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!
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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