Doctor Who (TV Series) Planet of Evil: Part Two (1975) User Reviews

A very strong continuation.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 8/10 · 8 June 2018]

Whilst the second episode doesn't quite pack the punch of the opener, it's still a particularly strong episode from a purple patch in the show's long history. I don't think I've ever said this, but the big winner in this episode once again is the design team, a combination of set design and subtle lighting ensure that the episode looks incredible. The story has some fascinating concepts, anti matter, the planet at the edge of existence, and of course ends with an excellent cliffhanger. A few minor grumbles, the Army crew follow the usual stereotype, of a slightly single minded, bombastic leader, with a sympathetic deputy, and the anti matter monster perhaps looks a little raw. Those however are very minor criticisms, Tom and Lis are at the peak of their brilliance, this is a quality episode.

8/10

"I'm not sure yet but I have an unpleasant theory." Classic Doctor Who.

[poolandrews · 7/10 · 6 July 2007]

Doctor Who: Planet of Evil: Part 2 starts as the Doctor (Tom Bkaer) & Sarah Jane (Elisabeth Sladen) are about to be killed by the alien energy creature when O'Hara (Haydn Wood) a Morestran guard fires at it, the energy creature turns it's murderous attention to him while the Doctor & Sarah Jane escape. O'Hara's body is quickly discovered & again the Doctor & Sarah Jane are blamed for the death, a probe is sent out to locate them which it does & they are recaptured. As the Morestran spacecraft is about to take off with samples & minerals from Zeta Minor's surface the energy creature reappears determined not to let them leave...

Episode 6 from season 13 this Doctor Who adventure was originally broadcast here in the UK during October 1975, directed by David Maloney this story is coming along nicely. The darker than usual script by Louis Marks isn't the quickest story ever & the notions of alternate universes & energy creatures made from forces from those alternate universes might leave some behind a bit, to be honest while it's interesting enough it's not explained that well & so far has only been mentioned in passing. I'm liking Planet of Evil so far but it would be nice if it had been a bit more focused & easy to understand, it hasn't really moved on a great deal since Part 1 either. The Forbidden Planet (1956) references & influence is beginning to show here & the energy creature feels very similar.

I mentioned how good the Zeta Minor jungle looked in my comment for Part 1, by complete contrast here I have to mention how dull the basic & cheap looking Morestran spacecraft looks. What about those outfits they wear with low cut necks so you can see most of their chest, I hope they don't plan on going anywhere cold in them! Still, you can't have everything I suppose. Strangely Planet of Evil seems to have been shot partly on film & partly on videotape, the film inserts obviously look much better than the cheap videotape footage although I really have no idea why it alternates between the two formats & can't think of one good reason why it should.

Planet of Evil: Part 2 is another creepy little episode saved by a good monster & a wonderful alien set, the actual story isn't the best or most exciting so far but there's still time for it to improve over the next two episodes which I'm hopeful it will although that's not to say it hasn't been that good so far because it has & I've still enjoyed it.

A Very Unpleasant Theory...

[Xstal · 7/10 · 29 June 2022]

There's one in every family likes to chatter, could be Uncle, Nephew, Niece or Auntie Matter, they won't let you get away, there's a price you have to pay, or you'll fall into the well and become splatter.

Mind over anti-matter.

[A_Kind_Of_CineMagic · 10/10 · 24 November 2014]

Review of all 4 episodes:

This story has The Doctor and Sarah arriving on a planet which is the meeting of our universe with the universe of antimatter. A scientist, Sorenson, is dangerously trying to use antimatter as a limitless power source and the planet has forces within it that manifest as an antimatter monster to try to stop the two universes being brought together into destruction. The crew of a rescue ship are caught up in this and are being killed one by one as The Doctor gets involved and becomes the figure of blame (as usual).

There is great action and dialogue along the way and a thoroughly entertaining adventure. It has strong horror themes of a monster attacking people and the killings themselves are properly horrific with gruesome corpses left behind. This is fantastic and effective. There are also other horror themes similar to Jekyll & Hyde as a human is transformed back and forth into a monster. This again is a powerful idea that works well. We also get the addition of big science fiction ideas with anti-matter, scientific exploration and space travel and whilst this is baffling it is fascinating and satisfying too. There are some similarities with Forbidden Planet and because it is done so well here the comparison is a good one. The technology we see in this futuristic setting is pretty well done, the planet itself is very well realised on screen and the effects are decent. The dynamics of the crew add further qualities as Salamar and Vishinsky clash.

The plot involves complex science which sometimes leaves you scratching your head but is also just really good fun in terms of menacing monsters and character interplay. The script also has intelligent dialogue which is delivered well. Writer Louis Marks and director David Maloney have delivered really well, not for the first time.

The acting is excellent throughout with Ewen Solon and Frederick Jaeger particularly good as Vishinsky and Sorenson. Tom Baker is on his usual electrifying form for this era, lighting up the screen at every moment. Lis Sladen is wonderful as Sarah Jane and it is again noticeable what a strong female character she is compared to the usual screaming damsel in distress. Sarah Jane is brave, intelligent and independent. When the Doctor falls into a pit she does not scream or react hysterically, she just exclaims "Doctor!" then goes to rescue him herself when nobody else does.

This is top class sci-fi mixed with a Hammer-Horror style story. It is engrossing, thrilling and has very high standards in all departments.

My ratings: All 4 episodes 10/10.