Tuesday 27 August 2013

Landmarks No.27


Earthshock.
JNT had the chance to put Doctor Who onto the cover of the Radio Times with this story - its first cover since the Pertwee days. However, the normally publicity hungry producer decided not to spoil the return of the Cybermen. And aren't we, who were there at the time, glad that he made that decision.
At the conclusion of part one, we were running round the living room screaming with joy. At least I was.
After a brilliantly tense opening episode, there were the Cybermen - back after one of their long absences, and with a wonderful new design.
In part two we got to see clips from The Tenth Planet, The Wheel In Space and Revenge of the Cybermen. (The VHS releases hadn't started yet, and there was no such thing as You Tube then).
Then, to top it all off, a companion gets killed at the conclusion of part four.
Poor old Adric. He started off with so much promise... Either the writers simply didn't know what to do with him, or JNT had asked them to turn him into an untrustworthy, stupid, unlikable character - so we wouldn't be too distraught at his demise.
Just think what the impact would have been on those watching had he been more loved.
The final episode has the end credits running without the music - the only occasion this has happened.
To be honest, it is a bit cringe-worthy. Adric was certainly no Martha Longhurst.

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