CLASSIC DOCTOR WHO | Four To Doomsday - Part 3 | REACTION

[@jimcat6795]

It's so nice that Adric has memorized the Doctor's Wikipedia bio

[@chrisboot2468]

At the time, the theory was that Adric was from a race that adapted continuously according to the environment (remember his fast healing?), and that his seeming changes in loyalty was part of this.

[@Problembeing]

“‘What about love?” “Love?” “The literal feeling Frazer Hines has for Marie-Clare”

[@alexfletcher5192]

Depending on our perspective, this youthful Tardis crew and its tensions either increased the dramatic potential of the series or turned the whole thing into a soap opera. Tegan is the flashpoint, but it's actually much more realistic than having somebody join the Tardis and just be accepting of everything. I'm surprised more companions don't go round the twist!

[@CRINOTH]

I imagine that Tegan is stressed out if her mind by now. Her aunt has been killed, her planet is being threatened and she's repulsed by the idea of being turned into an android... Then Adric's behaviour is the last straw for her. I think what she does isn't unreasonable under that amount of pressure.

[@neptune04]

Adric when NYSSA of all people tells you to shut up you know you have screwed up.

[@ListerDavid]

Once again you are so very welcome hun X. Had to get you that one of Fraser’s as it matched the one of Peter’s. I’ve had that UNIT set since March waiting to be sent to ya.

[@whobp8]

"Adric has just annoyed me." I wish I had a dollar for every time I've heard that in my life.

[@ealadubh4800]

This being the first Davison story to be recorded, none of the regulars are characterised well or consistently, but Adric in particular is TERRIBLY written in this story. Once Christopher H Bidmead had left the script and editing posts, nobody knew what to do with him besides 'teenage brat'. If anything, Eric Saward ended up giving him the best season 19 treatment.

[@alexfletcher5192]

It's a bit like a kid on Christmas morning! I got a Dalek one year. You have to assemble it, but I got a Dalek...

[@kemmdog4444]

If I remember correctly,the last time the Doctor was in that predicament was in Mask of Mandragora.

[@blakesliberator3197]

19:11 Adric: "...They're lightyears ahead in their technology." Silly miuse of the term 'lightyear', Adric!

[@paulrichards4452]

When Nyssa is put in the tank and Lin Fitu keeps checking on her like she’s a baking turkey it always makes me laugh “Six minutes! Tegan’s attempt to pilot the Tardis is hilarious. She seems to be having a total meltdown. This story is so amusing. Nice autograph from Frazer. Great reaction.

[@AubreySciFi]

I just recently acquired that particular Unit set too. It's great. Good likenesses all around.

[@tombaxter6228]

FtD is probably Adric's lowest point. His character was originally conceived as a cheeky, chirpy, Artful Dodger type. Unfortunately, by S19, that's being shortened to 'dick', by the script writers.....

[@conscienceaginBlackadder]

It's TV's agenda of prejudice against teenagers, seen in most portrayals of them everywhere. They are always shown in the way oppression wants to see them.

[@AmyWarriorPrincess]

@@conscienceaginBlackadder The thing is, I never liked the character from the beginning. I've liked other teenage characters in the show... just not this one.

[@tombaxter6228]

@@AmyWarriorPrincess I've always thought that Matthew Waterhouse gave his best performances in season 18. He and Tom seemed to gel well together (on screen anyway). Put against the much more amiable 5th Doctor, his character nosedives...

[@mark-s]

@@alan_evans I totally agree this was his downfall story

[@johng5859]

@@alan_evans I suspect part of the problem, at least, was that there was no permanent script editor while this story was being readied for production, with Antony Root at that time doing his three month spell in the job between the departure of Chris Bidmead and the arrival of Eric Saward. This lack of stability behind the scenes probably didn’t help to ensure consistent characterisation. Saward didn’t become script editor until studio recording on Four to Doomsday had already begun.

[@johng5859]

I look forward to seeing your autograph wall of fame in all its glory! Four to Doomsday is probably Exhibit A in the list of reasons many fans despise Adric. Yes, he is a naive, idealistic teenager, but you might have thought he had travelled enough with the Doctor by now to become a bit more worldly and suspicious. As for Tegan, I agree with you that her behaviour here is ultimately selfish, even if she has a noble motive. I am more forgiving of her than of Adric, though, because she is still new to this time travelling lark at this stage, and it’s perhaps understandable that she does not yet have full confidence in the Doctor to find a way out of their difficulties. I have to say I do find that confrontation scene between Adric and Tegan quite embarrassing, it is so awkwardly acted. Although Janet Fielding was a more experienced actor than Matthew Waterhouse, she was new to TV at the time, and this was only the second story she made - it does show a couple of times in this episode, notably when she has her OTT breakdown in the console room.

[@alexfletcher5192]

I always think the description of love is rather neat, actually. My partner is constantly telling me how she wishes I could see myself as she sees me. And of course the other way around. It's dehumanisation.

[@joshbostock_2040]

What a brillaint gift, can't have too much of Frazer Hines

[@ShamrockParticle]

Part 3, ah yes, the exposition episode of boooredom. Part three's have often this way. The funny thing is that the 100nm barrier in microchip fabrication process was broken a couple decades ago, but in 1980 it was a mindbender. Even 10nm was breached fairly recently. Enlightenment having to discuss love is very New Wave/Human League stuff. 😍 Yep, Adric's greatest hits list is being used again in this story. But someone had to blabble... why not Nyssa as her planet had the Keeper that controlled everyone! Adric blabbing about Time Lords probably explains why so many species know of the Doctor! 😅 Monarch's dialogue continues to shine, elevated to greater effect by Stratford John's. In a cast filled with great acting. Even Tegan, though she's almost over the top. The companion carryover is a nice idea. Though ideally the companion coming in should gel with both outgoing and incoming Doctors. Which takes a lot more to juggle than just starting out with a truly empty slate. Your reaction to the Adric/Tegan grudge match is utterly fantastic. Recording a brain print to simulate in an electronic machine is "Cybermen on steroids". But is it really the same soul? Like finding out about the tootsie pop, we may never know. The cliffhanger is otherwise a standard thing except for Tegan managing to pilot the TARDIS like how anyone can! 😁 Bold attempt but a bad idea for her to try. Definitely makes you wonder how this will be resolved and I loved it at the time. Your points about her being selfish and leaving the Doctor and Co defenseless is terrific.

[@tl1110]

'Adric has just annoyed me.' Yeah, welcome to the club :)

[@mark-s]

I really looking forward to your reactions this season only 2 episodes left of new who at this point in time hope you do a live KZbin chat soon it's been ages

[@markdavidson9100]

The highlight of my day

[@soupdragon1971]

The writers massively underestimated the development of silicon chip technology. Understandable, as at the time transistors were measured in thousands of nanometres. We have had 100nm transistors for around 15 years now . Current technology has them at the 5nm level and we are still nowhere near being able to simulate a human mind. I'm annoyed at the way Adric is portrayed in this episode. I could understand him being like this when he first appeared but this is so inconsistent based on his previous characterisation. Agree about Tegan acting out of character too.

[@conscienceaginBlackadder]

Adric reasons mathematically so is pro the benefits of technology. He came from a physically difficult marginal state of life on his world. Of the 4, only he is likely to be familiar with hunger, and illness without health care. H failed to alert to tyrannical motives in a plan that could also be carried out on volunteers, of which he would be one, so appeals to him rationally seen that way

[@Joey15811]

I work in a b&m. None of the current sets are spoilery

[@AubreySciFi]

I wonder why almost none of the newest sets are available on Amazon. All the ones from last year are. It's strange. And for those of us outside the UK it presents a problem in finding them.

[@forkinhell3545]

I thought the doctors hair was short enough! 💆

[@thomasstevens2746]

Great Jamie poster

[@jcortese3300]

I am not a TV toy fan by nature but I've got to tell you, those UNIT dolls are the best thing EVER. They are FANTASTIC. And I adore how young people born after I was in grad school and even later are still over the moon about these old characters decades later! It's silly to say I know, but Classic Who reactors are a huge lift to my mood lately with everything else going wrong in the world. Storytelling is still what being human is all about, isn't it?

[@chrisboot2468]

MINOR SPOILER: Get used to Peter Davison nearly getting his head chopped off!!!

[@geoffmason7215]

Team Tegan for sure....Adric's a wuz

[@matthewclarke4127]

Adric is a bit of a wally.

[@AmyWarriorPrincess]

Honestly, Adric has always annoyed me. There's something about the character that has always gotten under my skin.

[@ftumschk]

His acting doesn't help, either! That scene at 13:55 always makes me cringe :)

[@forkinhell3545]

You're not alone. Adric is an annoying younger brother type of character. Inconsistent acting and writing didn't help either.

[@AubreySciFi]

Yes, the characterization of Tegan and Adric is a little weird in this one. A case can be made for Tegan's actions but Adric is just being foolish and annoying.

[@conscienceaginBlackadder]

Adric came from a physically difficult marginal outlaw life on his world, .Of the 4, only he is likely to be familiar with hunger, and illness without health care. Mr Green's plan, if carried out nicely on volunteers, of which he would be one, appeals to him rationally. He missed discerning any authoritarian agenda in it, until the last scene has shown him it.

[@Jamienomore]

Tegan, Typical bloody Woman. Just kidding.