Thursday, 4 June 2020

Who Reviews The Android Invasion by Matt Rabjohns



If The Android Invasion was the weak point of Season 13 in the original series then it’s plain to see just how strong the show was at that time. There was a real increase in the horror overtones and Tom Baker and Liz Sladen were at the height of their powers as the dynamic Time travelling duo set against the evils of the universe. And The Android Invasion isn't really that bad at all, it just has a few scripting blunders that mar the overall effect which is still one of a very solid and enjoyable story with many superb moments along the way. ​
Let’s do what I always do and get the bad points out of the way first. The Guy Crayford not having a bad eye revelation is rather silly and pathetic. How could one not realise he had two eyes, even if he were seriously brainwashed?! This is laugh out loud blundering and it’s a shame because it otherwise ruins a strong and memorable ending to a very good story. So, we're meant to swallow the notion that he never washed underneath his eye patch? 

What a load of nonsense! ​
Philip Hinchcliffe has stated he was never pleased with the look of the Kraals as well. I don't actually think they are that bad myself. The space pig/rhino look works well although the mask doesn't look as flexible or believable as many other monster designs of this period. But they not terrible and Styggron is a mean little piece of work. Its great hearing Doctor Who stalwart Roy Skelton voicing Chedaki too. ​
Despite the poor script blemish to end his involvement in the story, Milton Johns is sublime in the role of Guy Crayford. He's a typical slimy little idiot but with a believable streak of naivete and weakness going through him. ​
It is rather obvious too that Tom Baker had a sore throat during this story as his voice is rather rough and gruffly edged, and I expect the stunt of him hiding in the river in the woods did little to alleviate his sore throat too! Although this is a brilliant scene and well shot. And both he and Liz Sladen are creepsville as their android duplicates. Tom is so great at acting wicked and evil, and the shot of Sarah next to the TARDIS with the Android Doctor and the pod with Sarah's duplicate opening is a chilling scene that really unnerved me as a young boy. ​
When Styggron is finally killed by the android replica of the Doctor his manky squished in head made me want to puke when I first observed it. Boy it was so gross that green muck coming out of the poor Kraal's bonce. Even my Dad Ian too said this scene made him feel nauseous when he watched it when it was shown. Looks like a mouldy load of scotch broth and man it is extremely graphically unpleasant indeed. I still cringe when I see this scene even now. ​
Ah and the plot point of the Android Doctor killing Styggron too. When all the androids are frozen, I just think it’s obvious the Doctor reprogrammed it so it would no longer be affected by the radar beam so it could fool Styggron. I don't see any major plot hole here at all myself. ​
The opening shot of the UNIT soldier moving jerkily through the woods is a classic opening scene and pure Terry Nation if ever we saw any. I always wince when he cuts his cheek on the sharp plastic wood of the fake trees. And the shots of him falling off the cliff and committing suicide too are very well done and stark.​
The Androids themselves are a resonating success of design. And the cliffhanger of the fake Sarah's face falling off remain with me to this day as one of the truly memorable aspects of this story. A terrific cliffhanger indeed. The initial scenes of the empty Devesham and then the silent arrival of the strange villagers are also superbly directed and creepy scenes. ​
And this story is also notable for its last major appearances of Ian Marter and John Levene as Harry and Benton. It’s sad that this story is their last because as a goodbye it really does neither character any true justice. But both Ian and John are superb yet again in their roles and its little wonder they are both such fondly remembered actors from the show. I actually think the decision to rest UNIT and Harry was one of Phil Hinchcliffe's very few mistakes during his time as producer. ​
Terrance Dicks in his novel of this story tidy's up the ending considerably and irons out a few of the scripting errors too. But the Android Invasion still has far more good points to its credit than bad ones. The whole cast is extremely assured. Barry Letts direction is polished. Another favourite scene is when the Doctor jumps right from the roof of the centre only to be immediately surrounded by androids. A neat little trick in having their guns in their fingers too, I think. Makes for a memorable look. ​
Its little wonder to see why the show was at the zenith of its popularity around this time. All the stories under the watchful eye of Robert Holmes script editing genius were something to remember and savour. There was a real dash of the macabre and the unnerving running through several stories. And the image of the Doctor tied to the village monument with a bomb next to him primed to go is yet another memorable image from this story. ​
The Android Invasion is by no means perfect, but it holds its own against some fearsome story competition around it. Sandwiched between Pyramids of Mars and The Brain of Morbius it is still a sturdy and reliable effort and a very entertaining tale. The Kraals mad as a box of frog’s scheme to replace the earth's population with duplicates is laughably corny and crass, but I don't really give a fig. This doesn't stop the fact that this story is still yards and yards ahead of most Matt Smith episodes of the show at least. ​
Definitely a memorable and effective piece of sci fi writing. Great to see something else other than Daleks in a story from Mr Nation too. He was a truly gifted and reliable writer and its little wonder he contributed so much to the show. Thanks, so much Terry for this superb story and all the other treasures you gave to us Doctor Who fans!

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