Horror of Fang Rock

It's been a while since I blogged here, so there's a few things to talk about ... First off, the new DVD of Horror of Fang Rock ... what a wonderful story. I always liked this one, even from when it was first transmitted way back when. A simple concept: people stranded on a lighthouse being picked off one by one by an alien nasty. But it's so well executed. Tom Baker is at his manic, mysterious best here, and Louise Jameson gives her all as Leela, with some wonderful lines and moments: undressing in front of Vince; 'I'm not a Lady ...'; 'You are a Time Lord ...' and many more. The guest cast are also superb (I love Rueben, but Vince is also very well played), and the sense of terror which is built up is tangible. The scenes set outside the lighthouse work superbly and the fog and mist rolling around, not to mention the strange green light, crackling electricity sounds and the view from the alien's eye all serve to heighten the tension which is being generated. I still adore the episode ending where the Doctor realises he's locked the menace in with them ... and the scenes of him verbally sparring with the alien Rutan are simply superb. As with much vintage WHO, it's such a shame it's all a little bit let down by the toy ship crashing on the rocks (though even this is quite effective) and the jelly-fish like Rutan which seems to prefer it's natural form, when that of Rueben would seem to be far better suited to wandering up and down stairs in a lighthouse... It's a wonderful package, and no small wonder that this story is so highly regarded and has been used as an example of just how good WHO could get. The extras on the DVD are, as usual, worthy of mention. An excellent look at writer Terrance Dicks' DOCTOR WHO career, a piece on director Paddy Russell, plus the usual commentarys, easter eggs and so on ... oh, and a strangely placed piece called The Antique Doctor Who Show which features yours truly wittering on about WHO merchandise. I have no idea why it's on this DVD ... but I hope you enjoy it anyway ...