Doctor Who Club of Australia

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

Thank God this board's back online - I can deal with my profound pontifications being forever lost to the world, but you never realise how addicted you are to something until it's taken away from you - was nearly climbing the walls last week.

Now the Leisure Hive. Not a bad effort at all.
I remember when I first saw this when I was twelve, and straight away felt there was something intangibly different about it than from what had gone before. Part of this was probably that it was the first time I had seen an episode of the show that I was conscious was not a repeat, but also I suspect it's where JNT first begins to leave his mark, although it will be several seasons down the track before this becomes truely problematic.
I have this idea that the original series can be catagorised into three distinct periods: B&W (the 60s), colour (the 70's) and JNT-vision (80's). The Leisure Hive I think Is the deliniating point where the series moves into it's third phase with a quite different feel from earlier stories.

On a different tack, after the last four weeks of Season 17 hell, this is such a vast improvement.
(Is it worth starting up threads so we can have the pleasure of backtracking and hacking on Nightmare of Eden & Horns of Nimon?)

Darth Sidious · Joined: 27 Jun 2005 Posts: 105

I gave Leisure Hive a 'good' rating.
Certainly is an big improvement on the tosh that polished off season 17 (Creature from the Pit, Horns of Nimon etc)
Good to see Tom Baker's far more subdued which helps the story no end.
I enjoyed David Haig's performance as Pangol as well.

the wheel · Joined: 27 Jun 2005 Posts: 164

i didnt enjoy this when i first saw it, and i am not enjoying it now.

to me it seems too cramped and i dont enjoy it.

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

I loved hearing the 80's theme music again, and hearing the theme in full. I didn't like how the Pertwee/Baker theme left out that extra bit in the end credits, you know the one I mean (I think it was there in Hartnell's and Throughton's).

Tom Baker's subdued (as Darth put it) acting is a good change. Loving the incidentalmusic too, stuff of my childhood.

The Fomasi, did Star Trek rip this name off?

Ace · Joined: 27 Jun 2005 Posts: 114 Location: Sydney

The reason I voted excellent is for the music and the design. The music for this episode, considering this was the first ful season of electronic music, is way ahead of its time. I've always enjoyed the Argolin theme and when allowed to run for any length of time, proves its stremgth and builds up suspense in the right places.

As for makeup and costuming...some of the most original design I've ever seen anyway,

Ace

Darth Sidious · Joined: 27 Jun 2005 Posts: 105

It's also makes for a pretty damn good and entertaining DVD.

toberman · Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Posts: 21 Location: Mackay, Queensland

muzza · Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2005 9:10 pm Post subject:

I voted turkey because I absolutely hated this one

ginglefort · Joined: 28 Jun 2005 Posts: 3

I agree with the Wheel. So many stories from this period seem rushed and underdeveloped.

meglos · Joined: 29 Jun 2005 Posts: 668 Location: Perth

The story is not that great.But I agree with Liam about the theme, I love that EArly 80's theme.

Nyder · Joined: 29 Jun 2005 Posts: 85

I voted average... but it's average in the sense that it's nothing particularly special in regards to the rest of Who. It's still 'good' even though that's not how I voted.

It was a very innovative story, a very innovative season in fact, but I don't think it should be worshipped just for that. I liked electronic music (in this story... not so much later on) and the more serious approach was a breath of fresh air after the slap-stick we'd had for the previous season or two (I do enjoy both Seasons 16 and 17 as well though) but it just wasn't a particularly dazzling story, and I think that without the exceptional design and direction it would be fairly average (as in an average story not average for Who cos the average for Who is good, if you know what I mean Razz

).

Nyder

Matthew Kopelke · Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Posts: 3 Location: Hervey Bay, QLD, AU

I voted 4/5 for this story, because it kicks off one of my favourite seasons of Doctor Who of all time - Season 18. This was the first ever season I saw as a child of 2-3 years old, and the visual flashiness of the season was what got me hooked on the series ever since. It wasn't until the VHS release that I saw there was another level operating here.

Really, up until now, there hasn't been a story like this - visually this serial was stunnnig and techincally astounding, with a great use of all the latest video technology and effects on offer. Plus, the whole thing was edited so tightly, and with so many tight shots, that half the time you don't know what's going on - but you are compelled to watch anyway.

Despite this, however, underneath all this gloss there are many plot holes. Hence the reason I gave the serial 4/5, and not 5/5.

Guest · Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2005 7:00 am Post subject:

Dougy · Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2005 10:56 pm Post subject:

I voted Average becasue I thought it was a bit silly. The acting from all the supporting cast was WAY over the top and I really hated that Pangol bloke, amn he was annoying. but thats just me.