Doctor Who 1.04 Marco Polo

[whatinthewho]

The First Doctor with Susan, Ian and Barbara
Follows on from An Unearthly Child and The Daleks and The Edge of Destruction – all three of these reviews have been refreshed and re-posted for a clearer and closer examination of the continuous ongoing story they tell

Comments

[tamlover]

I have to say that Marco Polo has never grabbed me, despite the fact that it's a fan favorite. I did love another fan favorite historical that only exists in recon, though - The Massacre of St. Bartholomew's Even (which I listened to with linking narration).

I just can't be very sympathetic to Marco, despite his graciousness. And while I do like Susan having a friend, I'm not as grabbed by the relationship as some. I really do think I ought to try giving this one another listen/viewing, but just can't drum up the enthusiasm to do so, you know what I mean?

[whatinthewho]

I know what you mean, yes. I wasn't sure what I'd make of Marco Polo - I've seen mixed reviews, and it was my first full-length recon so I really wasn't sure I'd have the patience for it! But I really did love it. I think it's one of those where you either 'get' the story or not, and that's a completely subjective thing.

I love historicals like this where the question of changing history or staying away from major events isn't a concern, the story is told on a smaller, more intimate scale than that - a story about what it's like to be a time traveller and find yourself having to live in an ancient culture that's entirely alien to you, and navigate the obstacles thrown up as a result.

[blogger_who]

IMHO John Lucarotti was one of the top 3 writers who wrote for Hartnell Who. Everything that the man turned in seems like a lost work of Shakespeare. You talk about the way that the conversations flow and that's exactly it. It's like the man has perfectly sculpted the dialog so that it sounds interesting as well as conveying interesting ideas. I absolutely adore this one although I think that The Aztecs and The Massacre are better.

I, like you, also really like Tegana's vocal performance. The man is great.

This one is on my top 3 for stories that I'd love to have discovered so that I could see it in all its glory.

[whatinthewho]

Oh my god the dialogue in this story is beautiful - and in The Crusade, as well, and The Aztecs. I really, really love the First Doctor historicals, and the beauty of the writing is a huge part of the reason why. This one is at the top of my list for recoveries, as well.