Doctor Who: Classic 2x3: "The Rescue" Parts 1-2 | Reaction!

[@glenmcculla6843]

"So, Koquillion was really Old Man Bennett from the spaceship all along" "And I would've got away with it, too, if it wasn't for you pesky time travelling kids!"

[@richardlemin7840]

Glen McCulla: Brilliant! ~Dad

[@whobp8]

The same actor plays both Bennett and Koquillion. They used a psuedonym for Koquillion in the first episode's credits to preserve the surprise that they were the same character. The psuedonym is comprised of the first name of Sydney Newman, head of the BBC drama department and creator of Doctor Who, and the last name of Donald Wilson, Head of Serials and another collaborator on the creation of the program (Wilson fleshed out Newman's original concept, particularly with regards to the original companions).

[@Mrazmatmahmood]

I consider this story to be something of a hidden gem of the Hartnell era. It's sandwiched between "The Dalek Invasion of the Earth and the next story (which is one of the highlights of the Hartnell era), so it gets forgotten about. I think that's unfair though because I think it manages to do a lot in it's short running time. I don't know if you'd agree, but this story seemed a lot more character driven than most stories we've had so far. It very much seemed to be trying to develop Vicki's character and Iimo they did a good job. You immediately felt sympathy for her. I also think the Doctor and Vicki have already struck up more chemistry than the Doctor and Susan ever had! Their dynamic will only get better. As for the plot, it's fairly simple but I think it has a neat little twist at the end. I liked Hartnell confronting the vilain head on. He's becoming more and more like the Doctor we know as we go along. Fun story!

[@josefschiltz2192]

I love how gentle the treatment of scene between the Doctor and Vicki is in part two.

[@Rocket1377]

I really enjoyed this story too. The twist in part two was great, it was a genuine surprise.

[@Joey15811]

I’m not a fan of the romans due to the OTT acting of a certain character. If it was a serious story I’d have enjoyed it more. This one is a hidden gem and perfect. It is short and does its job. All it needed to do was introduce us to a new companion and it did so brilliantly here

[@derrenlodge6502]

The actor doing the voice of the space captain in part 1,was also inside the costume of the sand monster!

[@robertbrown569]

Some unkind people have suggested that Barbara survived her fall from the cliff edge by landing on her hair. Even so, in David Whittaker’s excellent 1965 novel of the first Dalek story, it is revealed how companions get their hair done within the TARDIS, alongside being introduced to the oil and water showers which give you a physical workout while you get clean. No laundrette is mentioned, though. In The Rescue, Koquillion was played by the same actor who played Bennett, but a fake name was invented for the credits of episode one, so that no one would guess that the two characters were one and the same. You will come to see, over the next several stories, that Vicki is a stronger companion than Susan - more proactive and less hysterical - so that will come as a relief.

[@josefschiltz2192]

The first three adaptions that I read were , in order, 'The Zarbi', 'The Daleks' and 'The Crusaders'. All with the Achilleos covers. I read the first on a train journey from Knottingley to Ipswich, continually being criticized for paying absolutely no attention to the scenery blurring past the window. I was far more absorbed in what was happening in the Isop Galaxy and the machinations of the nefarious Animus on the planet of Vortis.

[@RoundTheArchives]

In many ways, what's really significant here is the change of personnel behind the scenes with original Story Editor David Whitaker handing over to Dennis Spooner. It's a well-planned transition, but it means that the person now in charge of storylines inevitably has a slightly different approach. 'Doctor Who' survives through change in front of and behind the camera and here's where it starts to evolve...

[@derrenlodge6502]

When you hear Sandy dying after Barbara shoots it,the sound effect you hear is the same sound of a Dalek dying in the first Dalek serial.Even the music,which has become stock music,since being originally composed for the first Dalek serial,gets reused again twice more after this.The serials are The Ark and Power of The Daleks.

[@iansmith4023]

I don't know if your Dad is familiar with the various Gerry Anderson puppet TV series (very popular in the UK in the 60s),but Ray Barret (Bennet/Koquillion) was also the voice of Commander Shore in 'Stingray',and Jeff Tracy in 'Thunderbirds'.

[@richardlemin7840]

Ian Smith: I used to watch both. And "Fireball XL5." ~ Dad

[@josefschiltz2192]

@@richardlemin7840 Of course. I thought that I recognized the voice! But, did you ever follow the strips in TV 21? - or were they after your time in England?

[@iansmith4023]

@@richardlemin7840 Thunderbirds was my 'first love' when it came to TV shows - when I was at that wonderful age where I couldn't see the strings :)

[@richardlemin7840]

Josef Schlitz: I lived in the UK from June 1963 to June 1966. TV 21 doesn't sound familiar.

[@josefschiltz2192]

@@richardlemin7840 Ah. In that case, maybe you missed it, although it was in the newsagents from 23rd January 1965 and the production values were superb. It was, practically, an Anderson vehicle. The cover being a 'news report' from the 21st Century on the interior stories. Despite being a FANDERSON, the paper included the first bespoke Dalek strip and, later on a Star Trek strip. These days, there is a dedicated website to the magazine.

[@oldwebshooter]

In the original first episode of 'An Unearthly Child' Susan does give a vague year that they were from.

[@easty74]

The first few episodes of the original Lost in Space, Dr Smith's character was completely different than what it became. In about the first 6 or 7 episodes, Smith was nothing like the character that everyone grew to love. He had total control of the Robot, he programmed it to protect him and when the chance came up, to kill the Robinsons. But as I said, about 6 or 7 stories in, they changed him to the Smith we all know.

[@richardlemin7840]

easty74: Yes, that sounds about right. ~Dad

[@RoundTheArchives]

Oh, and that honestly is Ray Barrett playing both Bennett and Koquillion in both episodes, even if he does put on a funny voice. Koquillion is credited to one 'Sydney Wilson' in the end credits for the first episode, but that's a pseudonym to disguise the dual role. The Head of Drama at this point is, of course, Sydney Newman (see 'And Adventure In Space And Time') and the Head Of Serials is Donald Wilson, so they've not looked too far to find the made-up name! :-)

[@TheZodiacz]

Yes, Ray Barrett was a very talented Australian actor. He started in radio, hence his ability to alter his voice so well.

[@TheZodiacz]

It's never mentioned on screen but in the extended Whoniverse Vicki's surname is Pallister.

[@josefschiltz2192]

First Doctor: "You know . er, er . . Su . er . . Barbara; I dreamt that I was wandering around Whitstable, with a different face. I'd . er . . bought some oysters and they'd named a café after me! Most strange, yes, most strange".

[@glenmcculla6843]

"They had seen me on a bicycle. They had seen me buying vegetables. Hmm?"

[@josefschiltz2192]

@@glenmcculla6843 Hmm? Oh yes. Quite so. You know, I've only ever ridden a Penny Farthing. And, you know, the most extraordinary thing, in a bathing costume and with a straw boater!

[@morningcoffeecat2271]

This story and the next are those I watch when i feel down or its a rainy day, so comfy

[@eyeofhorus3286]

Me on a rainy day: Goes into my Audio collection and picks out a bleak as fuck one to listen to.

[@eyeofhorus3286]

cant remember if I've mentioned this before, but when you watch the story "The Chase" Later this season, try to see if you can watch the English version of Part 1, as the US version has a scene cut for legal reasons.

[@trevl8955]

It isn't really all that important. Besides, that whole scene drags pointlessly on anyway.

[@easty74]

Ya ever notice when the first Doctor laughs, that he sounds just like Yoda when he laughs?

[@aidanschannel7183]

Think your Dad will love the next run of stories. First the Romans, then the Web Planet and then the Crusades, both of which he's frequently mentioned. I always see Vicki as Susan minus the screams, so for me an upgrade.

[@kemmdog4444]

The classic episode of Lost in Space:.The Great Vegetable Rebellion.

[@icantthinkofagoodusername4575]

27:07 a couple slept after regenerating 3rd and 10th Doctor for example

[@bananasaregood8655]

The next story, ‘the romans’ is one of the best hartnell stories!

[@Joey15811]

I strongly disagree. Your opinion is its great. It’s far from the best. The OTT comedy of a certain character really ruins the serial for me. Story 15 is where it picks up again for me. Serials 12-14 just aren’t my cup of tea and we know dad will enjoy 13 and 14 due to him mentioning them

[@icantthinkofagoodusername4575]

Your Dad is going to love the next story

[@josefschiltz2192]

Who can forget Derek Francis?

[@robert_bbiii]

If you take this story for what it is, an excuse to introduce a new companion, it isn't bad. I really want to know what happened to Didonians and did the real rescue crew land?