22. The Keys of Marinus, Part II: The Velvet Web

I’m not sure how it was possible for Barbara to have changed clothes and been introduced to life in Morphoton during the 30 seconds before the rest of the crew turned their travel dials. That being said, it’s cool having an episode where Barbara is the lead and heroine. Her ability to upend an entire civilization by smashing things with an old jug is deeply impressive.

The writers did a great job of saving the special effects and props budget in this story! First there was the invisible force field around the TARDIS in Part I of this story. Then, showing the world as it appears to the non-hypnotized was a resourceful trick in this episode. I enjoyed the Doctor marveling at an old cup in the “laboratory.”

I’m assuming (and think I recall) that episodes III and IV are “Doctor-lite” episodes based on their plan to split up. Did Hartnell just have that many vacations planned?

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