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| State of Decay |
| Excellent |
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33% |
[ 6 ] |
| Very Good |
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55% |
[ 10 ] |
| Good |
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5% |
[ 1 ] |
| Fair |
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5% |
[ 1 ] |
| Turkey |
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0% |
[ 0 ] |
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| Total Votes : 18 |
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Theta Sigma
Joined: 26 Jun 2005
Posts: 4111
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 Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2005 10:13 am Post subject: State of Decay |
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Part 1:
So Adric did stowaway.
Love the Doctor's euphermism for scientist.
Love it when the Doctor says technocoffica (!)
On a related note in DWM 355 this morning, looked at the ad for the scificollector at the Stamp Centre in the UK which includes a stamp cover of the Doctor and Romana from State of Decay which says it is signed by Tom and Lalla. |
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Darth Sidious
Joined: 27 Jun 2005
Posts: 105
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| Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2005 4:24 pm Post subject: |
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I gave State of Decay an 'excellent' rating, it has to be the best story from season 18 and one of the best stories from Tom's run and (probably ever) ...
It's just a joy to watch from start to finish.
I've always loved Vampires and State of Decay features 3 of the most sinister ones you'll ever see in Camilla, Aukon and Zargo. |
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Linx
Joined: 27 Jun 2005
Posts: 59
Location: Perth
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| Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2005 7:23 pm Post subject: |
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Hmm. Well we've already done The Mummy (Pyramids of Mars), Frankenstein (Brain of Morbius) Jeckel & Hyde (Planet of Evil), Forbidden Planet (Planet of Evil again) and The Thing (Seeds of Doom) so I guess it was inevitable that the Who team would eventually get around to having a crack at Dracula.
I must say this one looks great, but I seem to recall having some issues with the acting in the past (although I didn't notice this last night, but then was distracted by playing with a set of Magnetix - a great toy incidentally-very compulsive) so I'm not going to vote just yet. I'll give it a few more episodes to make up my mind.
One thing that does bother me though - given its tremendous size, what kind of creature does the great vampire feed on? Skarasen? Kroll? Those teeth would be awfully big..... |
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Nyder
Joined: 29 Jun 2005
Posts: 85
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| Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2005 8:35 pm Post subject: |
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This is my personal favourite of Season 18. The State of Decay is, in a way, harking back to the superb Hinchcliffe Era. It's a horror... and a bloody good one at that. I love the central idea of the rocket ship, and the degeneration of technology. But there's also the intriguing aspect to Time Lord history of the Vampire Wars. It doesn't get much better then this... however saying that I said very good. Although after having just waffled on about it for 2 minutes I am feeling I have made a mistake, and should have said it was excellent. But it does have it's weaknesses... I just can't think of what they are at the moment. 
Nyder |
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meglos
Joined: 29 Jun 2005
Posts: 660
Location: Perth
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| Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2005 10:05 pm Post subject: |
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| This is one of my favourite Tom Baker stories. Like Nyder i love the horror type stories in Doctor Who and this one, involving vampires which are a favourite of mine, is one of the best. |
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Theta Sigma
Joined: 26 Jun 2005
Posts: 4111
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| Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2005 11:27 am Post subject: |
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Part 2:
Queen Camilla, funnily enough just four months ago a real life Camilla married Prince Charles.
Knowledge as Camilla says is the greatest weapon.
A bit funny when Romana jumped on the Doctor's toe.
The Doctor mentions vampire legends.
The Doctor and Romana still do not know of Adric's presence on the planet.
The voiceover says "Tonight's Doctor".
State of Decay was directed by Peter Moffatt (which happens to be Peter Davison's real name before he changed it when he became an actor).
Funnily enough the next episode from the new series to be shown on the ABC tomorrow is written by Steven Moffatt. As far as I can tell they are not related. |
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Ace
Joined: 27 Jun 2005
Posts: 114
Location: Sydney
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| Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2005 1:04 pm Post subject: |
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Actually, Peter Davison's surname is spelf Moffett, so no, they definately aren't related...
As for State of Decay, I've always loved a good vampire story (used to roleplay the Vampire game even) and this one is by no means any less good than any other vampire story I've seen. Its two sequels in novel form (Goth Opera, Blood Harvest) only help to enrich this story even more in my opinion,
Ace  |
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Ace
Joined: 27 Jun 2005
Posts: 114
Location: Sydney
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| Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2005 1:04 pm Post subject: |
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Heh...spelt, not spelf...
Duh! |
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Theta Sigma
Joined: 26 Jun 2005
Posts: 4111
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| Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2005 1:06 pm Post subject: |
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| Ace wrote: | Actually, Peter Davison's surname is spelf Moffett, so no, they definately aren't related...
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I was actually talking about Peter Moffatt not being related to Steven Moffatt since The Empty Child will be on tomorrow night. |
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Liam
Joined: 26 Jun 2005
Posts: 85
Location: Sydney
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| Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2005 9:12 pm Post subject: |
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This story is looking excellent so far, Aukon and Zargo are playing their parts really well. The story is reluctant to reveal the full truth and the suspense is building.
I nearly fell off my chair though, when Adric is sauntering through the TARDIS with the beginnings of a monster smirk on his face. Cheeesy! Nearly fell off again every time Romana freaks out at something, I liked her ice queen first regeneration much better. |
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Guest
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| Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2005 5:16 pm Post subject: |
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Yes this one get's an excellent from me.
SEE!!!! Uncle Terry CAN write a darn good story when he wants to!
Gothic, operatic direction, LOVE it! |
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Theta Sigma
Joined: 26 Jun 2005
Posts: 4111
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| Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2005 5:32 pm Post subject: |
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Quiz update: Medium Quiz 17: "34. In State of Decay, how many vampires ruled a terrified village?"
On a related note read the Big Finish short story UNIT Christmas Parties: Ships That Pass by Karen Dunn featuring the Fourth Doctor, Sarah, Harry, the Brigadier and Benton from Doctor Who: Short Trips: A Christmas Treasury which is available online: http://www.bigfinish.com/drwho_books/ST11_christmas.shtml |
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Alex
Joined: 26 Jun 2005
Posts: 20
Location: melbourne
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| Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2005 6:33 pm Post subject: |
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ill probably get laughed at for this but who cares lol, i actually found myself being quite scared of this one...it is awsomeely creepy! i gate it an excellent 
- alex |
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Ace
Joined: 27 Jun 2005
Posts: 114
Location: Sydney
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| Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2005 9:34 am Post subject: |
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It has a good atmosphere, this story, and I didn't find it any less creepy than any other vampire story really...especially now that I'm older and understand the story much more,
Ace  |
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Theta Sigma
Joined: 26 Jun 2005
Posts: 4111
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| Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2005 11:40 am Post subject: |
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| Theta Sigma wrote: |
State of Decay was directed by Peter Moffatt (which happens to be Peter Davison's real name before he changed it when he became an actor).
Funnily enough the next episode from the new series to be shown on the ABC tomorrow is written by Steven Moffatt. As far as I can tell they are not related. |
Did not realise that Steven only has one T to his name until I saw the credits for The Empty Child.
In the DWM Preview for The Empty Child & The Doctor Dances in DWM 356, Steven mentions three Tom Baker serials in regards in balancing the scares against the gags:
"As much as I love City of Death - actually, it's my favourite when I'm giving The Ark in Space a rest and Horror of Fang Rock is out of town - the show was never about the funnies for me."
On the weekend saw two Blake's 7 episodes on DVD that is related to State of Decay in its casting.
Gambit written by former Doctor Who script editor Robert Holmes featured an appearance by John Leeson (K-9). In the commentary for this episode Producer and former Doctor Who director David Maloney mentioned that he used to be in Doctor Who with Sunmakers guest star Michael Keating saying "K-9".
Holmes had also written Leeson's only on-screen appearance in Doctor Who in Power of Kroll. In fact Gambit was originally aired two months after the conclusion of Power of Kroll.
In the other Blake's 7 episode The Keeper it features a small appearance by Arthur Hewlett (Kalmar). |
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Liam
Joined: 26 Jun 2005
Posts: 85
Location: Sydney
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| Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2005 7:43 pm Post subject: |
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Another excellent episode, Aukon was really spooky this time around. And the fight scenes were very convincing for a change. Looked like Tom and Lalla had a moment in the cell.
I loved the Doctor's look of comtempt when he shouts "Adric?!" |
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Ace
Joined: 27 Jun 2005
Posts: 114
Location: Sydney
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| Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2005 9:52 am Post subject: |
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Heehee,
I wonder if that was a little bit of Tom coming out there. I've heard he and Matthew didn't get along,
Ace |
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Theta Sigma
Joined: 26 Jun 2005
Posts: 4111
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| Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2005 10:57 am Post subject: |
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| Ace wrote: | Heehee,
I wonder if that was a little bit of Tom coming out there. I've heard he and Matthew didn't get along,
Ace |
Well I remember reading a post at the forum on Tom's official website in which he was asked if he remember working with Matthew in which he says he didn't.
Before joining Doctor Who, Matthew had always admired Tom and as far as I can tell he still has this affection for him.
Part 3:
Love the look on the Doctor's face when Aukon mentioned about sharing power.
The Doctor and Romana finally know about Adric on the planet.
The Doctor tells the story of the hermit he had previously mentioned in The Time Monster back in the Pertwee era produced by State of Decay Executive Producer Barry Letts.
The Doctor tells Romana the story of the Vampire Wars but Lalla is already familiar territory as she had been in Vampire Circus shown on the ABC last month.
Funny that the Doctor gets hit by the door.
Funny that Romana breaks cover as a prisoner in order to open that door.
The Doctor tells K-9 not to tell him the story of Dracula. Perhaps this is an in-joke to the 1977 BBC serial on Dracula the timing of which led The Witch Lords as State of Decay was originally known written by Terrance Dicks to be abandoned in opening the 15th season and replaced by Horror of Fang Rock also written by Uncle Terrance.
The scene of Romana and Adric being left with Zargo and Camilla was included in Terrance Dicks - Fact & Fiction.
Simon Marney from Sydney's 702 mentioned loving Tom's scarf in the voiceover. |
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Linx
Joined: 27 Jun 2005
Posts: 59
Location: Perth
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| Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2005 12:35 pm Post subject: |
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After episode 3 last night, although good up to that point, I began to remember what the misgivings I had with this one were.
There are certainly dialogue problems where the Doctor & Romana discuss the vampire legend. It seems like terrance Dicks was trying for the same sort of humourous exchange that was the hallmark of City of Death but lacked the Adamsesque touch to really pull it off.
The other major problem is that while the series has previously merged gothic and sci-fi themes before and with great success, here the marriage seems particuarly strained.
And then there are the questions:
* Why does a civilization capable of manufacturing time machines use computer punch cards?
* Why does the data readout of said advanced time machine appear to be a supermarket docket printer?
* Why does this technologically advanced civilization record important historical facts in ledgendary epic prose? And annoying prose at that.
* How is it possible that Rassilon, the single greatest figure in Gallifreyan history, can have fought a massive intergalactic battle (with planet eating vampires no less) and the event have been almost completely forgotten?
Ah look, it's still an enjoyable watch and I'll give a couple of bonus points for Adric's costume last night. I'm voting it as "good". |
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Liam
Joined: 26 Jun 2005
Posts: 85
Location: Sydney
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| Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2005 9:08 pm Post subject: |
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Not to mention the big question: what was "the Wasting"? That aside...
Great finish to the story, I'm so glad they didn't try to go all out and show the Great One, seeing his hand alone was ample enough. Aukon showed his dominanance and was well played by Emrys Jones. I thought the final scene where the Lords died was fantastic, the makeup looked soo creepy, forget hiding behind the sofa from pepperpots, if I saw this story as a kid, I woulda died on the spot!
Excellent! |
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