The Reign of Terror
Dennis Spooner's first contribution to Doctor Who is a mixture of wit and serious drama. The violence is also strong, such as Robespierre being shot in the jaw when arrested (a true historical fact). The whole tone of the story is downbeat as the time travelers seek to escape from the most radical and controversial phase of the French Revolution. It is very well plotted to provide diverging storylines, and incarceration scenes in the Conciergerie Prison don't drag on too much. The production values are excellent; the costumes, the cobbled streets, and the gritty jail all coming together to recreate 18th century Paris. The far sweeping location work (the first in the series) also adds to the more expansive nature of this story.
Splitting up the TARDIS team works very well here. Ian plays the dashing hero once again, while Barbara protects Susan, much to Barbara's benefit and Susan's failings. Barbara is taken through quite a few emotional journeys here. Fending off the slovenly jailer, having a gentle flirtation with Léon Colbert, lashing out at Ian over the Revolution, and showing supreme motherly tendencies toward Susan. Susan, unfortunately, has little to do besides contracting a mysterious illness (which comes as quickly as it goes) and reverting to hysterics mode again. Twice they are presented with an opportunity to escape, and both times it is Susan who holds them back. I found myself wanting Barbara to shake or slap Susan and say, "Rats or the guillotine... you decide!"
The Doctor is the star though, and William Hartnell is in excellent form throughout. After embarking on a long journey, he uses his cunning and guile to while his way into the confidences of quite a few. Hartnell is heartwarming and brilliant with Jean-Pierre, the scruffy urchin who rescues him from the burning farm house. Another particular favorite is the scene with the chain gang, showing a surprisingly violent streak in crashing a shovel over the work overseer's head. Although this is played for laughs (and wonderfully so), it seems the Doctor has always relied more on his violent streak than originally thought, right from the start in fact.
Despite great performances from the guest cast (notably Edward Brayshaw as Léon), the story suffers from James Cairncross who plays Lemaitre decidedly wooden. This is unfortunate as Lemaitre is an intriguing character as the story builds up toward the revelation that he is the British agent Ian is searching for. His use of blackmail to manipulate the Doctor rather than immediately trusting him is also highly believable.
All in all, a highly enjoyable adventure, and as Season One draws to a close, we do get a feeling that these four people, initially so distant, have banded together into a very special group. The Doctor's final line sums up the feel of Doctor Who by the end of the superb first season - "Our destiny is in the stars, so lets go and search for it."
4 / 5 stars