"I wonder what sort of a world could produce an insect that size."
Episode 9: Planet of the Giants.
Companions: The 1st Doctor, Susan Foreman, Ian Chesterton and Barbara Wright.
Air Date: Three episodes. 31st October to 14th November 1964.
The doors of the TARDIS open of their own accord just before it materialises, running out of control. On emerging, the travellers find the ship has been reduced in size and they are now only about an inch tall. As tiny people, they stumble across a plot by a ruthless businessman, Forester, and his misguided scientist colleague, Smithers, to launch a new insecticide, DN6 - a product so destructive that it would kill not only those insects harmful to agriculture but also those vital to it.
The thoroughly enjoyed watching this story. At three parts it was just the right length. It was also very well written both in plot and in interaction between the characters. At the actual story itself is a mixture of classic science fiction with the characters being shrunk and the dangers presented, and a plot relevant even more in the modern day; the impact of insecticides. In this case it is blended very well. Due to the science elements of the story Ian gets a chance to shine, much like Barbara did during The Aztecs.
One thing I find unusual is during one episode Barbara comes face to face with a "giant" fly. The model is animatronic (sort of) and looks very realistic. Jump forward to the 3rd Doctor story The Green Death and we have yet another giant fly but then the models effect is fairly poor. Just strikes me as odd as that an earlier story can pull of the effect better than a later one.
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