Review of all 4 parts:
This has serious aspects and themes to add interest but is mostly a mix of amusing humour and entertaining fun. It is nothing special but is just a jolly adventure that passes the time very pleasantly.
The first episode is easily the best. Christopher Barry's direction is great and the first episode especially is filmed beautifully with some great camera work that diverts from shortcomings and adds quality. The initial scenes on the alien planet with its plantlife along with the mysterious 'eggshell' is well realised. In fact, the sets, costumes and overall production standard is very good for the time, pretty impressive for classic era Doctor Who. The first episode is very enjoyable with no major negatives apart from the performances of the group of natives in animal skins and the fact K9 is voiced by the less effective David Brierly instead of the wonderful John Leeson. In episode 1 like it all really with Adastra and her minions all very good, the costumes all very nice and the performances of most characters really enjoyable. The following episodes continue to be good fun but there are more of the less impressive aspects and the story itself diminishes in quality by the end. Overall it remains a decent filler though.
The creature itself is even an okay effort on the budget but it has some design flaws which are showed up particularly when the Doctor tries speaking into a protruding appendage which is not a good look.
The astrologer is a funny guest character and Romana is pleasant but it is Tom Baker mostly who lifts the story with his personality lighting up the screen as usual.
My ratings: Part 1 - 8/10, Part 2 - 7/10, Part 3 - 6.5/10, Part 4 - 6/10. Overall - 6.88/10.
This has serious aspects and themes to add interest but is mostly a mix of amusing humour and entertaining fun. It is nothing special but is just a jolly adventure that passes the time very pleasantly.
The first episode is easily the best. Christopher Barry's direction is great and the first episode especially is filmed beautifully with some great camera work that diverts from shortcomings and adds quality. The initial scenes on the alien planet with its plantlife along with the mysterious 'eggshell' is well realised. In fact, the sets, costumes and overall production standard is very good for the time, pretty impressive for classic era Doctor Who. The first episode is very enjoyable with no major negatives apart from the performances of the group of natives in animal skins and the fact K9 is voiced by the less effective David Brierly instead of the wonderful John Leeson. In episode 1 like it all really with Adastra and her minions all very good, the costumes all very nice and the performances of most characters really enjoyable. The following episodes continue to be good fun but there are more of the less impressive aspects and the story itself diminishes in quality by the end. Overall it remains a decent filler though.
The creature itself is even an okay effort on the budget but it has some design flaws which are showed up particularly when the Doctor tries speaking into a protruding appendage which is not a good look.
The astrologer is a funny guest character and Romana is pleasant but it is Tom Baker mostly who lifts the story with his personality lighting up the screen as usual.
My ratings: Part 1 - 8/10, Part 2 - 7/10, Part 3 - 6.5/10, Part 4 - 6/10. Overall - 6.88/10.
