| TIME AND THE RANI by Pip & Jane Baker |
| Story 147 Synopsis: The TARDIS is attacked. During the course of its crash-landing, the Doctor regenerates. Unconscious, he is captured by the Rani, and her henchman, Urak. Mel is recued by Ikona, and learns that she is on Lakertya. The Rani has enslaved the locals, with the help of the Tetraps. The Doctor wakes up, cottons on that he has regenerated, but is bamboozled by the Rani pretending to be Mel. She wants him to mend a machine of hers which has blown a gasket. She tells him that the explosion caused his regeneration, and that the Rani is pretending to be her. The Doctor sidles off to tthe TARDIS for a change of clothes. Mel, despite Ikona's help, gets caught in a land-trap, which causes her to be transported into the air in a bubble. These tend to explode on impact, so it's lucky that Mel's bubble lands on water. Ikona ereleases Mel, and they go to learn more about the local situation. With the Rani absent, Mel tries to convince the Doctor that she is genuine, but she isn't sure about his regeneration. They convince each other, and the Doctor tries to escape. Mel isn't so lucky. The Doctor re-enters the lion's den, and finds himself subjected to the Rani's big scheme. She has captured a dozen of the finest minds in the Universe, so that she can create a substitute form of matter, so that she can hit an asteroid of Strange Matter. With the help of some bombs, the self-sacrifice of Beyus, a pseudo-Quisling, and the double-dealing of Urak, the Rani's plans are foiled, and she is sent on her way with the Tetraps holding her prisoner. The Doctor and Mel leave the Lakertyans to rebuild their lives. |
| Review:- Hey-ho, one of the most notorious stories ever broadcast. I remember watching part 1 on a black & white portable, eager to see what the new series of Doctor Who would be like. Most other viewers don't seem to have got what they were expecting. Time And The Rani is more hated than loved. And yes, if you've read some of my other reviews, you'll have a shrewd idea where this is going. I rather enjoy this story. There are so many neat touches, and the overall drama rarely lets up. I like the notion of the subtle ways that the Rani subjugates the Lakertyans, both through the Tetraps and the insects in the dome in the Leisure Centre. I like the fact that Ikona and Sarn run in the curious way, by holding their arms by their sides, rather than the tried & tested human method, of flailing your arms all over. The Rani/Mel deception would be naff, but for the fact that it works both ways. The scene where the Doctor and Mel have to prove each other is witty, insofar as the pulse differences work both ways too. Okay, maybe things deteriorate towards the end, although it's subtle that the Rani has a genuine reason for zapping the Doctor out of space, when it seems a lot of trouble for just fixing a wonky machine. Season 24 is remembered for its silliness, guest stars of comedy, and its crapness. But as I will show on this and the other reviews, this was a pivotal time for Doctor Who. Yes, Season 24 was the beginning of the end, but not for the reason most people think. Actually, I might write an essay about that instead. Time And The Rani has an interesting looking planet, a slightly interesting looking culture, intriguing aliens, left, right and centre, and excitement and drama. |
| Disclaimer: I've seen the video, and read the book. |