Brief Summary
This video provides an overview of Season 5 of the classic Doctor Who series, which aired from 1967 to 1968, starring Patrick Troughton as the Second Doctor. The season is notable for the rediscovery of complete stories like "Tomb of the Cyberman" and "Enemy of the World" after many episodes were lost due to the BBC's archive purge. The season introduced iconic elements such as the Great Intelligence, the Ice Warriors, and the Sonic Screwdriver, while also featuring the return of the Cybermen. Despite being a strong season, it is criticized for its repetitive "base under siege" format and the concentration of certain villains.
- Rediscovery of lost episodes
- Introduction of iconic elements
- Repetitive story format
Tomb of the Cyberman
The rediscovery of a complete copy of "Tomb of the Cyberman" in Hong Kong was a significant event. The story introduced the cybermats, established Telos as a new Cyberman home planet, and featured a frozen legion of Cybermen. While initially highly regarded, its reputation diminished slightly upon viewing, with some finding it a solid but not exceptional four-episode Cyberman story, complete with a racist character. The Cyber Controller's head design is also humorously noted for its phallic resemblance.
The Abominable Snowman
"The Abominable Snowman" marks the introduction of the Great Intelligence, later portrayed by Richard E. Grant. Set before the Second Doctor's debut of his Yeti skin jacket, the story involves the Great Intelligence using robotic Yeti to menace a Buddhist monastery. This six-episode story is mostly missing from the archives, making its recovery highly desirable for fans.
The Ice Warriors
"The Ice Warriors" introduces the Martian race of the same name, who later appeared in the new series episode "Cold War." The story revolves around one of their ships crashing in the ice, leading to a defrosted Ice Warrior causing chaos in a future frozen Earth. The name "Ice Warrior" was given by someone who found one in the ice and assumed it was a Viking. The story's explanation for the Ice Age, involving a drop in carbon dioxide levels, is scientifically inaccurate. Two missing episodes were animated for the DVD release.
The Enemy of the World
"The Enemy of the World" was one of the stories recovered in 2013 and was reappraised positively after its return. This six-part story features the TARDIS crew caught in an espionage plot, with the would-be dictator Salamander being the Doctor's exact double. Patrick Troughton's acting is highlighted as he portrays both the Doctor and Salamander, sometimes in the same scene. The story also includes notable special effects for its time, particularly during a fight inside the TARDIS.
The Web of Fear
"The Web of Fear," also recovered in 2013, sees the return of the Great Intelligence. The story involves the Yetis attacking the London Underground, opposed by the TARDIS crew and an army led by Colonel Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart, later known as the Brigadier. The disembodied Great Intelligence is linked to the Cthulhu Mythos in the books. The story was already considered a classic before its rediscovery and remains so.
Fury from the Deep
"Fury from the Deep" is a missing story involving a connected set of oil rigs under attack from evil foam, seaweed, and gas, all controlled by a single mind that possesses people. Despite its ludicrous concept, the story is effective, creating a claustrophobic and eerie atmosphere. It also features the best single shot in the show's history, depicting a character vomiting evil gas. The story marks the introduction of the Sonic Screwdriver. Victoria leaves the TARDIS due to being tired of the constant danger.
The Wheel in Space
"The Wheel in Space" introduces Zoe, the Second Doctor's final companion, who is intellectually equal to the Doctor. The story also marks the first use of "John Smith" as the Doctor's alias. In this six-part adventure, the Cybermen attack a space station called the Wheel, and the Doctor, Jamie, and Zoe must save the day by destroying the Cybermen's fleet. The Doctor's actions in this story contradict his later claims of hating weaponry, as he actively kills Cybermen.
