Episode 53 (L2): Desperate Measures

Let me get most of the bad stuff out of the way at the beginning - because that's what this episode does, too. For a start, we have the conclusion of the pointless blade trap. This is less well shot than last time, so that the height of the cliff they are walking along seems to have shrunk; and showing the menacing monster at the bottom in the same shot as Ian and the Doctor really gives us a sense of how small and cumbersome it actually is. In fact, my children's reaction on seeing it was "aww, how cute", and an observation that it resembled the Shrivenzale, fresh in our minds from watching The Ribos Operation as part of our current Mary Tamm mini-marathon.

There then follow some timing problems. We see William Russell waiting for his cue before pointing out the daylight to the Doctor, and some of Vicki's desperation is overly rushed, causing it to lose impact despite some nice framing.

So, the first half was a bit wobbly - like the blades really. There were some good bits, though, one of which is the moment when Barbara fires the gun at the monster. Due to a special effects problem this didn't go according to plan, the explosion shocking Jacqueline Russell and hurting her face; but the result is very effective, because Barbara looks so much like someone who is uncomfortable with guns performing a desperate action to save a friend.

Still, most of the good stuff is in the second half. From the moment Vicki and the Doctor meet, the serial is back on form - and from here on this review is entering spoiler territory. If you haven't seen The Rescue yet, and haven't already been spoiled, go and watch it before reading on.

The chemistry between Hartnell and O'Brien is obvious, which bodes well for the series, and although they don't get much time together it is enough. Meanwhile the Doctor, proactive and physical in a way we haven't seen before, takes charge of the situation, solving the mystery by taking a bit of broken girder to Bennett's door.

Hang on - what mystery? Surely the only unexplained bit at this point is what turned the Didonians from a peaceful, friendly people into something so nasty that even bowing to Koquillion is the least bad option for the castaways?

I wish that could have been my reaction, but like almost everyone who decides to buy this story I was spoiled. Even my son was spoiled, having read the entry in Jean-Marc Lofficier's Programme Guide volume 1 (which he found in a charity shop). This is one of the tragedies of our information-rich society: most of the time it's great to be able to find out so much so easily, but it would have been better to experience this serial from a position of ignorance. Fortunately it's not that vital to the story, but I still wonder what I would have though coming to it completely fresh.

Anyway, let's not get too hung up on might-have-beens. The temple scene is great - a good set well lit, so that it looks huge; atmospheric music; and moody direction. The Doctor's confidence as he confronts Koquillion is impressive, and the fact that it proves misguided in the physical struggle that follows just emphasises his fallibility (in a good way). The final scenes inside and outside the TARDIS are also very well done, and we have our second introduction of a character to the ship - only this time it's a place of hope rather than than fear. And after that, the serial ends on another cliffhanger involving a cliff - one that is much more effective than the blades.

The only off note in the second half is the portrayal of the avenging Didonians. I thought at first they were supposed to be some of Vicki's fellow crewmembers - anything to make them look less human (physically or sartorially) would have been appreciated - but my biggest problem was their silence. It just felt wrong, somehow, and took away from the mood rather than adding to it. What they did to Koquillion wasn't at all clear, and a line or two of dialogue could have made all the difference.

Finally, take a look at the ratings: 13 million viewers, and 8th in the charts! That's unprecedented! Things are looking bright for the show...

Broadcast:
Date: Saturday, 9th January 1965
Viewers: 13.0 million
Chart Position: 8
Appreciation Index: 59

Rating:
5.5/10.

Next Time:
Serial L as a whole.