Brief Summary
Season 14 of Doctor Who, which aired from 1976 to 1977, is examined. The season is known for its unique TARDIS console room, Sarah Jane Smith's departure, and stories ranging from Renaissance Italy to Victorian London. The season is a mix of well-regarded stories and problematic elements, particularly in "The Talons of Weng-Chiang."
- The season featured a memorable wooden TARDIS console room, which was ultimately replaced due to storage issues.
- Sarah Jane Smith's departure marked the end of an era, though she would later reappear in spin-off shows.
- "The Talons of Weng-Chiang" is highlighted as a classic story with significant racist elements.
Intro
Season 14 of Doctor Who, which ran from September 1976 to April 1977, maintained a format of roughly 25 episodes spread across six stories. This season is notable for debuting an unusual TARDIS console room featuring a wooden design, a departure from the usual white plastic. The wooden console room was well-received by fans, but it warped in storage after filming, leading to a return to the plastic design in Season 15.
The Mask of Mandragora
In "The Mask of Mandragora," the TARDIS encounters the Mandragora Helix, a living energy that hitches a ride to 15th century Italy. There, it possesses an astronomer and starts a cult with the goal of creating a new religion and stopping the Renaissance. This story is one of the few classic episodes where the companion questions their ability to understand non-English speakers, in this case, 15th-century Italian. Renaissance Italy is portrayed by Portmeirion in Wales, a Mediterranean-style village with buildings brought from Italy and Spain.
The Hand of Fear
"The Hand of Fear" begins with the TARDIS landing in a quarry, where the Doctor and Sarah Jane are caught in an explosion. Sarah Jane finds a silicon-based hand, and she becomes possessed by Eldrad, an alien who was exiled for being a tyrant. Eldrad seeks to return home, only to find that his people committed suicide to prevent his return. The story is criticized for the generic design of Eldrad's true form and Sarah Jane's costume. At the end of the story, the Time Lords ask the Doctor to return home, leading to Sarah Jane's departure due to the rule against humans on Gallifrey.
The Deadly Assassin
In "The Deadly Assassin," the Doctor arrives on Gallifrey to find the Lord President assassinated and the Time Lord media in disarray. The Time Lord CIA is active, and Chancellor Goth is working for the Master, who has a new, disfigured appearance due to a botched regeneration. The Doctor and Goth fight within the Matrix, a virtual reality system. This story is unique because the Doctor has no companion, a decision made by Tom Baker, who felt companions detracted from his performance.
The Face of Evil
"The Face of Evil" addresses a plot point from Season 12, where the Doctor tampered with a computer. The TARDIS arrives on a planet where a mountain bears the Doctor's face. Centuries ago, the Doctor attempted to repair a damaged computer from a survey ship, resulting in a split personality within the computer. The computer divided the ship's crew into two groups: the primitive Sevateem tribe and the technologically advanced Tesh. This story introduces Leela, a Sevateem warrior known for her intelligence and willingness to learn.
The Robots of Death
"The Robots of Death" is a whodunnit set in a manor where the crew is served by robots. The story is presented as a mystery, but the robots' involvement in the murders is obvious. Despite the predictable plot, the story is well-regarded, with brilliant robot designs, though the human guest stars appear silly.
The Talons of Weng-Chiang
"The Talons of Weng-Chiang" is a problematic story set in the criminal underworld of Chinese immigrants in Victorian London. The story features white actors in yellowface, making it a racist depiction. Despite its issues, the script by Robert Holmes is considered brilliant, introducing ideas that remain relevant in Doctor Who. The story includes elements from Sherlock Holmes and the Phantom of the Opera. Magnus Greel, a war criminal from the 51st century, hides as Wang Chiang. The story also features Mr. Sin, an evil cyborg with a pig brain.
