War on Aquatica

"A fleet of ships was almost ready to set sail and, in a massive tank, about a hundred lumidolphs - warheads cleaving to their backs - waited listlessly." 

Writer: Glenn Rix

Format: Short Story

Released: September 1976

Printed in: Doctor Who Annual 1977

Featuring: Fourth Doctor, Sarah

Synopsis 

On the planet Aquatica, the Doctor and Professsor Vittorio Levi are taken hostage by the Medusians, whilst Sarah must meddle in a battle that rages across three kingdoms. 

Verdict 

War on Aquatica wasn't the greatest short story in the world by any means. At times it was confusing and complicated to follow what was actually happen. I liked the idea but the format of a short story in an annual just wasn't the place where this adventure should have been told. It would have been much better served as a lengthy comic strip in my eyes, rather than trying to squeeze everything into just 6 pages or so. I thought the character of Professor Levi was good but it was never clear why or how he was travelling with the Doctor and Sarah. With the friendly nature between the Doctor and Professor, it seemed that Sarah was out of place which hurt the story quite a bit. The conflict between the Medusians, Phyllosians and Mongs seemed all a bit silly in my eyes. The Phyllosians were the better species in terms of contributing to the story and the illustration of the Mongs just made them look like idiots sadly. I really wasn't a fan of the way the Aquatica war was rushed had things weren't explained. I didn't like how the story jumped a random three days either. Despite the negativity, I did like some of the dialogue and thought the potential of the story contributed to it being quite good in parts. I just didn't get why Professor Levi was there, Sarah's role was minimal and that the war was resolved without barely seeing it ensue! All a bit rushed but the dialogue and possible potential of the story saved it from disaster. 

Rating: 6/10