(Named for Missy–aka the Master–and her catchphrase from her first full appearance in Dark Water).
For the first time, Doctor Who gives us a “pseudo-historical” adventure, where the setting is the past but the science fiction elements are broader than the TARDIS and the Doctor himself. The idea of a another time traveler who is more overtly meddling with history is a welcome development for the series, and the overall notion that time is malleable works for Doctor Who much better than the idea that history is fixed.
But because we’re equal-opportunity fans here, we’re not going to only be sycophantically complimentary.
You craven-hearted spineless poltroon!
(Another cry from the Master, but not exactly a catch-phrase, this time from The Deadly Assassin)
I haven’t seen this story in years but reviewing the plot makes it seem like there is a lot of Vicki and Steven going in and out of the monastery and just missing the Doctor each time they do so. It reads a cool story in terms of character and concept, but not all that exciting when it comes to plot.
Catch you next time!
Blue Towel Productions 