TV Gold

Time to shift my attention to the second disc this time around and reaching the fifth episode entitled <span style='color:blue'>?The Last Tsar?</span> it seems we reach a period of cast and probably location stability, which looking at the accompanying ?viewing notes? booklet, will stretch, I believe, to the thirteenth and final episode. With the first scene opening in a grand entrance lobby complete with stone columns we have a discussion with Tony Jay (Alexander III) and Freddie Jones (Witte). Witte later talks with Milyukov played by David Collins (familiar from Doctor Who and Sapphire & Steel appearances) It is interesting to note, coincidentally that I recently re-watched a second year episode of the enjoyable (in my opinion) Space 1999 in which Freddie Jones appears. In the episode ?Journey to Where? he plays a clearly agitated controller of the Texas City Control Centre who have an ultimately flawed plan to rescue the Moonbase Alpha personnel. With the year now 1894 this episode sees the arrival to the series of Charles Kay and Gayle Hunnicutt as Tsarevich Nicholas and Tsarina Alexandra and it is their deepening love for one another that is a main focus of the episode. However, along the way Nicholas? eye is caught by the ?enchanting? premiere danseuse of the Imperial Ballet, Mathide Ksehessinska and it is indeed welcome to see Jan Francis give an enjoyable performance in her two scenes with Nicholas. I particularly like the ?light and airy? atmosphere created for Ksehessinska?s bedroom which helps to gain the set a relaxed atmosphere. The same can be said regarding the Imperial Estate at Livadia set which features later in the episode. It was only on the second viewing of this episode that I spotted Bernard Kay?s (best known as ?M? from the Bond films) brief appearance as Uncle Serge in a line up meeting Queen Victoria. I believe it is excellent casting for the aging Queen in that not only does actress Mavis Edwards convey an accurate image of the long lived Monarch but there is certainly a similarity between her and her acting role predecessor Perlita Neilson (from the second ?The English Princess? episode). But of course this episode is most notable for the first appearance, in the series, of Patrick Stewart as Vladimir Illyich Ulyanov, more commonly known as Lenin. It is a fairly restrained contribution to the episode but certainly, in his two scenes, a most welcome and important introduction. Lastly, and in the final DVD release chapter we have Alexandra talking with Ella played by Isla Blair. It took me a few moments to remember where I had seen Isla Blair before, the period costumes of both ladies delaying my recollections before I nailed it. Appearing as Sinofar she pervaded a rather lofty high and mighty attitude towards Blake and Travis in the season one Blake?s Seven episode ?Duel?.
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With the sixth episode <span style='color:blue'>?Absolute Beginners?</span> set just nine years later in 1903, we open with Nicholas talking with his advisor Von Plehve played by Bruce Purchase. Remembering the name it took me a while but having imaged his head partially covered by a helmet I recognised him from his booming performance in the Doctor Who story ?The Pirate Planet?. This episode focuses completely on Lenin and progression of the Russia communist movement. Despite being, for me, a rather, shall we say, ?dry subject? there are certainly interesting aspects to the manner in which these important historical events are covered in the story. Although initially meeting as friends in a pub Lenin and Martynov?s (Raymond Witch) we watch as that friendship slowly dissolves during the course of the story. Presumably an accurate representation, I was impressed with Mary Wimbush?s impassioned performance as Zasulieh in two eye scenes, really letting her emotional rage out towards the character of Lenin. Credit must certainly go to Patrick Stewart who once again excels as the famous historical figure, bringing a compelling conviction to the role in an episode where he is quite clearly the leading character of the piece. If people only know him from his seven years and four films as Captain Picard then I heartily recommend seeing his performance in both this and, of course, in I, Claudius. At one time, I only knew him from his U.S.S. Enterprise adventures but having witnessed his more dramatic serious roles I have certainly gained a greater respect for his considerable acting skills in effectively conveying dramatic roles such as Lenin.