6x44 The War Games (10)

Patrick Troughton's swansong is an epic mix of everything that makes his era of Doctor Who so enjoyable, yet its length also means that there is plenty of padding.

Story: 11

What she War Games does so well, is form a seemingly simple story, but then twist and turn it constantly to reveal more and more details, making the final product complex and layered. We quickly realize this is a science fiction epic never before seen.

The story goes from a gruesome war epic to a science fiction thriller throughout its ten episodes. It keeps throwing new characters settings into the mix, keeping the story interesting depot its runtime.

Having armies from different eras of Earths history being taken out from their timelines and placed in one planet to fight never-ending wars is a very original concept, utilized well here to give the story variation. It allows the story to play with the series' core elements by basically having it as a science fiction story with historical elements rather than the other way around.

This story expertly builds tension and adds layers upon layers of more details, finally exploding in the amazing climax at the end. The tension is specifically palpable in scenes with the War Chief and the Security Chief.

When we finally learn the War Chief's true motives and understand what kind of a race the Time Lords are intended to be, the stakes feel huge and personal. And then we have the shocking ending to Episode 8, which kind of makes tensions even tighter for the finale.

The final episode gives us the first great trial in the series, Gallifrey (unnamed) and several new Time Lords. It's one of the most exciting and important episodes in the series' history. The final moments of the serial are a bit trippy, and the regeneration is never seen.

Acting: 10

This serial features a huge cast and most of the actors are amazing. Noel Colman as General Smythe both looks and sounds mysterious and terrifying. Philip Madoc puts in the second if his this superb performance in the show.

Patrick Troughton puts in his very best as the Doctor, whether he tries to impersonate an officer, take control if a situation or say goodbye to his companions. His best moments come in the final episode when he defends himself and his cause with raging energy.

Frazer Hines and Wendy Padbury are amazing and price why this trio is my favourite 60s TARDIS team. Jane Sherwin is a bit of a tertiary companion as the brave, strong and independent Lady Jennifer, one of the better supporting female characters in Classic series.

David Garfield does a great job at playing both German, American and alien.

The Doctor: 12

This story is a great example of the Second Doctor's personality from brave and smart to childish, funny and stubborn. Everything we've seen during his three seasons is highlighted throughout.

There's a great moment at the end of episode 4, where the Doctor and the War Chief meet the very first time and the recognition in their eyes as they see each other is marvellous. That's a hint of course as to his real identity.

When the Doctor and the War Chief finally have their first talk together in Episode 8, that is the turning point of the serial, as we start learning more about the Time Lords and build up to the Doctor's regeneration.

For once, the Doctor realizes he cannot save the day by himself and has to ask the Time Lords for help. You can see from his eyes that he hates that decision above anything else, but has no choice.

The Companions: 10

Jamie and Zoe both get plenty to do, as they are put in charge of leading the resistance group while the Doctor deals with the superiors. And they turn out to be rather effective after some initial trouble.

The companions get some great and hilarious solos scenes together, and both actors shine throughout. And at the end, when the Doctor tries to protect them from the Time Lords, they decide the Doctor needs them, so they stay. And they are perfectly right, of course.

The Monster/Villain: 9

The War Lord prices to be a great addition to Doctor Who's rogue's gallery, and its s ahem he hasn't appeared onscreen since. Philip Madoc is phenomenal and together with Brayshaw's War Chief, he makes a menacing duo.

Production: 12

The amount of location shoot used for the serial is staggering and it looks great. The beginning of the story feels like it is set in the trenches of WWI and they've made a great job with the command centre as well. The music is chilling, particularly whenever the aliens put glasses/monocles on to control their victims.

There are som beautiful shots by director David Maloney. He's holding this mammoth of a story very well together.

Pacing: 8

I'd lie if I said that 10 episodes aren't a stretch. It is, and there's quite a lot of padding, running down corridors and the like. But the core story is son interesting and the actors so great - not to mention the amazing pair of final episodes - that it doesn't feel like a major problem.

The story offers enough changes to its settings, casts and events not to turn stale.

Atmosphere: 10

There's an atmosphere of terror, desperation and epic scale throughout most of the serial. The build-up to the Doctor's regeneration is particularly strong once you know it's coming. The departure of Jamie and Zoe is very emotional.

The final quarter of the serial is exciting and menacing. It truly feels like a proper struggle with huge stakes. It's the perfect ending to the Second Doctor's era.

Impact: 12

I can safely say that The War games remains one of the most influential stories in all of Doctor Who. It introduced a huge chunk of the lore that still affects the show today while being one of the best sendoffs for any Doctor.

Replay Value: 8

This is not the easiest story to watch in one sitting, but it's solid enough to warrant several rewatches now and then. The last couple of episodes are classics and can be rewatched over and over.

Random Observations:

The German soldier in episode 3 is so amazingly over-the-top I can't help but to love him. His reaction to the sonic screwdriver is priceless.

Is it just me or does the German general look like Blofeld from You Only Live Twice?

So many things with this story remind me of Westworld.

I love the War Scientist who is so devoted to his work that it takes a better part of two episodes for him to realize The Doctor isn't who he claims he is.

There it is, the first time the Time Lords are mentioned by name, at the start of Episode 6. Interestingly, not by the Doctor or the War Chief, but by the Scientist.

The scene in Episode 7 where Carsters struggles to speak French with the rescued soldier is intentionally hilarious. the TARDIS should, of course, translate everything for everyone, but this serial seems to use that logic pretty loosely whenever the script requires that.

There have never been enough great Mexican characters on the show, so we're lucky that the Troughton era gave us two: Salamander in The Enemy of the World and the loveably trigger-happy Pancho Villa here.

The Episode 9 cliffhanger is arguably the most intense and dramatic since the ending to The Daleks' Master Plan.

Score: 102/120