I came into The Web Planet not really knowing what to expect, I certainly wasn't expecting that! Dear God!
I started, as I always try to, hoping for the best and trying to see the best in it. The first episode I actually thought was really good. It was mysterious, and like most of the first episodes of this era, only had the TARDIS crew. The Zarbi appeared and I did balk. I'd see pictures of them before but never really seen the legs. But the Zarbi were only seen for a little bit and I put them to the side. Instead I focused on the Doctor back in full exploring scientist mode and the great scenes of continuity with Barbara and Vicki. They talk about school and they really show the differences between Barbara's 1960's teaching methods to Vicki's 25th century learning. It's a nice little touch that shows that Vicki really is from the 25th century.
After the first episode though I soon lost the plot. I couldn't handle the Zarbi, the Menoptera and then later the Optera.
I've been trying to think what is wrong with this and whether it doesn't work because of the time that it was made in and with the money constraints. But if they tried to make this in modern who the costumes and/or CGI would look just as ridiculous. The Menoptera are actually pretty well designed and realised. The weird gestures that they all make really shows that it's an alien race, not just a guy (or girl as is the case here) in a suit. Even the voice show you just how alien this species is. I think by the time I finish this marathon I won't have come across any alien in the show that is as alien as the Menoptera. Even the Optera are well designed, and try to be like the Menoptera in having weird movements and voice. The Zarbi shells aren't that bad, it's just that there is a (comparatively) giant pair of legs sticking out of them. I made have found the beeps that they make bloody annoying, but again it all works to show that these are aliens that don't understand humans in anyway.
So if all of these things are actually quite good and effectively show the alien-ness of Vortis and it's inhabitants what is wrong with story? I want to say it's because it's so alien and that there are only the four recognisable faces in the story. As far as I know this is the only Doctor Who story, new and old, that has completely alien characters other than the TARDIS crew. The only other story I can think of that has all 'aliens' is The Daleks. In that we had the Daleks and the Thals, but that doesn't count because the Thals are basically humans.
But surely if the aim is to have everything alien then The Web Planet is a triumph as it achieves that? Perhaps we reject the story because everything is alien and we can't handle it so we just resort to laughing at how ridiculous everything looks?
I honesty couldn't say. I am only suggesting these points. The phrase 'ambitious' is often banded are in relation to this story, and perhaps it is just too God damn ambitious for it's own good. But I can't really think of how this story could ever work. Or maybe Bill Strutton was just trying to alienate the audience and if he were alive today (he died on 23rd November 2003) he would be laughing at how no one can handle his story.
All I can say is that The Web Planet defeated me. I've given each episode a score, as always, but I almost think it's not fair to do so. What ever Bill Strutton intended audiences to take from this story I don't posses the intelligence, or whatever is needed, to do so. I don't think you can fairly give a rating to something you didn't understand but there you have it.
Episode scores:
1. The Web Planet: 8/10
2. The Zarbi: 4/10
3. Escape to Danger: 4/10
4. Crater of Needles: 4/10
5. Invasion: 2/10
6. The Centre: 2/10
Average score: 4/10
Next time is The Crusade and my second foray into recons.
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