Original air dates were September and October of 1965. A mostly lost serial with only one of the four original videos remaining, it’s been reconstructed various ways by the Internet. Wikipedia says it was a popular episode so it’s a shame to lose it.
Step out of the TARDIS, get taken prisoner. All of them together, by a bucket with a gun. Off to a great start, Doctor!
The Drahvin warriors are fierce and pretty but mean. That was a new twist in the 1960’s, apparently. Wikipedia says they were made female because of the growing women’s liberation movement. Such an honor.
And a cruel bunch the Drahvin are, to boot. Clones and killing the men who they do not need as they’re not useful. The companions are not amused, and make that clear. I’m not sure that was smart, but it’s how they acted.
Lots of sneaking around behund the Chumbly robots, until we finally meet the Rill, with a scream. All the teeth and tentacles!
The Doctor leaps to the conclusion that they’re ammonia breathers and the machine outside is converting air to ammonia, so the Rill can’t go outside.
Looks like they’re going to jumpstart the Rill ship off the TARDIS. Neat trick.
Some pretty different alien aliens. Pity I can’t see the original costumes, I’d like to see how they did them. There’s an episode around that I might try and track down.
We get to watch Maga die. My goodness.
And a hook for next week and we’re done! But another lost episode and we’ll see what the Internet has done about it for us.
Tags: doctorwho