Doctor Who Club of Australia

ADAMK · Joined: 29 Jun 2005 Posts: 219 Location: Canberra

What do people make of this 1982 story written by Terence Dudley?

This is the analysis from the official BBC website (WARNING! SPOILERS):
http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/classic/episodeguide/blackorchid/analysis.shtml

Greg · Posted: Tue Sep 06, 2005 5:55 pm Post subject:

It's quite a good little story, if perhaps a little light on plot-wise - a sort of Doctor Who meets Agatha Christie for beginners.

What it really suffers from is being sandwiched between The Visitation and Earthshock, both of which are considerable more impressive (even if I do find the latter to be a Cyberman's greatest scenes compilation for the most part...).

rundoctoritsthegatherer · Posted: Tue Sep 06, 2005 6:00 pm Post subject:

Don't like any of the Davison 2 parters much to be honest. What little plot there is bored me to tears and Sarah Sutton didn't use her 15 minutes of fame in having to play 2 characters well. Two one dimensionally written characters true, but she could've done better IMHO.

Linx · Joined: 27 Jun 2005 Posts: 59 Location: Perth

I've always been rather fond of Black Orchid. Comments about Sarah Sutton's failure to make the most of a big opportunity aside, I still find it a highly enjoyable story.

Not only is it that last ever "pure" historical adventure (ie: not featuring any aliens or other sci-fi concepts as integral to the plot) from the original series, it's also the first "pure" historical adventure since (by my reckoning) The Highlanders back in Troughton's era and was the first to be set in the past since the Horror of Fang Rock four years earlier and to be the last story set in the past until Rememberance of the Daleks which would not be screened for another six years.
Unusually for a "pure" historical, it does not focus around any notable historical event, but is simply set in a past era. In fact despite being set in the 1920's the plot bears more resemblance to something that might have been churned out by one of the Bronte sisters or Jane Austin: a decadent & decaying aristocracy, preserving the family honour by hiding the mad relatives in the closed off wing.
A stylish and unusual contribution to the Who cannon.

Theta Sigma · Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Posts: 4429

Could not believe at the end of Part 1 that servant actually put the tray down on a table before trying to help Nyssa or Ann. If this was a real life situation that servant would have dropped the tray from where he stood.

Liam · Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Posts: 85 Location: Sydney

A 2-parter you say?? Yay! back to Mon-Thurs storylines.... having to wait all weekend to resolve the story was getting annoying...

I noticed the servant too TS, maybe the budget didn't allow the breaking of the glasses!...

oh and surely it must be Ann, Nyssa could never faint!

Greg · Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2005 5:54 pm Post subject:

Liam · Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Posts: 85 Location: Sydney

meglos · Joined: 29 Jun 2005 Posts: 670 Location: Perth

I really love this story. Even though it's only a two-parter i think it brings out the best in all the actors involved. I wonder why there were not more of these types of stories made back then, I think they are excellent Smile

Dazza · Joined: 05 Jul 2005 Posts: 106

This story works well as a breather between the Visitation and Earthshock. I remember when it was first screened the second episode was heavily edited to the extent where it was difficult to follow story. I haven't seen it for sometime and good to see it complete.

Theta Sigma · Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Posts: 4429

Yep it was Ann who fainted.
She returns in the book Sands of Time which is the sequel to Pyramids of Mars:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/classic/ebooks/sandsoftime/index.shtml

Tom N. · Joined: 07 Jul 2005 Posts: 144 Location: Sydney, NSW

Black Orchid was very interesting because there's more to the story than first meets the eye (which is a strong theme of this episode in general). The fun, relaxed atmosphere of Part 1 was very welcome (by the way, does anyone else find Davison's cricket playing absolutely hilarious?), but then in Part 2 things took on a more serious, almost Ghost Light-esque turn. The scenes with the Indian (I forget his name) and George in the darkened room were very creepy, especially when contrasted with the costume ball happening outside. Unfortunately the ending appeared a bit rushed, but I guess that's to be expected in a 2-part story.

I enjoyed Black Orchid, and its deceptively simple plotline means I'll have to go and watch it again sometime. A 'Very Good' rating from me.

P.S. I didn't think police boxes came about until the 1930s, so how can 20s policemen recognise the TARDIS?

the wheel · Joined: 27 Jun 2005 Posts: 164

I love this story, excellent from me.

Its really easy to watch and although it doesnt feel much like Who, it is a great story.

Love the cricket scene!

Wester · Joined: 04 Aug 2005 Posts: 610 Location: Brisbane

missed the last one - i was on a plane Sad

Darth Sidious · Joined: 27 Jun 2005 Posts: 105

On a fair rating for me ...
It appeared to be a tad self-indulgent for me (with the scenes of The Doctor playing Cricket etc)
Still I'm not really a big fan of two-parters generally.