Why
REMEMBRANCE OF THE DALEKS
Sucked Ass
Remembrance was pretty shit basically. So bad it was only transmitted in the London region only, so I had to wait and get it on video.
Not that I was having any sleepless nights waiting. I had already consigned my Dr Who membership to the dustbin, the moment Sylvester McCoy in his first story, decided to hang off a large icy crevice (by his umbrella) for no apparent reason what-so-ever .
Not that it was his fault. McCoy and Aldred were hampered by underhanded BBC directives to bin the series.
This meant ill-thought-out plot-lines and ropey acting. Thus the series became a condescending parody of itself, to appease the Telly-Tubby generation.
FASHION DISASTER
So now our heroes had to wear these terrible outfits: McCoy with his gay-as-fuck sweaters with Question Marks and dumb-ass Umbrella. I just wanted to punch him in the face. But it wasn't his fault. Actually I should have punched JNT in the face, as this was entirely his idea. AGAIN.
John Nathan Turner was producer of Dr Who throughout the 1980s. He also pretty much had the last say on what the characters attire should be.
As a result Peter Davison ended up in cricket attire. Not entirely practicable by any means. A sort of middle finger to the previous incarnations cosmic hobo dandy in a scarf.
But then it went really wild with Colin Bakers multi-coloured dream coat. And by McCoys era it just went off the rails entirely.
Sophie at least got to wear combats.
HAMMY ACTING & NEAR-DEATH EXPERIENCES
Everything about McCoys tenure always felt rushed and half-baked.
Not to mention their performances. Bonnie Langford, straight out of Panto, just screamed at everything. In fact, every one is in panto-mode. Even the Master, cackling over his latest devious schemes.
One half expects Madam Twanky to rock-up as the latest nemeses.
'There was simply no time' Recalled McCoy. 'They were always rushing things'.
So much so that in the episode 'Battlefield' Sophie almost died when the water tank she was placed in began to bulge and crack.
It was only her co-stars quick diligence that saved her life, when McCoy immediately ordered the film crew to yank her to safety.
UNMEMORABLE
For a story called Remembrance I couldn't recall anything terribly memorable. At least not for any good reasons. In fact I can only remember how terribly cheesy it all was.
The Daleks come across like stereotypes. The Supreme just spins around and promptly self-destructs at the news that the script-writers have blown up Skaro.
The only thing holding it all together is Terry Molly really. But even he has to suffer the indignity of a half-baked emperors new clothes.
DARK TIMES
This was the darkest period the series had ever known. BBC 1 Controller Micheal Grade had essentially stabbed the series in the back several times already. He would rather see the money go to more befitting programs such as Gardners World & East Enders.
By this point the show was dead already. JNT was merely flogging a dead horse, kept animated by dodgy special FX.
Thus the Grade'ites began gathering and lurking in the shadows, waiting to feed on the corpse of Dr Who, now reduced to being broadcast in London only, as regional Tv networks wouldn't touch it with a barge-pole.
It wasn't long before the show finally got the axe. By 1989, the end of an era had come. By which point it seemed nobody really cared anyway. Clearly the show needed a rest. It had run out of ideas and enthusiasm. Time to move on.
LEGACY
It would be seven long years before we saw Dr Who return again as a TV movie in 1996. Planting new seeds. Sylvester returns and gives the performance of his career. And by 2004, the series rockets into the stratosphere once again.
As a result Gardners World & East Enders get their funding cut.
Looking back, it surprises me how many peeps still enjoyed McCoys tenure as Dr Who. And look back at Remembrance with fond memories.
Where they high? Probably.
