| PLANET OF FIRE by Peter Grimwade |
| Story 134 Synopsis: Kamelion hijacks the TARDIS, taking it to Earth. There, the Doctor traces a signal, which leads to an alien distress beacon that comes into the hands of American tourist Peri Brown. She nearly drowns, but Turlough rescues her, bringing her into the TARDIS, which soon takes off for Sarn. There, Kamelion transforms into the Master, threatening Peri. She escapes. The Doctor tries to convince the people of Sarn that they will perish when a volcano imminently explodes, but they are torn by a religious struggle. The Master claims to be a religious figure, the Outsider, and orders the death of the Doctor. Turlough turns off the fire, and Malkon convinces Timanov that the Master is to be over-ruled. The Doctor realises that this is Kamelion, and tries to take control of him, but fails. Kamelion orders Timanov to the temple, to right his TARDIS, which has fallen over. Once they do this, he grabs Peri and flits inside, taking the ship into the control centre of the volcano. There, Peri discovers that the Master has shrunk. She flees, meeting the Doctor and Amyand on the way. Turlough goes to send a rescue signal to Trion, his home planet. Sarn was a prison planet for exiled Trions, including Turlough's father. When the ship arrives, he is no longer a persecuted person, and elects to return home, albeit reluctantly. The Master wants to use the numismaton gas from the volcano to restore his body, but it seems to destroy him instead. The Doctor uses his TCE to end Kamelion's suffering, and then decides to allow Peri to travel with him. |
| Review:- So, with rapid speed, the familiar faces of the 5th Doctor's reign begin to slough away, and here we get a tale cruelly dismissed as "not so much a story as a series of explanations". Whilst it is possibly true to say that the background adventure of the religious struggle of the Sarns is pedestrianised by events, it is thankfully the character of Turlough who holds the viewer's patience. This is Mark Strickson's big chance, and he doesn't let anyone down. Having been introduced on the fly back in Mawdryn Undead, Turlough's background was reduced to that he was an alien, not a human. Now, finally, we get a strong reason to explain his presence on Earth, and a chance to give him a background and motivation for leaving the series. The religious worship of Logar proves a strong hook to hang this story on. The Sarns have been led to believe that Logar is a benevolent god, when really he is an alien from a different planet, combined with the natural power of a volcano. But then, that's religion - proof and faith are issues also discussed in The Face Of Evil. Here, Timanov is spokesman and tribe elder, manipulating the weak-willed Chosen One, Malkon. It takes Turlough to cut through Timanov's blind faith and Amyand's scepticism, and reveal the simple truth. Both Timanov and Amyand achieve that which they wish, although the viewer is led to side with Amyand. In fact, without Turlough, there would be no resolution. Also, the Doctor has another run-in with the Master, and picks up an American tourist, Peri. In some ways, this is Antony Ainley's finest hour. As the Master-resembling Kamelion, he seems suddenly hyperactive, chasing Peri across rocks, or seizing the initiative in the temple. It is almost a shame that the dual role aspect fades in part 4, and his final resurgence is so sloppily handled. Does the Master die? One can only presume. As for Peri, she has some awkward stuff to do, and it is a shame that she is lumbered with Dallas Adams, who planks everyone else off the screen, yet still gets to travel all the way to Sarn, albeit in a cunning plot device to reduce the use of the Kamelion prop. When running around Sarn, apparently alone, she does portray a true sense of desperation. Her attitude to the Master is refreshing, and she is no dumb brunette. All the same, she still feels an unwelcome addition to the TARDIS. The Doctor has loads to do, and does very well. Duped by Turlough, trust abused by Kamelion, surprise at being lumbered with Peri, disdain for the Master, brusque with Timanov, fairly tough with Amyand, merciless when necessary, this is a Doctor acting almost as an action hero. He kills because there are no other solutions for some, and is bossy when it comes to sending the Sarns back to Trion. Whether his sadness at the loss of Turlough was partly because he was suddenly alone is arguable. He certainly seems less than thrilled with Peri. Of course, time was to complete this tale (in The Caves Of Androzani). Overall, an excellent story helped along by some very good work, from Strickson and Ainley in particular. |
| Disclaimer: I've seen the video, and might have read the book. |