tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3737235139994190228.post2709719554491200008..comments2024-01-10T00:07:48.304+00:00Comments on Cathode Ray Tube: DOCTOR WHO SERIES 4 - 'THE SONTARAN STRATAGEM'Frank Collinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00680654042528560764noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3737235139994190228.post-40411472990956484022008-04-30T17:14:00.000+01:002008-04-30T17:14:00.000+01:00They do seem to be hard to write nowadays, for som...<B>They do seem to be hard to write nowadays, for some reason, although surely they're the equivalent of what used to be a 4-parter? Having recently watched "Meglos" and "Enlightenment" (both for the first time, by the way) I have to say that those writers didn't seem to have any problem filling 90 minutes with stories that didn't seem padded or rushed; nor did they seem particularly stale (give or take the odd manic laugh).</B><BR/><BR/>There is a structural issue too. An 'old skool' four parter will actually have three cliffhangers. A current two-parter only has one and therefore the peaks and troughs of the drama are I expect rather different. Even so, 'Meglos' and 'Enlightenment' do suffer from padding I think. 'The Sontaran Stratagem', for its perceived faults, is actually a very lean script and the second part is allegedly going at full tilt. Maybe Helen Raynor has finally succeeded this year. <BR/><BR/><B>(PS interesting blog, I may have to get hold of some of that electronic music...and I agree with you totally about Robots of Death, which my 9-year-old son has watched several times recently...)</B><BR/><BR/>Many thanks. You're welcome. Glad to hear you're introducing a new generation to such delights as 'Robots'!Frank Collinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00680654042528560764noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3737235139994190228.post-70662621913954570082008-04-29T05:33:00.000+01:002008-04-29T05:33:00.000+01:00"That's the problem with these two-parters though...."That's the problem with these two-parters though. They are murder to write. It's difficult to pull off the necessary action, spectacle, subtexts and character development especially when most of the formula here is feeling a tad stale."<BR/><BR/>They do seem to be hard to write nowadays, for some reason, although surely they're the equivalent of what used to be a 4-parter? Having recently watched "Meglos" and "Enlightenment" (both for the first time, by the way) I have to say that those writers didn't seem to have any problem filling 90 minutes with stories that didn't seem padded or rushed; nor did they seem particularly stale (give or take the odd manic laugh).<BR/><BR/>(PS interesting blog, I may have to get hold of some of that electronic music...and I agree with you totally about Robots of Death, which my 9-year-old son has watched several times recently...)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3737235139994190228.post-7864194034968466862008-04-27T23:39:00.000+01:002008-04-27T23:39:00.000+01:00I'll try that again. Seeing as I couldn't string t...I'll try that again. Seeing as I couldn't string two words together. Yeah, thanks for the comments and popping in. Let's see what the second part brings.Frank Collinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00680654042528560764noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3737235139994190228.post-50319969218140753122008-04-27T23:31:00.000+01:002008-04-27T23:31:00.000+01:00This comment has been removed by the author.Frank Collinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00680654042528560764noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3737235139994190228.post-1948024815084160762008-04-27T16:50:00.000+01:002008-04-27T16:50:00.000+01:00'Get a brick! Just get a brick!' I was yelling. Ah...'Get a brick! Just get a brick!' I was yelling. Ah well, I'm sure it'll turn out ok. <BR/><BR/>It all hinges on part two, as you indicate, but I really enjoyed last nights episode.<BR/><BR/>Nice blog by the way, I've just slinked across from <I>Behind the Sofa</I> but I think I'll be popping back in the future.<BR/><BR/>Cheers,<BR/><BR/>R.robhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07526513814843569586noreply@blogger.com