Snakedance
Previous: Arc of Infinity
Snakedance
NYSSA. WHAT THE EVER LOVING MOTHER JESUS ARE YOU WEARING.
This is interesting: Nyssa really seems to want Five's attention, but he seems pretty keen on moving her out of his way.
"You look different."
"Yes, Doctor."
HOW did it take you that long to notice?
Yay! I get four more episodes of creepy snake-related imagery! WITH MORE CREEPY!
Huh, one of those crystal decorations on the table kinda looks like the Key to Time.
"The Mara was destroyed 500 years ago." Wait, so does that mean Menussa is really Deva Loka in the future? Or did the Kinda move planet?
So now I'm wondering if these snakedancers are the decedents of the Kinda or something...
Oh wow, Tegan's even quoting herself from that thing with the apples. And since when has the Doctor needed this much equipment for hypnosis?
Aww, six!Tegan is actually kind of adorable, even though we can only hear her.
"GO AWAY!" HOLY CRAP MAN-VOICE!TEGAN.
Wow, the TARDIS actually has quite a good hiding spot this time. In the middle of a market, but under a giant floppy canopy.
Tegan-Vision!
Highly amused by the fact that I was just hit by an ad that reads "keep snakes out of your home."
Also, has anyone else noticed that the coloration of the son's lips and the floppy hair and earrings make him look remarkably androgynous?
Wait, did they ever explain how the family went from entering a hall of funhouse mirrors to exploring the cave of the Mara?
Uh oh, Tegan's run off and calling for her won't work under the circumstances...
"You've disappointed me, Doctor. I should have you punished." VERY DISAPPOINT. For about five seconds.
So I wonder what it is about Tegan that's prompting the market psychic to admit that she fakes her predictions.
The Return of Evil-Cackling!Tegan!
And creepy snake skulls that blow up crystal balls from the inside! ...wait, what?
Magically-Disappearing!Tegan!
Tegan and Nyssa reunited! So let's see how long it takes for Nyssa to figure out that Tegan's possessed again.
For some reason, I am increasingly finding evil!Tegan more and more awesome.
Awww, and I was hoping they were going to have a chase scene through the hall of mirrors. THIS NEEDS TO HAPPEN IN WHO EVENTUALLY.
"Look, all I want's a little information. What possible harm is there in that?" It's both power AND half the battle. (ok not really, but...)
Now this is VERY strange. WHY would the Mara hide Tegan in a hall of mirrors when that's how it was destroyed last time?
I just realized how suggestive the phrase "dark places of the inside" is. Ignoring, ignoring...
Anyone else notice the little musical trill that happens every time someone opens a curtain in this story?
That Six Faces sculpture looks more like a headpiece to me. I'll bet the sixth face is supposed to be the wearer. I wonder where this goes.
Yup, I was right.
"On the Kinda world I was trapped in a circle of mirrors. There is no circle here." Ahhh, THAT explains it.
OKAY NOW THE SKULL IS TALKING #EVENMORECREEPY
Ah, it's the showman from earlier. Evil!Tegan, please bring some form of harm to him.
"We are invited to dinner, I am going." Wearing THAT? This seems to be yet another serial of strange outfits.
So I think we've seen at least two of these "great crystals" so far. I wonder what will turn out to be the real one.
Looks like the one that Five has could be a clue...
Uh oh, now the Mara doesn't just jump from person to person, it can take over multiple people at a time.
Looks like they've improved a bit on the mark of the snake. Or maybe it's just bigger this time.
Nyssa, after everything you've seen with the Doctor, HOW do you find a glowing crystal "impossible"?
Considering the researcher doesn't believe Five and sends him away, I'll bet the Mara group really gets to him first.
Glowing Red-Eye!Tegan! Wow, thanks guys! That's EXACTLY what I needed to see RIGHT before bed!
So I'm still trying to figure out if that's really Janet Fielding doing something weird with her voice or a post-production modification.
I'm betting that hermit in the desert we keep seeing is the old director.
Nyssa to the rescue! Let's see how she gets Five out of there...
Aaaaand cut from her being caught to a completely random puppet show in the market. ...kay?
"For the time being, we must make use of what we DO have."
"What?"
"This."
So the Doctor can pick locks with books now?
So now it would seem that the history of the Mara has been revealed, though creating a VERY different mythology from what Kinda told us.
Awww, look! Mini Special Effects Fail Snake!
FREE! But there's still about 2-3 minutes left, so one more thing has to go wrong...
And that One More Thing unfortunately involves Nyssa screaming. Shame, I usually consider her one of the less-screamy companions.
Nyssa! This is the last time I'm going to see you! That really hasn't sunk in yet...
Saved by the mom!
Running: Because saving your friends from evil snake gods is more important than possessing giant shiny things.
(I think it's safe to say that I do these commentaries a lot better when I'm actually awake. That nap did me some good.)
I find it kind of amusing that this big terrible thing to be feared from Kinda is now a cultural event to celebrate over. Still evil, but...
The loud pulsing drumbeat from the school festival on the quad a block away actually blends in here quite well.
Those are remarkably flat and angular "hills"...
"You look SPLENDID!" YOU LOOK LIKE YOU'RE WEARING THE SKY.
Seriously, that snake-float is even more gloriously cheesy than the regular Mara. That widdle-bitty snake there...AAAWWWWWWW...
Holy crap, I think that might actually be a REAL widdle-bitty snake. *checks Wikipedia* Okay, it doesn't say.
"The still point is within yourself. Nowhere else." Oh joy, are we going to have a "the answer lay within you all along" conclusion?
I just realized something: as focal as Tegan is to the story, she's barely appeared in these last two episodes.
But before you leave, kneel before the might of Sutekh. (No seriously, look how they're crossing their arms.)
"I offer you fear in a handful of dust!" Again, not making this up.
Wait, that was even weirder. Five helps Nyssa down, she says thanks but no thanks, other guy gives him the "oooo, burn" look...why?
"I offer you despair in a willow branch!" Guys, I really do fail to see the connection between these items and what they represent.
Okay, staring into the crystal and not being tempted by greed for knowledge makes a lot more sense.
Wow. Lon is suddenly a lot more red-faced than he was in the previous scene.
Fivey is too late to prevent the return of Epic Special Effects Fail Snake!
Apparently the still point lives up to its name. Everybody's stopped moving.
I would just like to point out that the image of Tegan's disembodied face inside a giant snake mouth is REALLY frigging disturbing.
Tegan is free! And melting snake is melting!
AND NOBODY'S DEAD! Awwwwww, and Tegan finally gets some well-earned hug tiem...
It feels really weird to be ending with this but, Nyssa, looks like I've finished your run. Take care, girl. You were awesome.
Next: The Black Guardian Trilogy Part 1: Mawdryn Undead