Doctor Who (TV Series) The Return (1966) User Reviews

Life on Refusis II awaits....

[Sleepin_Dragon · 8/10 · 27 October 2019]

The Doctor, Steven and Dodo once again land on The Ark, but it's now 700 years later and the order of things has changed.

It's back to a more traditional form of science fiction, the first two episodes were good, but somewhat more subdued, the fact that The Monoids now fun the show has changed things, making The Ark feel like two different stories in one.

Ten out of ten for originality, love or hate the story, Monoids etc, you cannot fault the fact that they managed to do something completely different with this story, the twist took The Ark into a whole new direction. A pity we didn't get to learn more about what happened to turn the tables. The Monoids are definitely a bit odd looking, but they're unique, and at least now have the power of communication, even if they trip in doorways.

Very good.

The Ark: Part 3 - Interesting and entertaining trip to future times

[A_Kind_Of_CineMagic · 9/10 · 19 August 2014]

Review for all 4 parts:

This is a 4 part story beginning with The Steel Sky.

Quite a fascinating story which features the TARDIS landing in a jungle which turns out to be aboard a huge spaceship which is dubbed by Dodo (the new companion) as an 'ark' because it preserves humans, animals and plants from Earth travelling into distant space in the far future. They also have alien servants called Monoids who are treated more like slaves. The first two episodes revolve around Dodo bringing the common cold on board the ship thus threatening the whole vessel with a plague as there is no resistance or cure. The Doctor and his companions are suspected of deliberately bringing the virus. This is a clever idea in itself and the production as a whole is good.

The Monoids are created well with the actors holding the eye in their mouth and moving it with their tongue. This is amazingly effective. The humans are not as interesting but there is sufficient interest in the story as a whole and there are one or two good human characters such as the Commander. The dialogue is good with the Doctor and Steven providing good performances as usual and Dodo is an adequate, if unexceptional, addition.

The twist that takes episode 3 and 4 into a further future time aboard the same ship now officially named the Ark is what maintains the strong interest for me as a viewer over the full 4 parts. It is a very clever plot device which changes the scenario and gives thoughtful developments such as the Monoids having taken over after years of servitude once the virus allows them to overcome their human masters. The fact this is shown not as an evil act as such but as an understandable reaction to their previous unfair treatment is intelligent writing.

Not among the best but mostly quite impressive despite its average reputation.

My Ratings: Episodes 1-3 - 8.5/10, Episode 4 - 8/10