Main Range 157: The Fourth Wall (spoilers)

omega
Chancellor

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Main Range 157: The Fourth Wall (spoilers) Oct 21, 2017 22:10:09 GMT

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Post by omega on Oct 21, 2017 22:10:09 GMT

DOCTOR WHO - MAIN RANGE » 157. THE FOURTH WALL

Released September 2012

Synopsis
Business is bad for intergalactic media mogul Augustus Scullop, whose Trans-Gal empire is on the rocks. But, having retreated to his own private planet, Transmission, Scullop is about to gamble his fortune on a new show, made with an entirely new technology. And the name of that show… is Laser.

Back in the real world, far from the realms of small screen sci-fi fantasies about monsters and aliens, the Doctor is interested only in watching Test Match cricket… but finds himself drawn into Scullop’s world when his new travelling companion, Flip, is snatched from inside the TARDIS.

So, while the Doctor uncovers the terrible secret of Trans-Gal’s new tech, Flip battles to survive in a barren wilderness ruled over by the indestructible Lord Krarn and his pig-like servants, the Warmongers. And the name of that wilderness… is ‘Stevenage’.

Written By: John Dorney
Directed By: Nicholas Briggs

CAST
Colin Baker (The Doctor), Lisa Greenwood (Flip Jackson), Julian Wadham (Augustus Scullop), Yasmin Bannerman (Dr Helen Shepherd), Hywel Morgan (Nick Kenton/Jack Laser), Martin Hutson (Matthew Howland/Lord Krarn), Tilly Gaunt (Olivia Sayle/Jancey), Kim Wall (Chimbly/Head Warmonger), Henry Devas (Junior/Warmonger)

<< 156. The Curse of Davros | 158. Wirrn Isle >>

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omega
Chancellor

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Main Range 157: The Fourth Wall (spoilers) Oct 21, 2017 22:10:20 GMT elkawho and mark687 like this

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Post by omega on Oct 21, 2017 22:10:20 GMT

Conceptually a brilliant story, with huge helpings of lampshading hanging and leaving the fourth wall in a very damaged condition. Flip being the audience mouthpiece in Laser, pointing out how the Damsel in Distress was moonlighting as Miss Exposition, the Warmongers having graduated from the Stormtrooper Marksmanship Academy and Krarn committing a continuity error.

The writing and acting on Laser truly was cliched. The only thing hammier than the Warmongers were the performances of Nick and Matthew as Jack Laser and Lord Krarn. Good thing it didn't go to series, it'd have been axed mid-season at most.

The Porcians are great as well. Monsters deliberately written to be rubbish, the examples of their failures the Doctor lists are hilarious (a world that just happened to be called Skaro). We need a Third Doctor Adventure with them, the Third Doctor would get highly exasperated with them while Jo would find them cute and get caught up in yet another boneheaded scheme of theirs. Hint hint dorney?

A couple of real world continuity notes, Scullop makes a cameo appearance in the Short Trip Waiting for Gadot (now part of the Short Trips Rarities range) and the Doctor next investigates the fate of the Dream Spinners in The High Price of Parking. Naturally both were written by John Dorney.

Last Edit: Oct 22, 2017 9:31:01 GMT by omega

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mrperson
Chancellery Guard

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Main Range 157: The Fourth Wall (spoilers) Oct 22, 2017 16:37:33 GMT elkawho likes this

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Post by mrperson on Oct 22, 2017 16:37:33 GMT

I thought it was particularly brilliant, doubling in many respects as a commentary upon Who and/or storytelling more generally...

Consider.

(Ergh...I had a much longer post explaining what I mean by that somewhere. Maybe it was left back on the official forums).

Last Edit: Oct 22, 2017 16:40:23 GMT by mrperson

Timelord007
Chancellor

"Everything Or Nothing"

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Main Range 157: The Fourth Wall (spoilers) Oct 23, 2017 7:41:45 GMT elkawho and Timelord007 like this

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Post by Timelord007 on Oct 23, 2017 7:41:45 GMT

Only John Dorney could write a bonkers but brilliant story & make it all make sense, i love this story, John Dorney is hands down my favourite Doctor Who writer he's the gift that keeps on giving.

Last Edit: Oct 23, 2017 7:42:15 GMT by Timelord007

"You don't understand, i'm not a human being i'm a Timelord i walk in eternity"

Ela Moderator River Song Hello Sweetie! Likes: 9,819	Main Range 157: The Fourth Wall (spoilers) Nov 14, 2017 6:50:52 GMT elkawho and Timelord007 like this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Ela on Nov 14, 2017 6:50:52 GMT I just listened to this a couple of days ago. It was a clever, fun story.
	"You're all irresponsible fools!" Doctor: "But we're very experienced irresponsible fools." _____________________________________ - I'm always all right. - Is all right special Time Lord code for really not all right at all?