Day: November 2, 2023

Doctor Who The Complete History was a series of hardback volumes which came out every two weeks and covered 3-4 stories each. These were in-depth volumes covering the production of each episode from the first in 1963 to the end of the Peter Capaldi era of the show. In addition to the extensive production notes there were also merchandise and publicity updates and actor profiles. The quality of each volume was exceptional overseen by several different editors. The volumes were only available in the UK and Ireland so were difficult to obtain in other locations. I am more of a Watsonian fan but if you are a Doyalist you will greatly appreciate these books. Even so I give the entire series a solid 8 out of 10. I will rate each episode covered below.

This volume covers the last story for Second Doctor companion Victoria and the first story for Zoe.

Fury from the Deep was another environmental themed episode with a parasitic weed creature attacking a gas refinery. Victoria’s scream proves instrumental in defeating the monster. I quite like Victoria’s exit from the series her reason being she is overwrought with all of the death and destruction accompanying life with the Doctor. A much better exit than being married off like Susan, Vicki, Jo and Leela. The story also featured the first use of the Doctor’s sonic screwdriver. 7 out of 10.

The Wheel in Space was another Cybermen base under siege story, this one introducing Zoe Herriot to the Whoniverse. Zoe was a great addition to the show with her cute bubbly personality. Her intelligence contrasted well with Jaime and played against the Doctor. A good base under siege story representative of the era. 7 out of 10

This last story in the volume introduces another failed attempt to create another monster that could rival the Daleks with the Quarks. The Dominators themselves had some personality beyond the stereotypical villain with their constant bickering. The story was OK but the costume design was some of the worst I have ever seen in the show. 6 out of 10.

Doctor Who The Complete History was a series of hardback volumes which came out every two weeks and covered 3-4 stories each. These were in-depth volumes covering the production of each episode from the first in 1963 to the end of the Peter Capaldi era of the show. In addition to the extensive production notes there were also merchandise and publicity updates and actor profiles. The quality of each volume was exceptional overseen by several different editors. The volumes were only available in the UK and Ireland so were difficult to obtain in other locations. I am more of a Watsonian fan but if you are a Doyalist you will greatly appreciate these books. Even so I give the entire series a solid 8 out of 10. I will rate each episode covered below.

Patrick Troughton is not my favorite Doctor but this volume has some of his best stories. The first story covered is The Abominable Snowmen. The setting of the story is different and provides an interesting backdrop to the story. The story is the introduction to The Yeti, Professor Travers and The Great Intelligence. As with many six parters the story can drag at times but the characters and new monsters introduced make for a nice watch albeit with missing episodes 7 out of 10.

Another iconic monster introduced in the next serial The Ice Warriors. The Ice Warriors are very much better presented in later stories and in extended media as this is a routine base under siege story. 7 out of 10.

The Enemy of the World was for many years a missing story. The story was returned to the archive in 2013. In the far future world of 2018! the Doctor, Jaime and Victoria find themselves amidst vying factions of political power blocks. Troughton does a great job portraying three different characters; The Second Doctor, Salamander and The Doctor disguised as Salamander. He makes all three distinctive. A very solid “future-historical” story. 9 out of 10.

The Web of Fear has many things going for it. The first appearance of The Brigadier, the return of the yeti, the Great Intelligence and Professor Travers, and the introduction of Anne Travers. Anne has become one of my favorite characters with her appearances in the Lethbridge-Stewart novels published by Candy Jar Books. This was another story returned to the archive in 2013 9 out of 10.