Review of The Caves of Androzani: SE (Story #135, 1984)
DVD Release Date: 14 Feb 12
Original Air Date: 08 – 16 Mar 1984
Doctor/Companion: Five, Perpugilliam “Peri” Brown
Stars: Peter Davison, Nicola Bryant
Preceding Story: Planet of Fire (Five, Turlough, Peri)
Succeeding Story: The Twin Dilemma (Six, Peri)
There are plenty of Long Term Fans out there (and polls, no doubt) that will tell you that The Caves of Androzani is The Best Doctor Who Story of All Time. I’d heard that about Caves ever since I started immersing myself in Who, and was really eager to get to it that first time, some three-and-a-half years ago. I have to admit I was underwhelmed.
Don’t get me wrong; I liked it well enough. I just didn’t think it was “all that.” Recently, I was discussing it with an Internet friend who is a Long Term Fan. I eventually decided that, in part, it was because I first saw it while I was still largely unfamiliar with the pre-Hiatus canon. Having now re-watched it both during my pre-Gallifrey One Marathon and for review of the Special Edition DVD release here, I have to conclude that most of it is more likely to be a difference in the Long Term Fan v. neowhovian perspectives.
There are unarguably some brilliant facets. The regeneration – more correctly, the series of events that lead up to the regeneration – is the most poignant, selfless, Doctor-y one ever. I am in complete agreement with those who cite it as The Best Regeneration of All Time. If for nothing else than being able to see the Doctor completely swept along with events out of his control and paying the ultimate price in order to pull it out for his friend at the last moment, you should definitely go watch this one. But I’d be lying if I told you I thought there were none finer.
Without going into detail on which stories I think rank higher, let me just say I don’t get as swept up in Caves as I believe those for whom Five was “their” Doctor (or even just the current Doctor) did/do. Yes, there’s an interesting plot. Yes, the direction (by Graeme Harper, who is the only person to have directed both pre- and post-Hiatus Who) is very good. Yes, the performances are quite good. But it doesn’t grab me.
It’s one of those things where you can’t quite put your finger on it. Why does it speak so clearly to so many Long Term Fans and not to me? I don’t know. But I do know that even though I don’t rank it as The Best, it’s still very good, and any Who fan who hasn’t seen it yet should definitely take the time to remedy that situation.
DVD Extras (highlights)
CommentarySince, as mentioned above, I’d only recently re-watched this for the Marathon, I decided to go ahead and watch with the commentary track running this time. This and the other extras on Disk 1 of the 2-disk set are from the 2001 “regular” DVD release, so it’s already over a decade out of date. On the other hand, that means the recollections are a decade less hazy…
Throughout, actors Peter Davison (Five) & Nicola Bryant (Peri) and director Graeme Harper share their thoughts from their time shooting Caves. They talk about forgotten lines, minor plot holes, directorial decisions (and how they should have been different; Harper was continually “re-directing” the show), and other little details. Overall, I’d say it was entertaining and informative, and if you’re already a fan of the story, it’s worth the time.
Behind the Scenes – The RegenerationThese 8 minutes give a sort of Confidential view of shooting the critical scene. One can either watch with the ambient sounds from the studio (stage directions) or with commentary by Davison, Bryant and Harper.
Behind the Scenes – Creating Sharaz JekChristopher Gable, the actor who played Sharaz Jek, tells a bit about how he came to play the part, and a little about the development of the character’s look.
Chain ReactionNow we get to Disk 2, where we find the “making of” documentary that’s nearly ubiquitous on the newer releases. There’s some discussion about getting writer Robert Holmes back on board for this story, as well as insights into the casting process, listing other potential candidates for the various roles (I particularly found the idea of Tim Curry as Jek to be intriguing). We also get to hear from the horse’s mouth how Davison felt about the regeneration, and perhaps an answer to the question of why so many see Caves as The Best: it’s not about the Doctor saving the universe; it’s about him saving his friend.
Russell HartyThis British talk show featured an appearance by both Davison and Colin Baker, clearly after Caves and the regeneration (and probably the following story, The Twin Dilemma) had been broadcast. Having recently returned from Gally myself, I found it especially amusing that they talked a little bit about cons. They even had a few cosplaying Doctor Who Appreciation Society members in the audience.
While I can’t honestly tell you I love this story more than any other, I can say that it’s really good, and definitely something you should add to your Watch It List, if you haven’t already. There are some interesting plot twists, some great deliveries, and a never-to-be-seen-again act of self-sacrifice (with real consequences!) from a wonderful Doctor. It’s definitely Top Ten material.
Caves has never been one of
Caves has never been one of my favourites either. Maybe because I’m not a big Davison fan??? I don’t hate it but I certainly wouldn’t put it near the top of any list either.
Not alone!
I don’t dislike Davison at all. This story just doesn’t speak to me the way it seems to speak to some. Glad to know I’m not alone. 🙂
Well…
As the “internet friend” in question I’m afraid I can’t tell you why it doesn’t appeal to you as much as it does for me. I could suggest that it’s because you came to DW through the new series rather than the old – but there are fans who came to the old show through the new who love it – so that doesn’t work.
I pretty much sum up my thoughts here: http://goldfishandparacetamol.wordpress.com/2011/07/14/day-16-my-top-3-classic-series-stories/ but, in a nutshell, I think it’s wonderful and tragic because we see the Doctor at his most helpless and his most heroic. Ultimately, even though he knows he is dying and can’t be sure he will regenerate (“might regenerate… don’t know… feels different this time…”) he pushes himself to the absolute limit to save his friend.
I should also say that I was 10 years old when “my” Doctor died and it was the most spectacular and heart-breaking moment ever. I cried my eyes out that night – and it still brings a lump to my throat when I see him, battered, exhausted, scarred and dying, stumbling towards the TARDIS through the chaos of the mud bursts, carrying Peri in his arms. Roger Limb’s music, Harper’s direction and Davison’s performance in that last episode just take my breath away.
Perhaps it’s connection to the childhood me is why I love it so much…
Childhood connection
That could well be, Paul. And let me reiterate that I'm 100% with you on the power of this regeneration. I really do believe it's the best ever. The rest of the story… I don't know. It's not bad, and I certainly don't dislike it, but it doesn't make me go "ooh, yeah! That's the stuff!"
I guess it all comes down to personal preferences, and how we all experience Who differently. Of course, that's the beauty of the show – it means so many different things to so many people. 🙂
Possible missing factors
Although I acknowledge it’s a great piece of story-telling, for me whimsy and humour are important elements of why I love Who. COA places its emphasis on other aspects, which appeal to those who like their Who serious, gritty and bleak. And it does that very well. But City Of Death will always be jollier and more my bag. Perhaps if there had been a line “what a wonderful android! He’s so violent!” I’d feel differently…
Interesting Hypothesis
That’s a keen observation, John, and I hadn’t thought about it that way before. I’ll have to keep that in mind when I look at other stories that do or don’t strike my fancy. Hmmm…
another view
I’m a little ambivalent about “Caves.” I can totally see your view, Marcia. While it’s a powerful, well-made story, it’s not quite my cup of tea, either, and I agree with you when you feel, “It’s not all that.”
I think one important element for those who love it, though, speaks to its place in the entire Davison era. This isn’t just a “came to Who through the new series” vs. “long-time/old series fan” thing; I think the crucial element is, “was the Old Who fan watching the series AT THE TIME ANDROZANI ORIGINALLY CAME OUT?”
As one who was there and watching at the time, here’s what I mean. Even coming after the wildly popular Tom Baker, Davison was well-liked, not resented. People wanted to like his Doctor; they wanted to like his stories. But while Davison came off as likeable, witty, gentle, and brave (not to mention much kinder to his companions than the Bakers on either side of him), the stories always let him down. As one Who fan scribe has said, “Davison’s Doctor was likeable, even though he got stuck with bad stories…and boy, did he get stuck with a lot.”
Both at the time and since, I never felt like I REALLY got to see what Davison’s Doctor could be like. Many of the stories in his first two seasons waver between the lame and the abysmal. Things gradually started getting better in season three; but by then, he was on his way out.
The thing with Androzani is, we finally got to see Davison’s Doctor shine. (Giving him a fairly nice, normal, sympathetic girl as a companion instead of the bitchy Tegan didn’t hurt, either.) We get to see the intelligence, wit, courage, and compassion of Davison’s Doctor in full light…at last. The fact that this is his last story — and that he goes out selflessly sacrificing himself for someone he barely knows, in that fantastic regeneration — only cemented this story in fans’ minds and hearts, I think. For those who had suffered through three years of “The King’s Demons” and “Time-Flight,” the feeling was, “AT LAST! Now, THIS is a Fifth Doctor story!”
That’s my take, anyhow.
I like that
That interpretation makes a lot of sense to me, Christopher. I’ve tried to figure out over time why I can both like Five and be ambivalent about him, and I think you’ve put your finger right on it. And I can really see why people so invested in the show and in Five in particular would thus really have a soft spot for Caves.
I could argue about your views on the Companions, but that seems like a discussion for another time and place. 😉