Kinda / Snakedance

[a64]

Strangely, we don't have a thread on this story yet.

It's often mentioned and praised, and now I've finally seen it I can say... it's very different from the rest of Doctor Who (and feels odd when you compare it to the likes of Black Orchid or Earthshock!). It's one of those layered, thoughtful stories which only explains half of it and has lots of intellectual themes (like Warriors' Gate or The Curse of Fenric). But it works quite well as a normal story too.

The acting's absolutely brilliant in it - except Matthew Waterhouse - as there's lots of great guest stars. The jungle set was built in the studio so it never feels quite convincing enough (see also: the very clean forest people, the snake - which isn't that bad). I've heard it described as more of a stage play and it does feel quite theatrical... I kept thinking that there was too much cutting involved, and they should have had longer scenes rather than jumping between two different situations all the time - but that's only minor, and probably shows that I was captivated by it.

[Efun]

Interesting. I've wanted to see this for a while. One of those stories that people just forget about...I always think this is the story that was never completed but I believe that was actually Shada.
As for the good acting-

...except Matthew Waterhouse - as there's lots of great guest stars.

I never really thought that either Adric, Tegan or Nyssa were potrayed by particularly good actors - but Janet Fielding definately improves. Her first stories are pretty bad. (Or is it just me?)

[a64]

Woo, a comment!

Thought I'd rename the thread to accomodate both stories as they're closely linked (a sequel, though definitely not identical) - and probably won't get a lot of comments anyway.

Snakedance! A good sequel where the writer realises everything that went wrong with the last one, and learns from it. The planet Manussa just oozes culture. Funny to see Martin Clunes in it (though I was prewarned). What he's wearing is even funnier - the costumes are worse than even The Twin Dilemma!

There aren't many monsters though - though Janet Fielding gets loads more evil acting, luckily - and the Doctor spends an episode locked up. Hmm. It's slower than usual, but a good four parter.

And that's bearing in mind I'd read the book ages ago beforehand... and also that the Big Finish sequel The Cradle of the Snake is just a rewrite of this story! So much for it going into a different direction!

[4th Doctor Forever]

I love Kinda, one of my all time favourites with a cast and storyline to die for... apart from Matthew Waterhouse obviously

However I don't think Snakedance is the best from the two, but it's still good and though and at least it has more convincing giant snake.

I would love to see the Mara return in the new series, or for Christopher Bailey to return to show and write another story.