Deadly Assassin

[thisbluespirit]

I decided (as a New Year's resolution) that it was about time I got with my watching-Doctor-Who in order (minus any gaps I have, obviously), since I think I started at least two years ago, being bad last year due to lending The Pyramids of Mars out to someone and not wanting to skip it, The Android Invasion dying midway through and other events.

So I pulled out The Deadly Assassin and made a start...

Now, let me say, on previous viewings I ended up disappointed and slightly bored.  Clever, but dull and worthy, I thought, wishing I had better taste.  However, I've been hoping that this was due to the first time being (as a late addition to my video library) its reputation scuppering it and the second time to me not really being well and not knowing.  (And watching it now, maybe a lack of any female characters at all?  It's obviously why he refused to take Sarah - they must have had a non-female rule in the capital, which Borusa or someone revoked before The Invasion of Time or something).

So, have I learned to love it?

And the answer is yes.  So I am very pleased, because I so wanted to.  (I confess, I still get a little fed up with the Matrix halfway through episode 3, but then many a DW serial gets a bit dull midway through ep 3).  Especially, as there is really very little DW I don't love.   The Master's mask (so creepy at the start) looks distractingly bad at the end (especially when the actor encased inside doesn't dare back up the steps...) and I could live with 5 minutes or so less running round quarries, but I really like it.  So many great lines.  I must have been even worse than I realised last time...  I do like Engin.  And non-doddery Borusa.  Quintessence of evil, indeed.  He should know better than to flatter the Master like that.   And I've worked out how to do the TTR/TDTO over soap storyline (really, don't ask).  I think.

So, it'll be The Face of Evil next.  And I can't wait because: Leela.  And after that come three of my favourite stories.  I think, as resolutions go, this might have been a good one.

Comments

[john_amend_all]

It's obviously why he refused to take Sarah

I rather liked the theory (not mine; I saw it somewhere on LJ) that he didn't take Sarah for fear of her getting the War Games treatment.

[thisbluespirit]

Heh. I'm sure you're right, but it's clearly a men's only club at this point. Girls spoil things (as they'll find out when Leela turns up...). :lol:

[john_amend_all]

From "men's only club" and "Girls spoil things" I somehow ended up imagining the Newman Primary versions of Borusa, Spandrell et al meeting in a tree house with a sign at the bottom of the ladder reading NO GURLS ALLOWD.

[thisbluespirit]

Perfect! That has to turn up in a story somewhere. I think their spelling might be better, though... :lol:

[john_amend_all]

I think the bad spelling is one of those genre conventions.