Trials And Tribulations

Trials And Tribulations

I joined the DWAS in early 1984 and everything was fine and dandy in the worlds of 'Doctor Who'. The series had just celebrated 20 years and with the Sixth Doctor on the horizon, it was all most exciting.

Then one fateful day in February 1985, I was going home on the school bus and the radio was on. It was Steve Wright (in the afternoon, of course) and they were talking about something my mind couldn't quite get a grip on. How could 'Doctor Who' have been cancelled? Surely they must have got hold of the wrong end of the stick?

But no, subsequent events (and 'The Six O'Clock News' of all things!) confirmed that all was not well with the programme.

I dashed off my letter to the BBC (as did a few more people), but this made little difference. The next few years would be a whirlwind of uncertainty for the show, but it encouraged me to get more involved with fandom, joining the Salisbury Local Group and making friendships that would endure even when the series didn't.

There were those in fandom who were close (arguably too close!) to the production team, but the rank-and-file fans the thinking behind the BBC's actions would be pretty unfathomable.

In September 1986 'The Trial Of A Time Lord' started and a few weeks later I went to Southampton University, where fans were few and far between. I was pretty intimidated by the whole university experience and coming out as a fan in such a new and bewildering environment wasn't something I was in a hurry to do, especially as what was being shown on the screen didn't seem to be going down too well with my generation.

So, in many ways the uncertainty surrounding the show mirrored my own personal uncertainty. 'Trial' isn't a story I rewatch very much, but funnily enough, the DVD release does contain something that helps put everthing into context.

Ed Stradling's documentary 'Trials And Tribulations' (which sounds like the draft title of a 1960s 'Star Trek' episode starring some little round furry things), deals with the whole mid-80s merry-go-round with a professional, analytical eye. There's no hidden agends here and care is taken to let everyone have their say.

Inevitably, there's the whole Eric Saward / John Nathan-Turner relationship to be examined, but careful selection of material allows us to see both sides are sincere in their opinions. Colin Baker and Nicola Bryant are, of course, on board commenting on how enthusiastic they were at the start of this era, though Philip Martin's comment of how the show was not considered to be of much worth from certain corners of the BBC is interesting.

This is further explored with the involvement of David Reid and Jonathan Powell, Heads of Series and Serials. Eric Saward makes clear how Jonathan Powell's chief feeling towards 'Doctor Who' was (in his eyes) disinterest. It never helps if you feel that your boss doesn't value what you're doing!

There's talk of That Coat, with a shot from 'The Twin Dilemma' leaping out at me, featuring a colour palette that simply screams 1984 at me.

Actually, thinking back to the wider world, Colin's coat now reminds me of the loading screens you'd get on home computers such as the ZX Spectrum. His stripy trousers certainly evoke memories of Tape Loading Errors...

For newer fans, this documentary may prove to be somewhat perplexing, with the BBC's attitude to the show being utterly unfathomable. But for those of us who were there at the time, 'Trials And Tribulations' is a very useful and honest time capsule.

It's not a barrel of laughs, but it is very valuable. Congratulations to Ed Stradling for helping me understand that confusing period a little better.

I think in years to come, I'll end up watching this more than 'The Trial Of A Time Lord' itself - it's certainly more dramatic in places!

(By Andrew Trowbridge)