State Of Decay (1980) Review

Look at that "holier-than-thou" expression. You piece of Adric.

State Of Decay is a gothic vampire story... told by scientists.

WRITTEN BY

Terrance Dicks, former script editor on Doctor Who(seasons 7-11) and writer of such classics as The War Games(my all-time favourite) and Horror Of Fang Rock. One of the best people ever associated with Doctor Who, basically. 

PLOT

As the Doctor and Romana make contact with the descendants of an Earth crew surviving in E-space, Adric is captured by their overlords... former crewmembers, who have been granted immortality and the ability to drink blood by the Great Vampire... an ancient enemy of the Time Lords, who survived the Dark Ages.

ANALYSIS

It's pretty wonderful stuff. I've always loved it when certain stories feel "out-of-era", like how The War Machines is practically a Third Doctor story, and Silence In The Library is a direct precursor to the Eleventh Doctor era. 

In this case, a previously unused Hinchcliffe-era script was dusted off and executed by the JNT-era production team. It's a clash of completely different styles: gothic and clinical 80s sci-fi. And they actually pull it off rather well!

The now-usual electronic score is very atmospheric, and the brooding, dark feel of the story fits very well with the show's new, expensive approach. I must also praise the set and costume designers.

The backstory of the vampires themselves is brilliant, and unlike the cheesy ones from The Vampires Of Venice, feel like a natural part of the Doctor Who universe. The blending of future technology and medieval spirit works very well here.

CHARACTERS

Tom Baker continues to dazzle as the Fourth Doctor, although you can really spot Baker's illness here. He looks frighteningly malnourished and his hair's been permed(for the first and only time in the entire show).

I'm now beginning to see why Adric is so hated. Despite seemingly building a bond with the Doctor in the previous story, he is completely willing to side with the villains for his own survival, matter-of-factly stating how it makes sense for him to save his own skin. 

You can really see Chris Bidmead's influence on K-9, as he is now being characterised as a boring computer that nobody really takes that seriously. Poor K-9. 

William Lindsay, Rachel Davies and Emrys James are all phenomenal as Zargo, Camilla and Aukon, respectively. I love the choreographed movements of the first two. Aukon's authoritative role in the trio is especially interesting(his use of bats as servants is cool).

The villagers don't really stand out, apart from their firm, benevolent leader fighting for a better future and the fearful, but also determined scientist. Solid performances from everybody.

NOTES

*How did the Great Vampire end up buried and in hibernation?

*You have to love the futuristic Earth vessel relying on 80s computers.

*Tom Baker and Lalla Ward are wonderful. And if you caught the reference, thumbs up. 

*As well as being wonderful, their inability to decide which vampire thrones to sit in(King or Queen) is adorable.

*I was actually kind of shocked by the scene where the Doctor and Romana find a vat full of blood. I'm surprised that didn't bring Doctor Who back under Mary Whitehouse's attention.

*The plot twist of the castle being a rocket, and the resolution at the end(stake through the heart) was terrific.

*K-9 finally got out of the TARDIS! I was so happy to see that. Even though he spends most of the story doing nothing as per usual, he at least finally got to have a serious role to play, and even earned some villagers' respect!

CONTINUITY ADVISOR

The Doctor mentions an old hermit on Gallifrey, who used to tell him ghost stories. This is presumably a reference to Kan'po Rimpoche from Planet Of The Spiders. In 1977, it would've been a nice connection to the previous Doctor from his previous script editor. In 1980, it's a wonderful callback to bygone days.

BEST QUOTE

"Die... that is the purpose of guards." - Aukon.

CONCLUSION

Season 18 continues to prove itself as a high point in the series. State Of Decay isn't exactly horror, but it's a spooky, fun story to watch.