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Doctor Who: Galaxy 4 - A Mixed Bag on a Lost Planet



"Galaxy 4" is a lost serial from Doctor Who's classic era, originally airing in 1965 as part of the First Doctor's tenure. Due to missing episodes, reconstructions are used to view the story, which can affect the overall experience. Here's a breakdown to help you decide if you'd like to venture to this mysterious planet:



Story



The TARDIS lands on a seemingly barren planet called Galaxy 4. The Doctor, Steven, and Vicki encounter the ammonia-based alien race, the Rills, who communicate telepathically and appear somewhat repulsive due to their reliance on ammonia environments. Meanwhile, a group of humanoid aliens called the Drahvins arrive, claiming ownership of the planet. The companions get caught in the middle of this conflict while the Doctor tries to unravel the truth about Galaxy 4 and the intentions of both alien races.



Review



Strengths



Unique Alien Concepts: The story introduces the concepts of ammonia-based life forms (the Rills) and telepathic communication, which were original ideas for television at the time.

Moral Complexity: The serial doesn't present clear-cut heroes and villains. Both the Rills and the Drahvins have their own motivations, raising questions about perception and prejudice.

Strong Voice Acting (Rills): Despite not being seen fully, the voice acting for the Rills is considered a highlight, bringing them to life in a memorable way.



Weaknesses



Missing Episodes: Unfortunately, a large portion of "Galaxy 4" is lost, with only reconstructions available. This can disrupt the narrative flow and make certain plot points less clear for modern viewers.

Dated Special Effects: The visual effects used for the alien races and the planet itself might seem primitive by modern standards, especially when relying on reconstructions.

Slow Pacing in Parts (Reconstructions): The reconstructed version might feel slow at times, especially during exposition scenes explaining the alien races and the conflict on the planet.



Reception:



Positive: Praised for its unique alien concepts, exploration of moral complexity, and strong voice acting for the Rills. Some fans also appreciate the subversion of expectations regarding the alien races.



Negative: Criticized for its large amount of missing episodes that hinder the narrative, dated special effects (especially noticeable in reconstructions), and slow pacing in certain sections.



Overall Thoughts:



"Galaxy 4" has interesting ideas but suffers from the limitations of its era and the loss of episodes. While the reconstructions might not be ideal, the story offers a glimpse into the inventiveness of early Doctor Who and explores thought-provoking themes about appearances being deceitful.



Would I recommend watching it?



For Fans of Classic Doctor Who: 5/10 (Especially those interested in the show's exploration of alien societies and moral dilemmas, but be prepared for the missing episodes)

For Fans of Modern Doctor Who: 3/10



If you're a die-hard fan of classic Doctor Who and are willing to overlook the limitations of lost episodes and reconstructions, "

"Doctor Who: The Space Pirates" is a Doctor Who serial from the Patrick Troughton era, originally broadcast in 1969. Here's a review of the serial:



Episode 1: The story starts with the Doctor, Jamie, and Zoe arriving on a space beacon where they encounter a mysterious group of space pirates. The introduction sets up an intriguing premise, but the pacing feels somewhat slow. Rating: 6/10



Episode 2: The Doctor and his companions continue to investigate the disappearance of a missing Earth cargo ship and encounter various characters, including the ruthless space pirate Caven. The tension begins to build, but the story feels somewhat disjointed. Rating: 6/10



Episode 3: The Doctor and his companions are separated, and they each face their own challenges while trying to uncover the truth behind the space pirate operation. The plot progresses, but some scenes feel drawn out. Rating: 6/10



Episode 4: The climax of the story sees the Doctor and his allies devising a plan to stop the space pirates and rescue the captured spaceship. The action sequences are engaging, but the resolution feels somewhat rushed. Rating: 7/10



Overall, "The Space Pirates" is considered one of the weaker serials of the Second Doctor era. While it has an interesting premise and some moments of excitement, the pacing is inconsistent, and the story lacks the depth and cohesion found in other serials of the era. The absence of existing footage for most of the episodes also hampers the viewing experience. Overall Rating: 6.25/10