Doctor Who Twitch Watch: recommendations of the day 06/13

As the Third Doctor’s era continues in Twitch’s Doctor Who marathon, the Doctor faces the Master, Ice Warriors and even Daemons!

Today in Twitch’s Doctor Who marathon, we get not one but two Third Doctor stories set on alien planets! Plus, we get to see Jon Pertwee’s favorite story The Daemons! But which is our favorite out of these three?

(Photo credit: Doctor Who/BBC.

Image obtained from: BBC Press.)

Colony in Space

The first of two off-world stories today, Colony in Space finds a neat way of sending both the Doctor and the Master off-planet, while at the same time, still maintaining the Doctor’s exile.

There are two key threads in this story. The first is focused on a small colony of humans, trying to live a simple life. However, a mining company is interested in the planet, and wants all the colonists off it. And it doesn’t matter to the company whether the colonists are living or dead.

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This part of the story is really interesting, so long as you take it one episode at a time. It’s something different that Doctor Who focuses on, rich in political allegory. It’s not surprising that this story is written by Malcolm Hulke, who wrote Doctor Who and the Silurians for the previous season.

However, there’s another key storyline in Colony in Space with the Master, in which he is searching for a doomsday weapon. Honestly, the two storylines don’t really go together, and that’s a shame. While I’m a big fan of Delgado’s Master, I’m not sure he was really necessary for this story.

Colony in Space could potentially be more interesting if it had focused purely on the colonists situation more and fleshed out the world better. Six episodes might seem long for a story like that, but if The Silurians was anything to go by, Malcolm Hulke really knew how to write for the longer serials.

Still, Colony in Space isn’t a bad watch. But at the same time, it might not be ideal for a marathon viewing, either. Some stories, you can just binge watch one episode after another. Some, you need to take your time with. Colony in Space is definitely an example of the latter.

(Photo credit: Doctor Who/BBC.

Image obtained from: BBC Press.)

The Daemons

Now this is a story that suits the Master a lot more. The Daemons may only be broadly scientific, but in this story’s case, it definitely works.

With its setting of an ordinary English village, creatures that are actually called “daemons”, and the Master looking like a Devil worshiper, everything about The Daemons really gives it an outward layer of occult horror. However, at the same time, it’s very light in that regard, and is mainly there for the style than anything else.

However, The Daemons uses that style very well. It also mixes in strong elements of adventure storytelling, and stands out in a number of ways. A great final story for the season, overall. And it also has one of the best lines in Doctor Who ever:

"Jenkins. Chap with the wings there. Five rounds rapid."

(Photo credit: Doctor Who/BBC.

Image obtained from: BBC Press.)

The Curse of Peladon

The second story from season nine, The Curse of Peladon is the first of two on-screen visits to the planet Peladon for the Doctor.

And it’s certainly a memorable one. We get such a variety of different alien races in this one. The story is focused on whether Peladon should join the Galactic Federation or not.

Both the people of Peladon and the delegates are unsure whether they really want Peladon to be a part of it. And someone – or something – is going to great lengths to ensure that Peladon remains independent…

We’ve got another political story here. It may be set on an alien world, but the theme of progress versus tradition is always relevant. And that theme is explored really well in this story.

Even better is how it explores the issue of prejudice. When the Doctor sees that the Ice Warriors are on Peladon, he is absolutely certain that they’re up to no good. But is he actually wrong this time?

Certainly, we get to see another side to the Martians. Seeing them act more diplomatic than aggressive is radically different after their previous two appearances. But it’s nice to have a key Doctor Who race that has hopes of redemption.

Overall recommendation of the day: The Curse of Peladon

I’ll admit, this one was tricky. The Daemons is a very popular story, and quite rightly so. It’s stylish, with a strong script and a great production. It also uses the Master really effectively.

However, overall, I prefer The Curse of Peladon just a little bit more. Along with dealing with some interesting issues, it’s impressive for how many alien creatures it includes in one story. And it has a great new take on the Ice Warriors, and helps to make them feel just a little more three-dimensional.

The setting of Peladon also has an appeal. Along with feeling like a believable, fleshed out world, the sequel story The Monster of Peladon was the first Doctor Who story I bought on video (yes, video). So it has a soft spot for this particular writer.

But of course, if you can squeeze in The Daemons as well, I highly recommend you do so. That in itself is a fantastic, gorgeously stylish watch. Overall, today is a good day for Third Doctor fans.

Next: Doctor Who: Is Roger Delgado the greatest Master?

Which is your favorite out of today’s choices? Are you glad to see the Third Doctor off-world at last? Let us know in the comments below.

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