| THE MIND OF EVIL by Don Houghton |
| Story 56 Synopsis: Professor Emil Keller has created an amazing machine which can suck the evil mind processes out of criminal minds. Having successfully treated 112 patients, he has brought his machine to Stangmoor Prison, for a public demonstration. Patient #113, a prisoner named Barnham, undergoes the process, but something odd seems to happen. This is witnessed at first hand by the Doctor and Jo. Meanwhile, UNIT are in charge of security for the 1st World Peace Conference, where the Chinese delegation have trouble. Also, UNIT are in charge of transporting a nuclear missile. People begin to die at Stangmoor, and the Doctor realises the machine is responsible. It is also fomenting riot conditions. As the Doctor rescues an American diplomat from being scared to death, he realises that Emil Keller is the Master. When told Stangmoor is under riot, he heads down. But the Master has aided con Harry Mailer in a takeover, and the Doctor is captured on arrival. The Master explains his aim to explode the missile on the Peace Conference to start war, and leaves the Doctor to the mercy of the Keller Machine. One of his hearts stops beating, and the Master comes back to save his life, as the Machine is affecting the rest of the prison. He wants the Doctor to control it, but he says he can't. It contains a mind parasite that feeds off evil. It starts to transmat about, before the Doctor manages to neutralise it temporarily. The Thunderbolt is hijacked, and Mike Yates becomes a prisoner. The Brigadier decides Stangmoor is the nucleus of all the trouble, and under cover, UNIT invade. Mailer decides to use the Doctor and Jo as hostages to buy his freedom, but the Brigadier shoots him. Yates calls to give the location of a hangar where the missile is. Barnham is the only person able to neutralise the Keller Machine. The Doctor decides to use the Thunderbolt to destroy it. He sets up a switch with the Master, which results in the death of Barnham, and the destruction of the missile and the parasite. The Master escapes, and calls the Doctor to gloat over his freedom. |
| Review:- A strange and unique adventure for its existence and availability in black&white alone, this is a neat little tale, with lots going on, and lots to discuss. The main point is probably that there are too many plots, and whilst some go together well, others jar immensely. The Keller Process is a very clever piece of plot, as it allows for an examenation of the old ideas of brainwashing prisoners to prevent them repeating their crimes. Here, we get Barnham, who only really gets a chance to look fierce. After he gets zapped, he plays out the whole show with a simple clarity, reminding me of Bernard Bresslaw, I have to say (although that's obviously the actor not the character). His ultimate importance, as the only weapon against the Mind parasite, is a surprise, and his ultimate fate is a signifier of the end of all weapons. At least the Doctor expresses some sorrow for his death. The disposal of the Thunderbolt nuclear missile also allows for a look at the arms race, as well as allowing UNIT some action. It's some prop, and it also ultimately becomes effective when destroyed. In many ways, it's just an overelaborate McGuffin, but at least everyone concerned makes it seem threatening. The usurping of power at Stangmoor Prison is well handled. Harry Mailer becomes an effective villain as he gets to shoot lots of warders. He seems repeatedly a step away from real violence to the characters we are led to care for, and is perhaps only let down by the cursory manner of his death. The prison is an excellent backdrop, though, and allows for some cracking work. The first World Peace Conference is not really given much emphasis, as it's just a set-up for the action with the Thunderbolt. Chin Lee sadly is a terrible actress, and we hardly see many delegates (although presumably China being played as the threat makes a change from the more obvious spectre of USSR). Threading it all together is the Master. This is possibly the greatest Master story, as he really comes into his own. The subtle subterfuge of being Emil Keller is one thing. Having Mailer almost as a lapdog (and one which bites back) makes him look more powerful. His plan is simple and potentially devastating. He seems in control nearly all the way, until his need for lackeys lets him down. His final vicious act, knocking Barnham down, cements his evilness, and his mocking phone call just puts the wind up his nemesis. The fact that we see his greatest fear, and it's the Doctor laughing at him, poses the question of why that should be. Never again, is his character as believable and as powerful. As for the regulars... Jo gets some work, but not a lot, Yates gets to play espionage expert and prisoner, Benton gets a go at being Acting Governor of a prison, the Brigadier struggles to keep all the balls in the air (and make the greatest shot in the whole show, at the start of pt 6), and the Doctor... well, the Doctor is given the runaround, goes through some harsh treatment at the hands of the Keller Machine, and yet some more comic moments (in pt 5, with the coil of wire to stop the teleportation of the machine). The fact that we can only see the story in black and white is a peculiarity. It really seems to enhance the story, rather than subtract from it, and for that, we can be grateful. Certainly, watching the colourised moments at the end of ths videotape is a very odd feeling. Overall, a pretty strong story. |
| Disclaimer: I've seen the video, but I don't think I've read the book. |