The fifth series feels like a bit of a reboot. After 16
stories and the two specials last year it seemed like something was needed to
keep it fresh and breathe new life into this spin off series. The series has
moved to the 1960’s after the Doctor drops them off later than he picked them
up. This means that it would be interesting to see two Victorian gentleman in a
different time and see what they would do in swinging sixties. It’s a bit line
Adam Adamant but times two. First thing that strikes me is the new theme tune.
I have always liked the one that was used in the previous four series and would
normally be reluctant to want something like this to change but I instantly
listened to it again after it had finished cause it was that good.
Whilst listening to this story I was getting the sense that
it felt like one of the earlier stories whilst not feeling outdated. The story
centres around the Victorian Value Preservation Society who are trying to
brainwash society into going back to Victorian Value. It’s a bit like Invasion
of the Dinosaurs but that not a bad thing. It done incredibly well and the
whole pacing of the story had that first story of the series vibe to it which I
very much approve of. The start was a bit odd as we were introduced to Jago and
Litefoot in their respective new careers. Litefoot is working in a bookstore
and Jago is working on TV now. We are introduce to Timothy Vee who has a show
on TV called the T.V Show. He sounds like he has come out of a hip TV 1960’s
show and it was played brilliantly by Ben Willibond. He captures the role
really well and he does a similar (if exaggerated) voice in a BBC radio series
called Double Science. Lisa Bowerman returns as Ellie and I had forgotten that
she was a vampire and it meant that they had a clever way of moving her
character into this time period and help keep the dynamic that she is part of
now. Both Trevor Baxter and Christopher Benjamin are on their usual fine form
and its Benjamin who provides the comedy as he gets use to being on TV.
If I had to be picky (and I’m struggling here) it would be
that I cant’ understand why Litefoot doesn’t have some involvement in his
previous career. I know that medicine would have moved on a lot in 70 or so
years but it can’t have been that much of a stretch to find a way to overcome
this. Jago’s career seemed like the natural evolution as TV was starting the
invade people’s homes and variety shows were on TV so that would have been a
perfect choice for him. Ellie running the pub was also a natural thing to do.
The whole point of this story is to ease us as the listener
into this new surrounding. That’s why the story isn’t particularly complicated.
It’s like slot a goes into tab b and whilst that might not sound like a
compliment I thought that the plot was comforting and it effectively and creatively
set its stall out for the series and managed to tell a good story in the
process. As much as it may feel like a reboot it manages to continue the fine
run of stories in this particular range. The new setting is fun to think and
about and everyone involved has messed it up. I love the theme tune, I love the
central performances and I loved the story. I can tell that I’m going to enjoy
this series as I loved this story and that’s been the case for the first three
series so this bodes well for this series.
No comments:
Post a Comment