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Post by nucleusofswarm on Sept 12, 2020 1:38:04 GMT
One of Classic Who's shortest entries, and one often summed up as... 'not much happens'. It kinda wants to be a Christie, but then there's not much mystery; there's doppelgangers but it doesn't amount to a great deal for Nyssa; it has a laid back pace which at once feels fitting for the setting, yet at odds with the darker parts; the Doctor has probably the most apt use of his regular costume ever.
What to make of it?
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Post by timegirl on Sept 12, 2020 1:55:10 GMT
It’s an odd one but I generally enjoy it🤔🙂 Yes they could paced it better with the mystery and handled the doppelgängers better but I do love the aesthetics of this story! Basically I watch it for the masked ball 😉I’m a sucker for a masked ball!😊
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Post by Deleted on Sept 12, 2020 3:34:43 GMT
Is this the earliest occurrence of what we'd nowadays call a "breather episode" for the show? Something for audiences to catch their breath with before it hits us with Earthshock.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 12, 2020 9:26:23 GMT
I actually found Black Orchid a terrific story, and was surprised by how much the cast (apart from Sarah) disliked it on the DVD commentary (Peter Davison was hilarious about it; I love his humour). I found the tragic character of George a classic horror staple - scarred and broken (excellent make-up), but mad as a hatter. Also, his cracked, hoarse breathing was very effective and reminded us he had his tongue removed - a very gruesome detail. So his character papered over any minor cracks the story had. I also enjoyed the fact it had no sci-fi trappings for a change.
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Post by johnhurtdoctor on Sept 12, 2020 10:21:59 GMT
I really enjoy Black Orchid.
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Post by charlesuirdhein on Sept 12, 2020 12:29:50 GMT
It's a favourite of mine. Love it.
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Post by number13 on Sept 12, 2020 13:25:01 GMT
‘Black Orchid’ is unique – not really science fiction, not really a classic-style ‘Doctor Who’ historical either, I think this time the Doctor materialises not in another time or place, but somewhere else altogether – in a novel, or rather, a genre. In my opinion, ‘Black Orchid’ isn’t an historical or even a serious murder-mystery story. I think of it as an affectionate homage (with just a hint of P.G. Wodehouse) to the whole field of classic English murder-mystery novels and their heroes, from Holmes to early Agatha Christie stories to 'Lord Peter Wimsey' to 'Campion' – the latter character later played (and very well played of course) by none other than Peter Davison.
I’ve always loved it as a story to be enjoyed in a relaxed mood but not taken too seriously. Parts of the plot are insubstantial and some of the dialogue definitely plays up to the novels of the genre: Lady Cranleigh says there can’t possibly be a branch of the Talbot family near Esher because “the hunt isn’t good enough”… the Doctor’s defence against an accusation of murder is that he can’t have done such a thing because “it wouldn’t be cricket”… “Strike me pink!” says the policeman seeing inside the TARDIS … and surely no story is taking itself entirely seriously with a (missing) character nicknamed “Smutty”!
The dramatic side works too, with a startling opening, two more quite violent moments and a tense scene at the end leading to the final tragedy and the Doctor going to the rescue. But in the best traditions of much of the 1920s murder-mystery genre, everything (including several deaths) gets tidied away quite easily with apparently no lasting traumas, before our friends are away on their travels once more.
It's a short story to enjoy on a summer’s evening, with lemonade or a Screwdriver according to age and choice! It’s not the deepest or best Fifth Doctor story, but it’s different and definitely fun and gives Sarah Sutton a showcase story for the season, and she's excellent in both her roles. As Lord Cranleigh would say, “Top ho!”
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Post by Deleted on Sept 12, 2020 13:33:16 GMT
It was something that just could have been so,much better....but that it gave a wonderful line-in my fave Iterations Of I “he won’t know anything about it” it has grown fondly with me...especially the gale force wind blowing through the party scene...
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Post by tuigirl on Sept 12, 2020 13:40:08 GMT
I loved it.
The costumes, the setting, the change of pace.
It is very well done.
One of my favorite 5th Doctor stories.
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Post by mark687 on Sept 12, 2020 14:10:42 GMT
Again its another unique outlier like Genesis, City of Death, Caves and Vincent, there's nothing quite like them elsewhere in their TV Eras but at the same time their quintessential Who.
Also an example of 2 rare things Tegan and The Doctor just enjoying themselves and then the ending taking place sometime after the immediate aftermath.
Regards
mark687
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Post by Deleted on Sept 12, 2020 15:07:42 GMT
I think it says something that when I got the S19 Blu-Ray set, this was the first choice to watch, to get a flavour of the restoration.
Just a nice, diverting two-parter which sees the young Tardis crew actually relaxing and letting their hair down a little.
It has a nice location shoot and a balmy late summer afternoon feel to it. As Number 13 notes, there is a Davison connection in that he went on to do a couple of series of 'Campion' and there is more than a hint of Margery Allingham in its influences.
It contributes to the variety and freshness that makes S19 my favourite of the 1980's, or JNT era as a whole. Accessible storylines, not too much grittiness or violence and an absence of technobabble and breathless plot exposition in corridors....
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Post by pazzer on Sept 12, 2020 15:46:23 GMT
Is a strange one that think you have to be in the right mood for. As have both enjoyed it and gone why did they make this. Though do enjoy seeing the Doctor play cricket.
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Post by Tim Bradley on Oct 16, 2020 18:36:29 GMT
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Post by polly on Oct 16, 2020 19:43:18 GMT
Put me down as another fan of Black Orchid. It's not for the mystery, it's just the enjoyment of seeing the characters hanging around. Fivey playing cricket, Nyssa and Tegan having fun at the party, Adric incessantly stuffing his face.
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Post by number13 on Oct 17, 2020 1:02:33 GMT
I have a theory about 'Black Orchid'. Doesn't it seem all a bit too coincidental to be true?
The cricketing Doctor just happens to arrive at the station just when and where a doctor is expected for the cricket match at a house where Nyssa just happens to be identical (minus one little mole!) with Anne, of all the humanoids in the Universe, just as her fiance's elder brother escapes at the precise moment to find and wear the Doctor's all-concealing costume for the fancy dress ball which just happens to be taking place. And incriminate him in a murder with the local police chief conveniently on the premises to arrest him.
Doesn't it all seem like someone's idea of a game... and not cricket! Someone who stays in the background and no doubt laughs to himself in delight at the Doctor's predicament. He never reveals his hand but I have no doubt - look at those scenes on the terrace and there he is at the ball, blending in with the other dancers and wearing a new face, but still wearing his favourite costume...
{Spoiler} It's that meddling 'mandarin', the Celestial Toymaker! (My apologies if this theory is as old as Time in fandom, but it was an original thought to me at least.  ) |
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Post by timegirl on Oct 17, 2020 1:07:17 GMT
I have a theory about 'Black Orchid'. Doesn't it seem all a bit too coincidental to be true?
The cricketing Doctor just happens to arrive at the station just when and where a doctor is expected for the cricket match at a house where Nyssa just happens to be identical (minus one little mole!) with Anne, of all the humanoids in the Universe, just as her fiance's elder brother escapes at the precise moment to find and wear the Doctor's all-concealing costume for the fancy dress ball which just happens to be taking place. And incriminate him in a murder with the local police chief conveniently on the premises to arrest him.
Doesn't it all seem like someone's idea of a game... and not cricket! Someone who stays in the background and no doubt laughs to himself in delight at the Doctor's predicament. He never reveals his hand but I have no doubt - look at those scenes on the terrace and there he is at the ball, blending in with the other dancers and wearing a new face, but still wearing his favourite costume...
{Spoiler} It's that meddling 'mandarin', the Celestial Toymaker! (My apologies if this theory is as old as Time in fandom, but it was an original thought to me at least. ) That’s a brilliant theory! |
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Post by number13 on Oct 17, 2020 1:18:08 GMT
I have a theory about 'Black Orchid'. Doesn't it seem all a bit too coincidental to be true?
The cricketing Doctor just happens to arrive at the station just when and where a doctor is expected for the cricket match at a house where Nyssa just happens to be identical (minus one little mole!) with Anne, of all the humanoids in the Universe, just as her fiance's elder brother escapes at the precise moment to find and wear the Doctor's all-concealing costume for the fancy dress ball which just happens to be taking place. And incriminate him in a murder with the local police chief conveniently on the premises to arrest him.
Doesn't it all seem like someone's idea of a game... and not cricket! Someone who stays in the background and no doubt laughs to himself in delight at the Doctor's predicament. He never reveals his hand but I have no doubt - look at those scenes on the terrace and there he is at the ball, blending in with the other dancers and wearing a new face, but still wearing his favourite costume...
{Spoiler} It's that meddling 'mandarin', the Celestial Toymaker! (My apologies if this theory is as old as Time in fandom, but it was an original thought to me at least. ) That’s a brilliant theory! Thanks! I've watched the story loads of times from DVD but it was only on my last view of the new blu-ray version that I noticed "him". Just as Tegan tells Sir Robert that something is a secret, right on the word 'secret' as if on cue, the crowd parts and "he" is standing there in that familiar costume! JNT wanted to bring him back, the return was to have been in the lost season 23 - but perhaps he'd already sneaked in anyway. It would be like him  |
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Post by Tim Bradley on Oct 17, 2020 9:53:09 GMT
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Post by mark687 on Oct 17, 2020 10:44:28 GMT
I have a theory about 'Black Orchid'. Doesn't it seem all a bit too coincidental to be true?
The cricketing Doctor just happens to arrive at the station just when and where a doctor is expected for the cricket match at a house where Nyssa just happens to be identical (minus one little mole!) with Anne, of all the humanoids in the Universe, just as her fiance's elder brother escapes at the precise moment to find and wear the Doctor's all-concealing costume for the fancy dress ball which just happens to be taking place. And incriminate him in a murder with the local police chief conveniently on the premises to arrest him.
Doesn't it all seem like someone's idea of a game... and not cricket! Someone who stays in the background and no doubt laughs to himself in delight at the Doctor's predicament. He never reveals his hand but I have no doubt - look at those scenes on the terrace and there he is at the ball, blending in with the other dancers and wearing a new face, but still wearing his favourite costume...
{Spoiler} It's that meddling 'mandarin', the Celestial Toymaker! (My apologies if this theory is as old as Time in fandom, but it was an original thought to me at least. ) I do love that 1st 5 minutes of miss direction It could be a trap but it turns out to be universal coincidence in full force. Regards mark687 |
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Post by number13 on Oct 17, 2020 11:16:27 GMT
I have a theory about 'Black Orchid'. Doesn't it seem all a bit too coincidental to be true?
The cricketing Doctor just happens to arrive at the station just when and where a doctor is expected for the cricket match at a house where Nyssa just happens to be identical (minus one little mole!) with Anne, of all the humanoids in the Universe, just as her fiance's elder brother escapes at the precise moment to find and wear the Doctor's all-concealing costume for the fancy dress ball which just happens to be taking place. And incriminate him in a murder with the local police chief conveniently on the premises to arrest him.
Doesn't it all seem like someone's idea of a game... and not cricket! Someone who stays in the background and no doubt laughs to himself in delight at the Doctor's predicament. He never reveals his hand but I have no doubt - look at those scenes on the terrace and there he is at the ball, blending in with the other dancers and wearing a new face, but still wearing his favourite costume...
{Spoiler} It's that meddling 'mandarin', the Celestial Toymaker! (My apologies if this theory is as old as Time in fandom, but it was an original thought to me at least. ) I do love that 1st 5 minutes of miss direction It could be a trap but it turns out to be universal coincidence in full force. Regards mark687 Nah, I'm convinced now it really was the Toymaker. I mean, he's there in plain sight at the party isn't he? 
What were the odds on the Doctor taking a wicket like that, first ball? He's a Time Lord, not from Lord's. A set-up to lull the Doctor into a false sense of well-being. And that weather that looks like October when we know it was June... clearly all celestial interference and part of his little game, a mere interlude of entertainment, a 'hoot' before the real trap he had waiting for the next Doctor in Blackpool. Eternals can afford to take the long view and bide their time... |
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