The War Games in Colour

"This whole place is divided into time zones."

Writers: Terrance Dicks & Malcolm Hulke

Format: TV

Broadcast: 23 December 2024

Series: Colourisation 02

Featuring: Second Doctor, Jamie, Zoe

Synopsis

When the TARDIS lands in the horrors of World War I, the Doctor uncovers a threat spanning galaxies and history itself. But this time, saving the day might doom the Doctor forever.

Verdict

The War Games in Colour was an absolute joy to behold! I adore the idea of colourising a number of the 1960s classics because it really does bring them into the modern era and for a whole new generation to enjoy. After the success that was The Daleks in Colour for the sixtieth anniversary last year, it was a magical Christmas night to see my all time favourite story get the same treatment. I must admit I was a little sceptical going in to see just how well the story would work with around 60% of its content cut, but there's just no way we would be able to get four hours' worth of colourisation! I don't think the edit was bad in any way, but it was a stark reminder of how the ten episodes that make up this story is part of its charm. The pace here was frantic which I was expecting to appeal to a newer and more modern audience, whereas in the original serial it was more gradual and that helps tell the story. I don't think we really lost too much here other than Lady Jennifer playing a bit of a smaller role which is a shame because she is really likeable. I was watching alongside my partner Gemma whose exposure to the Classic era of Doctor Who is incredibly minimal. She had no idea about anything to expect from this which was fun as all she had to go on was that this is my favourite ever. She certainly enjoyed and said it's the best thing she's watched from the Classic era which is great! She had no idea that this story actually pre-dates the first on-screen appearance of the Master by a couple of years, so for her to confidently predict that this was who the War Chief was made for a fascinating insight, especially with the incredibly cheeky use of the Master's theme from Series 3! There's nothing confirmed, but the insinuation of the War Chief being an early incarnation of the Master is terrific. I don't wholly agree with it, but I can certainly see why this would be the case! That first look of recognition is such a powerful moment as we start to learn all about the Doctor's backstory. This is obviously a monumentally important story in the history of the Whoniverse as it reveals the Time Lords to us and explains that the Doctor got bored so left his home planet. Whereas he did it for good, the War Chief did it for other purposes like aiding the War Lord and his own horrifying people. The new special effects of that planet being essentially time locked and his being dematerialised was terrific. I thought the model work for the War Room exterior was fantastic but probably a little overdone, but one of the highlights for me was getting that glimpse of Gallifrey on the TARDIS scanner as the Doctor was brought back to his home planet. It was gone in a second but it was so impressive. The little details here were spectacular. It was so good to see Zoe in colour as we never got that during her run as companion, whereas the Second Doctor would return three more times and even Jamie returns for The Two Doctors! But the colourisation really works so well when the Doctor is on trial and he defends himself. Getting glimpses of so many Second Doctor monsters and villains in colour was such a good opportunity taken. From Quarks and Ice Warriors to Yeti and Cybermen with even a little colourised glimpse at Victoria, it was a right old celebration. The moments of the trial did seem a tad too sped up and the only thing I thought was questionable was the use of promo images of the Tenth, Eleventh, Twelfth and Thirteenth Doctors when it came to the Doctor being given the choice of his appearance. As a whole, the edit was really strong the Time Lords' significance being sold once the Doctor revealed his origins was fantastic. The scale of those impacted by the War Games was sold so well and he just couldn't fix it alone. Getting glimpses of the SIDRATs in flight was also magnificent and I loved the use of new effects to sell the scale. The incidental music was also really strong and provided a strong upbeat feeling to what is actually a rather dark serial. The moment where Jamie and Zoe are essentially forced away as companions and returned to their own times still has such an emotional impact on me and it didn't hurt any less this time around. It's so incredibly sad that they have their memories wiped and only remember the events of The Highlanders and The Wheel in Space respectively when it comes to the Doctor. Even Gemma alongside me felt how powerful this was as she asked does the Doctor just go back and pick them up in the next story? She was shocked that this sealed their fates as companions. I loved that this evoked feelings like that in her even with it being her first experience of the Second Doctor, Jamie and Zoe. But then we come to the final two minutes of just sheer beauty. We knew from the trailer that this was going to give us the regeneration we never got on screen and my oh my it is just perfect. It could not have been any better in my opinion. That little montage flashback of the Second Doctor's time whizzes by and reminds you of everything that makes his era so memorable. And then the use of the TARDIS console is just marvellous as the regeneration is triggered and we see the Second Doctor become the Third. It is just beautiful. The use of the TARDIS scanner being unsure of if they've landed in 1970 or 1980 is a neat touch to address UNIT dating controversy and the TARDIS being forced to Earth and even finishing where Spearhead from Space picks up is magnificent. A little glimpse of the Nestene in space was terrific as well. Just spectacular. It was everything I hoped for and so much more when it came to this regeneration sequence. Absolutely the definitive version for me. Overall, a wonderful viewing experience! A sheer joy to watch. Please let there be more! 

Rating: 10/10