Things I've learnt from Watching My Favourite Doctor Who Stories: Part 59 - Battlefield

59: Battlefield

There's No Shame in Trying!

1989 - Doctor Who is on its last legs. Shoved unceremoniously in the schedules to start five minutes after it's main opposition, the dreaded Coronation Street, the show is regarded by some as a shadow of its former glory. Described by one BBC executive as "a battle weary Time Lord languishing in the backwaters of popularity" which to me is tantamount to dereliction of duty but it's over thirty years ago and I should let it go... 

However behind the scenes, there's a production team working their socks off to keep the show alive. There's the leading actor and actress with fantastic onscreen chemistry. There's a producer who despite being in the job mine years is still determined for the series to look its best and a feisty young script editor who wants to push the show into new directions. This is a show where, those at the coal face are still passionate about.

Does it show? Well, yes I think it does because despite all the pressures and low budget, Season 26 is one of the strongest seasons from the original run.

Many would argue that Battlefield is the weakest of the four stories but I'd argue if Battlefield is your weakest story, then this is not a series on its last legs! Yes, Ghost Light was described in one newspaper review as the best Doctor Who story in a long time. Yes, Curse of Fenric is often only second in superiority to Remembrance of the Daleks in the rankings of Sylvester's stories. Yes, Survival is a story that is in part an inspiration for the 21st century reboot and rehabilitates the Master as a credible villain. But Battlefield is such fun!

It's almost a soft reboot for a return of UNIT to the series with Brigadier's old and new; Lethbridge-Stewart handing the reins over to new firebrand Winifred Bambera. Angela Bruce is blooming fantastic, giving the character a real energy and charm, she's an action hero for the 1990s. And Nicholas Courtney is never better here; a world weary old soldier who gets one last bit of action before he retires to his Begonias and beloved Doris.

Jean Marsh was regularly typecast as villainous witches (Return to Oz, Willow) and has a ball as Morgaine. Unlike some villains, there's a vulnerability to her, as well as a clear sense of chivalry and honesty. She kills poor Lavel without a care but then pays for her son's bar tab by restoring the landlady's sight. Not sure how locking her up at the end works for someone who can zip around between dimensions but never mind...

So everyone's trying their best, including the visual effects team who give us a fantastic looking monster in the Destroyer. Fans will point out that part one remains the lowest rated episode of all time. But if ratings are an indicator of quality, why is Inferno the lowest rated Pertwee story and why did nearly 12 million watch the last episode of Underworld? 

Of course, the BBC canned the series quietly, assuring fans it would be back but there would be a longer than usual gap. (Yeah, 16 years, a brief visit to Vancouver notwithstanding!)

On a personal level, Battlefield part four will be the one episode I watched with my Gran. She would have preferred to watch the other side admittedly, but she patiently sat and watched Doctor Who with me. roared with laughter as Sylvester nonchalantly walked between Ancelyn and Mordred's swordfight. And for that reason alone, Battlefield belongs in my top sixty. 

Next Episode: "In the wrong hands..."