Certain readers will recall that I've reviewed this story already, as a part of my randomized marathon attempt in 2017. I was impressed with this story at that time, and to be honest, I still am, if more for its ambition than its execution. It's a smart piece of writing, this Cold War parable, as Hulke's skills with writing complex and sympathetic alien races continue to carry through. The Draconians are one of the most successful aliens to be introduced in Doctor Who so far. It's shocking that they have, so far, never reappeared in the core TV show, because for the broadcast date those prostheses and makeup are extraordinary. As they only appear this one time, we merely get suggestions of their broader culture, but what we do get is interesting.
The atmosphere of Frontier in Space is very tense, with the mounting hostilities between Earth and Draconia forming an interesting backdrop. There is a history of conflict between the two species that's provided to us, and it's all quite believable and compelling. What's unfortunate is that after Episode Three or so, the ratcheting up of tensions essentially comes to an end. As welcome as Delgado's Master is, the change of focus to him does take the story away from its strongest points. It must be said that there are pacing issues aplenty as well, most prominently Williams' sudden change of heart. Although it's nice that he does come around, the development could have used some of that airtime in Episodes Three, Four, and Five to percolate.
This is also where we must sadly say goodbye to Roger Delgado, who has been such a fixture of this era. It's much sadder in context than it was during my randomized first watch, having now spent several stories with his scheming Time Lord. The best testament to the part he's played is that the character has been so enduring, and that the idea of an equal and opposite force to the Doctor, a mad genius totally without morality, continues to compel to this day. I wish we'd gotten a bit more banter between him and the Daleks, but otherwise he's quite brilliant here, so for all that it isn't a proper farewell it is, at least, a high note to go out on.
Jo's brilliant in this story. The scene where she talks to herself to keep the Master thinking she's talking to the Doctor, and even though she's mostly BSing, I think I can detect some hints of her frustration with traveling the universe peeking through. After being hypnotized in her first outing, it's also extremely satisfying to see her completely shrug off the Master's mental influence in Episode Six, showing how much she's developed over these last two seasons.
So what we have here is a flawed gem, but a gem nevertheless. The excellent setting and generally great performances save this one. I'd held out hope after my original viewing that some of the loose threads left by this story would be picked up by the next, but unfortunately that doesn't really seem to be the case. That's the most I can fault Frontier in Space for, however, as generally I very much enjoyed it again.
Planet of the Daleks is next.
(Modified from the original posted at Gallifrey Base on 7 April 2021.)
No comments:
Post a Comment