Rating: 
Summary: A look into the future of our TV stations?
Review: The Doctor (Colin Baker) and Peri arrive in a world where citizens are subjected to endless televised TV violence. They also come across Sil, an amphibious slug-like being with one loyalty - to the money in his bank account.This story came under fire for its use of violence (funny how the moaners who haven't a good word to say about anything don't seem to mind all the real-life horrors in televised boxing, wrestling and 'docu-soaps' and yet get in a fuss about make-up and stuntmen in a sci-fi show). Vengeance is a great story with good pace, Sil is an excellently ruthless villain and characterisation is at its best.
Rating: 
Summary: Vengeance On Varos
Review: The Doctor and Peri enact an emergency landing on Varos, to acquire a desperately-needed mineral (Zeiton 7, or some such maguffin) that will get the TARDIS back in proper shape--without it, they're going nowhere. And it turns out that Varos is not such a great place to spend one's remaining years. The Governor of Varos is beset from all sides: his High Officer is against him, and has formed a selfish alliance with Sil, an arrogant, whining alien who resembles either a hugely inflated worm, or a diminutive Jabba, take your pick. Plus, the beleaguered Governor is just as at the mercy of Varos's idiotic "Big Brother-esque" society, where a sort of Reality-TV dominates all; people stay glued to their sets, using voting buttons to vote Yes or No on political decisions--the Governor must strap himself in and suffer potentially lethal agony for every vote that goes against him!--and also to watch rebels and criminals be captured and forced to run a gauntlet of hopeless challenges, or simply tortured in the dungeons. Enter the Doctor, who knows a stagnant dysptopia when he lands on one (though it occurs to me that Varos's populace--collective couch-potato or not--has quite a bit of direct political power). He sets out to free a key rebel, nullify wormy Sil's self-serving influence in Varosian economic policy, and generally liberate the people from violent reality-TV programming, if that's conceivable. But first he has to survive running Varos's gauntlet of horrors himself (here the film resembles the shlocky shenanigans of the film The Running Man). I had heard that this was one of the best Colin Baker stories, but in truth, it's pretty formulaic, and Nicola Bryant, as companion Peri, looks great, but has always grated on my nerve-strings as an actress. She turns out to be just as disappointing giving commentary, not able to go beyond one-word interjections, or simple hmms and haws, very often; she especially likes to repeat the word "genius" a lot. Colin Baker and the actor who played Sil help keep the commentary section somewhat lively, though there this still a lot of dead air, or useless conversational piffle. When it comes to follow-ups, I can recommend the Dr Who novel called State Of Change, by Christopher Bulis. That novel sees Peri changing completely into a bird-woman, whereas in Vengeance On Varos, we do get a bit cheated. I mean, they went to all that trouble to apply some swell-looking feathers to Peri and yet while in partial bird-form she merely remains strapped to a table, and they couldn't even be bothered to feather up her legs (they have what looks like a big piece of tinfoil thrown over her legs instead--cop-out). The novel State Of Change explores further Peri's secret passion to fly away (especially when in danger), as she, well, finally gets her wings! The deleted scenes are nothing special, but they were wise to remove the scene where a so-called rebel leader Jondar(?), played by, uh, Jason Connery, gives his back-story; considering his alleged status as a rebel, his story about why he was actually captured is pretty lame. If this is a first-rate Varosian rebel, the Doctor arrived just in time. Entertaining formula stuff, with fun performances by the dudes playing the Governor, Sil, and of course whatsisname in the multi-coloured jacket (what IS his name?).
Rating: 
Summary: A thoughtful story for a great season!
Review: The second adventure of Colin Baker's first spectacular season as Doctor Who is, as a whole, breathtaking. The plot is centered around Varos: A planet originally set up as a penal colony, but grew to be a planet of its own accord. Problem is, its citizens are treated like prisoners by the government. They are forced to mine for slave wages and rations and those who rule live in power. And to keep the citizens quiet, forms of punishment are broadcast live or taped. There is a third party, Sil, manipulating events to gain more wealth for himself... A great story and frighteningly ahead of its time, considering how TV is like these days, yet criticized unfairly and wrongfully for being violent. The story itself is well-written, excellently paced, daring, and best of all are the shakespearean concepts such as a character talking *to* the camera to help convey the plot along and the characters of Etta and Arak who are showing we, the viewers, how they live - they are the citizens and we get to see how the citizens live along with the other events which in turn makes this story extremely well-rounded and multi-dimensional. But the only problem is with the acting - solely by Jason Connery (yes, Sean's son and proves he's as much of an actor as daddy). Jason comes across as a mannequin at many times, as does his 'girlfriend' (played by Geraldine Alexander), and it's a shame since everybody else, particularly Martin Jarvis and Forbes Collins steal the show. Still, I'm being harsh. There are far worse actors out there and their acting could have been worse. The story is indeed a classic and proves that Colin Baker's era is not devoid of compassion and morals as one might think. (they're merely presented in an unconventional point of view)
Rating:
Summary: One of the best Sixth Doctor stories
Review: The sixth Doctor era is one that is often criticised by Doctor Who fans, and this criticism is justified in my opinion. The majority of the stories starring Colin Baker ranged from mediocre to poor, with the exception of Revelation Of The Daleks and this story. Vengeance On Varos is a story that is more relevant now than it was when it was first broadcast due to the current glut of reality tv shows that clog the airwaves. These two episodes show a populace that gets to vote on government policy through interactive television broadcasts. Rather than a simple yes or no vote, the voting involves torture of the Governor which the population gets to watch. They also get to see public torturing and executions of "terrorists" as part of their daily intake of television "entertainment". This satire of television and government rings all the more true as time goes by. The sixth Doctor is still rather an unlikeable character here at times, only a few stories into his era which was cut abruptly short when Colin Baker was sacked after his final story, The Trial Of A Time Lord. At the beginning of the story, he is still exhibiting the mood swings seen in his first story which makes it difficult for the audience to be won over by this particular incarnation of the Time Lord. Tom Bakers Doctor was also prone to black moods, but the sixth Doctor comes across at times as a petulant and whiny child. This is not a fault that can be levelled solely at the actor as the character was shaped by the producer, script editor (who was later quite vocal about his dislike of this era of the program) and writers. The DVD itself is another excellent piece of work from the Restoration Team. The picture and sound are excellent. The various special features are entertaining and informative, especially the commentary track by Colin Baker, Nicola Bryant and Nabil Shaban who plays the stories villain Sil. It's a very funny and cheeky chat that's well worth a listen. Apparently this is the lowest selling Doctor Who DVD in the UK, but it's certainly a story that stands the test of time and definitely worth your time and money. If nothing else, the story may make you think more about the society we live in and that's no bad thing.
Rating:
Summary: The TV of the future?
Review: This episode has the Doctor and Peri landing on planet called Varos. The people that live there are supposed to watch what the government wants them to! The Doctor and Peri get mixed up in planetary politcs as well. This episode was thought as a commentary on Today's shock TV. It has the Doctor and his friends caught up in the system being broadcast to everyone on Varos. This time the eyes of the world are on the Doctor! If you would like the TV of the future as seen though the writers of this series, buy this video! Also Sean Connery's real life son Jason Connery guest stars in this episode as the rebel Jondar!
Rating:
Summary: More 'Who' at it's best...
Review: This episode is but one part of a stellar season that comes close to the high point of the early Phillip Hinchcliff/Tom Baker episodes of the mid '70's. Great suspense and action. It was during this season that the BBC got a new C.E.O. who was soon to spell doom for Dr. Who, thinking it needed "changing". At least we got a look at Sil, a repulsive, yet magnificently evil little slug. Unfortunately, the same elements that made this episode (and season) great were the same things that outraged certain moral majority groups that kept complaining in our childrens "best interests". Sadly, after this season, the show went on an 18 month hiatus after which it never fully recovered. Vengeance on Varos and season 22 is still looked upon as one of the best done seasons in Who history.
| 
