In response to your final question, I distinctly remember liking this more than Gridlock when this came out. I'd have been eleven. I think I didn't like how cramped and dark and grim Gridlock felt. Which is weird because this one is also that in many ways.
I do think the saving grace of it is that it's a Jewish woman, a black man, and a (I think intended to be, and I certainly read as, from his response to the Doctor's flirting) young gay guy fighting the Daleks alongside the regulars. Also the whole 'the Daleks, as Space Nazis, slot right into the capitalist system of the day' feels instructive, as, you know, in the historical period in which it's set that would soon be coming all too true.
that's interesting. Good to know it worked for an 11 year old, which is of course a far more important audience than adult men who should know better...
Mhm, it certainly wasn't my favourite of the series but not my least favourite either. And I remember my brother, who would have been about seven, liking it even more
Very belated comment to say I’m reading through all these as I’ve been watching the modern series from the beginning with my 10yr old (my 13yr old was always too scared much to my disappointment and is now joining us sporadically). I absolutely suffered through this story and I remember hating it at the time (and like you loved Gridlock). My daughter seemed to quite like it, but I’m sure I’d have spoiled any fun she might have been having by writhing and sighing and rolling my eyes all the way through. She was, however, delighted that a Spider-man was in it.
In response to your final question, I distinctly remember liking this more than Gridlock when this came out. I'd have been eleven. I think I didn't like how cramped and dark and grim Gridlock felt. Which is weird because this one is also that in many ways.
I do think the saving grace of it is that it's a Jewish woman, a black man, and a (I think intended to be, and I certainly read as, from his response to the Doctor's flirting) young gay guy fighting the Daleks alongside the regulars. Also the whole 'the Daleks, as Space Nazis, slot right into the capitalist system of the day' feels instructive, as, you know, in the historical period in which it's set that would soon be coming all too true.
The actual plot is mostly bad though 😅
that's interesting. Good to know it worked for an 11 year old, which is of course a far more important audience than adult men who should know better...
Mhm, it certainly wasn't my favourite of the series but not my least favourite either. And I remember my brother, who would have been about seven, liking it even more
Very belated comment to say I’m reading through all these as I’ve been watching the modern series from the beginning with my 10yr old (my 13yr old was always too scared much to my disappointment and is now joining us sporadically). I absolutely suffered through this story and I remember hating it at the time (and like you loved Gridlock). My daughter seemed to quite like it, but I’m sure I’d have spoiled any fun she might have been having by writhing and sighing and rolling my eyes all the way through. She was, however, delighted that a Spider-man was in it.
I liked it more at the time (I was eighteen) than Gridlock. I now like it less than Gridlock but still think it's good.