Fugitives
If Fugitives had been made available as a monthly release, in either the main range or 8DA’s, I would have been highly disappointed. The main plot is a re-make of the 1965 serial ‘The Chase’, starring William Hartnell. Whereas The Chase had been a six part story, lasting over two and a half hours, Fugitives tries to replicate that in under one. Despite this though, the whole episode is incredibly enjoyable, taken at face value. As part of a box set, I can’t fault it.
Following directly from The Great War, the Doctor and Molly are on the run from the Daleks through British Trenches. Upon reaching safety in the TARDIS, they are chased across time and space, from Dunkirkin the 1940’s to Halalka in the far future. They barely step out of the police box doors before they are attacked each time. Having a shorter running time and trying to settle in so many places makes it difficult for the scene to be fully set. Forgive me if I’m wrong, but I do like to have some time to settle into a time-zone before being thrown into another. It really is frustrating when there is barely enough time to understand what is happening in a story because there is so little description about where it is happening. In so many ways, it tries to do a lot in far to short a time.
However, the story is played as light hearted as possible. Despite the threat of a Dalek attack, the whole plot has an air of fun about it. This, over everything, is what makes the story enjoyable. Forgetting all of its flaws, plot-wise, it is exhilarating to listen to. You can hear how much fun the actors are having, and that fun is shared with the audience. Their enthusiasm for it makes it easy listening, and, like The Great War, I barely noticed the time passing.
This episode also marks Molly’s first proper chance to shine. In my review of the last episode, I mentioned she was a truly unique companion, and Fugitives proves just that. Her reaction when entering the TARDIS is so breathtakingly new that no other introduction will be able to out do this one. We’ve had characters who are blasé about the TARDIS before, but none in this way. What really is great is that she is so undisturbed by the machine, yet the thought of travelling among the stars amazes her. Her uncanny ability to pilot the TARDIS throws up so many
questions, which aren’t helped by the hints at her past. They draw you in, making you scream for answers by the time the episode ends. Molly is truly unique.
Beyond the world? What? You mean like the moon, and the sun?
What Fugitives lacks in story, it makes up for in fun. A character piece through and through, the whole episode is made simply from the cast who breath life into it. If it was available separately, I would urge people to buy it simply to hear Ruth Bradley as Molly, but as part of the Dark Eyes box set, there is certainly a lot to enjoy. It presents a lot of questions for later episodes to answer.
Hooks are thrown, drawing the reader in to the ever increasing mix of questions.
Just why does Molly know how to fly the TARDIS? What is the Dalek Time
Controller’s plan? And why is Straxus trying to kill himself? All present a
genuine feeling of foreboding and left me screaming for more.
Following directly from The Great War, the Doctor and Molly are on the run from the Daleks through British Trenches. Upon reaching safety in the TARDIS, they are chased across time and space, from Dunkirkin the 1940’s to Halalka in the far future. They barely step out of the police box doors before they are attacked each time. Having a shorter running time and trying to settle in so many places makes it difficult for the scene to be fully set. Forgive me if I’m wrong, but I do like to have some time to settle into a time-zone before being thrown into another. It really is frustrating when there is barely enough time to understand what is happening in a story because there is so little description about where it is happening. In so many ways, it tries to do a lot in far to short a time.
However, the story is played as light hearted as possible. Despite the threat of a Dalek attack, the whole plot has an air of fun about it. This, over everything, is what makes the story enjoyable. Forgetting all of its flaws, plot-wise, it is exhilarating to listen to. You can hear how much fun the actors are having, and that fun is shared with the audience. Their enthusiasm for it makes it easy listening, and, like The Great War, I barely noticed the time passing.
This episode also marks Molly’s first proper chance to shine. In my review of the last episode, I mentioned she was a truly unique companion, and Fugitives proves just that. Her reaction when entering the TARDIS is so breathtakingly new that no other introduction will be able to out do this one. We’ve had characters who are blasé about the TARDIS before, but none in this way. What really is great is that she is so undisturbed by the machine, yet the thought of travelling among the stars amazes her. Her uncanny ability to pilot the TARDIS throws up so many
questions, which aren’t helped by the hints at her past. They draw you in, making you scream for answers by the time the episode ends. Molly is truly unique.
Beyond the world? What? You mean like the moon, and the sun?
What Fugitives lacks in story, it makes up for in fun. A character piece through and through, the whole episode is made simply from the cast who breath life into it. If it was available separately, I would urge people to buy it simply to hear Ruth Bradley as Molly, but as part of the Dark Eyes box set, there is certainly a lot to enjoy. It presents a lot of questions for later episodes to answer.
Hooks are thrown, drawing the reader in to the ever increasing mix of questions.
Just why does Molly know how to fly the TARDIS? What is the Dalek Time
Controller’s plan? And why is Straxus trying to kill himself? All present a
genuine feeling of foreboding and left me screaming for more.