8. Pyramids of Mars (Story 082, 1975)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3dNCQjVr9g Did you know that even before a guy with a Mohawk dropped a rover onto Mars with a magic sky-crane people were interested in the place? Its true! Why as far back as the 1970s they were producing TV shows that featured the place, and this is one of them. Ok, all kidding aside, human interest in Mars really was at a very high level when this was made, and it was fueled in part by photos of what appeared to be a giant face and pyramids on the planet (we know now that isnt what they are). This dovetailed nicely with an increased interest in Egypt that was fueled by exhibition of the treasures from King Tuts tomb. This could have easily ended up being a very silly story, but it isnt. Well, aside from the space mummies who kill people by group-hugging them to death. No, Im not making that up. On the plus side, we got another truly entertaining villain in the form of Suketh and we also got what might have been the very first appearance of a fez in Doctor Who. Only a pity it wasnt the last
Chris Swanson
Chris Swanson is a freelance writer and blogger based in Phoenix, Arizona, where winter happens to other people. His blog is at wilybadger.wordpress.com
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