STORY PLOTLINE

The TARDIS arrives on Earth in 1925 where, due to a case of mistaken identity, the Doctor ends up playing in a local cricket match. The travellers then accept an invitation to a masked fancy dress ball, but events take on a more sinister tone as a number of murders are perpetrated at the country home of their host Lord Cranleigh.

The Doctor comes under suspicion but the murderer is eventually revealed to be Cranleigh's brother George, who has been kept locked up in the house ever since returning in a deranged and disfigured state from an expedition up the Amazon to find the legendary black orchid.

DVD EXTRAS

• NOW & THEN - THE LOCATIONS OF BLACK ORCHID
• DOCTOR WHO - COMING SOON TO DVD... - THE TRIAL OF A TIME LORD
• PHOTO GALLERY + DELETED SCENES + EASTER EGG
• BLACK ORCHID - FILM RESTORATION
• BLUE PETER ITEM + POINTS OF VIEW ITEM
• STRIPPED FOR ACTION - THE STORY OF DOCTOR WHO COMICS - THE FIFTH DOCTOR
• COMMENTARY - Peter Davison, Janet Fielding, Matthew Walterhouse and Sarah Sutton

COMMENT - SPOILERS AHEAD

The eyeofhorus.org.uk jury is still deliberating on whether "reduced content" single disc DOCTOR WHO DVD releases are worth the "recommended retail price" of £12.99 - even though this site either receives them as gratis "review copies" or for £8.99 - or that two stories are combined on one dual-layer disc for the full £19.99 price.

The "extras" on these discs have either been excellently produced or content that would not have challenged the mental capacity of a two-year old child (see THE SONTARAN EXPERIMENT 's fan-made Sontaran trudging across heathland). More often than not content has not been coordinated across the "production teams" involved, resulting in the DVD commentary team discussing specifics that are then later repeated in talking-heads documentary interviews. The viewer is then sitting there thinking, "say something we you've not said before".

However, DOCTOR WHO - BLACK ORCHID DVD release is a balanced & considered product, with the highlight being the "Carry On.esque" (read: risqué) commentary from the main cast that verged on a "15" BBFC rating as opposed to the granted "PG" (Parental Guidance).

If you are a fan of the BLACK ORCHID story, as I am, the commentary may disappoint as the majority of their observations are disparagingly and less than complimentary. However, at the time over ten million viewers enjoyed the broadcast.

The only salvation is Sarah Sutton - the runt of the commentary team, for she seemed to be sidelined under the personality pressure influence of Davison-Fielding-Waterhouse - who admitted:

Sarah Sutton: I liked it because it wasn't science fiction. I do take your point. It was a lazy story.

As I said the commentary (probably recorded after the recording of another DVD and several bottles of wine or beer) is risqué and saucy at times, focussing on the actors involvement rather than an overall assessment of the production. This is due in part to a lack of production staff on the commentary team. As Davison stated:

Peter Davison: You're stuck with the actors!

With that said, the commentary is highly enjoyable and, at times, laugh-out-loud comedy. Matthew Waterhouse seems to be enjoying himself. No, not with hands in pockets. Listen to the "Smutty" sequence for an example.

On BLACK ORCHID :

Peter Davison: Not my favourite story. Terrence Dudley is not my favourite writer, I admit. I don't think it stands up. It's a melodrama.
Janet Fielding: There are fans who like this two-parter.
Matthew Waterhouse: I wonder if the guest stars watch BLACK ORCHID and think it's the highlight of their careers.

On the cricket sequences:

Peter Davison: It's the only think I can be positive about.
Janet Fielding: Silly-mid on, really.
Matthew Waterhouse: It's a two-parter and we're watching cricket for five minutes.

On the Fancy Dress party sequence, and Adric's pirate outfit:

Janet Fielding: How cold was I?
Sarah Sutton: You didn't really look like Johnny Depp.

On the Doctor getting lost in the "Priest-hole" in his dressing gown:

Peter Davison: I could give a master-class in corridor acting.
Janet Fielding: I have never seen a Doctor going to the toilet.

Now, that's a statement that we've all wanted to say. Fielding comments on the lack of Davison's chest hair and whether he shaved or not. Added to this her comments about "The Unknown's" Judy Finnegan boob-moment (as he bends down to strangle Ann) and the appearance of Lady Cranleigh in the "back passage". I am beginning to wonder if she's been downing the complimentary alcohol too quickly.

However, whilst the overall commentary is negative there is a pure gem for episode 2. One word. A single word that has the commentary team in stitches. "Madge".

On the ending:

Peter Davison: The ending seemed to be stuck on. Sorry if we were a bit down about BLACK ORCHID .

Whilst the commentary was very enjoyable to listen to, without the awkward silences that often litter some DVD presentations, the comments were imbalanced in favour of actor anecdotes ignoring overall production content (yes, there were minor comment about Gareth Milne's stunt fall, and the weather).

The additional "extras" are no less entertaining.

The highlight being the brief explanation of how the film sequences were restored to their original broadcast quality from 1982. Stunning work by the restorers once again.

The Easter Egg is a true fan-hunt as it is so obscure. In the "Special Features" menu, select "Points of View" and then "Arrow Left" on the remote control. The Easter eggs features a "Ceefax graphic".