By Frank Collins

Obverse Books, out now

Obverse Books’ ongoing series of monographs focusing on a Doctor Who serial or story hits 1982’s Season 19 tale Kinda.

Frank Collins has taken on something of a poisoned chalice by studying Christopher Bailey’s first four-part Doctor Who serial, as many consider John Tulloch and Manuel Alvarado’s Doctor Who: The Unfolding Text to be the last word on the academic study of Kinda. But to his credit, Collins doesn’t revere that publication as a sacred cow, instead taking his own unique look at the story.

He acknowledges that Kinda (originally The Kinda) was originally cautiously received but since reappraised, even though it ranked last in DWM’s Season 19 poll. It’s a ‘Marmite’ story that divides the fans, who love its philosophy or can’t get over the unconvincing snake prop. The author here lets us draw our own conclusions, spending time in contextualising the story within Bailey’s wider body of theatre and television plays, as well as his interest in Buddhism.

Collins had a number of email exchanges with Bailey which provide fascinating first-hand insight, and as is always the way with stories produced during turbulent times, it’s the behind-the-scenes drama that speaks volumes. Initially pitched as a Tom Baker story, Kinda had to be refashioned for Peter Davison, as well as his team of companions. Add to that a change in script editors from Christopher Bidmead to Anthony Root to Eric Saward and it’s easy to see why the final product strayed from Bailey’s initial treatment.

Chapters 4 to 7 contrast the as-broadcast episodes with rehearsal and transmission camera scripts, and focus is applied to all aspects of production from costume to music to politics, including the obvious Imperialist allegory. There’s a lot here (indeed, it’s one of the longer entries) and ultimately would have benefited from having a tighter final edit and a stronger conclusion. I’d also liked to have read how the Target novelisation deviated from the transmitted serial (if at all), and while I recognise that it will potentially be a study in its own right, a summary of what subsequently happens in direct sequel Snakedance would not have gone amiss.

Verdict: Another academic delve into Kinda which teases out plenty to think about. 7/10

Nick Joy

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