Review by Mark Bousquet
“THE DEADLY ASSASSIN” – Season 14, Serial 3, Story 88 – Written by Robert Holmes; Directed by David Maloney – It’s a highly unique serial in DOCTOR WHO lore as the Doctor gets a solo adventure, free from any Companion. With Sarah Jane having departed and Leela yet to arrive, the Doctor is left to his own devices to foil an assassination attempt on the Time Lord President. Only problem is, the Master is behind it and he’s super angry because he doesn’t have a real face anymore.
A note, if you’ve never read my reviews before: they’re not really reviews. I like to think of them as reactions – I watch something, I write about the response it creates in me. There’s almost always some plot dissection, of course, but this is not intended to be a comprehensive summary, but rather a record of what the serial made me think about. Enjoy!
THE DEADLY ASSASSIN is one of the more difficult serials for me to wrap my head around. I do not mean that the plot is extra complex or the philosophical issues deeply troubling. I simply mean I don’t know if I like it or if I really like it.
Dilemma indeed! Mike, Mike, Dave, and special guest Lewis Bailey from The Happiness Patrol podcast suffer through gastropods, two-timing Jucondans, a TARDIS strangler, and Peri and the twins. Also a special Series 7 Commentary by Sacha from Doctor Geek’s Lab. No matter what else happens, Colin Baker is The Sixth Doctor whether we like it or not!
The first part of series seven ended with the departure of one set of companions and began with a glimpse of the next character destined to travel in the TARDIS. Mike, Mike, Dave, and Bobby are joined by Dr. Scott Viguie and Mark Bousquet as they discuss the highs and lows of the past five episodes from the Dalek’s homeworld to the Weeping Angels in the Big Apple and everything in between.
In the mid-series finale, the Weeping Angels take a bite of the Big Apple and its up the The Doctor and the Pond family to save the day. Mike, Mike, Dave, and Bobby are joined by Keith Leonard to review the final chapter of the Amy and Rory era. And the Angels aren’t the only ones weeping!
I’ll admit I was somewhat skeptical about CBS’ modern-day take on Sherlock Holmes. The show, which is called “Elementary,” premiered last night and features Holmes as an ex-Scotland Yard consultant who’s living in New York City. Regardless of what CBS officials might say, it’s clear this show is (right or wrong) an attempt to take advantage of the famous literary detective’s recent spike in popularity. The concept of CBS’ show is fairly similar to the BBC’s “Sherlock,” which is set in modern-day London and stars Benedict Cumberbatch as Holmes.
Live from the Phantom’s Lair! Mike, Mike and Bobby are taken blindfolded to a secret location to watch the fourth episode of series seven, along with Friends of the Station Keith Castelan and Rebecca Perry. The penultimate chapter of The Doctor’s “Pond Period” polarizes the ESW players! Much thanks to our co-host with the most (toys) – it was a great evening!
A fistful of doctors! In the third episode of the seventh series, The Doctor and his companions end up in the Wild West and are very nearly upstaged by Ben Browder! Mike, Mike, Bobby, Dave and MaryLouWho cowboy up to discuss the middle chapter in this all-too-short five episode run.
By Ashley Bergner
