"Doctor Who"
The Mark of the Rani: Part 2 (1985)

Director:

Sarah Hellings

Writers:

Pip Baker (writer) &
Jane Baker (writer)

TV Series:

"Doctor Who" (1963)

Original Air Date:

9 February 1985 (Season 22, Episode 6)

Genre:

Adventure | Drama | Sci-Fi

Plot:

Plot Keywords:

Master | Second Part | Space Hero | Scientist Hero | Extraterrestrial

Cast

Colin Baker	...	The Doctor
Nicola Bryant	...	Peri
Anthony Ainley	...	The Master
Kate O'Mara	...	The Rani
Terence Alexander	...	Lord Ravensworth
Gawn Grainger	...	George Stephenson
Peter Childs	...	Jack Ward
Gary Cady	...	Luke Ward
Richard Steele	...	Guard
William Ilkley	...	Tim Bass

Runtime:

45 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:G | UK:U

Filming Locations:

Blists Hill Open Air Museum, Ironbridge, Shropshire, England, UK

"Peri! The tree won't hurt you!" Decent Colin Baker story.

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

Doctor Who: Mark of the Rani: Part 2 starts as the Doctor (Colin Baker) is saved from impending death by George Stevenson (Gawn Grainger), he meets up with Peri (Nicola Bryant) again & they set off in search of the evil Rani (Kate O'Mara) & the Master (Anthony Ainley). As the Rani is still intent on collecting human brain serum & the Master continues his quest to kill the Doctor can he put an end to the Rani's plans & save himself from the Master?

This Doctor Who adventure was episode 6 from season 22 that originally aired here in the UK during early 1985, directed by Sarah Hellings this is a pretty good story. The script by Pip & Jane Baker has been fun seeing three Time Lords face off against each other but the basic back story is a little weak & rather forgettable. It makes a nice change that the Doctor & Peri don't spend the entire time squabbling, it moves along at a nice enough pace & never bored me. Some of the historic facts don't quite add up & are inaccurate but what the hell it still provides plenty of good sci-fi entertainment.

This has looked pretty good throughout although there are no big special effects scenes or monsters apart from a Tyranosaurus at the end & some of the local population are turned into tree's by the Rani which look rather silly. The inside of the Rani's TARDIS is cool though, she also takes off her beggars clothes in this one to reveal her proper outfit. This one isn't particularly scary but there are a couple of queasy scenes involving maggots. I wasn't keen on the incidental music during this story though. The acting has been alright but nothing overly special.

Mark of the Rani is a good story from an era that wasn't great for the show, definitely one of the better Colin Baker stories.