The Awakening [TV/1984.1.19 ~ 1.20]

★★★☆☆

  I have the slightest of ideas as to why some people give The Awakening rave reviews. It's a cute little story (quite literally little for the standards of the classic series, being one of the few two-parters), with an iconic and memorable villain concept and design and a very good Peter Davison performance. Really, if it's either been ages since you last watched this serial or you haven't altogether, go (re)watch it and see how confident he is. Davison is one of those Dr. Who actors who required a bit of time getting into the title role, but once he got a full grasp on what he was comfortable with it, he was practically unstoppable. Just look at this incredible man, traipsing into trouble and being proud of it. "You speak treason." "Frequently!" Yes, I completely get why some people hold The Awakening close to its heart.

  As for me, I think it's quite good as well. Mind you, it's still not nearly enough to completely win me over, so to speak... but it's entertaining, sometimes incredibly so, and the narrative details here are pretty much enough to cover a four-parter with some extra padding. It was ultimately a good choice that they decided to make this a two-parter, however; it's good for a classic era serial to not feel padded out for once. Plus -- miraculously, despite what I said about the ideas here being good enough to support a four-parter, The Awakening never feels rushed. Eric Pringle and Michael Owen Morris, two first-and-only-time writer/director contributors, bring a gust of fresh air to the show with a tight pace, a story that acts on its own beats (despite feeling like The Dæmons at times) and tells its own story about godlike malevolent aliens influencing the warlike nature in the humans of a small village. Also, Tegan's granddad makes an appearance, and she keeps on her best dress (the one she wears from Warriors of the Deep onwards). I love the design on this one, much recommended for alien monster design fanatics like me!