The opening part takes some time to reminisce about Ian and Barbara, who left at the end of the previous story, in what is a beautiful and rare little piece of character introspection in Classic Who. The episode then proceeds to properly but effectively introduce the new TARDIS team and the historical setting.
"What do you think it is? A space helmet for a cow?" says the Doctor about a (historically inaccurate) Viking helmet - another golden classic line.
The Time Meddler is the very first (of many more to come) pseudo-historicals and makes it a rather fascinating point to blend a historically important event with anachronisms such as 20th-century technology.
For the first time, we have here a historical adventure that isn't about the time period or historical event itself; no, it's about two members of a mighty alien race with different philosophies facing off against each other in a mostly harmless battle of wits.
It's always a joy to see a story that holds such historical importance in terms of the show's canon, and the Part Three cliffhanger must have been a shocking revelation because it feels satisfying even for those of us who know it's coming.
CHARACTERS & ACTING: 11
If William Hartnell was saddened about the departure of co-stars William Russell and Jacqueline Hill, he certainly doesn't show it: he's filled with his usual grandfatherly warmth and sass here, particularly when trying to prove to Steven that the TARDIS is a time machine. Hartnell is at his very best in the second half of the serial (because he barely appears in the first), once he finally faces the Monk, allowing the two Carry On legends to steal the show together.
Without Ian and Barbara to guide her, Maureen O'Brien truly stands out as the more seasoned of the TARDIS companions. She immediately feels much more mature and capable, so this cast change does her character wonders.
Alongside Vicki, we find the energetic and defiant Steven in a part still somewhat finding its footing but not too obviously trying to replace Ian. The new companion relationship is well explored through Vicki and Steven's solo ventures, which take up a majority of the serial.
We meet another acting legend in Peter Butterworth, who appears as the Meddling Monk - one of the most memorable villains of the Hartnell era and the first Time Lord character other than the Doctor or Susan to appear on the show. Butterworth is a highlight; funny and mischievous, yet just the right amount of selfish as well, but all in the name of fun!
It's refreshing to meet a villain who isn't evil for the sake of it or who plans to take over the world or destroy it - and we are still a few years away from the Master's introduction - so the Monk is simply meddling for the fun of it! I almost want him to win!
ATMOSPHERE: 1
After a string of mostly very serious and educational historicals, it is refreshing to watch an adventure that feels more tongue-in-cheek and lighthearted and doesn't take itself or its setting too seriously.
PRODUCTION: 2
The simple sets and costumes capture the time and setting well, as is tradition for Doctor Who's historical episodes. The capable direction and cinematography mostly help give this story a sense of scale.
I'm somewhat bummed about how Dennis Spooner makes Steven and Vicki wander back and forth between the monastery and the outside woods multiple times since they cannot make up their mind about what to do. Spooner doesn't give them anything useful to do. The same goes, to a lesser extent, for the Doctor until he finally decides to face the Monk.
The blend of history and modern technology isn't explored all that much, which is a pity, because it could have made for some interesting and tense plot developments.
CHARACTERS & ACTING: -1
The Saxon supporting characters aren't all that interesting or integral to the plot. They feel almost like rehashes of the tribe members in An Unearthly Child, (which is funny, because the lady Saxon is played by Aletha Charlton, who previously appeared in that story).
ATMOSPHERE: -3
The pacing is perhaps a tad on the slower side during the first half of the story; there are a lot of teases and beginnings, but very little plot development.
This story also lacks a sense of a climax: the ending is very small-scale and sudden, even if it is one of the most satisfying endings to a villain's schemes in Classic Who.
PRODUCTION: -1
It's weird to watch the clumsy and unconvincing fight scenes given how ell previous historical have choreographed and directed similar scenes.
Review by Theo KallströmVIP 6BlockedParent2022-04-15T18:35:49Z
:white_check_mark:76% :thumbsup:22 :thumbsdown:7
STORY: 8
The opening part takes some time to reminisce about Ian and Barbara, who left at the end of the previous story, in what is a beautiful and rare little piece of character introspection in Classic Who. The episode then proceeds to properly but effectively introduce the new TARDIS team and the historical setting.
"What do you think it is? A space helmet for a cow?" says the Doctor about a (historically inaccurate) Viking helmet - another golden classic line.
The Time Meddler is the very first (of many more to come) pseudo-historicals and makes it a rather fascinating point to blend a historically important event with anachronisms such as 20th-century technology.
For the first time, we have here a historical adventure that isn't about the time period or historical event itself; no, it's about two members of a mighty alien race with different philosophies facing off against each other in a mostly harmless battle of wits.
It's always a joy to see a story that holds such historical importance in terms of the show's canon, and the Part Three cliffhanger must have been a shocking revelation because it feels satisfying even for those of us who know it's coming.
CHARACTERS & ACTING: 11
If William Hartnell was saddened about the departure of co-stars William Russell and Jacqueline Hill, he certainly doesn't show it: he's filled with his usual grandfatherly warmth and sass here, particularly when trying to prove to Steven that the TARDIS is a time machine. Hartnell is at his very best in the second half of the serial (because he barely appears in the first), once he finally faces the Monk, allowing the two Carry On legends to steal the show together.
Without Ian and Barbara to guide her, Maureen O'Brien truly stands out as the more seasoned of the TARDIS companions. She immediately feels much more mature and capable, so this cast change does her character wonders.
Alongside Vicki, we find the energetic and defiant Steven in a part still somewhat finding its footing but not too obviously trying to replace Ian. The new companion relationship is well explored through Vicki and Steven's solo ventures, which take up a majority of the serial.
We meet another acting legend in Peter Butterworth, who appears as the Meddling Monk - one of the most memorable villains of the Hartnell era and the first Time Lord character other than the Doctor or Susan to appear on the show. Butterworth is a highlight; funny and mischievous, yet just the right amount of selfish as well, but all in the name of fun!
It's refreshing to meet a villain who isn't evil for the sake of it or who plans to take over the world or destroy it - and we are still a few years away from the Master's introduction - so the Monk is simply meddling for the fun of it! I almost want him to win!
ATMOSPHERE: 1
After a string of mostly very serious and educational historicals, it is refreshing to watch an adventure that feels more tongue-in-cheek and lighthearted and doesn't take itself or its setting too seriously.
PRODUCTION: 2
The simple sets and costumes capture the time and setting well, as is tradition for Doctor Who's historical episodes. The capable direction and cinematography mostly help give this story a sense of scale.
:thumbsup::thumbsdown::thumbsup::thumbsdown::thumbsup::thumbsdown::thumbsup::thumbsdown::thumbsup::thumbsdown::thumbsup::thumbsdown::thumbsup:
STORY: -2
I'm somewhat bummed about how Dennis Spooner makes Steven and Vicki wander back and forth between the monastery and the outside woods multiple times since they cannot make up their mind about what to do. Spooner doesn't give them anything useful to do. The same goes, to a lesser extent, for the Doctor until he finally decides to face the Monk.
The blend of history and modern technology isn't explored all that much, which is a pity, because it could have made for some interesting and tense plot developments.
CHARACTERS & ACTING: -1
The Saxon supporting characters aren't all that interesting or integral to the plot. They feel almost like rehashes of the tribe members in An Unearthly Child, (which is funny, because the lady Saxon is played by Aletha Charlton, who previously appeared in that story).
ATMOSPHERE: -3
The pacing is perhaps a tad on the slower side during the first half of the story; there are a lot of teases and beginnings, but very little plot development.
This story also lacks a sense of a climax: the ending is very small-scale and sudden, even if it is one of the most satisfying endings to a villain's schemes in Classic Who.
PRODUCTION: -1
It's weird to watch the clumsy and unconvincing fight scenes given how ell previous historical have choreographed and directed similar scenes.