There have been a slew of classic episodes released lately. So here I am catching up with them amidst our regularly scheduled mega-marathon to 11/23/13. The recent discovery of the lost episodes of The Enemy of the World and the Web of Fear are an amazing treat. Just remastered and released on iTunes with DVD releases coming soon, I ravenously devoured these "new" episodes like a Thanksgiving feast. It is the most wonderful 50th anniversary gift ever!
39. The Ice Warriors
The Ice Warriors came out on DVD! And I watched it! All of it! With animated episodes to fill in the gaps. And it was lovely! Not the most coherent and focused of stories ever, but still a great introduction to the Ice Warriors. Which in retrospect with what we learned in the most recent 11th Doctor episode Cold War, he makes me appreciate them more. In the story, Patrick Troughton dazzles as the 2nd Doctor as usual. Victoria gets quite a bit if story and screen time throughout the 6 episodes. Jamie, on the other hand, gets sidelined and it out of commission for the most part. The Ice Warriors themselves actually look great and are pretty creepy in black and white.Their color appearances on Peladon sometimes came off as a bit cheesy.
The newly animated episodes 2 and 3 seem a bit stiff but interesting. I seem to remember the animation from the Reign of Terror to be better. But this animation process is more 3D than what was done for The Invasion. All in all, it's wonderful to have to have this story as complete as possible and able to be seen straight through. Truly a lovely 2nd Doctor treat for the 50th anniversary!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ice_Warriors
40. The Enemy of the World
Missing for 45 years, the Enemy of the World has returned! Having only heard this story previously, it was absolutely amazing to see it for the first time. The BBC really cleaned up the film and it looks fantastic on the screen. The music really conveys an epic sense of the story. From the first second with extensive location shooting, this feels big. Patrick Troughton gives us a tour de force performance as both the Doctor and the evil Salamander. These are 6 episodes of pure joy, seeing Patrick light up the screen in the most classic of classic performances as the Second Doctor. For the era that was hit worst by the deletion of episodes, this is truly a cherished gift.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Enemy_of_the_World
41. The Web of Fear
Along with Enemy of the World, the Web of Fear episodes 1-2, 4-6 were also recovered. For the iTunes release, episode 3 was reconstructed with telesnaps to the original soundtrack. I'm sure when this gets its DVD release, episode 3 will be animated. This story sees the return of the Great Intelligence from the previous appearance in The Abominable Snowman. This story also introduces UNIT and Colonel Lethridge-Stewart. Sergeant Benton is also in here but he's under a bunch of Yeti fur. Having heard the stories about the Yeti in the Underground for decades, it is such a treat to finally see it. Again, Patrick and crew are amazing and it is a joy to see Nick Courtney cutting his teeth as the not-yet-Brigadier. UNIT is actually populated with a bunch of funny guys, cracking jokes and being very individual soldiers. It is easy to see why they brought UNIT back next season for The Invasion. You can also definitely see the connections with the Great Intelligence that recently appeared with the 11th Doctor. Pure joy!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Web_of_Fear
80. The Terror of the Zygons
Jumping ahead to the 4th Doctor, we get the final Tom Baker DVD release and they saved the best for last! The Zygons are probably one of the most iconic Doctor Who monsters ever and only appeared once. (We will get another 50th anniversary treat with their return in the anniversary special!) This is one of the earliest episodes I ever saw as a child and I remember it so fondly. The line up is so classic- Tom Baker, Liz Sladen, Ian Marter, Nick Courtney. So many wonderful actors, and except for Tom, all gone, making this an extra special treasure. This story really marked the end of the UNIT era, with only sporadic appearances over the next year and the Brigadier not returning until the 20th anniversary year. And even after all this time, the Zygons are still the best monsters and it really is amazing they haven't returned sooner. To cap off the DVD releases of Tom Baker's historic 7 year run with this story seems so right and proper. An iconic story for an iconic Doctor with his most iconic companions. An absolute celebration!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terror_of_the_Zygons
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