| THE TALONS OF WENG - CHIANG by Robert Holmes |
| Story 91 Synopsis: London, the end of the 19th century. Several young women have gone missing, and some believe there is a connection with the Grand Theatre, where magician Li H'sen Chang is wowing the crowds. The Doctor brings Leela here for her education, but they stumble upon a murderous gang, and wind up at the police station. Plus, a body is washed up, half-eaten. The Doctor slowly finds that there is something going on at the theatre. Chang is working for Weng-Chiang, in reality a madman named Greel, who needs the lifeforces of young ladies, and is seeking out a cabinet. They are assisted by a sinister mannequin, Mr Sin. Leela investigates, and avoids the clutches of Greel, but is pursued by a giant rat. Seeking Greel's lair via the rivers of London, the Doctor arrives with a gun, rescuing Leela. The cabinet is kept at the home of Professor Litefoot, whom the police earlier brought in to help with their enquiries, and whom the Doctor has inveigled help from. Greel steals the cabinet back, but the Doctor tracks him down, realising that he has travelled through time from the future, where he was responsible for causing World War VI. Greel is destroyed, Sin is destroyed, and the cabinet returned to Litefoot. |
| Review:- For many years, this had a rare and cherished spot as the most popular Doctor Who story ever made. Then other favourites were put forward, and this piece of fake Victoriana got rather pushed down the queue, one among many. For all that it's such a long story, it never deviates from its single plot, of Greel's quest for freedom. The rat is a nifty subplot, but it does illustrate his villainy and power. The Doctor proves himself quite adept at sleuthing, although he takes a (conveniently) long time to start guessing who is up to what. In the meantime, he makes some firm alliances with two fine Victorian gentlemen. Henry Jago and Professor Litefoot spend most of the time proving a fine foil for the Doctor, whilst Leela engages in her own subplot as she stomps around London. They both make for welcome additions to the story. Mr Sin is a rather charmless and sinister robot, and his master, Magnus Greel, is a rather deluded and tiresome villain. Perhaps the most poignant character development comes for Li H'Sen Chang, who doesn't really relish the benefits he accrues from association with the fake Weng-Chiang, and ends up rather like the sort of Bond henchman who is double-crossed and then gets a small degree of revenge, tempered by hefty punishment. It is a very good story, with sex, violence, mystery and intrigue. The story continues in The Shadow of Weng-Chiang, whilst Litefoot returns in The Bodysnatchers. |
| Disclaimer: I've seen the video, and read the book. |