The Seeds of Doom

From the Reviewer:

User Rating:

Plot Rating:

Acting Rating:

Replay Rating:

Effects Rating:

Has Prerequisite(s):

Reviewed By: shady_toffeeReview Date: 1/21/19 6:43 pm

0 out of 0 found this review helpful.

My personal favourite story and quite possibly one of the best classic Doctor Who episodes ever.

Hinchcliffe and Holmes' season's draw on classic horror helped them create some of the best and most effective stories and this is definitely one of them. Personally, I've always liked the Antarctic base idea in movies or TV (like in the Thing) but what separates it is its shift in the narrative to England which was a great idea from the writers where one almost forgets the length of the story.

The character work in this story is amazing, most notably Scorby's character who I think goes through some genuine character development and John Challis portrays him expertly. Chase, as well, is a brilliant villain and really adds to the story's overall quality level.

Also it contains a quarry. I love quarries.

From the Reviewer:

User Rating:

Plot Rating:

Acting Rating:

Replay Rating:

Effects Rating:

Has Prerequisite(s):

Reviewed By: adamelijahReview Date: 5/2/18 5:42 am

1 out of 1 found this review helpful.

The final story of Season 13 finds a Doctor Who take on the killer plant story as two pods are discovered in Antartica that house the deadly Krynoids. The Doctor is determined to stop them before they endanger the planet, but a mad wealthy plant lover wants the pods and his obsession threatens the human race.

The story is marked by superb acting. This is one of Tom Baker's best performances. He has some silly moments, but also can be darkly intense at several moments in the script. Elizabeth Sladen is at her best as Sarah Jane, showing how strong she can be, while still reacting in a very relatable human way to the dangers that humanizes her and makes her relatable. The villains are great with the insane Mr. Chase making for a menacing foil for the Doctor.

The directing is also superb. There's some great action scenes, rivaling the Third Doctor at his best and some truly frightening moments. The story does have a few moments where it's status as a last minute addition show, such as the final scene which contradicts an earlier episode. Still, despite a few flaws, this is remarkable story capping a season full of them.

From the Reviewer:

User Rating:

Plot Rating:

Acting Rating:

Replay Rating:

Effects Rating:

Has Prerequisite(s):

Reviewed By: traves8853Review Date: 1/3/17 2:09 pm

0 out of 2 found this review helpful.

The Seeds of Death is a rather odd production. It doesn’t feel right that there is no backstory for anybody and the Krynoid didn’t need to be extra-terrestrial and if it had escaped from a government research facility then that would be a nice change and might explain why the Doctor is introduced hanging around a civil servant's office.

It’s free from running around corridors, but instead, the Doctor runs around the countryside punching people. That coupled with the Bond-esque villains gives it a very action man feel.

The traitorous civil servant is very perfunctory. I don’t think his change of heart is explained and is an aspect of the story that feels very glossed over.

I know the acting in Doctor Who isn’t the most realistic but Chase and Scoby and his mate are Graham-Williams-era type over the top.
I am not saying it’s bad, but it lacks the hallmarks of DW greatness.