Doctor Who and the Time Meddler
"The Time Meddler" is a wonderful little gem of an adventure. This is the first story where we meet another of the Doctor and Susan's people and the first story to blend both historical and science fiction elements in a story, which paved the way for many future episodes. It also features one of the all-time great cliffhangers when Vicki and Steven discover that the Monk has a TARDIS. We're jaded by this moment now, but can you imagine what an impact it had on viewers back in 1965?
William Hartnell is delightful, clearly relishing Dennis Spooner's wonderful script; being reassured that Vicki wants to stay with him, getting angry with Steven, joking along cunningly and eventually outwitting the Monk, and making gloriously delivered asides such as: "A balmy night, a balmy night!"
Matching the domineering comic and dramatic presence of Hartnell, Peter Butterworth is superlative as the Monk; perhaps more comedic than dramatic, raising many a laugh, and an amount of sympathy even. And the Doctor-Monk confrontations are pricelessly played by both parties, who are obviously enjoying every minute; the Monk is such a memorably different adversary: he's meddlesome, mischievous and quite callous, what with his plan to destroy the Viking fleet, but never quite sinks to being evil. For the most part he's a big kid. His checklist of things to do is hilarious, as is his sulking when he discovers the Doctor has sabotaged his TARDIS; he's a naughty boy who's finally been punished. It's a joyful rivalry to watch. My favorite scene is when the Doctor holds up a stick to the Monk who thinks it's a real weapon!
Maureen O'Brien shines brightly, giving a wonderful performance as Vicki. Her desperation upon discovering that the TARDIS was swallowed by the tide is well-portrayed, O'Brien excels in the more comedic scenes, and she shares a palpable connection with the Doctor, making us believe that these two are really great friends. You know, Vicki has rapidly become my favorite companion of the First Doctor.
Newcomer Peter Purves - enjoying his first full story as Steven - and O'Brien have fantastic chemistry, helped no doubt by the wonderful lines they are given. Steven's initial reluctance to accept the TARDIS as a time ship is woven expertly into the story, and Vicki's exasperated responses to his excuses are excellent. It is a great shame they weren't to have many more stories together as they make a great team. Steven is terrific at the Saxon camp and their exploration of the Monk's ship is hysterical ("And earned a fortune in compound interest!").
Althea Charlton does a sterling job as the spirited Saxon woman Edith, and has some wonderful scenes with Hartnell. The Viking attack on Edith implies strong adult subject matter and harkens back to the straight historicals such as "The Aztecs". Michael Miller is quite good as Headman Wulnoth, but the acting of the other Saxons and the Vikings is risible in places. And the fight sequence in Episode Two is rather poor. What a shame Derek Ware wasn't on hand to choreograph the battle, as his work on "The Romans" and "The Space Museum" is excellent. Still, a minor quibble.
Douglas Camfield's direction makes "The Time Meddler" simply gorgeous to look at. Aside from his usual long pans and zooms, and nice close-ups, the whole atmosphere of the location is terrific. I use the word "location" intentionally; despite this being a studio-bound tale it looks like it's been filmed outside. Barry Newbery's sets are simple but superbly effective, especially as they're enhanced by the fantastic back projections and the use of stock footage, as shots of waves, cliff-faces, seagulls, clouds and Viking ships are seamlessly grafted into the story. Add to this the nice monastery interiors and the main doorway and you have a visual treat.
So, an endearing, warm adventure, imbued with an infectious charm. The shots of the Doctor, Vicki and Steven over the end credits are a sublime way of adding a little extra magic to the story (and closing Doctor's Who second season).
4 ½/ 5 stars