Doctor Who: Ace Adventures Box Set [DVD] [1987]

The trouble with box sets, is that sometimes one story drags the other down, in this case I would say Dragonfire, pulls the rating down. from 1985 onwards Dr Who became a programme unloved and un-wanted by the BBC shipped to a Monday night opposite Coronation street McCoy's Dr tried to establish a fan base, but like many,of the stories of his first season they mainly wanted me to hide with embarrassment, as they contained everything which Michael Grade had highlighted, the show looked tired and the scripts were at times just bad. It might sound like I hate the programme well no I love it, like all fans i have all the DVD's even the ones like this one I have bought. However I think if you are a true fan you have to except not every Dr Who story is a classic, the programme peaked with Pertwee and Baker in the 70's, Peter Davidson did ok but the cracks started to appear with Timeflight and Warriors of the Deep. Colin Baker, may have not been given a chance, but the costume put an end to him ever being taken seriously. McCoy replaced Baker, with the series now cut to 14 episodes, it did take two seasons to get back on track. Dragonfire was the last story of McCoys, first season, and please don't get me wrong it is not an awful story,but it is defiantly not a five star classic either that's for sure with a silly cliff hanger being completely studio bound and with McCoy hanging from his umbrella still makes me scratch my head and ask why did he do that ?. It was voted the worst ever cliffhanger which did not help the story, but putting those negatives to one side, the story is watch-able, and of cause it is goodbye to Mel and hello to Ace so it is worth watching. Ace was a great idea from JNT, she seemed to be the first companion who had a bit of a back story and some baggage, almost like the companion's of the new series.I watched The happiness patrol first, and the first thing I noticed is it was almost like watching Paradise Towers (sets that is), by the time Dr Who went into its last few year's, JNT decided to do two stories studio bound and then two stories on location. Seems like a logical idea, however this is where both these stories suffer being studio bound completely, unfortunately we are blessed with location filming now on all Who stories, but its not all bad the Chemistry between Ace and the Dr is starting to come through, and unlike say Paradise Towers the acting is not so over the top that you can't watch it. As for the Candy man, interesting concept, one the BBC would never be allowed to repeat as Bassets complained it was too like their Bertie Bassett. I would say for a full price double set the extras are not the best for a Dr Who release and I was disappointed that the Happiness story was not in 5.1, as indicated on line by Dan Hall, it is Stereo even though the box says mono. Over all I would investigate this issue but with caution these are not the best stories from McCoy but as nearly everyone's say's things were improving and the programme was going in the right direction. I still would say this is for die hard fans only.

Can't wait for this set to come out! Roll on Bank Holiday Monday!! It was just the audacity of the then writers to give the Doctor a dysfunctional working class teenager as a companion that I find insprirng here. I really don't care whether the realsiation isn't top-notch its the integrity of the writing that shines out for me. I do find the Ace/7th Doctor dynamic one of the best ever in the whole series and it's a great pity we never got to see how it ended on screen. Yes, the issued based stuff is of its time but the Doctor as an almost probation officer to the wayward Ace and not doing too grand a job is an intriguing take on the character. Plus Sylv & Sophie do have great on screen chemistry. I'm a 50 year old Who fan and by the mores of fandom I should be slagging these stories off and making everyone avoid them and get Pertwee or T. Baker ones instead - but folks, life isn't that simplistic!! I can even say wholeheartedly that I LOVE the Candyman with his weasley, hysterical voice - just what Capitalism is!!! Ace & the Professor ROCK!!!

The Happiness Patrol...a weird and wonderful story that appeals to both adults and children. The story is gripping and clever, bizarre beyond belief and one of the best sets ever used on a Doctor Who story. A coin is two sided - you can't have one without the other - so why penalise someone for having a sad moment. To experience happiness you have to experience sadness. In the world of Terra Alpha, you would be killed by a creepy henchman (or woman with weird makeup on) due to the leader's one sided attitude. The acting is superb by all the cast in this story, and the monsters are impressive too. The Kandyman is the iconic villian of this one and Helen A's vicious pet Fifi is pure entertainment. If I wrote this story, Fifi would kill Helen A in a bizarre turn of events. The story is completely studio bound and the eeriness of the city will never leave you. One of the better Sylvester McCoy stories, just don't accept sweets from strangers.