Robert Holmes (1) (1926–1986)

https://nwhyte.livejournal.com/2951928.html

The script, published in 1989, is really for completists only, but I would say two things: first, two of the most problematic elements of the TV series - the use of a white actor to play Li H'sen Chang, and the rather poor implementation of the giant rat - are of course invisible in the script (the racism, alas, survives); but second, so is the gorgeous staging which made it such a vivid experience when I was nine.

https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/the-talons-of-weng-chiang-by-dale-smith-and-robe...… (mere)

This Doctor Who [:] The Krotons audio book isn't the novelization of the TV episode. It's the actual soundtrack with Frazer Hines, who played Jamie, providing the linking narration (minus the Scottish accent). Mr. Hines is also interviewed at the end, which I enjoyed.

The second Doctor, Zoe, and Jamie arrive in the wastelands of the planet of the Gonds. The wastelands were created about a thousand years ago when the Krotons landed in their spaceship, the Dynatrope, and the primitive Gonds went to war with them. Since then the Gonds have been taught through machines in their Learning Hall. Periodically, the two best and brightest of the Gond students are selected to go live with the Krotons as their companions. The current selections are a young man named Abu and a young woman named Vana.

Abu enters with no fuss, but Thara, son of the Gonds' leader, Selris, doesn't want Vana to go. There's an argument over this before the three visitors from the T.A.R.D.I.S. arrive. The Gonds are surprised to learn that the wastelands are no longer poisonous, but they're horrified to learn what really happens to those selected to live with the Krotons. Vana is rescued, but it takes time for her to recover her mind.

Some of the younger Gonds attack the teaching machines with axes. We later learn they also have slings and fireballs. (Yeah, as if those would do any good against the Krotons or their weapons.) A mechanical voice-over demands the Gonds stop. The Krotons' screening devices determine that the Doctor is the leader. A nasty device is sent to kill the supposed leader. It takes out one of the young Gonds instead.

While the Doctor is busy, Zoe gets bored and tries out one of the teaching machines. She scores much higher than any Gond and is selected to join the Krotons. The Doctor gets himself selected, too. While they're in the Dynotrope, Jamie finds out and enters the ship by more direct means. Too bad for Jamie that the Doctor and Zoe had already escaped.

There's a rebellion among the Gonds and an ambitious jerk named Axus gets himself elected leader in place of Selris. Axus is the twit who imagines slings and fireballs are going to take down the Krotons. Selris has another plan, but it causes some Gond deaths. The Krotons demand the return of the 'high minds'. They say that this will fix their ship so they can leave. Axus is fine with sacrificing the Doctor and Zoe to save his people. Selris isn't.

The Gonds have been taught only what the Krotons want them to know. Chemistry isn't one of the subjects. The Doctor managed to teach the Gond scientist, Beta, how to make something that the Krotons won't appreciate. (By the way, Beta's name is pronounced 'Bee-tah,' not 'Bay-tah'.) Time is running out. Will the cavalry of two (Jamie and Beta), come to the rescue before the Krotons win?

It's an interesting adventure. I enjoyed the way the Krotons' dialog amongst themselves showed Axus was an even bigger fool than he'd demonstrated already.

Source of reference for the characters and cast list: http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/classic/episodeguide/krotons/detail.shtml… (mere)

Unseen aliens/machines need strong minds and destroy what they can't use.

Sometimes it's very good, sometimes it's pretty bad - in just about every aspect of the show. There's more good than bad, but the bad is bad enough that I can't bring myself to give it a good score. I enjoyed watching it well enough. Zoe's very-mini miniskirt doesn't hurt.

Concept: C
Story: C
Characters: C
Dialog: C
Pacing: C
Cinematography: C
Special effects/design: C
Acting: D
Music: C

Enjoyment: C plus

GPA: 1.9/4… (mere)