Enlightenment 103 -Apr/May 2001

The Brethren of Time and Space

None of us were in court this week, so we all dragged ourselves over
to Ray's place for the latest staff meeting.  Somehow we managed to
choke down Mark of the Rani all in one sitting. I hadn't seen that
serial in years, and now found myself watching the most tragic thing
since the Franklin expedition.  Since I had remembered this as being
one of Colin Baker's best stories, I find myself filled with profound
unease at the prospect of seeing another one any time in the
forseeable future.  I'm pretty sure my only hope would be in downing
a stiff shot of gin beforehand.  This will either give me the courage
I need or knock me completely unconscious for the duration of the
screening: I can't lose either way.  One the other hand, we did also
see Talons of Weng-Chiang and, despite its greater age, it holds up
remarkable well.  Indeed, I'd venture to say I haven't been this
impressed since that sceen in The Grifters where Annette Bening comes
out of her hotel room.
     Whether my views are coloured by old personal bias or I was
simply perceptive from square one, I do not know.  Some day I must
assemble a book-length essay on the subject.  Anyway, after that
point, the meeting just turned ugly.  If you don't mind, I'd just
rather not get into it.

Aaron Prokop