| THE WAR MACHINES by Ian Stuart Black |
| Story 27 Synopsis: London, 1966, and the Doctor and Dodo make straight for the GPO Tower, where there is a new super-computer, WOTAn. The machine begins to possess people, and orders the construction of war machines. The Doctor and Dodo are taken to a club by Polly, whom they met at the Tower. There they all meet Ben Jackson, a sailor on leave. Dodo is possessed by WOTAn, the Doctor realising when the computer attempts to convert him. He de-hypnotises her. Polly gets into trouble, and the Doctor enlists Ben's help in investigating. Two war machines have been constructed. Ben narrowly escapes the warehouse, but Polly has been hypnotised. One of the War Machines breaks loose, and the Doctor convinces the authorities that the situation is serious. An attack by 12 machines is set for Noon. With help, he captures another of the Machines, re-programming it to attack WOTAn. This it does, immobilising the other machines, and releasing all its victims from their mind control.. Dodo sends her regards, and that she is staying behind. Ben and Polly go into the TARDIS to give the Doctor her old key, and the ship takes off. |
| Review:- And so, at the end of its third series, Doctor Who fell back to Earth, as the Doctor suddenly turns out to be an important figure in science circles (so it seems), and he visits an environment every bit as hostile and unknown as Skaro, Vortis or Kembel... a nightclub. The general views of this story are that it was an early sign of the way the show was to head when UNIT came along, and also that the brains behind WOTAn was soon to become better known as the brains behind the Cybermen. Kit Pedler is not considered one of the series' biggest names, but his contribution for this story alone, and what it led to, means he deserves more recognition. Not, incidentally, to take much away from Ian Stuart Black - having written out Steven in the previous story, he gets to write out Dodo, as well as write in Ben and Polly (final score, then 2-2). Rarely is it more noticeable that young male companions were introduced to handle the bulk of the "action" because the Doctor is too old and frail. Ben is sent out time and again by the Doctor, whilst he sits in Sir Charles' office (home?) and wonders what's going on. Poor Dodo simply fades away from the story, sent to get herself together. Polly doesn't seem all that special, and it must be love for Ben because she's hardly likeable at all. Admittedly she does help out the tramp without a second thought, and is happy to take on the 'impossible' task of cheering up Ben, but her blind eye to his escape can't really be put down to her as she is under WOTAn's control at the time! Ben comes across easily for a couple of reasons. Chiefly, he trusts the Doctor totally. He never has to say "well, helping you out's more exciting than sitting and waiting for my ship", he just turns up at Sir Charles' house, and (admittedly smitten by Polly) follows the Doctor's instructions despite any personal threat. He escapes from the War Machine warehouse, and goes straight to the Doctor, knowing he'll be able to help. Such instant rapport (despite the Doctor's admonishments later) is a joy to watch, establishing his place right away. Also, he gets to rescue Polly at the end, repaying her for her earlier help. WOTAn is an awesome threat, but seems to lose impetus once the War Machines start to break down. Professor Brett is an excellent mouthpiece, but the other flunkies are less impressive. The Doctor is onto WOTAn from the moment he sees the GPO Tower - remains certain that that's where the trouble is coming from, and is resolute about how to stop it. Quite a strong story for him. Even the much-mocked fluff "I wonder, Sir Charles, do you suppose - " where he seems to change his mind mid-sentence is, to my mind, very subtle acting. But then, I don't believe all the popular guff about excessive fluffs. Sir Charles is also worth noting, as one of the few civilians we ever meet who respects the Doctor from the word go. And he lives to see the end credits, which is a novelty of sorts. I recommend this story to people with no hesitation. |
| Disclaimer: I've seen the video, and I've read the book. |