A pair of stories from the Jon Pertwee era of Doctor Who get solid treatment on DVD.
It’s Peladon Tales…
Your legend appears violent and unpleasant.
And rather too convenient!
Ad content continues below
There are mitigating circumstances.
Special spit n polish notwithstanding,Curse Of Peladonis the more interesting.
But things dont go according to plan.
Right, weve done Common Market..
The being introduced as The Delegate From Alpha Centauri becomes Alpha Centauri, the delegate from Arcturus, Arcturus.
So we never actually learn what Alphas name actually is if camp Sea Anenomes even have names.
Im gonna go for Bob.
Jo Grant gets ringlets and dignity.
AlongsideThe Green Death, its her best outing.
David Troughton, in the third of his fourDoctor Whoappearances, is rounded, gentle and sensitive.
Let no-one tell you that oldWhowas devoid of emotional character subplots when looking at the subtle, sweetly-played scenes.
Lennie Mayne doesnt let any shoddy performances go by, but technically the direction is a bit slapdash.
And as much Im a fan of Dudley Simpsons scores, this isnt his best.
But even so, when alls over, you do wish you could see more.
And… it’s possible for you to see more!
So, the sequel.
Its 50 years later fictionally, two years on factually.
King Peladon has passed on and his daughter, Queen Thalira (Nina Thomas) now rules the king.
Alpha Centauri is back, and theres nasty things in the basement.
All together now, Klokleda partha menin klatch, arroon, arroon arrooooon!
Well, okay, theres a bit more.
)Robinsons got that natural conviction about him that makes him worth watching.
Theres anotherWhoreturnee, too.
Donald Gee was inThe SpacePirates.
Still, he contributes a likeable commentary and very enthusiastic narration to a couple of featurettes.
Beyond the returnees, for Geoffrey Toones Hepesh see the remarkably similar, if thinner-faced Frank Gatliff as Ortron.
For Grun, read Blor.
Id contest the accusation that Pertwees going through the motions, on marking time.
He has this effortless quality but in therightway.
Id also forgotten how different Sarah Jane can seem depending on which Doctor and producer shes with.
Her grief over the Doctors apparent death at one point draws great praise from commentators and this viewer alike.
Extras
Featurettes are a diverse and serviceable mix.
Theres a principal two-part documentary, split by theme (production and characters) rather than story.
Elisabeth Sladen is notable for her absence onMonster, and we dont have David Troughton forCurseeither.
Theres a lovely fan commentary on the fourth episode.
Long term collectors might recall something similar onThe Horror Of Fang Rock.
Thats not to say theres nothing new here, though.
Finally theres Ian Scoones original storyboard for the rock fall sequence, cut together as a nice little bonus.
TheComing Soontrailer, ever-slick, is forTheMasque Of Mandragora.
Rating:
5 out of 5
