8. The Sea Devils
Episode: Season 9, Episode 3
Companion: Jo A part-sequel to series 7's also-wonderful Doctor Who And The Silurians, The Sea Devils turns its focus onto their aquatic cousins who have reawakened to claim back the world from humanity they believe to be rightfully theirs. This in itself is a fascinating idea (one of many from writer Malcolm Hulke) and the story is only enhanced by Roger Delgado's Master. This is perhaps the Master at his finest, scheming and manipulative yet hidden behind a friendly face. The scene where the Doctor goes to see him in part 1 is lovely, as we discover just how sorry he feels for his old friend. The Master has some great moments throughout, showing he's at his best when cool and calm rather than the shouty, over-the-top version we'd come to see in his new series version. The highlight is a scene referenced in Last of the Time Lords, where the Master comments on an 'interesting extraterrestrial life form-known to most humans as The Clangers.' The story also benefits from some very impressive naval set-pieces by Doctor Who's standards, and Pertwee takes on lots of modes of transport a motorbike, a hovercraft, a submarine and a fishing boat in an effort to show us just how much his Doctor loved his transport gadgets. Even the electric musical score is rather good, with the scene of the Sea Devil emerging from the sea being one implanted onto the minds of many children of the '70s.