"Time and The Rani" EDWE 7 Part One

For the first time, my review will be split into four parts. Part One of the TATR Review is here, and each part of the episode will be reviewed in a new blog.

So. Time and The Rani Part One.
I have to say, I'm quite disappointed. I love the 7th Doctor era and think that Pip and Jane Baker are brilliant at writing Doctor Who. But then we get this and it's a great letdown. The whole scientific, clever nature has gone and has been replaced by a clown of a Doctor and a stupid disguise for the Rani. The Rani isn't as well written as in Mark of the Rani, and Mel is better with the 6th Doctor. The 6th Doctor was becoming more of the clown at the end of his era, and McCoy has taken over the role of the clown. Mistake.

Elements of the darker Doctor that McCoy plays brilliantly? None so far. Just the grumpiness of the Colin Baker era. The whole thing is cheesy and is like watching Love and Monsters, but with me cringing more. Main questions part one makes me ask:

• Why is the Tetrap (is Aruk his name?) drunk? I mean look how blurry his vision is!
• Why does the Rani need the Doctor to drink the pretty blue water?
• Why is everything such an amazement of colour and fun? This is Doctor Who by Pip and Jane Baker! What the hell happened to the gritty and amazing story of the Vervoids?

Basically, it's badly made and looks pretty bad. The studio is lacking greatly and the special effects are trying to hard, way too hard. The acting is pretty poor, but this is mainly due to the confused script. Confused by writing for McCoy and confused by having the regeneration and the main story happen so quickly!

So. What awaits us in Part 2? Will we cringe as we see the Tetrap in full? What will happen to Mel? And will the Doctor stop being such an idiot and take himself seriously?

Well. We'll find out next time

James