The Key to Time/Romana

[unfeathered]

One of the several classic DW serials I got for Christmas was The Key to Time and last night, feeling ill and knackered and not up to anything requiring great attention, I watched the first two episodes of The Ribos Operation.

I was particularly curious about this season of DW because Four and Romana is the first pairing I remember as a child, though it never quite got through to me that Romana was a Time Lady and actually regenerated rather than just got played by another actress - perhaps because at that point I hadn't seen any other Doctors so presumably didn't know about regeneration. I have no idea at what point in the season I started watching either, and whether my parents were just watching it and I just started actually paying attention or what. But I don't remember Four and Sarah Jane and I don't think I remember Four and Leela, though The Face of Evil did feel oddly familiar when I watched it a couple of years ago, but I don't think I'd have been old enough when that was first shown to really watch it. I might have seen bits though. But The Key to Time started airing in September 1978 by which time I was nearly 6, so it probably is round about when I started watching properly.

Anyway, what struck me from those first two episodes last night was how much I liked Mary Tamm's Romana. I didn't remember liking her - I always had a bit of a thing for Lalla Ward, because she was in several other things I saw around that time - but last night I really did love her wit and sarcasm. She makes a good foil for Four. Plus she's absolutely gorgeous. And I adore that white feathery floaty thing she wears in this story!

I'm looking forward to the rest of the season now!

(Note to self: remember to look for more classic Who icons)

Comments

[evilawyer.livejournal.com]

I remember I took an instant liking to Mary Tamm's interpretation, whereas I never really did learn to care for Lalla Ward's. I think, looking back, it was because Mary Tamm's Romana seemed, along with being smart and witty, all coolly in control, but she really was more young and inexperienced than she realized --- and she came to realize that on her travels with the Doctor. Lalla Ward, on the other hand, while doing a great job with Romana II, came off looking too arrogant too quickly for my liking. Too different of a character at her core from the first Romana, I think.

Okay. Reading this, I see now that my inability to tolerate inconsistency in fictional characters stretches way back.

Happy New Year!

[unfeathered]

Heh, that's very interesting!

I watched the second half of the serial last night and yes, already Romana's realising that she doesn't know as much as she thought she did. It's very well played, though, and there's some gorgeous batting back and forth with the Doctor. I shall be interested in watching how that develops through the season, and when Lalla Ward comes along, too. I haven't got her first serial, but I got City of Death for Christmas too so that'll be interesting to watch!

Happy New Year!

[mad-jaks.livejournal.com]

I dimly remember turning Multicoloured Swapshop (I think it was) off because it had Lalla Ward on as a guest and I really 'hated' her for coming along and being Romana instead of Mary Tamm! Can't remember being logical about my thought process as to "why" though...

I do like Lalla in the Big Finish audios when she's in them, but they have a consistency of their own, so it would be hard not to.

[evilawyer.livejournal.com]

Sometimes you just have to give in to getting those knee jerk reactions out. :-)

[unfeathered]

Aww, poor Lalla! I have to admit, I'm going to be interested to see how I react to Lalla now, after enjoying Mary Tamm!

[mad-jaks.livejournal.com]

I got Seeds of Doom for Christmas. It's sitting here, still in its shrink wrap, but tomorrow morning my daughter is going to get mum up for me so I think I might finally be able to unwrap it *is excited*

[unfeathered]

Oooh, there have been mentions of that one in some of the documentaries on mine!