Rating: 
Summary: GREAT SHOW CLASSIC. BUT WRONG YEAR.
Review: THE TALONS OF WENG-CHIANG IS A CLASSIC BUT YOU HAVE THE WRONG YEAR OF BROUDCAST IT WAS MADE IN 1977. CHECK YOUR OTHER DOCTOR WHO INFO MOST OF THE OTHERS HAVE WRONG DATES TOO. A GREAT REFRENCE BOOK TO FIND OUT THIS INFO IS {DOCTOR WHO/A CELEBRATION TWO DECADES THROUGH TIME AND SPACE} BY PETER HAINING IT CAME OUT IN 1983 NOV.OR DEC. ALL OF DOCTOR WHO STORIES (SHOWS/SEARILES)ARE THE BEST. WITH THE EXCEPTION OF COLIN BAKER 1985-86? AKA THE SIXTH DOCTOR. THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME HAVE MY SAY. MONDAY. JAN.22,2001 TIME IN NEW ENGLAND IS 9:10A.M.
Rating: 
Summary: An excellent end to Doctor Who's finest season
Review: The Talons of Weng-Chiang is a six-part serial, and clearly much of this episode's budget went into authenticity of period costuming and set design. The hat-tips to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle are frequent and blatant -from the Doctor's deerstalker cap to his groan-inducing use of the phrase "Elementary, my dear Lightfoot." However the backhanded compliments don't stop there --writers Robert Banks Stewart and Robert Holmes also managed to work in plenty of visual and spoken references to Phantom of the Opera, the old Fu Manchu serials, and even the legend of Jack the Ripper. In matters of totally pointless trivia, this was to be the last episode with which Philip Hinchcliffe would be associated. Additionally, series composer Dudley Simpson appears in a cameo as the theater orchestra conductor, and in a footnote only of interest to true Doctor Who fanatics, this was the very first episode that had John Nathan-Turner as a member of the production staff. The characters of Henry Jago (Christopher Benjamin) and Professor Litefoot (Trevor Baxter) are often cited as the best of Robert Holmes' famed "double acts", (although they do not actually meet until late in episode five). A spin-off series involving the two investigating mysteries in Victorian England was discussed, but ultimately went nowhere. As with Robots of Death, it is the grander scope of the episode's backstory that elevates the plot: the Doctor's throwaway lines about "World War Six" and "The Battle of Reykjavik" provide a glimpse into the world from which Magnus Greel has escaped. Without these premises, Talons would be little more than a string of chase sequences connecting the monster-in-the-lair/giant rat/incompetent coolies scenes. As it is, there's some blatantly obvious script padding (notably Jago's and Litefoot's failed escape attempt via the dumbwaiter in Episode Five). Li H'Sen Chang (John Bennett) is a wonderful tragic figure in that he is not the ultimate villain of the story. We can see right from the first that Chang is up to something, just by the remarkably calm and unhurried way in which he comports himself -witness the way Jago and the police constables practically fall all over themselves to be polite. To the audience, the mystery of the story isn't so much in figuring out who the perpetrator is, but rather piecing together the backstory of the puppet master. The Doctor, in his usual distracted way, postulates who and what Mr. Sin really is, while Leela and Litefoot can only stare and nod blankly. Greel (Michael Spice)'s obsession with the time cabinet is established fairly early, but the real reason for it doesn't become clear until the final fifteen minutes of the story. I must devote a couple of lines of praise for the character of Litefoot, "England's Premier Professor of Pathology." Here we have a respectable Victorian gentleman who, in spite of the weirdness going on around him, still remembers to be a gracious host. You might think that with a plot that involves Leela running around loose in Victorian London, there would be plenty of opportunity for awkwardness, but with Litefoot there is none. As soon as he understands Leela's preferred "table manners," he puts down his plate and silverware and starts tucking in to a joint of meat in the same way as his guest. There's a lot we can learn from that. Some "Eliza Doolittle" elements do creep into the story later on, as Litefoot gently nudges Leela down the path of "proper" behavior (for example, when to use a napkin, complimenting her dress, and how many lumps of sugar are acceptable). In conclusion: my personal belief is that Season Fourteen is the golden age of Doctor Who, and is certainly the high point of Tom Baker's era --this excellent serial caps it off nicely.
Rating:
Summary: The Best of the Best
Review: The Talons of Weng-Chiang is my absolute favorite story of Doctor Who. It comes at the end of what I feel is Doctor Who's Golden Age, the Hinchcliffe Era. Everything about Weng Chiang, save the giant rat, is outstanding. The plot is masterfully written, and plays out without everletting the viewer lose interest. The characters created in the story, from Professor Litefoot to Li-Hsen Chang, to the deadly Mr. Sin are some of the most memorable in all of Doctor Who's history. This is partly because each character is superbly acted onscreen (well, Mr. Sin never really acted, but he didn't have to). The Doctor as played by Tom Baker, and Leela (Louise Jameson) are also worthy of note, as they carry all their scenes with distinction. The look of this production is top-rate, the viewer is immediately fooled into believing this really is London at the turn of the century. The setting adds much to the story, and gives it an unbreakably authentic air about it. The story itself is original and intriguing, a mix of many exciting elements. This is by far the best Tom Baker story (quite a distinction) and one of the finest efforts put forth by Britain's number one science fiction show.
Rating:
Summary: Classic Episode
Review: There are good episodes of Dr Who and great episodes and a few classics, those near perfect ones....This is one of them. Set in Victorian London the Doctor and Leila fight Weng-Chiang and Mr. Sin the Peking Humonculous. Music Halls victorian sewers what more can you ask for!
Rating:
Summary: Doctor Who in London
Review: There are those who consider Doctor Who to be at its very best when the errant Time Lord is visiting Earth and dealing with alien threats that are Earthbound. Doctor #3 himself, the late Jon Pertwee, often stated this story genre to be his favorite, and judging by the number of Earthbound stories from the show's lengthy history, many agreed. The latest two releases on DVD from the BBC archives are united in their "Earth invasion" theme, but both have taken an interesting and indeed unique slant on the alien invasion of London twist. The "Dalek invasion of Earth" was the last adventure made in the first season production block, way back in 1964, albeit held over and broadcast as the second story in season two. The adventure is significant for many reasons, mainly because it featured the departure of one of the original Tardis crew, and also because it was the first "sequel" to feature in the show, featuring the return of the enormously popular Daleks, created by Terry Nation. Set almost 200 years in the future, the adventure mainly takes place in central London, allowing for much location filming around familiar sights, which adds to the realism of the story. It was the first real use of extensive location filming in the show's history and was well worth the effort to take the show out of the studio and bring a more epic quality to the production. The closing sequence featuring the Doctor (as played by William Hartnell) bidding farewell to his granddaughter Susan, played by Carole Ann Ford, may also be one of the entire series most poignant scenes. All six of the original black and white episodes have been painstakingly restored to almost their original broadcast quality, with many enhancements to some of the laughable special effects added as an option. Potentially, it's the other bonus material that may prove the most interesting to fans and casual viewers alike. The commentary from the surviving cast (Carole Ann Ford and William Russell) together with the producer and director is first class. The on-screen captions also go a long way to fleshing out the background to the production. Almost the entire guest cast appear in newly shot interviews airing their reminiscences, plus there are all sorts of behind the scenes programme's, trailers and other goodies gathered onto a 2nd disc. The same is true of the companion release, "The Talons of Weng-Chiang." Made twelve years later, in glorious colour, this six part series took another twist on the Earth invader theme by taking the Doctor, this time played by Tom Baker, and his companion Leela back into Victorian London to deal with a sinister alien menace. For many, this story is often regarded as one of the greatest (if not THE greatest) story of the Doctor Who canon. And I'm not going to disagree. The production values alone would be enough to set it apart, but the wonderful script, incredible design and superlative acting by the entire cast adds a special magic to the show that few other Who adventures have ever matched. Like the earlier Dalek story, it also marks the end of an era, since this was the last adventure produced by Philip Hinchcliffe. Quite honestly - the show was never the same again! Again, there are all sorts of goodies available on a 2nd disc to accompany the restored six-part adventure. A documentary on the history of Doctor Who televised at the conclusion of the serial is just one bonus worth having; the commentary from the cast and crew is another. It's great to hear Louise Jameson (Leela) making her DVD debut, and it's a real shame Tom Baker himself did not take part. Both stories are excellent additions to the growing Doctor Who library, clearly demonstrating the changing production values and story making not only of this particular show, but also British TV drama in general. I'd highly recommend them and look forward to the next two releases in 2004.
Rating:
Summary: Homage to Sherlock Holmes
Review: This episode looks more like a homage to Sherlock Holmes rather than a normal Dr.Who. It is delightfully campy in the true Dr. Who spirit. Dr. Who and Leela travel to Victorian London to show Leela how her ancestors lived. Immediately, they stumble into a plot by an ancient Chinese Tong and thier living god, Weng-Chiang, to revive his aged body by draining the energy from young women. Weng turns out to be a time-traveling war criminal from the 51st century. Dr. Who outwits the crook and his nefarious henchman, Chang the magician, and saves the day. This is an excellent adventure, with a complex plot, good characters, a little weak on action (but they always are), and enjoyable humor. Tom Baker gives a strong performance as an amater sleuth. In my version, the episodic structure has been eliminated so it views like a movie which makes its continuity easier to follow.
Rating:
Summary: A Victorian Adventure!!
Review: This episode of Doctor Who is seen by many Whovians as one of the best, and with good reason. The Doctor and Leela (wearing the most clothes for any time in the series) land in Victorian London in the midst of strange goings on at a Chinese Magician Show. As with all DW adventures, they quickly get drawn into these myterious shenanigans, are put in danger and escape by the skin of their teeth. What makes this different is the characterisations of the supporting characters, especially Litefoot and Jago who both inject great humour into the story. The villains are very creepy, especially Mr Sin, truly a creature of children's nightmares. The giant rats are probably the only mistake in an otherwise flawless story. You have to see this to understand why Tom Baker is probably the most loved of the Doctors and also to view the series at one of its peaks.
Rating:
Summary: An all-time highlight of the series.
Review: This is a Dr Who adventure which could easily have you believing you're watching a big-budget film. Everything about it is first-rate, from the well-written characters and superb performances to the lavish sets and terrific camerawork. Tom Baker's Doctor is at his charismatic best, Greel's desperation gives the villain a three-dimensional, not unsympathetic, edge and the whole adventure has a wonderfully dark, gritty and sinister atmosphere about it. A masterpiece. If you know anyone who thinks Dr Who is a childrens' TV series about rubber monsters then show them this and they'll soon change their minds.
Rating:
Summary: One of the Best Bakers
Review: This is Dr. Who at is best. A setting that fits him (Victorian London). A companion who does more that just scream (Leela). and two proper foils in the persons of the Henry Gordon Jago and the Patholigist Professor Lightfoot (I always thought those characters could carry a series of their own.) ,as the Doctor works to solve not only the murder and kidnaping of women in London but a mystery of a ancient cabinet from China with a function from the far future. The plot combines all of the best elements of the series in general and the Tom Baker years in particular. Although not my favorite (purely for personal reasons) it easily ranks in the top 5 episodes of the Baker years. Dr. Who particularly in this period is good clean fun and I would recommend it to anybody.
Rating:
Summary: Great for a giggle, but some serious SF here too.
Review: This story is one of the best in the Dr. Who canon. It marries some classy, almost postmodern sci fi ideas (man travels backwards in time from distant future bringing undreamt of technology with him) with Victorian gothic horror motifs. There are many things to enjoy here (see reviews below for more details) but the things I like best are Michael Spice's ranting, over the top performance as Weng Chiang/Magnus Greel, the supporting cast (Jago and Lightfoot) and (for some great comic relief) the giant rats. My girlfriend and I collapse in laughter everytime they come on screen. This story is up there with "The Seeds of Doom" and The Pyramids of Mars," and what makes it especially good is it is so different from them or any other Dr Who story.
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