The script swings back and forth between Tegan's psychological battle with the Mara and the Doctor getting entangled in Manussan politics. The political part isn't very profound, but it's well-acted, so those sections are pretty enjoyable. The Mara parts are more confusing, but bring much-needed tension to the story. This also truly feels like a sequel to Kinda, since it opens up the backstory of the Mara while feeling like a bigger affair compared to the first story. The climax is pretty intense but the closing moments seem a bit rushed.
This story is Janet Fielding's show to steal, and this is her best performance on the show, even though her character is all over the place throughout the adventure. While not a very deep performance, Martin Clunes (who was among the actors considered for the Eighth Doctor and is, of course, mostly known for Doc Martin) is one of my favourite actors to appear on the show. He makes his character extremely likeable. John Carson is also wonderfully theatrical, which suit his character perfectly.
This story presents a Doctor who, on one hand, is more alien than before, on the other, seems to show his caring side more than any other incarnations, since he goes great lengths to help Tegan. I rather like the more desperate Doctor here, he's much less contained than before.
The JNT era puts in a significantly deeper focus on the companions. Here, we focus on Tegan, who once again is possessed by the Mara. It allows the companions to be fleshed out while giving the show continuity. And even though Tegan is the main focus here, the script puts Nyssa in good use as well, doing what she does best - working alongside the Doctor.
The Mara return and this time they are far better used this time around. The possessed Tegan is extremely creepy and the same goes for Lon. The snake creature at the end still looks laughably fake, but the psychic version is pretty intense.
This serial has some nice visual trickery in the cinematography and editing. Everything is well directed by Fiona Cumming. This is likely one of the better-directed episodes of the 80s, perhaps in Classic Who overall. I also like how sound and music to help create a dark atmosphere.
Proceedings move forward quite slowly, and Part Three drags somewhat. The beginning of the serial shows more of the Mara, which keeps it tense, but in Part Three there's less of that. I was hoping for a more intense build-up to the climax, but the story never reaches that.
I feel that this should be a scary and intense adventure, but most of the Mara parts are bizarre and even confusing instead. That being said, the Part Two cliffhanger is one of the creepier moments in Doctor Who in a long time. Snakedance has ten potential to be even more intense than Kinda, but it never goes there.
Snakedance is a largely successful sequel to Kinda, if not quite as intense or iconic. It established the JNT era idea of giving companions a bigger role within the narrative, which has carried over to the revived series.
It's not quite as good as Kinda, but one worth a rewatch or two.
RANDOM OBSERVATIONS:
I love Nyssa's new costume introduced here, as well as Tegan's new clothing, introduced in Arc of Infinity. They seem o typically 80s.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but Lon is surely supposed to be the first LGBT character on the show, which of course is wonderful.
The puppet voices in Part Three are the most annoying voices I've ever heard and that scene goes on for way too long. They sound like Gollum on helium.
The ceremony in Part Four, while being nothing but filler, is a pretty interesting and fun scene to watch.
That glass crystal is very clearly not glass, which you hear and see once Lon breaks it.
The Mara feeds on fear and panic, in a similar way that the Fearmonger (The Fearmonger, 2000) does.
Brian Miller is the husband of firmer companion actress Elizabeth Sladen. He would later return in Deep Breath (2014).
Review by Theo KallströmVIP 6BlockedParentSpoilers2020-07-08T05:33:48Z
The script swings back and forth between Tegan's psychological battle with the Mara and the Doctor getting entangled in Manussan politics. The political part isn't very profound, but it's well-acted, so those sections are pretty enjoyable. The Mara parts are more confusing, but bring much-needed tension to the story. This also truly feels like a sequel to Kinda, since it opens up the backstory of the Mara while feeling like a bigger affair compared to the first story. The climax is pretty intense but the closing moments seem a bit rushed.
This story is Janet Fielding's show to steal, and this is her best performance on the show, even though her character is all over the place throughout the adventure. While not a very deep performance, Martin Clunes (who was among the actors considered for the Eighth Doctor and is, of course, mostly known for Doc Martin) is one of my favourite actors to appear on the show. He makes his character extremely likeable. John Carson is also wonderfully theatrical, which suit his character perfectly.
This story presents a Doctor who, on one hand, is more alien than before, on the other, seems to show his caring side more than any other incarnations, since he goes great lengths to help Tegan. I rather like the more desperate Doctor here, he's much less contained than before.
The JNT era puts in a significantly deeper focus on the companions. Here, we focus on Tegan, who once again is possessed by the Mara. It allows the companions to be fleshed out while giving the show continuity. And even though Tegan is the main focus here, the script puts Nyssa in good use as well, doing what she does best - working alongside the Doctor.
The Mara return and this time they are far better used this time around. The possessed Tegan is extremely creepy and the same goes for Lon. The snake creature at the end still looks laughably fake, but the psychic version is pretty intense.
This serial has some nice visual trickery in the cinematography and editing. Everything is well directed by Fiona Cumming. This is likely one of the better-directed episodes of the 80s, perhaps in Classic Who overall. I also like how sound and music to help create a dark atmosphere.
Proceedings move forward quite slowly, and Part Three drags somewhat. The beginning of the serial shows more of the Mara, which keeps it tense, but in Part Three there's less of that. I was hoping for a more intense build-up to the climax, but the story never reaches that.
I feel that this should be a scary and intense adventure, but most of the Mara parts are bizarre and even confusing instead. That being said, the Part Two cliffhanger is one of the creepier moments in Doctor Who in a long time. Snakedance has ten potential to be even more intense than Kinda, but it never goes there.
Snakedance is a largely successful sequel to Kinda, if not quite as intense or iconic. It established the JNT era idea of giving companions a bigger role within the narrative, which has carried over to the revived series.
It's not quite as good as Kinda, but one worth a rewatch or two.
RANDOM OBSERVATIONS:
I love Nyssa's new costume introduced here, as well as Tegan's new clothing, introduced in Arc of Infinity. They seem o typically 80s.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but Lon is surely supposed to be the first LGBT character on the show, which of course is wonderful.
The puppet voices in Part Three are the most annoying voices I've ever heard and that scene goes on for way too long. They sound like Gollum on helium.
The ceremony in Part Four, while being nothing but filler, is a pretty interesting and fun scene to watch.
That glass crystal is very clearly not glass, which you hear and see once Lon breaks it.
The Mara feeds on fear and panic, in a similar way that the Fearmonger (The Fearmonger, 2000) does.
Brian Miller is the husband of firmer companion actress Elizabeth Sladen. He would later return in Deep Breath (2014).
Score: 90/120