As this is Shada obsession week, and I am not doing the
rewatch. (I watched it - and the behind the scenes stuff -
when the S17 Blu-ray set came out a few years back.) Here
is my quick overview. It's based on the various versions, so
it's a mix'n'match...
I'll start with the things I like:
Tom Baker's introduction... reminiscing in the museum of
monsters... and his big grin!
The Cambridge location shots. Like Paris, there's some
likeable scenes with Tom & Lalla out and about... instead
of in some random quarry with polystyrene boulders. Tom
Baker also gets to do some cycling on a bike around the
place.
Christopher Neame as Skagra. I always liked him. (Colditz /
Secret Army / Blake's 7, etc.) Walking around Cambridge in
his Gary Glitter outfit/silver boots looked well weird. I
bet he got some looks!
Professor Chronotis. Just how I imagine English professors
at Cambridge/Oxford to be... dishevelled, bumbling and
forgetful... but still probably the cleverest people in the
room!
Romana seems to be able to fly the TARDIS to an exact place
and moment in time (to rescue the Doctor from the sphere)...
so much for the randomiser then!
The animation is variable, but it's not Pixar. Some animated
scenes were improved for the 2021 version. The scene
transitions, live action to animation, back to live action,
work well enough for the level of budget.
The new voices work, even though Tom & Lalla do sound older,
Anyone used to hearing them in the Big Finish audios would be
used to the aging in their voices, so they don't stand out to
the point of being annoying.
The new Tom Baker scene in the TARDIS at the end... much much
older, but still with that cheeky grin. He may look out of
place compared to the 1979 scenes, but so what? It's Tom Baker!
He made Doctor Who what it was, so he can get away with anything.
Which is why I reckon if this wasn't a Tom Baker story it would
probably have been left on the shelf. Douglas Adams took the
bits from the script that he liked (for HHGTTG and the Dirk
Gently novels) so he didn't want to revisit Shada. But no other
Doctor could sell multiple versions of the same story and have
fans wet their knickers every time a new version comes out!
Douglas Adams didn't think much of Shada as it was a last minute
script. Because Graham Williams didn't like his original
submission. Adams also had another unmade Doctor Who script
(Krikkitmen) which he adapted into the first HHGTTG book...
although his Doctor Who script was later novelised by James
Goss. So that's another unmade Douglas Adams Fourth Doctor story
out there.
Shada in one sentence is... A story about a thief who steals a
book, a forgotten Time Lord prison, zombies and how many lumps
of sugar people want in their tea.
Dislike:
The BBC technicians who went on strike! Commie bastards.
Whatever the merits of the completed TV versions I still think
the Gareth Roberts BBC novel is the strongest version of this
story. It brings the story to life more than the animation does.
Douglas Adams didn't think much of Shada as it was a last minute
script. Because Graham Williams didn't like his original
submission. Adams also had another unmade Doctor Who script
(Krikkitmen) which he adapted into the first HHGTTG book...
On 9/10/2026 8:59 am, Blueshirt wrote:
Douglas Adams didn't think much of Shada as it was a
last minute script. Because Graham Williams didn't like
his original submission. Adams also had another unmade
Doctor Who script (Krikkitmen) which he adapted into the
first HHGTTG book...
'(Krikkitmen)' Hmm!! Did Adams like men who played Cricket or
something??
On 9/10/2026 8:59 am, Blueshirt wrote:
<Snip>
Douglas Adams didn't think much of Shada as it was a last minute
script. Because Graham Williams didn't like his original
submission. Adams also had another unmade Doctor Who script
(Krikkitmen) which he adapted into the first HHGTTG book...
'(Krikkitmen)' Hmm!! Did Adams like men who played Cricket or something??
----
Daniel70
Daniel70 wrote:
On 9/10/2026 8:59 am, Blueshirt wrote:
Douglas Adams didn't think much of Shada as it was a
last minute script. Because Graham Williams didn't like
his original submission. Adams also had another unmade
Doctor Who script (Krikkitmen) which he adapted into the
first HHGTTG book...
'(Krikkitmen)' Hmm!! Did Adams like men who played Cricket or
something??
The Krikkitmen were androids... and the story featured a Time
Lord prison!
Agamemnon is a Douglas Adams fan, maybe he'll let us review the
original Krikkitmen script/novel instead of moving on to The Vet?
(The original script rejected by Robert Holmes features
Sarah-Jane Smith, whilst the BBC novel features Romana...)
Daniel70 wrote:
On 9/10/2026 8:59 am, Blueshirt wrote:
Douglas Adams didn't think much of Shada as it was a
last minute script. Because Graham Williams didn't like
his original submission. Adams also had another unmade
Doctor Who script (Krikkitmen) which he adapted into the
first HHGTTG book...
'(Krikkitmen)' Hmm!! Did Adams like men who played Cricket or
something??
The Krikkitmen were androids... and the story featured a Time
Lord prison!
Agamemnon is a Douglas Adams fan, maybe he'll let us review the
original Krikkitmen script/novel instead of moving on to The Vet?
(The original script rejected by Robert Holmes features--
Sarah-Jane Smith, whilst the BBC novel features Romana...)
Blueshirt wrote:
The Krikkitmen were androids... and the story featured a
Time Lord prison!
Agamemnon is a Douglas Adams fan, maybe he'll let us review
the original Krikkitmen script/novel instead of moving on to
The Vet?
It's basically the plot he used for Life, the Universe and
Everything, the third of the HHGTTG novels.
On 09/10/2026 12:56, Blueshirt wrote:
Daniel70 wrote:
On 9/10/2026 8:59 am, Blueshirt wrote:
Douglas Adams didn't think much of Shada as it was a
last minute script. Because Graham Williams didn't like
his original submission. Adams also had another unmade
Doctor Who script (Krikkitmen) which he adapted into the
first HHGTTG book...
'(Krikkitmen)' Hmm!! Did Adams like men who played Cricket or
something??
The Krikkitmen were androids... and the story featured a Time
Lord prison!
Agamemnon is a Douglas Adams fan, maybe he'll let us review the
original Krikkitmen script/novel instead of moving on to The Vet?
It's basically the plot he used for Life, the Universe and Everything,
the third of the HHGTTG novels.
(The original script rejected by Robert Holmes features
Sarah-Jane Smith, whilst the BBC novel features Romana...)
----
The True Doctor https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCngrZwoS0n21IRcXpKO79Lw
"To be woke is to be uninformed which is exactly the opposite of what it >stands for." --William Shatner
The True Doctor wrote:
Blueshirt wrote:
The Krikkitmen were androids... and the story featured a
Time Lord prison!
Agamemnon is a Douglas Adams fan, maybe he'll let us review
the original Krikkitmen script/novel instead of moving on to
The Vet?
It's basically the plot he used for Life, the Universe and
Everything, the third of the HHGTTG novels.
I know. But it is a lost Doctor Who story, since novelised!
A lost Douglas Adams adventure - to quote the blurb.
An RADW Book Club,instead of rewatching the tiresome Adric,
Tegan & Co in action sounds like a way more interesting use
of my time to me! Season 18 is where I draw the line.
The True Doctor wrote:
Blueshirt wrote:
The Krikkitmen were androids... and the story featured a
Time Lord prison!
Agamemnon is a Douglas Adams fan, maybe he'll let us review
the original Krikkitmen script/novel instead of moving on to
The Vet?
It's basically the plot he used for Life, the Universe and
Everything, the third of the HHGTTG novels.
I know. But it is a lost Doctor Who story, since novelised!
A lost Douglas Adams adventure - to quote the blurb.
An RADW Book Club,instead of rewatching the tiresome Adric,
Tegan & Co in action sounds like a way more interesting use
of my time to me! Season 18 is where I draw the line.
Blueshirt wrote:
An RADW Book Club,instead of rewatching the tiresome
Adric, Tegan & Co in action sounds like a way more
interesting use of my time to me! Season 18 is where I
draw the line.
When we finish Season 18 it will be Christmas and because
of that I'm going to take a break until the new year.
I'd prefer to do The Time Warrior after that.
Davison can wait.
On 10/10/2026 11:45, Blueshirt wrote:
The True Doctor wrote:
Blueshirt wrote:
The Krikkitmen were androids... and the story featured a
Time Lord prison!
Agamemnon is a Douglas Adams fan, maybe he'll let us review
the original Krikkitmen script/novel instead of moving on to
The Vet?
It's basically the plot he used for Life, the Universe and
Everything, the third of the HHGTTG novels.
I know. But it is a lost Doctor Who story, since novelised!
A lost Douglas Adams adventure - to quote the blurb.
An RADW Book Club,instead of rewatching the tiresome Adric,
Tegan & Co in action sounds like a way more interesting use
of my time to me! Season 18 is where I draw the line.
When we finish Season 18 it will be Christmas and because of that I'm
going to take a break until the new year. I'd prefer to do The Time
Warrior after that. Davison can wait.
----
The True Doctor https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCngrZwoS0n21IRcXpKO79Lw
"To be woke is to be uninformed which is exactly the opposite of what it >stands for." --William Shatner
The True Doctor wrote:
Blueshirt wrote:
An RADW Book Club,instead of rewatching the tiresome
Adric, Tegan & Co in action sounds like a way more
interesting use of my time to me! Season 18 is where I
draw the line.
When we finish Season 18 it will be Christmas and because
of that I'm going to take a break until the new year.
Merry Christmas!
I'd prefer to do The Time Warrior after that.
The Time Warrior suits me fine!
Davison can wait.
:-)
In article <11adb0e$1nafi$1@dont-email.me>,
The True Doctor <agamemnon@hello.to.NO_SPAM> wrote:
On 10/10/2026 11:45, Blueshirt wrote:
The True Doctor wrote:
Blueshirt wrote:
The Krikkitmen were androids... and the story featured a
Time Lord prison!
Agamemnon is a Douglas Adams fan, maybe he'll let us review
the original Krikkitmen script/novel instead of moving on to
The Vet?
It's basically the plot he used for Life, the Universe and
Everything, the third of the HHGTTG novels.
I know. But it is a lost Doctor Who story, since novelised!
A lost Douglas Adams adventure - to quote the blurb.
An RADW Book Club,instead of rewatching the tiresome Adric,
Tegan & Co in action sounds like a way more interesting use
of my time to me! Season 18 is where I draw the line.
When we finish Season 18 it will be Christmas and because of that I'm
going to take a break until the new year. I'd prefer to do The Time
Warrior after that. Davison can wait.
What about Spearhead from Space?
On 10/10/2026 14:18, The Doctor wrote:
In article <11adb0e$1nafi$1@dont-email.me>,
The True Doctor <agamemnon@hello.to.NO_SPAM> wrote:
On 10/10/2026 11:45, Blueshirt wrote:
The True Doctor wrote:
Blueshirt wrote:
The Krikkitmen were androids... and the story featured a
Time Lord prison!
Agamemnon is a Douglas Adams fan, maybe he'll let us review
the original Krikkitmen script/novel instead of moving on to
The Vet?
It's basically the plot he used for Life, the Universe and
Everything, the third of the HHGTTG novels.
I know. But it is a lost Doctor Who story, since novelised!
A lost Douglas Adams adventure - to quote the blurb.
An RADW Book Club,instead of rewatching the tiresome Adric,
Tegan & Co in action sounds like a way more interesting use
of my time to me! Season 18 is where I draw the line.
When we finish Season 18 it will be Christmas and because of that I'm
going to take a break until the new year. I'd prefer to do The Time
Warrior after that. Davison can wait.
What about Spearhead from Space?
Melissa did it.
----
The True Doctor https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCngrZwoS0n21IRcXpKO79Lw
"To be woke is to be uninformed which is exactly the opposite of what it >stands for." --William Shatner
An RADW Book Club,instead of rewatching the tiresome Adric,
Tegan & Co in action
Blueshirt wrote in article <xn0pvup3r7cz53f002@post.eweka.nl>:
An RADW Book Club,instead of rewatching the tiresome Adric,
Tegan & Co in action
Why not both?
----
The True Melissa - Canal Winchester - Ohio
United States of America - North America - Earth
Solar System - Milky Way - Local Group
Virgo Cluster - Laniakea Supercluster - Cosmos
Blueshirt wrote:
An RADW Book Club,instead of rewatching the tiresome
Adric, Tegan & Co in action
Why not both?
He hates Adric.
The True Melissa wrote:
Blueshirt wrote:
An RADW Book Club,instead of rewatching the tiresome
Adric, Tegan & Co in action
Why not both?
But who wants to watch Adric & Co again? Seriously?!
After Season 18 AGA wants to go back to The Time Warrior and
Dave wants to go back to Spearhead From Space. These seem like
reasonable propositions to me. So I am happy either way.
I know you have a thing for Adric but nobody else here seems to
have much appetite to be listening to an annoying little brat
every weekend when we're supposed to be relaxing at home after
a busy week. Feel free to do those episodes yourself though,
Dave will do the 'read script/write synopsis' thing... and I will
chime-in when we get to Earthshock!
Support the little guy anyway and wave your 'Adric Is
Misunderstood' banner proudly, it'll be interesting to read
your take on the stories from that era. I'm sure you could manage
two stories a weekend!
The Doctor wrote:
He hates Adric.
If people think I hate Adric then I reckon I am somebody
who has been misunderstood during my time here. Obviously
my brilliance has just not shone through. I probably need
caring for by some soft hearted people who don't mind my
annoying traits and will make excuses for them.
I want to go home.
On 10/10/2026 11:45, Blueshirt wrote:
The True Doctor wrote:
Blueshirt wrote:
The Krikkitmen were androids... and the story featured a
Time Lord prison!
Agamemnon is a Douglas Adams fan, maybe he'll let us review
the original Krikkitmen script/novel instead of moving on to
The Vet?
It's basically the plot he used for Life, the Universe and
Everything, the third of the HHGTTG novels.
I know. But it is a lost Doctor Who story, since novelised!
A lost Douglas Adams adventure - to quote the blurb.
An RADW Book Club,instead of rewatching the tiresome Adric,
Tegan & Co in action sounds like a way more interesting use
of my time to me! Season 18 is where I draw the line.
When we finish Season 18 it will be Christmas and because of that I'm
going to take a break until the new year. I'd prefer to do The Time
Warrior after that. Davison can wait.
The best quote about Adric comes from the Doctor in
Episode 4 of 4 to Dommsday.
On 10/10/2026 11:27 pm, The True Doctor wrote:
On 10/10/2026 11:45, Blueshirt wrote:Why not go allllll the way back .... to DoctorBill?? .... Or doesn't
The True Doctor wrote:
Blueshirt wrote:
The Krikkitmen were androids... and the story featured a
Time Lord prison!
Agamemnon is a Douglas Adams fan, maybe he'll let us review
the original Krikkitmen script/novel instead of moving on to
The Vet?
It's basically the plot he used for Life, the Universe and
Everything, the third of the HHGTTG novels.
I know. But it is a lost Doctor Who story, since novelised!
A lost Douglas Adams adventure - to quote the blurb.
An RADW Book Club,instead of rewatching the tiresome Adric,
Tegan & Co in action sounds like a way more interesting use
of my time to me! Season 18 is where I draw the line.
When we finish Season 18 it will be Christmas and because of that I'm
going to take a break until the new year. I'd prefer to do The Time
Warrior after that. Davison can wait.
Youtube go that far back??
(Yes, Binky(Word used by parasite paedophiles, including child rapists, to indicate their joy of child sexual molestation), I know you would want to go even further back but ......)
--
PaedoDaniel70
The Doctor wrote:
The best quote about Adric comes from the Doctor in
Episode 4 of 4 to Dommsday.
Does it?
Go on, give it to us again so...
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