Doctor Who: The Big Review (Season 4)

 

Doctor Who: The Big Review

Season 4 (1966-67)

Season 4 sees the rise of a new incarnation, a fresh face to take on the show: Patrick Troughton. This season introduces the Cybermen to our screens as well as reacquainting us with the Doctor's arch enemy, the Daleks. Sadly, some episodes are missing and will be skipped, but with thanks to the power of animation, some have been entirely brought back to life. I'm excited to see what Troughton has to offer and I'm intrigued to see what differences appear, if any! 

Below is a tag that explains which episodes I will not be reacting to since they are missing. Thankfully, only three are missing, so I should get a good feel for Troughton's first season.

As always, I will grade each story on an A+ to F scale, judging it fairly, and with respect to the era it aired. Judging an episode from the 1960's with the same expectation of a modern episode would not be fair. Below is my grading criteria:

For each serial, I will provide a list of the main cast (omitting a few who don't appear often), and a list of some key facts of the episodes, such as the writer and director. I will then offer a little synopsis and my overall verdict. My favourite serial will then be listed at the bottom, where I will offer a few further thoughts and opinions. 

Below is a table which offers some short, concise figures and a more in-depth description just below.

1. THE SMUGGLERS (four episodes)

Main Cast: William Hartnell (The First Doctor), Anneke Wills (Polly), Michael Craze (Ben Jackson), George A. Cooper (Cherub), Michael Godfrey (Captain Pike), John Ringham (Josiah Blake). 

Broadcast: 10 September 1966 - 1 October 1966

Writer: Brian Hayles

Director: Julia Smith

Synopsis: In Seventeenth Century Cornwall, the Doctor finds himself and his new friends suspected of murder, whilst a band of Pirates attempt to hide their criminal intentions until they have their prize!

Verdict: N/A

2. THE TENTH PLANET (four episodes)

Main Cast: William Hartnell (The First Doctor), Anneke Wills (Polly), Michael Craze (Ben Jackson), Patrick Troughton (The Second Doctor), Robert Beatty (General Cutler), David Dodimead (Barclay), Dudley Jones (Dyson).

Broadcast: 8 October 1966 - 29 October 1966

Writer: Kit Pedler & Gerry Davis

Director: Derek Martinus

Synopsis: The Doctor arrives at the South Pole in the 1980's. Suddenly, a whole planet appears, Mondas. With the terrifying Cybermen unleashed, intent on destroying the Earth, the TARDIS crew must attempt to put an end to it. 

Verdict: This was a slow burner. The Cybermen, although visually frightening, had quite silly voices that undermined their threat levels. The latter half of the story brought it together better though. It's a pity we didn't get to see more from Hartnell.

Grade: B

3. THE POWER OF THE DALEKS (six episodes)

Main Cast: Patrick Troughton (The Second Doctor), Anneke Wills (Polly), Michael Craze (Ben Jackson), Bernard Archard (Bragen), Robert James (Lesterson), Nicholas Hawtrey (Quinn), Pamela Ann Davy (Janley), Richard Kane (Valmar). 

Broadcast: 5 November 1966 - 10 December 1966

Writer: David Whitaker & Dennis Spooner (uncredited)

Director: Christopher Barry

Synopsis: On Vulcan, a ship with seemingly dead Daleks upon it are brought back to live. Their initial intention seems to serve the Human Race, but a newly regenerated Doctor knows the truth of their plan for domination.

Verdict: This story took a lot of attention. Apart from the Dalek cliffhangers, not much else seemed exciting. Troughton is funny, witty and adds his own spin which is nice to watch on, what I found, to be a very average story up until Part 5-6.

Grade: B-

4. THE HIGHLANDERS (four episodes)

Main Cast: Patrick Troughton (The Second Doctor), Anneke Wills (Polly), Michael Craze (Ben Jackson), Frazer Hines (Jamie McCrimmon), Hannah Gordon (Kirsty), William Dysart (Alexander), David Garth (Grey).

Broadcast: 17 December 1966 - 7 January 1967

Writer: Elwyn Jones & Gerry Davis

Director: Hugh David

Synopsis: Arriving just after the Battle of Culloden, The Doctor, Ben, and Polly are taken prisoner. Hidden away, using fake identities and hostages, they attempt to get back to the trusty Blue Box.

Verdict: N/A

5. THE UNDERWATER MENACE (four episodes)

Main Cast: Patrick Troughton (The Second Doctor), Anneke Wills (Polly), Michael Craze (Ben Jackson), Frazer Hines (Jamie McCrimmon), Joseph Furst (Zaroff), Catherine Howe (Ara), Colin Jeavons (Damon).

Broadcast: 14 January 1967 - 4 February 1967

Writer: Geoffrey Orme

Director: Julia Smith

Synopsis: The TARDIS team arrive on a volcanic island, before they are soon taken away by the people of Atlantis. Professor Zaroff intends to rise Atlantis from the depths, but The Doctor realises his plans cannot go ahead when he realises what he intends to do with his friends and the city itself. 

Verdict: This story didn't do much for me, whether it be the shabby outfits or just the general premise, I just couldn't connect with the story. Despite the fish people looking rather frightening, they were quite silly and so was the story in general. The only saviour was the tension of the third and last episode. Did they just let everyone die, too, or did I miss something?

Grade: C

Note: I was in two-minds on whether to include this, since I only just realised that two of the four episodes are audio and a few stills, only. 

6. THE MOONBASE (four episodes)

Main Cast: Patrick Troughton (The Second Doctor), Anneke Wills (Polly), Michael Craze (Ben Jackson), Frazer Hines (Jamie McCrimmon), Patrick Barr (Hobson), Andre Maranne (Benoit).

Broadcast: 11 February 1967 - 4 March 1967

Writer: Kit Pedler

Director: Morris Barry

Synopsis: A mysterious virus seems to be infecting the crew of a base on the moon, but when they begin vanishing, the crew know something isn't right. The Cybermen are hell bent on taking control of the Gravitron to wipe out humankind!

Verdict: I thought this story started out quite strong and the ending of each episode was always very strong, but the resolution was somewhat weaker in comparison to the rest of the story. I'm also desperate for Polly to get the recognition she deserves!

GRADE: B

7. THE MACRA TERROR (four episodes)

Main Cast: Patrick Troughton (The Second Doctor), Anneke Wills (Polly), Michael Craze (Ben Jackson), Frazer Hines (Jamie McCrimmon), Peter Jeffrey (Pilot), Terence Lodge (Medok), Gertan Klauber (Ola).

Broadcast: 11 March 1967 - 1 April 1967

Writer: Ian Stuart Black

Director: John Davies

Synopsis: An unnamed planet in Earth's colonial future is harbouring some frightening creatures, and the people of this futuristic place aren't exactly aware of what their current purpose is and who their controller really is.

Verdict: I really wasn't expecting to enjoy this episode as much as I did. I thought the Macra were both pathetic and menacing and the overall tension of the story was constant. It all felt very modern of the show. I enjoyed this one.

GRADE: A

8. THE FACELESS ONES (six episodes)

Main Cast: Patrick Troughton (The Second Doctor), Anneke Wills (Polly), Michael Craze (Ben Jackson), Frazer Hines (Jamie McCrimmon), Pauline Collins (Samantha Briggs), Bernard Kay (Inspector Crossland).

Broadcast: 8 April 1967 - 13 May 1967

Writer: David Ellis & Malcolm Hulke

Director: Gerry Mill

Synopsis: Upon the team's arrival at Gatwick Airport, they quickly stumble upon an alien plot that all seems so innocent on the outside. As people begin vanishing, it takes The Doctor and the help of Scotland Yard to get to the bottom of the plot. 

Verdict: This serial started off quite well for me, but it seemed to struggle with the same things a lot of older serials do, it drags. There was a lot of running around Gatwick airport and it could've just been more fun. 

GRADE: B-

9. THE EVIL OF THE DALEKS (seven episodes)

Main Cast: Patrick Troughton (The Second Doctor), Frazer Hines (Jamie McCrimmon), Deborah Watling (Victoria Waterfield), John Bailey (Edward Waterfield), Marius Goring (Theodore Maxtible).

Broadcast: 20 May 1967 - 1 July 1967

Writer: David Whitaker

Director: Derek Martinus

Synopsis: Shortly after losing the TARDIS, The Doctor and Jamie are transported back to 1866. The Daleks force The Doctor to work with them with their next cunning plan. Instead of killing humans, they want to be more like them!

Verdict: N/A

My Conclusions

Now, I feel like The Macra Terror is not usually a story you see as someone's favourite, never mind with such a high ranking, but I really loved it. I did watch the colour animated version of the story which I imagine had upgraded qualities that may have influenced the higher grade the story received, but it was just thoroughly entertaining. Now, the Macra are quite ridiculous creatures but the way they were used made them both petulant and frightening. I liked this dynamic, they were so clearly in control, but it takes you a while to piece it all together. They end up near enough giving themselves away.

Some main positives for me was the insanely positive attitude of those living on the colony. It was such a strong contrast to the reality of the situation and I always enjoy this idea: everyone thinks it's all good and euphoric when the world around them is an intense evil. I also enjoyed the dynamic between The Doctor's companions. Ben being brainwashed added a nice tension between them, so it was a nice story to watch unravel. I do wish Polly had been used better though, she held so much promise when she was first introduced and it appears, they reduced her to the 'screaming, asking questions' trope. That could've been better. I even liked the music in the story, it felt like it fitted which does happen every so often and it really elevates the experience. 

*

Overall, Season 4 received a B. I do believe it could've been a lot better. A common issue that seemed to happen was that the episodes just didn't have enough impact. The Underwater Menace was quite a mess, it seemed so slow and then everything happened in the last serial. I still can't understand whether they just let everyone die? It could've been a lot more. Even episodes like The Moonbase seemed to be quite 'stodgy.' The Cybermen looked terrific which is why I expected more from the story. I've also not enjoyed Polly's development. In The War Machines, she appeared quite feisty and fun, but throughout this season, she's done nothing but scream. Even when she solved things herself, the boys seemed to diminish her skills. I definitely want more for a female companion than just someone to scream for the audience. 

Despite the negatives, I am loving Patrick Troughton. He's funny, adventurous and a nice difference to Hartnell. The series feels like it's still in safe hands and I'm enjoying it a lot. As always, the design and such is great and really does set Doctor Who out from other shows of the time. I'm excited to see what Season 5 has to offer!