Welcome back. I've had to rearrange the content of these reviews a bit to get something coherent for each, so if I end up talking a little about the first episode you'll have to forgive me. This review is also a bit more spoilery than last time, so if you don't want to know the results, look away now.
For those who have just tuned in, when last we left our heroes they were watching the approach of an alien spacecraft on a viewscreen. It was at this point that I made the link that had been bubbling under for half an episode - this is Who meets Star Trek. And this time, I'm talking about the original series, which is at least of the 1960s - although there's more than two years before it airs in its native land, and nearly five before it arrives on British soil.
This wasn't written in 1964, though, and the evidence is clear. Apart from the "stand around on the bridge and look at the viewscreen while the alien ship attacks" scene, you've got a post-scarcity society (though "a society of meditative contemplation, dreamers and artists" sounds like a pretty cynical take on Gene Roddenberry's ideas); a translation program; and a mysterious, godlike being (perhaps resembling Wesley's friend the Traveler more than Q or Trelane). We are definitely talking homage here.
It's been decades since I've seen any of the original series episodes, and with this marathon due to continue for quite some time I'm not likely to get the DVDs for ages; otherwise I'm sure I'd be able to point out more similarities. It's all done in a good way, though, and it made me want to see them again.
Of course, Star Trek is not the only other fictional universe referenced here; we've also got Lovecraftian Things Beneath Space. They have already invaded the Whoniverse (and many others - they have tentacles in every pie), but this is the earliest point I know of in the Doctor's chronology that they make an appearance. Here, though, their presence is totally subverted by the main message of the story. The idea that the Doctor believes there are nothing but monsters underneath, and that this belief is echoed by the inhabitants of the other side, may be unoriginal but it works very well. The unsubtle comparison between the First Mate's last message and that of the attacking ship drives the point home; it's simplistic, but that's in keeping with the style of story and its source material. I've just used three uncomplimentary words (unoriginal, unsubtle, simplistic) for something that I enjoyed, so don't take it the wrong way!
Actually, there's a lot more happening here at the end of the main story. The way the First Mate makes his decision has a real impact, and then - after the crew pile into the TARDIS (in a very Season 1 way) - we also get the death of Captain Rostrum, which made me sad even though he was in the wrong.
A strong ending, then, but to be honest the plot meanders a bit before it get there. We even have a scene where the TARDIS crew stands around discussing how to divide up the corridors they're going to wander through while looking for the First Mate, which is less poking fun at the show and more revelling in its shortcomings. The cause of Susan's sickness is also a bit too obvious, and the consequences just slow things down. On top of this, the various arguments felt too drawn out this time.
Finally, we have the closing moments of the framing story. This is portrayed as a mystery, hinging on whether the First Mate's voice speaking in Susan's mind is a current presence or simply an echo of the past. The problem is that I don't really care which it is, and that takes away from the impact that the frame is supposed to have. It doesn't actually matter - what's interesting about this release is the adventure on the EBV Nevermore, not what happened later - but it's a shame Andy Lane thinks he needs to put this in.
There's one more important strand to the story, but I'll tackle that in my third and final entry.
Rating:
5/10 - a mixed bag.
Next Time:
Companion Chronicle 3.1 as a whole.
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