Doctor Who: Adventures in History By Donald Cotton


I prefer to go in chronolocail order by broadcast, however, this themed package was the only way to find The Massacre of St. Bartholomew's Eve with the First Doctor, and The Highlanders, with the Second Doctor.
I did find Myth Makers alone, so I skipped that one. I definitely enjoyed the re-telling of the Iliad. This episode ranks high for me personally, particularly as an historical story. I truly wish there were more of these in the series. I think of it as much an educational, as an entertainment program. What better way to teach, and learn with a time-traveling alien whose civilization knows more science than we, to teach this to others.
Of course, with the science fiction element, one does get to be silly, at times.

Peter Purves, who portrayed companion Steven Taylor, offers the linking narration for The Massacre. This historical event of violence between Catholics, and Huguenots in Paris in 1572. Sadly, that is not an event I knew about before this show.
I am uncertain if this is the first time, but, Steven is disgusted by the fact they had to let history take its course. He wanted so much to help the people he met, and manage to save a few of them.
As soon as they land, which happens to be Wimbledon Common in 1966, Steven makes a terse goodbye, and leaves the Doctor's company.
The Doctor, now alone, gives a heart-wretching monologue bemoaning that he cannot change such parts of history, and he wishes he could go home, but cannot.

Then, a women enters believing the TARDIS is a police box, and it is discovered she is descended from one of the people they met in 1572. Also, without explanation, Steven comes running back into the TARDIS, and off they go.

An appreciated moment of silence for the 10, 000s killed in Paris and through out France because of religious hatred. Also, that time we get to learn a bit more about the Doctor, and that he does struggle with some facts of his own traveling, as well as, misses his home, and wants to return.


***
For the Highlanders, appropriately, it is Frazier Hines that offers the linking narration for his inaugural role as Jamie McCrimmon. I truly enjoyed listening to such a perfect adventurous romp, while also learning more about a time in history so very important to the Scottish people.

This, while speaking to the struggle of those fighting for Prince Charlie, and how the English treated them, there were moments of humor, such as the Doctor affecting a German accent so he could pretend to be someone unconcerned with the fighting, and thus, on neither side of the conflict. Later, he dresses as a woman so as to move more freely amongst the soldiers.

I fully understand why this is a beloved episode. History, high jinks,and harrowing adventure. Certainly not one to be missed, if a fan of the series. Audible Audio

This great collection contains the soundtracks of three television adventures in which the Doctor and friends travel back in Time and get caught up in events in history.

The three stories (The Myth Makers, The Massacre, and The Highlanders) find the TARDIS in Ancient Greece, 16th Century France, and 18th Century Scotland.

William Hartnell stars as the Doctor in The Myth Makers and The Massacre, whilst Patrick Troughton steps into the role for The Highlanders. Linking narration is provided by Peter Purves and Frazer Hines. Doctor Who: Adventures in History

As I am watching doctor who from the beginning and the stories featured in this audiobook are ones that are missing episodes, I thought I would catch up using these lost episodes and whilst none of them blew me away some elements of each set of episodes were good. Will listen to more Audible Audio These episodes translate to audiobook format amazingly well, which is good since it’s the only way to experience them now.
The Myth Makers is an entertaining look at Homer’s epics. I wouldn’t characterize Odysseus as the jerk they make him, but most of the other characters come across the way my kids and I see them.
St Bartholomew’s Massacre is not funny; it’s slower, but compelling. Questions that the Doctor and his companions struggle with throughout the series arise here. You see that he has wrestled with his role, his conscience, and his loneliness from the beginning.
The Highlanders is a fun adventure with the Second Doctor, and having it in this collection really highlights the differences between these first two Doctors. The Second is much more full of tricks, which I think becomes more of a staple characteristic of The Doctor throughout the series.
I wish Doctor Who still did some of these solely historical episodes. They now always have a supernatural or sci-fi aspect, which I enjoy, but history is worth exploring even without that. Audible Audio I probably would have given it four stars at least of the audiobook I rented didn’t glitch so much in the first story. Also probably another reason why the Highlanders was my favorite part of this. (Also because I love Jamie he’s cool) Audible Audio Didn't really hold my interest or spur me to find out more about the events taking place in the stories. The voice actors were good. Audible Audio For fellow Whovians. Go back in to the Trojan War and other wars. Audible Audio

Doctor

free read æ PDF, eBook or Kindle ePUB ð Donald Cotton