Dr Who's 20 years of perils
- Publication: The Sun (Sydney, NSW)
- Date: 1983-12-13
- Author: Pat Bowring
- Page: 41
- Language: English
LONGEVITY is wonderful, especially if you have immortality in mind.
At least this is the attitude of the makers of the 20th anniversary edition of "Dr Who."
Immortality is crucial to the plot, as is the ability of the various doctors to deal with the foe.
But if the plot involves immortality, the attitude of those behind the script involves more of a concern with longevity.
The Doctor always seems to survive. Proof of this is the 90 minute special which goes to air on ABV2 at 7.30 tonight.
It proves that immortality can survive television script writing. William Hartnell, the actor who played the original doctor appears as Richard Hurndall.
In 1966, in ill health, Hartnell dropped out of the lead role. But the producers came up with Hurndall as a convincing substitute.
And the series went on to gain more than 100 million viewers in 54 countries.
Even the latest doctor is doomed to be replaced in future episodes. However, tonight he is joined by his past companions, those still alive at least.
The collection of time-travellers, mustered by the producers include Patrick Troughton, Jon Pertwee and Tom Baker.
The adversary is The Master and the old bloke who is supposedly in charge of the Time Lords.
The combatants have been time-scooped to play "The Game Of Rassilon" on a planet called Gallifry. This game is like three dimensional is Susan Foreman, the chess, but on an astral grand-daughter of the level. original Doctor, Brigadier Lethbridge-- Stewart, Sarah Jane Smith and various Daleks, Kraals plus Cybermen.
The loser loses in a big way. He or she dies. Among the main candidates for this fate
The main characters play their roles to the fullest, which makes things a little confusing. Continuity becomes the absolute minimum.
For instance Tom Baker is missing in this production, but he is here in spirit through the use of film from past episodes.
And it is a clever deception.
Each Doctor seems to be in charge of his own case, despite the fact that each is supposed to be dealing happily with his regeneration.
And the process of regeneration has led the script writers to an inevitable reunion. The result of this is something that has to be seen to been believed.
It is a case of good versus evil, and it's great viewing.
As for the future, well that will be something to see. But the omens are good.
The imagination of the producers still seems to be intact as is the enthusiasm of those sitting in the lead roles.
After watching the anniversary episode, I for one am looking forward to future time travels with the Doctor.
Caption: THE Cybermen, the enemy of the five doctors.
Caption: THE five doctors, from left: Tom Baker (doctor No. 4) Peter Davison (No. 5) Jon Pertwee (No. 3) Patrick Troughton (No. 2) and Richard Hurndall (standing in for the original doctor No. 1, William Hartnell who died earlier this year).
Spelling correction: Gallifrey
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- APA 6th ed.: Bowring, Pat (1983-12-13). Dr Who's 20 years of perils. The Sun (Sydney, NSW) p. 41.
- MLA 7th ed.: Bowring, Pat. "Dr Who's 20 years of perils." The Sun (Sydney, NSW) [add city] 1983-12-13, 41. Print.
- Chicago 15th ed.: Bowring, Pat. "Dr Who's 20 years of perils." The Sun (Sydney, NSW), edition, sec., 1983-12-13
- Turabian: Bowring, Pat. "Dr Who's 20 years of perils." The Sun (Sydney, NSW), 1983-12-13, section, 41 edition.
- Wikipedia (this article): <ref>{{cite news| title=Dr Who's 20 years of perils | url=http://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php/Dr_Who%27s_20_years_of_perils | work=The Sun (Sydney, NSW) | pages=41 | date=1983-12-13 | via=Doctor Who Cuttings Archive | accessdate=12 April 2025 }}</ref>
- Wikipedia (this page): <ref>{{cite web | title=Dr Who's 20 years of perils | url=http://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php/Dr_Who%27s_20_years_of_perils | work=Doctor Who Cuttings Archive | accessdate=12 April 2025}}</ref>
