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I watched this ahead of schedule because I am role-playing Jack/Rani and I thought it sensible to learn more about the character. And a fantastic character she is too - cool and sexy and utterly fascinating as a villain who's not intrinsically villainous like the Master but merely absorbed by her science and not at all concerned about the effects of it on anyone else. And the interplay between her and the Master is hugely entertaining, even if they do both give in to the Doctor a little too easily.
Unfortunately, the Rani and the Master are by far the best things in this serial. (Oh, and the scenery of Blists Hill museum, which I visited on a family holiday not that long after this serial was made in 1984.) I'd been interested to see how I liked watching the Sixth Doctor again, because when I first watched his stories (as a pre/early-teen) I thought Colin Baker rather hot. Not as hot as Peter Davison, of course, but still rather hot. But in the snippets I've seen since then, however, I didn't like him. And, yeah, I didn't like him in this either. He has the same arrogance and rudeness that all incarnations of the Doctor display, but in him, rather than being cool or funny, they're just annoying. I couldn't like him.
And as for Peri... What is the point of her character? I don't think it's Nicola Bryant's fault - I've seen her in other things since and she was all right - as much as the writers/directors. All she seems to do is state the obvious, look frightened (which she admittedly does very well *g*) and get in the way/fail to save the Doctor. I don't think she actually did anything useful, apart from collect the plant for the sleeping draught, and even that involved getting caught in a minefield and getting a rather handsome young man turned into a tree!
It's a shame, because it's a relatively good story and it was beautifully shot. Mind you, don't get me started on those atrocious 'northern' accents! *g*
ETA: Nearly forgot to mention, this was my first good look at the Master's TCE and wow. Could that thing be any more phallic????
Also: Has anyone ever slashed Ainley!Master/Avon? Because they should.
Unfortunately, the Rani and the Master are by far the best things in this serial. (Oh, and the scenery of Blists Hill museum, which I visited on a family holiday not that long after this serial was made in 1984.) I'd been interested to see how I liked watching the Sixth Doctor again, because when I first watched his stories (as a pre/early-teen) I thought Colin Baker rather hot. Not as hot as Peter Davison, of course, but still rather hot. But in the snippets I've seen since then, however, I didn't like him. And, yeah, I didn't like him in this either. He has the same arrogance and rudeness that all incarnations of the Doctor display, but in him, rather than being cool or funny, they're just annoying. I couldn't like him.
And as for Peri... What is the point of her character? I don't think it's Nicola Bryant's fault - I've seen her in other things since and she was all right - as much as the writers/directors. All she seems to do is state the obvious, look frightened (which she admittedly does very well *g*) and get in the way/fail to save the Doctor. I don't think she actually did anything useful, apart from collect the plant for the sleeping draught, and even that involved getting caught in a minefield and getting a rather handsome young man turned into a tree!
It's a shame, because it's a relatively good story and it was beautifully shot. Mind you, don't get me started on those atrocious 'northern' accents! *g*
ETA: Nearly forgot to mention, this was my first good look at the Master's TCE and wow. Could that thing be any more phallic????
Also: Has anyone ever slashed Ainley!Master/Avon? Because they should.