Sarah -
"A girl’s got to do what a girl’s got to do."
Honestly, Old Boy, does any companion have a send-off as wonderful as Jo’s?
Honestly, Old Boy, does any companion have a send-off as wonderful as Jo’s?
Harry -
That was an amazing sendoff, completing the season-long Jo Farewell Arc.
It's too bad not every companion gets such a great final story before departing. We've already seen some weak companion sendoffs, and there are other lousy ones to come. This one was just right, even though it hit the Doctor hard. He really didn't see it coming.
It's too bad not every companion gets such a great final story before departing. We've already seen some weak companion sendoffs, and there are other lousy ones to come. This one was just right, even though it hit the Doctor hard. He really didn't see it coming.
Sarah -
Sorry Doctor, there’s no time for Metebelis III today. Jo Grant has other plans – it’s off to South Wales for her, to join Professor Jones’ Nuthutch and fight Global Chemicals’ plan to begin drilling for oil in Llanfairfach.
Harry -
Oh boy, the Doctor's trip to Metebelis III was hilarious. He's been banging on about going there for months it seems. His arrival and subsequent terror scenes are some of my favourite moments of the Pertwee era. I remember doubling over in laughter the first time I saw this.
Sarah -
The Doctor on Metebelis III is hysterical. Can you imagine if he'd taken Jo there? The assistant who wanted nothing more than to be on Earth?
I positively love this story. I commented at the beginning of Jo’s tenure that she had never been one of my favorite companions. I take it all back. This is the first time I’ve watched all of Katy Manning’s stories in order and I was so wrong about Jo. She’s brilliant!
I positively love this story. I commented at the beginning of Jo’s tenure that she had never been one of my favorite companions. I take it all back. This is the first time I’ve watched all of Katy Manning’s stories in order and I was so wrong about Jo. She’s brilliant!
Harry -
Our viewing marathon has definitely raised my estimation of Jo Grant. I used to think she was a rather bland character that didn't do much, but we've seen her grow as a character over the course of three seasons, from the timid lab assistant to the assertive woman of action.
The outfit she had on at the start of the story was interesting. I'm talking about that cream jacket and cricket sweater. I wonder if it caught the eye of a young John Nathan-Turner...
The outfit she had on at the start of the story was interesting. I'm talking about that cream jacket and cricket sweater. I wonder if it caught the eye of a young John Nathan-Turner...
Sarah -
Ha! I shouted, "What's she doing in Peter's clothes?" at the telly.
Harry -
Anyway, Jo leaves the scene on a high note, with new man Professor Jones in tow. 70's hair aside, he was quite dishy.
Sarah -
Oh my goodness, he was, wasn't he? Stewart Bevan and Katy Manning were a couple at the time, which probably helped their on-screen chemistry.
Harry -
Nice. He gave a cheerful interview that appeared on the DVD that was fun viewing. He's still got those twinkling blue eyes.
Sarah -
I quite liked that, too.
Harry -
On the absolute opposite end of the attractiveness scale, I was totally creeped out by Mr. Stevens, because he was a dead ringer for a mean, miserable teacher I had back in the eighth grade.
Sarah -
That must have been terrifying!
Harry -
I hated that teacher. Speaking of creepy, has there been a Doctor Who story featuring anything nearly as disgusting as the mutant maggots? GACK.
Sarah -
They were so disgusting, which was absolutely brilliant. The creepiness factor overcame the occasional cheesiness of the effects!
Harry -
I was glad when one of the maggots metamorphosed into a giant flying insect. Or rather, a giant flying comedy prop. After five and a half episodes of disgusting creepy crawlies, the silly bug prop was a relief.
Sarah -
The flying insect didn't have the best equilibrium, did it? That thing was all over the place.
I loved the scene of the Doctor and Benton driving through the field of maggots, Benton throwing fungus at them and trying to avoid our flying friend.
I also love that the only reason they knew the fungus would kill the maggots was because sweet, clumsy Jo spilled some on Jones' slides. His reaction to the accident and patronizing attitude towards Jo is what sent her off on the quest to get a maggot for him to study. Jones' attempt to save Jo ends up with her saving him -- which pretty much seals the fate of the lovely couple!
I loved the scene of the Doctor and Benton driving through the field of maggots, Benton throwing fungus at them and trying to avoid our flying friend.
I also love that the only reason they knew the fungus would kill the maggots was because sweet, clumsy Jo spilled some on Jones' slides. His reaction to the accident and patronizing attitude towards Jo is what sent her off on the quest to get a maggot for him to study. Jones' attempt to save Jo ends up with her saving him -- which pretty much seals the fate of the lovely couple!
Harry -
I thought for sure that this was another Malcolm Hulke story, because of the powerful social messages it contained. Globalisation, environmental destruction, corporate brainwashing (literally!) and technological menace. There was even that satirical scene at the beginning where Stevens apes Neville Chamberlain waving a piece of paper, promising "wealth in our time" to the skeptical workers.
It was a fantastic story from Robert Sloman, who also wrote "The Daemons" and "The Time Monster". We have one more Sloman story to come: "Planet of the Spiders."
It was a fantastic story from Robert Sloman, who also wrote "The Daemons" and "The Time Monster". We have one more Sloman story to come: "Planet of the Spiders."
Sarah -
Did you know Barry Letts had a hand in the story? He didn't take the screen credit, but apparently it was his idea.
Harry -
Our Barry, so modest.
The Doctor has faced off against super-computers in both his previous incarnations, and his contempt for the BOSS was palpable here. I did like that the BOSS was given a psycho personality. The singy-songy stuff it was doing at the end was another moment of exquisite creepiness.
The Doctor has faced off against super-computers in both his previous incarnations, and his contempt for the BOSS was palpable here. I did like that the BOSS was given a psycho personality. The singy-songy stuff it was doing at the end was another moment of exquisite creepiness.
Sarah -
BOSS was great, but I wanted the voice to be Kevin Stoney's. I could just imagine the computer purring, "Packer..."
Harry -
Hah!
Scanning my notes, what jumps out is how many interesting visuals there were in this story. Not just the horrific maggots and comedy fly. The glowing green effect of the toxic poisoning on people's skins was well done. Everything about the nut hutch was endearing - especially those hand-drawn signs everywhere. And check out Lethbridge-Stewart tooling around in a Mercedes convertible, dressed like he's about to enter a "Most British Looking Man" competition. Wow!
Scanning my notes, what jumps out is how many interesting visuals there were in this story. Not just the horrific maggots and comedy fly. The glowing green effect of the toxic poisoning on people's skins was well done. Everything about the nut hutch was endearing - especially those hand-drawn signs everywhere. And check out Lethbridge-Stewart tooling around in a Mercedes convertible, dressed like he's about to enter a "Most British Looking Man" competition. Wow!
Sarah -
The Brig in his civies would definitely take top prize! How about Mike Yates in his suit? Nice to see the lads out of uniform.
Harry -
Overall I really love this story. It hits all the right notes and is definitely one that I like returning to again and again.
Strange that it ends so sadly, with the lonely Doctor driving off into the dusk, alone.
Strange that it ends so sadly, with the lonely Doctor driving off into the dusk, alone.
Sarah -
I found myself thinking back and deciding that this the really the first time the Doctor is truly alone. When the Third Doctor staggers out of the TARDIS after regenerating, he almost immediately falls in with UNIT. This time, he's entirely on his own in a way that he won't be for several more regenerations.
The final scene between the Doctor and Jo is so touching. When she describes how Jones reminds her of a younger version of the Doctor, you can see how much she adores him and the impact he's had on her life. I have to admit I found myself reaching for a tissue.
The final scene between the Doctor and Jo is so touching. When she describes how Jones reminds her of a younger version of the Doctor, you can see how much she adores him and the impact he's had on her life. I have to admit I found myself reaching for a tissue.
Harry -
Great story, great ending, and Jo Grant turned out to be a great companion.
Sarah -
I will miss her!
Harry -
Well, shall we see who will enter the Doctor's life next? I can't believe we're almost there!
Sarah -
The moment we've been waiting for!
Harry -
Best Line: "Well I never thought I'd fire in anger at a dratted caterpillar, but..."
Favourite Moment: the Doctor on Metebelis III.
Lasting Image: those horrible maggots everywhere.
9/10
Favourite Moment: the Doctor on Metebelis III.
Lasting Image: those horrible maggots everywhere.
9/10
Sarah -
Best Line: "Living dangerously? That's how you get your kicks like the good little Nietzschean you are."
Favorite Moment: The Doctor and Jo's farewell.
Lasting Image: The Doctor and Benton in Bessie, tossing fungus.
9/10
Favorite Moment: The Doctor and Jo's farewell.
Lasting Image: The Doctor and Benton in Bessie, tossing fungus.
9/10
Our marathon continues with Story #70: The Time Warrior...
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