Episode 71 (Q4): The Final Phase

So. Sadly not so good an episode this time, for various reasons. First is the acting, which is distinctly variable with quite a few wooden expressions and fluffed lines. It's particularly poor early on, though later Jacqueline Hill makes a very rare slip. This is also the first episode in which William Hartnell goes completely over the top with "hmm"s - in some scenes they seem to outnumber actual words! Combine this with the number of times he messes up his lines and I begin to wonder if we have reached the point where he is not really quite able to cope with his job anymore. This is using the benefit of hindsight, though; and at times he's still magnificent.

There are other aspects of the production that let it down, too. The direction - despite some nice touches here and there - manages to make the story feel rushed and slow at the same time. The device for freezing potential exhibits looks more like a giant snowglobe, and as the commentators mentioned the switches on Lobos' desk are somewhat lacking. On the other hand, the flare that accompanies the guns firing is excellent. It's a technically simple effect, making use of the cameras' limited ability to handle bright light, but it is nevertheless highly effective.

The writing also has its ups and downs. I love the numerous turnabouts as various parties take the upper hand, keeping us wondering how things are going to go right to the end. The Moroks continue to be appropriately dull and slow-witted, and the lack of communication from the barracks and armoury is a great (and low-budget) way of portraying the revolution. On the other hand, we have the Xerons suddenly becoming crack shots, and - worst of all - Barbara recovering from the gas attack with no reason given. William Russell says on the commentary that he thinks nobody will notice; well, I noticed.

There is also the small matter of the explanation for the travellers slipping a time track when they first arrived on Xeros. This is about as satisfying as the stuck Fast Return Switch in The Brink of Disaster - and it bears almost no relation to the reason writer Glyn Jones came up with when he wrote the script. But more about that next time.

Still, the best bit has to be the revelation that - although the travellers haven't managed to get themselves out of trouble - they have affected the other people around them, and that has been enough to change their fate. Although the Doctor seems rather too confident about this given that he's been out of it for most of the time, it's a great message to get across.

I said that was the best bit - but in some ways that honour must go to the epilogue. After a well-done camera journey to an alien world, we hear the distinctive, chilling thrum of a Dalek control room. It still sends shivers down my spine whenever I hear that! And there we find out that the Daleks have been watching the Doctor all along, and are coming to get him. Awesome!

Broadcast:
Date: Saturday, 15th May 1965
Viewers: 8.5 million
Chart Position: 27
Appreciation Index: 49

Rating:
4/10.

Next Time:
Serial Q as a whole.