23rd October, 2020
Right … just as a first point … ? No: I don’t know where that “Brush like a Dentist” line came from.
Certainly not from Little Shop of Horrors.
Secondly?
I’ll happily admit to suffering depression.
In my particular case?
I’ll admit that — for me — that leads to a lot of tiredness.
That does not mean I can’t do the things I want to do.
Just that I have a condition — medicated with a low dose of fluoxetine, and aggravated by an under-active thyroid — that makes me want to sleep.
Right now?
Right now I want to hit the sack.
But … ?
But, much with my reviews of Watchmen?
I wanted to start my review of episode one and two of the classic Dr Who story, Fury from the Deep, now …
And then finish it tomorrow.
24th October, 2020.
Right … I’ve got dinner on: and, frankly?
Am in something of a better mood.
Depression is a funny thing: at least, that’s my experience. It ebbs and flows … leaving me functioning at times, knackered at others.
And perfectly fine, as I write, now.
Fine …
And able to remind you I saw two episodes of vintage, newly re-animated, Dr Who story, Fury from the Deep*: the sixth serial of the show’s 1967/68 fifth season.
~≈😶≈~
Episode 1 shows us the TARDIS landing at sea: off the Eastern coast of England.
A patch of coast line with lots of pipe line: as gas is pumped in from a series of off-shore gas refineries, for EuroSea Gas.
It’s not long before the Doctor (Patrick Troughton) examines the valves that control the pipes: gaining access to them with his sonic screwdriver.
He, Jamie (Fraser Hines) and Victoria (Deborah Watling) all hear a mysterious thumping nose.
It’s not long before the trio are taken into custody by the refinery’s staff: and try warning the refinery’s Controller, Robson (Victor Madden), that something’s happening in the pipe.
Robson? Ignores them … and his second-in-command, Harris (Roy Spencer), who’s also warning of a serious blockage.
Unknown to all of them, and the rest of the refinery staff?
Harris’ wife Maggie (June Murphy) has gone to find a missing file for her husband … and found some mysterious seaweed …
Seaweed that seems to be far more mobile than seaweed has a right to be …
~≈🤨≈~
Episode 2 picks up from where Episode 1 left off: and shows us how Victoria is rescued from the seaweed … only to face suspicion from Robson.
He’s convinced Victoria was in a locked control room for nefarious purposes.
Meanwhile … ?
Harris is with his wife, Maggie: seriously woozy after being stung by seaweed.
Her condition … ? Is serious enough that her husband tries to find the only Doctor on site.
In the meantime … ? The Chief Engineer (Hubert Rees) calls Robson and van Lutyens (John Abineri) to the main impeller: the Chief’s hearing noises from the thing, and convinced there’s a blockage.
The Doctor tells all three that he’s heard the same noise … and thinks turning off the gas flow could be a good idea.
As do van Lutyens and the Chief Engineer.
An idea Robson turns down flat.
Robson manages to ease pressure in the pipe lines: by burning off gas.
Whilst this is going on … ?
Maggie receives visitors …
When the Dr, Harris Jamie and Victoria arrive?
They find her, unconscious, along-side a suspicious smell of gas …
And a lump of seaweed …
~≈🤨≈~
Now …
What do I make of a lost classic? Or, at least, these two episodes?
For a start, I’m doing what I usually do with the reanimated Troughton stories: I’m watching them in colour.
That’s a personal preference: not any kind of judgement on the black and white reconstructions.
And, I have to say, the actual animation seems to be an improved on both The Power of The Daleks, and The Macra Terror.
One thing I did notice?
Patrick Troughton’s eyes.
In The Power of The Daleks, The Macra Terror and The Faceless Ones, the Second Doctor’s eyes were blue.
In the these first two episodes Fury from the Deep?
They’re green.
They were blue in real life: as we can tell, by watching The Two Doctors.
That’s a minor detail from where I’m sitting: the choice of colour looks good, but is a noticeable inconsistency.
Another minor point?
I’m not too sure that the animators have captured Victoria — Deborah Watling — well enough: but, again, I’m only two episodes in.
Over all?
The restoration looks good.
The story itself?
Is vintage Troughton: an isolated base, a snotty controller in the shape of Robson†, wonderful supporting characters, the first ever appearance of the sonic screwdriver …
And a menacingly slimy marine monster.
Personally?
I’m going to be watching the next two episodes, tomorrow night.
I hope you’d care to join me.
* Images are from The Fury from the Deep: © 2020, BBC Studios.
† As I mentioned in this morning’s Daily Teaser, Robson is played by Victor Maddern: who also crops up in Hammer into Anvil, episode 10 of The Prisoner.
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