Carnival of Monsters: Episode Three

This is an engaging enough episode, I think perhaps the ideas were bigger then what was doable in terms of production, it was definitely ambitious, and for the most part successful. The Drashigs only ever made the one appearance, but they're memorable, they certainly managed to terrorise The Doctor and Jo. At times it does feel like Groundhog Day, as the events loop.

The performances are joyful once again, Teniel Evans as The Major, Leslie Dwyer is hilarious as Vorg. It's strange, I'm seeing Kalik, but hearing Davros, that's one unmistakable voice.

It amuses me among fans of the current series (11) that moan about two points, the show being political, and the sonic screwdriver being used as a magic wand, I urge them to watch this one, as there is evidence of both. Robert Holmes always delivered a political message, and he doesn't miss his opportunity here.

Finally, the cliffhanger ensures that events from the two settings will at last meet.

There is a nice moment when the Doctor and Jo are being chased by the Drashigs. Vorg lends a hand!

It is a chase episode. The Drashigs are on a rampage.

Back on the boat the crew fight the monsters and then forget what just happened.

The plot develops as Kalik and Orum plot to cause mayhem by allowing the monsters to escape the Miniscope. They hope this would make their president remind.

It does not seem to be a well thought out plan.

Review of all 4 episodes:

The ideas for this story are very good with plenty of interesting and exciting elements. It is not always fully successful in presenting these ideas so is not one of the greatest serials but it is great fun and very good. All 4 episodes are very satisfactory but could have been greater with a little more cleverness in the presentation. Even with the imperfections in execution this is still good quality and a lot of fun.

The effects are not great but I do not judge that too harshly as it was OK for the day. The costumes, make-up and sets/equipment is more problematic to me, it is like a premonition of the mid 80s serials with these gaudy, over the top and unimpressive elements but the story, script and acting are all strong enough which is the main thing and overcomes visual shortcomings.

The story involves The Doctor having been given back his power to travel through space and time unhindered by the Time Lords. He and Jo then find the TARDIS has landed aboard the S.S. Bernice, an early 20th Century ship but finding that events keep repeating in a loop. Meanwhile we see a pair of travelling entertainers arriving on a distant planet in the future where they encounter a hostile reception from the ruling class of alien beings. These two seemingly unconnected story lines are revealed to be very much linked.

The interest of the two apparently unrelated story lines and the mysterious repeating of events aboard the ship are a great idea and the script is very good. The first episode is the best in my opinion as this mystery element is great. The appearance and actions of the travelling entertainers is a bit over the top and a slight let down for me as are some of the design aspects throughout the story. The alien beings two classes both look pretty unconvincing and also provide a strangely unresolved moral element as the seemingly cruel oppression of the servant beings is inexplicably ignored. These faults stop the adventure from reaching its potential but there is still good material to make it a very decent, enjoyable story overall. There is lots of nice dialogue, interesting characters, Pertwee and Manning in great form as The Doctor and Jo and a story which is good.

My ratings: Part 1 - 8.5/10, Part 2 - 8/10, Part 3 - 7.5/10, Part 4 - 8/10. Overall - 8/10.