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Originally released as a double cassette back in 1992, The Macra Terror has been re-released on CD as part of the BBC Radio Collection's missing stories collection. At the close of the preceding story The Moonbase, the Doctor had the plot convenient idea to use the time scanner to give a glimpse of the TARDIS crew's future, and we saw a huge, crablike claw. The crustaceans in question are the monsters in this four-part story from season four (although SFX somehow managed to claim it had six episodes), featuring the same line-up of regulars that we heard in The Highlanders - the Second Doctor, Jamie and - in their penultimate story - Ben and Polly. Despite the lack of accompanying visuals (and let's face it, if ever a companion demanded those Polly is the one), the story starts off well, with the TARDIS materialising on a colony resembling a futuristic holiday camp. However, if things are that idyllic, why does the fleeing Medok claim to know the secret behind it all? Having helped recapture such a dangerous criminal, the Doctor and his companions are well treated but, ever inquisitive, the Doctor wants to delve beneath the colony's happy surface. For the first couple of episodes, the Macra are pretty much on the sidelines, confined to the shadows so that not being able to see them isn't the biggest drawback in the world. Of course, as with the Rills in Galaxy 4 it would be nice to see just how "hideous" (to quote Colin Baker's narration) the Macra are when they are revealed but thanks to the BBC we can't. Unfortunately, the last couple of episodes see a greater emphasis on action and the more traditional monster aspect of the Troughton era, which doesn't work nearly so well when you're unable to see what's going on. This particularly affects the scenes in the last couple of episodes with Ben and Jamie although Troughton is as excellent as ever, with some great lines that are a delight to listen to. Although it's by no means the best Doctor Who story ever, The Macra Terror is still an enjoyable four-parter, particularly for those of us who are fans of the Second Doctor. However, as an audio only presentation there are some scenes that are difficult to follow, which unfortunately brings the mark for this release down by a notch or two. BACK TO THE TOP |
THE
MACRA TERROR |
