I had to laugh when I read this, because I'm in the middle of a rewatch of "Invasion of Time" right now! I've only watched part one so far, and is it my imagination, or does the pronunciation of "Gallifrey" change halfway through? I could've sworn the Doctor starts out saying GalliFREE and ends up saying GalliFRAY (and yes, I know the pronunciation has varied in Classic, but in the middle of an episode???)
Things I like: Borusa. John Arnatt IS Borusa
Seconded. His relationship with the Doctor is key to the story, and it's just done so very well. He's my absolute favorite Borusa.
the Sontarans are the real point - without them the first four episodes wouldn't work
Interesting. I haven't gotten there yet on the rewatch, but I remember thinking that the Sontarans felt tacked on, and I used to wonder why they didn't just end with the defeat of the Vardans. Not that the Sontarans weren't one of the best damn cliffhanger surprises ever, because they were -- when I first saw this, I had no idea that it wasn't a four-parter. I was like "wait --but isn't the story over? WHAT??" And then all that running around got tedious, but it was running around the interior of the TARDIS, which was wonderful. (Bet you didn't know that something could be both wonderful and tedious.)
I'll have to keep an eye out for the Leela/Andred romance moments! I always did think that was an OOC exit for the character. It would've made more sense for Leela to decide to stay to help rebuild or something, but I guess as it was the Doctor's home planet that would've come across as strange -- if it had been random alien planet X that had just gone through a double invasion, they could've pulled it off.
It's kind of funny plot. If there wasn't a double point to the Vardans invasion (that they're being used by the Sontarans) it would feel kind of flat, wouldn't it? And they turn up for a great cliffhanger. And then run around Gallifrey.
I'm sure you're right about the pronounciation. It wouldn't be the first or the last time!!
Wonderful and tedious? This is DW. It can be anything, so I'm not surprised. (The Doctor clearly has his desktop setting on institutional brick in this one.) I mean, the thing is, Leela runs around the universe picking up slightly useless males, so it's not as OOC as it should be, but in eps 5-6 no one bothers to give them a scene or two where they can convince us.
OK - ep 4 - watch for when everyone charges into the President's quarters (Leela crashes straight into Andred) and Leela hugs him at the cliffhanger. In eps 5-6 there is much handholding (and one moment in the console room, when she looks stroppy at being dragged away from him), plus the getting injured scene. See if you can spot more. ;-)
"Institutional brick" -- LOL! And I think you're absolutely right about Leela being attracted to hapless men over warrior men. I just never bought that her character would give up traveling with the Doctor to settle down. As you say, a Leela/Andred scene or two might've sold it, though, and it's not as if there was too much plot in episodes 5 and 6 to make room for it.
Just rewatched part two last night (saw the "What a girl!" moment, YES!), and I have to throw in that Tom Baker's acting in this is fantastic. I mean, he's always good, but here he is absolutely stellar.
Thanks to my 'Happy Endings' fics, I have spent more time than I care to admit to over the past couple of months worrying about Leela's love life, so definitely. If they're liable to be in need of protecting, she's happy. Even more so if they also know big words she doesn't. :-D (And I quite like her leaving this way, except for the ridiculous lack of any actual romance, because she'll stay, tell Andred what to do, carry on learning and make sure Gallifrey never quite manages to get back to normal, ever.)
And, heh heh. I'm not sure if that's what he's meant to be doing, but it's nice to know someone else agrees!! :lol:
Yes, Tom Baker is great. My review had got so long I left out that all-too-obvious statement.
I'm watching The Ribos Operation now and much as I love Mary Tamn as Romana, I'm thinking: What would Leela do? Who would she be running round with this time? (Unstoffe, obviously...) I'm sure I'll get over it in time. ;-)
Things I like: Borusa. John Arnatt IS Borusa
Seconded. His relationship with the Doctor is key to the story, and it's just done so very well. He's my absolute favorite Borusa.
the Sontarans are the real point - without them the first four episodes wouldn't work
Interesting. I haven't gotten there yet on the rewatch, but I remember thinking that the Sontarans felt tacked on, and I used to wonder why they didn't just end with the defeat of the Vardans. Not that the Sontarans weren't one of the best damn cliffhanger surprises ever, because they were -- when I first saw this, I had no idea that it wasn't a four-parter. I was like "wait --but isn't the story over? WHAT??" And then all that running around got tedious, but it was running around the interior of the TARDIS, which was wonderful. (Bet you didn't know that something could be both wonderful and tedious.)
I'll have to keep an eye out for the Leela/Andred romance moments! I always did think that was an OOC exit for the character. It would've made more sense for Leela to decide to stay to help rebuild or something, but I guess as it was the Doctor's home planet that would've come across as strange -- if it had been random alien planet X that had just gone through a double invasion, they could've pulled it off.
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I'm sure you're right about the pronounciation. It wouldn't be the first or the last time!!
Wonderful and tedious? This is DW. It can be anything, so I'm not surprised. (The Doctor clearly has his desktop setting on institutional brick in this one.) I mean, the thing is, Leela runs around the universe picking up slightly useless males, so it's not as OOC as it should be, but in eps 5-6 no one bothers to give them a scene or two where they can convince us.
OK - ep 4 - watch for when everyone charges into the President's quarters (Leela crashes straight into Andred) and Leela hugs him at the cliffhanger. In eps 5-6 there is much handholding (and one moment in the console room, when she looks stroppy at being dragged away from him), plus the getting injured scene. See if you can spot more. ;-)
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Just rewatched part two last night (saw the "What a girl!" moment, YES!), and I have to throw in that Tom Baker's acting in this is fantastic. I mean, he's always good, but here he is absolutely stellar.
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And, heh heh. I'm not sure if that's what he's meant to be doing, but it's nice to know someone else agrees!! :lol:
Yes, Tom Baker is great. My review had got so long I left out that all-too-obvious statement.
I'm watching The Ribos Operation now and much as I love Mary Tamn as Romana, I'm thinking: What would Leela do? Who would she be running round with this time? (Unstoffe, obviously...) I'm sure I'll get over it in time. ;-)
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