"I have killed the one who created me."
Writer: Terrance Dicks
Format: TV
Broadcast: 28th December 1974 - 18th January 1975
Season: 12.01
Featuring: Fourth Doctor, Sarah Jane, Harry
Synopsis
Trouble is brewing once again; top secret plans are being stolen with their guards killed. All evidence seems to point to the culprit being a sentient robot created by a think tank however, his basic programming prevents him from killing, providing a contradiction to the clues.
At the same time, the Doctor is recovering from his latest regeneration. Can he regain his sense and help UNIT solve the case before time runs out?
Verdict
Robot was an excellent start to the era of the Fourth Doctor! Expect a Classic Doctor Who theme from the blog over the next month as I have signed up for my BritBox free trial and look set to bulk out on those stories whose DVD I don't own and am yet to blog. I have also been trying to get my girlfriend Gemma to explore Classic Doctor Who as she's a huge fan of the new stuff, but hasn't ever delved into this era. Until now. She enjoyed the story a lot more than she expected to which I was very glad of and she didn't even comment about the special effects being very much of their time! The opening part is full of humour with the Doctor getting accustomed to his latest incarnation. I've only ever seen this serial once before, some eight years ago now, so a lot of it felt new and that will be the case with the blog entries over the coming weeks without me owning DVDs. Tom Baker really does set the tone for his fourth incarnation of the Doctor early on in the era which is great stuff. As Gemma pointed out though, it is pretty amazing how little Sarah Jane makes of the Doctor's change in appearance. That was something I haven't picked up on. It really is quite extraordinary when you think about it! The Brigadier's nonplussed reaction was also pretty amusing. I know he's done it before, but even so. The plot that surrounded the Doctor's new persona was really strong and I thought the use of the K1 Robot was brilliant. Whilst the operation and look might be slightly clumsy, I love the idea that it is made of living metal. Seeing it try to go against its primary function of serving humanity was very interesting. Sarah Jane getting to showcase her journalistic abilities was excellent, but I was slightly surprised by how little Harry gets to do in the story. I'm really not sure if he'd warrant becoming a companion based on this adventure, but he did serve a decent purpose in the story as the medic. His scene with the Doctor where he ended up hanging upside in a cupboard was definitely a highlight. Barmy stuff. I thought some of the guest characters in this one were terrific with Miss Winters and Professor Kettlewell being the standouts. The former was really good in hiding what she wanted kept hidden when Sarah Jane came around posing as a reporter for a potential interview that would be published about them. Kettlewell had the look and personality of a crazed scientist which I was a huge fan of, but I was a little taken aback by his turn to truly being on the Scientific Reform Society. I didn't see that coming. The pair's connection was good though and I did love the idea of the Society and how they firmly believed that it was the elite's right to rule over society. The plans for the disintegrator gun being taken by the K1 Robot was great and provided an immediate focus for the rest of the serial to develop around. The use of the disintegrator coming into action was also very good and the idea of the Robot being able to rid anything from existence was great and showed what an asset it could be to waste on the planet! The Brigadier proudly proclaiming that this time they didn't need the Doctor when shooting K1 with the gun was hilarious as he just exasperated the decision by making it ten times worse. The Robot became a giant and kidnapped Sarah Jane before the Doctor had worked on a metallic virus that reduced K1 to a husk. It was quite a sad end for a Robot that was just following orders. Also, I have to mention the beauty of the Doctor's dandelion deduction. Marvellous stuff. Overall, an excellent adventure!
Rating: 9/10
A grand story which help us get to know the 4th Doctor. So funny, tickling me so much. And so nice, choosing to help humans instead of leaving.
ReplyDeleteSarah rock on it. She chsoe to chekc things out. She was nicer to the Robot when many saw a mosnter, and was sad when he was slain. She look lovely with the blue dress. And it was lovely when she was amuse by the Doctor's quirks and when she took a jelly baby as a kid would.
It woulda been grand if it was reference on these ways:
ReplyDelete1. Sarah remembering the K1 Robot. Instead of being afraid, she cries showing she was sad for him. I picture Rose and Clara and Martha would understand. Her yougner pals would beleive coz they saw how she treats Mr Smith and K9 as equals.
2. Sarah can comapre Rose's friendship with huamnsied Dalek to her with the K1 Robot.
3. Miss Winters can returna nd seek revenge. Sarah would shout on her for her crimes includign the torment she;'s doen on the K1 Robot.
4. Somehow the K1 Robot can return. Broken up. And convince the Doctor slew Sarah. But Rose and ehr team shwo Sarah's alright. And the reunion's so sweet.