The Leisure Hive isn’t very good. It’s an embarrassment to Doctor Who, in short. The acting is unenthusiastic and the story isn’t fantastic. It’s a big let down, and this fresh new start to Doctor Who, didn’t start well.
John Nathan-Turner wanted a new costume for the Doctor. That’s the first mistake. The new costume looks only half finished, feels rushed and doesn’t suit the personality of Tom Baker at all. The scarf doesn’t fit and is now simply used as a tool. The hat makes the Doctor look Michael Jackson, and the whole appearance of the Doctor just feels older. Even episodes in the season before like City of Death, the Doctor felt young and still like a new Doctor. This has been lost at the start of Baker’s last season, as he does feel older and more tired with the role.
The new title sequence is one of the only positives. Apart from the awful picture of Tom Baker, it’s a very impressive and ‘new’ title sequence, and I have to say I’m quite impressed.
The actual episode itself has some brilliant costumes. The look of the Argolins (is that right?) is fantastic and they look like a realistic alien, something the previous season lacked (*cough* Mandrels). And then the Doctor and Romana arrive. Their new looks are awful. Romana’s always had some odd costumes, but the beach one doesn’t suit her at all. And of course, the Doctor’s costume is just… not right. The actual look of the episode is also acceptable, with the rooms and corridors looking like they fit the city. Furthermore, the outside of the Leisure Hive and the surface of the planet are very impressive.
And now the bad bits. The episode, for one. The episode is lacking a decent plot, and even if people say its got a decent plot, its so confusing. The need to add loads of scientific stuff is nonsense, and it makes the plot seem over complicated and full of rubbish. if you took all the science stuff out and just gave simple explanations of it, the impact of the plot twists would probably be greater.
However, I do like the plot twist where we reveal who the arrogant Argolin really is. He was born from the Generator- thing, and wants to bring a New Argolis by getting more people out of the Generator. And the helmet thing that lost them the war helps in some way to bring the New Argolis? Is that the plot? The science stuff makes it confusing and does take away from the impact of the plot twists, though I must also add I wasn’t watching it that closely. Because it was just so boring in parts!
That’s the other thing the episode lacks, excitement. it doesn’t have the drive that it needs. And while, in basics, its a very good plot with the plot twists including the man becoming a Foamasi, but as I keep saying, the science stuff and the lack of general excitement and interest takes away from it. So a good (mostly) plot, has been turned into something that’s unexciting and boring to watch. Which makes the plot seem not very good at all.
The Doctor turning old is quite a good idea, and it means that the constant “Oh no, the Doctor and the girl have escaped let’s walk after them to catch them!” scenes have gone. HOORAY! But then we get the Doctor moping around, moaning about his age. And the beard and grey hair doesn’t suit this Doctor, and you can see the youthful (well…) Doctor underneath is still trying to get out through the grey hair, when at least David Tennant acted old when he was turned old.
Overall, it’s disappointing. This fresh new start brings a confusing plot and what should be quite a good plot is turned rubbish. The excitement isn’t there, and this NEW episode feels old and slow and boring and complicated and is a bit like watching an intergalatic Songs of Praise. While there are some engaging and interesting scenes, this isn’t anything special. Whereas the episode could have been very special, the new ideas Turner and Bidmead brought in meant that special turned into adequate or below average.
Next Time: Who Knows??
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