[Well, my apologies for not posting this earlier. This has nothing to do
with getting behind on writing entries - I currently have four in hand
- and everything to do with getting distracted. I simply forgot to
post anything this week!]
This was the fifth outing for Steven in the Companion Chronicles, but only one of those (Mother Russia) had been performed by Peter Purves. The very first Companion Chronicle of all - Frostfire,
performed by Maureen O'Brien with Keith Drinkel - will be coming up in
this marathon after a book and a couple of short stories.
Which brings up the issue of placement. The reference to Steven's hair apparently seems to put it just before Galaxy Four, while his comment in the first episode that he hasn't eaten since 1066 seems to put it straight after The Time Meddler;
and because of other stories in spin-off media these can't both be
true. Fortunately, in this case there's a straightforward solution, and
for once the framing sequence makes it easier rather than harder.
Simply put, the main adventure takes place where the 1066 comment would
imply, but Steven and Vicki don't get to make their recording until
some time later, either because other adventures get in the way or just
because they don't find the necessary equipment for a while. I may
change this later - Steven could have been being deliberately less than
accurate in his comment, quoting that date for effect - but I'm hoping
it won't be necessary.
I am always happy to see Jacqueline Rayner's name on the credits; I
still have to get the final seven Companion Chronicles, and I note that
she has written Vicki's entry, which is exciting. (There are a number
of my other favourite writers in that run, too - I do hope I can get
more money from somewhere soon!) Rayner is an author for whom character
comes first, but plot and setting are not far behind; basically a
balanced approach but with my top priority in pole position. The Suffering is a good example.
What is particularly interesting is that she winkles out some extra
personality traits for Steven from the slim pickings we are given in
the TV scripts. (Purves' performance does imbue him with a
fair bit of character but it rarely comes out of the writing, which
for the most part treats him as a stock action hero.) I had been going
to say that Rayner created new traits, but then I remembered something
which I will talk about a little later in the marathon. Of course,
Rayner also does something similar for Vicki, particularly in the final
episode but it's not quite so impressive simply because Vicki was
better served by script writers on more occasions.
In principle the cover is a fairly standard collage affair, but I like
the use of the charge sheet for the arrested Suffragettes and the
blending of historical London above and alien world below. The colour
scheme is also unusual and effective.
Published:
Date: February 2010
ISBN: 1-84435-463-4
Rating:
7/10.
Next Time:
A short peek forward at The Three Doctors.
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