Probably, this second collection contains the most addictive set of "missing" episodes from the Hartnell era, and, as much, is recommended for fans of the NEW SERIES who want to discover the reasons why, nearly 50 years later, the series has become so iconic.
This boxed-set includes:
- THE DALEKS’ MASTER PLAN
- THE MASSACRE
- THE CELESTIAL TOYMAKER
- THE SAVAGES
Intelligent scripting, earnest acting and thrilling plotlines of these stories establish an enduring quality, and, as a CLASSIC SERIES fan, if you have not listened to these in a while then make a cup of Horlicks (and to remain balanced and impartial I must add: “other malted instant drinks available!”) and settle back to doppelganging, a little finger tapping megalomaniac, scheming playing cards and body-snatching aliens from the distant future.
Whilst for some THE CELESTIAL TOYMAKER may be the highlight of this boxed-set, I am drawn to the historical (Paris, 1572) adventure of political intrigue and religious cleansing (the extermination of Protestants by the Catholic ruling class) as the more interesting as it is a brave subject for the DOCTOR WHO series to address (the series had a remit to be “entertaining and educational”). More interesting is the choice of the obscure subject matter, Massacre de la Saint-Barthélemy (read more). It’s hardly instantly recognisable as opposed to that depicted in THE REIGN OF TERROR, or THE AZTECS, or THE MYTH MAKERS but, I think, that is its strength; the audience is left guessing to how the Doctor and Steven can extricate themselves from the perilous events that are spiralling around them. It was creatively brave and I doubt that such an event (say, Northern Ireland’s “Bloody Sunday” - Domhnach na Fola (read more) - massacre of civil rights campaigners by the British Army) would be visited by the BBC WALES’s produced NEW SERIES.
Even though he was coming to the end of his time within DOCTOR WHO, the four-parter demonstrates that William Hartnell was still a considerable acting force as he accepts a dual role as the time traveller and “hated dignitary, the Abbot of Amboise”. Admittedly, and regrettably, with neither characters meeting each other on screen and with the Doctor vanishing on a wild goose chase to liase with a local apothecary Hartnell’s involvement is considerably reduced. This leads to Peter Purves’ Steven Taylor as the main story driver, forced into tangled web of deceit and personal survival that genuinely unsettling (“At dawn tomorrow this city will weep tears of blood”) to listen to.
This original 1966 soundtrack (previously released in 1999) is, at times, indifferent (the sound quality varies from track to track) due to the “source material” of an off-air recording but this adds to the listening experience, mirroring the unimaginable decay and soiling with blood that eventually pours through the Parisian streets that DOCTOR WHO – THE MASSACRE depicts.
Wonderfully absorbing.
The epic 12-part story, THE DALEKS' MASTER PLAN (originally released ten years ago) commences with a truly idiosyncratic, singular episode that is devoid of the regular DOCTOR WHO cast (an idea that could be adopted by the current BBC WALES production team to establish an "arc" throughout a series of stories).
The stand-alone episode broadcast before the 12-parter, MISSION TO THE UNKNOWN (also known as "Dalek Cutaway) - the last episode to bear the first DOCTOR WHO Producer, Verity Lambert - was brave, creative and intriguing, and whets the appetite for the forthcoming epic adventure with the Daleks (separated by the four-parter, THE MYTH MAKERS).Narrated by Peter Purves, the story, THE DALEK’S MASTER PLAN, witnesses the Dalek Empire’s unquenchable need to gain control of the Solar System with the aid of the Time Destructor (a slightly less majestic plan than Davros’ in JOURNEY’S END where he planned to destroy the Universe’s “reality” itself with the aid of a marginally more exciting – though it’s name is ridiculous – “reality bomb”. I wonder if that phrase was stencilled on its side?). In an attempt to thwart this classic Terry Nation scheme, the Doctor (William Hartnell) steals the Time Destructor’s central power source (Taranium) and absconds throughout time:space in an adventure of “hide and seek”, taking him to jungles, desert plains, volcanoes, a dalek city and a Hollywoodland “film-set”.
Coincidentally, the release of THE DALEKS’ MASTER PLAN is timed near to the recent death of CLASSIC SERIES actor, Nicholas Courtney and provides a fitting tribute as this story sees his first appearance in the series. Making an appearance in the first four episodes, Courtney played Bret Vyon, a Space Security Service agent on the trail of Marc Cory (who, unbeknown by Vyon, had been… well, listen to MISSION TO THE UNKNOWN). Courtney’s performance and integration with the cast & crew endeared him the producers and in less than two years he had secured the role – Lethbridge-Stewart - that was to impinge him on the minds & hearts of DOCTOR WHO fans for decades to come.
The bonus material – scans of the original camera scripts for each episode - is fascinating, detailing the intricate planning required to record on not only a tight financial budget but on time and within the limited confines of Riverside Studios. In the second of bonus material, Mark Aryes talks to Peter Purves about his time working on the series and his professional relationship with William Hartnell. Revealing.
Written by Brian Hayles, THE CELESTIAL TOYMAKER is that “sideways” step that gave series’ writers & producers to be experimental (read: cheap and studio-bound) and yet remain quintessentially DOCTOR WHO. It is surprising that such a simple conceit (a story about children’s games organised by a bully who always wants/needs to win – NEW SERIES fans should think of the lead character in this story as similar in power & influence as STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION’s “Q” entity) is such a lauded story yet it remains an almost “holy grail” for CLASSIC SERIES fans. With an outstanding & restrained performance from Hartnell and an ethereal presence of Michael Gough (as the titular lead), THE CELESTIAL TOYMAKER is compelling listening (the final episode is the only one to remain on film – see the 2004 BBC DVD release, DOCTOR WHO - LOST IN TIME
).
Seemingly, Ian Stuart Black’s THE SAVAGES mirrors THE MASSACRE in its portrayal of inhumanity against humanity itself. Parasitic “Elders” pray on the life essence (draining “vitality” and transferring it to a more deserving & discerning body) of the “Savages” like intergalactic body snatchers, and their leader, Jago, seeks a new victim that could see the end of the Doctor’s travels in time:space.
If NEW SERIES’ (SERIES 2) NEW EARTH was a resonating story then THE SAVAGES will be familiar listening.
In 2009, BBC RADIO 4’s Shaun Ley investigated the vexed subject of “missing DOCTOR WHO TV episodes” as part of the “Archive on 4” strand of programmes. To date, with 180 episodes of the CLASSIC SERIES still missing (either in an original film or video format), this one-hour feature discusses the valuable contribution life-long fans has been in providing off-air audio recording of the errant content and how the material is updated for a modern audience.
This a fascinating programme and demonstrates the lengths that the BBC (and AUDIOGO) have gone to in ensuring that the legacy of the DOCTOR WHO pioneers will not be lost, and that the hunt continues. With contributions from DOCTOR WHO actors - the ever-giggling Deborah Watling - and "hunters through time:space" from the BBC - like Sue Malden and chap called Phil ) who have (and continue) endeavoured to recover-and-restore (sounds like dalek chant) missing episodes. Thankfully, these are tenacious characters with the "film can" between their teeth and fans worldwide have their collective fingers crossed.
DOCTOR WHO – THE LOST TV EPISODES (COLLECTION TWO: 1965-1966) is, like the first collection, a remarkable anthology that demonstrates the enduring quality of the series in delivering agreeable stories for all generations both past, present and future.
