Robot Revolution Disco-Era Style!
Rise of the machines. Yes, this is another Doctor Who review. Yes, this is another favourite. Yes, this is another Classic. & yes, this is another one best watched in a dark, Winters evening. You can read on or go to the "TARDIS" pub in Bury St Edmunds, (Tell 'em I sent ya.)..........
This Agatha Christie mystery in space has lots of brilliantly, obvious routes & is handled well. The sets are Art-Deco class, the costumes are well imagined, as are the Voc Robots with their Greek statue, aesthetic look, & the image of the Sandminer 4 ploughing across a barren planet, mining mineral ores is just so well realised!
This is also Leela's first story outside the TARDIS since her first story : Face Of Evil. Her reactions "to this metal World!" reflect the alien nature of her new life with The Doctor & beyond. Yet, she seems among the most unique, adjustable & self-reliant assistant.
The crew of the Sandminer are, for the most part, aristocratic. Not your typical miners, then(?). Some of them are from special, wealthy families. Some of them (MOST of them!) come off as greedy, self-obsessed, neurotic, space snobs (looking at you, Rimmer!).
They're paranoid, neurotic, & argue amongst themselves , well, it is a two year journey, if it passes the time. They naturally suspect The Doctor & Leela of murder & each other.
Someone get a referee, The Doctor!
Commander Uvanov comes across as more common down to earth (SERIOUSLY, no pun!), like Borg (love the name!). They're stereo-types as being aggressive, brutes as a result! Uvanov slaps Leela when they first meet, to his well-deserved cost! Another defining line from Leela as she wounds him back, "Try that again, & I'll CRIPPLE you!". From the look on his face, he believes it & should! Leela gets lots of best lines!
Zilda seems to have some personal grudge against the Commander which is revealed, later in the story, & makes for a great scapegoat.
The Robots are picking off the crew, one by one, & the only one who can see the blatantly obvious amongst this motley crew is The Doctor & It's apparent that someone is controlling them. Someone else amongst them is also not whom they seem.
This story features another of the legendary list of recurring Doctor Who actors that I so like. Pamela Salem is one that I hold so dear. Not only does she appear in two, adventures that are considered classics of the Classic era (oh, right. couldn't resist!), Remembrance Of The Daleks (1988). But, she fleshes out a modest beauty about herself. Toos isn't as "blue-blooded" as she pretends to be & is the most agreeable of the Sandminer crew.
Leela senses a "hunter". You'd think she'd sense the killer & Robot controller as well, & solve the mystery, sleuth! One of the crew is mysterious Taren Capel. His true identity is unknown. A madman who grew up with only Robots for company. So no dates, girlfriends & such? The Robots have a hierarchy created by the Humans, of course. D Voc Robot being dumb allegedly, tell that to D84!
Leela seems to develop some "bond" with Toos, once the situation gets more urgent. Being that this is her first adventure outside the TARDIS it shouldn't come as much of a surprise to her reaction to Toos relief at being told, on a radio arm bracelet, that the Sandminer isn't sinking to disaster. Toos might as well appear like a golden Angel, complete with gold crown of sorts, to this savage Warrior of the Sevateem! Likewise, Leela is at one with nature & may as well be "exotic" to Toos, with her primitive appearance & knowledge of the ancient remedies, skills, & ways in being.
There's a sloppy scene in which Taren Capel is unmasked too soon,........in a KKK..erm mask. No Scooby gang, here. There's a disturbingly suggestive scene involving Toos Robot attack which I'll leave to you, the viewer, & only friend.
With todays voice recognition tech, it's a fab way in which our Timelord hero resolves the crisis!
Robo-phobia or Grimwades Siyndrome (an in-joke in the production) is a common , psychological problem. A fear of Robots, because of the lack of Human- characteristics. Poul is just such a sufferer, despite having a "Tonto" Robot sidekick.
SPOILERS: ......................''''''''''''''''''''''''''''............................................Dask is Taren Capel & The Doctor gets great lines too, "You're one of those boring maniacs that's going to gloat.". Dask is mad as a hatter like all meglo-maniacs, but his choice of "Glam-Rock" fashion is a tad disturbing given todays knowledge.
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This Cosmic mystery/adventure is truly a gem to watch. Okay, Miss Marple or Poirot would have solved this one in seconds! Just grab a cuppa, beer, whatever's your poison! Sit back & enjoy.
Borgduck