Season 8 starts with a badly aged sci-fi romp, introducing the Doctor's biggest frenemy and lovingly eager companion Jo Grant.
Story: 7
Terror of the Autons is important for its introduction of new companion Jo Grant (in a great scene, by the way), UNIT Captain Yates and, most importantly, The Master as played by the one and only Roger Delgado, complete with an iconic beard and all. All new elements have been mixed with the return of the Autons to form a great blend. Robert Holmes sets up the Master very well, letting us know that he and Doctor know each other from before.
Robert Holmes tries to make everyday objects - such as plastic chairs and flowers - seem deadly but the story only makes them ridiculous and silly. That kind of takes away from the terror the Autons could potentially be responsible for.
The bulk of the story has been structured like a murder mystery, except that it's not particularly interesting since we know who the culprit is and what happened. What remains then is the cat and mouse game and inevitable showdown between the Doctor and the Master. And that moistly plays out with both sides sitting in their respective headquarters waiting each other out. And the way the Doctor turns everything around at the close is rather anti-climactic.
The Auton part of the plot feels like the weakest link since it's mostly an invasion we don't see or hear from. The Master's plot isn't particularly elaborate and there doesn't seem to be much build-up with the Autons before he's going to let them invade the Earth. And then it's over as soon as it started. No wonder the Nestenes didn't return until the 2005 revival.
Acting: 10
Jon Pertwee is great as always, as is Nicholas Courtney. Newcomers Richard Franklin and Katy manning are fine; Franklin remains a bit bland in his first appearance and Manning is perhaps a bit overly eager.
Roger Delgado steals the show, which is hardly surprising. He overshadows everyone else in this serial, with the possible exception of Pertwee. Together with Pertwee, he is inseparable and they are amazing on screen together.
The Doctor: 10
The Doctor is on the top of his game here. The scene in Episode 3 where he tries to dematerialize only to realize it doesn't' work and then hurt his foot while kicking the TARDIS, is one of the better Third Doctor moments.
The Companions: 9
Jo Grant was created to once again allow a companion who would ask a lot of questions and makes the Doctor look brilliant. And that's exactly what Jo does here. She is pretty annoying for a couple of her first stories but turns rather likeable later on. And of course, she goes rumbling straight into trouble.
All the above being said, Jo does get to save the Doctor a few times throughout, and more so than the other way around.
The Monster/Villain: 8
It's difficult not to love Delgado's Master from the first moment he shows up. His gentlemanly posture, his voice, his fashion sense - everything reeks of nemesis number one and no one will capture the character quite as Delgado did.
It does feel like this story is meant to just introduce the Master since it doesn't do very much with the Autons.
Production: 5
This is the first story with some dated CSO work. I don't know if it looked good back in the day, but now it takes away from the magic. There's a scene in Episode 2 where the ugly doll kills a man, and it's edited very weirdly. It comes across as unintentionally hilarious.
Pacing: 9
It's a swift four-parter. Robert Holmes is usually good at holding the audience in his grip by keeping the tempo constantly high, and Terror of the Autons is no exception. The story in itself is nothing special, but it keeps moving towards the climax with confident tempo.
Atmosphere: 7
Unlike Spearhead from Space, which is genuinely scary, Terror of the Autons comes across as silly and camp. That might be down to the fact that it hasn't aged very well, but it lacks a true sense of danger.
What I think works well is the way the Doctor and the Master are depicted as long time rivals. It gives the story a little bit of a special edge.
Impact: 12
It should go without saying, but Terror of the Autons gave Doctor Who another iconic villain in the Master while re-establishing the
Replay Value: 9
This is a fun little romp and a pretty badly aged action.-adventure. It's only merits lie ion the introductions of the Master and Jo, but it's enjoyable enough to work on further replays.
Random Observations:
Another minor appearance from the Time Lords, or rather a single Time Lord, who warns the Doctor about the arrival of the Master. It exists to give us some exposition but is pretty interesting nonetheless, particularly since he materializes without a TARDIS and disappears with a plop.
The Brigadier: "Well, luckily I cut your connection"
This story should have been titled "Terror of the Killer Daffodils" since the Autons are barely in it and they certainly don't spread any terror.
What's up with the Autons sounding like rusty Daleks?
Review by Theo KallströmVIP 6BlockedParent2020-06-11T11:04:38Z
Season 8 starts with a badly aged sci-fi romp, introducing the Doctor's biggest frenemy and lovingly eager companion Jo Grant.
Story: 7
Terror of the Autons is important for its introduction of new companion Jo Grant (in a great scene, by the way), UNIT Captain Yates and, most importantly, The Master as played by the one and only Roger Delgado, complete with an iconic beard and all. All new elements have been mixed with the return of the Autons to form a great blend. Robert Holmes sets up the Master very well, letting us know that he and Doctor know each other from before.
Robert Holmes tries to make everyday objects - such as plastic chairs and flowers - seem deadly but the story only makes them ridiculous and silly. That kind of takes away from the terror the Autons could potentially be responsible for.
The bulk of the story has been structured like a murder mystery, except that it's not particularly interesting since we know who the culprit is and what happened. What remains then is the cat and mouse game and inevitable showdown between the Doctor and the Master. And that moistly plays out with both sides sitting in their respective headquarters waiting each other out. And the way the Doctor turns everything around at the close is rather anti-climactic.
The Auton part of the plot feels like the weakest link since it's mostly an invasion we don't see or hear from. The Master's plot isn't particularly elaborate and there doesn't seem to be much build-up with the Autons before he's going to let them invade the Earth. And then it's over as soon as it started. No wonder the Nestenes didn't return until the 2005 revival.
Acting: 10
Jon Pertwee is great as always, as is Nicholas Courtney. Newcomers Richard Franklin and Katy manning are fine; Franklin remains a bit bland in his first appearance and Manning is perhaps a bit overly eager.
Roger Delgado steals the show, which is hardly surprising. He overshadows everyone else in this serial, with the possible exception of Pertwee. Together with Pertwee, he is inseparable and they are amazing on screen together.
The Doctor: 10
The Doctor is on the top of his game here. The scene in Episode 3 where he tries to dematerialize only to realize it doesn't' work and then hurt his foot while kicking the TARDIS, is one of the better Third Doctor moments.
The Companions: 9
Jo Grant was created to once again allow a companion who would ask a lot of questions and makes the Doctor look brilliant. And that's exactly what Jo does here. She is pretty annoying for a couple of her first stories but turns rather likeable later on. And of course, she goes rumbling straight into trouble.
All the above being said, Jo does get to save the Doctor a few times throughout, and more so than the other way around.
The Monster/Villain: 8
It's difficult not to love Delgado's Master from the first moment he shows up. His gentlemanly posture, his voice, his fashion sense - everything reeks of nemesis number one and no one will capture the character quite as Delgado did.
It does feel like this story is meant to just introduce the Master since it doesn't do very much with the Autons.
Production: 5
This is the first story with some dated CSO work. I don't know if it looked good back in the day, but now it takes away from the magic. There's a scene in Episode 2 where the ugly doll kills a man, and it's edited very weirdly. It comes across as unintentionally hilarious.
Pacing: 9
It's a swift four-parter. Robert Holmes is usually good at holding the audience in his grip by keeping the tempo constantly high, and Terror of the Autons is no exception. The story in itself is nothing special, but it keeps moving towards the climax with confident tempo.
Atmosphere: 7
Unlike Spearhead from Space, which is genuinely scary, Terror of the Autons comes across as silly and camp. That might be down to the fact that it hasn't aged very well, but it lacks a true sense of danger.
What I think works well is the way the Doctor and the Master are depicted as long time rivals. It gives the story a little bit of a special edge.
Impact: 12
It should go without saying, but Terror of the Autons gave Doctor Who another iconic villain in the Master while re-establishing the
Replay Value: 9
This is a fun little romp and a pretty badly aged action.-adventure. It's only merits lie ion the introductions of the Master and Jo, but it's enjoyable enough to work on further replays.
Random Observations:
Another minor appearance from the Time Lords, or rather a single Time Lord, who warns the Doctor about the arrival of the Master. It exists to give us some exposition but is pretty interesting nonetheless, particularly since he materializes without a TARDIS and disappears with a plop.
The Brigadier: "Well, luckily I cut your connection"
This story should have been titled "Terror of the Killer Daffodils" since the Autons are barely in it and they certainly don't spread any terror.
What's up with the Autons sounding like rusty Daleks?
Score: 86/120