Let's get this straight - Snakedance is not original DW, in fact in many ways it could be seen as the intelligent cousin of 'Earthshock' - like the Cyber-yarn, it takes several of the traditional features of the DW format and uses them to produce a new story. Unlike 'Earthcshock' however, Bailey chooses the less bombastic, melodramatic aspects of the series: The Doctor arrives on a world with a distinct alien culture, (actually inspired by certain parts of N. African culture - the dress, the bazaar, the ritual, the superstitions), he has a warning to give to the ruling classes, who for their own selfish reasons (Lon - lust for power, Tanha - obsessive love for her son, Ambril - desire for academic glory), choose to ignore him. With a loyal companion and a friendly native, he finds the secret of the society and the means to avert disaster - this he manages in the nick of time.
But of course what raises 'Snakedance', like so many of the early Davison stories, above the level of cliche, are the production values, the completely committed playing of the cast (just watch the scene where Davison and Sutton are talking in episode one and Fielding asks - 'I'm still possessed aren't I? - the look between Sutton and Davison is so subtle and full of meaning) and the extra touches that a writer as extraordinary as Bailey adds. Bailey is the last example of Chris Bidmead's ability to attract exciting talent - perhaps the last great new writer the series ever had (by the way who the heck is he? I've never seen an interview with him, read anything else by him - where did he come from and where did he go???).
The Doctor brings the evil to Manussa himself, he cannot persuade others (apart from Chela) to help him, so he must journey physically to the hills and spiritually inside himself, to defeat this evil. There are no gimmicks to help the Doctor here, no mirrors, no fancy technology, no guns, at the end Davison's Doctor is betrayed even by his own friends who cannot resist the Mara, he alone must confront and reject the evil he has created - that last scene, played out in eerie, surreal silence with Janet Fielding threatening and pleading and Davison's Doctor using the strength of his personality to prevail, is one of the series' triumphs - it made me regard Davison's Doctor as comparable to Baker in seasons 12, 13 & 14 - a flawed, troubled but ultimately heroic figure whose passion for right and truth was inconquerable - if anyone claims that Davison's Doctor was weak or bland - show them that scene!!
Sadly, of course, it is a peak that could never be captured again - no one apart from Bidmead, Holmes and Bailey knew how to write for Davison's Doctor. Janet Fielding never got another chance like that, Sarah Sutton never quite looked so pretty again (despite being dressed like a walking deckchair - Sandra Dickinson was quite right - it's a very nasty costume) and we never got a supporting member of the cast with quite the manic energy and total commitment of Martin Clunes (watching it it made me realise how Clunes has just coasted since he went into comedy - he's really a fantastic actor - he's just found an easier way to make pots of money). Okay, like most BBC productions from 70-85, it's too brightly lit, the crowd scenes are distinctly skimpy, and Chela's a bit of a wimp, but compared to most 'Who' it's a bloody masterpiece!
So who's going to write the 3rd story in the Mara trilogy then? That would make one heck of an audio story! Anyone got Chris Bailey's phone number?
