Counting down the five best characters who have made two appearances on the show. This one goes back to those very early days...
SOMEONE FROM 60s WHO:
With half of his footage purged, the fact that I still like this character so much speaks volumes about his effectiveness. Professor Edward Travers is a great recurring character who deserves all the kudos he gets. He is very fondly remembered by fans who were around when the episodes were originally transmitted. But what exists in telesnaps and audio and actual episodes that are still intact is enough to get us younger fans to agree with all the fuss. He's half-decently written (particularly in Web of Fear), but the quality of Jack Watling's performance is what really gets him to work so well.
Watling seems obviously happy to be working with his daughter on a major TV show. This seems to get him to really turn on the charm for Travers. He's so good in the role that we have to see him again. And, in that return appearance, Watling does a great job of giving us a much older version of the character we first saw. Which, to me, is one of the greatest appeals of Travers. The age jump does come across as very convincing. We sincerely believe this is the same man 40 years later.
FIRST APPEARANCE - MAKING PROBLEMS
We must truly marvel at Watling in The Abominable Snowmen. Truthfully, he's not given much. I do sincerely believe that writers Haisman and Lincoln recognized that 6 episodes was a lot to fill for a plot that was just about Yeti and a Tibetan monastery. They needed to bring in some extra conflict to pad things out. Along comes Travers - conveniently on a Yeti hunt just as the TARDIS arrives. He immediately mistakes the Doctor for murdering his friend and gets the Time Lord incarcerated by the monks. Which immediately slows down the first two episodes as we deal with the unraveling of the whole case of mistaken identity. Once that's resolved, Travers creates more complications as he sneaks out of the monastery in Episode Three. Giving the story more padding.
And yet, even though he is blatantly put into the story to help with a plotting issue, Watling is still able to put a lot of meat on the bones. That sequence in Episode One where he torments the Doctor in his cell is a great example of the man's acting chops. Even with the scene now only existing in pictures and audio, Watling really delivers a very emotional moment that shines through in his voice and the limited expressions we see of him. He is a man at wit's end. And, even though he's creating problems in the Doctor's life, we feel sorry for him. In less capable hands, the speech he gives about the ridicule he's received for believing in the Yeti might not have made us so attached to him. And, if we hadn't grown so attached to him, there might not have been a second appearance. It's Watlings ability to find such moments and give them all their worth that makes us love him so much and want to see more of him.
But we shouldn't pick on the writers too hard. They do build a few things into the character that help us to like him all the more. In Episode Two, Travers offers a sincere apology when he realizes the mistake he's made about the Doctor attacking his friend. Again, Watling pounces on this opportunity and plays it for all it's worth. But Haisman and Lincoln could have easily crafted the scene differently and made Travers less likeable. Travers could have been one of those people that are too proud to apologize but the writers chose not to go that way with him. They didn't just want a plot cypher. They wanted to give him a few layers and endear him to the audience.
FIRST APPEARANCE - BECOMING USEFUL
As we get into the later episodes of Abominable Snowmen, Travers shifts gears. He goes from plot complication to useful ally. It is that shift in tone with the character that truly makes us like him. Had he just continued being a thorn in the Doctor's side, we would definitely not have craved a return appearance.
Again, he's not given all that much to work with during certain parts. Episode Four sees him just following Yeti while hiding behind rocks. In Episode Five, he's mainly just struggling with memory loss. Yet, once more, Watling does the best with what he's been handed. As Travers and the Doctor sneak out of the monastery at the end of Part Five to get that all-important second reading to locate the source of the Yeti transmissions, note how Watling latches on to the courage his character is showing and plays it for all its worth.
Finally, Episode Six sees Travers truly swinging into action. He forms his own plot strand for a while as he tries to climb up the mountain to face where he believes the real threat to be. When that fails, he returns to the monastery to try to help the Doctor and passes onto him the one shred of knowledge that will truly enable him to win. He's evolved from plot complication to story resolution. But, along the way, he's bestowed with some considerable charm through Watling's performance. As he notices what appears to be a "real Yeti" in the distance while walking the Doctor and friends back to the TARDIS, we can't help but wish him the best of luck.
THE WEB OF A SECOND APPEARANCE
When Edward Travers returns in Web of Fear, he's a very different man. 40 years or so has made him immensely more entertaining. The moodily-shot opening scene establishes that the heroic adventurer we first met in Abominable Snowmen has turned into quite the eccentric. Watling is totally unafraid to go for the laughs during that scene and it makes an adorable juxtaposition against all the creepy stuff that's meant to be going on at the same time. As we see him again in the first episode, the comedy continues. We love it when he intentionally gives Chorley a soundbyte he knows he can't use.
With all his quirky behavior (and even his eccentric costume) Travers almost begins to rival the Doctor for the coveted position of Most Interesting Character in the Story. He's just great fun to watch. Haisman and Lincoln seem to be almost conscious of that and start sidelining him more and more as the tale continues. At one point, Travers disappears for an entire episode. When he does return, he's the mouthpiece of the Great Intelligence for quite a while. All of this robs Watling of the opportunity to keep charming us the way he did in the earlier episodes.
No matter, though. Watling, once more, grabs on to whatever he can and acts his little heart out. The fact that one of the cliffhangers is Travers in danger as opposed to the Doctor or a companion speaks volumes of the attachment we've formed for him. We sincerely hope that he'll be okay when the Great Intelligence is done using him. It's a relief when he is restored to his normal self.
Once more, the character is given a touch of humility to make him more likeable. In the same way that he sincerely apologizes to the Doctor for the mistake he made in Abominable Snowmen, Travers confesses deep guilt for re-activating a control sphere and causing the whole disaster that beset London. It's a nice moment that gives the cranky old professor a bit more dimension than just the comic relief he was providing in earlier episodes. Once more, the writing and the performance rounds out the character beautifully.
FINAL VERDICT
Admittedly, a certain amount of narrative expediency may have prompted the return of Travers. Bringing back someone who knew the Doctor during his first battle against the Great Intelligence makes it easier for him to be accepted among the group that is fighting his second attack (which, only later, would we realize is actually his third attack - if you want this statement to make better sense read this: https://robtymec.blogspot.com/2018/09/chronologies-and-timelines-great.html ). But, once more, Travers is not just a plot cypher. Enough is added to the character through writing and performance that he ends up being one of the most loved of all the recurring characters that we've seen in the show.
It is just a little bit sad that we don't get the third appearance of Travers that is implied in The Invasion. It would have been great to see the Good Professor and his daughter one more time (even if it would have eliminated him from this countdown!). But the character does get quite thoroughly examined during his first two tales. Particularly since such a huge gap of time occurs between the two appearances. Thanks to the brilliance of Watling's acting - we can see how the younger heroic man of action becomes the wacky eccentric of later years. In fact, it all seems quite seamless.
Well, it took me quite some time to get this entry written. My actual career seemed to get in the way of things, again (if only I could just blog about Doctor Who all the days of my life - I would be so much more content!). July slows down considerably for me. I should get the rest of this countdown done during that month.
Here is the first installment:
https://robtymec.blogspot.com/2019/06/book-of-lists-top-5-two-timers-number.html
Tuesday, 25 June 2019
Monday, 3 June 2019
BOOK OF LISTS: TOP 5 TWO TIMERS - NUMBER FIVE
With a constant theme of the TARDIS going somewhere new and different almost every week, we've been lucky to get a little bit of consistency thrown in now and again. Sometimes, the Doctor returns to a location he's been to before to enjoy a second visit. Like, say, the human/monoid colony ship, or Peladon, or even Satellite Five.
But I find what makes the series more enjoyable is when he runs into the same character for a second time. There's been some nice returning good guys like Professor Travers or Rigsy. And there's been some very nice baddies, too. Like Lytton (who ended up being a bit of a good guy in the second story) and the Lady Cassandra (who also kind of turned nice toward the end too). I like to refer to characters like these as two-timers. Not because they've double-crossed the Doctor in some way (or, maybe, cheated on him?!). But because we see them twice in the show.
Lots of interesting stuff has been done with these sort of characters because they were allowed two appearances. I have a special fondness for them. Which is why I felt it was time to do a BOOK OF LISTS where I list my five favorites.
NUMBER FIVE: SOMEONE FROM THE NEW SERIES
The obvious intention with Craig Owens is comic relief. Both the character and the stories he starred in were meant to be lighter. Episodes with Craig are placed near the end of the season so that we get just a little rest from the intensity that is building up as we near the finale. It's a very smart choice on Moff's part to plot a series that way.
James Corden was the most brilliant choice for the part. It was a sheer stroke of casting luck.The guy just excels at being funny. Even in the smallest of details. I love how, during his opening scene in The Lodger, he realizes his night with Sophie is off and finds the funniest possible way to throw out a pizza menu. Seriously, watch the scene over. That pizza menu is disposed of in the most hilarious of fashions. That's just how good he is.
Naturally enough, if he can create comedic impact with most insignificant of gestures, the stuff that's really meant to be funny is done with amazing finesse. Corden is obviously a genius at making people laugh. The fact that he would later go on to host one of the most successful late night talk shows, ever, definitely cements this notion. You don't hand someone a show like that unless they know their stuff. Particularly since it's an American show. James Corden might have been well known in Britain, but no one in the States knew much about him when he was appointed host. It was his sheer talent that gained him the job - not so much his celebrity power.
Of course, part of being good at comedy is recognizing the abilities of the people you're playing off of. Matt Smith can be quite the Master of Silliness, himself. Corden takes stock of that and does an excellent job of sparking off of him. Sometimes even playing Straight Man and setting up Smith for some great jokes rather just trying to nail all the punchlines and not giving his co-star much to work with. This is another mark of a truly gifted comedian: knowing when to enjoy the Spotlight and when to offer support to someone else who is in it.
I particularly enjoy the fact that Closing Time really recognizes the strength of this duo and creates multiple opportunities for the Doctor and Craig to just be a double act. The two characters spend a lot more time in two hander scenes during Closing Time than they do in The Lodger. We really get to enjoy just how well the two work together. Take the sequence where they sneak into the shop after close. Had that not been Smith and Corden, there would have probably just been a quick establishing shot of the Doctor and Craig ducking down as George the Security Guard strolls past. Perhaps a snippet of dialogue would have transpired with the Doctor warning Craig to be quiet and then we move on to the next scene. But, because the writer knew who he was writing the dialogue for, he takes full of advantage of the comedy he can mine from them. Craig and the Doctor creeping along behind the counter goes on for quite some time. But we don't notice. Because these two actors are making the best of the jokes they've been given. And we're thoroughly amused by them.
NOT JUST COMEDY
Now, if Craig were there strictly for comic relief, he probably wouldn't have made this list. The real beauty of this character is that both the episodes he's in hinge on the fact that Craig must grow as a character. In The Lodger, he must finally overcome his fear of rejection and confess his love to Sophie. It's particularly brilliant that the story will resolve very badly if he doesn't. I found myself legitimately cheering as the Doctor seems to echo the sentiment of Sebastian the Crab and hollers at Craig:"kiss the girl!". We're not just happy that this crashed time ship is going to stop murdering people, we're equally content that Craig and Sophie - two characters we've only met a mere 40 minutes earlier - are finally falling in love. This says a lot about the acting skills of both performers involved. But, the truth of the matter is, we've fallen so much in love with Craig, ourselves, that we're glad to see him overcome his shyness and win over the woman of his dreams.
Naturally enough, we needed Craig to do something even better in Closing Time. Gareth Roberts seemed very much aware of this as he penned this second tale. He's moved the character along a bit and presented him with an even bigger challenge. He's trying to be a Dad, now. But the fumbling bachelor that was starting to resemble his couch that we saw in his first installment is still present. Craig honestly believes he can't be a good Dad. This becomes the new fear he must overcome. Once more, the climax of the story is contingent on him maturing. It was a great device in The Lodger so I was more-than-happy to see it return. And, because there were much bigger stakes involved, it gave us a great enough sense of variation that it didn't just feel like a re-tread. Craig breaking the spell of the cyber-conditioning to answer the cry of his child was actually quite moving.
Another nice new beat that Roberts adds to the character is the fact that Craig has had some time to think about his first experience with the Doctor. He understands the man better, now. It helps that he and the Doctor did have a brief telepathic communion, of course. But that also adds some extra street cred to the character. After all, we don't see the Doctor do that very often with a supporting character. And we've certainly never seen him do it with head buts!
Craig makes some interesting remarks about just how much he understands his alien friend. Not just the fact that he recognizes the Doctor as being the safest person to be around in a crisis, but it's especially touching when he points out how the Doctor pretends that he doesn't need anyone. It's one thing to understand how someone might be important to you. But it shows real depth of character when you show you've taken the time to figure out how you might help someone you care about. Without thinking, Craig runs off to help his friend when he needs him most. We absolutely love him for his courage in this moment.
Because of this, Craig's grabbing of a price scanner to use as a bluff against the Cybermen turns out to be more serious than comedic. Which shows yet more deftness of Corden's acting skills. He even knows when to dial his funny down a bit in order to let some drama shine through.
LOVE...
With the serious stuff seemingly over, Closing Time returns to something lighter. The confusion Lynda Baron has about Craig and the Doctor's relationship gets cleared up in a fun little way. Everything seems to be winding down as the Doctor starts giving a better explanation of what we just saw happen (thankyou, Gareth Roberts, for not being afraid of expository dialogue).
During that info-dump, we see one last really endearing trait that Craig possesses. While the Doctor tries to provide some super-sciency reason for why the Cybermen were defeated, Craig corrects him. "It was love." he insists with the sweetest of naivete. The Doctor tries to correct him and realizes the pointlessness of it. Craig is right. It was love.
This is what we adore most of this character. Yes, he's a dork. Yes, he excels at failing most of the time. He might even be a little bit too self-involved, on occasion. But he is also a wonderful idealist. And, when the chips are down, Craig comes through.
And there's some heavy Craig-Love for you. Hope you feel the same for him as I do.
We'll continue the countdown throughout the month of June. Hopefully, I can get all five of these out before the month is over. I like to keep these in a tidy 30 day package!
But I find what makes the series more enjoyable is when he runs into the same character for a second time. There's been some nice returning good guys like Professor Travers or Rigsy. And there's been some very nice baddies, too. Like Lytton (who ended up being a bit of a good guy in the second story) and the Lady Cassandra (who also kind of turned nice toward the end too). I like to refer to characters like these as two-timers. Not because they've double-crossed the Doctor in some way (or, maybe, cheated on him?!). But because we see them twice in the show.
Lots of interesting stuff has been done with these sort of characters because they were allowed two appearances. I have a special fondness for them. Which is why I felt it was time to do a BOOK OF LISTS where I list my five favorites.
NUMBER FIVE: SOMEONE FROM THE NEW SERIES
The obvious intention with Craig Owens is comic relief. Both the character and the stories he starred in were meant to be lighter. Episodes with Craig are placed near the end of the season so that we get just a little rest from the intensity that is building up as we near the finale. It's a very smart choice on Moff's part to plot a series that way.
James Corden was the most brilliant choice for the part. It was a sheer stroke of casting luck.The guy just excels at being funny. Even in the smallest of details. I love how, during his opening scene in The Lodger, he realizes his night with Sophie is off and finds the funniest possible way to throw out a pizza menu. Seriously, watch the scene over. That pizza menu is disposed of in the most hilarious of fashions. That's just how good he is.
Naturally enough, if he can create comedic impact with most insignificant of gestures, the stuff that's really meant to be funny is done with amazing finesse. Corden is obviously a genius at making people laugh. The fact that he would later go on to host one of the most successful late night talk shows, ever, definitely cements this notion. You don't hand someone a show like that unless they know their stuff. Particularly since it's an American show. James Corden might have been well known in Britain, but no one in the States knew much about him when he was appointed host. It was his sheer talent that gained him the job - not so much his celebrity power.
Of course, part of being good at comedy is recognizing the abilities of the people you're playing off of. Matt Smith can be quite the Master of Silliness, himself. Corden takes stock of that and does an excellent job of sparking off of him. Sometimes even playing Straight Man and setting up Smith for some great jokes rather just trying to nail all the punchlines and not giving his co-star much to work with. This is another mark of a truly gifted comedian: knowing when to enjoy the Spotlight and when to offer support to someone else who is in it.
I particularly enjoy the fact that Closing Time really recognizes the strength of this duo and creates multiple opportunities for the Doctor and Craig to just be a double act. The two characters spend a lot more time in two hander scenes during Closing Time than they do in The Lodger. We really get to enjoy just how well the two work together. Take the sequence where they sneak into the shop after close. Had that not been Smith and Corden, there would have probably just been a quick establishing shot of the Doctor and Craig ducking down as George the Security Guard strolls past. Perhaps a snippet of dialogue would have transpired with the Doctor warning Craig to be quiet and then we move on to the next scene. But, because the writer knew who he was writing the dialogue for, he takes full of advantage of the comedy he can mine from them. Craig and the Doctor creeping along behind the counter goes on for quite some time. But we don't notice. Because these two actors are making the best of the jokes they've been given. And we're thoroughly amused by them.
NOT JUST COMEDY
Now, if Craig were there strictly for comic relief, he probably wouldn't have made this list. The real beauty of this character is that both the episodes he's in hinge on the fact that Craig must grow as a character. In The Lodger, he must finally overcome his fear of rejection and confess his love to Sophie. It's particularly brilliant that the story will resolve very badly if he doesn't. I found myself legitimately cheering as the Doctor seems to echo the sentiment of Sebastian the Crab and hollers at Craig:"kiss the girl!". We're not just happy that this crashed time ship is going to stop murdering people, we're equally content that Craig and Sophie - two characters we've only met a mere 40 minutes earlier - are finally falling in love. This says a lot about the acting skills of both performers involved. But, the truth of the matter is, we've fallen so much in love with Craig, ourselves, that we're glad to see him overcome his shyness and win over the woman of his dreams.
Naturally enough, we needed Craig to do something even better in Closing Time. Gareth Roberts seemed very much aware of this as he penned this second tale. He's moved the character along a bit and presented him with an even bigger challenge. He's trying to be a Dad, now. But the fumbling bachelor that was starting to resemble his couch that we saw in his first installment is still present. Craig honestly believes he can't be a good Dad. This becomes the new fear he must overcome. Once more, the climax of the story is contingent on him maturing. It was a great device in The Lodger so I was more-than-happy to see it return. And, because there were much bigger stakes involved, it gave us a great enough sense of variation that it didn't just feel like a re-tread. Craig breaking the spell of the cyber-conditioning to answer the cry of his child was actually quite moving.
Another nice new beat that Roberts adds to the character is the fact that Craig has had some time to think about his first experience with the Doctor. He understands the man better, now. It helps that he and the Doctor did have a brief telepathic communion, of course. But that also adds some extra street cred to the character. After all, we don't see the Doctor do that very often with a supporting character. And we've certainly never seen him do it with head buts!
Craig makes some interesting remarks about just how much he understands his alien friend. Not just the fact that he recognizes the Doctor as being the safest person to be around in a crisis, but it's especially touching when he points out how the Doctor pretends that he doesn't need anyone. It's one thing to understand how someone might be important to you. But it shows real depth of character when you show you've taken the time to figure out how you might help someone you care about. Without thinking, Craig runs off to help his friend when he needs him most. We absolutely love him for his courage in this moment.
Because of this, Craig's grabbing of a price scanner to use as a bluff against the Cybermen turns out to be more serious than comedic. Which shows yet more deftness of Corden's acting skills. He even knows when to dial his funny down a bit in order to let some drama shine through.
LOVE...
With the serious stuff seemingly over, Closing Time returns to something lighter. The confusion Lynda Baron has about Craig and the Doctor's relationship gets cleared up in a fun little way. Everything seems to be winding down as the Doctor starts giving a better explanation of what we just saw happen (thankyou, Gareth Roberts, for not being afraid of expository dialogue).
During that info-dump, we see one last really endearing trait that Craig possesses. While the Doctor tries to provide some super-sciency reason for why the Cybermen were defeated, Craig corrects him. "It was love." he insists with the sweetest of naivete. The Doctor tries to correct him and realizes the pointlessness of it. Craig is right. It was love.
This is what we adore most of this character. Yes, he's a dork. Yes, he excels at failing most of the time. He might even be a little bit too self-involved, on occasion. But he is also a wonderful idealist. And, when the chips are down, Craig comes through.
And there's some heavy Craig-Love for you. Hope you feel the same for him as I do.
We'll continue the countdown throughout the month of June. Hopefully, I can get all five of these out before the month is over. I like to keep these in a tidy 30 day package!
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