Terror Of The Zygons (1975) Review

"I can't believe I'm still dealing with you people!"

Terror Of The Zygons is such a typical UNIT adventure. An enemy based on myth - check. An outlandish location in the UK - check. The Brigadier butting heads with the local guy in charge - check. A toy monster enhanced with CSO - check. Something to do with Earth's power supply - check. I'm surprised they didn't have it in six parts(in all honesty though, I love the new four-parter deal) as well.

PLOT

The TARDIS crew return to London to help UNIT solve the mystery of disappearing oil rigs in Scotland as the nefarious Zygons plot to take over the planet with the help of the Loch Ness Monster.

ANALYSIS

Whilst there are a few inventive and interesting elements about this story, namely the Zygon design, Scotland and the darker tone, it's still such a derivative story I find it hard to like it or hate it... it's a formula that works, for sure, but not when you've just finished with all the Pertwee stories. It would've been nice to do something a little more unique with them, considering that the production team were deliberately trying to phase them out.

If I had been tasked with writing a going-out party for UNIT, I would've changed things a bit like they had done in season 11 with Mike: have the Brigadier retire for example, and have Benton take things over or have them be the bad guys being forced to work against the Doctor a la season 7. You know, something! Instead, it's just the same old same old.

And that's not to say it isn't fun to see UNIT again, I love UNIT(especially in these little doses), but I spent most of the story bored and wanting to see Tom Baker do new stuff and stop gnawing on Pertwee's leftovers. Season 12 was so good and now it's like we're going backwards.

CHARACTERS

Tom Baker is really on form here, teasing and quipping with his friends and generally enjoying himself, which is always great to see. I do wish he'd be even more humorous, because it's obviously Baker's strength.

Harry and Sarah are both also lovely, especially during the scene where Fake Harry attacks Sarah with a pitchfork(I would've liked to see Sarah just a tiny bit more traumatised by that, but then again, I'm a sucker for crying women. Come at me feminists). Great acting on both their parts, as always.

Nicholas Courtney is so-and-so in his final regular appereance. It's obvious here that the character is not what he used to be, but for once, I've decided not to whine about it. He's mellowed with age and gone a little senile, but we all still respect him to no end. *salutes*

I'm a little irritated that Benton's role hasn't really been expanded since he was promoted. He's presumably the Brigadier's assistant now, but mostly he does what he's always done - run around and give orders to a bunch of extras.

I was quite impressed with the guest stars, specifically the Duke of Forgill, who was played by a really capable and entertaining actor. The explanation that his human self would die if the Zygons didn't turn into him every few hours was too much, but he made the Zygons much more interesting than they would've been on their own.

Oh yes, the Zygons... I still can't understand why they were picked for the 50th anniversary special. What's so special about the Zygons? They change shape and use organic tech. Well, don't the Axons do the same? It seems like a very odd choice to me.

NOTES

*Why does the Doctor scream after putting Sarah in a trance?

*Why do everyone immediately want to return to London after getting the TARDIS(the Brigadier I understand, but the Doctor, Sarah and to a lesser extent, Harry should all be happy to get back in the box and leave)? And why didn't they just get someone to go and fetch it for them?

*And why did they bring the Duke of Forgill to see the TARDIS take-off? I thought it was top secret and... stuff?

*Nicholas Courtney in a kilt. Why? *facepalm*

*Why do the Zygons kill the bartender and steal their camera, thus attracting their attention?

*In fact, what was the point of attacking the oil rigs to begin with?

*So... how come nobody remembered the giant Loch Ness monster walking across London(and somehow not crushing anybody)? And people keep whining on about the dinosaur in Victorian London.

BEST QUOTE

"I thought you were a Scotsman." the Duke of Forgill says, disappointed in the Brigadier.

CONCLUSION

Please let's not say goodbye to UNIT by using the same tired formula that made us want to leave it in the first place.