The Rescue [Doctor Who, Story 11]

The Rescue by David Whitaker

2 - 9 January 1965

So after a quick yeah-yeah-yeah comic-musical digression, we tuck into 1965 proper with something of an appetizer. Or do we? I feel as if I might have jumped past 25 seasons by accident, because this feels an awful lot like a story of the New Who vein for a few reasons, chiefly its bite-sized length and its plot being centered around the introduction of a new companion.

I’m under the distinct impression (spoilers, spoilers) that most companion introductions in the classic series will be pretty incidental from here on out, so getting this little pair of episodes to really ease us into Vicki’s presence on the team is quite welcome. I imagine it was necessary to have something like this, by dint of the simple fact that they’d never replaced a member of the core cast before. Admittedly, I don’t feel that we get much of a look at what separates Vicki from Susan in these two episodes, but Maureen O’Brien acquits herself well and gets to enjoy some banter with Barbara that gives us some idea of what her time on the TARDIS will be like.

The plot itself isn’t an overly intricate affair, its chief concern being the menace and unmasking of Koquillion (or in William Russell terms, cocky-lickin’). I had unfortunately been spoiled on this, but it was still fun to see exactly how it played out. There’s not much reason to suspect Bennett until the penny drops, but when you consider that he’s really the only other guy on the planet, he has to be at least a little suspicious from the start. The scene where the Doctor confronts him in the hall of justice is the best of the story. The set itself is fairly nice, and we’re treated to a long tracking shot of the Doctor as he enters at the start. His chinwagging with Bennett as he exposes his duplicity is wonderful. Equally wonderful is the sudden switch from fearless truth-telling to nervous backpedaling when the Doctor recalls that, oh yes, he’s stuck in a claustrophobic room with a proven murderer. A wonderful set piece.

Barbara is (as usual) quite splendid here. The touching moment at the start where she helpfully asks the Doctor to teach her how to open the TARDIS doors is much remarked upon. After we get the requisite stupid moment out of the way early on when she takes a quick tumble down a sizable cliff (and is somehow only knocked out), she also gets some time having fun with Vicki, and also killing her pet. Oh dear… poor Sandy. I’m not sure what that bit is meant to contribute aside from a good jolt to the viewer, since Vicki’s over it in a flash and it doesn’t come up again. The sand monster looks great, though.

Ian is also in this one.

Aside from this, I feel there’s not much to milk out of this one. It is a fairly simple fifty-minute insert to bring Vicki into the fold, filled with some fun scenes and a quick mystery to fill the time. It certainly promises some more fun stories ahead, so I think I’ll look forward to those.

Sera’s Say:

Sera couldn’t really get herself into this one by virtue of what a flash in the pan story it was; not quite enough of actual consequence happened to afford her more than a lukewarm impression. She liked the same moments which I thought were nice, and also spotted Bennett as Koquillion from a mile away, so good on her for that one.

Maybe we’ll have more fun getting thrown to the lions. The Romans is up next.

(Modified from the original posted at Gallifrey Base on 27 June 2018.)