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| The Keeper of Traken |
| Excellent |
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21% |
[ 5 ] |
| Very Good |
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30% |
[ 7 ] |
| Good |
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34% |
[ 8 ] |
| Fair |
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13% |
[ 3 ] |
| Turkey |
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0% |
[ 0 ] |
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| Total Votes : 23 |
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Theta Sigma
Joined: 26 Jun 2005
Posts: 4263
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 Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2005 9:54 am Post subject: The Keeper of Traken |
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Part 1:
Just as NSW Premier Bob Carr announce his retirement, Tom's era is nearly coming to an end with the arrival of this his penultimate story. In fact this episode has the Keeper's time nearly coming to an end as well.
The Doctor and Adric made it to N-Space.
Appearing as the Keeper of Traken is Denis Carey. Curiously enough Carey appeared in the Blake's 7 episode Gambit (which also featured K-9's voice John Leeson who has just departed from Doctor Who at the end of the E-Space trilogy). Gambit on Blake's 7 preceded the episode called The Keeper.
Another Carey coincidence is that the Doctor Who video that I watched prior to The Keeper of Traken in 2001 was the unfinished Shada featuring Carey as Professor Chronotis.
Wonder what is this Melkur really. (Although credited to Geoffrey Beevers due to his voice, the Melkur was actually Graham Cole.)
Anthony Ainley (Tremas) makes his debut on the programme. Producer John Nathan-Turner previously worked with him on The Pallisers.
The introduction of Sarah Sutton as Nyssa.
John Woodnutt (Seron) makes another appearance in the series. He was previously Broton in Terror of the Zygons.
Nice to see here Margot van der Burgh (Katura). She was previously Cameca in the First Doctor story The Aztecs.
The Doctor's hands-up lesson to Adric is cute.
A misunderstanding for a cliffhanger.
The series seems much better without Romana II around.
Why are the credits lower on-screen?
Two days after this episode was aired on January 31 1981, Tom's successor Peter Davison was seen as the Dish of the Day in Part 5 of the TV Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy alongside then wife Sandra Dickinson playing Trillian. In fact the incidental music for this version of Hitchhiker was done by The Keeper of Traken's Roger Limb.
On a related note just read an ad in the SFX Doctor Who special of a competition that expired on May 9 for the Corgi 40th Anniversary Gift Sets of Doctor Who toys. the ad featured the toys of a Dalek, a Cyberman, Davros, the Fourth Doctor in his car Bessie, the Fourth Doctor poking outside the TARDIS, the Fourth Doctor on his own and K-9. The question it asked was this:
"Which of these statements about Tom Baker is not true?
A. He was once a monk
B. He's married one of the Doctor Who assistants
C. He's teetotal"
(Correct answer C.)
What trailer was shown: A trailer of new programs to come on the ABC including The Canterbury Tales featuring Billie Piper was shown before The Keeper of Traken Part 1. |
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Linx
Joined: 27 Jun 2005
Posts: 59
Location: Perth
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| Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2005 12:34 pm Post subject: |
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| Not sure about this one - I know I used to enjoy it, but after last night there's something....I don't know. Let's see. |
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rundoctoritsthegatherer
Serial Pest
Joined: 26 Jun 2005
Posts: 279
Location: Sydney
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| Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2005 12:43 pm Post subject: Re: The Keeper of Traken |
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| Theta Sigma wrote: | | John Woodnutt (Seron) makes another appearance in the series. He was previously Broton in Terror of the Zygons. |
He was also Hibbert in Spearhead From Space and the Draconian Emperor in Frontier In Space |
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meglos
Joined: 29 Jun 2005
Posts: 668
Location: Perth
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| Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2005 1:09 pm Post subject: |
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I love this story purely because it intoduces Nyssa  And possibly the Master as well. I thought Tom Baker was looking very tired. I think you can tell that he has had enough at this stage. |
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Theta Sigma
Joined: 26 Jun 2005
Posts: 4263
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| Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2005 2:48 pm Post subject: Re: The Keeper of Traken |
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| rundoctoritsthegatherer wrote: | | Theta Sigma wrote: | | John Woodnutt (Seron) makes another appearance in the series. He was previously Broton in Terror of the Zygons. |
He was also Hibbert in Spearhead From Space and the Draconian Emperor in Frontier In Space |
Did not mention those two stories since my scope only concerns Tom's era. I would only mention anything outside it if it was relevant.
| meglos wrote: | | I love this story purely because it intoduces Nyssa And possibly the Master as well. I thought Tom Baker was looking very tired. I think you can tell that he has had enough at this stage. |
I thought Tom looked more relaxed than when Lalla was around. |
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rundoctoritsthegatherer
Serial Pest
Joined: 26 Jun 2005
Posts: 279
Location: Sydney
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| Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2005 4:00 pm Post subject: Re: The Keeper of Traken |
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| Theta Sigma wrote: | | rundoctoritsthegatherer wrote: | | Theta Sigma wrote: | | John Woodnutt (Seron) makes another appearance in the series. He was previously Broton in Terror of the Zygons. |
He was also Hibbert in Spearhead From Space and the Draconian Emperor in Frontier In Space |
Did not mention those two stories since my scope only concerns Tom's era. I would only mention anything outside it if it was relevant. |
Ok.... let me see if I have a handle on this. John Woodnut's other roles within Doctor Who but outside the current era as you've chosen to define it are irrelevant. However, Bob Carr resigning, what video you watched in what order a few years ago, and an ad in SFX which features lots of things from Doctor Who but only one of which appears in this story (that being the Fourth Doctor) are relevant.
Well I'm glad we cleared that up.  |
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Ace
Joined: 27 Jun 2005
Posts: 114
Location: Sydney
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| Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2005 4:51 pm Post subject: |
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Heehee,
interesting logic there Thete ol' mate...
I love Keeper of Traken because it's Nyssa's first story. She was my favourite until Ace came along...an interesting story by the writer behind All Creatures Great and Small.
Ace  |
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Dougy
Joined: 26 Jul 2005
Posts: 255
Location: Newcastle, NSW, Australia
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| Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2005 5:44 pm Post subject: |
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| I havent seen this one before, but I'm pumped for the return of the Master. |
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Linx
Joined: 27 Jun 2005
Posts: 59
Location: Perth
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| Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2005 7:40 pm Post subject: |
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One of the more tangible things that did bother me was how this dirty great statue can wander through the palace and no one notices.
V. peculiar. |
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Dougy
Joined: 26 Jul 2005
Posts: 255
Location: Newcastle, NSW, Australia
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| Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2005 8:15 pm Post subject: |
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^ Lol. yeah, good point.  |
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the wheel
Joined: 27 Jun 2005
Posts: 164
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| Posted: Fri Jul 29, 2005 9:41 am Post subject: |
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| those melkur ar pretty good for Who robots. |
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Theta Sigma
Joined: 26 Jun 2005
Posts: 4263
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| Posted: Fri Jul 29, 2005 10:21 am Post subject: Re: The Keeper of Traken |
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| rundoctoritsthegatherer wrote: |
Ok.... let me see if I have a handle on this. John Woodnut's other roles within Doctor Who but outside the current era as you've chosen to define it are irrelevant. However, Bob Carr resigning, what video you watched in what order a few years ago, and an ad in SFX which features lots of things from Doctor Who but only one of which appears in this story (that being the Fourth Doctor) are relevant.
Well I'm glad we cleared that up. |
I only clarify about John Woodnutt as to not give the impression that I have not seen his two appearances in the Pertwee era. I already seen all the episodes of the classic series but only decided to do an episode by episode commentary on Tom's episodes. In fact a couple of forums I am in I have a thread called "Dr Who: The Tom Baker years". As a side note I mention certain facts about the cast and the story depending on when the story is screened as well as certain coincidences. Therefore I would have mentioned Spearhead or Frontier if had been watching the DVD or read the novelisations at this point in time. As it is I saw the Spearhead DVD but no sign yet of the Frontier DVD and read the novelisations of both stories and as well not having Tom in either of the two stories, long before the ABC started showing Traken on Wednesday. I mention Bob Carr since Tom is about to leave as well. Would not have mentioned Bob Carr if it had happened say in the middle of season 16 in April. (I mean would you much prefer me to be to engrossed in Doctor Who that I do know what's happening in the real world). Would not have mentioned the videos I watched a few years ago if I had watched another Doctor Who serial other than Shada prior to Traken. As to that ad I only looked at it yesterday. Would not have mentioned if it had looked at it a month later when we are well underway in the Davison era. This is meant to be a personal diary for me looking at Tom's era to see if I had picked up something that I did not before. Whilst I made it compulsory to comment on the Tom episodes, commenting on the post-Tom episodes of the classic series will be optional for me.
Part 2:
The Melkur is creepy.
The Doctor and Adric finally meets Nyssa.
Absolutely terrifying upon seeing Kassia's eyes glowing red.
A nice rapport between Tom and Ainley.
Quite a good cliffhanger.
The voiceover says "Tonight's Doctor is back on Monday."
Two days after this episode was shown on February 7 1981, Geoffrey Beevers (The Melkur) was seen in Part 6 and final episode of the TV Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.
Since Adric has been described as an early version of Wesley Crusher from TNG. I might as well mention that I saw this morning the person who played Wesley, Wil Wheaton in an episode of the documentary series Evolver on the Discovery Channel.
On a related note on the just read in the SFX Doctor Who special, Who's Appeared Most? showing the top 20 actors who have appeared in more episodes than any other...
Tom comes up on top with 167 appearances. This number does not add up. Since it counts the unfinished Shada as six episodes and excluding the flashbacks of him after he left and the use of the Shada footage for The Five Doctors the total number of episodes for each of his seven seasons is this -
20 for Season 12, 26 each for seasons 13-17 and 28 for season 18. This all adds to 178. So what happened to the episodes that did not make the count?
Sarah Sutton sharing the last place with Lalla Ward (Romana II), Roy Skelton (Dalek/monster voice) and Gerald Taylor (Dalek/monster operator) with 48 appearances. |
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Theta Sigma
Joined: 26 Jun 2005
Posts: 4263
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| Posted: Fri Jul 29, 2005 8:33 pm Post subject: |
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| On a related note bought the CD of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams at the QVB when Colin Baker was there doing signings. |
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Davros
Joined: 29 Jun 2005
Posts: 140
Location: Skaro
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| Posted: Sat Jul 30, 2005 1:40 am Post subject: |
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| meglos wrote: | | I love this story purely because it intoduces Nyssa and possibly the Master as well. |
I could be wrong but I thought (two did?) that this guy who plays as the master was in previous episodes with Jon Pertwee before Tom Baker? |
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Greg
Site Admin
Joined: 26 Jun 2005
Posts: 1797
Location: Canberra
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| Posted: Sat Jul 30, 2005 9:29 am Post subject: |
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| Davros wrote: | | meglos wrote: | | I love this story purely because it intoduces Nyssa and possibly the Master as well. |
I could be wrong but I thought (two did?) that this guy who plays as the master was in previous episodes with Jon Pertwee before Tom Baker? |
Geoffrey Beevers (who is the husband of Caroline John, aka Liz Shaw) appeared in Ambassadors of Death as Private Johnson. He also appeared in a some BBV videos, Eye of the Beholder (6th in The Stranger series, also starring Colin Baker and David Troughton, written by Nicholas Briggs), The Devil of Winterborne and Unnatural Selection (2nd and 3rd in the PROBE series, featuring Caroline John as Liz Shaw, also starring Louise Jameson and Mark Gatiss, with both Peter Davison and Reece Shearsmith in Devil - both stories written by Mark Gatiss). And he was in the video Downtime, along with Lis Sladen, Deborah Watling, Nicholas Courtney, Jack Watling and John Leeson).
He now has a recurring role with Big Finish, having appeared in two stories so far - Dust Breeding and Master, both featuring Sylvester McCoy as the Doctor with Sophie Aldred and Caroline John in Dust as well and Philip Madoc in Master. |
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Liam
Joined: 26 Jun 2005
Posts: 85
Location: Sydney
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| Posted: Sat Jul 30, 2005 9:30 am Post subject: |
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Yeah Davros he was, Geoffrey Beevers play "Private Johnson" in Ambassadors of Death, with Pertwee. The BBC episode guide Cast and Crew can be very useful for this kind of thing.
Although I have to ask; how did you remember he had appeared before? |
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Davros
Joined: 29 Jun 2005
Posts: 140
Location: Skaro
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| Posted: Sat Jul 30, 2005 10:02 am Post subject: |
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| Liam wrote: | | Although I have to ask; how did you remember he had appeared before? |
I could have my wires crossed, it's been a long tme since I have seen it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Master
The above link show Roger Delgardo, not sure if this is him playing now in the Keeper of Traken? |
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Liam
Joined: 26 Jun 2005
Posts: 85
Location: Sydney
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| Posted: Sat Jul 30, 2005 11:12 am Post subject: |
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| No, Delgado passed away in 1973. Geoffrey Beevers is playing the Master/Melkur in Keeper of Traken |
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Greg
Site Admin
Joined: 26 Jun 2005
Posts: 1797
Location: Canberra
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| Posted: Sat Jul 30, 2005 1:22 pm Post subject: |
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| Liam wrote: | | No, Delgado passed away in 1973. Geoffrey Beevers is playing the Master/Melkur in Keeper of Traken |
Beevers is the third actor to play the Master*, with Peter Pratt taking the part in The Deadly Assassin.
* That is, unless you subscribe to the theory that the War Chief (in The War Games) is actually an earlier incarnation of the Master, in which case Beevers is the fourth, and preceded by Edward Brayshaw, Delgado and Pratt. (The 'War Chief = Master' theory has been ruled out in the books, both in Timewyrm: Exodus (by Terrance Dicks, who had a hand in creating bith the War Chief and the Master for TV, so you'd hope he'd know!) and Divided Loyalties.) |
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Theta Sigma
Joined: 26 Jun 2005
Posts: 4263
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| Posted: Sun Jul 31, 2005 11:48 am Post subject: |
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| Quiz update: Just read the answers for Medium Quiz 11 and the answer for "7. In The Keeper of Traken, what colour are Melkur's eyes?" is "Red". |
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