Episode 12: The Edge of Destruction

I mentioned a few entries ago that the cast needed a break, or failing that a change. I knew, of course, that this was going to be as close as they got: the strangest story of the first season. This also was the cheapeast story ever made, costing barely more than a typical single episode; and the script was apparently written in two days by the script editor, David Whitaker. So, does the rush and the lack of money show?

It all starts off very well with possibly the best mood-setting music so far, ending on a simple repeating two-note theme that fades out just as Susan's headache fades for the first time and just before it becomes annoying. Richard Martin is back directing again but it seems that he's got some of his energy and creativity back since his dreadful previous episode. There are some interesting camera angles with the picture very slightly off-kilter, and quite a few shots of two people at different depths so that one is always out of focus. This all helps to maintain the dreamlike feel of the episode.

The regulars have to make most of the running, though. With no guests and no monsters there's only them and their interactions to tell the story. They each begin acting somewhat out of character - or rather, some aspect of their character has been taken to an extreme. Like the movie versions, they have become cartoon-like - particularly Susan the ultimate stressed screamer and Ian the catatonically calm stoic - but here it's a deliberately bad cartoon. The actors had differing opinions of this, with Ford complaining and Hill enjoying herself, but then Barbara the concerned carer wasn't really so different.

Speaking of the movie, I laughed at the scene here with Ian approaching the ship's doors only to have them shut in his face - not because it was funny in itself (it wasn't) but because I was struck by the similarities with the other Ian trying to get into the Dalek city. I also found I didn't mind the screaming women this time around, as it fitted with the stagelike exaggerated dialogue and delivery.

Overall I liked the consistently strange atmosphere in this episode. The melting clocks were a low point simply because I couldn't see them clearly enough but Ian's reaction to his watch drew me quickly back in. There were some good speeches too, the standout being Barbara ranting at the Doctor. And despite the scolding Verity Lambert and David Whitaker (quite rightly) faced for the scenes with Susan and the scissors they worked for me, heightening the tension. There are a lot of nice little touches too, including showing us the crew's beds (even if they do look uncomfortable) and the mention of past adventures - with one occurring before the series started. That single line has been spun into a whole new production, the Big Finish audio Quinnis, which I'll hopefully get to hear and write about sometime.

All this - combined with a personal fascination with stories that question what is real - earns this episode my second-highest rating to date. Bravo!

Broadcast:
Date: Saturday, 8th February 1964
Viewers: 10.4 million
Chart Position: 21
Appreciation Index: 61

Rating:
9/10.

Next Time:
The Brink of Disaster.

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