Home Articles Audios Fiction Forums Gallery Games Reviews RF Project


Seasons in the Show, banner by Mark Simpson

Seasons in the Show: Season 14 >> Season 15 >> Season 16

SEASON 15 : HELTER SKELTER

A retrospective by Mark Worgan

Jeff Cummins' cover for Fang Rock novel

When I offered to write a review, I had Season Sixteen in mind or maybe any of the Hartnell/Troughton seasons, but the editor had other ideas, and (after many words) persuaded me to review Season Fifteen. But before you read any further, let me warn you, I'm not a sad little anorak, so don't expect any comments on how the Doctor's scarf was different in episode two or who the Producer, Director, Floor Sweeper and Tea Lady were from one story to the next...

Well here goes an hour of my life down the toilet. First of course is Horror of Fang Rock. As this is probably the story where I became a regular viewer of Doctor Who I feel I must mention that as a child, I was weird (especially for a three year-old on anti-depressants), so with this in mind you can see why I bonded with Reuben (the dead guy walking around stoned off his head). Anyway a good story, although I reckon Louise Jameson was a bit confused having to handle Liz Sladen's script - the character of Leela seemed totally lost in this story (or maybe it was the fact that she was fully clothed). Plus Rutans don't make very good adversaries (believe me I know), anyway that's all I have to say about the Rock. Not exactly your typical review - in fact you may think I'm sad (but who's writing this me or you?!)

Roy Knipe's cover for the Invisible Enemy novel

The Invisible Enemy, the story that introduced K9, the only companion who the ladies fell for and wanted to pull (mainly because he kept breaking down). This story has to be the worst in the season, with the main villain (the virus nucleaus) looking remarkably like a giant prawn, this story totally put me off sea food.

John Geary's cover for the Fendahl novelNext Image of the Fendahl. Now this story is quite good, an excellent score by Dudley Simpson enhanced the gripping storyline. Besides, this story just goes to show that only Doctor Who can get away with having giant caterpillars, and you must admit they were well trained - how many caterpillars do you know that can stand on their hind legs while blowing a party blower?

Andrew Skilleter's cover for the Sunmakers novelThe Sunmakers has a clever script which Tom Baker sends-up beautifully with many humorous one-liners, and the Collector (Henry Woolf) is superb, the guy even made Thatcher look human! And for all you anoraks out there, yes I did notice Michael Keating.

Underworld has lots of CSO and people running through it.

Andrew Skilleter's cover for the Invasion of Time novelLast (thankfully) but by all means not least The Invasion of Time this last segment I shall dedicate to all anoraks everywhere (considering you've read this much). Now I never needed to watch this one when compiling this piece of art, as it's one of my favourites, plus the fact that I've watched it many times over. First Tom Baker's character change, it is both refreshing and well acted. The extra interior locations for the TARDIS with its swimming pool and art gallery etc enhance the fact that the TARDIS is bigger on the inside. This I feel had been lost over the years with too much familiarity. However, the Vardans are terrible - what was Graham Williams thinking, and why was the Doctor so concerned, he's faced crapier looking enemies before now, and besides the idea of Gallifrey being taken over by Baco Foil is very scary in my opinion (I hear the Target novelisation of this story features a brief appearance by a packet of Paxo). Well with all the excitement of dangling Bacofoil the Sontarans don't deserve a mention.

Well that's my review and as I said earlier, if you think I'm sad then think again because you're the one who's just read this!

Next: Season 16

A full list of this seasons stories is available in The Matrix


Seasons in the Show: Season 14 >> Season 15 >> Season 16

Send page to a friend   Opinions Welcome

Home Articles Audios Fiction Forums Gallery Games Reviews RF Project