The Enemy of the World | Doctor Who Marathon From The Beginning | One of Doctor Who's MIRACLES

[@nicholasbarry2686]

Not only the best serial of Season 5, but one of Troughton's top 5 serials as the Doctor, period. Just an utter masterpiece in terms of characterization, plot development, pacing, narrative twists... this is David Whitaker's last great gift to Doctor Who, and what a gift it was. There are no weak links here, and it's one of the rare 6 part serials that actually only gets better as it goes along. It almost feels like it's too *short* by the end. Troughton's performance as Salamander is charmingly insidious, that midpoint twist with the people in the "bunker" remains jaw-dropping in its audacity, and it's a solid candidate for best final scene in Doctor Who history. A marvel.

[@chris_stokes]

Very much agree

[@biganimefan84]

Just watched this in my current Marathon, which also breaks the barrier of my failed marathon last year. I believe this was my 2nd time seeing this. And I will probably say that this is the best Doctor Who story so far.

[@Rik77]

This year i started watching classic for the first time. This story really surprised me, it has a great cast of characters that elevates the crazy plot. And troughton is on fire here. Really enjoyable with both drama and a log of humour. And like current Who the cast all look like they are having a lot of fun. Definitely one of my faves from the 60s. Stories like this always remind me female characters were not treated too badly by the script in the 60s (theres as ramge at least). Its the 70s where things go a bit wrong where sometimes the companion is the only woman in the story and reduced to assisting.

[@jameswhitaker12]

Yeah, this is just one of the best stories ever - one of the best Troughton, best of the 60s, best of all Doctor Who really. Characters, plotting, twists etc etc. Proof that you can mash up the show with other styles and genres and get it to work beautifully - and a total miracle that it's been returned. This coming back has probably done more for David Whitaker's rep as one of the unsung greats of Doctor Who - just wonderful

[@hauntedbelle]

This is the serial that makes me wish we could get more companions from the past. I love Jamie and Victoria's reaction to the helicopter. I wish we could have something like that in the modern era. We almost had that with Clara but no.

[@replimatreviews]

This was quite the find... not just for the Beeb, but for the fans. Obviously familiar with the only existing episode and not especially feel that wowed by the prospect of it returning... Boy, was I wrong. It proved itself to be one of the best Troughton stories by far. As for the next one, well.... ;-) - AFA.

[@MSDOSProject]

I've been waiting for this review. Ever since I first saw this earlier this year it has become one of my favorites ever. It's so well acted, directed, written, etc. The only stories that really feel to scratch a similar itch are ambassadors of death and invasion of the dinasours, both of which are also favorties now. All the characters are great here, even the hilarious chef. Absolutley dripping with character and humor. Benik is so easy to hate, and most everyone has multiple layers. I can't say enough good things about it. If I hadn't just rewatched this recently I probably would be doing so today lol

[@chrise7359]

Can hardly believe your obsession stopped you watching this as soon as it was available. Mine was quite the opposite. Remember watching an episode on my phone at work even though I wanted the big screen experience.

[@edb2863]

As a kid I had a book called Doctor Who: The Legend. I must have had the first print because I've seen later editions. Either way, the one I had had all the doctors 1-8 with detailed breakdowns of their stories I read that thing religiously man, it was my bible Anyway, enemy of the world was one I was excited for, given it's a doctor lookalike story and all that. All my excitement built up only to realise it was missing. So imagine my delight when the dvd came out, I was over the moon. It 100% lived up to the hype. Just one of the all time best stories, and a miracle it was returned in full

[@mccorade5941]

That scene at the end where they have the doctor and salamander's faces on screen simultaneously blew me away the first time i watched it. A show from the 60s with a shoestring budget, and that split screen effect they used still holds up beautifully today!

[@Mark-nh2hs]

This one story as a youngster I always avoided the Target Novel of it as I thought it would be boring. I avoided it until it was found and watched it and was blown away by it. Not one episode did I get bored and I hungered for the next episode. Amazing stuff.

[@scotth4598]

Yeah this one is brilliant and really revived me after the ice warriors to be honest

[@lukethomas216]

Well, you have shamed me. I bought it when it came out and have never watched it through to completion. I’ll have another go this weekend and I hope it lives up to your hype. Another fantastic review and thanks for enthusing me about this story- I’m genuinely excited about giving it a fresh go 😁

[@lukethomas216]

That was class! Eps five and six are especially good and Bill Kerr was really fun as Giles Kent. Love the music too which I’m fairly sure is used in The Shining!? That was an excellent evenings viewing, thanks for the inspirational review 👍

[@joecrammond6221]

i'll be honest, i wasn't that keen on this story but the return of the 5 missing episodes 10 years ago helped make this story so much more enjoyable to watch, i do feel if more missing episodes are fun, some stories fans don't like could gain more popularity

[@chris_stokes]

I'd always liked it so it was nice to see the returns bolster its reputation considerably. And even though I'd always liked it, being able to see it all in full made me LOVE it.

[@KathleenHolland-nk8nk]

Gonna rewatch this one!

[@stuartwho]

Interesting how different Tonally episode 3 is to the rest of the story. I think that’s why the story had a poor impression when only that episode existed. I hope that the same can be said of The Space Pirates if they find any more.

[@akshaytrayner1960]

Great review Chris not much wait to the 60th your marathon is behind

[@chris_stokes]

Behind what? There's no deadline and if there was it was never going to be the 60th since I started in June! 😂 Thanks very much, glad you enjoyed! Plenty more (naturally) coming!!

[@ClumsyWolfy]

This has been the first serial of the 2nd doctor I have been enthralled by, especially without telesnaps or animation. Troughton is wonderful and sadly it takes until this serial to fulling appreciate compared to Hartnell imo. First marathon watch for me and Hartnell holds a strong place in my heart especially with all the 2nd doctor missing episodes

[@jonathanmurphy3141]

Retitle: “ Another-level Bastard” 😉

[@markstramtrainbuscapades1729]

You never know what you're gonna get with a David Whitaker story, every one's so different. Maybe that's why season one, which he script edited, is so dverse!

[@ms.carriage6867]

I wonder if there were more stories like this Pat Troughton would have stayed on longer 🤔🤔🤔🤔 Zoe was a bit better than Victoria but only slightly 😋😋

[@replimatreviews]

This was quite the find... not just for the Beeb, but for the fans. Obviously familiar with the only existing episode and not especially feel that wowed by the prospect of it returning... Boy, was I wrong. It proved itself to be one of the best Troughton stories by far. As for the next one, well.... ;-) - AFA.