“Is there no end to you weirdoes?!”
When Doctor Who reached
its silver anniversary of 25 years on screen, we were treated to a very fine
run of superb stories indeed. Season 25 proved to be innovative, extremely
creative, and with its returning monsters given a fresh twist. A little hiccupette
in the broadcasting schedule made it so the final story transmitted of Season
25 was The Greatest Show in the Galaxy, but this actually should have been
displayed before Silver Nemesis. There is a scene where Ace picks up the
character of Flower Child’s earring and has already been shown to have this
earring on her jacket in Silver Nemesis. But broadcasting order quirks aside,
this story firmly cemented its place as one of my all-time favourite Doctor Who
stories ever. And I shall explain the many reasons why.
The Greatest Show in The
Galaxy was also beset by several production problems too. It only made it to
our screens by the skin of its teeth. Thank the good Lord that John Nathan
Turner had the sense to suggest the production team set the story in none other
than the BBC car park! Thus, this bright thinking on the producer’s part saved
an awesome story and made certain that it reached our screens. Massive fan sigh
of relief exhales from my lungs at this thought.
There is so much in this
story that is extremely strong. For a start the story boats a superb score,
that compliments the eerie atmosphere of the superbly scripted story. Stephen
Wyatt’s script is character led, and every character has a good solid role to
play. Even down to the Stall Holder native played with absolute aplomb by the
late, great Peggy Mount. I can think of absolutely no other woman who could
have done this small part any better justice than she did. Peggy is so
absolutely delightful as the aloof and standoffish stall holder who is dead set
against the goings on at the Psychic Circus, where the bulk of the story’s
action takes place. She is given some truly sparkling dialogue and she delivers
it memorably well.
The design of the villains
of the piece, The Gods of Ragnarok, is extremely effective. The Gods being able
to exist in two separate realities is a superb touch and is handled well. The
God’s stone like Greek-Roman style of design leads to them being a very
palpably realised threat, and they are never less than convincing. Sylvester
McCoy is also given the chance to display his extra talents in the region of
performing tricks and magic. There’s a rather amusing scene of him hanging
upside down from his own umbrella and trying to snake out of a strait jacket!
The visual effects also
come over very well, particularly the very effective Eye in the well deep in
the heart of the Psychic circus. It’s an eerie little effect and adds to layers
of growing fear and tension in the story too.
But what really strikes
one about this story the most is the quality of the actors involved. T.P
McKenna is simply the perfect choice to play the intergalactic explorer Captain
Cook. His constant smarminess and vulgarity are not over the top and when the
character is zombified in his final moments on screen T.P shines. His treatment
of his strange alien assistant Mags is nasty and belittling and makes him one
of those great characters one loves to detest.
Jessica Martin as Mags too
is equally amazing. And her make up as she transforms into a werewolf at the
climax to Part Three surely ranks as one of the finest scenes and cliffhangers
of the season. The make up department must be given stark praise for the
realism and superb look. Although I wonder how long it took to get Jessica done
up so well? Anyway, the scene of the Captain using a stage moon lighting effect
remains a brilliant and chilling scene, proving what superb scenarios Doctor
Who always could come up with despite production and monetary short fallings.
Ian Reddington deserves to
be placed high in the echelons of best Doctor Who villains ever. His turn as
the fearful and creepy Chief Clown to me is little short of award winning.
Every scene he is in, he dominates. He gives the character a layer of menace
that is hard to emulate. A masterful delivery that makes him a standout amongst
all those who have been fortunate enough to have played a Doctor Who baddy.
Rico Ross is also solid as
the ill-fated Ring Master of the Circus. There seems to be something behind the
relationship between his character and Morgana. Deborah Manship too is scene
stealing as the Fortune teller. Both these two characters are treated to a
memorable fate too, an outgoing denied to a lot of good characters in the shows
history. Packaged off and vaporized is a nasty way to go, and yes the score
playing through their demise adds to the impact of their departures.
Gian Sammarco is wonderful
as the nerdy Whizzkid. He is so blatantly dim and portrays a devotee of the
Psychic Circus almost to perfection. In fact, he does such a good job that one
is a little sad at his demise in the ring. His youthful cloth headedness and
naivety is wonderfully balanced.
Dean Hollingsworth again
gives a delightful turn as the robot Bus Conductor. He’s given a wonderfully
grating and annoying voice too and he looks brilliantly creepy all at the same
time.
Of course, the chemistry
too between Sylvester McCoy and Sophie Aldred also drives the show from the
start. Honestly, they truly are one of the best and most assured pairings of
Doctor/Companion that the show has ever had. Ace is all teenage attitude and
brave grit, and the Doctor is starting to fledge into his more darker persona.
The one tinged with far darker mystery and suspense than had ever been dwelt on
before in the show.
I honestly cannot find a
single fault with this story. It’s strongly written, every character has
purpose and there are plenty of very strong character led moments throughout
the story.
One must also admire
Sylvester McCoy in how he somehow manages to not even flinch as his life is
threatened by the exploding circus mere metres behind him at the climax of the
story. Honestly that massive explosion looks all the too close for comfort and
one wonders whether Sylvester had strong words for the crew after that scene as
to my eyes it looks too close for comfort! But his amazing lack of expression
and surprise makes the scene a classic one.
The Greatest Show in The
Galaxy is everything the best Doctor Who stories should be. Creepy, unnerving,
riveting and non stop from start to finish. This comes extremely recommended
from me with a decidedly beefy 10 out of 10 on all counts. I must just
re-iterate thank goodness this story wasn’t cancelled…yes indeed!
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