The Savages Episode 3

The one where the Doctor is reduced to a comatose zombie...

I've forgotten to mention how cool I think the light guns are in this story. I'm not altogether sure just how they work, but it's clear that the light ray the guns emit is some form of tractor beam (a phrase first coined by SF novelist E E Smith in the 1930 novel Spacehounds of IPC), but the beam also has the effect of rendering the target immobile. And if the beam gets in the target's eyes, they are left unconscious for some time, as if mesmerised. The light guns are ingenious little inventions by Ian Stuart Black, and the sound effect accompanying them is good too.

It's actually the light guns which provide the catalyst for the narrative in this episode. In many ways it's a typical episode 3 in that there's a good bit of padding, notably with Exorse pursuing Steven, Dodo and Chal through the darkened tunnels, but at least it's directed atmospherically. But it's when Steven establishes how to turn the tables on Exorse and his weapon that things start to speed up again.

Steven must have read what I said about him in my review for episode 2, because there's a definite attempt to redeem himself here. He takes the initiative and works out how to turn the light gun's power against itself, using the gift the Elders gave to Dodo - the bejeweled mirror - to reflect the light back at Exorse and render him powerless. It's just the sort of thing Ian Chesterton would have done, and I must admit to feeling I wanted to pat Steven on the back when he was goading Exorse by calling him "soldier boy"! At last, Steven does something productive.

Senta's transference of the Doctor's life source has reduced our hero to a vitality level of just 25. Considering the damage his body must have sustained from the Time Destructor in The Daleks' Master Plan, you'd expect this macabre procedure would probably injure the Doctor in some way permanently. Indeed, William Hartnell has next to nothing to do in this episode as the Doctor is rendered unconscious for much of it, but when he does return near the end, he still hasn't any lines.

But what Hartnell does do gives me the shivers. The Doctor is exhausted by the transference, and wanders aimlessly through the corridors, moaning like a spectral apparition in the gloom. His eyes are wide and glazed, his clothes and hair bedraggled, and he seems to have lost all awareness of his self. He staggers and moans like a zombie, and the telesnaps make the scene look as unsettling as it sounds. It looks and sounds like the Doctor has been removed from his very body.

And where has he gone? Well, it would seem the very essence of the Doctor has been transferred into Jano, who immediately begins to exhibit the mannerisms and personality of the Doctor. Frederick Jaeger does a creditable job of impersonating Hartnell, complete with vocal tics and croakier voice, but it seems Jano has also taken on some of the Doctor's actual memories and experience, as well as his morality. Jano threatens to destroy the scientific equipment which brought the transfer about, and harbours the Doctor's opinions too, notably that Dodo's name is ridiculous. The Doctor-Jano, 42 years before the Doctor-Donna!

First broadcast: June 11th 1966

Steve's Scoreboard
The Good: Steven finally does something worthy of a heroic companion. Using Dodo's mirror against the light gun is ingenious.
The Bad: The episode is padded somewhat, although it ultimately leads to enabling the "savages" to see that they can defeat their oppressors.
Overall score for episode: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆

NEXT TIME: Episode 4...

My reviews of this story's other episodes: Episode 1; Episode 2; Episode 4

Find out birth/death dates, career information, and facts and trivia about this story's cast and crew at the Doctor Who Cast & Crew site: http://doctorwhocastandcrew.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/the-savages.html

The Savages soundtrack is available on BBC CD. Find it on Amazon - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Doctor-Who-Original-Television-Soundtrack/dp/0563535024