From: jasstev@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (stevens jason)
Subject: Re: Colin Baker poll
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana
Date: Sun, 8 Nov 1992 02:50:31 GMT

bmcraw01@ulkyvx.louisville.edu writes:

>What is the general opinion of Colin Baker's version of the Doctor?  My local
>PBS station recently started showing the episodes where he portrays the Doctor,
>and so far, I'm not impressed.  I've seen Pertwee, Tom Baker, and Davison, and
>I've liked each of them much better than Colin Baker.  What are some other
>opinions out there?

 I think alot of people are unfair to dear old Colin, so Ill back him up.
 Colin always wanted to play the role differently, but was always told by
 Eric saward to be outrageuos and OTT. he didnt like that, but had no choice.
 Why JNT didnt say to Saward otherwise is beyond me.
 Colin never liked what he had to wear. That prejudices people from the start-
 his awful dress sense (although I liked it)
 Colin is a fine actor and a nice man, who gave his undivided attention to
 Who and still does for fandom. After the way he has been treated by fans and
 the BBc Im surprised he has not walked off in disgust, but he hasnt, and it
 shows he was committed to the show.

 BUT
 story wise, yes the Colin B. era was a little flat.
 (1) The Twin Dilemma. Widely held to be one of the stinkers of the show, I 
 actually really like it. colin is well over the top though. tacky, but fun.
 (2) attack of the Cybermen. MMmm. On the one hand we have a good premise here
 and the return of Lytton, which are good points, lovely Cyber violence.
 But the Cybermen just die too easily, and the body count is a little sickening. (3) Vengeance on Varos.  A highly intelligent script, gloomy, moody, and well
 performed. This is excellent, but a little violent for some people.
 (4) Maak of the Rani. A good idea here, but the unecessary inclusion of the
 Master spoils the story. I still have nothing really to complain about, apart
 from the weakness of Attack.
 (5) Timelash. Well....its badly produced, the script isnt fully ready, Paul
 Darrow is an embarrasment. Not good. However, the HG Wells twist is a marvelous tinge to an otherwise very average story
 (6) The Two Doctors. Great to see Troughton again, lots of gore and violence
 which is great. I like it.
 (7) Revelation of the Daleks. This has to be called Revelation of Davros because I didnt see that many Daleks!!! Too many things going on here, we could have got rid of that awful DJ. Good cast though and some of the best stabbings on
 tv. it puts you off sausages aswell.
 (8) Trial of a Time Lord
 some good ideas in here but it all fell very flat in episodes 4 to 8 and 11 and 12. The plot is confusing as it unwinds but there are some classic moments
 -episode 3 cliffhanger
 -Peris death (BUT not subsequent ressurection)
 -terror of the Vervoids, nice premise.
 -Sabalom Glitz
 -the Master appearing on the Matrix screen
 As a season of dr Who though its naff. But we see colin in these 14 episodes
 as a much different person, his character is toned down somewhat. The 
 original idea tyo have the DR and the Valeyard stuck in the Matrix a sa season
 cliffhanger was good, but JNT fear of Grades axe stopped him..it could have
 been seen as a good way to end the series.
   Colin needs to be done justice. His stories were accpetable, but the scripts
   still needed work. And he needs a regeneration (read Love and War!) to
   justify his tenure.
   Such a shame. Here was an actor willing to give it his all
   versus a BBc plotting his downfall. i personally like the Colin era, brief
   though it is. Your problem is a tired producer who should have gone after
   the 21st season.

   Anybody care to differ?
   Jason.

>-- 
>========================================================================
>| Bruce M. Crawford                           !  "It's not the years,  !
>|                                             !   it's the mileage."   !
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