Classic Who "The Androids of Tara" Parts 1&2 Reaction

[@TheElderBlotch]

Combining medieval court intrigue with advanced technology and androids was such an inspired concept. This is one I didn't care for when I was younger but greatly enjoy now, it's a bizarre but enchanting take on The Prisoner Of Zenda boosted by a strong supporting cast and a sinisterly dashing villain in Count Grendel played by the amazing Peter Jeffrey.

[@ciarantimothy8081]

it also reminds me of both The Curse and The Monster of Peladon

[@johntaylor564]

I seem to remember the BBC also did an adaptation of The Prisoner of Zenda (with less androids) around the same time give or take a year or 2

[@ryanpollard1166]

The Androids of Tara is maybe the most underrated story of the season. Absolutely charming and confidently played by the entire cast, especially the late Peter Jeffrey as Count Grendel. Plus, I love how finding the Key segment was actually the easiest part of the whole adventure; it's getting it back to the TARDIS that's the hardest part.

[@ciarantimothy8081]

This story, The Stones of Blood and The Pirate Planet are my favorite stories in this series

[@TheElderBlotch]

You don't appreciate how good Peter Jeffrey is as the villain here until you've seen his bumbling policeman with a heart of gold in the Dr. Phibes films. Great actor.

[@Sandman_jazz1983]

Peter Jeffrey played at least 3 villains in cult British spy series The (New) Avengers (I can't recall if his character in one episode was a villain or not), and always put plenty of relish into his roles. Sadly, he falls into the unfortunate group of people who passed away on Christmas Day.

[@rogershore3128]

Agree. It's an underrated gem. I enjoy it today as much as I did on it's original transmission

[@nocturne8333]

I absolutely love this story, definitely a highlight of the Fourth Doctor era for me, though I think it’s very underrated as no one really mentions it.

[@Skeezer66]

THIS is my favorite story from this season!!! When I first saw it, I kept wondering why it felt familiar, and how I knew what would happen. I later realized it was a remake of "Prisoner of Zenda"! No androids involved! There are a couple of versions, my favorite stars Ronald Coleman and was made in 1937!! I love that they get the time segment out of the way, and THEN the story gets going! Count Grendel is one of my favorite villains, any story!!!

[@Epsilon1Zeta]

The lovely late Mary Tamm was fantastic as Romana, and she gets to play three roles in one adventure! And the late Peter Jeffrey was a great villain as Count Grendel of Gracht!

[@BernardJKD]

It's basically a sci fi version of The Prisoner of Zenda. If you are aware of that classic novel it adds so many layers to one's watching.

[@andrewmacey3606]

Glad your loving this season because it's also my favourite Tom Baker season. I too like the variety of stories. This story is particularly good and the location filming from Leeds Castle is wonderful

[@alexlee2237]

I love that part two's cliffhanger is the Doctor apparently smashing Romana's head in 😂.

[@cruelangel8689]

From the Key to Time season, Romana's Tara outfit is my favorite :)

[@DonnaLang42rockglobally]

"The Androids of Tara" was my introduction to Doctor Who, so it holds a special place in my heart. A couple of interesting bits of trivia (besides the fact that it's basically an "homage" to "The Prisoner of Zenda" [the 1937 version with Robert Coleman is my favorite, btw]): 1) Peter Jeffrey's Count Grendel was originally intended to turn out to be the Master, and 2) Mary Tamm designed her Romana costume herself due to the original not only being uncomfortable but also not as "screen worthy" as what she would go on to wear.

[@glenmcculla6843]

I'd never heard about the mooted Grendel / Master reveal before, but Jeffery would have been a great Master.

[@madran7731]

Peter Jeffrey certainly evokes Roger Delgado's Master and you can imagine he would have played the part in a very similar way but I have never heard this possibility. Could you please share where you heard this?

[@Melancthon7332]

It's just so damn lovely to see you vibing with one of my favorite seasons of the show ever. High-concepts smashing with derring-do, amazing costumes and looks, cracking dialogue and memorable characters and actors playing everything to the hilt - this season manages (almost) to sustain a wonderfully fun, adventurous tone all the way through. And all with perhaps my favorite TARDIS trio ever! Another awesome reaction Jess, made my day.

[@HarmonySwamp]

I love AoT. Great plot (based on The Prisoner of Zenda), wonderful production design, great performances all round and shot beautifully at Leeds Castle - which is not in Leeds, but a short train ride from London, which we'll take you to see when you come visit ;). Glad you're enjoying the Key to Time season for its fun and drama; it's been underrated by fandom in recent years.

[@glenmcculla6843]

Always adored this story, with its lovely summery fantasy feel. Tara's one of my favourite planets: turreted castles, pavilions, knights with electric swords, androids... Oh, and two Mary Tamms - what's not to love?

[@glenmcculla6843]

Oh, and the Archimandrite's hat is fucking boss. I should like a hat like that. Or Romana's - that's a cool titfer too.

[@Carlz1965]

@@glenmcculla6843 In The Discontinuity Guide, the authors claim 'The Archimandrite's hat has to be seen to be believed' and who are we to argue ? 😂

[@hestushenchman]

9:14 I love how the sound of the falling cups reveal so obviously that they are made of plastic.

[@Wannabe_Baby]

I feel like it's been a while since I've heard Jess call people "bitch" so much, which I approve of. :) Your reaction to the needle was so funny and I enjoyed how you said "kneel, bitch" during the coronation. I like the vibes of this story too. The setting is really interesting. I also love that Romana finds the fourth part of the key immediately but holding onto it is the problem. The variety in each of the key's segments is really well done in my opinion, both what they are and the problem with acquiring them. And Romana's white dress is iconic!

[@TheYoungDoctor]

Last story was the hundredth story and this story started two days after Doctor Who's fifteenth anniversary.

[@cameronmonaghan6883]

this is a great story. Love that Earth colonies in the Whoniverse seem to take inspiration from historical settings. Especially the futuristic elements mixed with the culture. would like a episode to return to it one day.

[@davidpo5517]

Love this story!

[@Nyssa337]

I don’t know why, but “Tara” has always been a favorite. I think I have a thing for Medieval-type stories. Time Warrior and Masque of Mandragora are favorites as well.

[@meropetied]

I've heard it put that this season is mostly a bunch of pseudohistorical Doctor Who stories that happen to have a key segment in them. Well, maybe two of them. But one has a pirate in it. And one has a gothic mansion and estate. And two have princesses. Another has a queen. And two have villainous power hungry lords with huge egos. What this season has is comedy with source material from the 18th and 19th centuries. That is, rather than the usual lately, mid to late 20th century horror. And that comedy is so, so pronounced. The wit of this season and the next is exquisite.

[@kemmdog4444]

This is a pastiche of the novel The Prisoner of Zenda.

[@colinmcdonough4034]

The term "romp "could have been invented for this story . Great fun!

[@matthewclarke4127]

Ruritanian romp

[@colinmcdonough4034]

@@matthewclarke4127 Welease Wodewick the Wuwitawian Womper! 😉

[@ImpossibleCaseEdits]

Another terrific reaction! I was reading the comments hoping not to repeat something another viewer said. Mary Tamm helped design Romana's purple costume for this story.

[@zagreus139]

The Taran Wood Beast needs its own spin off show

[@madran7731]

When I first saw this story I was quite young and didn't really appreciate the lack of monsters. Now, although not quite as good as the two previous stories, I enjoy it a lot more!

[@Gqspeed13]

This is my favorite of all the classic who's!!!

[@curmudgeone]

The ‘sword guy’ is played by actor and presenter Paul Lavers, who by this time had already appeared in a very creepy adaptation of the M R James ghost story The Treasure Of Abbot Thomas; would go on to be a continuity announcer on I think Anglia Television (one of the the former UK regional tv franchises of the ITV network); and who would become one of the presenters (sellers?) on the UK arm of QVC in the 1990s, selling jewellery, kitchen appliances etc - live TV, so often inadvertently funny. These he would sometimes perform ‘on script’ but as time went on, his impish, dare I say subversive sense of humour crept in and made what is essentially a non-stop sales pitch of a pair of earrings or a food processor entertaining. It reminds me of the late Garry Shandling’s fictional talk-show host on The Larry Sanders Show having to perform in-show ads to promote the ‘Garden Weasel’ weeding tool (“Look Ma, I’m making valuable mulch”) to please the sponsor and the network. Paul Lavers has I believe returned to acting; he gives great performances in The Treasure Of Abbot Thomas and The Androids Of Tara, the latter requiring him to be this humourless, intense swordsman whose prowess is often confined to sizzling the Doctor’s scarf. 😂

[@karlmortoniv2951]

Mary Tamm could wear anything and look amazing. It's unfair to us mere mortals. For many years the Key to Time season was sniffed at by the fandom in a borderline offensive manner as just not being quite the thing and I have no idea why. Tom's in fine form throughout, Mary is fecking gorgeous, K-9 doesn't outstay his welcome, and each of the six stories are a breath of fresh air from the one before. Maybe "Armageddon Factor" feels a bit stretched to fit six episodes, but it wouldn't be the first time that happened. "Androids of Tara" is a nice re-mix of "The Prisoner of Zenda" - look it up. This story is almost a throwback to the Hinchcliffe/Holmes era, they did "Doctor Who" versions of lots of classic stories and this fits right in.

[@kemmdog4444]

Zadek played Professor Kettering in The Mind of Evil.

[@fadikhoory5350]

Cyril Shaps’s last appearance in this one.

[@Jaketherobonrd]

Yes my favourite story from this season, it’s a swashbuckling and enjoyable adventure. And Of course this story was inspired by Prison of Zenda

[@GoombahYah]

For some reason, Romana's outfit in this episode has always been iconic to me. I think it's the hat. The episode itself is also a great time. It isn't trying to be keep some high-stakes plot going: instead, it's centered around a small local political squabble that gives the characters a chance to shine.

[@timeofgifts]

Mary Tamm said that, of all her costumes, the mauve velvet was her favourite because she had a chance to discuss it with the costume designer to create something fashionable. Add to that some good weather in filming around Leeds castle and a happy shoot. Her short-sightedness also helped her acting reaction to the er 'uniquely' realised Wood Beast of Tara. These recollections were part of the tribute article in Dr Who Magazine after Mary Tamm's untimely passing.

[@tenmark7055]

Mary Tamm designed that dress when the original costume proved unsuitable,

[@moviesrocks2]

of all the stories this season, this was always my favorite. probably because it just didn't focus on the key to time. loved Romana's outfit in this story. glad you are enjoying the season so far.

[@mark-s]

This one reminded me of a cheaper version of the android invasion from season 13

[@deggsymarley]

With early Dr who didn't have lots of money wardrobe dept. Really shines,shows how backroom staff should get more mentions love costumes

[@whobp8]

Welcome to the Prisoner of Zenda! Er, I mean the Androids of Tara. This is a fun one. I like that the story has comparatively small stakes for Doctor Who, and Peter Jeffrey makes a great villain.

[@tenmark7055]

Doctor Who meets the Prisoner of Zenda. Swashbuckling silliness.

[@chrisbrooker7260]

Another very good story. The faux medieval/technological mash up is awesome and work well, for the most part. The plague also works to cover up a usual Dr Who problem - where are all the people…. Good stuff

[@Andy_U]

Hiya. Congrats on 97k. 100 by Christmas, do you think? Stay safe. All the best to you.

[@alexfletcher5192]

Peter Jeffrey and his impressive nose can be found across British TV in this era (he was even the Pilot in 'The Macra Terror' - not that we can necessarily tell that these days). Possibly no actor to this point seems to have relished the role of the classic bad guy as much as he does. And given that the whole thing is basically 'The Prisoner of Zenda with Robots', why not make it all slightly larger than life?

[@thomasstevens2746]

Loving your dress

[@coopercane500]

Fun fact: The original intention for this story was to have the Doctor and Romana encounter Robin Hood and discover him to be the exact opposite of the legends about him.

[@MysteryFedoraMan]

How are you finding tom? Genuinely intrigued

[@geoffmason7215]

Prisoner of Zenda anyone??

[@alexfletcher5192]

The Taran Wood Beast is pretty angry. And so would you be wearing a knock-off mask like that.

[@robertsteele-is4ug]

the androids of tara is my least favorite