Published: March 20, 2009 10:34 am      

BBC releases Doctor Who: The Key to Time

BBC Video released Doctor Who: The Key to Time on March 3 to video retail and rental outlets. The story-line is one of only two — if I remember correctly — that was a full season long.

Of course, while there are only 6 episodes, they are divided into 26 shows.

If you’re a Dr. Who fan you should get it if only for that reason. Even if you’re not though, there are some valid reasons to watch these slices of the longest running science fiction series in the world.

Starting in 1963 there have been about 10 actors portraying the main character.

For those who are Doctor Who newbies, Doctor Who is a mysterious time traveler who travels in his TARDIS — Time and Relative Dimension In Space (machine) whose chameleon circuit allows it to look blend into its surrounding, however the circuit is stuck on the last object it replicated which was a British telephone booth from the 1960’s.

The Doctor and various characters explore time and space, righting wrongs, fighting evils and getting in and out of trouble. In this iteration, Doctor Who is accompanied by the Time Lady Romana (Mary Tamm) and his faithful robotic computer K-9 (voiced by John Leeson). Originally airing during the 1978-1979 season, the Doctor and companions search for the Key to Time a cosmic device that maintains the symmetry of the universe.

Essentially what you have in “The Key to Time” is a series with a strong beginning, a decent middle, and a weak ending. Despite all its problems however, it’s still — to quote another critic — “something of a no-brainer to recommend to “Doctor Who” fans simply because it’s a great deal of fun much of the time, warts and all. “

This releases mixture of comedy, drama and science fiction is at its most balanced.

The journey begins with “The Ribos Operation,” a truly oddball way to begin the season. The first segment is filled with excellent characterization, sparkling dialogue and outstanding set and costume design.

Next stop: the planet Calufrax, “The Pirate Planet,” written by Douglas Adams while he was writing “The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. The story is loaded with plot, and there are twists and turns all the way through. Like a lot of Adams work, it’s a love it or hate it story.

The third segment “The Stones of Blood,” after a snappy, gothic start, the rapidly — in my opinion — declines and it’s played for too many laughs.

With half of the Key collected, the Time Lords are off to the planet Tara, in “The Androids of Tara,” which is really just a “Who” take of “The Prisoner of Zenda.” This episode is a good “Doctor Who” story, but not as great as I’d remembered it being.

“The Power of Kroll” is the low point of the season. It’s difficult to find much good to say about this segment.

Finally, “The Armageddon Factor.” In my opinion, The biggest problem this story has is a distinct lack of urgency. What should be a race against time turns into something more along the lines of a leisurely stroll to the finish line. Still, there is an amazing scene between the Doctor and Romana when they finally manage to assemble the Key, but one great scene does not a story make.

Baker and Tamm work very well together, and most of the stories manage to make good use out of K-9 as well.

Cast: Tom Baker, Mary Tam, John Leeson

Doctor Who: The Key to Time

Rating (*** 1/2 out of *****)

Synopsis: (Courtesy of BBC Video) In this new digitally remastered edition of classic Doctor Who, The Doctor (Tom Baker) is summoned by the mysterious White Guardian to find the six segments of the Key to Time during an intergalactic treasure hunt that spans a full season. Doctor Who: The Key to Time Special Edition can be purchased in its entirety with all 26 episodes of the 16th Season. Additionally, each of the six stories are available for individual purchase including The Ribos Operation, The Pirate Planet, The Stones of Blood, The Androids of Tara, The Power of Kroll and The Armageddon Factor. A must-own collection for all Doctor Who fans — this 7-disc box set is loaded with special features including cast and crew commentaries, interviews, and behind the scenes footage.

Special DVD Features

• Audio Commentaries: Tom Baker participates in audio commentaries to three of the six DVDs — The Ribos Operation (joined by Mary Tamm), The Androids of Tara (with Tamm and director Michael Hayes), and The Power of Kroll (with John Leeson, the voice of K9). Tamm is joined by director Darrol Blake on The Stones of Blood and by director Michael Hayes and actor John Woodvine on The Armageddon Factor, while The Pirate Planet offers commentary by director Pennant Roberts and actor Bruce Purchase.

• Optional text only “Commentary” track that provides a wealth of production notes on each serial in the form of periodic subtitles.

• Photo gallery

• Cast biographies

• Extra outdoor footage from “The Pirate Planet.”