Doctor Who: season 16

[altariel]

The Ribos Operation
mraltariel: What a cracking start to a season!
altariel: Do you mean the pan up Mary Tamm's legs?
mraltariel: That too.
altariel: Yes, this is lovely.
mraltariel: I don't think we've had such a good season opener since 'Day of the Daleks'.
altariel: Everything about it is wonderful.
mraltariel: All the performances have conviction, even Tom's.
altariel: Prentice Hancock isn't crap. We're just listing things now. Binro the Heretic.
mraltariel: Scringestone.
altariel: *collapses with laughter* I never remember the scringestone. Are they the best Holmesian double act?
mraltariel: Probably.
altariel: Of course, we haven't seen William Gaunt yet.
mraltariel: Is he the one from 'The Champions'? What's he got to do with anything?
altariel: Just one of my funny turns.

The Pirate Planet
mraltariel: I'm afraid I don't like this one very much, and its ranking in our ranking chart is higher than I would put it, left to my own devices. But then I would be sad and lonely. So I agree to compromise.
altariel: Well done, darling.
mraltariel: The script is so repetitious, they even comment on how repetitious it is in the script!
altariel: I think the parrot is funny.
mraltariel: Me too.

The Stones of Blood
mraltariel: This one is better than it seems in memory.
altariel: I think there's a lot to like about it, Amelia Rum-thingy not least.
mraltariel: I also like the Megara, but then who doesn't like a sparkly special effect.
altariel: I like the stones. And the blood.

The Androids of Tara
mraltariel: This is a secret favourite of mine.
altariel: Why secret? Joy!
mraltariel: Because the reason for liking it is largely down to the appearance of Anglia TV's 'Through the Night' anchor Mr Paul Laver as the assistant swordsman chappie.
altariel: Yes, that is a reason to keep quiet. This is like Barrayar. They should do whole TV adventure series with dress uniforms and lasers. And he's the best villain. That parting line is a triumph.

The Power of Kroll
mraltariel: This is a lot better than people say.
altariel: I say not. No, to be fair, I think it's just not as good as the stories earlier in the season; there's a loss of energy.
mraltariel: Yes, it sags a little, but the script is good, the locations are interesting, and Kroll is cool. Plus there's John Abineri in a hat.
altariel: And paint. Good constituent parts; whole does not add up.

The Armageddon Factor
mraltariel: Oh god no!
altariel: It does go on.
mraltariel: Even John Woodvine can't get us out of this one.
altariel: It does go on.
mraltariel: And on.
altariel: Still going.
mraltariel: Just when you think it's over, they stop time.
altariel: Still going.
mraltariel: Or stopping. More stopping than going.
altariel: I wish someone would drop a bomb on us.

Ranking
The Ribos Operation
The Androids of Tara
The Stones of Blood
The Pirate Planet/The Power of Kroll
The Armageddon Factor

mraltariel: That was rather a good season. Again.
altariel: Don't sound so surprised!
mraltariel: Tom seemed a bit more under control than he was in season 15. Possibly that's Mary Tamm.
altariel: Yes, I bet he was scared of Mary Tamm. She could eat him for breakfast. She's rather great throughout, I think. I wish they'd kept on with her attempts to psychoanalyse people. It's very funny in 'The Ribos Operation' and then it disappears. Of course, that story is something special.
mraltariel: I suppose we should say something about the over-arching storyline.
altariel: Hey, that was my line!
mraltariel: OK, go on then.
altariel: I suppose we should say something about the over-arching storyline.
mraltariel: Like what?
altariel: It happened.
mraltariel: There was a giant Christmas cracker puzzle. And then it was over. We seem to have settled into a pattern that started back in season 13 where we've got a bunch of stories, the good ones are really quite good, and the less good ones are fine. But there's nothing as exciting and ambitious as we used to get. And I'm thoroughly bored with Tom now.
altariel: I hear that talented young whippersnapper Mr Douglas Adams is taking over. That will surely hold Tom in check.
mraltariel: Or give him a fillip.
altariel: Has 'The Armageddon Factor' finished yet?
mraltariel: Still going.

Comments

[strange-complex.livejournal.com]

I am literally crying with laughter over your Armageddon Factor review. In fact, I think you have given me an asthma attack. The Power of Kroll gets points for Fourth Doctor-torture - although I suspect my reasons for liking that so much are different from yours.

[altariel.livejournal.com]

*pats your back anxiously* I hope you're OK!

Yes, I can see how tying up the lead actor can improve any programme. Hoped you'd use that icon!