Re: Hand of Fear

Yes, I too liked this episode.
I agree the end was moving and I think Lis in the dvd commentary was correct in highlighting what wasn't said between her and the Doctor  that was resonant.

Clearly for the era in which it was made, the producers couldn't go to far, which stand in contrast to the criticisms of the era (by some) that the '70's were 'anything goes' and 'too liberal'.

Here in Australia, there were tears and an unconscious willing of more to be said between them and in 'School Reunion' this was again open and the tears freely flowed even amongst the fellers who as men today, were boys at the time.
Sarah Jane will always be the iconic assistant and worthy of costarrng in her own right as she progressed in the show, she became a double act that people wanted to watch as much as the Doctor.
The widespread view is that the mid '70's were a much more simpler, stable era which although with its share of problems in the U.K and Australia, at least there was greater community coherence and less weight bearing down from 'governements' and their mad cronies.
Shows like 'Life on Mars' and the popularity it engenders here and elsewhere, confirm that
we've lost something in the 30 + years since the "Sarah Jane" era.

Here in Australia, the view is that we've gone backwards societally, especially in the past 25 years and moreso since 2001 with governments pushing us around in unwanted directions .
The world didn't change, only a minority did, dragging the rest of us along in unwanted directions.
The Hand of fear end, reminds us of a more humane time where there was still more hope
and care.
Besides it was a pleasure to see a show that by that time resonated with success and energy, people here eagerly looked forward to the next story in that era.
Hand of fear marks the end of a very successful era.
Someone should try to recapture that spirit of the time in future .

Thanks for the discussion and your time
Phil in Australia.