Black Orchid (1982) Christmas Review

The Doctor's very eager to steal the girl for Christmas...
meanwhile, George has probably just seen The Return Of Dr. Mysterio

Merry Christmas!! I can hardly believe it's already that time of the year again... my original plan was to review Earthshock for this event, but I got a bit busy, and oh well... I suppose this isn't a bad Christmas story either.

Black Orchid is a very strangely paced, but pleasant foray into 1920s England, the Jeeves and Wooster era.

WRITTEN BY

Terence Dudley, who also penned Four To Doomsday. I still can't decide if he's a good writer or not.

PLOT

The TARDIS crew takes advantage of a case of mistaken identity for some leisure time until murders begin to crop up and all fingers point at the Doctor...

ANALYSIS

The problem with this story is the two-parter format. In the first episode, the TARDIS crew do nothing, but party at Cranleigh Hall. In the second, they're almost entirely absent from the place altogether, travelling around with the policemen in an effort to prove their identities.

The reason why any of the murders are happening to begin with is only revealed at the very end as an unsatisfying footnote and we never even have a chance to see things from the murderer's point of view, since he is a mute. 

Fortunately, the filler material is still very enjoyable, but it'd be far more so if the story didn't seem like an afterthought. It's like Downton Abbey without any of the substance.

CHARACTERS

The Doctor seems very uncertain in this story... I didn't really like the way he actively berated himself for having got into trouble or seemed incapable of explaining himself to the authorities. I mean, was it really necessary(or wise) to reveal that he's a Time Lord? Although I suppose if it's okay on every single alien world regardless of their development...

On the other hand, all the companions handled themselves marvellously. Adric was a bit of a prat, using the party as an excuse to have breakfast, but even he was kind of funny and his repartee with Nyssa was pretty good. Speaking of Nyssa, she had lots of fun with her doppelganger and Sarah Sutton played an airhead perfectly. I really enjoyed her performance.
Even Tegan, who you'd think would be the last person to enjoy herself, seemed to spread her wings a little bit and teach the kids at home a new dance. Do the Charleston! Do the Charleston! 

As far as the guest cast goes, Moray Watson gave a solid performance as Sir Robert(the chief constable), one of those lovably dependable authority figures. 

Michael Cochrane(who's actually been in Downton Abbey!) was my favourite of the guest stars. He seemed to fit into the era perfectly with his "top ho's" and "steady on, old chap's". As English as English can get.

And finally, you have Barbara Murray, the "Maggie Smith" of the cast, a lady who constantly keeps her eye on everything that's going on in her home and strives for the benefit of her family. Great character, and I love the back-and-forth between her and the Doctor(although I must admit I felt like Davison was woefully out of his league in that scene... it would've been far more electrifying with Pertwee or Tom Baker).

NOTES

*Whilst I'm glad that Tegan is showing some positive attitude for once, her apparent apathy towards going home now completely contradicts her character up to this point. 

*Of all the occasions, why would the Doctor choose this one to reveal to people that he's a Time Lord?? Couldn't he have come up with a "John Smith" pseudonym to save time? Yes, it would probably get him into more trouble later, but that's how it works... I guess it was a writing shortcut(since it's only two parts and all).

*One of my favourite deliveries in this episode: Davison's tired "I give up." mid-explanation as everyone turns against him. 

*However, that sequence kind of bothered me. I'm not fond of stories where the heroes make a discovery and nobody refuses to believe them because the evidence has been tampered with. It's a pet peeve of mine.

*Why does Tegan insist that the Doctor is no impostor? SHE is an impostor, along with the entire crew!! I know they're trying to hide their identities, but the way she said it makes it sound like a personal insult. Maybe she's just a really good actor. 

*Despite being suspected of murder, the Doctor and his companions were never searched(since the Doctor still has the TARDIS key) nor are they even properly watched as they move about the train station, looking for the TARDIS. And when they do find it, the policemen go in first and leave their suspects outside!!

*In a very Matt Smith moment, the Doctor offers to drive the TARDIS from the train station to Cranleigh Hall to save time. I'm sorry, since when does the Doctor have perfect driving skills? Isn't the whole plot of the season centered around his inability to get Tegan home?? Why would he take the risk of having a bunch of policemen as extra companions!!

*I mentioned how the Doctor takes his predicament much more seriously in this episode than he would otherwise and I meant it. His delivery of "Why do I always let my curiosity get the better of me?"(surely a funny line!) actually sounds angry. Jeez, Davison, calm down.

*What is up with that Indian chief guy? First of all, I get that that lip plate thing is something his people do, but surely they should've explained it on-screen. And second of all, why is he still hanging around Cranleigh Hall? Did I miss something?

CONTINUITY ADVISOR

1) "A superb innings, worthy of the Master." Completely pointless reference. I suppose they've got to remind kids of his existence now that he's a recurring character, though.

2) The crew discuss accidentally burning down London in The Visitation and the Doctor explains that it was a necessary step in history. I wish this explanation was in the actual story, as they never really explained it there at all.

3) Nyssa tells multiple people that she's from the Empire of Traken(wasn't it called the Traken Union?). Yeah, fine, character reference, I don't mind. 

4) This may only be a coincidence, but the Doctor finds his TARDIS from what appears to be a junkyard(a police junkyard, but a junkyard nonetheless). If so, sweet callback to An Unearthly Child.

BEST QUOTE

"Strike me pink!" - It's not just the quote, but the hilarious reaction the policeman has to the TARDIS. He just sees it, says that and then casually carries on talking with his superior officer as if nothing had happened.

CONCLUSION

The plot could've been better constructed, but otherwise, it's a a positively ripping story.