Revisitting Fang Rock and Terrance
allen_who
Posts: 2,819 Forum Member
✭✭✭
I was never a great fan of this story as a kid, it just didn't provide the scare or tension factor so I thought I'd rewatch it again with fresh eyes.
It certainly zips along and is well paced, the characters have some great lines and it's very atmospheric. Even though it was filmed in the 70's the Lighthouse setting helps it feel like a more modern story. Maybe my younger astute self wasn't happy because I could sense a change in tone from the previous 3 seasons.
My biggest praise goes to the main man himself, writer Terrance D1cks who had to put it together at breakneck speed due to another script being blocked by the head honcho's at the Beeb.
I can honestly say one of his lines got me pausing and heading off to Google to see if it were true... "The Malicious Damage Act 1871 covers Lighthouses too"... and it is true. Just like when you read a good novel and you see a word you've never encountered before, you feel like you are being challenged by the author. I've never felt need to ever Google a line from a TV show before!! Great reseacrh and care by el'Tel there. Modern day aspiring writers could do well to listen to YouTube footage of Terrance talk about his works ( not just of Dr Who )
It certainly zips along and is well paced, the characters have some great lines and it's very atmospheric. Even though it was filmed in the 70's the Lighthouse setting helps it feel like a more modern story. Maybe my younger astute self wasn't happy because I could sense a change in tone from the previous 3 seasons.
My biggest praise goes to the main man himself, writer Terrance D1cks who had to put it together at breakneck speed due to another script being blocked by the head honcho's at the Beeb.
I can honestly say one of his lines got me pausing and heading off to Google to see if it were true... "The Malicious Damage Act 1871 covers Lighthouses too"... and it is true. Just like when you read a good novel and you see a word you've never encountered before, you feel like you are being challenged by the author. I've never felt need to ever Google a line from a TV show before!! Great reseacrh and care by el'Tel there. Modern day aspiring writers could do well to listen to YouTube footage of Terrance talk about his works ( not just of Dr Who )
2
Comments
That would never happen nowadays. There would be a twist that once the Rutan is killed everyone it killed comes back to life and everyone is happy and cheering as the Tardis fades away. There is something really grim about this story which gives it a chill and a menace. Its OK to scare Children.
There are other stories where the "kill everybody" goes OTT - 5th Doctor Dalek and Cyberman story comes to mind. But it really works in Fang Rock. No witnesses to worry about so no need to call UNIT in.
Could you explain this "Max Headroom" hack, please?
https://tardis.fandom.com/wiki/Horror_of_Fang_Rock_(TV_story)#Max_Headroom_signal_hijacking
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Max_Headroom_signal_hijacking
Thanks so much! I knew about that, but I had no idea that it was during an episode of Doctor Who. LOL! Small world, I guess.