19th January, 2020.
Right … it’s a Sunday …
And it’s one that’s been a quiet Sunday.
Bar dinner at my family’s: and quietly trying to work out how to transfer stuff from my sister’s laptop … to her phone.
We’ve both got Huaweis, I should add: running Android.
On my Mac?
The connecting software works perfectly well.
On Ruth’s laptop?
A PC running Windows Ten, version 1903?
The software refuses to connect.
Ho … bloody … hum.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll possibly say it again …
Somebody really needs a Mac!
~≈Î≈~
At any rate … ?
At any rate, I’ve actually managed to catch some TV tonight.
Given That you’ve worked out I’m a Dr Who fan … ?
I’m not going to ask you what I’ve watched.
You’ve possibly already guessed.
~≈Î≈~
Episode 4 — Nikola Tesla’s Night of Terror — opens with scientist, Nikola Tesla (Goran Visnjic) giving a presentation about his Niagara generator to potential investors.
A presentation that goes badly.
And is ended when one investor leaves.
And with an assistant of Tesla’s quietly telling the boss that there’s a body about …
A body that’s been electrocuted … near part of the generator that’s got missing parts.
It’s only then that Nikola and his assistant, Ms Skerret (Haley McGee) get interrupted: by a certain Doctor … asking if they’ve seen anything weird …
And if anything’s been shooting at them with a Silurian gun.
It turn’s out that the Doctor’s been chasing a strange alien energy source.
And it leads directly to Tesla … who’s having trouble finding investors, trouble with his business rival, Thomas Edison (Robert Glenister) … and trouble …
Working out what the small, glowing green thing is.
You know …
Inventing alternating current is possibly mild by comparison …
~≈Î≈~
Now …
Have I seen a good episode?
No.
I’ve actually seen a bloody fantastic one.
Actually, no, I take that back: I think I’ve seen a near perfect one.
The dialogue’s snappy.
The rivalry between Tesla and Edison is nicely drawn, has a well plotted arc and good resolution.
I don’t know how historically accurate it is: but it does — like many a Dr Who story — introduce us to real world figures, and emphasises their importance.
Maybe not accurately: I don’t know if Menlo Park, Edison’s research faculty, was quite the sweat shop the episode presents, or if Tesla’s career quite the disaster the show implies.
The villainous queen of the Skithra, played by former Sarah Jane Adventures actress, Anjli Mohindra?
Spot on!
Yas (Mandip Gill) … ?
Actually has something to do.
Well played, her!
I have to say: last week’s episode, Orphan 55?
Was something that — at the time — seemed OK.
But, in comparison with Nikola Tesla’s Night of Terror?
Seems terribly clunky.
Between Nina Metivier’s writing, Nida Manzoor’s directing, the support from Gill, Cole and Walsh? A riveting set of performances from the three guest stars?
Do I have criticism?
Now I think of it, no.
Nikola Tesla’s Night of Terror is an utter gem of an episode.
Well played, everyone.
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