Face Of Evil - Doctor Who (1963) Discussion

[–] alpha128 8 years ago

"The Face of Evil" is the other Season 14 story that I don't own (the first being "The Hand of Fear"). But I did watch "The Face of Evil" on-line a few years ago for the first time in decades.

"The Face of Evil" is a decent story, and I do like it better than "The Hand of Fear" overall. I didn't buy "The Hand of Fear" DVD because I feel its final scene is the best and most memorable thing in the four episodes. I didn't buy "The Face of Evil" because while it's good, it pales in comparison to its "bookends", which are both in my top five stories of all time.

The villains, if they were villains, turned out to be just 2 more warring sects of the same race. - raventhom

Yes, and you'll be seeing that concept again next season. I watched on-line the Season 15 episode, "Underworld" very recently, and couldn't help but notice that it seemed to recycle some plot elements from this story. Both stories have warring sects of the same race, and computers that rule over the survivors of a space expedition that long ago descended into barbarism. This is the better of the two stories IMO.

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[–] raventhom 8 years ago

So, How many episodes do you own?
Haven't you been able to record them?

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[–] alpha128 8 years ago

So, How many episodes do you own? - raventhom

An even dozen.

I started buying Doctor Who DVDs in 2013, in recognition of the program's 50th Anniversary. My first purchases were, in order:

The Talons of Weng-Chiang (Story 91)
Genesis of the Daleks (Story 78)
Pyramids of Mars (Story 82)
The Deadly Assassin (Story 88)
The Robots of Death (Story 90)
The Ark in Space (Story 76)
The Seeds of Doom (Story 85)
Horror of Fang Rock (Story 92)
The Invasion of Time (Story 97)

In September 2015, I did another pass and picked up:
The Time Warrior (Story 70)
The Masque of Mandragora (Story 86)

Finally, after resisting it for a long time, in December 2015 I bought:
Terror of the Zygons (Story 80)

Haven't you been able to record them? - raventhom

I don't have access to any TV station that currently runs Classic Who. However, I have been able to watch a lot of it on a streaming site.

In my experience, each Doctor Who DVD release has a remarkable collection of bonus features, especially for a series made largely before the advent of home video. So I don't mind buying the DVD releases for the stories I particularly like.

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[–] raventhom 8 years ago

It's too bad you don't have access to Netflix discs, they have about 90% I would guess

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[–] alpha128 8 years ago

It's too bad you don't have access to Netflix discs, they have about 90% I would guess - raventhom

I've probably seen all of those at least once, although it's been decades for most of them. Although come to think of it, I do have some old VHS tapes with classic Who on them. I'll have to dig those out and see what I've got.

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[–] raventhom 8 years ago

point being you can copy discs if you so desire, also can transfer VHS to DVD easily when recorded

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[–] mindbait 8 years ago

I'm getting nearer to owning them all, I only have one Troughton left to go, one C Baker, I've got all of Sylv's

As for Face of Evil, yeah Leela was great, this period of companions really seemed like they were trying to come up with new and interesting options, going from scientist Liz to airhead Jo, from 'the semi-servile Jo to the headstrong feminist Sarah Jane, from modern and savvy Sarah Jane to primitive, instinct-driven Leela.

The concept of the Doctor being faced (no pun intended) with the results of his adventures, had been kind of looked into in 'the Ark' and seems to get lathered on pretty thickly in the new show, but this was a nice effective show on that subject.

https://soundcloud.com/coin-sides

New song "Mountain Makers"

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[–] alpha128 8 years ago

point being you can transfer VHS to DVD easily when recorded - raventhom

Thanks for the suggestion, but I don't know if it's worth the effort to do that. Some of the stories during the period I was taping were, IMO, not that good.

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[–] darryl-tahirali 8 years ago

also can transfer VHS to DVD easily when recorded

That's not always so easy, at least in my experience.

I had a Sony dual unit for a few years, with which I burned to DVD several boxes of old VHS tapes. However, there were a couple of exceptions:

-- The unit would not burn commercially produced VHS tapes. These had copyright protection safeguards that the unit detected and then halted the operation.
-- The unit would also not burn a home-recorded VHS tape if the recording was from a premium-cable channel. So, if I had recorded a film shown on HBO, the unit would not permit burning that onto DVD, presumably detecting the same copyright safeguards as above.

However, the unit had no problem with material I'd recorded from Turner Classic Movies, which made up the bulk of those VHS tapes, so I wasn't concerned about the few non-TCM items.

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"The past is never dead. It isn't even past." -- William Faulkner

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[–] raventhom 8 years ago

Whereas I was mainly thinking of any of the classic Doctor Who episodes
There are exceptions to that rule about taping off premium channels and even store bought ones, In using a certain brand of DVD recorder with a hard drive, I have recorded quite a few VHS films, but that was a long time ago. Older VHS recorders also worked when recording off of HBO, etc.

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[–] dustyhonda2000 8 years ago

Have you tried using a time base corrector? Its a standard piece of television station equipment; any engineering department would have them and they are widely available through any of the manufacturers who advertise in Broadcast Engineering magazine.

The purpose of a TBC is to remove any encoded components from an A/V signal you receive so the content can be rebroadcast later. Engineering departments use a TBC to 'strip off' closed captioning (for instance) so they can use that track to add a different language CC. (here in the US, Spanish instead of French or vise versa, depending on your region). Or sometimes the embedded timecode signal needs to go because your station uses a different convention... for example: convert format1 [H:MM:SS] to format2 [HH:MM:SS:ff]... a TBC is used for this as well.

The main point is that the copy-protect encoding will also be removed by default, so the output coming out of the TBC will be a 'clean' signal for you to record. Think of it as a filter you put between your Play and Record devices.

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[–] darryl-tahirali 8 years ago

Thank you for that information. I no longer have a dual unit or even a VCR or a DVD writer, and only a handful of commercially bought VHS cassettes left, but I'll keep this in mind.

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"The past is never dead. It isn't even past." -- William Faulkner

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[–] timmdoolen 8 years ago

In my experience, each Doctor Who DVD release has a remarkable collection of bonus features, especially for a series made largely before the advent of home video. So I don't mind buying the DVD releases for the stories I particularly like.

This is very true, with the exception of "Web of Fear" and "Enemy of the World" which seemed to have been rushed onto market. On "Web of Fear," they didn't even bother to include the Episode 1 commentary track that they already had available from the "Lost in Time" DVD.

I've never seen the DVDs for "Moonbase" or "Time Monster," and have only seen the early DVD versions of "Robots of Death", "Spearhead in Space" and a handful of others. But having seen almost everything else, I can easily say that Doctor Who is THE most well documented television series that has ever been made -- based on their DVD extras. There are episode commentaries (sometimes double commentaries) for virtually every episode existing from 1963-1989, text commentaries, behind-the-scenes docs, profiles on actors, directors, producers, production designers, and loads of other stuff.

I struggle to think of any series that has even close to the love and care that the BBC and 2Entertain took with Classic Who. Some people have said Star Trek, but I don't think they do a behind-the-scenes for every story, or docs about their directors.

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[–] alpha128 8 years ago

I struggle to think of any series that has even close to the love and care that the BBC and 2Entertain took with Classic Who. Some people have said Star Trek, but I don't think they do a behind-the-scenes for every story, or docs about their directors. - timmdoolen

I own all three seasons of Star Trek (1966) on DVD, and while they do have a nice collection of bonus features, it's nowhere near as extensive as Classic Who.

I've only seen the early DVD versions of "Robots of Death". - timmdoolen

I own the Region 1 Special Edition of "Robots of Death" and it has a great collection of special features (listed here: http://www.lyratek.com/bg/dwbg090.htm). I particularly like the 32 minute "Sandmine Murders" making-of documentary.

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[–] timmdoolen 8 years ago

Oh that's great. Some of the very early DVD releases (late 1990s) for Doctor Who were a bit sparse with extras. And although the BBC usually rectified that in their later special editions, I wasn't able to find/watch some of those later releases.

As one example, for Spearhead in Space I think all the best extras were on the Blu-Ray edition, and I never got into Blu-Ray.

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[–] alpha128 8 years ago

I got my "used, like new" DVD of "The Face of Evil" in the mail yesterday and watched the whole thing last night. I wouldn't revise my original comments too much, apart from the "don't own" part.

But there were two things I noticed on this viewing that I thought were worth mentioning:

1.) The "Now, Gentek, make your report" scene. There's a scene where a Tesh named Gentek makes an initial report in a highly emotional way, and then makes the same report in calm, measured tones. On this viewing, I found the delivery of the second report highly reminiscent of the robot voices in the very next story, "The Robots of Death". Since that story had the same writer, and was in rehearsal during the production of "Face", I don't think this similarity is coincidental.

2.) Speaking of the Tesh, I had (blissfully) forgotten about their bowing ritual. I can't believe that someone thought that was a good idea. I can imagine the Tesh actors saying during rehearsal, "Bow like that, really?"

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[–] dustyhonda2000 8 years ago

The Face of Evil! A title typical of the kitsch ClassicWho naming convention overlaid on what is a very underrated episode and one of my personal favorites.

The first big work of underappreciated ideas man Chris Boucher, who went on to become a major contributor to Blake's 7, one of the foundation members of that show in fact. Later he made a brave attempt to adapt the 'type' of outer-space seen in Outland to television format; (outer-space as a workaday place with no aliens, just human corruption & dysfunction). Notable attempts in the late 80s/early 90s era, a time when the Beeb openly despised SciFi, and killed shows by starving them of budget.

(Blake's 7 and Star Cops both had quality themes and stories, they were reviled because of their shoddy production values. Even the first two seasons of Red Dwarf looked pretty bargain basement.)

The biggest take-away concept seen in Face of Evil is the food-for-thought ideas pertaining to organized religion. The circumstances of this microcosm depict to the audience in plain terms how populations with short memories fall prey to routine & ritual. Put yourself in the shoes of a societal leader; you know that a critical procedure must endure forward through a significant time span in the hands of a population short on material resources and existing in a state of virtual barbaric primitivism. How would you ensure a message lasts? The emphasis on said critical concept, its fastidious repetition by anal-retentive persons... over long enough time span it becomes a religion. If the tradition is kept up long enough that the original message is outside living memory, then you have a religion practiced by a people who know not of the original message's significance, meaning or circumstances... only that they are preserving something of 'value'... even if they know not what that value is or how it relates to anything else.
Hmmm. Way to go Mr. Boucher.

This, of course, is not to say that religion is wrong or all religions are of this ilk. I personally believe there is a higher power out there, but I also know that not every single ritualistic practice on the surface of Earth is working in honor of it. Some belief systems have arisen out the above exemplified conundrum, and self-examination is a healthy process.

And this 'big idea' is set against a fast moving story, with not one single weak actor. Louise gives us 1 of 4 episodes of the brown-eyed beauty Leela (later she discards the red contacts for comfort's sake). Schofield, Garfield, Price, Lucas and Eagles all bring their characters to life perfectly.

The corrugated tubing used in the jungle set winks at the subconscious, together with the red sky these elements lend a 'techno' mood to the setting. The Sevateem were never supposed to be primitive hunter-gatherers, its just a temporary phase, and the remnant scraps of high-tech devices prompts the technologically inclined viewer to reexamine our own planet's sacred objects... like the Ark of the Covenant, the Kaaba, the Great Pyramid's electrical channeling properties*, and the Sphinx's time-marking capabilities**. I also appreciated the concept of a jump-room/ transporter room linking the cave interior to the Mordee Survey Ship. The story never reveals why the ship is parked so far away in the middle of what seems to be a bald patch, but I accept this as tasty, bizarre "Who"ish-ness.

Last, all the story elements fit neatly together without feeling contrived. A power struggle within the tribe is already underway, the positions of status of both Leela & Neeva within the tribe are declining, and its an intriguing twist that the main baddie is actually laying in wait for the Doctor. As usual the Doctor arrives just in time for the crux-point of affairs in this society/group.

Fast-paced, thought-provoking, solid acting, no loose ends, and Leela's thighs. One of my fav's and my personal opinion is that its Who at its best precisely because its NOT the straightforward 'defeat the evil empire' formula; a solid NON-mainstream story.

*(The Pyramid Code ep2; The Giza Power Plant by Chris Dunn)
**(Revelation of the Pyramids)

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[–] darryl-tahirali 8 years ago

According to the information text, the title of this serial at some point before transmission was "The Day That God Went Mad," or something similar, but was changed to the less-grandiose "The Face of Evil." However, that working title does suggest the big ideas that writer Chris Boucher explores while introducing a new companion, Leela.

And just as Boucher uses one of Robert Holmes's favorite themes of clashing civilizations while depicting the Sevateem and the Tesh in a eugenics experiment partly triggered by the Doctor himself, Boucher also uses contrasts to depict Leela: In her animal skins and boots, she is the most blatant "something for the dads" yet, and her being a "savage" from the Sevateem seems to be a step backward from earlier female companions such as Barbara Wright, Liz Shaw, or Sarah Jane Smith, who provided intellectual ballast for the Doctor. Yet Leela is bright, quick to learn, largely fearless (would anyone want to face the Horda?), and ruthless, and she makes a challenging complement to the Doctor, who must face up to his own ego as this tale moves to its climax.

The action among the Sevateem, particularly with tribal shaman Neeva (David Garfield), is tense and vivid, Austin Ruddy's stage sets depicting their settlement and the alien world on which they live are evocative, and with Boucher opening with Leela already at odds with her brethren, he positions her as a singular character right away. The action flags a bit once the Doctor and Leela enter the Tesh's world, and the Tesh themselves, particularly their dress and mannerisms, verge on parody, but here is where Boucher's grander ideas gather momentum with the Doctor having to confront himself.

Some thought-provoking ideas and a strong introduction to Leela. 8/10.

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"The past is never dead. It isn't even past." -- William Faulkner

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[–] mindbait 8 years ago

Boucher also uses contrasts to depict Leela: In her animal skins and boots, she is the most blatant "something for the dads" yet, and her being a "savage" from the Sevateem seems to be a step backward from earlier female companions such as Barbara Wright, Liz Shaw, or Sarah Jane Smith, who provided intellectual ballast for the Doctor. Yet Leela is bright, quick to learn, largely fearless (would anyone want to face the Horda?), and ruthless, and she makes a challenging complement to the Doctor, who must face up to his own ego as this tale moves to its climax.

Yeah see it always works well I think to have the companion be a little bit 'backwards' because the role of the companion is essentially (a) to be a humanising influence on the doctor and (b) to ask questions so that he audience knows what's going on... it's far more believable to have someone like Leela or Jamie who actually need things explained because just about everything they see while travelling with the doctor is new and unknown to them, with the more contemporary companions it can feel almost a bit insulting to have them need things explained all the time

https://soundcloud.com/coin-sides

New song "Satellite Hill"

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[–] AardvarkRatnik 8 years ago

Terrific story! Great introduction for Leela and the script works so well David Garfield is great as Neeva, despite having a cricket glove on his head! At the start he's Xoanon's puppet but realises that he's been used for his whole life and it's his actions that prove crucial at the end.

Face of Evil also has one of my very favourite Who lines, "The very powerful and the very stupid have one thing in common, they don't alter their views to fit the facts, they alter the facts to fit their views."

Seems more true than ever in light of recent events!

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[–] dustyhonda2000 8 years ago

I found the Neeva character's arc really refreshing... usually the religious zealot in Who stories remains an opponent all the way to the end... but this time around Neeva realizes before our eyes he's being used! Garfield portrays the perfect amount of seething ignominy and vows revenge without going OTT, and its really interesting to see this process happen for once.

And Boucher's 'the powerful/the stupid' one-liner is one the show's best zingers!

I mean... of course it's interesting to hear them say 'Racksacoricalfalapatorious' (and the like) at light speed, but cerebral and relevant one-liners are more useful.

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[–] zaphod08 8 years ago

Episode 3 of Face of Evil was the first story I saw. It totally grabbed me and to this day, its one of my all time favorite stories.

In the kingdom of the blind, you're the village idiot.

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[–] raventhom 8 years ago

Interesting that episode 3 was your first, how long was it before you saw the entire serial? My first was Rose... yes, one of my favorites

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[–] zaphod08 8 years ago

I first saw it in 1978. They showed an episode at 5:00 and another at 6:00. Once they got to Invasion of Time they started over with Robot. So its hard to say exactly how long it took.

In the kingdom of the blind, you're the village idiot.

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