It was a pleasure returning to the world of Second Doctor audios again, and particularly to the Lost Stories range. Our last (and so far only) flirt with this range was for Farewell Great Macedon, which was now a rather long time ago. Although I enjoy Companion Chronicles and the newer boxsets just fine, there is something rather more charming about some of these Lost Stories, because they were originally conceived during the Classic run.
The Rosemariners is a little peculiar because it wasn't authored by one of the regular stable of Troughton writers, but rather by Donald Tosh, who script edited during John Wiles' tenure as producer. It's fitting that many aspects of the scenery of this story feel like a bit of a throwback, although I can't say that the arc of the story itself is. I think Tosh must have really liked the carnivorous Varga plants from Kembel, because a man-eating rose bush is one of the most striking parts of this story, even though we cannot see it.
Really, I was surprised after seeing the writer's credit that this wasn't a particularly dark story at all. I think my expectations were misplaced on account of the stories he'd script edited, but for all that I can detect the thumbprint of his writing style here, that aspect was missing. Clearly I misunderstood what part of the Wiles-Tosh team was responsible for that.
True enough, this story is breezy and enjoyable. I think the most apt descriptor would be to call it pleasant. Nothing especially bold or challenging, but pleasant. The atmosphere is spot-on for the era, and the music is actually reminiscent of the Radiophonic Workshop's output in a quite nostalgic way. Frazer's Troughton impression is shockingly good, and it really puts in mind just how many hours in the BBC studios they must have put in together.
The cast is fairly small and bare, but the two guest characters which we do focus the most on are pretty good ones. Professor Biggs is a good counterpart for the Doctor to bounce off of, as the scientists the Doctor meets usually are. His outrage about what's happened to Colbert is sold well, and at the end of the story I'm left wanting to see him again. Then there's Rugosa, another in the long tradition of well-spoken, coldblooded, menacing Doctor Who villains. He doesn't stand apart from that crowd in any exceptional way, but he serves this story very well. His ultimate comeuppance is quite a pleasing moment, because he's the one who ends up sealing his own doom. Colbert left less of an impression, but I did like the poetry of his Rosemariner replacement meeting the same sticky end as the human he replaced did earlier.
All in all, I'd recommend this one. It fits into this season well, and if you want more Jamie and Zoe, this is a good place to find it.
That squared away, I think I'll fix myself a salad, because The Krotons are being served up next.
(Modified from the original posted at Gallifrey Base on 14 March 2021.)
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