140: Mark of the Rani

8/19/08

Victorian England, during the Industrial Revolution. The Rani, a renegade Timelord, is hiding out and stealing a chemical from the brains of humans for her own experiments. It leaves the humans unable to rest and in a constant manic state. Enter the Master, who has a score to settle with the Doctor and forges an unlikely alliance with the Rani. When you throw the Doctor into the mix, you've got three Timelords playing for three different sides.


Man, I really, really enjoyed this story. It's just beautifully done. I'd say at least 50 percent of it is shot on film, plus the director takes her time establishing shots, and there's some really great cinematography, lending this story a very cinematic, movie like appearance.

Colin Baker actually shines in this episode, and had me smiling at some of the things he said. When the Rani threatens to kill Peri, she says "the girl is of no importance," to which the Doctor replies, "She is to me!"

That's another thing. Peri is really starting to be written well, and shines as her own character, not just as a scream queen, which she still is sometimes. Her intelligence comes through, and she actually tells the Doctor off several times. I've noticed this in the last three episodes, Peri has got some guts. This is just a fantastic story, and so well written. When one of the characters sees the Doctor about to duck into the TARDIS, he asks him "what goes on in there, Doctor?" The Doctor answers, "Mostly arguing," and disappears.

I'm really starting to see Colin Baker come into his own. The stories are hit or miss so far, but there's no denying his charm. On the extras for the dvd is a 40 minute making of featurette, and he literally had me laughing out loud with his stories and his dry delivery.

I say this is the best 6th Doctor story so far. I give it a 7.5/10.