The Key to Time season was
the first time in the show's long history that a "Series Arc" had
been written in to the stories. For a first attempt at such an arc, it succeeds
admirably well. Given that the Key to Time theme is not overtly prominent in
every story, it's more of a background theme that is touched upon throughout
the six stories of season 16.
The Armageddon Factor
satisfies as a conclusion to the arc in almost every way. This story really has
it all. It firstly boasts Tom Baker in marvellous form. Just watch out for his
scene when the key is finally together and he begins his " We have the
power to do anything we like" speech, and just marvel, as I do, at the
frenetic speed with which he speaks his lines. I have no remote inkling how Tom
could have spoken these lines so quickly and not get tongue tied. I wonder if
this took more than a few takes for him to complete? But in the transmitted
scene he makes it look effortless and his Doctor has never been more fun or
childlike to watch. It's an innocence which always pervades Tom's Fourth.
And he is ably assisted by
the sublime Mary Tamm as Romana 1. I was always miffed with Destiny of the
Daleks because our wonderful Mary never got a farewell story. It grates on me
no end when brilliant actors and actresses are never given the exit they
deserve. Mary was a fantastic Romana, she really clicked with Tom, or at least
this is how it always came over on screen. They are a marvellous pair of lead
actors in all six stories in which they feature. The only thing I can say about
Mary's final scene in the Armageddon Factor is that it's very special even
despite not being a goodbye.
The other acting prowess
on show is formidable too.
John Woodvine is totally
mesmerizingly brilliant as the deranged Marshall of Atrios. His displays of
Hitleresque tantrum and bluster are so brilliant to watch on screen. And his
scenes with the more restrained Davyd Harries as Shapp are also memorable.
These two are fantastic character actors and they really deliver the goods in
both their roles. The Marshall is all pomp and shouting, and Shapp is more
discernibly calm and more perceptive.
William Squire as the
Shadow is also a true delight on screen. He brings a palpable sense of dark
brooding menace to his Shadow. And his whispering yet unnerving voice is enough
to give me a good dose of the goose bumps. His first scene where he meets the
Doctor is simply superbly acted. His scenes where he explains to the Doctor of
what the Shadow will do with the Key with absolute malevolent relish are frightening
scenes.
And it's a delight to get
our first Doctor Who performance from Lalla Ward. She portrays Princess Astra
well, and would obviously go on to play Romana mark 2 from Destiny of the
Daleks onwards. I always felt that Lalla never quite matched up to Mary at
playing Romana. I am not saying she was bad at all, but she never rose to the
height of Mary's performance for me. In fact, I am quite sure I even prefer her
Princess Astra to her version of Romana. As Romana she just seemed rather aloof
and this grated on me several times during her time as Romana. But Mary was
just amazing as the first Romana.
Barry Jackson is one man
who definitely needs the limelight this time though. As Time Lord Intergalactic
Del Boy, Drax, he is absolutely side splitting and absolutely incredible to
watch in this story. He is a blundering yet highly amusing character indeed. He
brings an edge of sparkle to an already great story.
The Armageddon Factor only
has one slight niggle, and it’s that Valentine Dyall's amazing Black Guardian
only truly appears in the final episode of this superb drama. Valentine would
later return in far greater fashion for a trilogy of stories with Peter
Davison, but even despite his scene being short, he is still absolutely
winning. Valentine has one of those voices that you never ever forget. It booms
from the screen and definitely holds your attention. He makes a fine embodiment
of refined evil and his presence is massive when he appears. It is great that
he is trying to trick the Doctor into giving him the Key to Time so he can
bring chaos to time, but the Doctor realises he is a liar and disperses the key
pieces once more. It's a superb way to end the arc and as a conclusion is
really satisfying.
Season 16 was an amazing
season of Doctor Who. The first use of a serious Arc was wholly successful and
written well and directed well. One cannot say the same of most of the modern
series story arcs. Those seem remarkably long winded and confusing. But The Key
to Time series was done smoothly and efficiently and that is why it remains one
of my all-time favourite seasons of Doctor Who history.
