Doctor Who — The Celestial Toymaker — Episode 2 — “The Hall of Dolls” — A Review

13th September, 2024: An Introduction.

Yes: it’s Friday, again.

And, frankly?

I’ve had a quiet day.

Bar getting a little shopping … and forgetting to pick up a prescription!

Never mind!

At any rate … ?

It’s a Friday: dinner is cooking.

And … ?

Once I’ve had that, and caught another episode of The Big Bang Theory … ?

I’ll be watching the next episode of classic Dr Who series, The Celestial Toymaker: you’ll be reading this, or watching the video version, by Sunday, 15th September.

I’ll see you then.

~≈👨‍⚕️≈~

13th September, 2024

Part One: the Summary.

Episode 2 of The Celestial Toymaker — “The Hall of Dolls” — picks up from episode one: and reminds us that the First Doctor, Steven and Dodo (William Hartnell, Peter Purves and Jackie Lane) are trapped in the domain of the Toymaker.

With the Doctor being forced to play a Trilogic Game against the Toymaker, and Steven and Dodo facing a sinister puzzle.

This week?   Steven and Dodo find out exactly what last week’s puzzle means.

The next room has seven chairs in it: one of which is safe.

The other six … are deadly.

The only way to work out which is which … ?   Is by using the giant dolls hidden in cupboards made to look like the TARDIS.

The only real obstacle?

Is the King and Queen of Hearts (Campbell Singer and Carmen Silvera): they want to get out of the Hall of Dolls, just as much as our heroes … 

~≈👨‍⚕️≈~

Part Two: Thoughts..

So … what did I think of this episode?

In my review of the first episode, I admitted I wasn’t stunned by the animation: I felt it was a little jerky, and that the characters didn’t resemble the actors who played them.

I’m still not convinced of the resemblance: feeling this may be — in part — because the characters facial expressions have been build on the motion-capture performers faces, rather than the original actors.

And — again, in part — because the producers couldn’t get the image rights for this story.

I don’t know the technicalities: just that the resemblance I’d prefer to see, isn’t there.

As a counter to that?

Steven and Dodo’s movements in “The Hall of Dolls” seem far more fluid than they did in “The Celestial Toyroom”.

I’m assuming that’s where the team, the performers and production crew have had an episode’s worth of practise.

But don’t know for sure: all I can say is that the motion of these two characters — and of the Toymaker, originally played by Michael Gough — seem smoother.

Specifically for those three characters.

Steven, Dodo and the Toymaker — and the Doctor’s disembodied hand — weren’t the only characters.

Along side them, we had we had the King and Queen of Hearts: working with the Knave (Peter Stephens) and an aging Joker (Reg Lever).

And, of the four?

The design of the King and Queen caught my attention: looking like a cross between Paris-style playing cards … and the early CGI figures of Dire Straits hit, “Money for Nothing.”

Combine that with the characters juddering, string puppet motions … ?

We have a creepy set of creatures that I found very watchable.

~≈👨‍⚕️≈~

Part Three: the ‘N’ Word.

At this stage, I should make a diversion.

And it’s about the King and Queen of Hearts.

You see, I know for a fact that this version of “The Hall of Dolls” has been edited, and for good reason.

Because the original broadcast version of the episode includes a version of Eeny Meeny Miny Moe:

“Eeny Meeny Miny Moe,

Catch a tiger by the toe,

If it hollers, let it go,

Eeny Meeny Miny Moe.”

With the word ‘tiger’ replaced by the ‘N’ word.

Yes, that ‘N’ word: the one that starts with ‘N’, and rhymes with ‘bigger’.

And a word I’m trying to avoid using, in part, as I don’t want a community strike from Blogger or YouTube.

But mostly because I was brought up to believe it’s rude, to and about black people: and that not using it was a good thing.

The reason I mention it, here?

Is because I believe is it was in the scene — some twenty-one minutes into the episode — where the King and Queen are trying to work out who's going to sit in the last remaining chair.

Or it’s around the twelve minute mark: where the King is trying to pick a chair at random.

Having not heard other versions of the audio, I couldn’t tell you for sure.

All I can say?

Is that, apparently, the word is still used in one audio version of the story, and censored in another.

But, thankfully, edited out of this version.

I couldn’t be happier.

I grant it’s a word common at the time.

But it’s not one I’m happy seeing used, today.

~≈👨‍⚕️≈~

Part Four: Last Thoughts..

With all that said and done … ?

What did I make of episode two, of “The Hall of Dolls”?

I have to admit, I’ve enjoyed this episode.

Granted: I’m still unsure about the character design for Steven, Dodo and the Toymaker.

But that’s countered by what looks like smoother motion in this episode: and — with William Hartnell on holiday for this and episode three — pleased to see the episodes focusing on the companions for once.

Am I going to be watching the next episode, next week?

Yes: I am!

I’ll be watching episode three of The Celestial Toymaker, “The Dancing Floor”, on 20th September: and putting my written and video reviews up on 22 September.

I’ll see you then … !

“The Hall of Dolls”

★★★☆