Just out on DVD from the BBC is Doctor Who - "The Android Invasion." This four-part adventure aired at the end of 1975, as part of the thirteenth season of the classic series. The Doctor (Tom Baker, The Beeps, Little Britain) and Sarah Jane Smith (Elisabeth Sladen, The Sarah Jane Adventures) return to Britain, but find the world a bit odd. The little town they come to is empty, the calendar is stuck on one date, and all the money is newly minted. It's soon apparent that the Kraals are set to invade Earth with androids, and this is their training ground.
This period of Doctor Who is full of invasion stories, and so this one might seem a little stale. Or, for those nostalgic for the previous Doctor, still adjusting to Baker's version, it may be a nice return to formula. Either way, it's a well written story by veteran Who scribe Terry Nation about using human-like androids to take over the planet. Once more, Sarah and the Doctor must thwart these attempts, this time without the aid of UNIT, who has already been infiltrated.
"The Android Invasion," as par for the time, does lend itself to a little cheese. For one thing, the Kraals are pretty fake looking, something discussed in the DVD extras. For another, why don't the doors in the Kraal base close all the way? Then again, there are also some pretty cool tricks. The androids look pretty sophisticated, and the scene where Doctor Who must fight an android version of himself is done well enough to pass a casual glance test. The double is close to Baker in build, and the camera angles work well enough, that the conceit holds up. It probably helps that Doctor Who doesn't seek to get two identical faces in the same frame. So overall, pretty good job.
These episodes are notable for a couple of reasons. Namely, that two recurring characters make their final appearances in them. Harry Sullivan (Ian Marter, Crown Court) is the Doctor's companion in season twelve, then does this one last adventure, albeit with a very tiny role, before disappearing forever. Similarly, Sergeant Benton (John Levene, Z Cars), also plays a small part in "The Android Invasion," without a big send-off, but does not return to the series again. It's a shame that the two just drop out with no real explanation after this.
Article comments
1 - Greg_TN_USA
Very fair and accurate review of a story that is usually unfairly underrated. Thank you for that.
Just added both ANDROID INVASION and INVASION OF THE DINOSAURS to my nearly complete "Sarah Jane" era DVD collection. Just DEATH TO THE DALEKS and TERROR OF THE ZYGONS to go now!
I think AI is so often underrated due to being a bright, sunny mystery story in the middle of a dark, Gothic era. The story itself is actually very good, particularly the first 3 parts. Plus AI has that magic "Tom & Lis" interaction that is as entertaining as the story itself.
AI is a much better story, script, cast and production-wise, than many stories that are rated higher, in my estimation.
I could say the same about INVASION OF THE DINOSAURS too. IOTD has LONG been so fairly underrated due to its poor dinosaur special effects,that I suspect many fail to watch IOTD on its dismal reputation alone. That is sad because IOTD is easily one of the finest WHO stories of all time, and dino-SFX aside, has superb production, cast, and script. If the IOTD had provided a "CGI Dinosaur" option, I feel IOTD would soon be rated in the top 25 WHO stories, after fans began to actually watch the story!