The Doctor manages to create a rain storm to destroy the Martian fungus before trying to find a way to stop the Ice Warriors' invasion fleet.The Doctor manages to create a rain storm to destroy the Martian fungus before trying to find a way to stop the Ice Warriors' invasion fleet.The Doctor manages to create a rain storm to destroy the Martian fungus before trying to find a way to stop the Ice Warriors' invasion fleet.
Photos
- Director
- Writers
- Brian Hayles
- Terrance Dicks(uncredited)
- Sydney Newman(uncredited)
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThis episode takes place on the Moon in the 21st Century.
- GoofsThe Doctor has no sideburns when he is trapped outside the weather control bureau, but he does when he is finally let in by Zoe.
- ConnectionsFeatured in The Lively Arts: Whose Dr. Who (1977)
Featured review
S6: The Seeds of Death: Consistent urgency and fun action covers up weaknesses pretty well
In the 21st century the world has dumped all of its old fashioned spaceships and other vehicles now that a material teleportation system called T-Mat has been developed, moving people and products around the globe and beyond in a blink of the eye. The Doctor and his companions arrive into this period but do so into a virtual museum of crazy ol' Professor Eldred, who hates the loss of the old ways and indeed still works on his own rocket ships, having turned his back on T-Mat. Lucky he did, since the moon base of T-Mat is invaded by an unseen force and soon the whole system is offline. With supplies running low on Earth due to the loss of transportation, the Doctor works with Eldred to get a working rocket to the moon – but this is only the first of the challenges ahead of them.
The Seeds of Death is not a brilliant serial but it is a solid one with a decent enough plot and a consistent tone. OK it is all a bit action- orientated and lacking in thoughtful themes while it overlooks its own plot holes and conveniences but it works for what it is, which is a bit of engaging fun. Not knowing anything about this era I didn't know this serial was the return of the Ice Warriors and thus for the first episode I was really gripped by this unseen enemy. Part of this was down to the really nice visual/audio effect of them attacking – it is an unusual and disorientating effect which is as simple as it is effective. I was a little disappointed when I saw it was the Ice Warriors because I was not a fan of their voice or their presence in the previous appearance, but here I liked them more as they seemed clearer and their weapon effect added to their threat. They still lumber around somewhat and seem unable to spot a man hiding up the side of a cupboard right next to them, but otherwise they were fine.
The story itself is delivered with urgency and a solid sense of action which just about works even if it isn't really as strong as the delivery makes it seem – it covers itself a bit in that regard. The cast help too as most are pretty decent, even in the supporting roles (well, maybe not the blokes trying to "out-silly" the Ice Warriors by running around with glass bowls on their heads). Troughton continues to be an action Doctor and again his ability to have a light touch while also being urgency and direct does help the show have more of that generally. Hines and Padbury are both good; I particularly liked that Padbury got to play up her intelligence and not her legs or lungs. Supporting turns are fine – a bit more serious and functional than the main actors, but they support the tone well.
The Seeds of Death is not an amazing serial but it is consistent and has a good urgent pace to it. Some nice touches add to its impact and for sure it is a good step up from the Krotons in the last serial.
The Seeds of Death is not a brilliant serial but it is a solid one with a decent enough plot and a consistent tone. OK it is all a bit action- orientated and lacking in thoughtful themes while it overlooks its own plot holes and conveniences but it works for what it is, which is a bit of engaging fun. Not knowing anything about this era I didn't know this serial was the return of the Ice Warriors and thus for the first episode I was really gripped by this unseen enemy. Part of this was down to the really nice visual/audio effect of them attacking – it is an unusual and disorientating effect which is as simple as it is effective. I was a little disappointed when I saw it was the Ice Warriors because I was not a fan of their voice or their presence in the previous appearance, but here I liked them more as they seemed clearer and their weapon effect added to their threat. They still lumber around somewhat and seem unable to spot a man hiding up the side of a cupboard right next to them, but otherwise they were fine.
The story itself is delivered with urgency and a solid sense of action which just about works even if it isn't really as strong as the delivery makes it seem – it covers itself a bit in that regard. The cast help too as most are pretty decent, even in the supporting roles (well, maybe not the blokes trying to "out-silly" the Ice Warriors by running around with glass bowls on their heads). Troughton continues to be an action Doctor and again his ability to have a light touch while also being urgency and direct does help the show have more of that generally. Hines and Padbury are both good; I particularly liked that Padbury got to play up her intelligence and not her legs or lungs. Supporting turns are fine – a bit more serious and functional than the main actors, but they support the tone well.
The Seeds of Death is not an amazing serial but it is consistent and has a good urgent pace to it. Some nice touches add to its impact and for sure it is a good step up from the Krotons in the last serial.
helpful•31
- bob the moo
- Jan 31, 2014
Details
- Runtime25 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1
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