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Dragonfire Format Reviewed: VHS Review Dragonfire is the last story in which my least favourite companion appears, Bonnie Langford playing Melanie Bush. Her stay in the TARDIS was relatively short lived, but during that time she managed to set my teeth on edge every time she spoke. As a replacement companion, Sophie Aldred joins the Doctor here as Ace, a companion I approve of in evrey way! In Dragonfire, the Doctor takes Mel to Ice World as he has picked up a tracking signal there. They meet Sabalom Glitz there on the trading post, and go looking for the legendary dragon and related treasure. The management meanwhile, lead by Kane who is on a forced exile from Proamon, is also trying to find the treasure for their own ends. The Doctor and Glitz then discover the dragon has the treasure contained within its head, and it is a power source. Kane then dispatches his army to capture the head of the dragon, and uses the power source to restart the colonys engines as it is actually a ship. When he discovers his home planet has been destroyed however, Kane commits suicide and Glitz stays to manage the colony under the watchful eye of Mel, with waitress Ace joining the Doctor. The story is actually quite shallow in my opinion, with more padding here than actual story. This is a bit of a surprise, and is not a welcome one. Again we have characters here given more prominent roles than is neccessary for no apparant reason. Here, a small girl keeps appearing and I still have no idea why. The appearance of Glitz as well reminds me of the saying about a bad penny that keeps returning. It isn't that he's a bad character or actor, I just fail to see why this is the character they keep picking on to return. Why not introduce a new character than keep using the same one? Sylvester McCoy seems to be settling down into the role of the Doctor finally, and a definite pattern of behaviour is emerging. For me, he is developing into a very good Doctor, although I am aware of the criticism he receives. It is with great happiness though that Bonnie Langford departs the series here. Another mind numbing performance from her here so it's just as well that it is her last. Sophie Aldreds introduction as Ace is a little inauspicious, and she certainly gives her worst performance here. Better is to come though from Aldred. Of the guest cast, the most prominent are Tony Selby as Glitz, Edward Peel as Kane and Patricia Quinn and Belasz. Selby gives a 'typical' Glitz performance, not massively inspiring but not embarrassing either. Peel and Quinn do better in the 'baddie' roles, and lift the show somewhat. Overall, the main thing about Dragonfire is that it is just a very dull production. It really fails to hold the attention of the viewer form the start, and therefore will be seen as another forgettable story in an era of dull productions. The incidental music is much more sparce and subtle here though, which is a big plus over the previous stories. It is still very disappointing though, and it is worth noting that Dragonfire also brings to an end a series, one which will go down as possibly the weakest overall in the shows history. Overall, Dragonfire is another dull and lifeless tale in a series of largely boring adventures. The main positive element of Dragonfire is the departure of Bonnie Langford from the regular cast. All her performances set my teeth on edge, so it is with relief that she leaves the show here. So, another uninspiring story in a dull series, good that it ends here then! Rating:  |