Things I've Learnt from Watching My Favourite Doctor Who Stories: Part 16 - The War Games

 16. The War Games

Uncle Terrance wasn't always right!

"In the past I was always a bit apologetic about The War Games, at conventions. I’d say: "The opening episode’s good – they’re in the First World War and a Roman chariot comes out of the mist, that’s a great moment. And the end, with the trial of the Doctor when he’s condemned to turn into Jon Pertwee, is good. But in between there’s a lot of running up and down corridors, escapes and captures."

The above quote is from the co-writer of the War Games, the legendary Terrance Dicks. Goodness me, how can someone who was so integral to the success of Doctor Who can be so wrong? And anyway doesn't that last sentence pretty much sum up a large percentage of Classic Who? Fortunately Terrance relented and said after a review in DWM of the DVD release which stated he was talking nonsense, that he was highly delighted to be proved wrong. 

The tide had also turned with regards to the received fan wisdom that it has a great first and last episode but it was a bit too long and not much happened in the middle. The 1998 DWM poll had the War Games at 9th place, maybe not as lowly as the Space Pirates, but low when you consider in this year's anniversary poll and the one in 2014, it's in pole position. 

So what changed? Has Uncle Terrance relenting and admitting it's actually really good, made us fans also reconsider it as an epic classic? Maybe watching it on pristine DVD condition (and BluRay sometime in the future) has reinforced it's quality?

Personally, I've always liked it and found it entertaining with a lots of wonderful characters in it. Plus the importance of it in the fabric of the series introducing the Time Lords cannot be overlooked. 

It's a suitably epic end to the Troughton era, a ten part story written out of desperation following scripts failing to work out. Dicks was script editor and called on his writing friend, Malcolm Hulke to help out. Episode One looks as though it's a return to the pure historical, set in World War One. Events spiral out of control as the Doctor, Jamie and Zoe are accused of being deserters, and the Doctor is to be shot. Knowing that Troughton was to leave, I wonder how many who watched that first cliffhanger actually thought he might have been shot for real and he would regenerate? 

The added sci-fi elements work well (although the leather clad masked aliens are a bit naff) the serial is blessed with some far-out 60s style designs and a motley collection of characters good and bad. Top of the list is Edward Brayshaw, famous for my generation as Mr Meeker in the insufferable Rentaghost. His War Chief is a slightly camp, sinister preening villain that works well in his scenes opposite the Doctor. And then there's James Bree who's performance as the Security Chief I not the subtlest of turns. I don't think he's that bad, but you might think what a stupid fool I am for saying that. 

Fortunately everyone agrees that Philip Madoc is brilliant as the War Lord, one of his finest performances. On the side of the good guys Jane Sherwin and David Saville are very good as Lady Jennifer and Carstairs, although it's a shame Lady Jennifer disappears halfway through. When Carstairs exits in episode nine, I'm sure I'm not the only one who hopes he finds her. 

But it's the regulars who make the War Games so enjoyable. Whether they're together or separate, they are such a great trio. Fraser Hines gets to ride a horse, Wendy Padbury's Zoe looks cute in her mac and jodhpurs and is very resourceful, while Patrick Troughton goes from clown to alleged traitor with ease. Despite apparent behind the scenes wrangles he never gives a bad performance and the scenes in episode ten show him at his best. Although when he's laughing at Jamie returning to the battlefield at Culloden, his laughter is a bit callous, bearing in mind Jamie's chances of survival were slim at best... 

Prior to that though, the departures of Jamie and Zoe is sensitively handled agd acted. The extra sadness of them not remembering all their adventures (which meant Jamie wouldn't remember Zoe at all!) is heartbreaking! 

Of course we know now Jamie survived as did Zoe and their memories thanks to the beautifully written Tales of the TARDIS vignettes. 

The War Games is epic, regardless of whether you binge watch or watch it one episode at a time. It's a wonderful end to the 60s era, adding yet another layer of mythology to this wonderful show. How could I not have this as one of my favourite stories? 

Next Time : Take all your chances while you can!