Once more, we dive into another REVIEW OVERVIEW essay. I've been coming up with quite a few of these, lately. So they will be making some fairly regular appearances over the next while.
Trilogies in Doctor Who are a fairly unique phenomenon. We really only see them in the JNT era (although, I have decided there is one more example of a trilogy from a different period - but it's my own personal opinion that defines it as such. I don't tend to hear other fans saying the same thing). Many of the trilogies that appeared in the 80s are fairly clear and distinct. Some are a bit less obvious. We will go through them all and rate them with a scale of sorts.
To be clear: a trilogy is a series of three self-contained stories that combine together to tell a bigger tale. Or, at the very least, that deal with a single significant theme. Once that ongoing storyline or concept is done, the show very clearly moves on to something else.
Trilogies, of course, should not be confused with the Three-parters we, sometimes, see in the New Series (or the three-parter we once saw in Season 22). These three-parters can bear a close resemblance to a trilogy. I look, for instance, at the three episodes about the Monks in Series 10 and see some pretty distinct stories that combine to tell a whole. But I'd still be more inclined to call that a three-parter. Trilogies from the Classic Series are much more discernible because they are multi-part stories that come together to tell a bigger tale. Whereas a three-parter is only made of three episodes, trilogies are usually comprised of twelve.
RATING SYSTEM
Last time we did one of these, we were very thorough and scientific-seeming (totally a legitimate hyphenated term!). Even a little bit ambitious. We did five whole different points of criteria and addressed each of them specifically with every candidate. I was very proud of myself for being so clinical. Check it out for yourself if you want to be legitimately impressed with me (or, at least, mildly impressed with me!): https://robtymec.blogspot.com/2021/04/review-overview-which-doctor-is-best-at.html
This time, we're playing things a bit more loose. I'm only going with two points of criteria that will get, at least, vaguely touched-upon during my reviews of each trilogy.
Point of Criteria #1: Execution of the Trilogy's Main Thrust
This would be the most obvious. There needs to be a through-theme that connects the three stories and makes them feel cohesive. Otherwise, we really don't have a proper trilogy.
If we go to the Star Wars trilogies, for instance. The original three movies detailed the redemption of Anakin Skywalker. There were tonnes of other stories going on too, of course. But, behind it all, this plot was there. You just had to be looking for it.
While many bemoan the Prequels, the main theme of this trilogy is well-displayed. In this case, we were watching the Fall of Anakin Skywalker. This process was shown quite clearly and evidently throughout the course of the three movies. It was also constructed in a very realistic manner. If we had gone through the same experiences Anakin had been put through, we probably would have made the same choice.
So, if we were to compare these two trilogies, the main thrust of the Prequels is probably the better-executed of the two. Complain all you want about Jar Jar or the apparent wooden acting of certain performers. Or even how the story is just too political. But the Fall of Anakin is better-handled than his redemption (which, in some ways, almost seems to come out of nowhere during the third movie).
We will be making these same sort of observations about the trilogies we'll be examining in Doctor Who. Do we see an underlying storyline building up throughout the three tales? Or could it have been shown more clearly?
Point of Criteria #2: Actual Story Quality
While Point of Criteria #1 is pretty important, this can have a very strong bearing too. The self-contained stories being told within the framework of the trilogy need to be well-executed. Otherwise, the whole thing can fall flat.
Let's go back to that Star Wars comparison just a bit more. I have just pointed out that the Prequels do a much better job with the through-theme than Episodes IV, V and VI. But ask just-about any Star Wars fan which trilogy is better. Some might say those Prequels get picked on way harder than they should (and I would be one of those fans - I actually find them to be quite enjoyable), but would still admit that the Original Trilogy is the better of the two. Why do they feel that? The individual movies that make up the trilogy are just better-made. It's as simple as that.
So, while a good through-theme is important, it's not everything. If the parts that make a whole are well-conceived, that can really make a difference in our appreciation of a trilogy.
Special Note: I intentionally didn't go into the shambles that is the Disney trilogy as it would just get me ranting for way too long. And this is meant to be a Doctor Who blog, not Star Wars!
THE ACTUAL TRILOGIES
Rather than try to rank them immediately, I am just going to tackle them in chronological order. I'll list each one and give a brief analysis on how well they handled those two Points of Criteria. At the end of the individual review, I will give them a score from 1 to 10. Based on that score, you can determine where I rank them all on your own.
THE E-SPACE TRILOGY
What impresses me the most about this particular trilogy was the fact that the production team seems to understand that this is the first time they are trying something like this so they keep it pretty simple. No complex multi-layered theme to examine, here. The TARDIS slips through a CVE that takes them into another universe. They then spend the next three stories trying to find their way back into their own reality. Pretty straightforward stuff.
Both Full Circle and Warrior's Gate keep a strong enough focus on this theme. Particularly Warrior's Gate. The whole story is really about trying to find a way through to the other side of those mirrors. What is nice, though, is that State of Decay is telling a very different type of story from the other two. It really is more of a classic vampire story. With the Doctor and Romana, sort of, becoming Van Helsing together. But enough is inserted into the story about escaping E-Space that it still feels very cohesive. It's not like the middle story forgot, altogether, about the main thrust of the trilogy and just went for something wildly different. It all stitches up together quite nicely.
All three stories are quite strong. Warrior's Gate is particularly brilliant. It almost makes it into my Top Ten all-time favorite stories, in fact. I'd definitely say it's in my Top Twenty. Which means that the trilogy finishes off beautifully. There's definitely a sense of progression, here.
The trilogy does lose a point in Full Circle, though. Christopher Bidmead's desire to give Doctor Who a hard sci-fi edge goes just a bit too far, for once. There is, perhaps, just a bit too much technobabble going on, in places. Which causes the story to feel too remote and even a tad confusing. Overall, it's still a very good story. Particularly when you consider the age of its author. And it does also contribute to the overall arc quite nicely.
The E-Space Saga also loses a point for, perhaps, just being a little too simple and straightforward. Especially as later trilogies come along and we see them dealing with far more complex and sophisticated matters.
Overall, thought, still a strong trilogy. Especially for a first effort.
Final Score: 8/10
THE REGENERATION TRILOGY
Hot on the heels of The E-Space Trilogy comes a tale that does go for something higher concept. The production team has a little more confidence, now. Instead of using a plot element to link the three stories, it's something more thematic. They give us a very good product, though. Even if they're doing another trilogy again so soon.
I would go so far to say that it's not so much the concept of regeneration that is the central premise. But, rather, rebirth. The Doctor's transformation is a natural process that all Time Lords must face. So he deals with it in a more healthy manner. The Master, of course, induces his change through the most ungodly of means. But, in both instances, we are watching these two major characters become something new and different. So that the whole thrust of the show can move in a new direction. Doctor Who, itself, becomes reborn as this trilogy concludes.
On this occasion, I like the middle story best. Logopolis actually makes it into my Top Ten (check it out, right here: https://robtymec.blogspot.com/2015/12/book-of-lists-top-ten-who-stories-10.html). Of all the swansong stories we've gotten, nothing beats this one. Nor do I think anything ever will. But the bookends to Logopolis are still quite magnificent, too. There is a beautiful poetic quality to both Keeper of Traken and Castrovalva. Keeper plays out like a sci-fi Elizabethan drama while Castrovalva seems to almost hail from the Renaissance Period. It's great to see such classical influences in what is meant to be popular family viewing. It's all quite incredible. At a time when most still considered science fiction and/or fantasy to be "kids' stuff", stories like these prove such theories to be grossly inaccurate. This is very heady content. I'm so glad Bidmead was allowed to realize his full vision. Especially since it actually carried into a period he was no longer script editing for. The very fact that this trilogy completes itself in the next season speaks volumes of its potency.
Having said all that, both Keeper and Castrovalva do have the slightest of sags to them. If the production team had not waited til the Sylvester McCoy Era to become open to the idea of three parters, both of these stories might have benefited greatly from losing an episode. It's still not enough to hurt the final score too much. But the sag is still there and needs to be acknowledged.
Final Score: 9/10
THE GUARDIAN TRILOGY
After taking about a season off from making trilogies, the production team comes back with something truly amazing. The Guardian Trilogy just might be absolutely perfect.
Mawdryn Undead is a timey-whimey work of brilliance that makes you think it inspired a young Steven Moffat to not be afraid to write the sort of complex paradoxes that we would see when he started contributing to the New Series. It does a remarkable job of bringing back the Brigadier, too (even though it was originally meant to be Ian!). I also love the amount of pathos that is created for the supposed "monsters" of the story.
Terminus, like State of Decay, is the odd-man-out. It's telling a very different story. One that is very gritty and even a bit political (Stephen Gallagher really seems to hate Big Business!). But it's still a very solid middle tale that sees off Nyssa in a way that seems befitting to the character. Her little striptease is quite nice, too!
And then there's Enlightenment. Sailing ships in space. Empty Eternals feeding off of our souls. A final showdown between the Guardians and the Doctor that feels legitimately epic (something the Classic Series could have a really hard time doing when it built up a longer arc because its budget was so limited). This is also another one of those 80s stories that seems to have an almost poetic quality to it. Not just because of the gorgeous flow of the dialogue. But the imagery, itself, conjures up that feeling of heightened sensitivity and deeper layers of meaning that a good piece of verse can create.
And how can you not love: "Enlightenment was not the diamond. Enlightenment was the choice." Shivers every time!
In terms of the through-theme, the execution is also flawless. Particularly in the middle story. Turlough checks in just often enough with the Black Guardian to remind us that the whole central predicament of the plot was caused by their unholy alliance. I also love that the White Guardian doesn't start appearing til the final tale. It gives us a sense that things are building up. That this is no longer just about the Black Guardian's revenge, it really is a clash between Good and Evil.
Of course, there's also that bit in Mawdryn Undead where Turlough sees his own sleeping form as he realizes his conversation with the Headmaster was all a dream. So mega-cool!
There really is nothing I can find wrong in this trilogy.
Final Score: 10/10
THE TUTELAGE OF ACE TRILOGY
These last few trilogies start to become more and more subjective. With our first three, the production team tended to refer to them as actual trilogies. A very conscious effort was being made to get three stories to link together into a larger narrative.
The Tutelage of Ace seems to be more of something that the fans have picked up on. There might have been some degree of intention from the creative team, too - but it's difficult to say. This really might be more of an afterthought. That, only after watching the last three stories of Seasond 26, we all decided there was a sort of through-theme going on.
Naturally enough, that sense of continuity between the stories is fairly muddled. In Ghostlight, there is a definite idea that the Doctor has issued a challenge to Ace to assess where she is and what's going on, there. He is very consciously giving her a lesson of some sort. Which is why we come up with this whole idea that she is being specifically mentored (or even groomed) in these three stories. But the other two stories in the trilogy don't take on the same motif. The Doctor does still seem to be moving Ace through certain specific processes, but he becomes less and less obvious about it in every story. In Ghostlight, he is very consciously trying to teach her how to conquer her fear. In Curse of Fenric, he's a bit more discreet. But he is trying to get her to let go of her resentments. His intention in Survival seems even less clear. He's bringing Ace back home to help her come to terms with where she came from. And to, maybe, help her to just move on from her past, in general. To be in the present. It really is difficult to tell. But, like the other two stories, he seems to have some sort of agenda. He has given her a goal to achieve. She's just not always aware that he's doing that. But this does cause us to believe that all three stories are interconnected in their own way.
The fact that the through-line is not as clear-cut as it is in other trilogies is not, necessarily, a bad thing. If anything, it shows that the production team can make three stories relate to each other without having to hit you over the head with what the central theme is meant to be. In some ways, I do feel that this particular trilogy has more artistic merit than the others.
This is another trilogy where the stories are amazing. Ghostlight is, perhaps, one of the most sophisticated pieces of television ever created. It really demands that the viewers work out for themselves what the actual story is about. To create their own plot from what they are seeing. You just don't really see stuff like that on television. Curse of Fenric is an absolute Classic. In fact, I prefer this story over many of the tales that most fans attach this sort of label to. It's much better than, say, Genesis of the Daleks or Caves of Androzani. Survival might be the weakest entry of the three, but that's only because the bar is so ridiculously high. It's still incredible and takes the whole show out on a very classy note. I was delighted to see Rona Munro come back and write for New Who (where she did yet another amazing job!). She deserved the status of "First Writer from the Classic Series to Return to the Modern Version."
Admittedly, I do still wonder if we can truly refer to this as a trilogy. As this does seem more like a title fans have ascribed to it rather than a genuine fact. That is about the only thing that really works to its detriment, though. In so many other ways, this is a great piece of work that builds up a fascinating backstory for Ace. Sadly, the arc it set in motion was meant to be completed in Season 27. But we never got to see it come to fruition.
Final Score: 9/10
THE "OF THE DOCTOR" TRILOGY
When I posted my What Constitutes a Three-Parter essay a while back (https://robtymec.blogspot.com/2019/09/points-of-debate-what-constitutes-three.html), an interesting point was made in the comments. Some fans felt that Name of the Doctor, Day of the Doctor and Time of the Doctor could constitute a very loosely-linked three-part adventure.
I would like to take that theory one step further. Rather than call it a three part story, I think it actually constitutes a legitimate trilogy. Yes, these are just three episodes back-to-back. My own definition states that a trilogy is made up of several multi-part stories. But, when you consider the running times of some of the episodes, it is like you are getting multi-part adventures. Day has the length of about a four-parter. And Time is close to a three-part length. So we can "fudge the rules" just a little bit and let this one be a trilogy.
How well do the stories link together? Fairly well. All three of them do tend to get a bit more introspective about our protagonist than usual. They take a deeper look into the Doctor and the nature of his heroism.We are definitely looking at some of the core issues of the character. Particularly in Day and Time. Both examine the philosophies that the Doctor holds that make him into the hero that he is. Name doesn't quite dive into this as strongly. It gets more into the idea of how he deals with his failures. It is also concentrating quite a bit on the whole Impossible Girl storyline. Almost to the point of distraction. It does link nicely with Day, at least, in that it deals with multiple incarnations a bit. So there is still some cohesiveness, there.
There is another major theme that the trilogy deals with a bit better. Much of these three episodes narrate the Last Stages of the Doctor's Journey to Trenzalore. Which, in many ways, is meant to be the Doctor facing his Final End. In this sense, Name and Time connect better. Whereas Day only makes some very incidental mentions of it. Moff almost seems to be grafting on the arc a bit in Day rather than properly integrating it.
What this does basically mean is that the through-themes only seem to work so well. Some stories link well with each other in some ways. And, in other manners, they're only so cohesive. Overall, though, I do think the connections are strong enough that we can call this a trilogy if we want to.
Not too much problems with the stories. Name is competently-told. Day actually makes it into my Top Ten (https://robtymec.blogspot.com/2015/12/book-of-lists-top-ten-who-stories-7.html). Time is definitely one of the better swansong stories the show has ever produced - particularly in the New Series. So there's little to complain about, there.
There is, however, a sort of weird disconnect between Name and Day that, again, damages the cohesiveness of the whole trilogy. At the end of Name, the Doctor is still trapped in his own timeline. In Day, he has escaped it without any explanation. One almost expects the Doctor to proclaim: "I'm indestructible! The whole Universe knows that!"
In some ways, of course, we can only complain so much about the disconnectedness. I don't really think the production team were trying to make this into a legitimate trilogy. Like the Tutelage of Ace, this is more of a fan concept. I would even say it's more of a concept of just one specific fan!
However, if I am to subject it to my Points of Criteria, I still see that it's a pretty good trilogy. It deserves a decent score even if other trilogies are much better-constructed.
Final Score: 7/10
A FEW FINAL OBSERVATIONS
That, to me, constitutes all the trilogies that exist in the whole of the series. Because of the simple scoring system, I don't really see a need to rank them too formally. You can, pretty much, work it out for yourself. Quite obviously, I think The Guardians Trilogy is the best. "Of the Doctor" comes in at the bottom.
Like my Review Overview of Visually Comedic Doctors, these scores are all quite high. This is another area where I always felt the show succeeded quite well. These trilogies were always competently-handled. It's not like, say, some of the regenerations that have been portrayed over the years. Some of them really were badly-done. Trilogies always seemed to be quite solid.
One should take particular note of the strength of the stories that we find in these trilogies. None of them really ever had a "dud". In fact, several of these tales are very highly-regarded. Not just by me. But fandom, in general. It does almost seem like when trilogies were being made, much better attention was given to the execution of the story-telling. Which makes sense. When you're trying to link three adventures together into a bigger tale, you have to concentrate harder on the scripts. Which, in turn, creates stronger plots that are better-told.
I do hope this latest entry didn't get a bit too lengthy for you. I was tempted to break it down into two parts but the word-count didn't quite constitute the need to do so. As a single entry, however, it does go a bit long. But it did seem better to keep it that way rather than break it apart. Hope you feel the same.
Having said that, I really do think trilogies have worked excellently in Doctor Who. I would love to do a follow-up, someday, where I review a few more of them...
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