Doctor Who Twitch Watch: recommendations of the day 06/27

On board a sand miner, humans are being murdered by their robot servants one by one…

(Photo credit: Doctor Who/BBC.

Image obtained from: BBC.)

It’s a triple dose of horror today, as Twitch shows three Fourth Doctor stories with deep roots in the horror genre. But which Doctor Who story is the best?

Today, we reach the end of Philip Hinchcliffe’s run as producer on Doctor Who. It’s been an incredibly strong run of stories for the past week, and that’s at least as much due to him as it is to Tom Baker or Robert Holmes. How are the final two stories of his era? And how is the first story of the following producer, Graham Williams?

The Robots of Death

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The Robots of Death is a brilliant story by Chris Boucher, perhaps his very best, in fact. Taking place on board a sand miner, with robot servants programmed to help humans, something is going horribly wrong. One by one, the robots are killing their human masters. But what – or even who – is causing it?

The Robots of Death is a great horror story. Despite the sci-fi setting, Chris Boucher created some really well-written characters. They have very human motivations. It helps that they’re not explorers or adventurers. Just like in the classic horror movie Alien, they’re all out there just to make money.

Uvanov

One character that stands out in particular is Uvanov. At first, he comes across as arrogant, selfish, and far too keen on making money, no matter what the cost.

He’s a very antagonistic character, overall. Particularly towards the Fourth Doctor and Leela, who look like the main suspects in the series of murders.

However, as the story goes on, he goes on a journey. We find out more about him, and what kind of man he really is. It’s amazing character development that Chris Boucher has written.

The production of the story itself is also very well handled. The sand miner not only feels like a real place. It also feels incredibly claustrophobic, too. You get the sense that the humans really are trapped in this place, and that it’s only a matter of time before the robots murder every single one of them.

Claustrophobic, horrorific, and with some excellent characters, The Robots of Death is another classic Doctor Who story in the Philip Hinchcliffe era.

The Fourth Doctor and Leela face horror in Victorian London in The Talons of Weng-Chiang…

(Photo credit: Doctor Who/BBC.

Image obtained from: BBC.)

The Talons of Weng-Chiang

First, let’s talk about the elephant in the room with The Talons of Weng-Chiang. Specifically, the racism. One of the key influences Robert Holmes used for this story was Fu Manchu, a popular villain of many novels and films in the twentieth century that was hardly the best representation of Chinese culture.

As such, The Talons of Weng-Chiang does share that uncomfortable element of racism. Including an English actor, John Bennett, in Chinese makeup. So it’s worth noting that, for some audiences, at least, The Talons of Weng-Chiang may be more difficult to watch, to say the least.

Now, onto the story’s good points. And there are many, many great points. To begin with, it’s one of very few Doctor Who stories of the Hinchcliffe era set in a historical period, which Talons uses wonderfully well.

The setting of Victorian London is absolutely perfect, too. Featuring many night shots and foggy streets, the setting adds a clear layer of atmosphere to the story.

Jago & Litefoot

We are also introduced to two of the best characters created in Doctor Who: theater impresario Henry Gordon Jago, and pathologist George Litefoot. Both are incredibly well-written and fleshed out characters. You really believe that they both have lives outside of their jobs that we don’t see.

They’re also two very different characters. If not opposites, then certainly close, in many ways. So of course, when they meet late in the story, it’s instantly fun to watch.

But it’s also surprisingly emotional, too. One particular scene where one admits to the other that they don’t feel particularly brave while the other reassures them is wonderful to watch. It also makes it clear how close their friendship is going to become.

I’ve gone into even more detail before when it comes to Jago and Litefoot, so I won’t say much more on them. But they are certainly a strong highlight in a very strong story.

The Fourth Doctor and Leela are trapped inside a lighthouse with a deadly evil in Horror of Fang Rock… (Photo credit: Doctor Who/BBC. Image obtained from: BBC.)

Horror of Fang Rock

Horror of Fang Rock gets Graham Williams’s era as producer to a very strong start. It very naturally follows on from Hinchcliffe’s era, too. It’s dark, atmospheric, and steeped in horror.

It’s ironic that the previous seasons had been criticized for having too much violence, as so many guest characters are killed off in this story! Writer Terrance Dicks takes no prisoners with this one.

We also have a combination of elements that made the previous two stories so successful. Not only do we have a dark and atmospheric historical setting, just like The Talons of Weng-Chiang had.

We also have a claustrophobic environment, just like in The Robots of Death. Instead of a sand miner, of course, we have a lighthouse as the main focus for this serial.

Combining so many strong elements of many great Doctor Who stories, Horror of Fang Rock is a fantastic solid entry into the series, and another great horror story.

Overall recommendation of the day: The Talons of Weng-Chiang

Despite the rather dated problems the story has, The Talons of Weng-Chiang still gets my strongest recommendation. It’s well-made, brilliantly cast, and features so many elements that made this era so successful.

Atmosphere, horror, strong literary influences – The Talons of Weng-Chiang has them in abundance.

Plus, the introduction of two of my favorite characters ever was always going to make me recommend this one just a little more strongly. Jago and Litefoot really are magnificent creations, and you can see in this classic serial why their own spin-off lasted for thirteen series.

However, if the dated elements do make you uncomfortable, then both the other two stories are certainly worth watching. Particularly The Robots of Death, another well-made story with well-written characters. Certainly, today has an incredibly strong selection of stories.

Next: Segun Akinola is the new composer for Series Eleven

Which is your favorite out of today’s serials? Is there a particular story you’re looking forward to seeing? Are there any characters who stand out as your favorites in these three serials? Let us know in the comments below.

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