Fury from the Deep Episode 3

The one where the sentient seaweed really starts to take control...

So far, I've felt episodes 1 and 2 of this story have been just shy of meeting their potential, but episode 3 comes blazing in and surpasses all expectations by really upping the ante. We join the Doctor and co in the Harrises' apartment, where Frank is understandably very concerned about his ill wife Maggie. But what's most disturbing, at least for an arachnophobe like me, is that Victoria describes having seen the frond of seaweed on the floor as moving like a spider. I mean, how utterly terrifying is that? Seaweed that stings to the touch which scuttles about like an eight-legs?

Another surprising turn this episode is that our heroes take a detour back to the TARDIS, now having very conveniently washed up ashore (so why have it land in the sea in the first place, hey?). The telesnaps don't show much detail of the TARDIS laboratory (I spy no roundels), but I love that writer Victor Pemberton has Victoria rolling her sleeves up and getting involved, running a Bunsen test and showing herself to be just as capable as the Doctor in these situations. Jamie, the 18th century troglodyte, is left to ask all the questions for the viewer!

There's something magical about the whole "back to the TARDIS" dynamic. It doesn't happen all that often, especially in the 1960s when the Ship would just land and then the adventure would play out, but when it does, it reminds you that the trusty time machine is always there, whatever's happening elsewhere, and can be called upon if needed. The truth is the Doctor doesn't call upon the services of his amazing machine half as much as he could or should, so it's nice to see it make a cameo appearance mid-story here.

The scenes inside the TARDIS are pretty creepy though, especially the scene where the seaweed tries to escape from the tank of water (is it wise to keep that tank inside the Ship, Doctor?). There's also reference to the myths and legends of the ancient mariners in the North Sea in the mid-18th century, and while the Doctor doesn't draw a direct line from those mythical beasts to what's happening at the refinery, it is implied. Rather like Thin Ice almost 50 years later, perhaps the creature at the centre of this story is not of alien origin at all?

Back at the refinery, Chief Robson has lost it big time. Victor Maddern gives a fantastically charged performance as a man whose professional pride and personal integrity are challenged by what he sees as interference and lack of support from his contemporaries. Robson isn't just any old grumpy figure of authority, as previously thought: he's a man whose psychological stability is very vulnerable, and by the time he's raging hysterically at Harris, Van Lutyens and the Chief Engineer (who isn't allowed a name), we're pretty convinced that he's finally snapped. "What are you staring at?" he yells. "I'm in charge! It's my responsibility!"

There's an adroit accomplishment to Pemberton's writing which makes the proceedings all very adult and believable, despite the fact they're essentially being terrorised by living seaweed. When Harris expresses concern at his wife being ill, Robson quips: "What's the matter with her? She got a hangover?", which subtly hints at the fact Maggie Harris may have a history of alcoholism. This is not picked up on at all, but it adds an enigmatic detail to the character. There's also a moment where the Doctor is referred to by Harris as a "harmless old man", which is rather perplexing, as he has no reason to believe the Doctor is actually a centuries-old alien. It's an odd bit of writing more pertinent to the First Doctor, as at this point Troughton was just 48, which is perhaps 15 years older than Roy Spencer (Harris) but hardly enough to be an "old man"!

The seaweed creature's attack on the Doctor, Jamie and Victoria at the Harrises' apartment - which they break into thanks to Victoria's miraculous lock-picking skills - is pretty unsettling too. It seems relentless and all-consuming (the telesnaps show that there was an awful lot of foam used!). The whole scene is pretty horrific to listen to, and must have been both fun and arduous to perform. Afterwards, we're treated to a beautiful moment of truthfulness as Victoria hints at wanting to bring an end to this peripatetic life with the Doctor and Jamie, to seek out some peace and quiet. "Why is it we always end up in trouble?" she says. "It's the spice of life, my dear!" replies the Doctor, rather unfeelingly. "I don't really like being scared out of my wits every second," bemoans Victoria. "I just wish that once... oh never mind." It's a tender moment in which the Doctor and Jamie both realise that the life of danger and risk they lead is having an effect on their young orphaned friend...

And then there's the truly magnificent cliffhanger, shot beautifully in Botany Bay in Kent by director Hugh David with a real eye for distance and scale. As Maggie Harris stands alone looking out to sea, she is joined by an equally as possessed Robson. There's a brief enigmatic exchange, and then Maggie calmly and serenely walks out into the ocean, all the way until her head dips below the surface of the water... and she's gone! It's really very sinister and must have been unsettling to watch. It must also have been bloody freezing, walking into the North Sea in February wearing a mini skirt!

First broadcast: March 30th, 1968

Steve's Scoreboard
The Good: There are a few to choose from - the seaweed attack at the Harris apartment, Victor Maddern's crazed Robson, the tender scene between Victoria and the Doctor - but I'll opt for that gorgeous cliffhanger.
The Bad: Nothing. It's perfect!
Overall score for episode: ★★★★★★★★★★ (this is the 200th episode, and it deserves a 10!)

NEXT TIME: Episode 4...

My reviews of this story's other episodes: Episode 1; Episode 2; Episode 4; Episode 5; Episode 6

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/2014/02/fury-from-deep.html

Fury from the Deep is available on BBC soundtrack CD. Find it on Amazon - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fury-Deep-Doctor-Radio-Collection/dp/0563524103.