It’s time again to evaluate another season to determine just how good it is in the great scheme of the Whoniverse…
Celebrating 50 years of Tom Baker, I decided to do an overview of the great man’s era. Having just finished up the beloved Season 13, I have to put it in the running for Best Season Ever.
It’s smack dab in the middle of the “Golden era” of Philip Hinchcliffe/Robert Holmes/Tom Baker, but it doesn’t quite get the attention of Seasons 12 and 14. The former has The Ark in Space and Genesis of the Daleks. The latter has The Deadly Assassin, The Robots of Death, and The Talons of Weng Chiang. But in between those powerhouse seasons, I feel, is the meat of the Golden Era.
Season 13 doesn’t rely on old enemies and monsters. This stretch created a stable full of new characters, villains, and monsters, ranging from the horrific to the absurd, and the insane. Classic, gothic horror with a dangerous, suspenseful edge. Creepy. Spooky. Dark.
Terror of the Zygons gave us one of the most beautifully designed new monsters ever — a design so classic that David Tennant was pining for their return forever until Steven Moffat obliged for the 50th anniversary special. Terror of the Zygons was originally meant to be inserted at the tail end of Season 12, but both it and Harry Sullivan got shifted over here. But after the Skarasen threat was successfully turned away, Harry left the party and now it was just the Doctor and Sarah.
Planet of Evil was a prime example of the breathtaking atmosphere and unparalleled set design by Roger Murray Leach. So much was always blamed on budget and wobbly sets in those days, but throughout this season, this production crew made every nickel and dime count brilliantly. The jungle set on Planet of Evil was a revolutionary piece of design and construction. And lighting! I dare any other production to try and surpass the look of this anti-matter portal planet. And like all the stories in this season, they’re relatively fast paced and a breeze to watch, even if you have seen each of them ten times already. The longevity of these gems are due to one of, if not the best overall production team in the show’s history.
Pyramids of Mars. Another of the Crown Jewels of this Golden Era. The production, lighting, music, set design, character design — SUTEKH. The stakes, suspense, and drama could not be any more dire as the Doctor faces off against the most powerful and evil foe he’s ever faced. Unlike virtually every other villain or monster, the Doctor doesn’t smile, joke, or wind up Sutekh. Oh, no. This is one of the very few times we see real, earned fear from our hero. For once, the Doctor’s light on jokes.
And rewatching this classic, we’re reminded early on, the image of Sutehk appeared to Sarah in the TARDIS. So yes, I’d imagine it possible that Sutehk managed to maintain that ever so slight thread connecting him to the Doctor’s ship, so some small remnant remained connected to the old girl, but just a thread. Capable only of observing or monitoring. It would certainly make more sense than an actual giant dog sitting on the TARDIS doing nothing for 50 years except sightseeing.
The Android Invasion takes a fascinating page from The Twilight Zone notebook. This story doesn’t get the love the others do, but at the same time, it’s very creepy, especially the android duplicates. And The Android Invasion is another refreshing example of them not needing to trot out more old monsters, when they can create new ones. In this instance, the Kraal. Wonderfully designed aliens with a simple, but crafty scheme. For me, the only disappointment is we have to put up with that buffoon Faraday instead the Brigadier.
The Brain of Morbius, the first Doctor Who story these eyes ever saw, and this is Who at its most daring and absurd. We get Philip Madoc as the incomparable Dr. Solon, with Colin Fay as the simple Condo. The Brain of Morbius gives us some wonderful backstory for the Time Lords, the Sisterhood of Karn, and, of course, the one and only Morbius. The author, Robin Bland (aka Terrance Dicks) originally had a different twist to the story, with Solon building a human body, but frankly, after Holmes’ rewrite, the creature we got, complete with the lungs of Birastrop, was a monstrous treat. But such powerful, memorable characters were the norm for the era, as was the design. Morbius’ brain, floating in that viscous fluid, the gentle, torn membrane rigged outside the container, gently vibrating as the villainous Time Lord ranted and screamed…
As a side note, this being my first time viewing the show, when I watched the Mind-Bending competition, and ever after, I never seriously thought those extra faces were the Doctor. Once I found out the history of the show, I figured they were Morbius, regardless what the dialogue may have otherwise hinted at. Later, when I found out it was all a joke, I disregarded it entirely, as most viewers did.
Finally, The Seeds of Doom. Another classic and if there were a spot for a 4th Crowned Jewel of the era (after Genesis, Pyramids, and Talons), this would be a contender. Putting a spin on another classic film — this time, The Thing from Another World — we see yet another brilliant monster species, the Krynoid. And yet another fantastic madman in the form of millionaire Harrison Chase. We also see Chase’s muscle, Scorby. This one has everything. Drama, international espionage, suspense, intrigue, fist fights, and manhandling galore. All that and a carnivorous plant species to boot. Everything works brilliantly, from the costuming, to the directing, right down to the model work.
Perhaps the greatest constant through each adventure is the steady duo of the Doctor and Sarah, tackling everything as a great team. Before, we had Harry, and still to come, Sarah would be leaving. But here, for this season, we get the team supreme. All cylinders running at full power, with Barry Letts and Terrance Dicks taking a step back and letting Hinchcliffe and Holmes do their thing.
So I feel I’m forced to submit this season as perhaps the strongest — and most consistent — of a very strong era. When evaluating an entire season, you have to factor in the good with the bad, stretched out amongst the stories. I feel there isn’t really any “bad” in these particular stories: just some that are better than others; some just fantastic classics.
But what do you think, dear reader? Any other full season that you’d stack up against lucky 13?
You can pre-order Doctor Who: The Collection — Season 13 now.
