Classic Who "The Stones of Blood" Parts 3&4 Reaction

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[@sesskasays]

Sorry the video is so short in comparison to usual, let's just say the BBC was not happy with me showing much of anyhing from these two parts.

[@kemmdog4444]

That’s perfectly fine.

[@Clayton-S.]

Hey, Jess, no worries. You did a great job as always😆👍

[@josefschiltz2192]

Well Jess, we know the BBC of old in the UK. Spike Milligan would say, "Hold it up to the light. Not a brain in sight!" Nothing much has changed over the last half-century.

[@TheElderBlotch]

Only Doctor Who could turn a Gothic horror mystery into an interdimensional courtroom drama and pull it off this well. The change in direction doesn't work for everybody but I could watch the 4th Doctor talking rings around the Megara all day. As for the Ogri, they could have been ridiculous monsters but the surprisingly gruesome scenes of them bleeding the campers dry or killing the druids "Skull crushed to pulp" makes them a force to be feared and they're one of the few things that legimately threatened or damaged K-9 so they'll always stand out for that.

[@Epsilon1Zeta]

Indeed that scene of the two campers being killed is still blood chillingly effective. Susan Engel was superb as the villain of the piece.

[@Allancarlostani]

"This story is taking a turn", "This is very bizarre"... Two phrases that aptly describe the second half of the Graham Williams era.

[@nocturne8333]

I absolutely love the twist in these two parts, it’s the best kind of rug pull that Doctor Who does. Such a great story from David Fisher.

[@josefschiltz2192]

There are quite a few of the Amelias and Viviens in the Suffolk countryside where I live. My mother was a Vivien. Not exactly evil. More a dour, half-deaf village post mistress. A few of the 'Vivien Fay' types passed through our doors, some more full of themselves than others. Some friendlier than others. Never saw one with a Orthomobilis Hemovore in tow. The 'Amelias' were, as the character portrayed here, brilliant. There's always something about Amelia.

[@Rik77]

Yes, just to echo another comment, even in the 2020s Suffolk still has characters like Amelia and Vivienne, its a region with a lot of interesting history including witchcraft. I only saw this story recently and I absolutely love it. K9 is so funny in this one.

[@josefschiltz2192]

True enough. We're what could be called either Miss Marple or Constable country. A village called Kersey is not far off and an episode of Campion was filmed there. I've often wondered if Jess would like to see it. It's one of Peter Davison's post-Doctor roles. Albert Campion and his valet/butler Magersfontein Lugg - played by Brian Glover. It's possibly not well known - if at all - in the States. Sad really, as it's quite an Anglophile mystery series. I've often wondered if Jess could react to the first episode as a taster.

[@josefschiltz2192]

K9 really does excel in comedy. It seems Tom hated getting down on his knees all the time to have dialogue with K9, but they really are a sound team-up.

[@timkinss]

It's not just good that people like this exist still, it's vital. The alternative is unending metropolitan horror!

[@Clayton-S.]

Very much a story of two halves. Something that classic Who does SO well. Like the Seeds of Doom. We go from the Antarctic to an English country house and it's so much fun! Stones of Blood is a quality tale and I always rather liked the transition in vibe between parts 1and 2 then 3 and 4. Personally, I do prefer the first two parts but the whole idea of the Megara and a spacecraft in hyperspace is intriguing and fun! Plus, just for Jess, they blow an Ogri to bits...☺👍

[@tideoftime]

The Stones of Blood was my first DW story I watched as a kid decades ago -- it was weird, quirky and very British, and for me a good intro to DW as a show. It *was* an unusual story in terms of tone/structure, but I think that's a good reflection of how usual DW can be beyond the sci-fi/fantasy aspects.

[@alexfletcher5192]

Dr Who reached a landmark with this serial, in more ways than one. Not only was it the 100th story to be broadcast, but with the show's 15th anniversary falling between part four and the start of the next serial, David Fisher was initially instructed to come up with a scene in which Romana presents the Doctor with a birthday cake. It was never filmed, but Director Darrol Blake had already purchased the cake - which the crew promptly scoffed!

[@cameronmonaghan6883]

Great story full of creative aliens. Love the Megara. Would love them to interact with other space age law enforcement. Such as Judoon and Atraxi. Love one off companions and Professor Rumford is one of the best

[@TheTrmetzgar]

i LOVE CLASSIC WHO and Tom Baker is my all time favorite. I just wanted to let you know he is also the voice of The Bendu in Star War Rebels. What a voice.

[@hestushenchman]

Beatrix Lehmann played the professor. This was one of her final acting roles. She passed away the following year in her mid-70s.

[@Mrazmatmahmood]

The Stones of Blood is a really fun story that celebrates being the 100th story by combining two of the genres Doctor Who is perhaps best-known for, gothic horror and high concept space adventure. I have to admire the audacity of the writers to have this be a creepy horror story about druidism for the first half and then shift it into being a quirky courtroom dramedy set in hyperspace for the second half. It's a very weird tonal shift, but it's weird in a way only Doctor Who can be and I enjoy it because of that. I do wonder if I would enjoy it as much if this wasn't the 100th story though, but it's executed well for what it is. Everything we learn during those courtroom scenes about Vivien Fay add context to the first half of the story and explain why and how she was doing what she was doing. There's enough connective tissue between the two halves of the story that they don't feel totally disconnected. I also have to mention how well the Doctor, Romana and K9 are working as a trio, it's just so much fun. There's so much witty banter and quotable lines from all three and when you throw in a character like Professor Emilia Rumford into the mix, who is one of the best one-off side characters in classic Who, things just get that much more entertaining. The character interactions make this story a very easy and enjoyable story to watch. With all that being said, this is usually regarded as the best story from the Key to Time season by the fandom and I can't agree with that. The Ribos Operation and The Pirate Planet are both great and much better stories in comparison to The Stones of Blood and I think the main reason for that is actually the radical shift in tone. I know I explained why I think it works, but I still think this could've been a truly great story if they had stuck with the gothic horror tone for all four episodes. However, I don't think that's the point. I think this story is trying to be more of a celebration of Doctor Who than a great story in its own right and I can't be mad at it for that. This is a story only Doctor Who could even attempt to pull off and that's a great way to celebrate such a milestone.

[@whobp8]

I've always had a theory that Cessair/Miss Fay is an agent of the Black Guardian and was lying in wait for the Doctor. I cling to this theory because, if she isn't an agent of the Black Guardian, her plan was to recruit some Ogri, steal one of the most powerful artifacts in the universe, travel several light-years to Earth and then hang around with Druids for a few hundred years doing nothing.

[@canadianicedragon2412]

This "series" the key to time was one of my favourites. And this was "my doctor" so the nostalgia is strong here. :) And of course who doesn't like K9 so he makes any series more enjoyable. Always fun to see people go back to watch these.

[@coopercane500]

Rumford would’ve made a great companion. Definitely gives off Evelyn Smythe vibes from the audio dramas.

[@Wannabe_Baby]

I agree with you about the second two parts having a different tone. I felt like the justices suddenly being introduced was a far too convenient way of beating Vivian Fey (and I liked Romana's citrus idea better, which I don't think got used). Plus, finding the third part of the Key to Time was very quick, almost like an afterthought. Still, love Romana, love K9 and that part with the two campers being killed reminded me of a cold opening to a Supernatural episode.

[@timkinss]

I absolutely get your terrific distinction between being against a change in a story and just enjoying what it was so much that it can't help but be sad when it takes a left turn. I feel the same.

[@rogershore3128]

I remember seeing this on it's original transmission and the killing of Mike Baldwin's girlfriend and the other camper was really gruesome. Really caught me out. Really did not expect that... looking back I'm amazed in got in the final cut One of the rare "W.T.F. moments in classic Who... Great story all the same..... And it actually works and blends well...

[@ianbuckley2347]

Certainly a story of two parts. I'm with you on this Jess because I love the first half but am underwhelmed with the last. It's still pretty fun though and a good entry in the key to time season. Keep up the great reactions.

[@alexfletcher5192]

Rightly or wrongly, part of the job of the female companion in those days was to act as 'eye candy' for part of the male audience, so it's unsurprising that Beatrix Lehmann (who would die not long after) wasn't considered for that kind of role. It's something that has been partially rectified in recent years with Bernard Cribbins. Although, depending on where you stand on the subject of canon, his part in the 1966 movie 'Daleks: Invasion Earth - 2150 AD' (the big screen remake of 'The Dalek Invasion of Earth') might make him a youngish companion too.

[@Skeezer66]

There is a huge tonal shift between the 1st and 2nd halves. I agree that the mystery of the 1st half is better. The bickering justice machines were too comic compared to the rest of it. I wanted to see more old monsters locked up in the prison! Could you imagine if The Master was there? Oh well, he'll be back one day. For bloodsucking pillars of rock, they were scary! Killing that camping couple just to make a point! I know any people love this story, I like it. The Next One, though, is in my Top 10 all-time Who stories!!

[@mark-s]

Yes great first two parts below par second two parts see you in season 17 😊

[@YoRocky89]

Aww, didn’t I get you that TARDIS necklace for Christmas? 🙂

[@ooklathemokfan]

Over the years, it's been commented on a lot that the two halves of the plot seemed to be written by two different writers.

[@MrChiddler]

They were. Douglas Adams wrote all the courtroom stuff

[@KentuckyBrad]

@@MrChiddlershocked at how terrible those episodes were

[@stacyp2186]

Did you recognize Tom Bakers voice in Rebels as Bendu? I only ask here because you said you wouldn’t read the comments on that review. It’s not a spoiler just something to enjoy.

[@Eltonlaleham]

I did find this story awesome in trillions of ways and Vivian Fay, turning out to be the main villain was a huge shock.

[@crustychris2]

I can see why you and many others find the second half jarring, but Inalways thinks it gives a little break and at least we do get the stone circle again afterwards

[@ClintBandito]

Oh look! Rocks!!

[@chrisbrooker7260]

Yeah you’re right, the space/trial bits are a bit of an awkward fit with the folk horror Earth bits, but overall another very strong story. Amelia is awesome

[@helenwood8482]

I really hope you watch Blake's 7 sometime. It's 52 episodes and the best SF the BBC ever did.

[@frankshailes3205]

I'd say it's equal with their Day of the Triffids in 1981. Same producer...

[@moviesrocks2]

the next one is my favorite of the season. can't wait to see what your thoughts are

[@alexfletcher5192]

The sudden shift from parochial English horror story to space comedy should be jarring, but the seeds for it are sown just long enough for the audience to be primed for it. The most baffling thing in it all is how Hyperspace is suddenly regarded as some kind of theoretical fantasy, when it has already featured in the series and - in the post-Star Wars era in which everyone was now living - almost a common part of sci-fi lore.

[@Gqspeed13]

Thank you!!!

[@geoffmason7215]

Halfway Amelia should have been a companion maybe the doctor could pick up a younger version of her somtime?

[@Jaketherobonrd]

First two episodes were good, bringing that gothic horror vibe again but these two parts go down hill for and becomes a court drama. It’s a ok story for me personally but next week im looking forward because the next episode is my favourite of the key to time season

[@BenGManMedia]

Say goodbye to Romana because she'll be gone soon

[@F11-c1u]

😍

[@KenHart]

I loved the first 2 parts... but things go off the rails in the final 2 episodes. It goes from Hammer Horror to Silly Tom Baker Stuff.

[@MylesSmith-q4y]

If dr who were trying to mimic Space Invaders music in that hyper space vessel than it sounded fucking shocking and fucking sloppy so fuck em.

[@ajivins1]

I'm still missing Leela...

[@joshuajoshua2732]

Continuity in Doctor Who? Since when? Lol.

[@GregInHouston2]

I did not like the death of the 2 campers.