Well, now, that was quite...something. Where does one begin?
Harry -
We could begin by lamenting the fact that this story is in black and white. Can you imagine the mind-altering technicolour dreamscape that might have been?
I was reminded of an infamous episode of the 60s Spider-Man cartoon: Revolt in the Fifth Dimension. It's one of the most psychedelic things ever seen on a mainstream programme: a sequence of surreal images bathed in vibrant purples, greens and reds. Check it out, and imagine a version of "The Web Planet" like this.
Sarah -
Good point. Some color and hallucinogens would definitely have helped.
Harry -
Even in black and white, this is Doctor Who breaking new ground again. Not much happens in the first episode -- essentially the TARDIS lands and the crew have a look around. The episode is more a visual treat, from the cheezy looking set to the smearing on the camera lenses, to the Doctor's white hat. I wonder if he has more of them in an assortment of colours!
The aliens are something else. Ambitious concepts, creative designs, 1960s BBC quality. Oh my!
The first appearance of a Menoptra was quite mindblowing. Their halting speech and stylized hand movements were awkward at first, but I got used to them. And I loved the wings!
Sarah -
Wings are cool!
Harry -
The Zarbi were not as cool. The design was cheap looking and it must have been a pain in the arse for the actors to lurch around with a giant exoskeleton on their backs.
Speaking of acting, or lack thereof, I loved William Russell in this story. He plays each scene with a look of bemusement on his face, as if the actor and the character he plays are both thinking "what the hell am I doing here with these ridiculous giant insects?"
Sarah -
I have to agree on Russell. I imagine it would have been difficult to keep a straight face in some of those scenes. I really enjoyed Ian in these scenes.
Harry -
The story is really slow to get started. Once the drama starts to pick up in episode two, I liked the music that was used. It reminded me of some of the pieces from A Clockwork Orange.
What was your first reaction to the alien characters?
Sarah -
The costumes were definitely super-neat-o. The ants, of course, made me want to flee (see "Planet of Giants" discussion for more information on my ant phobia), but the Mentropa were awesome. Imagine how warm those costumes must have been under the studio lights.
Harry -
Not much really happens for most of the story. There's just enough here for a decent four parter, but not enough for six.
Sarah -
I was a bit overwhelmed by other things while trying to watch this story, which no doubt influenced my viewing. As much as I tried, I just couldn't get into the story. It seemed to move as slowly as the Menoptra spoke!
Harry -
Just when you get over the giant moths and ants, along come the grunting grubs! Or are they leaping larvae? And who was that little cockroach critter? What a zoo!
Sarah -
What was with the cheesy psuedo-Spanish accent from the cockroach?
Harry -
Yeesh. I've been mentally reviewing the story again, and the whole thing -- the look, the tone, the action -- all of it is infused with weirdness. And weirdest of all is the Animus, a disembodied voice that communicates, as the Doctor put it, via a salon hair dryer. The voice is mysterious, but never really as menacing as it is made out to be.
Sarah -
Yeah, the Big Bad never felt that big nor bad. You're correct that it would have been a better four parter. There were so many places where it just felt so drawn out and tedious.
Would it be wrong to jump to the finish here?
Harry -
No. I don't have much else to say. Thin story, interesting concepts but a weak execution, and the actors seemed to be going through the motions, for the most part (those who weren't doing all those hand motions anyway).
Sarah -
Lasting image: The Doctor in the "hair dryer."
Favorite moment: Vicki's reaction when Barbara tells her the bracelet came from Nero. (Telling that my favorite moment comes from another story, no?)
Best line: “One of these days I’m going to have a jolly good spring clean around here." I liked Barbara's little moment of domesticity in the midst of crisis.
Rating: 4/10
Harry -
Lasting image: Ian hanging around with one of the Menoptra.
Favourite moment: the Menoptra invasion scene.
Best line: "Apart from rubbing our back legs together like some sort of grasshopper, I doubt that we could get on speaking terms with them." The Doctor puts it bluntly.
Rating: Our first real dud! 4/10
Our marathon continues with Story #14 - The Crusade...
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