To celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the longest-running science-fiction show in the world, I’ll be taking weekly looks at some of my own personal favourite stories and arcs, from the old and new series, with a view to encapsulating the sublime, the clever and the fiendishly odd of the BBC’s Doctor Who.
The Pirate Planet originally aired in 1978. It was the second part of The Key to Time saga.
Excuse me, are you sure this planet’s meant to be here?
– The Doctor
I have to admit, I admire The Pirate Planet for its lofty aim. Douglas Adams’ script is vast and impressive and epic, incorporating and number of brilliant high concept ideas, traditional science-fiction story-telling devices, and healthy sense of humour into one Doctor Who story. Unfortunately, the production is restricted both by the technical limitations of the time, but also by the sense that there’s simply too much going on over the course of this four-episode adventure. Still, it’s as bold, fun and imaginative as any Doctor Whostory, and showcases the series at its most ambitious. There’s nothing wrong with that.
Pulling a fast one...
Filed under: Television | Tagged: arts, bbc, Bruce Purchase, City of Death, Doctor (Doctor Who), Douglas Adams, fiction, Online Writing, piracy, science fiction, tardis, The Key to Time, The Pirate Planet, Tom Baker | Leave a comment »
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