The Fishmen of Kandalinga

"We will populate this world with our own race."

Writer: Walter Howarth

Format: Short Story

Released: September 1965

Printed in: Doctor Who Annual 1966

Featuring: First Doctor

Synopsis

When the TARDIS materialises on a watery world, the Doctor can't help but explore his new and unique surroundings. He soon gets more than he bargained for though in encountering a deadly old foe...

Verdict

The Fishmen of Kandalinga was an excellent short story to conclude my reading of the 1966 Doctor Who Annual! I really do think they have saved the best until last and I was honestly surprised that I have yet to blog this adventure because the name was so familiar. I recognise it from a brilliant but forgotten feature in Doctor Who Magazine that was Apocrypha and also from it being mentioned in The World Shapers comic strip, so it was brilliant to finally read it for myself. I thought it was fascinating and the colour illustrations were incredibly vibrant which really added a unique feel to this First Doctor tale. I love the concept of a sequel to The Keys of Marinus and it's something I would have loved to have happened on screen, but a short story in a contemporary Annual is no bad substitute! I think there's something special about it being the First Doctor to encounter the Voord once again and they seem to be a villain that's cropping up more and more these days which I love. They made a big impression on me and their debut serial is one of my all time favourites. I thought the TARDIS landing submerged underwater was excellent and it makes sense that this would happen given the random nature of its destinations at this point in chronology. It's a shame we don't get a reason or explanation for the Doctor travelling alone, especially when Ian, Barbara and Susan were all present on Marinus for that first Voord encounter, but at the same time I appreciate the unique and rare instance of getting a solo First Doctor story. We only really got that in Twice Upon a Time and that was hardly the best use of the First Doctor. The way the Voord were revealed was terrific and really did make an impact. It felt like a big moment for the Doctor to be met with a foe he has faced before and they were really sold as being credible. The description of their appearance was also great and went perfectly with the illustrations that accompanied the story. I really liked the concept of them communicating telepathically and incorporating their appearance with the circular organ protruding from their head as the transmitter was fantastic. I like that there's a reason for this distinctive aspect of their appearance and it is completely logical. I love that this story takes place, according to the Doctor at least, millions of years after the events on Marinus. The Doctor's impact on the society of Marinus and the history of the Voord was paramount. He'd basically driven the circumstances that meant they were removed from Marinus and it was also a fun little quirk to have those now on Marinus referred to as Arbitans. The Doctor recalling his task of collecting the keys of Marinus and the Voord here having two as relics that were now legendary was brilliant. I just loved it. The image of the two Voord hoisting the Doctor off his feet and bringing him onto their barge was incredible because we don't normally see the First Doctor in such an active role. Certainly not off his feet! I liked the titular Fishmen of the planet Kandalinga and whilst we didn't really see the sharp teeth that were in the description as part of their artwork, they looked impressive and unique. The Voord using them as slaves to help create physical land for their own agenda and trying to make Kandalinga their own was impressive, and gave the Doctor something to thwart. Using the Voord's physical makeup against them in physically wiping out the telepathic control over the Fishmen was terrific and pretty fitting! It was effective and ensured the Voord wouldn't take the planet nor return to Marinus with the Doctor's identity in the planet's legends kept safe. Overall, an excellent read to conclude the Annual! A delight to be able to read it.

Rating: 9/10