December 6: Time and the Rani Parts Three & Four

A somewhat surprising thing happened; I actually found myself somewhat enjoying these two last episodes.

That's not to say they're actually good (and there are still times when they're very bad indeed), but there are moments that entertain.  Beyus's continued determination to collaborate because the alternative is the death of his people is noble even if it's presented as misguided, and the discussion between Ikona and the Doctor about the idleness of the Lakertyans is also rather nice.  (The Centre of Leisure set is also nicely done.)  Ikona is also one of a handful of good performances on display here (Faroun is another) that do lead to something worth watching.  And while the realization of the giant genius gestalt brain is rather silly, the idea is a striking one.  Plus, even though we've barely got a handle on this new Doctor (and, weirdly, they seem to have decided that his primary characteristic is malapropisms), the Rani's problem of the Doctor causing confusion when he's hooked up to the gestalt is both entertaining and rather difficult to imagine the sixth Doctor pulling off in quite the same way -- which means that this new seventh incarnation is already taking form in new ways.  Finally, while the Rani's interactions with the Doctor in these episodes tend to be of the plot exposition variety, they're still nevertheless entertaining to watch.

The Rani and the Doctor. (Time and the Rani Part Four) ©BBC

Of course, it's not all good; unless I'm drastically misremembering the quality of her later appearances, this is hands down Mel's worst characterization on the show.  She's reduced to lots of screaming and being helpless and very little in the way of anything proactive.  You'd think the team who wrote Mel's debut story (where she's considerably more interesting than she is here) would have given her more to do, but no.  She's pure background material.  There are also some dodgy overdubs (notably, "Look out, they kill!" before the insect lights have killed anyone) and some awkward plotting (everyone points it out, but the Rani's plan is foiled because she doesn't have a rocket with an adjustable trajectory).

But considering how poor the first two episodes were, I'm genuinely surprised to find that these two have risen from the level of "painful to view" up to "barely watchable" -- high praise, I know, but considering where this story appeared to be going it's something of a welcome change.  If you're willing to just switch your brain off and essentially watch a broad pantomime version of Doctor Who, this story just about fits the bill.  It's understandable if you don't want to do that, but even then there are a handful of decent bits and bobs in these four episodes to reward the patient and/or generous viewer.  All damning with faint praise, I realize, but it's some small comfort to know that in the final analysis, Time and the Rani isn't a complete waste of time.