[daveyboy7472]

Though this is another exclusively Earthbound Story with no TARDIS, I think this is one is of the the better ones that I enjoy. As a 6-parter, it's one of the few in the Pertwee Era I feel doesn't sag so much in the middle, naturally enough as it was written by the same writer who penned Inferno(which also didn't sag).

It is though at times quite repetitious with two cliffhangers exactly the same, with The Doctor being overcome by the Keller Machine(which looks decidedly rude in it's design!)

I do enjoy the Keller machine storyline but I think the peace conference and the Thunderbolt Missile storyline that were also part of the plot weren't really needed. It definitely could have done without one or both of them. Maybe though it's what stopped the aforementioned sagging.

Though Jo has a lot to do in this, it's a shame she is stuck in the prison the whole way through the story. Not one of her better stories.

The banter between The Doctor and The Master is again superb and it really is a good old-fashioned battle of wits the whole way though. I specifically enjoyed the scene where The Master battles to get consumed by his own machine and it's revealed the one thing he is scared of is The Doctor.

As with The Ambassadors Of Death, hope to see this story in colour one day. Though watching it B&W does it give it a certain atmosphere.

[king yrcanos]

Haven't seen this story yet, hoping to get the DVD release if it.

[silentNate]

Isn't this Jo's first appearance?

I remember really enjoying it, unlike most of the Pertwee stuff

[daveyboy7472]

Originally Posted by silentNate

Isn't this Jo's first appearance?

I remember really enjoying it, unlike most of the Pertwee stuff

No, that was Terror Of The Autons.

[Larry1971]

probably my least favorite of season 8 just doesn't do it for me.

[doublefour]

For me my favourite from this season alongside the much lauded The Daemons, I'm presuming The Daemons will be well liked!
I love all the psycosis/fear aspects with the Keller machine. It is used so well as a plot device, even I think used as an episode cliffhanger.
Nice to see a bit of Master/Doctor collaboration as they combine to tackle the machine in one of the episodes. It's also interesting what they show you what each different persons fears are realised as as well.
The Master is so ruthless and treacherous in this one, from posing as a workman when we first see him. To working with the prisoners and lauding it as self imposed prison governor. He is slippery in The Daemons, but I think he is at his most treacherous in this story.
The action scenes when UNIT storm the prison are some of the most effective in the series history to date in Mind of Evil. From memory were they still using the Havoc team (I presume they were).
The plot is a little bit fleshed out by the Missile as pointed out but for a 6 parter it's never wanting for a bit of action, just remembered the Hi-jack scenes, where UNIT get a good kicking!!
Actually I like the fact it is in Black and White, somehow it gives it an atmosphere like some of the Troughton's if you know what I mean! Anyhow, if you haven't seen this one, it surely is a top 5 Pertwee .

[doublefour]

Originally Posted by daveyboy7472

Though this is another exclusively Earthbound Story with no TARDIS, I think this is one is of the the better ones that I enjoy. As a 6-parter, it's one of the few in the Pertwee Era I feel doesn't sag so much in the middle, naturally enough as it was written by the same writer who penned Inferno(which also didn't sag).

It is though at times quite repetitious with two cliffhangers exactly the same, with The Doctor being overcome by the Keller Machine(which looks decidedly rude in it's design!)

I do enjoy the Keller machine storyline but I think the peace conference and the Thunderbolt Missile storyline that were also part of the plot weren't really needed. It definitely could have done without one or both of them. Maybe though it's what stopped the aforementioned sagging.

Though Jo has a lot to do in this, it's a shame she is stuck in the prison the whole way through the story. Not one of her better stories.

The banter between The Doctor and The Master is again superb and it really is a good old-fashioned battle of wits the whole way though. I specifically enjoyed the scene where The Master battles to get consumed by his own machine and it's revealed the one thing he is scared of is The Doctor.

As with The Ambassadors Of Death, hope to see this story in colour one day. Though watching it B&W does it give it a certain atmosphere.

Yes the Doctor and Master are always pitted against each other, but as you say it feels like a genuine battle of wits in this one.

[doublefour]

Originally Posted by daveyboy7472

It is though at times quite repetitious with two cliffhangers exactly the same Though watching it B&W does it give it a certain atmosphere.

Just realised I have repeated what you initially posted, no harm in emphasising the point though!!

[kjwilly]

I really like this story as well. However in terms of special effects it seems more dated than most of the Troughton era. The Dragon is truly awful and the missile scenes were clearly filmed with a toy set in a back garden. I worry that colourisation or DVD would really show this up. Mind you if someone funded a special edition with shots remade then I think the story would win a lot of fans.

[daveyboy7472]

Originally Posted by doublefour

Yes the Doctor and Master are always pitted against each other, but as you say it feels like a genuine battle of wits in this one.

I have no problem with people clarifying my point!

Originally Posted by kjwilly

I really like this story as well. However in terms of special effects it seems more dated than most of the Troughton era. The Dragon is truly awful and the missile scenes were clearly filmed with a toy set in a back garden. I worry that colourisation or DVD would really show this up. Mind you if someone funded a special edition with shots remade then I think the story would win a lot of fans.

Though I agree recolourisation could possibly ruin that effect there is no Doctor Who story that is too dated for DVD IMO. If the very first story can be on DVD so can one that followed it nine years later!