Doctor Who: The Creature From The Pit (Story 106/BBC DVD)
Picture: B- Sound:
B- Extras: A- Episodes: B
Tom Baker delivers more wacky thrills as Doctor Who in Story no. 106’s “The Creature from the Pit.” Originally aired in late 1979, these episodes
came at the back half of Baker’s epic, seven year run on the show. A distress beacon emanating from the lush
world of Chloris brings the Doctor, Romana (Lalla Ward), and K-9 Mk. II (David
Brierly) to investigate, and the almost immediately run afoul of the forces of
the local ruler, Lady Adrasta (Myra Frances).
Shortly after, the Doctor hurls himself into a sacrificial
pit which houses a creature that slays any who cross the haughty ruler. From there, viewers are treated to one of the
most visually bizarre and unintentionally hilarious creatures in all of Doctor
Who lore, the Tythonian. This
massive beast looks like a rolling ball of flesh with a probing proboscis that
resembles a giant penis. There’s really
no other way to put it. The creature
appears to be a giant fleshy ball with a prehensile penis on the end. An entire segment of the extras on this disc
discusses the uproar created by the “beast’s” appearance. Several members of the production crew found
themselves in hot water during shooting and after the episodes aired.
The creature is unintentionally comical and strange,
but it does not ruin the episodes, or the performances of the excellent cast,
who had a fairly interesting script to work with. By comparison to other Who monsters,
the Tythonian cannot touch the Myrka from Warriors of the Deep, a Peter Davison
tale that was to come later on in the Who’s storied history. “Creature from the Pit” also benefits from
otherwise excellent production values, including solid costumes and a lot of
great K-9 action. Fans of the Doctor’s
robotic canine companion should note that Mr. Brierly’s voice talents do not
match those of original K-9 actor John Leeson, who was not around for this
season’s worth of stories. Brierly is
adequate, but Leeson’s tinny tones really help define the lovable character.
In spite of its production issues, “The Creature from the
Pit” delivers the kind of zany fun that made so many kids of the 1970’s fall in
love with the show. Mr. Baker is so
comfortable in the role by this time that he seems to frolic through scenes
with a manic intensity that plays wonderfully against foils like the charlatan
astrologer, Orandon, ably played by Geoffrey Bayldon. This disc represents vintage Who, and
if you’re willing to suspend your disbelief with regard to the creature itself,
it will deliver plenty of thrills!
- Scott Pyle
