The Time Monster (1972) Review

"AAAAARRRGHH!! GET OUT OF MY ROUND THINGS!!"

The Time Monster is a jolly good story. By the Pertwee era standards, it's admittedly pretty cliche - the whole UNIT cast is involved, the Master is trying to gain power by resurrecting a demon, there's a laboratory experiment and Bessie gets an upgrade. Still, it uses the cliches very well and I can't fault it with much because of that.

PLOT

The Master poses as a scientist to bring forth the Atlantean God Kronos(who has the power to manipulate time at will) and get him under his will.

The only thing that irks me about this story is the complete ignoring of The Underwater Menace(which also took place in Atlantis - which was also destroyed, if I remember rightly). Other than that, it's just great. There's more use of the TARDIS than the rest of the Pertwee stories put together, the Master gets a girlfriend(DAT CLEAVAGE!) and Pertwee has one of finest moments yet. Even Jo is treated as a person and even shares a few scenes with the Master(I absolutely loved that - there's not enough Master/companion interaction).

CHARACTERS

As I said above, Pertwee has one of his best scenes recounting a story from his youth on Gallifrey. It was a beautiful and clever one, I might add. Daisiest daisy, indeed.

Jo Grant finally has something decent to do as she gets to dress up all Atlantean and uncover the Master's plans.

The Queen... dat cleavage, man. It's way more hypnotic than the Master's eyes.

Speaking of the bearded devil, he's absolutely thrilled here, outwitting the Doctor at every turn. When he thinks he's defeated his foe, the man almost does a victory dance, I kid you not.

Of the guest stars, the feminist scientist was slightly annoying - only because she spouted feminist catchphrases in just about every sentence she said. Her sidekick was funny though(what was the point of making him old?).

I love Benton. I really do. He should've been a proper companion. He's incredibly likable when he's given stuff to do.

The Atlanteans were all over-the-top, except for the servant girl.

NOTES

*Why didn't the Doctor ask Kronos to send the Master into UNIT HQ?

*I don't get the TARDIS-in-TARDIS scene. At first, it seems like the Doctor's TARDIS is in the Master's and vice versa, but just a moment later, the Master's TARDIS is back in his laboratory and it's never even mentioned again. They should've just had the Doctor's TARDIS in the Master's and left it alone. Or done a story where the two TARDISes are stuck in each other and lock Delgado, Pertwee and Manning in the console room for a few weeks.

*Benton's naked scene is FAR more hilarious than Tennant's, I'd have to say.

*How come the Brigadier is running in slow-mo, but the others can just come and drag him away?

*Bessie in high-speed is awesome. Bring Bessie back.

*From what I've heard, the minotaur was played by David Prowse of Darth Vader fame. That's the third SW actor in Doctor Who I think, including the guy who played Boba Fett and Julian Glover.

*I'm a little disappointed we didn't see more of UNIT, considering they've been practically AWOL all season.

*LOL The Master being told off by his girlfriend AND his girlfriend's husband.

CONCLUSION

A highly satisfying end to a highly satisfying season.