The Time Warrior
Elisabeth Sladen makes a strong debut, as do the
Robert-Holmes-created Sontarans in this quasi-historical adventure. Holmes’
skills with characters are put to good use here, as we have a set of nicely
created characters, from the militaristic alien to the good and bad denizens of
the forest to an absent-minded scientist captured from the future to help Linx
fix his ship. Sladen’s Sarah Jane Smith is tough and feisty here, believing
that the Doctor is responsible for all of the bad things until she meets Link.
Sladen said in later years that Sarah Jane was never as strong as written as
she was here, and it all makes for a grand start to the character and the
season.
Invasion of the Dinosaurs
So Malcolm Hulke gets called in and provides a pretty good script
about a secret group of scientists and do-gooders who want to bring on a golden
age by turning back the clock to the age of dinosaurs and repopulating the
planet with folks who think they’ve settled a new world. The guest cast is fine
and with plenty of good performances. There are some atmospheric shots of a
deserted London in the first few minutes (shot verte style by the director and
a single cameraman on a Sunday morning). Then it all gets ruined when the
dinosaurs show up. Calling them horrible is an insult to horrible things.
Doctor Who, especially in this era, has a reputation for dodgy effects and
rubber monsters. Some of it is a bit harsh considering the era and the budget,
but here every bad thing comes true. The effects nearly derail the story and
have poisoned its reputation through the years.
Death to the Daleks
We’re off the BBC quarry for a tale of humans and Daleks
facing off on an alien planet. One where their power is drained, leaving the
Dalek guns useless (and the suckers couldn’t do anything except carry messages
in those days). It turns out that an ancient city created by the Exxilons, who
have since reverted to barbarism. The story gets dodgy in places, and the BBC
corridor sets are used quite a bit as well, but there is some good tension
among the characters as they try to solve their power troubles, defeat the
Daleks and save the human colonies from a deadly “space” plague.
Monster of Peladon
There’s a distinct sense of déjà vu here, as a number of
characters, character types and even events from the first Peladon story are
employed in the second time around. We also get miners (not Welsh this time,
but with badger-looking wigs) who are oppressed by the royal class (who have
different, not quite as absurd wigs). Our favorite giant eyeball on legs, Alpha
Centauri, is back, as is the furry spirit of the society, Aggedor. The Ice
Warriors are here as well, and they’re back to their evil ways, working with a
human agent to take the rare made-up mineral for themselves. This leads to a
lot of action back and forth that ends up being entertaining, but showcasing
some of the Third-Doctor six-part sag by the end.
Planet of the Spiders
Jon Pertwee goes out with a bang in this epic final
adventure, which brings a number of ideas from past episodes back. The Doctor’s
trip to Metebelis 3 at the beginning of The Green Death comes back to haunt
him. As the blue crystal he returned with is essential for the giant spider
ruler of the planet to complete her scheme to take over the world. The connection
to Earth comes from a Buddhist retreat, where a group has made a psychic
connection with the spiders. The leader, Lupton (John Dearth, who voiced the
unhinged supercomputer BOSS in The Green Death) wants supreme power, but has
bitten off more than he can chew.
All of this gives Jon Pertwee one last chance to do
everything that he loves. We have an extended chase that takes up most of
episode two. It includes cars, a gyrocopter, a hovercraft, and finally a speed
boat. Richard Franklin gets to wrap up the Mike Yates character, redeeming him
from his dinosaur betrayal. Behind the scenes, Kismet Delgado – Roger Delgado’s
widow – voices one of the spiders.
The Doctor faces his fear, goes face to face with the big
bad spider and defeats her. His body is used up, however. Pertwee gets one
final moment before turning into Tom Baker – and heading into a brand-new era
for the show.
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