PS Creativity > Reviews > Into The Vortex > Season Thirteen

KRYNOIDS!!!! SUTEKH!!! ZYGONS!! MORBIUS! KRAALS...? Er... PREntis hancock... er, forget that last one. Season 13 is a bona-fide
favourite with Doctor Who fans, and it was interesting to see Seeds of Doom edge out Pyramids by the very narrowest of margins.

>> Season Thirteen averages 7.53 out of 10 <<

Some comments from a few members...

The Seeds of Doom (aka "The Day of the Krynoids")

"A superb season finale, with great performances all round. For some reason the Doctor is written as a lot more violent and angry than usual, but while it would not work in the long term, it adds a sense of urgency to the story."
-- Phillip Culley (10/10)

"The Doctor punches the chauffeur! He's leaving now, he's got his toothbrush! SCORBY! GET DUN-BAAAAAAAAAAR! WOO! Well paced, well scripted, it's Day of the Triffids with the Doctor, and it's bloody fantastic. Tom Baker gives perhaps his finest performance as the Doctor - utterly unpredictable, but utterly believable, he's just top! He gets the job done. Elisabeth Sladen is strong too, and Tony Beckley (superbly classy and OTT) and John Challis (genuine characterisation) almost steal the show. The Krynoid works well too, especially as the horrific human-shaped monster. Great cliffhangers too (particularly episode two), and once again, beautiful incidental music from Geoffrey Burgon. It all works." -- Phillip Madeley (10/10)

"A cracker of a story. My favourite of Tom's era. This is one of those stories that even non fans could thoroughly appreciate. I wish there had been more stories of this stunning quality in Tom's era. Douglas Camfield does a marvellous job here and the tension and "base under attack" is a real joy to watch! I was on a real high after watching this - it's just packed with excitement!" -- Ralph Mitchell (11/10)

"One of my all time faves, I just can't find fault with this one. Another superb human villain, Amelia Ducat, John Challis, a very violent and alien Doctor, lovely Sarah (again!), great location filming for the exteriors of Chase's house. Love it!"
-- Jonno Simmons (10/10)

"Another fantastic story. The Doctor is angrier than we've ever seen him, Scorby is great, and the 2+4 structure works really well. I've never found Chase to be that great as a villain though. He just seems a bit of a wet rag to me."
-- Jason Thompson (10/10)

"Entertaining, a bit 'pulp-sci fi' in places though. Tom is good in this i'll grant him that. Sarah is less than good though, she manages to look bored for most of the story!" -- Raston (6/10)

"Great! Really, really great! I just love this one! Tony Beckley is chilling and comes to a gruesome end which always makes me turn away. Tom & Lis are on fine form and the threat to the Earth is nicely realised. Just a great story." -- Si Hart (9/10)

"Douglas Camfield makes it look gorgeous, but it's a story I find it hard to really like (although maybe it ought to be next up for re-appraisal after Caves). An unpleasant, uncharacteristically-violent Doctor, and after all that they just blow it up. If Bob Holmes had had to re-write from scratch it would probably have been another Pyramids-quality tale with some lyrical dialogue and some wit. As it is, it's just (for me) about as un-Whoey as Who ever got. And the plotting is pretty darned lazy too."
-- Andrew Curnow (4/10)

"The only reason this doesn’t get a perfect score from me is that the Doctor’s overt violence seems a bit out of character. Other than that it’s great; I love Harrison Chase’s icy campness and Scorby’s obvious relish for thuggery - re even the Krydoids look proper good & scary!" -- Ant Cox (9.5/10)

"Whether it's the scenes in the Antarctic, or the house of homegrown nutter Harrison Chase, this story is always engaging. This is a great way to end a season." -- Paul Clement (9.5/10)

Pyramids of Mars (aka "The Hand of Sutekh")

"Highly atmospheric, very well shot story with another great cast giving their all, but I can't get past the dodgy plotting. The ending is terribly weak with the Doctor getting a magic box out of the TARDIS to solve everything. It's an anti-climax and the build up deserves so much more. The Mars scenes are uniformaly poor- there's no money and they're dull scenes in dull CSO sets. I know everyone elese loves it. I don't. " -- Si Hart (5/10)

"The first three episodes are about as good as Who gets, and would have got a 10. The mummies are great, and again were very scary to me - especially the infamous crushing of the poacher scene. The incidental score is one of Dudley's best, Tom's at his most alien and moody, Sarah's lovely, Michael Sheard. But it just loses it quite a bit in the last part - notably the stuff on Mars - with the guest cast having been whittled away too." -- Jonno Simmons (9/10)

"My all time favourite story of the old series and one of the few that I give full marks to - a wonderful tense atmosphere throughout, a cracking story, cracking cast and one of the best incidental musical scores." -- Larry (10/10)

"Love it. Yes the plot is nonsense and the ending is a cop-out (and doesn't even get the radio wave travel time between Earth and Mars right), but everything else is just so damn good. The mummies look great, Sutekh is sublime, and poor old Lawrence is a great character. The ultimate triumph of style over plotting?" -- Jason Thompson (10/10)

""I bring Sutekh's gift of death to all humanity!" Argh!...not today thank you; try next door, and don't come in, you're burning holes in the garden path. From the first moment, this story grabs me and retains it's quality and abilty to entertain throughout. The production values are generally very high, and the story certainly benefits from the visuals with a welcome Ancient Egyptian angle on an alien menace. Tom Baker and Liz Sladen are fantastic together here as well, and they're joined by a very talented guest cast. It's so well directed as well. Wasn't it Paddy Russell? Tom Baker didn't get on with her I believe, but both knew how to deliver the goods here. Through creative compromise and partnership can come great things."
-- Carol Baynes (10/10)

"The story may not be the strongest, but it looks so damn good. The Mummies are really terrifying and Gabriel Woolf's voice of Sutekh is so scary it gives me goosebumps. The supporting cast are all excellent, too." -- Paul Clement (10/10)

"Robert Holmes proves his genius with this exception to the "it's the story that matters" rule. Here, the story is paper-thin, full of holes, and is padded out by various attempts to stop Sutekh, and then by faffing about on Mars. But it's written with such absolute style, and is additionally directed and designed with a real eye for atmosphere and visual appeal, that it is a very entertaining, and enjoyable watch. The Doctor and Sarah's interplay is never better than in this story, whether it's the opening TARDIS scene, the scenes with Scarman, the "perhaps he sneezed" sequence, or the future Earth scene. Frankly, if it didn't have such a weak last episode, I might even have given it 10, for Bob Holmes barefaced cheek in making such a silk purse out of such a sow's ear. But, new series critics please note the dreadful 'Deus Ex Machina' ending." -- Andrew Curnow (7/10)

Terror of the Zygons (aka "Harry's Been Shot!")

"Hullo, Foxxxx Innnnnn!" -- Lis Sladen

"The Zygons are well made, the shots of the Zygon spaceship look gorgeous, and the story isn't bad. But after the wings being spread quite nicely in the last series, we're back on Earth again with UNIT, ministries, politicians on the phone and other such remnants of a time we apparently left behind. Not a bad story, but not one I feel inlcined to watch on its own when I'm in the mood for some Who." -- Jason Thompson (7/10)

"Yes, the Skarasen is awful. But the rest of it! The Zygons themselves are utterly a one-off - I love their organic style, and the whisper of their voices. UNIT is still a force to be reckoned with, and A great mix of action, suspense and horror, with absolutely gorgeous music and stunning location work (it really looks like Scotland). Good script from Robert Banks Stewart too - his other Who script isn't bad either..." -- Phillip Madeley (10/10)

"Just a delight, and because I got the video for Christmas (back in 1988) it always reminds me of Christmas. Beautiful little story, very impressive production values, and tremendously atmospheric." -- Andrew Curnow (9/10)

"Terror of the Zygons, it occasionally comes out on the balcony to wave a tentacle and remind us all how good it is."
-- Rob McCow (10/10)

"It's Dougie Camfield again. Wow, that man could serve up the goods! He's been given what looks like a Pertwee-era UNIT yarn, but it's given such a twist of sly menace that it makes the likes of the Axons look like panto extras. The Zygons transformation/doppelganger ability isn't altogether visually convincing or satisfactory, but the costumes for the creatures are nothing short of marvellous. Amongst the best (and most convincing) 'monsters' the series had, and it's always surprising they never made a return appearance." -- Carol Baynes (9/10)

"Mediocre. The story is one that fails because it just doesn't excel in any department. It doesn't inspire me to watch it all the way through, despite one or two good moments here and there. I do like the idea of the Zygons, I just think they could have had a better story." -- Paul Clement (6/10)

"Some very good moments, and superb monsters. But they don't always outweigh the bits that don't work for me. I really don't like the whole Loch Ness monster thing, and that costs it points." -- Raston (5/10)

The Brain of Morbius (aka "Chop Suey: Galactic Emperor")

"Enjoyable, although the Sisterhood plot feels superfluous (it would be nice at some stage to see the edited version of the story which removed the Sisterhood plot)..." -- Phillip Culley (8/10)

"What a dull, turgid piece of tripe this is. Doctor Who tries to do Hammer Horror and leaves me wanting to hammer the telly. Way off the mark there..." -- Paul Clement (2/10)

"Always seems to be overlooked for some reason, but this is a little gem. The sisterhood look a bit silly, it's true, but the rest of it is really moody imagery. The unusual situation of making the Doctor and Solon uneasy allies works very well, giving a real edge to some scenes, and the smaller than usual cast works to the story's advantage. Another awful 'Deus Ex Machine' ending though, with the mind-bending equipment." -- Andrew Curnow (7/10)

"This story is the reason I'm here on PS, I swear to you it is. By 1990 I'd washed my hands of the whole embarrasing series (as I saw it). I was a teenager who wasn't interested in this crap. One inquisitive video purchase changed all that and I was back again. Joy! I've now worn out this VHS and can recite every line! Sad, I know... So many good things to say about "Morbius", but for one it has the best 'take the piss out of the monster' scene in the entire history of the series (but I stand to be corrected). Look at him! The greatest Time lord menace and genius since The Master and he's been stuck in a jam jar for God knows how long. He's been like a sponge beneath the sea you know. He could feel nothing, see nothing. The poor sod thought he was locked into hell for eternity! Then that crazy fool Solon gets his hopes up and gives him a makeover. He may have expected to appear on "10 years younger" but instead ends up with a goldfish bowl as a head. It wouldn't take much to upset me after a day like that....fook! I've got a giant claw as a hand!! Post-op, Morbius should look ridiculous (which he admittedly does) but he also look scary as fook. Imagine if that thing came at you in a creepy dark room?! Yeah, exactly!
Tom is funny and witty here, but also suitably angry and ready to add gravitas where needed. The sisters are a mixed bunch (only two of them really do anything), but Solon and Condo are superbly realised. This also has lots of gratuitous, bloody violence (for Dr. Who), which suits the story well. It's a Frankenstien rip off, true, but a very good one. I also like the way it often looks theatrical (and obviously studio bound). An atmospheric, overlooked gothic Who classic! Even the creaky wooden sets and dodgy brain surgery 'science' can't deter my score!" -- Carol Baynes (10/10)

"Yawn. Dull and tedious, not at all engaging. Invasion Of The Dinosaurs has come in for criticism in various places for using the T-rex's appearance as a cliffhanger three times. Here, all the cliffhangers are the same, as Sarah is menaced in some way by Morbius, first his body, then his brain, then his complete person. Philip Madoc is a good as ever, though. Just one question: where do the sisterhood actually live?" -- Jason Thompson (5/10)

"Loses a point because the Sisterhood's dancing and Ohica's acting are a bit much. Two more of the series' best villains - Morbius and Solon - turn up here; with Philip Madoc, it's hardly surprising. The most dramatic story of the series in terms of acting - very Shakespearean." -- Stuart Wallis (8/10)

The Android Invasion (Where's the bloody mystery in that title?)

"Another story with a good atmosphere and great location filming, which hides a highly dodgy plot. Things happen, but not in a logical manner and the virus/ androids things is nice, but Styggron's plan is well, a b it rubbish. It gains extra marks for Chedaki pointing out it's a good plan at every opportunity!" -- Si Hart (6.5/10)

"I really love the atmosphere particularly on episode 1, reminds me of the first episode of "Invasion of the Dinosaurs" and I love this kind of stuff. In any other season I think this story would get more credit." -- Ralph Mitchell (9/10)

"Episode 1 looks good, but my golly this is a pile of poo really. The story makes no real sense, the characters are poorly-served, and the eyepatch business is just insulting, stupid, poorly thought-out, etc, etc. And the ending is rubbish too."
-- Andrew Curnow (3/10)

"I really, really like the first half or so with the sinister goings on in a gorgeous, sunny English village. But yes, it does fall away badly once we find out about the Kraal's plan. Overall, still very watchable though." -- Jonno Simmons (7/10)

"The one or two holes in Pyramids' plot are less obvious than the ones here, but even so, this one's still a fun story. Dim-but-sympathetic Crayford is well-acted by Milton Johns, and Styggron isn't bad." -- Stuart Wallis (7/10)

"This isn't real grass, these aren't real trees, this story isn't really good." -- Rob McCow (6/10)

"If you are going to do a rip off, at least do it well. The first episode is creepy and interesting but it all gets a bit silly after that-and i'd rather this wasn't the last we saw of Harry!" -- Raston (3/10)

Planet of Wretched Evil

"My least favourite story. Not badly made, not incoherent, just deathly dull. Prentis Hancock is shockingly annoying, the jungle is good, but there's no money for any other sets, the Doctor is STILL being accused of murder in part 4, the anti-man effects are pretty risible and I just don't like it at all. so nerr." -- Si Hart (1/10)

"This is just painful to watch. There is almost nothing good about this, the sets are ok i guess and its not trying to be special so it can get two points." -- Raston (2/10)

"A bit of a disappointment. A reasonable atmosphere but that’s about it." -- Ant Cox (5/10)

"It's just dull. However, Tom is totally compelling in it. It's score of 5 is mainly because of him, and the jungle set (and the freeze-frame cliffhanger). Particularly like Tom's "You call it nothing, a word to hide ignorance" line, and also the scene where he effectively sends Sorenson to his death: "You and I are scientists, Professor. We purchase our right to experiment at the price of total responsibility." But, alas, dull, dull, dull." -- Andrew Curnow (5/10)

"I know loads of you hate it, but I don't! I can't deny that much of my liking of it comes from memories of 6 year old me finding it rather scary - especially the scenes of the red-lined monster, the Doctor falling into the pit, the wolfman coming round in the TARDIS and chasing the Doctor outside... And much as I liked Harry, I find I don't miss him now, and Sarah and the Doctor are just wonderful together from here on in." -- Jonno Simmons (7/10)

"The sets are fabulous but admittedly a weaker story. I love Forbidden Planet but this doesn't really do the concept justice."
-- Ralph Mitchell (6.5/10)

last updated 11th March 2007
return to the Into The Vortex Index