Rodney's Reviews
Page 23 of 42
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Rodney's Reviews |
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A Sense of History How anyone could describe this as "serious and thoughtful" (The Avengers Dossier) is beyond me. The potential is there, admittedly, as Patrick Mower's confrontations with Steed have a genuine threat of violence about them. Credit should also go to Jacqueline Pearce who—despite having very few lines—manages to convey a remarkable sense of fear. However, despite the mitigating circumstances of a "rag week" setting, it is quite simply a very, very silly episode. The sets—normally a genuine strength of the series—are ridiculous. There is no feel of a university; it seems more like a school, with lectures taking place in tiny classrooms with oversized pupils at cramped desks while the archive room is more like a broom cupboard. The demeanour of the students reinforces the impression that one is in a St. Trinians film. There is a complete absence of intellectual ideas and ideals, despite the fact that this is supposed to be the source of conflict. The characters of Carlyon (with his gypsy caravan) and Professor Acheson (with his isometric exercises) are two of the most inane in the entire series. Add to this list of woes the fact that there is little in the way of humour and IMHO "A Sense of History" is vying with "Quick-Quick Slow Death" as the worst black & white Rigg episode. |
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