LBs Time Team

[Fitz Kreiner]

I never knew that. Where did you pick up that titbit of info, Prof?

[Fitz Kreiner]

The Daleks Invasion of Earth:

Episode 1: Worlds End.
Back onto shiny DVD, and I had the option to view this with some brand spangly new effects, but to keep with the classic look, no new effects will be used through the viewings.
What a stark and chilling start, a guy in ragged clothes with some strange metal contraption over his head walking down to a river, ripping the metal off and throwing himself in. It’s even more chilling with the poster saying it’s forbidden to dump bodies in the river.
The TARDIS has landed by the Thames, but things don’t look all right. The Doctor seems a little worried. There doesn’t seem to be anyone about and Susans’ attempts to explore result in the TARDIS being caught under a collapsing bridge. The Doctor gives a good observation, they’ve been by the river a good 20 minutes and heard nothing, no people, traffic, shipping or Big Ben. Not even any birdsong, which is a stark and quite chilling thing.
The Doctor and Ian explore a warehouse, whilst Babs bathes Susans’ ankle, seeing the Poster about dumping bodies, realising that they’re not in her time.
There’s someone else in the warehouse, watching the Doctor and Ian, who spots that Battersea Power Station has lost two chimneys. There’s a wonderful shot out of it over the river, it smells of the blitz, but the Doctors discovery of a long abandoned desk calendar gives a date of 2164.
A distant sound of gunfire is another chilling aspect. Susan has been taken by a man called “Tyler” and Babs is found by another man who tells her to run. Meanwhile, the Doctor and Ian come across a body in the warehouse, wearing a metal contraption on his head. The Doctor calls in an “extra-ear”.
There’s a wonderful scene as Babs is lead across a devastated London, following Tyler, Susan and the man who found her, leading them to a deserted underground station.
B-Movie alert! There’s a flying saucer going over the deserted London.
Ian and the Doctor find the poster. Ian suggests the possibility of plague, another chilling prospect. Certainly is making you wonder about what has happened to Earth in this chilling vision of the future. There’s a brilliant scene as the Doctor and Ian are cornered by the strange zombie like men with the metal helmets.
Oooh, I get chills when the Daleks eyestalk breaks the water and the creature glides out to a horrified Doctor and Ian. It’s a fantastic cliff-hanger.
Episode 2: The Daleks
A new design for the Daleks, they have a sort of mini satellite receiver dish on their backs. Hartnells confrontation with the Dalek is just fantastic to watch, and I always do with a huge grin on my face, added as the Dalek chants that they’re the masters of Earth.
In the underground resistance shelter, the Daleks broadcast a message of hate. Dortmund calls them “Motorised Dustbins”. Rather an amusing description given the nature of the story
Whilst prisoners of the Daleks, the Doctor explains that when they first met the Daleks it was in the future, they’re now experiencing the “middle history” of the Daleks. A nice description giving the time travel nature of the show.
Ooh, a nice new coloured Dalek. It’s got a black dome and black segments on its skirt section.
The strange zombie men are given the name “Robos” by David, and referred to as Robomen. They’re the Daleks slaves to boost number.
The Doctor and Ian ask their cellmate about the Dalek invasion. The Daleks bombarded the planet with “Meteorites” which infected the Earth with a plague, which devastated the planet. A divide and conquer tactic, leaving the Earth vulnerable for the Daleks to land.
The London resistance are planning an attack on the Dalek saucer using a new bomb that Dortmund developed.
The Doctor has managed to use a “Key” that was left in the cell to open the door, but as the prisoners go to escape, the Daleks surround them and take the Doctor away to be Robotised.
Outside the Saucer, the attack has begun.
Episode 3: Day of Reckoning.
Tyler and Baker rescue the Doctor from the Robotisation bench as the attack on the saucer continues.
The attack on the saucer was a failure, most of the resistance being killed or captured.
Susan and David are sheltering in a ruin in the city, hiding from Dalek reprisals. Baker arrives with a barely conscious Doctor.
There are some brilliant scenes with Babs, Jenny and Dortmund making their way across an all but deserted London, dodging Dalek patrols. Daleks on Westminster Bridge and in front of major London landmarks. Fantastic shots and of the deserted London.
A rather shocking scene as Dortmund gives his own life testing his new version of the bomb, as he’s shot down by a Dalek patrol.
A nice scene as the Doctor suggests to David that they should go along with his plan having previously said to Susan that they should do as he says. As they wait for Dalek patrols to dissipate, two Robomen deliver a large bomb to near the travellers hiding place.
Episode 4: The End of Tomorrow.
The Doctor has passed out and if only it were Susan, her screaming and whining is getting right on my teeth!
Ian and his travelling companion have arrived at the Daleks mine in Bedford. There are some fantastic shots of the slave labourers pulling machinery under the whips of the Robomen. It stinks or Nazi concentration and labour camps, it’s really rather harrowing to watch.
It’s Mr Rumbold from Are You Being Served, with a West Country accent! Brilliant! Ians’ standing up to the Roboman is great, although Mr Rumbolds “Oh, moi herd!” makes me chuckle!
Susan and David try the sewers to see if there is an easier way out of London, but find spent cartridges on the floor. It’s not only the Daleks they have to worry about, it’s other desperate humans too.
You go Babs, girl! On the run with Jenny, Barbara drives a truck that they’ve commandeered straight through a Dalek blockade, smashing one of the invaders to pieces. However, a saucer is on their tail and the pair jump to safety just before the Daleks destroy it from the air.
Back in the sewers, Tyler has found David and Susan and reveals that there are alligators in the sewers too.
At the camp, Ian and Larry are trying to escape a strange monster, and sheltering in a hut meet Ashton, the black marketer, who is about to force them out before Wells arrives, vouching for them. Wells reveals the Monster is called a Slyther. Its roar is quite chilling, half guttural animal, half inhuman wail.
Episode 5: The Waking Ally.
Escaping the Slyther, Ian and Larry hide in a bucket over a mineshaft, the Slyther, trying to reach them, plummets to its demise.
Jenny and Babs, looking for shelter, find a cottage with two women living there. They reveal they make clothes for the slaves.
The scene where Barbara and Jenny are betrayed is beautifully done. Well acted and realised.
The scenes in the mine are rather harrowing, malnourished and rather ill looking slave workers. And when Larrys’ brother turns up as a Roboman, it really is a moving scene. Larrys anguish is superbly played.
Susan and David are getting very close, and rather touchy feely, sharing a kiss together before being disturbed by the Doctor and Tyler. The Doctors realisation as to what the Daleks are up to is well played by Hartnell. “Yes, they dare. And we have got to dare to stop them!” A wonderful line.
The Black Dalek is falling into the age old trap of going into a monologue, giving away all the details of the Dalek plan. The model shots are fantastic though. Really a rather superb sense of scale, without modern computer trickery.
Episode 6: Flashpoint.
Dalek guns can burn through thick rope in seconds.
A rather dark scene as the Daleks talk about herding all their human slaves into the lower mine levels, where their bomb will kill them all.
Babs uses her history knowledge to try to convince the Daleks that there is a mutiny arranged against them.
Hartnell is making me smile in this episode, giving David and Susan their orders and then telling them not to stop to pick daisies on the way. The crafty bugger has sneaked himself and Tyler into Dalek control as the majority of the Dalek taskforce is now above the crater, waiting to oversee the accumulation of their plans.
Ian has blocked up the bomb shaft, stopping the Dalek bomb in its track whilst the Doctor and Tyler have found Babs and Jenny and taken hold of Dalek control and told the Robomen to turn on the Daleks, prompting a slave revolt.
The Dalek bomb goes off, causing a volcanic erution that takes out the Dalek saucers above the mine area, leaving a stunned silence as everyone realises that the Dalek occupation is over.
Hartnell takes a wonderful turn as he realises that Susan and David are facing a rather difficult goodbye and Babs realises the same, almost dragging Ian into the TARDIS. You can really feel the emotion as David asks Susan to stay with him on Earth. There’s a chilling sense of the forboding, as though you realise that this is going to be a change for the TARDIS crew, especially when the Doctor shuts and locks the TARDIS doors, preventing Susan from getting back inside. Hartnells speech is fantastic, proving that he realises Susan has grown and doesn’t need him looking after her, along with the famous “Go forward in all your beliefs” bit. It’s actually chilling to see the TARDIS disappear with Susan still stood before it, I’ve actually got goosebumps. David hits the nail on the head, saying the Doctor knew Susan couldn’t leave him on her own accord, yet its really touching to see the two walk off arm in arm, leaving the TARDIS key laying amongst the rubble.

Next Time: The Powerful Enemy.

[John Darnacan]

Aug 16, 2008 13:39:51 GMT Fitz Kreiner said:

I never knew that. Where did you pick up that titbit of info, Prof?

I must confess I can't remember. It was on the Web somewhere.

[Fitz Kreiner]

The Rescue.

Episode 1: The Powerful Enemy
There’s a fantastic shot of a crashed spaceship in the opening scenes of the story after the TARDIS materialisation. We’re almost immediately introduced to Bennett and Vicki, two survivors talking about a rescue ship and a strange character called Koquillion.
The Doctor sleeps through the TARDIS materialisation. There’s a rather funny part when Barbara tells him that the trembling (which she said she can feel whilst the TARDIS is in flight) has stopped and the Doctor says “Oh my dear, I’m so glad you’re feeling better!”
There’s a touching little moment when the Doctor goes to ask Susan to open the doors before realising that she’s left the TARDIS. The Doctor decides to have a nap whilst he leaves Ian and Babs to explore. It’s rather an amusing little scene as Ian suggests the Doctor is getting a little doddery in his old age at which point the Doctor reappears telling him that he can hear everything he’s saying.
Possibly Koquillion has just shown himself, an impressive creature certainly, as he watches Ian and Babs leave the cave. Outside they discover the crashed spaceship. Koquillion arrives and sending Ian back into the cave throws Barbara off the cliff edge and then uses a strange tool to collapse the cave entrance.
The Doctors confusion at Ians revelation that Koquillion was violent and aggressive is lovely, especially as he previously mentions that he’s been to Dido before and that they’re friendly people.
Vicki has found and rescued Barbara and after a brief meeting with Koquillion and gives us background as to what’s happened; the craft crashed while she was ill and the rest of the crew were invited to a banquet, where they were apparently killed and Bennett dragged himself back, now unable to walk.
The Sand Monster looks rather impressive, two strong limbs and a long tail. It resembles Koquillion slightly, giving a good indication of the two creatures developing on the same planet.
Episode 2: Desperate Measures
Bennett seems rather short with Babs and Vicki when Babs suggests building a trap for Koquillion, who doesn’t know that she’s survived the fall from the cliff edge.
The Doctor discovers a door in the rock wall beside the ledge Ian and he are traversing, hearing the cries of the Sand Beast that Babs has just shot near the spaceship trying to protect Vicki, not realising that she treated it as a pet.
Ian calls Koquillion “Cockylickin”. Double Entendre alert! But there’s a lovely scene between Vicki and the Doctor. Vicki is really stealing the show and the Doctor can clearly see that she needs help and protection. It’s beautifully acted with Hartnell and O’Brien.
The Doctor goes to see Bennett, leaving Vicki to have a talk with Ian and Babs. It’s a wonderful scene as she starts to warm to the two school teachers, and working out that Babs is about 550 years old to her is rather amusing.
The Doctor manages to get into Bennetts room and finds that he’s disappeared and has tape recordings of his voice and intercom systems allowing him to eavesdrop. Not only that, but a hidden trapdoor, allowing for a concealed escape from the ship.
Ian goes to see what’s taking the Doctor so long and finds that Bennetts room is empty.
The Doctor, following the passage, comes into a large hall. It’s a wonderful set with large columns and a long table. Koquillion arrives, the Doctor seemingly knowing that he’s there and that Koquillion is actually Bennett. It’s a beautiful scene as Bennett gives the reason for his scheme. There’s a wonderful realisation from Hartnell as he realises that Bennett will actually turn on him. It really is one of the best scenes in the series so far. Bennett is stopped by what we can only assume are two surviving Dido people, backing away from them, he plummets over a cliff to his death.
Ian and Babs find the Doctor outside the ship, and using his key get him inside. There’s another wonderful scene as the Doctor tells Vicki what happened and suggests for her to join them. As I’ve said before, Maureen O’Brien’s Vicki is the star of the show in this story and some of her best scenes involve Hartnell.

Next Time. The Slave Traders.

[Fitz Kreiner]

The Romans.

Episode 1: The Slave Traders.
The TARDIS lands on a cliff edge and plummets off, the travellers still inside. We then cut to a scene some time later, with the travellers enjoying some R&R, dressed in Roman togas. It’s quite nice to see the crew relaxing like this, enjoying the first century atmosphere.
Vicki reveals that the travellers have been in the Roman village for a month.
In the village market, two slave traders are talking and spot Vicki and Babs across the square and begin enquiries as to who they are.
On the road to the travellers villa an old man is murdered.
There’s a lovely scene when the travellers have just had a meal and the Doctor is asking Babs what the meal was. His reaction to the fact that the first course was ants eggs is beautiful. There are some lovely light hearted comic moments, such as the Doctor getting Ians name wrong and Babs correcting him, prompting a response of; “Oh, Barbara wants you my boy.”
The relationship between Ian and Barbara is lovingly played here. It makes you wonder what exactly the history between the two is, and there’s a lovely subtle play of a will they/wont they, have they/haven’t they relationship. There’s another lovely moment when Barbara suggests to Ian, getting drinks, that there may be ice in the fridge and he goes to search before stopping in realisation.
The Doctor and Vicki discover the body of the old man, a Lyre player, and the Doctor picks up the Lyre and is found by a Roman soldier, who claims to be looking for him, mistaking him for the old man; Maximus Pettulian.
Ian and Babs are now prisoners of the slave traders, who entered the villa and caught them. Ian gets separated from Barbara by another slave trader who arrives and buys him.
The assassin who killed the real Maximus is met by the Centurion who found the Doctor. The murder was arranged and he sends him to kill the man he believes is Maximus; the Doctor.
Episode 2: All Roads Lead to Rome.
The Assassin enters the Doctors room and the two engage in an almost slapstick fight. It’s actually rather amusing to watch, although the incidental music does detract a little. But Hartnell is a joy to watch in this scene.
Babs is thrown into a cell by the slave trader, having helped another woman slave who is clearly ill and tired. Talking to her slave companion, she wonders if she will ever see any of her friends again.
Theres a beautiful shot of a Roman ship on the sea, and inside we see Ian chained to an oar, having to row the galleon. Speaking to the slave he’s chained to, Delos, he reveals that they’ve been rowing five days.
A bald man, Tavius, is asking after Babs, wanting to buy her having said to her that he can help her. He seems rather interested in her, although why, we don’t yet know. It’s rather harrowing that Babs is told her cellmate, to whom she has grown close to, is to be thrown into the arena, to the lions.
On the Galleon, the slaves, including Ian, are having to row through a storm. When the galley master falls into the slaves, they set upon him to free themselves. It’s rather amusing as the water seems to be being thrown onto the actors by stagehands from buckets of water.
Babs is brought out into the slave auction, narrowly missing being spotted by the Doctor and Vicki, who walk through the market place before hand. Tavius is back and offering a massive 10,000 for Babs, and he seems rather pleased he’s got her.
Ian comes round, having been washed ashore on a deserted beach, Delos has washed up with him, having managed to free them both. There seems to be a fantastic comradeship between the two men. Ian tells Delos that instead of running, he’s going to Rome.
Tavius reveals that Babs has been bought as a servant for Nero, and that he’s going to look out for her. Another slave arrives and tells Tavius that Maximus has arrived. Tavius leaves and goes to talk to the Doctor. There is clearly some plotting going on. Nero arrives. He’s quite a comic character it seems, although he’s clearly a very human character. Using his flattery and cunning, the Doctor manages to get out of playing the Lyre for Nero.
Ian and Delos arrive in Rome, where planning what to do next, are arrested by soldiers. They’re told they’re to be put into the arena. Wondering what they’re to fight, they hear the roar of lions.
Episode 3: Conspiracy
Tavius talks to the Doctor. There is deffinately a conspiracy between him and Maximus, and the Doctor is curious to find out what exactly it is. Before letting Vicki go to explore, he gives her his “Not interfering” lecture.
Tavius reveals the Empress’ new slave, Barbara, who attracts quite a bit of attention from Nero. Undertaking her first task from the Empress, Barbara gets pursued by Nero. It has an almost Carry On quality to it, much to the Doctors amusement, although he doesn’t see who the slave girl is.
Nero tells the Doctor that he’s to play at a banquet in the evening, whilst the Empress charges the potions mistress to lace a drink with poison for Barbara and stop any plans she has “to become Empress”.
Vicki tells the Doctor that she switched the drinks, inadvertently poisoning Nero, arriving in time, the Doctor tells Nero he suspects the drink to be poisoned, and Nero promptly tests it on his servant who drops dead to Neros’ deadpan delivery of; “He was right!”
At the Banquet, Tavius tells the Doctor that everything is “ready for tomorrow”. Nero opens the floor to the Doctor to play the Lyre. Before he begins, he tells Nero that the music is so soft and melodious that only those with keen hearing will hear it. He brilliantly sits and pretends to play the Lyre, in total silence, to a rapt room. A wonderful line from Nero; “He’s alright, but he’s not that good!” The Doctor reveals that he used the idea from one that he gave to Christian Hans Anderson.
Nero feels angered at the level of applause that the Doctor got and orders a fight at the gladiatorial school. In the slave quarters, Ian and Delos are told to prepare to fight in the arena. At the arena, Nero tells Sevcheria that Maximus is to play in the arena and have the lions set on him because he humiliated Nero. The slaves emerge to fight, Babs is astounded that one of the gladiators is Ian.
Episode 4: Inferno
Avoiding behedding by Delos, the Greek turns on Nero and Ian and Delos end up fighting for their lives against the guards who pour in after them. Realising that Babs is a friend of Ian, Nero asks for a soldiers sword and then stabs the soldier, Babs terrified that he’s to stab her. Neros’ response is simply; “He didn’t fight hard enough.”
The Empress tells Tavius that he’s to get rid of Barbara as she’s displeased with her. Babs finds Tavius and tells her of Neros plan to use her to catch Ian and his plan to have ‘Maximus’ appear in the arena.
The Doctor and Vicki discover some plans for the rebuilding of Rome, drawn by Nero, and talk about the Great Fire of Rome, and are interrupted by Tavius, who informs him of Neros’ plan to put him in the arena. Tavius reveals that Maximus’ plan was to assassinate Nero.
The scene where the Doctor hints to Nero that he knows of his plan to play in the arena is fantastic, the Doctor dropping wonderful puns into almost every sentence. It’s added in its brilliance as he’s hiding his glasses behind his back and the sun pouring through the window onto Neros plans sets them alight, giving him the idea to burn the city to the ground.
Ian and Delos sneak into the Palace with Nero’s ‘torchbearers’. Tavius finds Ian and reunites him with Babs and gives them cloaks to disguise them. There is a very heavy undertone to the scene where Tavius wishes Babs good luck in her escape, revealing himself to be a Christian.
There’s another lovely scene back at the villa with Ian and Babs. There’s some very flirty and friendly wrestling and banter between the two, heightening the will they/wont they feel to their relationship.
I like the Doctors nattering over Ian and Babs, saying they’ve been idling their time away, coupled with Ians’ reactions. They are wonderful scenes. This might be a comic toned story, but it’s a very enjoyable one all the time.

Next Time: The Web Planet.

[John Darnacan]

As I recall, this was a very experimental series, while The Web Planet was very strange and alien, The Romans was an all out comedic farce.

I also recall in the following story Barbara reveals to Vicki that they had been Rome too, something about a braclet from Nero.

[Slagathor]

I remember seeing the Web Planet and thinking they really blew the budget on this one.

[Fitz Kreiner]

I have really been enjoying season 2, more than season one so far. It's really interesting watching them this way and looking at them in a new light. Some of these, I've not seen/heard for years! Quite looking forward to The Web Planet, which I shall review sometime tonight.

[Fitz Kreiner]

The Web Planet:

Episode 1: The Web Planet.
We’re treated to a wonderful alien landscape in the opening scene. “Crags and pools” Babs says. It looks fantastic. There are some giant ants watching the TARDIS, chirping to each other. They look rather interesting.
Interestingly, the TARDIS seems unable to dematerialise, and the giant ants seem rather interested in it. Not only that they seem to be nudging it, affecting the inside and more than that, Vicki, who quickly falls asleep.
The Doctor breaks out an ADJ, and atmospheric Density Jacket due to the thin atmosphere. They’ve a respiratory compensator. An interesting insight to an alien planet that doesn’t have an Earth normal atmosphere. The Doctor can also use his ring to open the TARDIS doors.
Vicki has never seen aspirin before; medicine has obviously advanced by her time. It’s nice to see a “futuristic” insight that’s different to Susan.
The scenes on the planet’s surface are chilling, with the echoes and Ians gold pen disappearing from his grasp. Hartnell seems in his element, his scenes are beautiful to watch. Ian looking round the silent and desolate landscape seems rather spooky. There’s nothing in sight and the whole thing seems rather alien.
Babs doesn’t seem to have any control over her arm, she tells Vicki. Interestingly she’s wearing the gold bracelet that Nero gave her. Her bracelet and Ians pen...
The Doctor and Ian discover a large pyramid with a strange figure on the top. There’s a nice little scene where Ian discovers a pool and the Doctor asks to borrow his tie, which is tied round his trousers like a belt. Dipping Ians tie into the pool, they discover it to be a highly corrosive form of acid. The pair are watched by another of the giant ants.
It’s all go. Massive chirpings seem to affect Babs, who leaves the ship in a trance, heading towards an acid pool, running back to the ship, Ian gets caught in a strange sticky web. Going on to get something from the TARDIS to help him, the Doctor discovers that the TARDIS is gone. Hartnells reaction is superb, such a sense of sadness and despair.
Episode 2: The Zarbi.
The Doctor runs back to Ian and the strange web has dissipated into the ground.
Oooh, a strange moth-man, the makeup and costume looks beautiful. What a wonderful alien.
The TARDIS is being dragged away by something. A lovely little scene I’ve not noticed before of the TARDIS moving through the landscape in the distance before it cuts in close. Although Vickies wobbling about is rather comedic.
Moth-man is back and seems to have steered Babs into a cave where there are more moth-men. It’s a fantastic scene, the three aliens looking at the strange creature (Barbara) who has appeared in their midst. They’ve removed her bracelet and thrown it into an acid pool.
The Doctor realises the tracks they’re following are claw marks whilst Ian discovers a strange Chrysalis. The Doctor uses the word “Menoptra” and gives the name of the planet as Vortis.
The Moth men, Menoptra are talking to Babs, telling her she was under Zarbi control. They really are quite the interesting alien. Off she goes, tripping one of the Menoptra and uscaping.
The planet’s surface is just beautiful. Strange lights in the sky, planets in orbit, stars showing. And then the Doctor and Ian are caught by the Zarbi. Interesting, the Doctor says that he doubts they can talk to them “Apart from rubbing our back legs together like some sort of grasshopper,” and he doesn’t know what they are.
One of the Zarbi tries to get into the TARDIS having caught Vicki, but interestingly they can’t. The Doctor arrives with Ian, and boy is he furious. Hartnell has really gotten his teeth into the role, it’s wonderful to watch.
The Menoptra have an invasion force it seems. And wonderful crystalline technology. Babs has been caught by the Zarbi and leads them to the Menoptra, under the Zarbi control of what looks like a gold wishbone. There’s a rather nasty scene where one of the Menoptra is shot dead and another has his wings bitten off by the Zarbi. We don’t see that, but it’s the look of horror on Babs’ face that makes it seem so terrible.
The Doctor is trying to talk to the Zarbi, who heard him towards what looks like a hairdresser’s hair dryer, which carries a rather chilling voice.
Episode 3: Escape to Danger,
Vicki and Ian can’t hear what the Doctor is saying or to whom he is talking. But the voice is asking him where his invasion fleet is massing and where they plan to attack. Interestingly the Doctor claims that they are travellers from Earth. No mention of his home planet.
The Menoptra fly! That was rather stunning seeing the fugitive Menoptra take to the sky to escape Zarbi.
The Doctor calls the voice to which he has been speaking a “queen of the ants”. Our first clue to who is controlling the Zarbi. Thanks to some trickery by the Doctor, the voice has disabled a small section of its base allowing Ian to escape to find Babs. Ian manages to escape, almost getting caught a couple of times.
A wonderful bit from Hartnell where he asks Vicki to go and collect something from the TARDIS, only to say he asked for something else when she returns with what he asked for. However, the specimine which Vickie brought seems to scare the Zarbi.
Ian has met up with the surviving Menoptra, Vrestin, who reveals that Vortis is their planet and they are reclaiming it. There are some lovely shots of the planet and they really add to the alienness. I love the way the Menoptra speak. They have a lovely alien edge, getting Ian and Babs name slightly wrong; Herron and Abara.
Episode 4: Crater of Needles.
Ian and Vrestin have fallen through a cave opening and are now underground. There’s another great set of alien planet. The shots are fantastic, they really are. The Crater of Needles long shot is beautiful. There are more Menoptra here, and they’ve all had their wings cut.
Ian and Vrestin have been caught by Optera, small grub-like creatures that look not too dissimilar to the Menoptra. I do like the way they talk, another bold attempt to make the planet seem more and more alien.
Babs and the captured Menoptra notice that the Zarbi seem alerted by the approaching Menoptra invasion force and start to plan an escape to warn them that the invasion is futile.
The Doctor plans an escape with Vicki by trying to overcome the control of Gold so that they can use a Zarbi for their own causes.
Babs and the Menoptera escape, only to be surrounded by Zarbi and larvae guns as the first of the invasion arrive. It’s a hectic but stunning alien battle, with Menoptra flying left right and centre.
Episode 5: Invasion
Back in the web HQ, Vicki is moving whilst wearing the gold neck bangle. She frees the Doctor telling him she took a chance and wore the bangle he had experimented with, now the Doctor controls it.
Babs and Prapillus have found their way into a temple of light. It’s an interesting insight into the Menoptra, who lived in flower forests and worshipped light. Really gives you a sense that they are a moth like alien being.
Vicki says she’s getting fond of “Zombo” the Zarbi, saying she thinks he’s cute, promting a lovely little Hartnell moment “Since you mention it child, no, I don’t [think he’s cute]”.
The Optera have an interesting way of thinking about things; saying walls have “teeth of stone” that they have to make “mouths... speak more light”.
Babs and the Menoptra are planning a way of attack, when the Doctor arrives with his Zarbi servant.
Oh, that’s nasty. A rather harrowing scene where one of the Optera sacrifices themselves by blocking a fissure spewing acid with their body. It’s a lovely scene ending where Ian sadly looks down at the dead Optera. Beautifully played by Russell.
Episode 6: The Centre.
The Doctor and Vicki are back in Web HQ, where they are told they are to be brought to the centre to the Animus.
Babs and the Menoptra are launching their attack on the Carsenome, trying to rally as many Zarbi as they can to give the Doctor the chance to use the Isop-tope device that the Menoptra have devised.
The Doctor and Vicki are exposed to the Animus centre and are greeted by a blinding light that overcomes the Doctor and then Vicki.
Ian and Vrestin are slowly climbing up under the Carsenome as Babs and the Menoptra enter the Zarbi control, finding the Doctors Astral Map and warn the Menoptra invasion force. Finding the Doctors specimen and the Isop-tope, they conclude the Doctor has been taken prisoner and burst into the centre. The Menoptra are interesting here, having to hold each other back from the light, just like the moth men they are.
It’s lovely to see the scenes where life is returning to the surface of Vortis, water now running on the surface and the Menoptra saying vegetation will once again flourish. And a lovely last scene with Hartnell and Russell with Ian commenting about his Old School Tie, the Doctor muttering as though he’s almost forgotten.
What a wonderful story, a really brave and noble attempt to create an alien race with some wonderful moments, some of which are very dark.

Next Time: The Lion

[Fitz Kreiner]

The Crusade:

Episode 1: The Lion.
We’re back in History. Some lovely scenes already. What a bird. A lovely hawk, and some talk of Saladin. The King doesn’t want to fight today.
The TARDIS crew arrive and are soon set upon by warriors. Lovely comment from the Doctor about how they go from trouble to trouble and then Babs gets kidnapped, again! They really ought to put a bell on that woman!
Ian can sword fight! Although I guess he got some experience with the Aztecs and the Romans. Even the Doctor is having a go.
Is this the first black actor in Doctor Who? One of the Saracen soldiers. Babs has made a friend, Sir William des Preaux, one of the Christian Soldiers pretending to be the king.
Another comedy character; the shop keeper. He’s dealing with stolen clothes, stolen from someone high ranking it seems as they’ve been stolen from the Palace. A lovely little bit of Hartnell again, as he “borrows” the clothes.
There’s a beautiful scene when Sir William and Babs are brought before Saladin by El Akir. It goes on beautifully as she tells him about their travels, Saladin taking her to be an entertainer.
Julian Glover is such a powerful performer and is fantastic as Richard Cœur de Lion, angered at the defeat in the woods and rather pissy, saying Babs can rot before he trades with the man who kills his friends.
Episode 2: The Knight of Jaffa.
Back to audio now. The Doctor and Vicki are playing to Richards vanities in order to barter with Saladin. Vicki is passing herself off as a boy, calling herself Victor.
Babs is told by the woman tending her that she has made an enemy in El Akir, and plans to help set her free.
Ian is getting dressed up for King Richard, who is planning on sending him on a mission to Saladin. Richard is dictating a message for Saladin, planning a marriage between his sister, Joanna, and Saladins brother Saphadin to end the bloodshed. There’s a lovely scene where Richard Knights Ian, who rather incredulously goes along.
Rather amusing scene here, the Doctor and Vicki are confronted by the chamberlain and the shop keeper about stealing the clothes they are wearing. The Doctor confuses the two by making out that they must have been stolen before he and Vicki got possession of them.
Episode 3: The Wheel of Fortune.
Back to video now. The Doctor and Vicki are getting fitted up for new clothes and then overheard by Joanna, now knowing Vicki to be a girl. Jean Marsh is fantastic as Joanna. Both her and Julian Glover seem to be carrying this story.
Babs rescuer tells her the story of how El Akir killed his wife and son and took his eldest daughter for his harem. It’s a really choking moment of human tragedy and suffering. It’s really wonderful. He’s even told his younger daughter that they’ve gone missing, not telling her what’s really happened.
Saladin knows that Richard is trying for peace but is planning caution as well, keeping his armies ready as he knows that there are still those in Richards court who are gunning for war. It shows what a wonderful and intelligent leader Saladin really is.
Babs reveals herself selflessly rather than letting her saviours be caught and killed by El Akirs men. It’s a rather touching scene, ending on a shot of Safiya watching from the shadows, tears streaming down her face.
Out in the Desert, Ian is set upon by bandits.
What a powerful scene between Richard and Joanna, as she learns of his plans to marry her off to Saphadin and defies his wishes. Wonderfully played by Glover and Marsh.
Episode 4: The Warlords.
Audio again! Babs manages to escape El Akir again and hides out in his Hareem. That man really cannot keep a prisoner.
Ian has been staked out in the desert and the bandit has smeared some honey on his wrist and chest, leading it to an ants nest, in the hope they will eat him alive slowly, leaving him his treasure.
Vicki is being interrogated by the Earl of Leicester, before being interrupted by a furious Doctor and then Richard. A wonderful sounding scene. Hartnell and Glover are giving some wonderful performances. Richard warns the Doctor and Vicki that they have made a powerful enemy in the Earl of Leicester and should take their leave. There’s a beautiful scene between the Doctor and Richard when the Doctor tells him he will see Jerusalem, however, neglecting to say that it will only be from afar. The beauty is added as he explains this to Vicki as they take their leave.
Ian manages to evade his captor by saying that his gold is in his boot and getting him to untie his legs, allowing Ians escape and turning the tables on the bandit. Ian persuades him to take him to El Akirs palace, where he rescues Babs.
Escaping Leicesters men, the travellers escape in the TARDIS.

Next Time: The Space Museum.

[Fitz Kreiner]

The Space Museum:

Episode 1: The Space Museum
Well, LB is settled with a nice tot of rum and some beef jerky and some M&Ms on this drab grey August eve, and I’ve popped my video of The Space Museum into the machine.
What lovely model shots of spaceships. Quite an interesting start, the TARDIS crew are frozen on the spot and have miraculously changed into their normal attire from the crusaders garb.
Haha! Ian exclaims that they’ve got their clothes on, to which the Doctor replies “Well, I should hope so my boy!” Ooh, you want to cry “clumsy waif” to Vicki as she seemingly lets go of a glass of water, before it comes back together and jumps into her hand. Certainly something spooky is going on.
I like the continuity that William Russell puts in, banging his hands softly together as he leaves the TARDIS and follows it on through to the external shots.
There’s a wonderfully spooky atmosphere already, added to when Ian points out that they’re walking on dust, but not leaving footprints. Added to again by two men in white who don’t see or hear the travellers, despite Vicki sneezing.
DALEK!!! A lovely reaction shot of the Doctor, Ian and Babs. Vicki seems to think they look friendly, having read about them in her history.
Now we have two men in black with funny eyebrows, talking but making no sound. Curiouser and curiouser. Now we learn that the travellers can’t touch things, as Vicki and Ian try it nad their hands go straight through.
Now that’s a shocker. They’ve walked to the TARDIS, stood in one of the rooms. It’s just like the other things, they can’t touch it. It’s really a very spooky atmosphere. Even more chilling, the travellers are faced with themselves as exhibits in the museum.
Hehe, I have to chuckle at the Doctors’ response. He’s come up with the solution and it’s so simple, they stay where they are and wait until they arrive!
Oooh, now I liked that, I had chills. The travellers have arrived and the TARDIS has been found. It’s got a rather spooky and ominous feel to it.
Episode 2: The Dimensions of Time
The white suited people are called Moroks and seem rather bored with their museum and the planet. They’re also having some trouble with some ‘rebels’; tThe weird eyebrow men. They’re called Xerons. They look permanently surprised. It’s rather amusing, I must say.
Babs, Ian and Vicki have ‘liberated’ a gun from a display case. There’s a real sense of fear and confusion as they’re not sure what will change their future and stop them becoming exhibits in the museum.
A lovely line from Ian; “Doctor, why do you always show the greatest of interest in the smallest of things.”
The travellers are being watched by the Xerons, who are planning to introduce themselves via the Doctor.
There’s a wonderful scene where the Doctor hides in the Dalek case. It always makes me chuckle. Lovely to see the enjoyment that Hartnell and the Doctor seem to get from it.
The Doctor comes face to face with Lobos, the governor of Xeros. He’s playing a merry game with Lobos, picturing obscure things to cover the thought projection machine Lobos has him hooked to! Asking where he comes from, the Doctor projects an image of some Walrus’s causing Lobos to say that the Doctor is not an amphibious creature. Thank goodness this is just an image of Hartnell in a Victorian bathing suit!
Episode 3: The Search
The TARDIS has been brought to just outside the museum. Babs sums up a lot of the travellers scenes of the last episode saying all they seem to do is stand around saying “this whole thing is a nightmare”!
Proof that evesdropping never bodes well, listening in to the Moroks conversation allows Ian, Babs and Vicki to get caught. However, thanks to Ian, Babs and Vicki get away, leaving Ian to have a good old scrap with loads of Moroks. He’s not doing too bad either and manages to get away. I’ve got to say, I’m rather impressed with it, I don’t remember seeing him so rough and tumble and being so good at it. I really do like Ians character.
Vicki is found by the Xerons, who explain that they “hate the Moroks and want them dead”. Ian meanwhile is hiding behind the TARDIS and tricks yet another of the Moroks. He’s really doing well here. They’re planning a revolution and they’re crap at it! Vicki is really putting a cat or two among the pigeons and getting things going. The computer system has such a boring voice! Sounds like it really can’t be arsed with asking the questions.
Wow, Ian, you dark horse! Says killing Lobos may be enjoyable! He seems rather pissed off!
Episode 4: The Final Phase
Ian forces Lobos to reverse the Doctors conditioning at gunpoint while Vicki is rousing the rebellion.
The Doctor recovers, suffering an attack of rheumatism, which he always gets when really cold. And the Morok soldier who Ian ‘persuaded’ to take him to the Doctor is really pathetic. He really is. Not so much now that reinforcements arrive and club Ian to the ground. Lobos is rather slimy and smug. You want to slap him.
Babs and her Xeron friend, Dako, are escaping the gas filling museum, straight into the hands of waiting Moroks. Vicki and Sita arrive just in time to rescue the two from the clutches of the Morok guard, just in time to be caught again and Sita gunned down. Vicki’s horror and dismay is wonderfully played by O’Brien.
The travellers are now prisoners and set to become the exhibits they saw. You can understand Ians frustration, trying to smash the Morok machinery. It makes you wonder, as Babs suggests, has everything that’s happened already been written for them?
The revolution has started, and both sides seem pretty ineffective, watching each other and then running before shooting, and even standing by and letting a Morok soldier grapple with Tor before he eventually kills the soldier. Lobos is planning an escape but is shot down by Tor as he and his number two go to kill the travellers.
The Xerons are destroying the museum and the exhibits, the Doctor getting a ‘souvenir’ from Tor, a Time and Space visualiser. It’s almost the cause of an argument between the Doctor and Ian, the latter wondering why he couldn’t have got something smaller.
Ooh, interesting end, we’re zooming in on a planet and that heartbeat is familiar! IT’S THE DALEKS!!!! They’ve a time machine and they’re planning to follow and exterminate the TARDIS crew! Wow, what an ending, it’s made a mediocre story go up for such a wonderful ending!

Next Time – The Executioners.

[Fitz Kreiner]

The Chase:

Episode 1: The Executioners
Oooh, we’re seeing the TARDIS in the vortex for the first time. Inside, the Doctor is tinkering with his Time and Space visualiser and getting annoyed by Vicki’s whistling. It seems she’s getting under a lot of feet. It’s quite nice to see the crew having a little R&R again. Ian’s sarcasm at the Doctors explanation of the visualiser is rather amusing.
That’s something I never noticed before. Ian shakes the Doctors hand when his date in history shows the Gettysburg Address and Lincoln delivering it. It’s a nice little touch. Babs has pulled up Queeny and Shakey, old Will getting the idea for Hamlet. Vicki’s pulled up the Beatles for Ian and Babs. Lovely little touches like that remind you that they’re all friends travelling.
The TARDIS materialisation means the Doctor asks Vicki to turn the visualiser off, which she doesn’t do properly. They’ve arrived on a desert world, orbiting two suns! Vicki and Ian go to explore whilst the Doctor and Babs catch some sun. Rather amusing scene where the Doctor is singing over the sound of the visualiers and Babs asks what the horrible noise is. “Horrible noise, that’s no way to talk about my singing!” “Not that horrible noise, the other horrible noise!” Going to turn the machine off, Babs sees that it’s showing Daleks saying that they’re coming after the TARDIS.
Whilst Ian and Vicki are talking about a ring Ian finds in the ground it gets dark. Rather quick sunset, but the Doctor did say the suns were moving quick. It’s a nice touch. Ian and Vicki enter some underground tunnels and are confronted by a tentacled beast in the darkness, whilst the Doctor and Babs fight their way through a sandstorm. Taking shelter, they discover the entire landscape has changed the next morning. What a wonderful way to introduce the Daleks to the planet, emerging out of the sand, having been buried by the sandstorm.
Episode 2: The Death of Time
I’ll bet that the Daleks rising through the sand had a great impact back in the 60s. The Doctor and Babs are sheltering behind a sand dune. Turning to run they come across two aliens stood behind them.
Finally, Ian speaks for us all telling Vicki to run rather than scream!
The two aliens explain to the Doctor and Babs what’s happened to their planet, they’re called Aridians. The octopus like creatures menacing Ian and Vicki are called Myre Beasts and are invading the Aridian city. It’s another great attempt to create an alien race.
The Daleks have discovered the TARDIS under the surface. Not only that, they’ve issued an ultimatum to the Aridian elders, saying they must hand the travellers over to they will destroy their city.
Vicki has found her way out of the tunnels and to right beside the TARDIS, where the Daleks have uncovered it. Another example of the Daleks evil and brutality as they kill the Aridians who dug the time machine out.
That’s a rather horrific scene as the Aridians arrive to tell the travellers that the elders are to hand them over to the Daleks, just as a Myre Beast bursts through a wall and captures an Aridian and starts to ingest the poor alien.
Ian and the Doctor make a trap for the Dalek, using thin sticks, the Doctors coat and Babs cardigan, and sand. It’s quite an amusing scene and Hartnells jeers to the Dalek are quite fun to watch. The travellers escape in time as the Daleks say they’re to pursue them through eternity.
Episode 3: Flight Through Eternity
There’s an instrument in the TARDIS called the Time Path Detector, showing that there’s a time machine following them. And now we see inside the Dalek Time Machine. It’s quite impressive, and there are loads of Daleks.
Vicki points to the Time Rotor. It’s not the central column, it’s a device on the console. Anyway, the point is, it’s slowing down and the TARDIS is coming to land. On the Empire State Building it seems. I wonder if this is the first time the Daleks will come to the skyscraper? There’s an Alabama cowboy who’s wandered off from the tour group and sees the TARDIS arrive. He seems a bit on the dim side. He seems rather amused by the Dalek that arrives after the Travellers depart. It’s purely comic relief as the tour returns and the guide thinks he’s gone mad and tells one of the group to keep an eye on him in case he jumps over the edge.
The TARDIS lands again, this time on a ship. Babs quickly gets caught as a stowaway, only to be rescued by Vicki who knocks out her captor and then accidentally does the same to Ian. The Daleks arrive and emerge, terrifying the superstitious sailors, causing them to jump overboard, including a woman carrying a baby! Oooh, there’s a Dalek on the bridge. It must have been able to get up stairs! The Ship has been abandoned and is now sailing on, deserted and we get a good look at the name; Mary Celeste!
Episode 4: Journey Into Terror
The TARDIS lands in a rather spooky house which Ian thinks is the place to fight Daleks as there are stairs and “Daleks don’t like stairs!” I like Ians rather nervous imitating of the Doctors “Shan’t be long!”
It certainly seems like a haunted house, Skeletons and what looks like Frankensteins Monster rising off a table. Added to by Vicki and Babs meeting “Count Dracula”!
The Daleks arrive and one of them face Frankies monster, its weapon having no effect. The Doctor and Ian find Vicki and Babs and are confronted by a Dalek, who’s attention is drawn by the arrival of Dracula. They rush to the TARDIS, Vicki staying to cry a warning, the TARDIS dematerialising without her leaving her the only choice of hiding in the Dalek Time Machine.
With both machines gone, it’s revealed that the house was part of the 1996 Festival of Ghana, Frankensteins’ House of Horrors.
On the TARDIS, Babs realises that Vicki is missing. Meanwhile, the Daleks are hot on their tail, working on a “reproducer”, to produce a duplicate of the Doctor. Vicki comes out of hiding and tries to contact the TARDIS before discovering the duplicate.
Hartnell is giving a wonderful performance of blaming himself for leaving Vicki behind, not realising that she’s stowed away aboard the Dalek craft. Ian comes up with the brilliant idea of using the Daleks own machine to go back and rescue Vicki.
The Daleks robot Doctor is now complete and activated. It’s orders are to infiltrate and kill.
Episode 5: The Death of Doctor Who
The sets for the planet Mechanus are just fantastic, as are the sound effects, giving the swampy feel to it. The large ‘fungoid’ plans are rather impressive and creepy at the same time.
The Dalek Robot has a wonderful talent; it can look like both Bill Hartnell and Edmund Warwick, depending on whether it’s a close up or a distance shot!
I really do like the set of the planet Mechanus, corridors of light leading to a cave. It’s beautifully designed. Ian and the Doctor try to turn off the “corridor of lights”, allowing the fungoids to move again, attacking Vicki, who’s being a bit pathetic at the moment. Her scream draws the Doctor and Ian out of the cave, watched by the robot Doctor.
Ian and the Doctor find Vicki, but the Robot Doctor has lured Babs out of the cave. Vicki tells Ian and the Doctor of the Robot, causing them to realise that Babs has been caught by the robot. Rescuing Babs, the travellers are then confronted by two Doctors, one of whom Ian grapples with. The other Doctor tells Ian to “destroy it with a rock” before calling Vicki ‘Susan’. Babs realises that Ian is fighting the wrong Doctor and the robot attempts to escape before the Doctor deactivates it.
The Daleks are planning a full scale search of the jungle come daybreak.
The Doctor, Babs and Vicki sleep in the cave, whilst Ian keeps watch. However, while they sleep they’re watched by a camera. The Doctor exits the cave and spots a large city, high above the jungle. What a beautiful model. It looks fantastic! But the Daleks are closing in, knowing that the travellers are trapped in the cave. The Doctor tries to bluff the Daleks, pretending to be the Robot, a plan which fails.
Oooh, that was a surprise. The cave wall drops down revealing a lift and a large round robot calling itself a Mechanoid and telling the travellers to get into the lift.
Episode 6: The Planet of Decision.
The Mechanoid takes the Doctor and co up to the city. It really is a wonderful model. Absolutely stunning. The travellers are shown into a room with a large “monkeys perch” as Ian describes it in the middle. There seems to be a strange man there, who wonders if the travellers are real and is talking about interplanetary wars, calling himself Steven Taylor. It brings up some interesting questions about these wars; who was fighting who. He asks who won and reveals that they’re prisoners of the Mechanoids.
The Daleks have managed to force their way into the lift to go up and invade the Mechanoid city, or “Mechons” as they call them. Looks like we could have a bit of a battle coming on!
I like the rather unique way the Mechanoids talk. Steven tells the travellers that his wooden construct leads to the roof, and we’re given a look up there. It’s a stunning set. Ian and the Doctor decide that they can escape using cabling that’s on the roof. It’s all go all of a sudden, the Daleks have arrived, and the Doctor uses a device he’s built as “something to remember [them] by”. Not only that, the city has caught fire and Steven re-enters to collect Hi-Fi, his mascot. Two years alone, it’s rather touching, in an odd way.
The Daleks and the Mechanoids are going to war! I feel now is the time to start singing “Two Tribes” by Frankie Goes To Hollywood! There are some brilliant shots of the battles. It is rather stunning, I’ve got to say, and all without the aid of CGI.
The travellers have made the bottom of the cable, as the City starts to collapse. There’s no sign of Steven. It’s actually quite sad that he’s disappeared looking for his mascot.
There’s a wonderful sense of jubilation amongst the travellers as Ian checks out the Daleks time machine revealing it’s empty and they’ve beaten the Daleks again. I’ve just had a cold chill as Babs says that they can use it to get home, and both her and Ian want to.
Stevens alive! Running through the jungle. He made it, with Hi-fi.
Oooh, it’s like a jump back two years as Hartnell seems shocked and horrified at Ian and Babs revelation that they want to use the Dalek machine to go home. There’s a part of me that’s wondering whether he’s being like that because he doesn’t want them to go because they’ve grown so close, as he refuses to show them how to use the time machine. He says there are enormous risks and they could end up as cinders flying around in Spain! Or should that be space! It’s actually quite sad that Hartnell doesn’t watch the time machine depart. I’m really going to miss Ian and Babs, I’ve grown very fond of them since I started this journey.
It’s a lovely scene when they look up into the sky and thank the Doctor for their ride having arrived in 1965. And there are some lovely shots of them through Trafalga Square and Westminster Bridge, where the Daleks invade in 200 years, and larking about a real police box.
The Doctor and Vicki watch this on the Time Space Visualiser. Hartnell is just brilliant, not being jubilant about their getting home, just sadly saying that he will miss them “silly old fusspots!” It’s a beautiful peice by Hartnell and makes me think even more his reaction was because he would miss them. And you know what, so will I!
In the three weeks I’ve been doing this, I’ve found a new fondness and grown to really like Ian and Babs, they’ve a wonderful relationship with each other and the Doctor. It really is sad to see them go. In fact, I found their departure sadder than Susans in the last Dalek story. Farewell Ian and Barbara, I hope you live happily ever after...

Next Time – The Watcher.

[John Darnacan]

I agree. Ian and Barbara's departure was a bigger loss that Susan's. With Ian and Barbara their was a interpersonal dynamic that has never been reproduced. In maturity, they were the Doctor's equal, and sometimes better. Everyone else was essentially there to say "What's that, Doctor?"

The Brigadier was the closest, but that was a different dynamic.

[Fitz Kreiner]

The Time Meddler:

Episode 1: The Watcher
The TARDIS seems rather quiet and empty now. Vicki and the Doctor say what I said at the end of the last story; they’ll miss Ian and Babs. There’s a lovely speech by the Doctor saying that their decision to leave surprised him although it shouldn’t have.
There’s a noise in the living quarters and they seem to think it might be a Dalek, however, it turns out to be Steven! Hooray! I’m really glad he made it to the TARDIS.
Oooh, now that is interesting, the TARDIS’s materialisation is overseen by a monk, who leans forward, saying “I wonder.” Most mysterious.
Stephen explains how he escaped the Mechanoid city and the Doctor says he is willing to accept Steven into the TARDIS if he sits and rests and stops calling him “Doc”. Hehe, I do chuckle when Hartnell explains parts of the ship to Steven, "That is the dematerialisation control, and that over yonder is the horizontal hold. Up there is the scanner, those are the doors, that is a chair with a panda on it... Sheer poetry, dear boy! Now please stop bothering me!"
We see a village and it’s looking as though we’re back in Earths past, the villages looking like Saxons (The people, not the band!)
Vicki finds a Viking helmet that the Doctor dates as 1oth or 11th century. Lovely when the Doctor shows it to Steven and asks what else it could be, “A space helmet for a cow?!” Another interesting thing where Steven asks about the police box exterior and the Doctor explains how the TARDIS is meant to merge with its surroundings. Interestingly, they’re overheard by the monk, who’s hiding behind some rocks. He’s certainly quite an intriguing character. Especially as he seems to be trying to get into the TARDIS. He’s got a rather knowing look on his face. And more interestingly, it looks like he’s checking his wrist for a watch or something!
The Doctor reaches the village and has a look about before he’s stopped by a sword to his throat.
The Monk arrives back at the monastery and the monks start singing. I do like that Gregorian chanting. I love the medieval feel to it and there’s something about it that sends chills down my spine.
Oooh, I like how clouds are superimposed over the characters when they are at the cliff tops. Very cleverly done.
The Doctor is at the village and is drinking mead with the headmans wife, who apologises for her harsh welcome. The Doctor talks to her about the monastery and Vikings, and deduces that they are in 1066, sometime before the battle of Stamford Bridge and Harald Hardrade’s invasion.
The Monks singing stops like a warped tape, which instantly grabs the Doctors attention. He asks where the monastery is, which causes more intrigue, even the woman, Edith, becomes suspicious of something, but what we don’t know.
Hiding from someone, Vicki and Steven see him stoop to pick up something from the floor. Emerging to confront the man, Steven gets involved in a struggle, but gets what the man picked up, a wristhingych!
The Doctor enters the monastery and discovers a gramophone playing a record of monks singing. Turning it off, he’s trapped by a wooden portcullis, and the monk reveals himself laughing. The questions are really mounting. What is he doing with a gramophone?!
Episode 2: The Meddling Monk
Now the monk has a toaster, and indeed lots of contemporary cooking implements. There really is something odd about him. He must be a time traveller.
Haha, he takes the Doctor his breakfast, only to have it thrown back in his face. Quite an amusing scene. I must admit.
The Saxons are tracking Vicki and Steven, watching them through the woodland, knocking Steven out and holding Vicki at swordpoint.
Oooh, some impressive Viking ships, watched by the Monk. He seems rather pleased by their arrival.
Steven and Vicki have been taken to the village where Edith reveals that the Doctor was there last night. Wulnoth, the head-man says he believes they are travellers and gives them food for their journey to the Monastery, which is where they are told the Doctor has gone.
A Viking party has arrived to scout out the land. They’re preparing for the Viking landing, the eyes of the King; Harald Hardrade.
Steven and Vicki arrive at the Monastery and speak to the Monk, and Steven is automatically suspicious. I like this lad, he’s got potential.
The Vikings reach the village and attack Edith. It’s another rather adult scene as when Wulnoth arrives, it seems rather clear that they’ve raped her. It would be rather un-Viking like behaviour not to have. A good little battle scene between the Vikings and Saxons.
Steven and Vicki have sneaked into the Monestary and explore as the Monk puts on his Monkish record. They try to break into the Doctors cell as the Monk is distracted by Wulnoth bringing the injured Eldred to the Monestary. In the cell, they discover that the Doctor has gone.
Episode 3: A Battle of Wits
Vicki discovers a secret passage, which must be how the Doctor escaped, shortly before the Monk arrives and is rather confused at the empty cell.
The Doctor has made his way back to the Village, and assures Edith not to worry about the Vikings, telling her they’ll land to the south, in the Humber.
The Vikings, Sven and Ulf are deciding their next move, deciding to seek refuge at the Monestary
The Monk has a strange checklist which includes “Destroy Viking fleet”. He’s certainly got some master plan going on; he’s not just a visitor to the time. The Doctor arrives and is rather cunningly using a stick, pretending that it’s a gun he’s got aimed in the Monks spine. Lovely scene from Hartnell.
Steven discovers a strange looking cannon in the bushes on the cliff-top, pointing out to see. He seems determined that it’s something to do with the monk.
The scenes between the Doctor and the Monk are wonderful. It seems as though there’s a little bit of history between the two. They’re interrupted by the Vikings, the Doctor dressing in a Monks habbit to open the door. Sven locks the Doctor away in his cell and Ulf looking for the other monks, the monk knocking him out with some timber.
Theres a lovely scene as the Doctor lures Sven into the cell by opening the secret passage and hiding behind the door, whacking him over the head with a plank when he comes in to investigate.
The Monk heads to the village to ask Wulnoth to build beacon fires on the cliffs. Wulnoth becomes suspicious and asks Edith what the Doctor said about the Viking fleet.
Vicki and Steven, re-entering the Monastery, discover a cable going into a sarcophagus, and following it, discover doors. What a cliff-hanger, entering the sarcophagus, it’s revealed that the Monk has a TARDIS. I can only imagine what effect this would have had on the audiences back in 1965! Fantastic!
Episode 4: Checkmate
Steven and Vicki explore the Monks TARDIS. He’s a collection of items from throughout Earths history, and a journal of his various trips.
The Doctor deduces that he’s a time meddler, and the Monk seems proud of this, saying that the ancient Britons’ would never have built Stonehenge without the aid of his anti gravitational lifts. He reveals that he plans to make Harold king of England as opposed to William.
I really do enjoy the scenes between Butterworth and Hartnell; they play off each other fantastically.
The villagers are rallying together, believing the monk to be a Viking spy, readying for an invasion, which the Doctor has spoken of already. Eldred arrives, and tells of the Vikings at the Monastery, and up in arms, the Saxons head off.
The Monks is getting the Vikings to take the shells to the cannon when the Saxons arrive and give chase. Edith unties the Doctor, Vicki and Steven.
The Monk eludes the Vikings as the Saxons surround and kill them.
The Doctor has a little surprise planned for the Monk when he gets back and he seems rather pleased with what he’s achieved as the travellers head back to the TARDIS.
The Monk returns to the Monastery and spots the letter the Doctor left which says that he’s taken precautions to stop the monks meddling. It’s a wonderfully played scene by Butterworth and his reaction to the Doctor taking the dimensional control and shrinking the interior of his TARDIS down is brilliant, ending with him slumping on the steps, head in hands.
What a fantastic end to a fantastic second season. The program has progressed so far already and I just love it. I’ve got to say that I’ve enjoyed the second season more than the first, there has been more variety and more experimental story-lines. I’m looking forward to starting Season 3.

Next Time – Four Hundred Dawns.

[Fitz Kreiner]

Apologies for those following my exploits, but I've come across a bit of trouble with my copy of Galaxy Four. I am currently getting a new copy, which shouldn't be too long and normal service will be resumed!