TV Review: Doctor Who: The Ribos Operation (1978)

Doctor Who: The Ribos Operation (1978) written by Robert Holmes and directed by George Spenton-Foster

The Fourth Doctor (Tom Baker) is joined by Romana (Mary Tamm), a Time Lady who is assigned by the White Guardian (Cyril Luckham) to help the Doctor search for the components to the Key to Time. The Key is a powerful device, too powerful to be left in the hands of just anyone. The Black Guardian (whom viewers do not see) is also looking for the components. In addition to Romana, the Guardian gives the Doctor a locator device for the components. The device leads them to the planet Ribos.

Ribos is a fairly primitive planet, currently in a medieval period. The planet is centrally located, making it an ideal spot for Graff (Paul Seed), a petty and shouty prince, to take over. Graff was not allowed back in his kingdom after a war of conquest because the people didn't like his pettiness or his shoutiness. He's hoping to buy the planet from a consortium represented by Garron (Iain Cuthbertson). Garron is actually a con man trying to bilk money from the prince. When the Doctor shows up, he's not sure if Garron is a thief or an agent of the Black Guardian. The usual hijinks ensue.

The story is entertaining with a more original setting than most. The medieval world keeps the sets and costumes simple. There is a dodgy-looking monster that appears a few times but he's not the focus of the episode. Mostly it's about sorting out the con and trying to get the component. The initial relationship between the Doctor and Romana is a bit frosty on his part since he doesn't want a companion to watch over. She starts out a bit young and naive but she catches on quick. Baker and Tamm have good chemistry, promising a good run together. The show is also interesting as it is the first arc of a set of six series all involving the components from the Key to Time.

Recommended.

TV Review: Doctor Who: The Pirate Planet (1978)

Doctor Who: The Pirate Planet (1978) written by Douglas Adams and directed by Pennant Roberts

The Fourth Doctor (Tom Baker) and Time Lady Romana (Mary Tamm) continue their hunt for the components of the Key to Time started in The Ribos Operation. They travel to the planet Calufrax only to find it not there. The TARDIS had trouble landing, which they initially assumed was just tempramental machinery (though Romana wants to fly the TARDIS by the instruction manual, which the Doctor disregards). They discover the planet is called Zanak. The planet's society goes through periods of prosperity which are heralded by a change in the stars in the sky. That is, the pattern of the stars completely changes. The Doctor and Romana investigate, finding out that the planet jumps around the galaxy, landing on smaller planets to mine them for valuable resources. Such a plan must be stopped and they get to work.

The show has a fairly interesting plot with some surprises along the way. The writer is the same fellow who wrote The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, so humor abounds. The captain of Zanak is a bit like a Vogon captain, all shouty and threatening death to those who disobey. His cartoonishness has a better explanation than uncreative writing. Baker and Tamm make a good team and work well as individuals.

Recommended.