Doctor Who Twitch Watch: recommendations of the day 06/28

The Fourth Doctor explores himself in The Invisible Enemy…literally!

(Photo credit: Doctor Who/BBC.

Image obtained from: BBC.)

The Fourth Doctor and Leela make a new friend, as they also encounter sentient viruses, Greek mythology…and taxes!

As we move on from the incredibly strong era of Philip Hinchcliffe, Doctor Who really begins to radically change in style during this period. Complaints from Mary Whitehouse, a highly recognized social activist at the time, lead new producer Graham Williams to move away from the more horrific aspects of the show.

Instead, the show featured a wider variety of stories. During Williams’s first season, serials would feature intelligent viruses, powerful skulls, Greek mythology, and even taxes! But how strong were these stories?

The Invisible Enemy

The Invisible Enemy introduces us to a much-loved character: K9! The iconic robot dog created by Bob Baker and Dave Martin first shows up in this story featuring the Swarm, a very unusual enemy for the Fourth Doctor and Leela. Interestingly, John Leeson voices both characters in this story.

More from Winter is Coming

The Invisible Enemy has the Fourth Doctor facing an intelligent virus that wants to infect everyone. Not just physically, but also mentally. So there’s an interesting idea, there. We also see the Doctor and Leela, or at least copies of them, become so small that they encounter the infection physically.

This is a story with some very strange ideas, which is exactly what Doctor Who should be about. Some of those ideas aren’t effectively realised due to the show’s budget, however.

And this is something that, along with the introduction of K9, marks a clear point at which the show completely starts to change in style from the Hinchcliffe era. The stories of the Graham Williams era are less darker overall and aim for bigger ideas. Sometimes, bigger than the show could convincingly portray, as is the case here.

The Invisible Enemy isn’t terrible. But it is a very clear step down in terms of overall quality after such an incredibly strong run.

An ancient power seeks to return in Image of the Fendahl.

(Photo credit: Doctor Who/BBC.

Image obtained from: BBC.)

Image Of The Fendahl

Image of the Fendahl is, along with Horror of Fang Rock, one of the only stories to feature the level of Gothic horror that the Hinchcliffe era was so well known for. Written by Chris Boucher, who also wrote The Face of Evil and The Robots of Death, Image of the Fendahl is quite a stylish Fourth Doctor story.

It’s not quite as exciting or as clear as some stories of the Hinchcliffe era. But it certainly looks great production wise, and does have some very interesting ideas throughout. Particularly its focus on the occult, and the power the Fendahl have, even after death. Certainly worth a look, at least.

The Fourth Doctor encounters a greedy tax Collector in The Sun Makers. (Photo credit: Doctor Who/BBC. Image obtained from: BBC.)

The Sun Makers

The Sun Makers is a rather different story from veteran writer Robert Holmes. It’s not a hugely violent horror, for one thing. But it does have the intelligence that Holmes put into many of his scripts. And that intelligence, in this case, is directed toward satire.

The Sun Makers is a very vicious attack on taxes and greed. However, it’s all told through a very typical and exciting story of the Doctor fighting evil villains and helping others to obtain freedom.

So while the adults were able to get the very direct references to the UK tax office, including “P45” and the “Inner Retinue”, the kids simply enjoyed a good story.

And audiences outside of the UK will be sure to do the same. While I’m sure US audiences will miss the most obvious references, Robert Holmes still tells a decent Doctor Who story that’s fun to watch, at least.

Deep beneath a planet, the Doctor encounters robots and an insane computer in Underworld.

(Photo credit: Doctor Who/BBC.

Image obtained from: BBC.)

Underworld

Ah. Underworld. This one has a bad reputation, perhaps primarily because of its heavy focus on special effects, and just how convincing those effects are. In particular, it relies heavily on CSO, which was common for the era, but perhaps used far too much, in this case.

Honestly, I don’t think it’s not completely without merit. There are some great nods to Greek mythology throughout the story, which really add some color to it. The Minyans in this story have an interesting history overall. Particularly with the Time Lords, which is what really stands out the most.

Through the Minyans, we learn exactly why the Time Lords chose not to interfere in the affairs of other peoples or planets. And when you find out that reason, you can definitely understand why they made that decision.

However, as mentioned, it definitely has its problems. While perhaps not as terrible as its reputation suggests, it’s still far from the most essential Doctor Who story to watch.

Overall recommendation of the day: The Sun Makers

One day since the Philip Hinchcliffe era, and honestly, I’m missing it already. Oh, don’t get me wrong, The Sun Makers is a great satire, and very well made.

But it doesn’t leap out like any story I’ve recommended over the previous few days have done. It’s more the strongest from a noticeably weaker season overall. Certainly not the weakest, but it’s still sad to see the show take a noticeable step down in quality after an incredibly strong era.

Next: Review: Dark Eyes 3 (Eighth Doctor audio box set)

Are there any stories you’re eager to watch today? Are you a fan of K9 and eager to see his first appearance? Have you watched these stories before, and have a particular favorite? Let us know in the comments below.

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