Doctor Who: Vengeance On Varos: Special Edition (2 Discs)

We have been led to believe that this is the last re-issue of Who DVD's, well Inferno is now being re-issued with improved picture quality and there are now planes for a re-visitations 4, containing the Green death , Aztec and The Visitation. Anyway, back in 1985 Vengeance on Varos, was one of the highlights of the season but also caused problems for the programme due to its violence and torture scenes. Set on the planet of Varos where the population watch executions like we watch Big Brother was a head of its time. Philip Martin who wrote the story was a very respected writer and wrote a great yarn here which still stand up on watching today. Sil was one of the best monsters to arrive in years and so well played a well. The story was first written for the 1982 season, but was repeatedly pushed back and re-written. In its final draft, it also contains the acid bath sequence which was much criticised for its tone and for the Doctor's flippant remark at the end of the scene. I was not a massive fan of the latter years of Who I felt it had lost its way however Colin Baker had a very rough ride as the Doctor, but looking at the viewing figures which were over 7 million they were not bad, the figures slipped below 3 million when the show moved back to weekdays opposite Coronation Street but that's another story. Baker had begun to settle into the roll, and although I still found the costume just awful and very distracting Baker managed to make the story work very well, infact it is one of the few stories of the mid 80's that does. This special edition which has been issued by a petition by the fans is a very welcome re issue now a two disc set, it contains a lot of extra's including a great making of with Colin Baker and Nicola Bryant.

I remember V.O.V when it was broadcast and it was a good enjoyable story even with its rubber monster. Whilst it might prove beneficial to have re-issues, I have to ask why now when there are still some classics that are yet to be released, e.g. Terror of the Zygons.