Black Orchid
The TARDIS returns to Earth once more, this time in 1929 at the height of summer. Tegan has decided to stay with the crew for a while, and a case of mistaken identity lands the Doctor platying in a local cricket match for charity. The local aristocracy are taken with the Doctor's performance, but are more impressed by Nyssa, for she looks exactly like Ann, the fiancee of Lord Cranleigh. Only trouble is, Cranleigh's brother, George, was Ann's original fiancee but that wedding was called off when George was horribly disfigured by a tribe of South American natives for his interests in their local flora, namely the black orchid. George lurks within the family home, stalking the corridors and passages, and he's eager to reunite with his fiancee ... or a girl who looks like her.
Black Orchid is the first two part adventure in the series since The Sontaran Experiment, the format having been abandonded since in favour of using the budgeted funds to make six part adventures. Despite the limited time available the story still works very well, and gives every member of the regular cast something to say and do, although Sarah Sutton is pulling double duty as both Nyssa and Ann. I have long been a critic of Sutton's portrayal of Nyssa, claiming that she's actually rather boring and not much fun, sometimes lacking in expression or geuine reaction. After seeing this, though, it's obvious that the fault lies in the character of Nyssa herself, for Sutton's performance as Ann is much more animated, a sharp contrast when the two characters interact.
This is also one of the few adventures where choreography comes into play, with Tegan kicking up her heels to the Charleston on the Cranleigh patio. Adric makes a pig of himself at the buffet and the Doctor wanders the house in a dressing gown, lost in the secret passages between rooms.
What I don't like about this one is how willing the Doctor is to show the local constabulary around the inside of the TARDIS. Okay sure so he's framed for a murder he did not commit, but used to be he and his companions could just escape, not bring the entire police precinct inside the TARDIS. Still, with this Doctor being more personable than the previous incarnations, me TARDIS es su TARDIS seems to be the slogan du jour. At least, where nice people are concerned.
NEXT EPISODE : EARTHSHOCK
Black Orchid is the first two part adventure in the series since The Sontaran Experiment, the format having been abandonded since in favour of using the budgeted funds to make six part adventures. Despite the limited time available the story still works very well, and gives every member of the regular cast something to say and do, although Sarah Sutton is pulling double duty as both Nyssa and Ann. I have long been a critic of Sutton's portrayal of Nyssa, claiming that she's actually rather boring and not much fun, sometimes lacking in expression or geuine reaction. After seeing this, though, it's obvious that the fault lies in the character of Nyssa herself, for Sutton's performance as Ann is much more animated, a sharp contrast when the two characters interact.
This is also one of the few adventures where choreography comes into play, with Tegan kicking up her heels to the Charleston on the Cranleigh patio. Adric makes a pig of himself at the buffet and the Doctor wanders the house in a dressing gown, lost in the secret passages between rooms.
What I don't like about this one is how willing the Doctor is to show the local constabulary around the inside of the TARDIS. Okay sure so he's framed for a murder he did not commit, but used to be he and his companions could just escape, not bring the entire police precinct inside the TARDIS. Still, with this Doctor being more personable than the previous incarnations, me TARDIS es su TARDIS seems to be the slogan du jour. At least, where nice people are concerned.
NEXT EPISODE : EARTHSHOCK
Labels: Adric, Nyssa, Tegan Jovanka, The 5th Doctor
posted by Sean Hoover @ 3:19 PM
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