1.26: The Gunfighters

In which, for four weeks only, Doctor Who decides to be a comedy western musical for some reason.

Broadcast: April-May 1966

Watched: August 2019

1. A Holiday for the Doctor

“Absolutely absurd!” Another Hartnellism in the modern show: sticking the word Doctor in episode titles.

Aaaaaand we’re straight in with the music. Oh and the gunfights. Hang on, the Doctor has a favourite collection of guns?

I don’t enjoy this one and it annoys me because I really should. It pushes the envelope, I love writer Donald Cotton’s other story. But this just doesn’t click with me. I think it’s just that I don’t like westerns. Or maybe the acting. But it’s me, not the story.

Although the caption “NEXT EPISODE: DON’T SHOOT THE PIANIST” is very funny.

2. Don’t Shoot the Pianist

Enjoyed that a lot more. Maybe I was in the wrong mood when I watched the first one..

Hartnell’s sad face in jail is brilliant. Doc Holliday keeping Dodo prisoner in a hotel room is creeping. The Clantons making Steven sing the same song over and over is a strangely effective portrayal of bullying.

Kate the bar singer overtakes Marga and Sara Kingdom to become the hottest woman yet to appear in Doctor Who.

Big posse too. Perhaps because it’s otherwise low tech they can do it on the cheap.

The Doctor’s refusal to act like he’s in a western is quite nicely done.

3. Johnny Ringo

The death of Charlie the barman is strangely effective in how shocking it is.

The scene with Dodo and the gun and Holliday playing along (“I feel rather faint”) is great. This is the first time she’s had a personality.

4. The O.K. Corrall

I’ve just noticed, there’s no recap. How odd.

The Doctor casually putting his hand on a corpse and then recoiling is a bit upsetting.

How does Steven end up with the Clantons? Feel like I’ve missed something.

“Sun up”.... the real thing was 3pm but I guess that’s less atmospheric.

The gunfight... Ringo is rubbish at this actually. Also is everyone a terrible shot? The Earps are entirely unbothered by the hail of gunfire. Huh that was a bit one sided in the end.

Well, I’m glad they tried something different, and now look forward to them going back to trying something exactly the same thank you.