Hello everyone, the Historian (and not Ketina) here, wrapping up our short stay in the Land of Fiction. Or are we? Or were we never there at all….?
PRODUCTION NOTES: I’ve already talked quite a lot about the writing and production of this story in the episode posts. From the episode that wound up having to be conjured out of the aether when The Dominators was cut from 6 episodes to 5, to Frazer Hines’ unexpected chicken pox, the fact that this story was finished, and so brilliantly, is primarily down to story editor Derek Sherwin. Not to say Peter Ling’s scripts for episodes 2-5 weren’t good, but Sherwin had to step in time and again when necessary during production.
This story is also notable for being the first Doctor Who credit for director David Maloney, whose work we will continue to see in several other stories this season–as well as some of the finer stories in the first half (or so) of the 1970s.
The full story of the production, as always, can be found at the “Brief History of Time (Travel)” website.
PROJECT REPORT: I was very pleased with the Project’s reaction to this story. It’s definitely one of my sentimental favorites, and I’m very glad we all enjoyed it. Make no mistake, this is not the height of Doctor Who, nor the height of the Troughton era–though, for a considerable period of time, it’s been a high point for the existing Troughton. But height, schmight, The Mind Robber is FUN Doctor Who!
And…wow, that’s all I have to say that we haven’t already said! Speaking of which, here are the episode links!
Episode 1
Episode 2
Episode 3
Episode 4
Episode 5
And, as always, here’s the BBC episode guide for this story.
And now, forward! Tomorrow (yes, this is a little late), we again shift gears for a brand new story! Until then, I remain
THE HISTORIAN
