After being disappointed by Crime of the Century I was really hoping that Animal would be a return to form. The lost stories in this portion of the second series are more lost ideas than lost stories that’s splitting hairs. First of all, Animal is a rubbish title. I can’t quite understand why they went for such a bland title. It doesn’t instantly trip off the tongue. This story sees Brigadier Winifred Bambera return to Doctor Who after appearing in Battlefield in 1989. It’s the second story in succession to be written by former Script Editor Andrew Cartmel. I wasn’t aware of this until the interviews section between Episodes 2 and 3 (downside of having the downloads instead of the CD). I was glad that they bought back Bambera because I thought that the character wasn’t given a fair crack in Battlefield as she had to share the title with the late great Nicholas Courtney. This time she gets to shine and also the character has been made more likeable and easier to get on with. Whenever I think of Angela Bruce I instantly think of her role in one of the Only Fools and Horses Christmas Specials. It was odd to hear her laughing and getting on with the Doctor at first but that didn’t last long and I soon accepted this and I have to say that I hope that she returns. With the passing of Nicholas Courtney it would be nice if we had more UNIT stories and Bambera is the next best thing that we will ever get.
Beth Chalmers continues to impress as Raine, she isnt the focus of the story so she falls into the traditional companion role and its business as usual for Ace. Chalmers decides to stay behind at the end of the story after learning her father has died. Bearing in mind that she last saw him in 1989/90 and he would presumably be in his late 60’s/early 70’s it should really be no surprise. However its well handled by Chalmers. Sophie Aldred is on usual fine form and is really seems to be enjoying every scene that she’s in. Especially when she’s pretending to be a Herbivore and getting confused as to who is the Herbivore out of her and Raine and seeing the food she ordered being sent away. Sylvester McCoy is enjoying himself also as he does his usual rolling of his R’s and being generally fab.
Of the supporting cast I found Anthony Lewis to be very interesting as Scobie. He starts off as someone who seems nice but it quickie turns into something not so nice which is kind of obvious but it was done in a good way and played well by Lewis. All the other supporting cast are very strong and the characters have been well written by Cartmel.
There was a link from the previous story but the events of Crime of the Century are never referred to and its basically a standalone story but that’s not a bad thing. The story sees Ace and Raine enrolled into Margrave University in 2001 and they soon they become involved in the events. The alien threat are the Numlocks which I genuinally believe was given that name when Cartmel was looking at his keyboard and saw the world Numlock. I would be amazed if I were wrong. The Numlock start off by appearing to be a liberator but turns out to just want humans that have iron in them to eat. There is a feeling in the latter half of the story that it owes something from Seeds of Death especially with the plant life going pyshoctic.
Animal is a massive improvement on Crime of the Century. The story does have a bit of a weird ending but I think that it’s something that will be resolved in future stories. I think that Animal is a nice little story that manages to have an message about different things without feeling like its forcing them down your throat. Enjoyable.
Beth Chalmers continues to impress as Raine, she isnt the focus of the story so she falls into the traditional companion role and its business as usual for Ace. Chalmers decides to stay behind at the end of the story after learning her father has died. Bearing in mind that she last saw him in 1989/90 and he would presumably be in his late 60’s/early 70’s it should really be no surprise. However its well handled by Chalmers. Sophie Aldred is on usual fine form and is really seems to be enjoying every scene that she’s in. Especially when she’s pretending to be a Herbivore and getting confused as to who is the Herbivore out of her and Raine and seeing the food she ordered being sent away. Sylvester McCoy is enjoying himself also as he does his usual rolling of his R’s and being generally fab.
Of the supporting cast I found Anthony Lewis to be very interesting as Scobie. He starts off as someone who seems nice but it quickie turns into something not so nice which is kind of obvious but it was done in a good way and played well by Lewis. All the other supporting cast are very strong and the characters have been well written by Cartmel.
There was a link from the previous story but the events of Crime of the Century are never referred to and its basically a standalone story but that’s not a bad thing. The story sees Ace and Raine enrolled into Margrave University in 2001 and they soon they become involved in the events. The alien threat are the Numlocks which I genuinally believe was given that name when Cartmel was looking at his keyboard and saw the world Numlock. I would be amazed if I were wrong. The Numlock start off by appearing to be a liberator but turns out to just want humans that have iron in them to eat. There is a feeling in the latter half of the story that it owes something from Seeds of Death especially with the plant life going pyshoctic.
Animal is a massive improvement on Crime of the Century. The story does have a bit of a weird ending but I think that it’s something that will be resolved in future stories. I think that Animal is a nice little story that manages to have an message about different things without feeling like its forcing them down your throat. Enjoyable.
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