| THE ANDROIDS OF TARA by David Fisher |
| Story 101 Synopsis: The TARDIS arrives on Tara, but the Doctor is bored of their quest, and decides to go fishing, leaving Romana to find the 4th segment. This she does, but before she can bring it back, she is kidnapped by allies of Count Grendel. The Doctor is inveigled into working for Prince Reynart, whose position Grendel covets. Romana is the identical double of Princess Strella, and Grendel intends to marry her, and becoming King. Tara is a society of mixed technologies, and the Doctor has to use an android of Reynart during his investiture speech. Grendel tries to sabotage the ceremony, but the Doctor foils his plan. A reckoning happens at Grendel's estate, where Romana is rescued, Reynart is united with the real Strella, and the 4th segment is obtained. But Grendel escapes to fight another day. |
| Review:- From modern-day Earth, to a rather archaic planet with Earth-esque qualities, the quest for the Key To Time brings the Doctor and Romana into the middle of a bizarre family feud. Following on from his previous story, The Stones Of Blood, Fisher presents a tale that to many is inspired by (or a total rip-off of) Anthony Hope's famous novel, The Prisoner of Zenda. Not being familiar with that story, I shall have to take that at face value, whilst ignoring it completely. After all, the court intrigue is only one aspect, merged well with the technocratic society that considers energy-swords to be classier than guns. The three main guest characters are Reynart, Strella and Grendel, and for long periods we are left to wonder the truth about all of them. The Doctor is hampered from his investigation when Romana is swiftly kidnapped, although her having a double allows Mary Tamm a chance to be someone else for a change (though not very much). Grendel is almost pantomimesque in his villainy, something that has drawn a lot of praise in some quarters over the years. The late Peter Jeffrey proves why actors often claim that the bad guys are the better parts, as he forces the good nobles to react to him, rather than him kow-towing to them. Reynart & Strella are rather bland royal figures, but they only have to fulfil a limited function in the narrative, and the Doctor is able to save the day anyway. The Key To Time becomes almost an afterthought to the story, which is probably one of the better ways to treat such an aspect. After all, the overall quest is limited in its drama until the final piece... so to deal with it so curtly is an acknowledgement that it would be an anti-climax to put it at centre stage. Overall, it's a calm little piece of drama, nothing heavy, and worth a look for something a little different. |
| Disclaimer: I've seen the video, and read the book. |