As a lifelong Doctor Who enthusiast and one who has witnessed the evolution of this timeless series since its humble beginnings, I must say that The War Games stands out as one of the most gripping and thought-provoking adventures yet. It’s a testament to the ingenuity of the writing team and the exceptional acting prowess of Patrick Troughton, Frazer Hines, and Wendy Padbury.
The War Games by Doctor Who is an absolute timeless masterpiece, serving as a powerful farewell for Patrick Troughton’s Second Doctor and his two loyal companions, Jamie McCrimmon (played by Frazer Hines) – the steadfast Scottish soldier, and Zoe Heriot (portrayed by Wendy Padbury), a brilliant 21st-century astrophysicist.
In 1969, the Doctor Who serial pioneered fresh territory. It unveiled the Time Lords, reinforced the theory of regeneration, and established the Doctor as a wanted outlaw within Time Lord society.
However, what stood out most strikingly was the exposure of an unprecedented level of darkness in a television series that was generally categorized as a “child’s program.
In a sprawling ten-chapter tale, the TARDIS unexpectedly appears in a neutral zone. Perplexed about their current location, the Doctor, along with Jamie and Zoe, soon discover themselves being detained. As a result, they are forced apart from their trusted time machine.
Initially, it seems like they arrived during the time of the First World War. But looks can be deceiving – hidden powers are manipulating events from behind the scenes. To counteract these sinister forces, the Doctor will engage in a mental showdown against the enigmatic War Lord (Philip Madoc).
At its core, The War Games offers an intellectually stimulating, sophisticated thrill reminiscent of Shakespeare’s masterpieces, with deep emotional undertones.
The classic monochrome Doctor Who adventure is back, now vibrant and colorful! Start enjoying #DoctorWho: THE WAR GAMES in Color from December 23rd exclusively on BBC iPlayer in the UK. Discover more details here! #DoctorWhoDay
— Doctor Who (@bbcdoctorwho) November 23, 2024
To put it simply, it’s almost flawless, but there’s a single issue that hinders its appeal: The War Games is exceptionally lengthy. In truth, it has a reputation for being extremely, famously, excessively so.
The War Games aired from the 19th of April to the 21st of June, with the arrival of summer, yet the series continued unabated despite the change in seasons.
The total running time is a notable 4 hours and 10 minutes, yet it wasn’t initially conceived as a grand saga like the Lord of the Rings. Various circumstances led to its length: other scripts for serials didn’t materialize or were abandoned; before the team had enough time, ‘The War Games’ was hastily approved on December 23, 1968.
Initially, the pair consisting of Terrance Dicks, renowned from Doctor Who, and his initial mentor Malcolm Hulke – who provided Dicks with a significant opportunity in television – immediately commenced work. They produced episodes at a fast pace, approximately every two to three days, to meet an early February deadline.
At a certain stage, they faced such intense difficulties that they decided to wrap up the series prematurely. In fact, they submitted the final script alongside episode 5. It’s been reported that they had a clear vision for both the beginning and end of the series, but maintaining the momentum throughout the middle episodes proved challenging for them.
However, this upcoming Christmas marks 55 years since its original airing, and The War Games is set for a modern update. This refresh includes colorization and an edit aiming to compress approximately four hours of narrative into a more manageable 90 minutes.
Additionally, we’ll witness a fresh rebirth sequence where the Second Doctor transforms into the Third. But is it appropriate to make such extensive changes to this timeless classic?
Some fans say that it’s heresy, others just want to see Jamie screaming “Krakatoa!” in vibrant HD. Whatever the case, it’s fair to say that early Doctor Who suffers from a problem – that of accessibility for the casual viewer.
The main reason for this is that a significant number of episodes are absent, particularly those during Patrick Troughton’s time as the Doctor. Crucial stories like the transition from the First Doctor to the Second, and all serials introducing his companions, were erased following their initial airing (however, they can still be accessed through audio recordings and some have been animated).
Losing those 53 episodes from the Second Doctor’s 119-episode run significantly impacts the most crucial phase of the show’s long and illustrious past.
That The War Games survives at all (and in its full majesty) is a blessing. It’s a beautifully directed story by David Maloney, an Orwellian tale, one full of dark corners and a foreboding tension that builds to the serial’s climax (a Blackadder Goes Forth style ending – but decades before Blackadder existed).
It’s clear that viewers in 1969 would have been taken aback by how grim the plot turned out to be. However, that’s exactly what Doctor Who excels at – taking chances and venturing beyond the ordinary. The fact that The War Games is still causing a stir 55 years later feels entirely fitting.
Although it’s undeniable that the absence of the Time Lords clad in a grim spectrum of grey might deprive us of something, we are equally certain that the sight of the Doctor’s captivating blue eyes during his mental duel against Philip Madoc’s chilling portrayal of the War Lord will offer an equally compelling experience. Notably, Philip Madoc was on the brink of immortalizing himself through his role in Dad’s Army, specifically the memorable “Don’t tell him, Pike!” scene, yet to come.
Although some viewers believe that colorizing and extensive editing shouldn’t take place, I argue that if it encourages even a single individual to rethink their perspective, someone who may have previously been hesitant to explore the early years of Doctor Who, then it proves to be more than justified.
On December 23rd, don’t miss the chance to witness an iconic actor who has portrayed The Doctor more brilliantly than any other, starring in his own epic movie – a groundbreaking event in the realm of sci-fi fantasy that redefines its history.
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2024-11-28 23:04