Episode #80 : Terror of the Zygons

 

"You can't rule the world in hiding. You've got to come out on

to the balcony sometimes and wave a tentacle."

Episode 80:    Terror of the Zygons.
Companions: 4th Doctor, Sarah Jane Smith and Harry Sullivan.
Air Date:        Four episodes. 30th August to 10th September 1975.

When the Doctor, Sarah Jane and Harry arrive in Scotland, having received an urgent request for assistance from the Brigadier, they discover that the mysterious force which has destroyed three oil rigs has left giant teeth marks on the wreckage. The mystery deepens, leading them to the shores of Loch Ness where they find that the legendary monster really does exist – and is the murderous tool of the Zygons, aliens intent on overpowering the planet.

For reasons that I can't quite put my finger on, this is one of my favourite early Tom Baker stories and the Zygons are a particular favourite. I think part of it comes from my childhood. Although too young to remember the airing of the episodes, I do recall seeing an old Doctor Who magazine which featured a black and white photograph of Zygon attacking Tom Baker. It has stuck in my memory ever since and must go someway to explaining my love of this story.

The show has in recent stories touched upon a number of mythical tales from Atlantis, the minotaur and the yeti. This time we get an explanation for the Loch Ness Monster in the Whoniverse, the Skarasen - a monster used by the Zygons in the plans. It is another touch that excites me when watching the story. Sometimes the writers got things so spot on that it works despite any other failings of the episode.

The Zygon costumes are definitely of the man in a rubber suit variety but are extremely memorable. The Skarasan on the other hand has it's detractors. I think that the stop-motion style of movement when you see the monster in it's entirety is really good but there are plenty of fans who think it is just terrible. Watch and decide for yourself.

With the completion of this adventure we lose Harry Sullivan who decides to return to UNIT rather than continue travelling in time and space. As much as I love Harry, you can understand it from what he has just experienced in the last few stories. Sarah Jane Smith however, thankfully stays with the Doctor. The Brigadier seems to have mellowed somewhat by this story as he doesn't feel like the old stick in the mud that he did previously. Thankfully, this won't be the last time we see the Brigadier.

Terror of the Zygons is an excellent story and for my money, the last of the truly excellent Tom Baker era. That is not to say that what comes next are poor stories, just that nothing seems to live up to the writing nor the appearance of the show after this. But for now, Terror of the Zygons is up there in the top stories of the classic era.