4. Episode 1 of The Mind Robber
The Mind Robber is one of the highlights of the Second Doctors era undoubtedly. Only 6 of Patrick Troughtons stories exist fully so perhaps some of the survivours are looked upon more favourably than they should be. However The Mind Robber certainly lives up to the hype, episode 1 especially. The first part of the story is often the favourite. Done well, the absence of the villain until the first episodes cliffhanger is more than made up for in suspense, atmosphere and anticipation. Episode 1 of The Mind Robber does that entirely. Written in haste after the previous story ran a whole episode short, script editor Derrick Sherwin had to write an intervening episode where nothing happened, so that Peter Lings four part serial could continue. But in a story set in a land of fiction the most disturbing is by far Episode 1. The TARDIS breaks down and is nearly consumed by lava from an erupting volcano, the Doctor is forced to use an emergency escape unit to take the TARDIS out of reality. While the Doctor does repairs, his companions are both tempted out of the TARDIS by visions of their retrospective homes into an empty void, where they are cornered by robots. The scenes of them being tempted outside are actually quite dark. If that wasnt enough, at the end of the episode, the TARDIS explodes! Not bad for a story where nothing happens. Its near impossible to start the Mind Robber and not want to find out what happens next week.
Jonathon Carley
Contributor
My name is Jon, recently graduated media production student. Always on the look out for chances to do what I enjoy and make it count. Writing, filming, animating, editing, radio. My speciality seems to be Doctor Who, years of accumulated knowledge and passion appear to be paying off creatively this being one outlet channel. So thanks for sharing in that with me and offering your support by reading my articles.
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