Ribos and its culture are clearly modelled on Tsarist Russia (Ribos is an anagram of Boris). Always loved this one - something a bit like a Shakespearean heist story about it.
I didn't much like this story when it was first broadcast, but I've grown to love it. The best thing about it for me is the older conman, Garron, beautifully overplayed by the great Iain Cuthbertson, and seeming to relish every second of his screen time.
I quite like this one. I saw it very young and made a board game partially based on this one. I love Mary Tamm as Romana, even if I do agree on the academic vs. street smarts situation you mention.
I’ve always found this story to be brilliant. I immediately loved Mary Tamm’s Romana, the worldbuilding, and the guest characters, and there’s some really nice commentary on parent/child & mentor/student relationships
I have to disagree that this episode is boring and grows on you as it goes along, the set up of the world of Ribos is brilliant, a pre industrial civilisation with its own culture and superstitions, even mentioning districts in the main city, the confidence tricksters trying to sell a militaristic psychopath a planet is inspired, the mystique of the Guardian is perfect, I don't want this character fully explained, its unknown quality is what makes it so compelling and intriguing, the introduction of Binro the Heretic is also a wonderful touch, A character based on Galileo with the same tragic story of an enlightened man who questions the universe being repressed by the Establishment, it really is genuinely moving, the whole story could be viewed as an analysis of avarice, the confidence tricksters obvious avarice, The Graff's quest for power and a return to the throne he was deposed from, the guards even being bribed to look after money for the night, in the end everyone loses everything, except the Doctor and Romana who take the first segment away with them.
The Garron is one of my favourite one off characters. "I had s terrible time with my conscience, fortunately i won!" A fun Ribos game is spotting how often Iain Cuthbertson nearly makes Tom Baker corpse on camera!
Unstoffe gave Binro the most precious of all gifts. He proved to the old man that he was right! Even when he died, Binro felt the joy of that knowledge.
This one is probably my third favourite from the season after Pirate and Stones. Binro was right is pretty much iconic and the whole con plot is fun. But the moment that always struck me is when Graff’s second in command guy is killed and we see him grieve. He could so easily have been just the one dimensional tyrant guy but the story lets him be a person too, it makes him much more interesting.
I love the Key to Time stories. I rewatch them at least once a year. Tom Baker is and always will be the definitive Doctor. Really appreciate your classic Who reviews.
And it's a dove. I think they wanted to move away from his original look as it was compared with 'the man from Del Monte' which was a popular advert run at the time for tinned fruit.
@@someguy3752 You didnt even get Time Lords till the very end of the 2nd Doctor . It was the Third & Forth who began to explore Time Lors so it wasnt that long until the Fifth dealt with this specific issue.
This is Doctor Who the story that looms the largest in my childhood memories of watching the show with my dad late at night on PBS. I am so fond of it. It’s great to rewatch again with your commentary. I might start over with my own kiddos.
The line that stuck with me for ages: the Doctor says “It’s brisk.” Romana interjects, “It’s bitter!” That often pops into my head when it’s cold, and I live in Maine, so fairly often. The Key To Time was a run that I used to watch again and again with one of my brothers on a Saturday night with takeout pizza. TKTT, Remembrance of the Daleks, The Sunmakers.
I love this season. It’s a fun novel idea at the time, with a really fun and upbeat energy. Romana 1 is the most under rated Baker companion and it’s just a fun ride. Loved the review as always! :)
I think this is one of the greatest Doctor Who stories. I understand the argument here, yet I think this story is about as quintessential as a Doctor Who story can get.
Lalla was a bit more Doctor-y, more whimsical, whereas Mary was more haughty yet naïve. They both had different strengths that worked for what they were, and they felt like a natural shift in Romana’s overall character (albeit the regeneration itself wasn’t well-handled).
Perhaps they missed out on an opportunity to thematically tie the Key to Time stories around mining and colonial exploitation. Half of the stories already involve mining of resources from more primitive planets. It wouldn't have taken much to modify the other three stories to fit this theme.
If I were to rank the 6 stories of this season, this would be 3rd best, cause I really like the 2 scoundrels, the Scringestone fun, and Romana being who she is, but adapting quickly, not afraid to change or to be wrong, to roll with what she learns.
IMO the way Key to Time is serialized works better as a linear TTRPG campaign than it does as an arc in a TV show. A series of McGuffins where it doesn't matter how the party gets them, as long as they do (and adventures to be had while trying to get them - and working out what they are) for the party to explore as they will. But at least it doesn't get in the way of Doctor Who's episodic structure, meaning you're free to ignore it outside of the White Guardian scene here, and the final story. From what I recall of last I saw it, Ribos Operation is a bit overrated in the fandom (largely down to how well the writing and performance of the conmen is), but god the way the White Guardian is performed and his dialogue is _perfection_ . Especially the exchange you highlighted. 'And if I don't?' "Nothing." 'Nothing? You mean nothing will happen to me?' "Nothing at all. Ever." which also solidifies that this isn't a good vs evil conflict but an order vs chaos one (though that gets a bit lost in the trees later)
While IMO the Guardians were never very interesting, the actor who portrayed the Black Guardian - Valentine Dyall - was a distinctive presence in British radio theatre with his deep eldritch voice. Lots of horror, mystery, and comedy roles. He seemed to relish parts that were both foreboding and goofy, like the keeper of the Total Perspective Vortex in HHGTTG.
I think the characterization of the Graaf and his right hand isn't initially poor and then gets better, it is a gradual reveal of just how awful they are, they gradually become more real, in that they fit a certain type of real world awful that has been repeated again and again. It works dramatically too and that survives on a re-watch - the con artists are playing with fire, and there's something plain awful about a universe where an entire planet/culture can be sold to a despot (no real world parallels there). Watch it a second time and (without diminishing the gradual reveal) it becomes clear that the threat and the malice the Graaf represents was always there from the start. When Holmes chooses to be a moralist, he is one of the best.
I really preferred the way the 1st incarnation of Romana worked with the Doctor. The portrayal of the astronomer as a sex worker was a darker theme than I expected from a kids tv show.
I agree; the Doctor’s education wasn’t good but he’s more worldly and can consider things outside the box, whereas Romana is clever and observant but sheltered and inexperienced.
@@borjankosarac3645 OK wasn't saying the Dr was uneducated. Was more referring to the thing whereby the "quality" of a qualification/level of education can be seen as better/worse purely on where it was obtained. Like someone having a law degree from Harvard thinking they're better than someone who got a law degree elsewhere. The feeling I got was more poking at that idea rather than education in general.
@@lykeios4345 No, I agree; I just didn't enunciate it very well. But yeah; just because the Doctor struggled in the standardised Gallifreyan education system where Romana thrived, doesn't mean his intelligence or skill is inferior to hers.
The Ribos Operation did start off slow.....the over all "KEY TO TIME" story arch gets better.....my favorite Serials was #3, 5 and 6.....the stakes get higher and the stories get better.....Mary Thames was fair as Romana 1.....i really love Romana 2 played by Lala Ward
Stones of Blood is my favorite out of this story arc, followed by The Pirate Planet and The Armageddon Factor. Androids of Tara could have been better and The Power of Kroll was ... just kind of there.
Ribos was kinda boring at the start, and it definitely picked up the pace along the way, but I found it fairly enjoyable overall, especially with the atmosphere of the snow and the mediaeval stuff!
"Binro was right" is the main thing I remember from this story. Such a good moment, such a good scene, such a good character...
Ribos and its culture are clearly modelled on Tsarist Russia (Ribos is an anagram of Boris).
Always loved this one - something a bit like a Shakespearean heist story about it.
I didn't much like this story when it was first broadcast, but I've grown to love it. The best thing about it for me is the older conman, Garron, beautifully overplayed by the great Iain Cuthbertson, and seeming to relish every second of his screen time.
I quite like this one. I saw it very young and made a board game partially based on this one. I love Mary Tamm as Romana, even if I do agree on the academic vs. street smarts situation you mention.
I’ve always found this story to be brilliant. I immediately loved Mary Tamm’s Romana, the worldbuilding, and the guest characters, and there’s some really nice commentary on parent/child & mentor/student relationships
I have to disagree that this episode is boring and grows on you as it goes along, the set up of the world of Ribos is brilliant, a pre industrial civilisation with its own culture and superstitions, even mentioning districts in the main city, the confidence tricksters trying to sell a militaristic psychopath a planet is inspired, the mystique of the Guardian is perfect, I don't want this character fully explained, its unknown quality is what makes it so compelling and intriguing, the introduction of Binro the Heretic is also a wonderful touch, A character based on Galileo with the same tragic story of an enlightened man who questions the universe being repressed by the Establishment, it really is genuinely moving, the whole story could be viewed as an analysis of avarice, the confidence tricksters obvious avarice, The Graff's quest for power and a return to the throne he was deposed from, the guards even being bribed to look after money for the night, in the end everyone loses everything, except the Doctor and Romana who take the first segment away with them.
The Garron is one of my favourite one off characters. "I had s terrible time with my conscience, fortunately i won!" A fun Ribos game is spotting how often Iain Cuthbertson nearly makes Tom Baker corpse on camera!
Unstoffe gave Binro the most precious of all gifts. He proved to the old man that he was right! Even when he died, Binro felt the joy of that knowledge.
My first Doctor Who story. A friend's dad had dvds for the Key to Time serials, and we spent a weekend watching them all.
This one is probably my third favourite from the season after Pirate and Stones. Binro was right is pretty much iconic and the whole con plot is fun. But the moment that always struck me is when Graff’s second in command guy is killed and we see him grieve. He could so easily have been just the one dimensional tyrant guy but the story lets him be a person too, it makes him much more interesting.
Rewatched the Key to Time last year and I don't remember anything about this episode apart from the Romana introduction, so thanks for this refresh!
I love the Key to Time stories. I rewatch them at least once a year. Tom Baker is and always will be the definitive Doctor. Really appreciate your classic Who reviews.
Thank you Vera for making these!! I've never had the time to get into Classic, thanks for reviewing these!
I remember that the the good Guardian wore a chicken on his head as all true heroes do
That isn't until his reappearance in the Fifth Doctor's era.
And it's a dove. I think they wanted to move away from his original look as it was compared with 'the man from Del Monte' which was a popular advert run at the time for tinned fruit.
@@someguy3752 You didnt even get Time Lords till the very end of the 2nd Doctor . It was the Third & Forth who began to explore Time Lors so it wasnt that long until the Fifth dealt with this specific issue.
Some heroes wear a crow on their head as well
This is Doctor Who the story that looms the largest in my childhood memories of watching the show with my dad late at night on PBS. I am so fond of it. It’s great to rewatch again with your commentary. I might start over with my own kiddos.
I liked the first Romana. I agree her character got better and more nuanced as this season went on.
The line that stuck with me for ages: the Doctor says “It’s brisk.” Romana interjects, “It’s bitter!” That often pops into my head when it’s cold, and I live in Maine, so fairly often. The Key To Time was a run that I used to watch again and again with one of my brothers on a Saturday night with takeout pizza. TKTT, Remembrance of the Daleks, The Sunmakers.
It has been a while since I watched this episode. I still find it funny, that the tyrant is called Graff. Graf is the German word vor Count
I love this season. It’s a fun novel idea at the time, with a really fun and upbeat energy. Romana 1 is the most under rated Baker companion and it’s just a fun ride.
Loved the review as always! :)
I think this is one of the greatest Doctor Who stories. I understand the argument here, yet I think this story is about as quintessential as a Doctor Who story can get.
Every scene with Mary Tamm is the best scene with Romana... Sorry Lalla, Mary is pure Time Lord.
Lalla was a bit more Doctor-y, more whimsical, whereas Mary was more haughty yet naïve. They both had different strengths that worked for what they were, and they felt like a natural shift in Romana’s overall character (albeit the regeneration itself wasn’t well-handled).
Details are hazy cause I only saw this once ages ago but everything surrounding Binro is really touching, especially for classic who
I always just call her Fred as that's her choice.
...oh, Binro.... 🥲
“THE BONES! THE BONES FORESEE OUR DEATHS!”
Perhaps they missed out on an opportunity to thematically tie the Key to Time stories around mining and colonial exploitation. Half of the stories already involve mining of resources from more primitive planets. It wouldn't have taken much to modify the other three stories to fit this theme.
If I were to rank the 6 stories of this season, this would be 3rd best, cause I really like the 2 scoundrels, the Scringestone fun, and Romana being who she is, but adapting quickly, not afraid to change or to be wrong, to roll with what she learns.
IMO the way Key to Time is serialized works better as a linear TTRPG campaign than it does as an arc in a TV show. A series of McGuffins where it doesn't matter how the party gets them, as long as they do (and adventures to be had while trying to get them - and working out what they are) for the party to explore as they will.
But at least it doesn't get in the way of Doctor Who's episodic structure, meaning you're free to ignore it outside of the White Guardian scene here, and the final story.
From what I recall of last I saw it, Ribos Operation is a bit overrated in the fandom (largely down to how well the writing and performance of the conmen is), but god the way the White Guardian is performed and his dialogue is _perfection_ . Especially the exchange you highlighted. 'And if I don't?' "Nothing." 'Nothing? You mean nothing will happen to me?' "Nothing at all. Ever." which also solidifies that this isn't a good vs evil conflict but an order vs chaos one (though that gets a bit lost in the trees later)
It surprises me that it wasn't adapted into a Text Based Adventure Game.
Romana is a contrast to Leela. Leela is the world wise and the Doctor is the achedemically knowledgeable . With Romana it flipped.
While IMO the Guardians were never very interesting, the actor who portrayed the Black Guardian - Valentine Dyall - was a distinctive presence in British radio theatre with his deep eldritch voice. Lots of horror, mystery, and comedy roles. He seemed to relish parts that were both foreboding and goofy, like the keeper of the Total Perspective Vortex in HHGTTG.
He’ll always be Deep Thought to me. Of course, he’s not in this episode.
I think the characterization of the Graaf and his right hand isn't initially poor and then gets better, it is a gradual reveal of just how awful they are, they gradually become more real, in that they fit a certain type of real world awful that has been repeated again and again. It works dramatically too and that survives on a re-watch - the con artists are playing with fire, and there's something plain awful about a universe where an entire planet/culture can be sold to a despot (no real world parallels there). Watch it a second time and (without diminishing the gradual reveal) it becomes clear that the threat and the malice the Graaf represents was always there from the start. When Holmes chooses to be a moralist, he is one of the best.
Engagement for the engagement god!
I really preferred the way the 1st incarnation of Romana worked with the Doctor. The portrayal of the astronomer as a sex worker was a darker theme than I expected from a kids tv show.
I'd like to see Romana back in modern who.
Perhaps Mrs Flood is an Elderly regeneration of Romana?
Bringing back Romana could be an excellent excuse to bring back an actress of a popular one-shot side character.
The main vibe I got with the initial Dr/Romana interactions wasn't so much anti-intellectual as it was public vs private education... but ymmv :D
I agree; the Doctor’s education wasn’t good but he’s more worldly and can consider things outside the box, whereas Romana is clever and observant but sheltered and inexperienced.
@@borjankosarac3645 OK wasn't saying the Dr was uneducated. Was more referring to the thing whereby the "quality" of a qualification/level of education can be seen as better/worse purely on where it was obtained. Like someone having a law degree from Harvard thinking they're better than someone who got a law degree elsewhere. The feeling I got was more poking at that idea rather than education in general.
@@lykeios4345 No, I agree; I just didn't enunciate it very well. But yeah; just because the Doctor struggled in the standardised Gallifreyan education system where Romana thrived, doesn't mean his intelligence or skill is inferior to hers.
The Ribos Operation did start off slow.....the over all "KEY TO TIME" story arch gets better.....my favorite Serials was #3, 5 and 6.....the stakes get higher and the stories get better.....Mary Thames was fair as Romana 1.....i really love Romana 2 played by Lala Ward
Stones of Blood is my favorite out of this story arc, followed by The Pirate Planet and The Armageddon Factor. Androids of Tara could have been better and The Power of Kroll was ... just kind of there.
Slow going, but still a good story.
Ribos was kinda boring at the start, and it definitely picked up the pace along the way, but I found it fairly enjoyable overall, especially with the atmosphere of the snow and the mediaeval stuff!
Fab FAB lol