Getting this out of the way early as it's FA Cup Final day,
"Image of the Fendahl" kicked off the Saturday morning
entertainment with Eustace the skull, Benedict Cumberbatch's
mother and Leela kneeling down in the TARDIS showing off plenty
of cleavage...
I've always had a bit of a soft spot for "Image of the Fendahl"
even though it's not usually one of the Fourth Doctor stories
that people talk about that much. I always got Hammer Horror
vibes from it though, so it's a story I like to rewatch from
time to time, usually on a cold dark evening. Written by Chris
Boucher - who also wrote "Robots of Death" - before he left to
work on Blake's 7, this is another very strong Fourth Doctor
story.
The Doctor taking apart K9 is something men are want to do. I
used to love taking things apart and putting them back together
again... strangely enough there was always a screw or two left
over. But I digress, for this story the Doctor messing with K9
was because the script was largely written before K9 had been
brought into the show so K9 needed to have a reason to be
sidelined.
As is the norm, Tom Baker is on fine form here and there seems
to be chemistry between himself and Louise Jameson in the scenes
where they are together, although it was during this story that
Louise decided to leave the show at the end of the season, so
maybe the chemistry wasn't 'there' off-screen. In-universe the
Fourth Doctor - Leela combination does work well though.
The supporting cast delivers exactly what you'd expect from
"Doctor Who"... earnest scientists (including the obligatory
foreigner complete with dodgy accent), slightly suspicious
locals, and at least one person who seems contractually
obligated to make everything worse.
What makes "Image of the Fendahl stand out is its atmosphere
though. There's still that Gothic horror vibe to the show as is
clear from the opening scene with the skull. So we get a story
mixing a Gothic mood with sci-fi ideas about humanity's origins,
and a predatory alien intent on returning to its full form and
feed on living beings. The story is soaked in that distinctly
mid-1970s Doctor Who style of moody lighting, dusky countryside
and characters who always make the wrong decisions and end up
dead.
The ending wraps things up a bit too quickly though. After the
build-up about how ancient and unstoppable the Fendahl is, it
feels like it is dealt with too neatly. Not badly, just a bit
abruptly. Which is something a lot of Nu Who suffers from too.
"Image of the Fendahl" is a solid story. Maybe not a top-tier
classic, but definitely one I enjoy coming back to. It's creepy
without being OTT. I'll give this an 8.5/10.
But I digress, for this story the Doctor messing with K9
was because the script was largely written before K9 had been
brought into the show so K9 needed to have a reason to be
sidelined.
As is the norm, Tom Baker is on fine form here and there seems
to be chemistry between himself and Louise Jameson in the scenes
where they are together, although it was during this story that
Louise decided to leave the show at the end of the season, so
maybe the chemistry wasn't 'there' off-screen. In-universe the
Fourth Doctor - Leela combination does work well though.
What makes "Image of the Fendahl stand out is its atmosphere
though. There's still that Gothic horror vibe to the show as is
clear from the opening scene with the skull. So we get a story
mixing a Gothic mood with sci-fi ideas about humanity's origins,
and a predatory alien intent on returning to its full form and
feed on living beings. The story is soaked in that distinctly
mid-1970s Doctor Who style of moody lighting, dusky countryside
and characters who always make the wrong decisions and end up
dead.
The ending wraps things up a bit too quickly though. After the
build-up about how ancient and unstoppable the Fendahl is, it
feels like it is dealt with too neatly. Not badly, just a bit
abruptly. Which is something a lot of Nu Who suffers from too.
Getting this out of the way early as it's FA Cup Final day,
"Image of the Fendahl" kicked off the Saturday morning
entertainment with Eustace the skull,
Benedict Cumberbatch's
mother
and Leela kneeling down in the TARDIS showing off plenty
of cleavage...
I've always had a bit of a soft spot for "Image of the Fendahl"
even though it's not usually one of the Fourth Doctor stories
that people talk about that much. I always got Hammer Horror
vibes from it though, so it's a story I like to rewatch from
time to time, usually on a cold dark evening. Written by Chris
Boucher - who also wrote "Robots of Death" - before he left to
work on Blake's 7, this is another very strong Fourth Doctor
story.
The Doctor taking apart K9 is something men are want to do. I
used to love taking things apart and putting them back together
again... strangely enough there was always a screw or two left
over. But I digress, for this story the Doctor messing with K9
was because the script was largely written before K9 had been
brought into the show so K9 needed to have a reason to be
sidelined.
As is the norm, Tom Baker is on fine form here and there seems
to be chemistry between himself and Louise Jameson in the scenes
where they are together, although it was during this story that
Louise decided to leave the show at the end of the season, so
maybe the chemistry wasn't 'there' off-screen.
In-universe the
Fourth Doctor - Leela combination does work well though.
The supporting cast delivers exactly what you'd expect from
"Doctor Who"... earnest scientists (including the obligatory
foreigner complete with dodgy accent), slightly suspicious
locals, and at least one person who seems contractually
obligated to make everything worse.
What makes "Image of the Fendahl stand out is its atmosphere
though. There's still that Gothic horror vibe to the show as is
clear from the opening scene with the skull. So we get a story
mixing a Gothic mood with sci-fi ideas about humanity's origins,
and a predatory alien intent on returning to its full form and
feed on living beings. The story is soaked in that distinctly
mid-1970s Doctor Who style of moody lighting, dusky countryside
and characters who always make the wrong decisions and end up
dead.
The ending wraps things up a bit too quickly though. After the
build-up about how ancient and unstoppable the Fendahl is, it
feels like it is dealt with too neatly. Not badly, just a bit
abruptly. Which is something a lot of Nu Who suffers from too.
"Image of the Fendahl" is a solid story. Maybe not a top-tier--
classic, but definitely one I enjoy coming back to. It's creepy
without being OTT. I'll give this an 8.5/10.
On 16/05/2026 13:56, Blueshirt wrote:
Getting this out of the way early as it's FA Cup Final
day, "Image of the Fendahl" kicked off the Saturday
morning entertainment with Eustace the skull,
"Alas poor skull."
Benedict Cumberbatch's mother
So that's her.
I've always had a bit of a soft spot for "Image of the
Fendahl" even though it's not usually one of the Fourth
Doctor stories that people talk about that much. I always
got Hammer Horror vibes from it though, so it's a story I
like to rewatch from
It was more like Quatermass and the Pit.
The Doctor taking apart K9 is something men are want to do. I
used to love taking things apart and putting them back
together again... strangely enough there was always a screw
or two left over.
It always happens and you think you did a better job than the
person that built it because you didn't need that screw or the
extra washer.
was because the script was largely written before K9 had been
brought into the show so K9 needed to have a reason to be
sidelined.
So that's it. I thought they originally planed them to be in a
different order since Leela was wearing the same hairstyle she
wore in Horror of Fang Rock.
As is the norm, Tom Baker is on fine form here and there
seems to be chemistry between himself and Louise Jameson in
the scenes where they are together, although it was during
this story that Louise decided to leave the show at the end
of the season, so maybe the chemistry wasn't 'there'
off-screen.
She decided to go of her own accord, or did Graham Williams
decide to put his own mark on the show by creating his own
companion and didn't like the idea of Leela always carrying a
knife and attacking everyone or painting guns at them? I think
this was Tom Baker's issue with the character of Leela and he
took it out on Louise.
After Leela spent half the episode sleeping on the TARDIS
floor and having the Doctor fall on top of her and ended up on
the TARDIS floor again, maybe Louise decided it was not very
dignified the way Leela was being written. I think she should
have had at least another series and then she could have been
seen becoming civilised, using words and not weapons to
influence people, and becoming a leader.
In-universe the Fourth Doctor - Leela combination does
work well though.
Yes.
Verily, in article <xn0ppugzv4k3qm4003@post.eweka.nl>, did blueshirt@indigo.news deliver unto us this message:
But I digress, for this story the Doctor messing with K9
was because the script was largely written before K9 had been
brought into the show so K9 needed to have a reason to be
sidelined.
Ah, that explains it.
There are others where his appearances were scaled down
because he wasn't working. Sometimes they pulled him into the
scene with a clear line, because he wouldn't move.
As is the norm, Tom Baker is on fine form here and there
seems to be chemistry between himself and Louise Jameson in
the scenes where they are together, although it was during
this story that Louise decided to leave the show at the end
of the season, so maybe the chemistry wasn't 'there'
off-screen. In-universe the Fourth Doctor - Leela
combination does work well though.
It is a shame they didn't get on, when they worked together so
well. I'm okay with her short tenure, though I wish her
departure weren't so senseless.
What makes "Image of the Fendahl stand out is its atmosphere
though. There's still that Gothic horror vibe to the show as
is clear from the opening scene with the skull. So we get a
story mixing a Gothic mood with sci-fi ideas about
humanity's origins, and a predatory alien intent on
returning to its full form and feed on living beings. The
story is soaked in that distinctly mid-1970s Doctor Who
style of moody lighting, dusky countryside and characters
who always make the wrong decisions and end up dead.
It's almost a Scooby Doo vibe, isn't it? There are scary
ghosts and monsters, but it turns out to be science trickery.
This isn't Scooby Doo, though, and so the unmasking reveals an
even worse villain.
The ending wraps things up a bit too quickly though. After
the build-up about how ancient and unstoppable the Fendahl
is, it feels like it is dealt with too neatly. Not badly,
just a bit abruptly. Which is something a lot of Nu Who
suffers from too.
Yeah, I thought that as well. The ending's sudden, and the
epilogue's a bit lame -- not terrible, but they've had many
better.
It doesn't harm the episode much, though.
Verily, in article <xn0ppugzv4k3qm4003@post.eweka.nl>, did >blueshirt@indigo.news deliver unto us this message:
But I digress, for this story the Doctor messing with K9
was because the script was largely written before K9 had been
brought into the show so K9 needed to have a reason to be
sidelined.
Ah, that explains it.
There are others where his appearances were scaled down because he
wasn't working. Sometimes they pulled him into the scene with a clear
line, because he wouldn't move.
As is the norm, Tom Baker is on fine form here and there seems
to be chemistry between himself and Louise Jameson in the scenes
where they are together, although it was during this story that
Louise decided to leave the show at the end of the season, so
maybe the chemistry wasn't 'there' off-screen. In-universe the
Fourth Doctor - Leela combination does work well though.
It is a shame they didn't get on, when they worked together so well. I'm >okay with her short tenure, though I wish her departure weren't so >senseless.
What makes "Image of the Fendahl stand out is its atmosphere
though. There's still that Gothic horror vibe to the show as is
clear from the opening scene with the skull. So we get a story
mixing a Gothic mood with sci-fi ideas about humanity's origins,
and a predatory alien intent on returning to its full form and
feed on living beings. The story is soaked in that distinctly
mid-1970s Doctor Who style of moody lighting, dusky countryside
and characters who always make the wrong decisions and end up
dead.
It's almost a Scooby Doo vibe, isn't it? There are scary ghosts and >monsters, but it turns out to be science trickery. This isn't Scooby
Doo, though, and so the unmasking reveals an even worse villain.
The ending wraps things up a bit too quickly though. After the
build-up about how ancient and unstoppable the Fendahl is, it
feels like it is dealt with too neatly. Not badly, just a bit
abruptly. Which is something a lot of Nu Who suffers from too.
Yeah, I thought that as well. The ending's sudden, and the epilogue's a
bit lame -- not terrible, but they've had many better. It doesn't harm
the episode much, though.
----
The True Melissa - Canal Winchester - Ohio
United States of America - North America - Earth
Solar System - Milky Way - Local Group
Virgo Cluster - Laniakea Supercluster - Cosmos
On 16/05/2026 13:56, Blueshirt wrote:
Getting this out of the way early as it's FA Cup Final day,
"Image of the Fendahl" kicked off the Saturday morning
entertainment with Eustace the skull,
"Alas poor skull."
Benedict Cumberbatch's
mother
So that's her.
and Leela kneeling down in the TARDIS showing off plenty
of cleavage...
I've always had a bit of a soft spot for "Image of the Fendahl"
even though it's not usually one of the Fourth Doctor stories
that people talk about that much. I always got Hammer Horror
vibes from it though, so it's a story I like to rewatch from
It was more like Quatermass and the Pit.
time to time, usually on a cold dark evening. Written by Chris
Boucher - who also wrote "Robots of Death" - before he left to
work on Blake's 7, this is another very strong Fourth Doctor
story.
The Doctor taking apart K9 is something men are want to do. I
used to love taking things apart and putting them back together
again... strangely enough there was always a screw or two left
over. But I digress, for this story the Doctor messing with K9
It always happens and you think you did a better job than the person
that built it because you didn't need that screw or the extra washer.
was because the script was largely written before K9 had been
brought into the show so K9 needed to have a reason to be
sidelined.
So that's it. I thought they originally planed them to be in a different >order since Leela was wearing the same hairstyle she ware in Horror of
Fang Rock.
As is the norm, Tom Baker is on fine form here and there seems
to be chemistry between himself and Louise Jameson in the scenes
where they are together, although it was during this story that
Louise decided to leave the show at the end of the season, so
maybe the chemistry wasn't 'there' off-screen.
She decided to go of her own accord, or did Graham Williams decide to
put his own mark on the show by creating his own companion and didn't
like the idea of Leela always carrying a knife and attacking everyone or >painting guns at them? I think this was Tom Baker's issue with the
character of Leela and he took it out on Louise.
After Leela spent half the episode sleeping on the TARDIS floor and
having the Doctor fall on top of her and ended up on the TARDIS floor
again, maybe Louise decided it was not very dignified the way Leela was >being written. I think she should have had at least another series and
then she could have been seen becoming civilised, using words and not >weapons to influence people, and becoming a leader.
In-universe the
Fourth Doctor - Leela combination does work well though.
Yes.
The supporting cast delivers exactly what you'd expect from
"Doctor Who"... earnest scientists (including the obligatory
foreigner complete with dodgy accent), slightly suspicious
locals, and at least one person who seems contractually
obligated to make everything worse.
What makes "Image of the Fendahl stand out is its atmosphere
though. There's still that Gothic horror vibe to the show as is
clear from the opening scene with the skull. So we get a story
mixing a Gothic mood with sci-fi ideas about humanity's origins,
and a predatory alien intent on returning to its full form and
feed on living beings. The story is soaked in that distinctly
mid-1970s Doctor Who style of moody lighting, dusky countryside
and characters who always make the wrong decisions and end up
dead.
The ending wraps things up a bit too quickly though. After the
build-up about how ancient and unstoppable the Fendahl is, it
feels like it is dealt with too neatly. Not badly, just a bit
abruptly. Which is something a lot of Nu Who suffers from too.
It underestimated the power of rock salt and there were two people
missing from its cauldron so wasn't at full strength.
"Image of the Fendahl" is a solid story. Maybe not a top-tier
classic, but definitely one I enjoy coming back to. It's creepy
without being OTT. I'll give this an 8.5/10.
----
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:
On 16/05/2026 13:56, Blueshirt wrote:
Getting this out of the way early as it's FA Cup Final
day, "Image of the Fendahl" kicked off the Saturday
morning entertainment with Eustace the skull,
"Alas poor skull."
Alas poor Chelsea!
Benedict Cumberbatch's mother
So that's her.
Yes, and she's not wearing her giant Moth costume either.
I've always had a bit of a soft spot for "Image of the
Fendahl" even though it's not usually one of the Fourth
Doctor stories that people talk about that much. I always
got Hammer Horror vibes from it though, so it's a story I
like to rewatch from
It was more like Quatermass and the Pit.
That was a Hammer film!
The Doctor taking apart K9 is something men are want to do. I
used to love taking things apart and putting them back
together again... strangely enough there was always a screw
or two left over.
It always happens and you think you did a better job than the
person that built it because you didn't need that screw or the
extra washer.
It happens to you too eh?! :)
was because the script was largely written before K9 had been
brought into the show so K9 needed to have a reason to be
sidelined.
So that's it. I thought they originally planed them to be in a
different order since Leela was wearing the same hairstyle she
wore in Horror of Fang Rock.
K9 had no lines in the finished script before Chris Boucher left
for Blake's 7... so that was the production team's way of having
some continuity after introducing K9 in "The Invisible Enemy".
As is the norm, Tom Baker is on fine form here and there
seems to be chemistry between himself and Louise Jameson in
the scenes where they are together, although it was during
this story that Louise decided to leave the show at the end
of the season, so maybe the chemistry wasn't 'there'
off-screen.
She decided to go of her own accord, or did Graham Williams
decide to put his own mark on the show by creating his own
companion and didn't like the idea of Leela always carrying a
knife and attacking everyone or painting guns at them? I think
this was Tom Baker's issue with the character of Leela and he
took it out on Louise.
Louise says she decided to leave, but she does also say she
didn't get on well with Tom at the time. They get on okay now
and they have done plenty of Big Finish audios and [Blu-ray
Collection] "Behind the Sofa" features together.
After Leela spent half the episode sleeping on the TARDIS
floor and having the Doctor fall on top of her and ended up on
the TARDIS floor again, maybe Louise decided it was not very
dignified the way Leela was being written. I think she should
have had at least another series and then she could have been
seen becoming civilised, using words and not weapons to
influence people, and becoming a leader.
Another season of Four & Leela would have been nice but Louise
Jameson obviously wasn't happy.
In-universe the Fourth Doctor - Leela combination does
work well though.
Yes.
Not quite the Fourth Doctor - Sarah Jane partnership, but Leela
was making her own mark as a companion, a good mark it should be
said.
The True Melissa wrote:
Verily, in article <xn0ppugzv4k3qm4003@post.eweka.nl>, did
blueshirt@indigo.news deliver unto us this message:
But I digress, for this story the Doctor messing with K9
was because the script was largely written before K9 had been
brought into the show so K9 needed to have a reason to be
sidelined.
Ah, that explains it.
There are others where his appearances were scaled down
because he wasn't working. Sometimes they pulled him into the
scene with a clear line, because he wouldn't move.
Yeah, I think there were some stories where his mechanics were
playing up alright.
As is the norm, Tom Baker is on fine form here and there
seems to be chemistry between himself and Louise Jameson in
the scenes where they are together, although it was during
this story that Louise decided to leave the show at the end
of the season, so maybe the chemistry wasn't 'there'
off-screen. In-universe the Fourth Doctor - Leela
combination does work well though.
It is a shame they didn't get on, when they worked together so
well. I'm okay with her short tenure, though I wish her
departure weren't so senseless.
Yeah it's a pity that Tom was like that behind the scenes, but
he was so damn good in front of the camera you have to take the
good with the bad. Most great people have flaws... and Tom Baker
as The Doctor WAS really great.
What makes "Image of the Fendahl stand out is its atmosphere
though. There's still that Gothic horror vibe to the show as
is clear from the opening scene with the skull. So we get a
story mixing a Gothic mood with sci-fi ideas about
humanity's origins, and a predatory alien intent on
returning to its full form and feed on living beings. The
story is soaked in that distinctly mid-1970s Doctor Who
style of moody lighting, dusky countryside and characters
who always make the wrong decisions and end up dead.
It's almost a Scooby Doo vibe, isn't it? There are scary
ghosts and monsters, but it turns out to be science trickery.
This isn't Scooby Doo, though, and so the unmasking reveals an
even worse villain.
That's Doctor Who though isn't it? There's always some science
or alien answer.
--The ending wraps things up a bit too quickly though. After
the build-up about how ancient and unstoppable the Fendahl
is, it feels like it is dealt with too neatly. Not badly,
just a bit abruptly. Which is something a lot of Nu Who
suffers from too.
Yeah, I thought that as well. The ending's sudden, and the
epilogue's a bit lame -- not terrible, but they've had many
better.
It doesn't harm the episode much, though.
No, I don't think it does. It's still a very strong story.
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