Earthshock

[Le Panda du Mal]

I watched this serial a few nights ago, for the first time since I saw it on VHS in the 90's. At the time I enjoyed it but was not blown away by it. Now I am even more underwhelmed and puzzled as to how so many have hailed it as a masterpiece. It has its moments and it might be best enjoyed simply a series of images while ignoring the plot. The bits where the Cybermen are clawing out of their plastic covers (reminiscent of Tomb of the Cybermen) is marvelously creepy. I do actually like the way the Cybermen look here. I think my favorite version of them is from The Invasion but Earthshock's Cybermen are a good 80's version of that. As for the story, though, the Cybermen's motives and plan are very shaky and the Cyberleader is just a very cardboard cutout villain who, despite professing a lack of emotions, seems to thoroughly enjoy being eeeevil. One thing really lacking with the Cybermen here is their "You will be like ussss" thing which makes them so creepy in older stories. The idea that Cybermen were once humans who, out of desperation, converted themselves into machines, isn't part of the picture here at all, and without that they are just another villain. Overall it's not a terrible story but it's not one of the best.

 

[HareBrain]

I thought it was great when I watched it back in 1982, but that was as an uncritical teenager. I tried to rewatch it a while back and, like you, wasn't impressed. More notable for having Beryl Reid in it than anything else. (And the sad ending, I guess.)

 

[Le Panda du Mal]

Yes, of course one's context and mental disposition are key in the enjoyment of many things. Around the same time I first saw Earthshock I thought Castrovalva was very boring but now I think it's great (despite the Master being ridiculously hammy).

 

[Dave]

I'd stopped watching Dr Who regularly by 1982 (too busy) but I have seen it more recently and I also think it was probably 'of it's time'. However, I thought the 'fan favourite' thing was due to Adric being such a popular character, and his sacrifice to save Earth at the climax of the story?

 

[Le Panda du Mal]

My impression was that most people found Adric annoying. I actually don't mind Adric- except his interactions with the Doctor in Earthshock, which I found to be very annoying indeed.

I think there are some truly great Doctor Who stories in the 80's but it definitely is the start of a number of bad tendencies in the show that haunt it to this day.

 

[HareBrain]

My impression was that most people found Adric annoying

I'm sure I read/heard the same, somewhere (though like you, I didn't mind him).

If so, maybe it's his death that makes Earthshock a fan favourite!

 

[Dave]

If so, maybe it's his death that makes Earthshock a fan favourite!

 

[BAYLOR]

I thought it was great when I watched it back in 1982, but that was as an uncritical teenager. I tried to rewatch it a while back and, like you, wasn't impressed. More notable for having Beryl Reid in it than anything else. (And the sad ending, I guess.)

Absolutely, hated that ending . I still do.