The Twin Dilemma: Part One (22 Mar. 1984)

The Doctor's moods are wide and in a jumble as he settles into his new regeneration. Elsewhere a set of genius twins are kidnapped, whose mathematical computations can manipulate features ... See full summary »

Director:

Peter Moffatt

Writer:

Anthony Steven (by)

Stars:

Colin Baker, Nicola Bryant, Maurice Denham

Cast

Episode cast overview:
Colin Baker	...	The Doctor
Nicola Bryant	...	Peri
Maurice Denham	...	Edgeworth
Kevin McNally	...	Hugo Lang
Edwin Richfield	...	Mestor
Dennis Chinnery	...	Sylvest
Barry Stanton	...	Noma
Oliver Smith	...	Drak
Helen Blatch	...	Fabian
Dione Inman	...	Elena
Gavin Conrad	...	Romulus
Andrew Conrad	...	Remus

Storyline

The Doctor's moods are wide and in a jumble as he settles into his new regeneration. Elsewhere a set of genius twins are kidnapped, whose mathematical computations can manipulate features of the universe. They're immediately put to work by aliens for an as yet unknown end.

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | Sci-Fi

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 March 1984 (UK)

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Runtime:

25 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Dennis Chinnery replaced Peter Clay.

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Quotes

Fabian: That is a direct order form the Minister, and may my bones rot for obeying it.

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Connections

Referenced in 'Doctor Who': The Hartnell Years (1991)

User Reviews

Colin Bakers disappointing first story as the Doctor.

Doctor Who: The Twin Dilemma: Part 1 starts as two young mathematical genius's named Romulus & Remus (Gavin & Andrew Conrad, apparently Gavin's real name was Paul Conrad but couldn't be credited under it because there was another actor working under that name which makes no sense to me but there you go) who are identical twins are kidnapped by an evil professor called Edgeworth (Maurice Denham) & taken to an isolated asteroid called Titan 3. Meanwhile the new Doctor (Colin Baker) & his companion Peri (Nicola Bryant) aren't getting on that well after his latest regeneration, in fact the Doctor tries to kill Peri which when he finally comes to his senses realises was a bad thing to do so he decides to put himself & Peri in exile on the most barren place he can think of which just happens to be Titan 3...

This Doctor Who adventure was episode 21 from season 21 that aired here in the UK in early 1984 & was Colin Bakers first story as the Doctor, directed by Peter Moffatt I thought this was average at best & you can just see the series going down hill. The script by Anthony Steven is alright I suppose although I thought the clever title was the best thing about it. Not that much has happened apart from the kidnapping & the introduction of Colin Baker who is given a pretty unlikable character to deal with, he seems to wallow in self pity, has no real personality, tries to kill Peri & is rather rude. I'm sorry but the Doctor should be the most likable character in the show without a doubt. That entertainment value, the bags of fun that Doctor Who used to be during the 70's isn't quite here I'm afraid, disappointing.

As the entertainment value was shrinking apparently so were the budgets as this looks horribly garish with some silly looking 'futuristic' set design which are pretty poor, then of course there's the special effects. The model spaceships look alright but the giant space slug thing is absolutely terrible, seriously the costume doesn't fit properly & it's about as scary & menacing as Mickey Mouse. A special mention for Peri who is still one of my favourite companions & she's pretty hot looking as well. Oddly going against tradition The Twin Dilemma which introduced a new Doctor was broadcast as the last story during Peter Davison's final season rather than the first story of the following one apparently to keep viewers interested between the break in seasons, I'm not sure if it worked to be honest.

The Twin Dilemma hasn't started that well, there's just about enough here to keep me going & I'll definitely watch the following three episodes but the way it's looking at the moment I doubt it'll get any better.