Doctor Who Club of Australia

ADAMK · Joined: 29 Jun 2005 Posts: 220 Location: Canberra

What do people make of this (Season 20) 1983 story written by Barbara Clegg?

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

SharazJek · Joined: 12 Aug 2005 Posts: 932 Location: Hobart, Tasmania

This is my fav in the current 'Black Guardian Trilogy'.

A very spooky episode one with the introduction of the Eternals. I can't say they inspire too much imagination as aliens, because they don't have any imagination themselves. But the supporting cast are great. I just can't get enough of Captain Wrack's fantastic bosom!

I was interested to see how they (the Eternals) were woven into 'The Quantam Archangel' by Craig Hinton and used again in the recent Benny audio 'The Heart's Desire'. Is there anywhere else they have appeared?

I've always wondered whether Valentine Dyall had a cold in episode 4 in his death scene. He sounds quite phlegmy.

Mark Strickson does some of his best overacting in this story, but the best is yet to come in next seasons 'Frontios'.

This is quite probably my favourite story of the season.

Should we have a season 20 poll guys?

Greg · Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2005 2:41 pm Post subject:

Enlightenment is a very pretty story, with the visuals being storng and reasonably good.

Theta Sigma · Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Posts: 4566

Just saw on the Blake's 7 season 3 DVD the "Introducing Dayna" montage which included Colin Baker from the episode City at the Edge of the World. City at the Edge of the World also guest starred the Black Guardian Valentine Dyall but he is not seen in the montage. Also included is scenes from the episode Sarchophagus directed by Enlightenment director Fiona Cumming.

Theta Sigma · Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Posts: 4566

It is now official I have watched the entire Godfather trilogy in parallel to the Black Guardian trilogy as my father once again to my surprise brought home The Godfather Part III the third and final in that trilogy and I watched it on Saturday ahead of the showing of Enlightenment on the ABC the third and final in the Black Guardian trilogy. This comes after watching The Godfather at a film lecture on the same day that Mawdryn Undead concluded as they are both first in a trilogy. Then my father brought home The Godfather Part II and I finished it just a couple of hours before Terminus Part 2 was shown as they are both second in a trilogy.

Wasn't expecting upon seeing the Black Guardian trilogy on the ABC to finish off another trilogy.

rundoctoritsthegatherer · Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2005 1:44 pm Post subject:

I think episode 1 of Enlightenment is great.

Episodes 2-4 are rather disappointing though IMHO.

Theta Sigma · Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Posts: 4566

Keith Barron's (Striker) previous roles included playing Jean Marsh's fiancee in Upstairs, Downstairs. Just found out from IMDB that Peter Sallis who was Penley in The Ice Warriors was originally cast as Striker but pulled out at short notice. Sallis later voiced Wallace in the Wallace and Gromit films including the recent big-screen adventure Curse of the Were-Rabbit.

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

Love the ships idea. The surprise at the end of episode one is very memorable. 6.9/10 from me!

Still sad there is no Nyssa. Sad

Darth Sidious · Joined: 27 Jun 2005 Posts: 105

Bit overrated this story, but at least it's creative and original

John Lucantonio · Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Posts: 58

I gave it Good, and there are few in the 80's I'd give even that.
Peter Davison did a great job as the doctor but his companions are annoying beyond belief, whoever wrote the 80's incidental music should be shot (Mawdryn Undead... shudder) and the scriptwriters should, for the most part, suffer the same fate.

Theta Sigma · Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Posts: 4566

In Part 2, noticed the First Officer saying "Resistance is Futile" and this was years before this catchphrase became synonymous with the Borg on Star Trek.

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

I think I'm in the minority here, but I actually quite like this story.

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

Hi Meglos - what aspects of the story do you like. I like the idea of a race using various ships from different periods for a prize - enlightenment.

Theta Sigma · Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Posts: 4566

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

hallhotdogma · Joined: 30 Jun 2005 Posts: 54

Turlough is in a predicament here tho...thats the bit I like about this story, he doesnt know which end of the candle to burn

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

Does anyone know how Turlough got throught the energy barrier? and why didnt that affect the oxygen supply on deck?

Theta Sigma · Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Posts: 4566

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

Actually T.S I thought the incidental music for this story is quite good. Far cry from that of The Sea Devils hey?

Dazza · Joined: 05 Jul 2005 Posts: 106

Enlightenment sticks in my mind because it was originally telecast in the afternoon when Five Doctors had it's first run in the evening. It was a double dose of Who if memory serves me right.

I think this story is very good. The execution was perhaps a little ambitious - the CSO work in episode three was appalling, but as fans of the show you try to overlook these aspects.