Doctor Who: Ace Adventures Box Set (2 Discs)

The trouble with box sets, is that sometimes one story drags the other down, in this case I would say Dragonfire, pulls the rating down. Dragonfire was the last story of McCoys, first season, and please don't get me wrong it is not an awful story, ok the silly cliff hanger with McCoy hanging from his umbrella still makes me scratch my head and ask why did he do that ?. It was voted the worst ever which did not help the story, but putting those negatives to one side, the story is watch-able, and of cause it is goodbye to Mel and hello to Ace so it is worth watching. Ace was a great idea from JNT, she seemed to be the first companion who had a bit of a back story and some baggage, almost like the companion's of the new series.I watched The happiness patrol first, and the first thing I noticed is it was almost like watching Paradise Towers (sets that is), by the time Dr Who went into its last few year's, JNT decided to do two stories studio bound and then two stories on location. Seems like a logical idea, however this is where both these stories suffer being studio bound completely, unfortunately we are blessed with location filming now on all Who stories, but its not all bad the Chemistry between Ace and the Dr is starting to come through, and unlike say Paradise Towers the acting is not to over the top. As for the Candy man, interesting concept, one the BBC would never be allowed to repeat as Bassets complained it was too like their Bertie Bassett. I would say for a full price double set the extras are not the best for a Dr Who release and I was disappointed that the Happiness story was not in 5.1, as indicated on line by Dan Hall, it is Stereo even though the box says mono. Over all I would investigate this issue these are not the best stories from McCoy but as nearly everyone's say's things were improving and the programme was going in the right direction.

I love Ace. So maybe I'm not a proper judge of the quality of these episodes.
Dragonfire is a nice story, but suffers from a low budget and and a pretty predictable story.
Happiness Patrol however is just great. If you asked yourself what Maggie the Gargoyle Thatcher would look like in pink - here you see it! Sylvester McCoy finds his style and the Candyman is as scary/hilarious as the Doctors greatest enemies.
I waited for this release for years now.

The Mc Coy era was a very hit and miss era but i just adore Ace and i really hope they bring her back to Dr Who oneday so we can find out what actually happened to her. Dragonfire is a classic story and one of my fave Dr Stories, have waited so long for it come out on DVD. All thats left now is The greatest show in the Galaxy another Mc Coy gem. This boxset is worth every penny. Two great stories for one great price. Just bring back Ace for the 50th Anniversary please.

Finally more Ace on DVD with only one more remaining to be released very soon. I can't wait to soon being able to watch all the 7th doctor who stories in order.

When the 7th Doctor and Mel land in Iceworld, a space trading colony on the dark side of the planet Svartos they incounter not only an old friend from The Doctor's 6th life, Sabalom Glitz but a young waitress called Ace who found herself on Svartos by a timestorm, They all get themself's in an adventure involeing a madman called Kane who wants revenge on his homeworld and wants to use Iceworld to do it. The Happiness Patrol has The Doctor and Ace finding themselfs on the planet Terra Alpha were it is against the law to be sad. nothing and nobady is safe on this world controled by Helen A with the aid of her companion Joseph C and the most evil moster The Doctor has ever seen the robotic Kandy Man. The Tardis is also repainted a more happy colour Pink. Will The Doctor and Ace be able to stop Helen A or will The Happiness Patrol hunt them down as Killjoys. While never going to be classic, I did enjoy watching them when I was lent them on video by a mate of mine. look forward to the exters and interviews about the two stories, it only leaves one more 7th Doctor Story to come out, The Greatest Show in the Galaxy also another good 80's who story and one of the 7th Doc's best.