Doctor Who Marathon - The Edge of Destruction

The Edge of Destruction/The Brink of Disaster - A two parter set entirely inside the TARDIS and without a visible enemy is an early indicator of how varied this show can be. The first two stories we've had have taken the viewer to Earth's past and an alien planet, while this two parter subverts the grand show pieces and provides a story confined to two rooms.

Something is wrong with the TARDIS! The doors will not open and the control panel cannot be touched without a great electric shock. The Doctor, Susan and Ian all fall foul of the control panel, causing them to attack one another. Ian attempts to strangle the Doctor and Susan attacks Barbara with scissors. This leads to a confrontation between the Doctor and Ian & Barbara, with accusations from both sides of deception. The revelation that they have only 15 mins to live, compounds the fear and adds to the desperation of the situation.

The big reveal at the end of the episode is that a faulty switch is the cause of what has been going on. It feels a bit of a cop out for me, but giving the viewer a lot of character moments. The conversation between the Doctor and Barbara shows that he cares for the people he has taken under his wing.

The next episodes I have to watch are the first of the missing episodes. Onward to Marco Polo. Until the next time...

13 of 790 episodes watched