The Sea Devils Episode Three

The one where the Doctor goes from prison visitor to prisoner...

It seems Michael Briant thought the end of episode 2 was so good that the reprise should last more than 90 seconds, which is a bit of a chore (I know contemporary viewers had had a whole week in between, and I've had just a day, but still...). The Master needs to brush up on his knife-throwing skills because he misses the Doctor (chilling that he was aiming for his head!), but I'm wondering whether he missed on purpose because when he subsequently has the perfect chance to kill him, he doesn't bother. The Master claims he'd rather the Doctor witness the extermination of his beloved human race instead. Hmmm... those shifting priorities of the Master's.

There's not a lot to this episode, as it mainly concerns the Doctor being imprisoned and escaping, but it's a fantastic showcase for Jo Grant, whose ingenuity and determination really pay off. Before embarking on this Pertwee marathon, I always considered Jo Grant to be a rather dense, kooky clot, but after having watched through, episode by episode, I must admit she's a brilliant companion, and a true friend and sidekick to the Doctor. They adore one another, and Jo's innate resourcefulness is often highlighted.

In this episode she clobbers two burly prison guards with her sheer brute strength (don't you think Terry Walsh as Barclay looks and sounds just like Michael Caine?) then scarpers into the grounds of the prison, avoiding patrols and scout cars (scout mini mokes?), before making her way back to the fortress to search for the Doctor (and doesn't Norris Castle look an imposing edifice on that cold October day?). The scene where Jo spots the Doctor through the barred window, and a sign language exchange ensues, is wonderful (I love Jo's signs for the moustachioed Drew, and conversation/ yakkety-yak!). The beam on Jon Pertwee's face says it all!

The means by which Jo actually gains entry to the prison is a little far-fetched (through an open sash window, surely a major no-no for a maximum security establishment?), but in she gets, and our heroes' plan takes full effect as the Doctor and Jo pull off yet another of their wonderful escapes together (they do this often, and always with aplomb). Although she doesn't have a lot to say in this episode, Jo Grant (and Katy Manning) is magnificent throughout.

The Doctor has learnt that the Master knows of the Sea Devil colony from stolen Time Lord files. That's the second time he's stolen from these files (see also Colony in Space), proving that the Time Lords really need to strengthen their firewall. This makes me wonder how long the Master has known about these dormant creatures though, because when he was banged up after The Daemons, the Sea Devils weren't stirring at all. This is a very recent thing, since work on the sea fort began. The Master wants to help the Sea Devils (or Sea Silurians in Malcolm Hulke's original script) to regain control of their planet, and see the human race exterminated. He really does have a vendetta against us, doesn't he?

Meanwhile, Captain Hart has recruited Commander Ridgeway and his crew to use a new sonar submarine to investigate the ocean around the sea fort, looking for Sea Devils. It's a bit of a stretch that Hart believes the Doctor about these creatures at all, on so little evidence, and it's clear that Ridgeway is a little bemused by it all too. But he's laughing on the other side of his face when his precious sub (which is quite a roomy vehicle) is rendered powerless by the sea creatures, and it tumbles inexorably to the ocean floor. And then we hear the thud-thud-thud of something on the outside trying to get in, and comms from the forward section telling us that they're under attack. The voice is cut short by a blood-curdling scream, and Commander Ridgeway's eye begins to twitch...

The Master has managed to construct a device with which to communicate with the Sea Devils, but it's interesting to note that he has managed to secure Trenchard's support throughout this operation by having him believe he's working for the good of his country. Trenchard knows nothing of prehistoric sea creatures, but is under the impression the Master is trying to expose enemy saboteurs, which appeals to Trenchard's patriotism and affinity with the armed forces (he's a colonel).

By the end of the episode, however, there's no doubt Trenchard learns the truth when the Doctor and Jo are cornered on the beach from three sides - the Master, prison guards, and a minefield. And from out of the rolling waves, beckoned by the Master's whooping comms device, rises a lone Sea Devil in all its string-vested, boss-eyed, pursed-lipped glory! To be honest, we've not seen enough of the Sea Devils, despite being halfway through the story by now, so let's hope things move up a pace now the Master's at large and the Sea Devils are on the rise!

First broadcast: March 11th, 1972

Steve's Scoreboard
The Good: Jo's concerted effort to rescue the Doctor is another demonstration of her loyalty and resourcefulness.
The Bad: That conveniently-left-open sash window which lets Jo in the prison.
Overall score for episode: ★★★★★★☆☆☆☆

"Now listen to me" tally: 16
Neck-rub tally: 6

NEXT TIME: Episode Four...

My reviews of this story's other episodes: Episode One; Episode Two; Episode Four; Episode Five; Episode Six

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.com/2014/05/the-sea-devils.html

The Sea Devils is available on BBC DVD as part of the Beneath the Surface box set. Find it on Amazon - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Doctor-Who-Beneath-Silurians-Warriors/dp/B000ZZ06XQ