34. The Sensorites, Part IV: A Race Against Death

This story has rather obvious plot devices. First, Ian makes a big show about drinking different water in Part III. Then in this one, Carol comments to the evil Sensorite about how she can’t tell them apart without the sashes. It was pretty obvious immediately that some sash-related shenanigans were about to ensue.

But I did enjoy the montage! I don’t think I remember seeing another one in Doctor Who. I somehow doubt that the training montages from the Rocky movies were inspired by this episode. However, it’s fun to dream that a young Sylvester Stallone was inspired by quick cuts between the First Doctor looking at a test tube and Ian convalescing.

Odds and ends:

  • What kind of civilized society allows monsters to run rampant near critical infrastructure?
  • Barbara did not appear once in this episode. Maybe Jacqueline Hill had a vacation planned?
  • John’s headgear was either something out of phrenology or out of Ghostbusters.

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