| THE AWAKENING by Eric Pringle |
| Story 131 Synopsis: Little Hodcombe is staging a re-enactment of an English Civil War battle. The village has been closed off by Sir George Hutchinson. The TARDIS lands in a crumbling old church, and the Doctor, Tegan and Turlough look for a mysterious fugitive. Tegan wants to meet her grandfather, Andrew Verney, but he's gone missing. Tegan is selected to be Queen Of The May. Back at the church, the Doctor meets the fugitive, Will Chandler, who thinks it's 1643. The clues lead the Doctor to a crack in the wall, where a probe from Hakol dwells. It is the Malus. It is using Sir George as a focus to gain power, through the re-enactment of the war game. Turlough is locked up with Andrew Verney, but they break free and head for the church. The Doctor uses the TARDIS to thwart the Malus' power, and then Will Chandler pushes Sir George into the Malus' face. The Malus destroys the church. The Doctor is coerced into staying a while to allow Tegan a chance to spend time with Verney. |
| Review:- Another short little tale, quite baffling to watch. The most notable things I took from it were quite diverse. The Malus may be the only Who baddy not to talk. Sir George does the talking, and I wish he wouldn't. It's nice to see Glyn Houston back again. The English Civil War is a concept and setting rich with ideas for dramatic fiction, so it's a shame that this is so woefully dull. The Doctor manages some real excitement and action, but for a story that could be Midsomer Murders years ahead of its time, there's little to be done. I do think this confirms that 2 episodes is too short for a reasonable story (almost nothing of note happens - undramatically!). Will Chandler is given almost no depth. Polly James steals the show as Jane Hampden. There seemed to be no connection to Warriors Of The Deep, or Frontios. I wish this had been put out on a videotape with The King's Demons instead, it can scarcely have made much difference... There is a follow-up to the Hakol probe from this story in The Hollow Men. |
| Disclaimer: I've seen the video, but I don't think I've read the book. |