Story: Time and the Rani
Written By: Pip and Jane Baker
Length: 4 Episodes
Year: 1987
"Time and the Rani" is the very strong evidence in favor of Colin Baker. He didn't deserve to be fired, and this story proves that it was not he who was the problem. It was everything. John Nathan-Turner was out of control, and his leadership hired bad writers like Pip and Jane Baker...two really strange people (as I've noticed from interviews) who write usually bad stories. This is their last contribution to the show (thankfully) and it sees the return of the Rani, who is even more over the top and campy and freaky looking (especially with Mel's hair).
In a seldom used pre-credits teaser the Doctor is shown to have bumped his head and regenerates. This is the lamest regeneration story possible, but what could they do? Colin Baker found it a little annoying to be losing his job, and waiting around months to shoot a regeneration story wasn't good for him because, as an actor, he would seem unemployable for he was technically part of this show...so he made it clear he was no longer on the show in order to get work...and the show made due without him. I think fans feel they need the regeneration scene for closure, but really whats the point if the regeneration is just tacked on with little emotional depth.
JNT should have been bolder. He should have said "well the sixth Doctor traveled on for some time, but here is the next Doctor". The Seventh Doctor should have just walked out, we don't need the regeneration, lets just bring him out and see him go. That would add mystery to him, how did he come to be? Then have him meet a new companion and drop Mel entirely, because at this point its hard to even understand where she comes from. So then we get this mysterious man who travels in a phone box and calls himself the Doctor...but now even fans of the show would have a new level of mystery to follow.
But that didn't happen. We get this lame regeneration plot point, and Sylvester McCoy acting like a clown, which is really really aggravating when he is still in Baker's coat. Once he puts on his new costume he is far easier to look at. Fans go on and on about the Question mark sweater, but really it wasn't until about the end of his second season did I notice or realize they were question marks. Honestly anything looked good after Baker's Amazing Technicolor Nightmare. This Doctor's costume is really a lot better than the last two (though I like Davison's cricket outfit, it is a tad too stylized and bright). It is subdued, it looks like something people might wear, and it easily blends in to many different time frames. And McCoy pulls off that hat so well.
The story itself is pure crap. The Rani poses as Mel to get the Doctor's help for some silly pointless reason (I guess collecting geniuses?). I can't believe that even in a post regeneration state he would believe she is Mel.
NEXT TIME: The Caretaker
Written By: Pip and Jane Baker
Length: 4 Episodes
Year: 1987
"Time and the Rani" is the very strong evidence in favor of Colin Baker. He didn't deserve to be fired, and this story proves that it was not he who was the problem. It was everything. John Nathan-Turner was out of control, and his leadership hired bad writers like Pip and Jane Baker...two really strange people (as I've noticed from interviews) who write usually bad stories. This is their last contribution to the show (thankfully) and it sees the return of the Rani, who is even more over the top and campy and freaky looking (especially with Mel's hair).
JNT should have been bolder. He should have said "well the sixth Doctor traveled on for some time, but here is the next Doctor". The Seventh Doctor should have just walked out, we don't need the regeneration, lets just bring him out and see him go. That would add mystery to him, how did he come to be? Then have him meet a new companion and drop Mel entirely, because at this point its hard to even understand where she comes from. So then we get this mysterious man who travels in a phone box and calls himself the Doctor...but now even fans of the show would have a new level of mystery to follow.
But that didn't happen. We get this lame regeneration plot point, and Sylvester McCoy acting like a clown, which is really really aggravating when he is still in Baker's coat. Once he puts on his new costume he is far easier to look at. Fans go on and on about the Question mark sweater, but really it wasn't until about the end of his second season did I notice or realize they were question marks. Honestly anything looked good after Baker's Amazing Technicolor Nightmare. This Doctor's costume is really a lot better than the last two (though I like Davison's cricket outfit, it is a tad too stylized and bright). It is subdued, it looks like something people might wear, and it easily blends in to many different time frames. And McCoy pulls off that hat so well.
The story itself is pure crap. The Rani poses as Mel to get the Doctor's help for some silly pointless reason (I guess collecting geniuses?). I can't believe that even in a post regeneration state he would believe she is Mel.
NEXT TIME: The Caretaker
Comments
Post a Comment