"Perhaps the best way to describe it is a sort of formless, shapeless thing floating about in space like a cloud of mist, only with a mind and will..." Thanks for watching my review of 'Doctor Who: The Web of Fear'! Be sure to hit the "like" button, leave any comment and subscribe to help appease the CZcams algorithms!
Check out BBV's Downtime! Its a sequel to this! Yeti galore! The Great Intelligence tries to manifest once more using a high tech University in London. The Brigadier and Sarah Jane Smith are the main characters. Victoria is a brainwashed pawn of the Great Intelligence alongside Travers (again played by Jack Watling for a final time)! Introduces Kate Lethbridge Stewart too!
Fun fact: Anne and Professor Travers were both meant to be in The Invasion but neither actors were available so they created Isobel and Professor Watkins instead.
The throwaway line in Enemy of the World where the Doctor mis-hears about a "disused Yeti" is a nice little note when you realize the Yeti shows up in literally the next serial. I had to have been on purpose. Even the cliffhanger at the of Enemy flows right into this story
Fun fact. Patrick Troughton wanted the Doctor to have a romance with either Anne Travers or Astrid Ferrier. Like Tom Baker's parrot/cabbage companion request, the production team refused Patrick. Perhaps wisely.
The Second Doctor is truly my favorite of the Classic Doctors. Every Doctor since has only expanded and refined in their own ways what he evolved from William Hartnell. I remember purchasing Enemy Of The World and The Web Of Fear back in 2013, and it made so much sense why Doctor Who endured for decades when stories were THIS good.
For me Troughton is the best Doctor with the most intelligent and thoughtful performance. Such an amazing character. Compelling with elements of comedy to deceive the audience and his enemies… a genius actor
Particularly in its notion in this story and the previous Yeti story of an interdimensional invasion. The Great Intelligence is like an entity that could have been invented by Lovecraft. Also something about the story reminds me of Nigel Kneale's QUATERMASS AND THE PIT - I'm sure it must have been one of the inspirations.
And then, at some point between this and "The Invasion", Lethbridge-Stewart was demoted to Corporal before then being promoted up to Brigadier. Dammit "Survivors of The Flux".
Nobody seems to talk about this... but I thought "Survivors of the Flux" was actively re-writing UNIT's timeline rather than giving insight into how it always was. Doesn't it move the creation of UNIT several years earlier, thereby bringing Lethbridge-Stewart into its fold long before the events of The Web of Fear and The Invasion? As much as it annoys me as a fan of the classic series, it works to give New Series fans a "history of UNIT" Cliff Notes free of any dating controversies -- if they actually stick to it this time!
still remember watching web of fear as a Kid, I was mesmerized by it (always the first thing that comes to my mind when I think DR Who even after all these years) and it's been one of my favourite all time Dr who stories ever since, only surpassed by don't blink
Interesting trivia: in Episode 5, it was the first time that Jack Watling and Deborah Watling were in the same shot. Must've been a lot of fun to have father-daughter acting together.
I remember seeing this as a kid and agree that we are unlucky that so much of the Troughton era is missing. My favourite Doctor by a long margin. Left me afraid to use the Underground for many years. Can't believe that it was such an excellent set
Out of all the stories from the Troughton era, The Web of Fear is one of my favourites, Right up there with Power of the Daleks, The Macra Terror, Tomb of the Cybermen, The Enemy of the World, The Invasion, And The War Games.
Was a (9 year old) American expat in Gorleston at the time that serial aired. Possibly one of the reasons these episodes had such high viewership was that Patrick Troughton ran a short teaser about the upcoming serial on BBC1 the week before it ran, mentioning he was going to face the Yetis again.
Love this story to pieces, both for it being one of the best 2nd Doctor stories (imo) but also because of circumstances of when I first saw this story, I met Tina Packer, who plays Anne Travers in this story. Around 2015, I spent a month in Lenox, Massachusetts, as part of a month long acting intensive program at Shakespeare & Company. During my first few days there, one of the founders of the company held a workshop with my group. As it turns out, it was Tina Packer. During lunch that day, i was watching The Web of Fear on my phone, and little did I know, her and her husband had decided to join our group for lunch. She recognized the episode and started chatting up a conversation with me. I couldn't contain my shock and enthusiasm. I was talking with someone who worked on what became one of my favorite science fiction series ever, and it was such a delight. I had this memory resurface while watching this review, and it made me smile. Thanks for that! - Ryu
Pat was MY doctor when I was a child. I loved him. THEY never go for the classic series, because I think they have'nt got a flipping clue! It is just poor Jodie that gets it.
I have not seen this episode yet but the London Underground setting looks incredible. It is a testament to the set design that BRITISH RAIL thought it was real.
13:39 Now this is a genuine surprise. While watching this story, I legit was wondering how difficult renting out portions of the underground must've been.
I enjoyed watching this near Christmas Last Year...I love the 2nd Doctor, Jamie, The Great Intelligence, The Yeti, The Creepy Atmosphere, the Cast and Our Dear "Colonel" (not yet Brigadier) Lethbridge Stewart. I summed this Episode in Less than 10 Words: "This Story would Suck if It was in Colour!!!" Classic Who's colour issues would hurt this Episode and the Black and White really Hides Problems of some Early Classic Who Episodes, and this case has a great Atmosphere in the London Underground set making it feel real!!!
Being a year old video I doubt you'll read this but I do hope you still plan on doing the reeltime/BBV spinoffs. Downtime and the Auton trilogy gave me life through those wilderness years as a child.
Now, with the animation. Yes, it's dodgy, clearly aiming too high here. I think the animators themselves are likely aware of and concede the shortcoming, but I do get irked with fan comments like ''Fan animations look better'': hey, Mr. Internet Commenter - did it occur to you that the reason they do is because the fan animators have no deadline on them and don't have execs on their balls?
We actually do know what "branched" means in this context, though! It seems to be a reference to how lightning-strike victims have Lichtenburg figures, which resemble tree branches, burned into their skin.
Perhaps its wokeness gone mad (no change there then), but I never thought of Silverstein as anti semetic. In fact he was in his rights. He has spent a lot of money on that Yeti. He is however a stereotype of collectors, like Al from Toy Story 2. ie. being greedy, possessive and selfish, wanting to hide their rare, unique treasures away from the world, or boast about them to others. He paid for his greed with his life.
I don't think it's a recent thing to interpret the character as a Jewish stereotype. The 1976 target novelisation by Terence Dicks renamed the character from Julius Silverstein to Emil Julius out of the same concern.
We can understand accidentally substituting Zoe for Victoria. Zoe was, after all, the final lady companion of the Troughton era, staying with him all the way to the end of The War Games..
My God, that animation really does stink! First time I've seen this much of it. WTF were they thinking? Aww and I still miss dear old Nick. I miss our drinks at the weekends. :(
@@steveandjeanniefrith236 Yes I was part of a regular Saturday meet up for a drink at his local pub, called 'The Saturday Club'. 'Sir Nick' as we liked to call him was a really lovely man. I still miss him.
@@Silver-rx1mh I'm sorry for your loss, friend. I gather Nick was a splendid fellow. No one had a bad word to say about him. Did you ever watch him in Doctor Who?
@@steveandjeanniefrith236 Oh god yes, all the time. lol Sometimes we'd all meet up at my friends flat and watch a Nick orientated episode together, whilst Nick did a kind of running commentary through it.
English TV used to be pretty harsh in its depictions of the Irish, Welsh, Scots and even the northern English. In this one the actor saves it but the Welshman is lazy, cowardly and stupid and little else. He is first seen after they hear singing in the tunnel ahead. Not exactly a well rounded character that avoids cultural stereotypes.
Agreed. Mention of antisemitism re Silverstein [IMO worth noting] but totally oblivious to the way the Welsh guy is depicted. Reminds me of the situation re 'The Talons of Wang-Chieng' where the depiction of the cowardly music hall style Irishman never raised an eyebrow.
"Perhaps the best way to describe it is a sort of formless, shapeless thing floating about in space like a cloud of mist, only with a mind and will..."
Thanks for watching my review of 'Doctor Who: The Web of Fear'! Be sure to hit the "like" button, leave any comment and subscribe to help appease the CZcams algorithms!
Can you review Abominable Snowmen? Its getting animated soon! Or Key to Time?
Check out BBV's Downtime! Its a sequel to this! Yeti galore! The Great Intelligence tries to manifest once more using a high tech University in London. The Brigadier and Sarah Jane Smith are the main characters. Victoria is a brainwashed pawn of the Great Intelligence alongside Travers (again played by Jack Watling for a final time)! Introduces Kate Lethbridge Stewart too!
BritBox Trivia box said this was taken place in 1975.
This was a very memorable series. I remember at primary school the whole class was discussing it. Our teacher let us make model yetis in art lessons.
Fun fact: Anne and Professor Travers were both meant to be in The Invasion but neither actors were available so they created Isobel and Professor Watkins instead.
That does make sense
Professor Trevers and Victoria are real life father and daughter.
The throwaway line in Enemy of the World where the Doctor mis-hears about a "disused Yeti" is a nice little note when you realize the Yeti shows up in literally the next serial. I had to have been on purpose. Even the cliffhanger at the of Enemy flows right into this story
Fun fact. Patrick Troughton wanted the Doctor to have a romance with either Anne Travers or Astrid Ferrier. Like Tom Baker's parrot/cabbage companion request, the production team refused Patrick. Perhaps wisely.
In my opinion from The Evil of the Daleks to The Wheel In Space is the strongest run of stories in Doctor Who history.
The Second Doctor is truly my favorite of the Classic Doctors. Every Doctor since has only expanded and refined in their own ways what he evolved from William Hartnell. I remember purchasing Enemy Of The World and The Web Of Fear back in 2013, and it made so much sense why Doctor Who endured for decades when stories were THIS good.
For me Troughton is the best Doctor with the most intelligent and thoughtful performance. Such an amazing character. Compelling with elements of comedy to deceive the audience and his enemies… a genius actor
He is my Eldest Bro and mine Favorite Classic Doctor!!!
I wish that they could bring the Yetis back to the revived series, I mean if they can bring the great Intelligence why not the Yetis too.
Apparently something to do with the Heisman/Lincoln estate. I think they were supposed to be in The Snowmen originally.
@@SavageBroadcast So basically much like the Daleks and the Terry Nation estate.
I laughed so hard with the "stay on target" gag. Love your opinions on classic Who. Very clever to set up the next episode. Would love to see more.
Its amazing that the Brigadier didn't get inside the Tardis until The Three Doctors
Even by that point the Tardis had been on Unit property for quite a while
Maybe the Doctor wouldn't let him
Particularly in its notion in this story and the previous Yeti story of an interdimensional invasion. The Great Intelligence is like an entity that could have been invented by Lovecraft. Also something about the story reminds me of Nigel Kneale's QUATERMASS AND THE PIT - I'm sure it must have been one of the inspirations.
IN MY honest opinion, this the best shot doctor who story, period, i can't mention any stories that come close, hell, even in the neww serious
And then, at some point between this and "The Invasion", Lethbridge-Stewart was demoted to Corporal before then being promoted up to Brigadier.
Dammit "Survivors of The Flux".
Nobody seems to talk about this... but I thought "Survivors of the Flux" was actively re-writing UNIT's timeline rather than giving insight into how it always was. Doesn't it move the creation of UNIT several years earlier, thereby bringing Lethbridge-Stewart into its fold long before the events of The Web of Fear and The Invasion? As much as it annoys me as a fan of the classic series, it works to give New Series fans a "history of UNIT" Cliff Notes free of any dating controversies -- if they actually stick to it this time!
Evil Dan:
*"Nobody Needs To Watch Doctor Who More Than Me!"*
How do you comment on every video
nobody watches doctor who videos than evil dan
@@ratmanandtoasternuts8172 what’s the point of being alive if not to watch Doctor who videos
I will take your episode 3 too!
still remember watching web of fear as a Kid, I was mesmerized by it (always the first thing that comes to my mind when I think DR Who even after all these years) and it's been one of my favourite all time Dr who stories ever since, only surpassed by don't blink
13:40 London Transport, not British Rail.
Interesting trivia: in Episode 5, it was the first time that Jack Watling and Deborah Watling were in the same shot. Must've been a lot of fun to have father-daughter acting together.
I remember seeing this as a kid and agree that we are unlucky that so much of the Troughton era is missing. My favourite Doctor by a long margin. Left me afraid to use the Underground for many years. Can't believe that it was such an excellent set
Agreed
Out of all the stories from the Troughton era, The Web of Fear is one of my favourites, Right up there with Power of the Daleks, The Macra Terror, Tomb of the Cybermen, The Enemy of the World, The Invasion, And The War Games.
I personally think Deborah Watling was the most beautiful companion actress in the whole show.
Was a (9 year old) American expat in Gorleston at the time that serial aired. Possibly one of the reasons these episodes had such high viewership was that Patrick Troughton ran a short teaser about the upcoming serial on BBC1 the week before it ran, mentioning he was going to face the Yetis again.
It’s so weird to think that Nicholas Courtney was only a few years older than me when this was filmed and yet seems so much older than I feel. 😄
The mustache and the stiff upper lip probably add a couple of decades. He was certainly supposed to be playing older!
My favourite story of all time love this story! Troughton is amazing and the yeti are creepy, fantastic
Still hoping Episode 3 will return in a Special Special Edition some time in the future.
Forgot Douglas Camfield directed this story. Marvellous!
the music used in the Museum scene was also used in the shining
I find it funny that the same time you uploaded this I just was about to watch the Web of Fear
Love this story to pieces, both for it being one of the best 2nd Doctor stories (imo) but also because of circumstances of when I first saw this story, I met Tina Packer, who plays Anne Travers in this story.
Around 2015, I spent a month in Lenox, Massachusetts, as part of a month long acting intensive program at Shakespeare & Company. During my first few days there, one of the founders of the company held a workshop with my group. As it turns out, it was Tina Packer. During lunch that day, i was watching The Web of Fear on my phone, and little did I know, her and her husband had decided to join our group for lunch. She recognized the episode and started chatting up a conversation with me. I couldn't contain my shock and enthusiasm. I was talking with someone who worked on what became one of my favorite science fiction series ever, and it was such a delight.
I had this memory resurface while watching this review, and it made me smile. Thanks for that!
- Ryu
Pat was MY doctor when I was a child. I loved him. THEY never go for the classic series, because I think they have'nt got a flipping clue! It is just poor Jodie that gets it.
I have not seen this episode yet but the London Underground setting looks incredible. It is a testament to the set design that BRITISH RAIL thought it was real.
Doctor Who: *Makes an Uncanny Looking London Undergroud*
British Rail: FBI Open Up!
Going back to Lethbridge-Stewart’s animated self, according to Josh Snares, he looks like a Roblox
Oof
Troughton is excellent in this chilling tale.
13:39
Now this is a genuine surprise. While watching this story, I legit was wondering how difficult renting out portions of the underground must've been.
A personal favourite, I was so happy when I heard it had been recovered.
The Web of frear yeti looks more menacing yeti like that in Dr who and the Abominable snowman.
I enjoyed watching this near Christmas Last Year...I love the 2nd Doctor, Jamie, The Great Intelligence, The Yeti, The Creepy Atmosphere, the Cast and Our Dear "Colonel" (not yet Brigadier) Lethbridge Stewart.
I summed this Episode in Less than 10 Words: "This Story would Suck if It was in Colour!!!" Classic Who's colour issues would hurt this Episode and the Black and White really Hides Problems of some Early Classic Who Episodes, and this case has a great Atmosphere in the London Underground set making it feel real!!!
I rewatched this story recents and (animation aside) I bloody adored it. I want to do my own review of it at some point
24:08 It was the 60s, man.
Being a year old video I doubt you'll read this but I do hope you still plan on doing the reeltime/BBV spinoffs. Downtime and the Auton trilogy gave me life through those wilderness years as a child.
Now, with the animation. Yes, it's dodgy, clearly aiming too high here. I think the animators themselves are likely aware of and concede the shortcoming, but I do get irked with fan comments like ''Fan animations look better'': hey, Mr. Internet Commenter - did it occur to you that the reason they do is because the fan animators have no deadline on them and don't have execs on their balls?
2nd Doctor and Jamie are the best couple in Who.
I loved this cyber model!
I just saw the actor who played Charlie slater in east Enders I didn’t know that he was in a dr who episode
Would love to see a Downtime review some day
12:38 A very important distinction to make, after all.
Jamie’s magic door powers would be canon no matter what
Has anyone noticed how this story in its concepts is very HP Lovecraft and Clark Ashton Smith?
We actually do know what "branched" means in this context, though! It seems to be a reference to how lightning-strike victims have Lichtenburg figures, which resemble tree branches, burned into their skin.
Adored this review! Been watching your stuff for ages now
I like The Web of Fear
15:15 does this bit remind anyone else of the location of remembrance of the daleks?
Perhaps its wokeness gone mad (no change there then), but I never thought of Silverstein as anti semetic. In fact he was in his rights. He has spent a lot of money on that Yeti. He is however a stereotype of collectors, like Al from Toy Story 2. ie. being greedy, possessive and selfish, wanting to hide their rare, unique treasures away from the world, or boast about them to others. He paid for his greed with his life.
I don't think it's a recent thing to interpret the character as a Jewish stereotype. The 1976 target novelisation by Terence Dicks renamed the character from Julius Silverstein to Emil Julius out of the same concern.
What does "wokeness" mean?
"Wokeness gone mad" are you 14 or something?
@@bassmastervan9391 No its completely true. People get offended by EVERYTHING these days. Get over it.
@@tTaseric It means everything has to be social justice or diverse. Otherwise folks precious fee fees get offended.
From military and emergency service family some both, Old man was a big fan of 'Mad Mitch' so.....lol
We can understand accidentally substituting Zoe for Victoria. Zoe was, after all, the final lady companion of the Troughton era, staying with him all the way to the end of The War Games..
Shame about the animation. Because stories like The Invasion have amazing animation recreations.
Sounds like a great story, can't wait to watch it
My God, that animation really does stink! First time I've seen this much of it. WTF were they thinking? Aww and I still miss dear old Nick. I miss our drinks at the weekends. :(
Huh? Who are you? You knew Nick?
@@steveandjeanniefrith236 Yes I was part of a regular Saturday meet up for a drink at his local pub, called 'The Saturday Club'. 'Sir Nick' as we liked to call him was a really lovely man. I still miss him.
@@Silver-rx1mh I'm sorry for your loss, friend. I gather Nick was a splendid fellow. No one had a bad word to say about him. Did you ever watch him in Doctor Who?
@@steveandjeanniefrith236 Oh god yes, all the time. lol Sometimes we'd all meet up at my friends flat and watch a Nick orientated episode together, whilst Nick did a kind of running commentary through it.
@@Silver-rx1mh Are you for real or are you pulling my leg? Its the internet so you never call tell LOL.
23:55 Mr. Tardis, are you insinuating _the_ ship?
''Oh, that is a big one, Jamie.''
Douglas Canfield the goat
Victoria is for sure their adopted kid :)
You're really reaching by claiming this is anti-Semitic.
I Will Give The Animation A Go And See What It's Like
English TV used to be pretty harsh in its depictions of the Irish, Welsh, Scots and even the northern English. In this one the actor saves it but the Welshman is lazy, cowardly and stupid and little else. He is first seen after they hear singing in the tunnel ahead. Not exactly a well rounded character that avoids cultural stereotypes.
Agreed. Mention of antisemitism re Silverstein [IMO worth noting] but totally oblivious to the way the Welsh guy is depicted. Reminds me of the situation re 'The Talons of Wang-Chieng' where the depiction of the cowardly music hall style Irishman never raised an eyebrow.
Rare am I among the first to watch a CZcams video.
Comment for the algorithm
💖
Not a favorite of mine
Aight aight, shame the animation had to be the way it is