The Return of Doctor Scorpio
Synopsis
Synopsis
For the schools 50th anniversary Doris is the student director of a show and invites her childhood hero, Trevor Kane to appear in the show. Kane is broke and hasn't acted in years but hopes to use the show as a springboard to relaunch his career. However he first must overcome his fears.
For the schools 50th anniversary Doris is the student director of a show and invites her childhood hero, Trevor Kane to appear in the show. Kane is broke and hasn't acted in years but hopes to use the show as a springboard to relaunch his career. However he first must overcome his fears.
Review
Review
After some strong episodes this season we return to the old formula of guest star overload, in the shape of Anthony Newley. thankfully this isn't something they resort to that much in this season but the producers obviously liked him so much that he gets to take over two episodes this season. Personally, I don't think this was a wise decision. The cast is larger this season and with so many new characters it would have been better to spend this first few episodes getting to know the new characters better. Thankfully this episode is the better of the two in which Anthony Newley appears in, as at least this has a strong focus on Doris, and we get to see her being funny, strong and vulnerable, which I like.
After some strong episodes this season we return to the old formula of guest star overload, in the shape of Anthony Newley. thankfully this isn't something they resort to that much in this season but the producers obviously liked him so much that he gets to take over two episodes this season. Personally, I don't think this was a wise decision. The cast is larger this season and with so many new characters it would have been better to spend this first few episodes getting to know the new characters better. Thankfully this episode is the better of the two in which Anthony Newley appears in, as at least this has a strong focus on Doris, and we get to see her being funny, strong and vulnerable, which I like.
Unusually for season 4 there is only one story line in this episode and quite a few cast members are missing, so to me it does feel a little empty. At least there is lots of humour for those that are present and lots of it is ensemble so although some characters don't have much to do they are at least on screen.
Unusually for season 4 there is only one story line in this episode and quite a few cast members are missing, so to me it does feel a little empty. At least there is lots of humour for those that are present and lots of it is ensemble so although some characters don't have much to do they are at least on screen.
On the whole I do like this episode and there's lots of throw away funny lines, like at the beginning when Doris mutters to herself if this is what it feels like to have an ulcer. However, I find Anthony Newley quite annoying particularly in the Shakespeare scenes. I realise the character is supposed to be bigger than life but it's so over the top that it just annoys me and I end up disliking him. "Fame" does this quite often that they bring in guest characters that are so screwed up with their problems that the audience has difficulty relating to them and thus this spoils the episodes. The only good thing is at least they don't get him to sing and take over the musical numbers like other guest stars have done.
On the whole I do like this episode and there's lots of throw away funny lines, like at the beginning when Doris mutters to herself if this is what it feels like to have an ulcer. However, I find Anthony Newley quite annoying particularly in the Shakespeare scenes. I realise the character is supposed to be bigger than life but it's so over the top that it just annoys me and I end up disliking him. "Fame" does this quite often that they bring in guest characters that are so screwed up with their problems that the audience has difficulty relating to them and thus this spoils the episodes. The only good thing is at least they don't get him to sing and take over the musical numbers like other guest stars have done.
I read that the character of Cassidy was deemed not to work but for me I really like him. Maybe it's the sci-fi geek in me that helps me relate to him but I'm sorry that they got rid of him. compared to some of the characters that come later on I would have preferred that they kept Cassidy.
I read that the character of Cassidy was deemed not to work but for me I really like him. Maybe it's the sci-fi geek in me that helps me relate to him but I'm sorry that they got rid of him. compared to some of the characters that come later on I would have preferred that they kept Cassidy.
Yet again bad continuity raises it's ugly head again and I'm a little confused about how long the school has supposed to have been in existence for, because here we are told it's the school's 50th anniversary. As this was 1984 we would think that the school started in 1934 however, last season in "Lisa's Song" we were told that the original version of the "Gypsy Queen" play which Lisa (the ghost) never got to appear was in 1918 so 66 years ago!
Yet again bad continuity raises it's ugly head again and I'm a little confused about how long the school has supposed to have been in existence for, because here we are told it's the school's 50th anniversary. As this was 1984 we would think that the school started in 1934 however, last season in "Lisa's Song" we were told that the original version of the "Gypsy Queen" play which Lisa (the ghost) never got to appear was in 1918 so 66 years ago!
The music in this episode is excellent and I enjoy Carlo and Nia duetting on "Reunion" and the airport setting gives that a unique feel. Dare to Dream is a classic Doris ballad and one of my favourites by Valerie. I also really like "Scorpio Rising". I just wish it was actually being sung by some of the cast rather than unknown performers and also I wish that they didn't talk over it.
The music in this episode is excellent and I enjoy Carlo and Nia duetting on "Reunion" and the airport setting gives that a unique feel. Dare to Dream is a classic Doris ballad and one of my favourites by Valerie. I also really like "Scorpio Rising". I just wish it was actually being sung by some of the cast rather than unknown performers and also I wish that they didn't talk over it.
Episode Pictures
Episode Pictures
Production Number & Filming Schedule
Production Number & Filming Schedule
Production Number 2823
Production Number 2823
Executive Producer Patricia Jones & Donald Reiker
Air Dates
Air Dates
Original air date in U.S.A 12th November 1984
Original air date in U.K. 18th March 1985, Repeated on The Children's Channel Broadcast Autumn 1992
Original air date in Italy 28th August 1986
Original air date in France 27th January 1996
Watch Episode
Watch Episode
Production Credits
Production Credits
Written by Judy Merl & Paul Eric Myers
Directed by William F. Claxton
Assistant Director Leslie Jackson
Guest Stars & Dancers
Guest Stars & Dancers
Anthony Newley as Trevor Kane
Sam Slovick as Cassidy
David Westgor as Michael Green
Bronwyn Thomas as Michelle
Tommy Rall as Not Kane
Songs & MP3 Downloads
Songs & MP3 Downloads
Reunion
Reunion
Performed by Carlo Imperato & Nia Peeples
Written by Larry Treadwell & Sue Sheridan
Dare To Dream
Dare To Dream
Performed by Valerie Landsburg
Written by James Dunne & Pamela Phillips Oland
Song Lyrics and Sheet Music (Click the drop down Menus and select Song)
Song Lyrics and Sheet Music (Click the drop down Menus and select Song)
U.K. Radio Times/Other U.K. Listings
U.K. Radio Times/Other U.K. Listings
Italian TV Guide Listing
Italian TV Guide Listing
U.K. TV Promos & Continuity
U.K. TV Promos & Continuity
Trivia
Trivia
International Dubbed Episode Versions
International Dubbed Episode Versions
Italian
Italian
LINKS
LINKS
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