Love the clip with Bessie flying off, a nod to the green death when he got back from metabelis 3 and flew down to Wales to meet the brig in high speed Bessie.
"that must have been terryfing to film" you don't know the half of it. Sophie Aldred had great trouble breathing while locked into the glass thing and there was an accidental delay in the release mechanism meaning the water almost filled up and drowned her and then just before she got out Sylvester McCoy noticed there were live electrical wires all over the ground where she and the water would exit onto when she was to be broken out. Thankfuly Sylvester alerted the crew and managed to help get her out fine and well but theres an argument to be made that Sylvester may have saved Sophies life. Health and safety really was non existent back in those days..
The Start with Ace Trapped was REAL. Where Ace is stuck in a water tank you can faintly hear Sylvester McCoy shouting "get her out!" This is because the special effect had malfunctioned, the glass had cracked and the water was approaching some exposed wires taped to the floor. McCoy noticed and shouted at the crew to get her out, after swearing so they knew he wasn't in character. If he hadn't intervened Sophie Aldred would have been electrocuted; as it is, she escaped with just some cuts to her hands from touching the cracked glass.
You asked about why Morgaine restored hotel owner Elizabeth Rawlinson's sight? There's a quick reference before it... When Flight Lieutenant Lavel confronts Mordred she suggests he "Get the Tab". After Morgana has absorbed the mind of Flight Lieutenant Lavel she understood local customs... "Did my son drink well? Oh, I see that it is so. I must get the tab." Which is what she's effectively doing.. She's a villain to us, but she is honourable.
This is the only Doctor Who story directed by Michael Kerrigan, though he would later direct The Sarah Jane Adventures stories The Day of the Clown and Secrets of the Stars. Nicholas Courtney and Jean Marsh had both played different characters in the Doctor Who story The Dalek's Master Plan, where their characters were brother and sister. The Assistant Floor Manager on this story was Matthew Purves, son of Peter Purves, who played First Doctor companion Steven, including in the aforementioned Dalek's Master Plan. Small universe, isn't it?
I was pleased to see Bessie back and for a car the 3rd Dr drove many times when earthbound, Bessie was always an awesome car I also liked the blue car Lethbridge-Stewart commandeered from the chinese lass which was a Citroen 2cv which were cars that were very popular when I was a kid in the 1970s and also in the 1980s when I grew up left school became an adult and started working. I also liked the scene where the female villain, Morgaine gave the barman,s wife the power of sight as well. I hope Marie-Clare you enjoy the remaining stories of this seaosn of classic Dr Who, and everything else you are watching such as Blake,s Seven, Sapphire and Steel and also the Avengers as well.
It is nice in this episode Lethbridge-Stewart and the 7th Dr finally meet face to face and also it was a shame the 6th Dr never met Lethbridge-Stewart onscreen was a shame in trillions of ways and also I like the Big Finish stories with the classic Doctors . I was gutted this 26th season of Dr Who sadly ended the run of classic Dr Who .
I agree with you that, stripped of the nostalgic warmth generated by the return of the Brig, UNIT and Bessie, this is a pretty thin story plot-wise. Shou Yuing is quite a random addition to the cast, though her friendship with Ace is quite sweet, and Angela Bruce’s performance as Brigadier Bambera is very entertaining - she had also had a very memorable guest role in Red Dwarf not long before this. Morgaine is an interesting character - although the villain of the piece, she operates by a code of honour that stops her from being wholly evil, as evidenced by her little truce with the Brig in the previous episode and giving Mrs Rawlinson back her sight in this instalment. I am sure this complexity of character must have been welcome to Jean Marsh, who in the 80s was in danger of becoming typecast as a villainous sorceress, having played similar parts in the Hollywood films Return to Oz and Willow over the previous few years. At least here she has a character with a bit more depth than in those films.
Marie-Clare, thank you for these reaction videos I have seen some from others but you are the best Really wish I'd seen these 4 years ago in lockdown. I have now subscribed
I was a huge fan of both King Arthur and Robin of Sherwood in the 1980s so this story was perfect for me. Legendary knights, Excalibur, and Doctor Who, I was in TV heaven.
Angela Bruce (Bambera) turned up as alt-Lister in an episode of Red Dwarf, but is now remembered largely for guesting in a famous edition of 'Only Fools & Horses' - alongside equally alternative versions of Batman & Robin. Interestingly, the Doctor was more or less a Marvel property at this time; starring in a comic strip in a Marvel publication (the official Dr Who Magazine) and something like The Destroyer feels very much in keeping with their imagery.
I think it's a nice touch making UNIT feel truly international for the first time: Sergeant Zbrigniev is Polish, Lieutenant Lavel is French and Major Husak is Czech. Makes a difference from the usual middle-aged English stuntmen they got to play UNIT soldiers in the 1970s.
Apart from part 2 this story would have been in my top three stories of the 7th doctor but a classic story. The problem with the BBC around this time they were trying to kill off the series with putting it against coronation Street on a Wednesday night btw this cliffhanger was brilliant ace and friend been "handmaid's in hell "
When “Battlefield” went on BBC-1, in Sept’1989, it only had 3-4 million viewers. It was not promoted, apparently. I was studying, through my university in Ohio, in Luxembourg, during that Autumn of 1989, into 1990. The revolutions in Eastern Europe had begun, but not to full effect in September. I did get to England twice, when Series 26 ran, on weekends, yet Who was showing on a week day. I bought a Radio Times, with Black Adder WW1 series on cover - when “Battlefield” was broadcast. I got out to Longleat house, saw the Who exhibit. I bought a few Target novels, and Dapol toys of the 7th Doctor, and a Cyberman. Back in Luxembourg, they were running German dubbed Who, and I viewed “Paradise Towers”. Did not have a clue that when Who finished that early December,…there would be a gap. “Battlefield” is improved by the extended edit, made for DVD, featured on the Blu’ set of this Series. The novel, is quite good too.
It was promoted but not heavily, it only got promotion in those “Tonight on BBC1” trailers with clips from that night’s programmes you used to see, plus the “new series” label next to its listing in the Radio Times.
The destroyer is one of my favourites monster designs. Battlefield is nice but not the strongest story and weakest of the season but Brig, Bessie, meeting Dorris, Jean Marsh, Destroyer Bambera all wins
The finest episode in some time, which says a lot as most of season 25 is superb when all is said and done. And pt2 was definitely awesome as well. Starting with "The Leisure Hive", JNT wanted more genuinely threat for characters. That would be hit or miss, but thebhits were great. Morgaine is a refreshing villain, well-acted! ❤ Brigadier + Ancelyn = cool. I love the music in this as well. It's Keff's best score since "Time and the Rani", which got the needed melancholia just right... Bessie and "WHO 7" was a little naff at the time, but Bessie's return has grown on me. And shows the Brigadier has sentiment in his own ways. 😊 Ace may be have been from the modern day teleported, but she is refreshingly different. The callbacks were largely great but the one for "the robots" was almost overboard. Too many callbacks led to complaints of the show relying on nostslgis by critics of the time. The Brig is written marvelously in this... but the story is a bit disjointed at times... That said, Pt 3's cliffhanger is the best, since "Androzani" (pts 1 or 3) 😁.
Morgaine's powers are pretty insane, even by the standards of Who. And that's sometimes a problem. Look at Swarm, for instance: kills at a touch but somehow talked out of things. How can that work?
I think the special edition cut of this story is the best version as it eliminates some of the weaker moments. It's a good story overall, but it's not my favorite of the season. I think the Destroyer is one of the most well-done masks/creatures the show has produced. Very convincing and scary. The Brig meeting 7 is a great moment, the reveal of Bessie is a great moment, and the reveal of UNIT's new Ammo for fighting certain famous classic monsters is a nice call back, to the Pertwee and Troughton eras too.
this was originally written as a 3 parter but was then extended to a 4 parter and the writer was never happy with the result. Although apparently the cast and crew had a wonderful time making it. But it does sag in certain areas, it's definitely not the tightest of scripts for that reason.
i think the Destroyer was simply the best "alien" creature that WHO ever accomplished. Yes, it's a rubber mask... but it's a beautiful one. Ok - maybe the original Sontaran mask from Time Warrior rivals it... Seeing Bessie again really was amazing, and whilst the license plate is a great nod to Sylv, how did the Brig know...? It certainly isn't a strong story... but it is fun. It doesn't stand up to ANY kind of scrutiny plot wise... and probably needed more development to make that happen. I don't recall if the novel helped with that or not...
Continuity in the 1980s was always rather hit and miss. Bessie's return immediately created a minor debate, centering on the number-plate reading 'Who 7' (although it was 'Who 1' when Pertwee and Baker drove it). And, while we're at it, how does the Brig know about the Cybermen having a gold allergy - which was only established in a serial he wasn't involved in? Did his scientific advisor compile a huge file on these things? Will I ever, in fact, have a life?
Not the strongest of stories, plus we agree some of the acting is a tad wooden. It has it's moments though, the Brig and Bessie being two of them and there are a few fun scenes in it too. Nice to see your reaction as always Marie Clare.
Morgaine, Jon Pertwee's real life ex wife (and ex Who companion to William Hartnell), as someone will have already pointed out to you, I'm sure. Oh and Marc Warren from Love And Monsters is a UNIT Soldier in the background loading the kit. Fab reactions. Followed you all the way. Going nowhere! Thank you.
I do hear you on Shou Yuing and the actress but I really enjoy her as a character to give someone to bounce off Ace. Totally agree that she seems a random addition, especially considering everyone else got evacuated away and there was an excuse to get rid of her lol. Am I right that they have now got rid of the ‘yellow’ insult from Ace to Shou Yuing when they are arguing in the circle? That left a bad taste in my mouth even in 1992 when I first saw it though I kinda wish it stayed in because it shows the power of the circle when you know Ace’s actual views about race.
Oh and I REALLY like Battlefield. It’s a bit messy and over crammed with ideas, but i think it has lots of great set pieces and actually fills up its 4 episodes well without repeating itself like so many Classic Who 4 Parters do.
Thought this was a terrible story, in both plot and execution! Apart from the two regulars, Jean Marsh and Nick Courtney, the acting was poor, particularly from the actress playing Bambera, and the two actors playing Mordred and Ancylin! The incidental music, as it was throughout the whole of McCoy’s era was excruciating bad. The composers had no idea how to convey mood, drama or anything resembling action cues - they just belted out loud brash music for the most part! If the music from the McCoy era could be re composed by someone like Murray Gold, I think it would improve the tone of even the most weaker stories tremendously! Lovely to see the Brig and Bessie again, and the make up and animatronics of the Destroyer was excellent, but apart from that, just awful. Awful! Hard to believe that the writer, Ben Aaronovitch, submitted this story and on the ‘strength’ of it, was asked to hold off writing it and was given Rememberence of the Daleks to write first! For me, everything Aaronovitch got right for the Dalek story, he got completely wrong in this story! Another wasted opportunity of a storyline (one of many in McCoy’s era), which, had more thought gone into it, might have turned out half decent!
FULL LENGTH | CLASSIC DOCTOR WHO | S17 "Shada" (Part 4) | REACTION
www.patreon.com/posts/full-length-who-88202591
Love the clip with Bessie flying off, a nod to the green death when he got back from metabelis 3 and flew down to Wales to meet the brig in high speed Bessie.
You've already seen Bessie without the 3rd doctor:"Robot",the 4th doctor's debut (though this was written originally for 3)🎩
Happy belated 80th birthday to Sylvester McCoy.🎂
"that must have been terryfing to film" you don't know the half of it. Sophie Aldred had great trouble breathing while locked into the glass thing and there was an accidental delay in the release mechanism meaning the water almost filled up and drowned her and then just before she got out Sylvester McCoy noticed there were live electrical wires all over the ground where she and the water would exit onto when she was to be broken out. Thankfuly Sylvester alerted the crew and managed to help get her out fine and well but theres an argument to be made that Sylvester may have saved Sophies life. Health and safety really was non existent back in those days..
They used the incident and footage in BBC health and safety training videos after this.
The Start with Ace Trapped was REAL. Where Ace is stuck in a water tank you can faintly hear Sylvester McCoy shouting "get her out!" This is because the special effect had malfunctioned, the glass had cracked and the water was approaching some exposed wires taped to the floor. McCoy noticed and shouted at the crew to get her out, after swearing so they knew he wasn't in character. If he hadn't intervened Sophie Aldred would have been electrocuted; as it is, she escaped with just some cuts to her hands from touching the cracked glass.
This is one of my guilty pleasures episodes of Doctor Who, I know it's not the best but I love it
Interesting fact christopher bowen who plays mordred auditioned to play the 8th Doctor
You asked about why Morgaine restored hotel owner Elizabeth Rawlinson's sight? There's a quick reference before it... When Flight Lieutenant Lavel confronts Mordred she suggests he "Get the Tab". After Morgana has absorbed the mind of Flight Lieutenant Lavel she understood local customs... "Did my son drink well? Oh, I see that it is so. I must get the tab." Which is what she's effectively doing.. She's a villain to us, but she is honourable.
Not sure how this would be explained to the pub's stocktaker. Christ, I am old, looking at the world through my work eyes 😂
This is the only Doctor Who story directed by Michael Kerrigan, though he would later direct The Sarah Jane Adventures stories The Day of the Clown and Secrets of the Stars. Nicholas Courtney and Jean Marsh had both played different characters in the Doctor Who story The Dalek's Master Plan, where their characters were brother and sister. The Assistant Floor Manager on this story was Matthew Purves, son of Peter Purves, who played First Doctor companion Steven, including in the aforementioned Dalek's Master Plan. Small universe, isn't it?
for the famous + successful, ever so
I was pleased to see Bessie back and for a car the 3rd Dr drove many times when earthbound, Bessie was always an awesome car I also liked the blue car Lethbridge-Stewart commandeered from the chinese lass which was a Citroen 2cv which were cars that were very popular when I was a kid in the 1970s and also in the 1980s when I grew up left school became an adult and started working. I also liked the scene where the female villain, Morgaine gave the barman,s wife the power of sight as well. I hope Marie-Clare you enjoy the remaining stories of this seaosn of classic Dr Who, and everything else you are watching such as Blake,s Seven, Sapphire and Steel and also the Avengers as well.
It is nice in this episode Lethbridge-Stewart and the 7th Dr finally meet face to face and also it was a shame the 6th Dr never met Lethbridge-Stewart onscreen was a shame in trillions of ways and also I like the Big Finish stories with the classic Doctors . I was gutted this 26th season of Dr Who sadly ended the run of classic Dr Who .
I remember a lot of kids at my school really enjoying thus story at the time.
I agree with you that, stripped of the nostalgic warmth generated by the return of the Brig, UNIT and Bessie, this is a pretty thin story plot-wise. Shou Yuing is quite a random addition to the cast, though her friendship with Ace is quite sweet, and Angela Bruce’s performance as Brigadier Bambera is very entertaining - she had also had a very memorable guest role in Red Dwarf not long before this.
Morgaine is an interesting character - although the villain of the piece, she operates by a code of honour that stops her from being wholly evil, as evidenced by her little truce with the Brig in the previous episode and giving Mrs Rawlinson back her sight in this instalment. I am sure this complexity of character must have been welcome to Jean Marsh, who in the 80s was in danger of becoming typecast as a villainous sorceress, having played similar parts in the Hollywood films Return to Oz and Willow over the previous few years. At least here she has a character with a bit more depth than in those films.
Marie-Clare, thank you for these reaction videos
I have seen some from others but you are the best
Really wish I'd seen these 4 years ago in lockdown.
I have now subscribed
"The Destroyer" is one of the best animatronic faces ever scene in Who, Classic or Nu.
I was a huge fan of both King Arthur and Robin of Sherwood in the 1980s so this story was perfect for me. Legendary knights, Excalibur, and Doctor Who, I was in TV heaven.
In real life Sophie Aldred nearly drowned but thanks to Sylvester's quick actions. He saved her life
Angela Bruce (Bambera) turned up as alt-Lister in an episode of Red Dwarf, but is now remembered largely for guesting in a famous edition of 'Only Fools & Horses' - alongside equally alternative versions of Batman & Robin. Interestingly, the Doctor was more or less a Marvel property at this time; starring in a comic strip in a Marvel publication (the official Dr Who Magazine) and something like The Destroyer feels very much in keeping with their imagery.
Funny! I was thinking that she reminded me of Lister! I was even going to joke in the community for the last video that she was Lister's ancestor!
The water tank bit famously went wrong and Sophie had to bevquicl😅removed from the tank (there us footage of this incident online)🎩
I think it's a nice touch making UNIT feel truly international for the first time: Sergeant Zbrigniev is Polish, Lieutenant Lavel is French and Major Husak is Czech. Makes a difference from the usual middle-aged English stuntmen they got to play UNIT soldiers in the 1970s.
Although sadly Paul Tomany, who played Husak, died aged 35 in 1992 after a 'sudden illness' which I've always understood to have meant AIDS.
Bessie ❤ this is why I wsd looking forward to this reaction
Apart from part 2 this story would have been in my top three stories of the 7th doctor but a classic story. The problem with the BBC around this time they were trying to kill off the series with putting it against coronation Street on a Wednesday night btw this cliffhanger was brilliant ace and friend been "handmaid's in hell "
"The Handmaidens in Hell" does sound like a cool title t
When “Battlefield” went on BBC-1, in Sept’1989, it only had 3-4 million viewers. It was not promoted, apparently.
I was studying, through my university in Ohio, in Luxembourg, during that Autumn of 1989, into 1990. The revolutions in Eastern Europe had begun, but not to full effect in September. I did get to England twice, when Series 26 ran, on weekends, yet Who was showing on a week day. I bought a Radio Times, with Black Adder WW1 series on cover - when “Battlefield” was broadcast. I got out to Longleat house, saw the Who exhibit. I bought a few Target novels, and Dapol toys of the 7th Doctor, and a Cyberman. Back in Luxembourg, they were running German dubbed Who, and I viewed “Paradise Towers”. Did not have a clue that when Who finished that early December,…there would be a gap.
“Battlefield” is improved by the extended edit, made for DVD, featured on the Blu’ set of this Series. The novel, is quite good too.
It was promoted but not heavily, it only got promotion in those “Tonight on BBC1” trailers with clips from that night’s programmes you used to see, plus the “new series” label next to its listing in the Radio Times.
The destroyer is one of my favourites monster designs.
Battlefield is nice but not the strongest story and weakest of the season but Brig, Bessie, meeting Dorris, Jean Marsh, Destroyer Bambera all wins
The finest episode in some time, which says a lot as most of season 25 is superb when all is said and done. And pt2 was definitely awesome as well. Starting with "The Leisure Hive", JNT wanted more genuinely threat for characters. That would be hit or miss, but thebhits were great.
Morgaine is a refreshing villain, well-acted! ❤
Brigadier + Ancelyn = cool.
I love the music in this as well. It's Keff's best score since "Time and the Rani", which got the needed melancholia just right...
Bessie and "WHO 7" was a little naff at the time, but Bessie's return has grown on me. And shows the Brigadier has sentiment in his own ways. 😊
Ace may be have been from the modern day teleported, but she is refreshingly different.
The callbacks were largely great but the one for "the robots" was almost overboard. Too many callbacks led to complaints of the show relying on nostslgis by critics of the time.
The Brig is written marvelously in this... but the story is a bit disjointed at times...
That said, Pt 3's cliffhanger is the best, since "Androzani" (pts 1 or 3) 😁.
What a wonderful reaction! as always ❤
Morgaine's powers are pretty insane, even by the standards of Who. And that's sometimes a problem. Look at Swarm, for instance: kills at a touch but somehow talked out of things. How can that work?
Finally, 7 and the Brig meet!
Fun fact - Jean Marsh was married to Jon Pertwee in the 1950s!
I think the special edition cut of this story is the best version as it eliminates some of the weaker moments. It's a good story overall, but it's not my favorite of the season. I think the Destroyer is one of the most well-done masks/creatures the show has produced. Very convincing and scary. The Brig meeting 7 is a great moment, the reveal of Bessie is a great moment, and the reveal of UNIT's new Ammo for fighting certain famous classic monsters is a nice call back, to the Pertwee and Troughton eras too.
this was originally written as a 3 parter but was then extended to a 4 parter and the writer was never happy with the result. Although apparently the cast and crew had a wonderful time making it. But it does sag in certain areas, it's definitely not the tightest of scripts for that reason.
Battlefield is a weird story, a bit like Planet of the Daleks, in that it isn't very good but it is still fairly enjoyable to watch.
i think the Destroyer was simply the best "alien" creature that WHO ever accomplished. Yes, it's a rubber mask... but it's a beautiful one. Ok - maybe the original Sontaran mask from Time Warrior rivals it...
Seeing Bessie again really was amazing, and whilst the license plate is a great nod to Sylv, how did the Brig know...?
It certainly isn't a strong story... but it is fun. It doesn't stand up to ANY kind of scrutiny plot wise... and probably needed more development to make that happen. I don't recall if the novel helped with that or not...
Watching this it struck me how elements of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers were similar to it, Rita Repulsa, anyone, lol.
Continuity in the 1980s was always rather hit and miss. Bessie's return immediately created a minor debate, centering on the number-plate reading 'Who 7' (although it was 'Who 1' when Pertwee and Baker drove it). And, while we're at it, how does the Brig know about the Cybermen having a gold allergy - which was only established in a serial he wasn't involved in? Did his scientific advisor compile a huge file on these things? Will I ever, in fact, have a life?
The sad thing is the plan to have the knights being more Mecha could not be done so it made things weaker than it should have been
A SHOW YOU MAY LIKE IS UFO.
YOU MAY LIKE TO TRY SPACE 1999
OR
ROBIN OF SHERWOOD
Not the strongest of stories, plus we agree some of the acting is a tad wooden. It has it's moments though, the Brig and Bessie being two of them and there are a few fun scenes in it too. Nice to see your reaction as always Marie Clare.
Morgaine, Jon Pertwee's real life ex wife (and ex Who companion to William Hartnell), as someone will have already pointed out to you, I'm sure. Oh and Marc Warren from Love And Monsters is a UNIT Soldier in the background loading the kit. Fab reactions. Followed you all the way. Going nowhere! Thank you.
Getting close to the end of classic Who 😐
I do hear you on Shou Yuing and the actress but I really enjoy her as a character to give someone to bounce off Ace. Totally agree that she seems a random addition, especially considering everyone else got evacuated away and there was an excuse to get rid of her lol.
Am I right that they have now got rid of the ‘yellow’ insult from Ace to Shou Yuing when they are arguing in the circle? That left a bad taste in my mouth even in 1992 when I first saw it though I kinda wish it stayed in because it shows the power of the circle when you know Ace’s actual views about race.
Oh and I REALLY like Battlefield. It’s a bit messy and over crammed with ideas, but i think it has lots of great set pieces and actually fills up its 4 episodes well without repeating itself like so many Classic Who 4 Parters do.
Sophie Aldred near died during this
I like Battlefield because it's fun.
Even though I understand how it worked in the story, it really rubbed me up the wrong way when Ace started with the racial slurs.
Thought this was a terrible story, in both plot and execution! Apart from the two regulars, Jean Marsh and Nick Courtney, the acting was poor, particularly from the actress playing Bambera, and the two actors playing Mordred and Ancylin! The incidental music, as it was throughout the whole of McCoy’s era was excruciating bad. The composers had no idea how to convey mood, drama or anything resembling action cues - they just belted out loud brash music for the most part! If the music from the McCoy era could be re composed by someone like Murray Gold, I think it would improve the tone of even the most weaker stories tremendously!
Lovely to see the Brig and Bessie again, and the make up and animatronics of the Destroyer was excellent, but apart from that, just awful. Awful! Hard to believe that the writer, Ben Aaronovitch, submitted this story and on the ‘strength’ of it, was asked to hold off writing it and was given Rememberence of the Daleks to write first! For me, everything Aaronovitch got right for the Dalek story, he got completely wrong in this story! Another wasted opportunity of a storyline (one of many in McCoy’s era), which, had more thought gone into it, might have turned out half decent!
I totally agree about the music - this era is far and away my least favourite on the musical front - but I thought Angela "Bambera" Bruce was fine.
Angela Bruce is brilliant as Bambera!!