As all fans of
classic “Doctor Who” are painfully aware of, many episodes were destroyed in an
infamous purge of old film and television content by the BBC in the 1970s. Only
through discoveries in personal collections and various archives have some of
these episodes been recovered, though there are still many storylines which
have been left incomplete for decades since they were first created. “The Tenth
Planet” was one of these storylines, taking place during William Hartnell’s
three years as the first of many to play the Doctor.
“The Tenth
Planet” is story number 29 in the “Doctor Who” timeline, and it involves the
discovery of Earth’s forgotten twin planet in the year of 1986. The planet
Mondas is inhabited with the emotionless Cybermen attempting to convert all of
humanity on Earth into the same fate. Only the Doctor can help to save humanity,
though very few episodes actually show the otherworldly invaders, and one of
those is the episode which is missing. The missing episode has been replaced
with a brand-new animated version of the lost section. This storyline also
marks the last appearance from Hartnell as the Doctor, making history as he
becomes the first to retire from the role.
The special
features are overflowing, in order to make up for what cannot be replaced.
There is an audio commentary with actors Anneke Wills, Christopher Matthews,
Earl Cameron, Alan White, Donald Van Der Maaten, Christopher Dunham and
designer Peter Kindred, moderated by Toby Hadoke. There is also a making-of
featurette and a handful of retrospective material. There is also an interview
with Hartnell from 1966 and a gallery of photos.
Entertainment Value:
7/10
Quality of
Filmmaking: 5/10
Historical
Significance: 10/10
Disc Features: 10/10
Last Tango in Halifax: Season One
Despite the
good-natured romantic storyline, “Last Tango in Halifax
The basic premise
for the series is laid out in the first episode, as two childhood sweethearts
reunite after 50 years apart. Celia (Anne Reid) and Alan (Derek Jacobi) reunite
on the internet thanks to the help of a few tech-savvy grandkids, and then
agree to meet in person. This reunion leads to a sudden relationship between
the two that has an effect on both of their families.
If this series
were simply about Alan and Celia, it may have been a bit more believable
despite a lack of conflict. Instead we are dragged into the romantic
entanglements of all family members, which are absurdly convoluted despite
first appearances. Celia’s daughter, Caroline (Sarah Lancashire), has a failing
marriage with a man who has just returned from an affair with an alcoholic,
while secretly has a lesbian lover of her own. Alan’s daughter, Gillian (Nicola
Walker), is simply unable to make wise decisions when choosing who she sleeps
with, causing violence all around her.
Season one was
six episodes, with a second season having aired with past year. All six
episodes are included in this 2-disc set, though special features are not
available.
Entertainment Value:
5/10
Quality of
Filmmaking: 5/10
Historical
Significance: 3/10
Disc Features: 0/10
The Paradise: Season One
“The Paradise ” is a new BBC series which has the feel of a
classic literature adaptation, filled with savory melodrama and colorful
characters in an immaculate Victorian setting. Season one of this delightful
romance could stand alone as a miniseries by the way the story is neatly
wrapped up in eight episodes, though the narrative continued with a second
season this year. All eight season one episodes are included in this two disc
set, displaying the magnificent costumes and set design on marvelous high
definition Blu-ray.
The series
follows country girl named Denise (Joanna Vanderham) as she travels to the city
in order to work with her uncle in his dressmaking shop. Upon arrival Denise
discovers that her uncle is struggling with business because of Britain
With no other
options for money, Denise begins working as a lowly shopgirl at the department
store, though her imaginative brain is perfectly suited for more creative
aspects of the business world. Struggling to remain on good terms with everyone
in the shop, Denise finds many conflicts of interest as she has new ideas to
help The Paradise. With each great idea she has, it threatens the business her
uncle has built, but more important is the dynamic her success causes within
the power struggles of The Paradise. Matters are complicated even further when
romantic entanglements also distract from the daily work of the department
store.
The first season
of “The Paradise” is eight episodes on two Blu-ray discs. The special features
include a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the series.
Entertainment Value:
8/10
Quality of
Filmmaking: 7.5/10
Historical
Significance: 6/10
Disc Features: 4/10
Silk: Season One
In Britain UK U.S.
The storylines
may be a bit far-fetched at times, and the characters often resemble something
more akin to melodrama rather than realism, but it helps to keep the legal
jargon more entertaining. The cast is led by Maxine Peake as Martha Costello, a
defense barrister looking to join the Queen’s Counsel. Martha’s passion is only
matched by the ambition of her colleague, Clive Reader (Rupert Penry Jones),
who is also applying for the coveted position.
Series one has
six episodes at just about an hour each, with continuing storylines and
episode-specific cases. They are split up on two discs, along with a
behind-the-scenes featurette in the extras.
Entertainment Value:
7/10
Quality of
Filmmaking: 7/10
Historical
Significance: 4/10
Disc Features: 3/10
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