TV #7: The Sensorites

TARDIS crew; 

• First Doctor

• Susan

• Ian 

• Barbara

Notable Characters; 

• Maitland- Member of crew stranger in space 

• Carol- Member of crew stranded in space 

• John- Mineralogist 

• First Elder- Sensorite in highest authorial role 

• Second Elder- Advisor to the First Elder

• City Administrator- Sensorite

Detailed Plot; 

Strangers in Space 

A wonderful introductory episode to the serial, this part really had everything you can ask for from a first episode! Danger, twists and definitely the basis of the plot was established! It began immediately where The Aztecs left off with the intriguing lead in- the thought that the TARDIS having landed inside of something was certainly great. The Doctor was still confused by the console controls contradicting themselves, things didn't help with the scanner being static. 

A wonderful little scene occurred in the TARDIS with the entire crew reflecting on their adventures of season one so far, mentioning each serial in a great moment. Comically, the Doctor also mentioned an encounter he'd had with Henry VIII before he and Susan met Ian and Barbara in An Unearthly Child. 

The Doctor was satisfied that it was safe outside, he just didn't know where outside was! The doors were opened and Barbara was proved right, the TARDIS had landed inside of something- a spaceship! But the Doctor pointed out how a catastrophe had occurred here. The crew were both dead, no pulse on either. Interestingly, there were no visible wounds that could cause death but there was an eery atmosphere, Susan had a bad feeling about the ship. They feared the threat of the killer still loomed. 

The TARDIS crew noticed how both crew members had watches on but they'd stopped. The Doctor presumed the spring inside was charged by wrist movement, but the watch was still and the bodies were still warm. It didn't add up and was all a great mystery! As the foursome decided on returning to the TARDIS, the male moved! He was somehow alive and wanted a tool of sorts from a nearby shelf. Ian quickly fetched it and suddenly the man was okay. He asked Barbara to place the tool over the chest of Carol, the female member of the crew. It seemed to resurrect her but Maitland, the male, explained how the tool was a heart resuscitator. 

Once the pair had regained composure, they were friendly and talkative. Maitland talked of Earth with Ian and Barbara, intrigued how they were from the 20th century and their references to London. Maitland and Carol were from the 28th century and revealed how there was air traffic making a return to Earth difficult! A fantastic thought. They explained how London hadn't existed for four hundred years or so. The Doctor was eager to take the strange advice of Maitland and Carol to urgently leave, ironically claiming there wasn't an ounce of curiosity in him. Already previously proved in The Daleks and again would be countless times in the future, the Doctor was full of curiosity!  Maitland and Carol explained more about their position in space, revealing how they were close to the Sense Sphere planet, home of the Sensorites. These creatures were apparently in control of the ship, and in some capacity the crew, having some level of influence over the brain! The Sensorites were preventing the ship from leaving, but had no intentions of killing the pair either. They explained how they appeared dead but in fact were put into a deep sleep. Fearing for their human compatriots the pair again urged the TARDIS team to leave. 

Nearby, an alien hand was seen over the TARDIS and it had some sort of burning tool. I presumed it was a Sensorite and after burning a bit more, the alien took the lock of the TARDIS! Smelling the burning, the crew examined and then noticed the lock was missing. Shocked, the Doctor explained how the TARDIS was now permanently locked, the crew were shut out. They couldn't dare barge through the door and affect the dimensional field! Meanwhile, more danger aroused as the spaceship was now experiencing turbulence of sorts. Carol was certain it was caused by the Sensorites, and that the ship was heading straight for the Sense Sphere! They were on collision course. The Doctor was quickly attempting to prevent this and after some altering of controls he was successful and the ship drifted away from the planet. Whilst on collision course, the Doctor believed the Sensorites were exercising their power, simply to spark fear. Maitland had become incapable and succumbed to the Sensorites' power, he couldn't block it, but Carol had resisted. There was a chance of blocking it out after all. 

The first mention of John was made and he was said to be the crew's mineralogist and he'd seen the creatures. Susan and Barbara searched in the directions of 'down there and on the right' for water, but missed the sign and instead presumed it was through a circular door. They'd misdirected themselves and as they walked through, a human hand closed the door, locking it. Presumably the man was John and when he was seen, he just seemed insane! With no sign of water, Susan soon found herself interested in some books. But the pair soon heard something oncoming, they couldn't though see John yet. Carol was now worried knowing now where Susan and Barbara had gone, the door was locked from the inside and they couldn't get through the other side as it was jammed. Carol and Maitland, secretively, were worried. Through the door, John now approached the pair of Susan and Barbara but as he reached them, he collapsed. The TARDIS pair tried to open the door but failed. John was back up but the pair were hiding. John was clearly troubled and his head was greatly affecting him. 

Carol was now eager to go against previous principles and wanted to find out what John was now like. Maitland explained though how it was fear that made them weak and he thought it was possible the Sensorites were still in control. It seemed the reason for Carol's wish was revealed, she was with him but last time she saw him he didn't recognise her, despite their plans to get married on their return to Earth. Carol revealed to the Doctor and Ian how the Sensorites had attacked him, mentally, and taken over his mind far worse and consistently than they had Maitland and Carol. Ian was curious about John but Carol explained how the strangers could cause him to become violent. 

John had now found Susan and Barbara but again his head was bad, and he resorted to crying due to the pain. He asked the pair who they were, he wanted help. He was responsive and understanding, trying to tell them he was ill. Susan and Barbara comforted John. 

Maitland was now burning through the door, intrigued how John would be after not seeing him for months. Mysteriously, a high pitched overhead sound was heard. The Sensorites were on their way, their ships were sighted. The Doctor presumed they weren't long away, knowing they'd been here to take the lock of the TARDIS and it had now been taken to the Sense Sphere, at least that's what he presumed. The Doctor was now questioning what the Sensorites' orders were, why were they coming? John vowed to protect Susan and Barbara, clearly scared by the noise. The scans were now getting interference and Carol sensed the creatures were all around. Silence fell, waiting for something, then Ian noticed something fascinating. A Sensorite appeared outside of the ship window! The Sensorites had arrived. A great cliffhanger! 

The Unwilling Warriors

A strong follow up to the excellent introductory episode, this was good! It begins with a stare off between the TARDIS crew & the ship crew and the lone Sensorite outside of the window, in space. The Doctor tells everybody to remain calm, keeping the mind strong and less prone to Sensorite attack. Ian noticed now how Maitland and Carol were statuesque, completely unresponsive and being controlled by the Sensorites. 

After a plea to rescue Susan and Barbara, Maitland was soon responsive, now resisting the Sensorites and would once again help the Doctor and Ian open the locked door. 

Through the door, John was greatly affected sensing that the Sensorites were on the ship. They were talking to him through his mind, telepathically, they wanted him to frighten Susan and Barbara. Meanwhile, Maitland was again using the cutter and was opening the door, albeit slowly. John refused to follow the orders telling the Sensorites they were his friends. Through the loading bay, two Sensorites had arrived. 

Susan recalled a past adventure she and her grandfather had had involving some kind of telepathic plants that were affected from communicating with each other when someone stood between them. Susan used this experience and attempted to block the perception of the Sensorites. She urged Barbara to join her in thinking 'we defy you' and once they did, it visibly affected the Sensorites. 

Ian and Maitland had now got the door open and shortly after, everybody was reunited but the Sensorites were still hidden within the ship, unseen. Susan had a headache after her contact with the aliens and John was now sleeping, but Maitland claimed how he'd been aged by the Sensorites mental attack. 

Ian believed that John was the subject of severe mental attack because he'd discovered something the Sensorites wanted to be kept secret. They'd made him silent. The two Sensorites meanwhile, were communicating with the First Elder who presumably was on the Sense Sphere. They knew Susan was intelligent and that she had a lack of fear of them and this was intriguing to them. 

Ian, of course a scientist, was looking at some of John's findings and didn't notice any unordinary studies. But whatever the Sensorites wanted a secret it had made John massively excited, opening up his mind and broadcasting his thoughts to the Sensorites themselves. This was of course when they'd intervened and attacked. The Doctor now had a look at the readings and quickly noticed what had excited John so much- he'd discovered molybdenum was in abundance on the Sense Sphere. It was a gold mine! Seeming to be blurredly listening in, the Sensorites caused another affect on the ship, a ripple of sorts. Ian and Barbara had had enough now and went off in search of the aliens, trying to find them by scouring the ship. After a decent amount of searching, the TARDIS pair sighted the Sensorites and a silent encounter broke out. Ian quickly armed himself with a nearby object and slowly retreated, closing the door behind him. The Sensorites though followed, motionless, slowly, creepily. They were wary of Ian's weapon, Barbara ran off to Maitland to try and find out how to lock the doors. He was still affected so she woke John up warning him of the Sensorite threat. He immediately wanted to help and as Ian arrived back, Sensorites just behind, Barbara said no violence, the aliens hadn't made any threat. They weren't aggressive and they just seemed equally as frightened of Ian as he was of them. John now locked the doors, keeping the Sensorites out, for now at least.  

The Sensorites though brought out the burning tool used to retrieve the TARDIS lock and burned through the door lock. They were through and now the Sensorites telepathically contacted Susan, wanting to talk with the group. She agreed on the basis of no violence and let them through the unlocked door. 

The Sensorites talked and explained a few things, telling the party how they'd never be allowed to leave the surrounding area of the Sense Sphere again. Worried by a previous human visit, they weren't going to risk another costly endeavour based on human greed for exploitation. The Sensorites wanted the six people to come back with them onto the planet, of course they rejected. The Doctor rose, explaining how he wanted his lock returned and brilliant said 'I don't make threats, but I do keep promises.' Fittingly true, the Doctor is by nature a pacifist. The Sensorites left to 'decide' on the matter. It was very interesting as neither group, the crew or the Sensorite, seemed to have a real advantage over the other. But now the Doctor mentioned an observation he'd made, claiming that the Sensorites' eyes were the complete opposite of a cat. They'd be blinded in the dark, frightened. The TARDIS crew now had their advantage. Even semi-darkness would scare them. 

The Sensorites again made contact with Susan, and she agreed to something. She told her fellow TARDIS crew members not to move, claiming it was the 'only way.' The Sensorites were back, Susan voluntarily was taken by them. She was to go down to the planet, or everybody else would be killed. 

A good and intriguing cliffhanger! 

Hidden Danger

Another good, solid episode in the serial and at the halfway point now there's definitely a lot of potential for brilliance and things in need of resolution. It begins with Susan leaving, no immediate resolution as such is needed and the Doctor wanted to stop her from departing. Ian and Barbara agreed and wanted to try out the Doctor's theory of darkness effecting the Sensorites. Ian and Barbara went through the door to Susan and the Sensorites but the companion didn't wang any interference as she know the aliens trusted her because of her confidence in using telepathy. Susan claimed she understood them but her grandfather now arrived in the corridor and explained how he couldn't let the Sensorites take the advantage. The Doctor firmly told Susan that she must remain and seemed to be using his family authority to prevent her from using. The Sensorites attempted to use their hand ray, the burning tool, but Ian quickly hit the light switch and plunged the corridor into darkness. They were scared and quite delirious. Simply repaying the favour of exercising their power, the TARDIS crew now had the advantage and power over the Sensorites, they'd listen now. The Doctor wanted his lock returned. 

It was clear in the verbal bicker that Susan was simply growing up and it seemed that just maybe, the Doctor didn't want his grandfather to become more than a child just yet. He was still treating her as a child but she disagreed with that, again claiming she understood the Sensorites and was able to make decisions for the crew herself. The Doctor didn't want her having that responsibility however. The Doctor was displeased with the Sensorites as he claimed they'd caused he and his granddaughter's first argument during their travels. Susan now agreed with her grandfather's ruling. 

The First Elder now made contact with the Sensorites on the ship and he wanted to speak with the humans, having the words of the crew and co broadcast back telepathically. 

Carol was now seen with John and the latter was hearing voices telling him to forget. He simply didn't remember his own fiancée, very saddening! She was now angry with what the Sensorites had done to her lover but now it was claimed that the Sensorites could heal John, and restore him to normality. 

It seemed it had been agreed for the crew on the ship to be split up, with Barbara and Maitland to remain on the ship whilst everybody else- the Doctor, Susan, Ian, Carol and John, would depart to the Sense Sphere to retrieve the lock and cure John. 

The Doctor questioned the Sensorites' use of the discs being raised to their heads and explained it was the tool needed for telepathic communication. It was revealed that five men from Earth had landed on the Sense Sphere previously but after being there for greed only, two men escaped and the Sensorites presumed the other three secretly stowed aboard and tried to gain control of it which caused an explosion which in turn caused an increase in death of the Sensorites ever since, and the disease was spreading, the numbers dying were increasing! As everybody said their goodbyes to Barbara and Maitland, one of the Sensorites remained on the ship also. 

For the first time in the story we were taken onto the Sense Sphere and the First Elder was clearly recognisable, wearing two black sashes. He was debating with others of his species about the humans arriving onto the planet but the First Elder wanted the trust of his compatriots. He was seen with the TARDIS lock in his possession and he admired the science behind it, knowing it was above anything they were capable of it. They also knew that the Doctor was extremely knowledgable and after needing convincing, the City Administrator, wearing a black collar to show his rank now understood, or so he claimed. 

He was now ordering the room to be fitted with a disintegrator and reluctantly the Second Elder agreed, knowing that the Earth people at not be as they seemed. Somewhat prejudicially, the City Administrator just wanted them dead! 

The crew now arrived on the planet and were forbidden to talk to the 'lower class' and there was clearly a class system that the Sensorites followed; Elders, Warriors and the lower class. But there was no disgrace at being in the bottom category, that was just simply where they were best fitted to. 

John had sensed an evil mind and Susan knew he was right, his mind was open. After only a few minutes of his introduction, it immediately seemed that the City Administrator was an alien version of Tlotoxl as seen in The Aztecs, trying to influence those in power above him fearing of the outsiders newly arrived. 

The City Administrator was now getting the disintegrator set up, having it aimed at the centre of the human's chest. It was extremely accurate with movement and the order was simple- kill them when they're seated. Meanwhile, the First Elded told the crew that it was possible for John to be treated, but it would take time. John knew that the First Elder was a good man, 'not like...-', his sentence cut short but it was clear who he meant. The Doctor seemed disgraced with the Sensorites for putting John in the position in the first place. 

The crew were about to seat and as they were the Second Elder ordered the City Administrator to disconnect the disintegrator and have the machine dismantled. The TARDIS crew had gained his trust no doubt, and he was losing his with the Administrator due to his questioning of authority and orders. 

The First Elder described to the Doctor and co how John's mind opened up after discovering the abundance of molybdenum and the visions he'd had, it would be the end of the Sensorites. The Administrator had ordered a different kind of water for the crew from the elders, but the First Elder wanted the crystal version instead, wanting them to have elder quality. Ian had a miniature coughing spree and was quite admirable of the non-Elder quality water after having a sip to clear his throat. 

The City Administrator had now gained the support of an inner Sensorite, a mechanic by the looks, he was loyal now to him and was fearful of the humans. The role of the Second Elder was explained and that was to be an advisor to the First, who was now telling the Doctor about the disease, how it didn't affect the Elders. Ian was still coughing now. The Doctor though wanted his lock returned, and in return, he'd try and find a cure for the deadly disease that was killing so many on the Sense Sphere. Ian though was again coughing, aggressively, and the First Elder revealed Ian had all the symptoms of the deadly unknown disease. He collapsed, there was 'no hope.' Ian was dying. 

A marvellous cliffhanger! 

A race against Death

Again, a good solid episode in what's been a great serial so far! After the marvellous cliffhanger of the previous part, and no immediate resolution really able to occur, the Doctor was wondering why the disease had only affected Ian of those who'd came down from the ship. Ian's body temperature had rapidly risen and again it was interesting how the Elders weren't affected. After some backtracking and narrowing down with Susan, the Doctor worked out, or at least believed, that it was the different water that was the cause of the disease. He'd taken a sip after coughing previously whilst everybody else had the crystal water. The Doctor explained to the First a Elder how the time varied of getting the disease was due to the different immense systems within each Sensorite. 

The Doctor described that the disease was actually 'more like poison.' Intentional perhaps? The First Elder was distressed at Ian's condition and was now making sure that everybody would only drink the crystallised water. He also explained how nobody had survived the disease past the third day, this was seen as a great plus to the Doctor as he knew he had more than enough time to heal his companion. The Doctor asked for salt water to be fetched for Ian, but that would barely improve his condition. He wanted the lock to the TARDIS returned in order for him to have appropriate working conditions and chemicals to find a cure. The First Elder wasn't thrilled with this idea and consulted the Second Elder, who advised caution in the matter. 

The City Administrator entered the science facility and saw John hooked up, and questioned why he was being treated. The Second Elder heard this questioning and again warned that if he questioned authority or orders again he may be stripped of his authorial rank. Once the Second Elder revealed the Doctor's theory of the contaminated water supply, the City Administrator subtly admired the scheme before using John's description of 'evil' against the TARDIS crew. For a man in high rank, the Second Elder was easily fooled. John told how it was the City Administrator who was the 'evil' one, but the elder had already left. 

Carol was now with John and inadvertently gave the Administrator an idea, describing how the only distinction between each Sensorite in authority was by the sash or collar he wore. This intrigued the City Administrator greatly, he'd had a plan devised for him! 

The First Elder wouldn't allow the Doctor to have his lock back on the advise of the Second Elder, who'd been tricked by the City Administrator. Instead, the Doctor was told to work in the laboratory within the city and that would be where he'd prove the 'theory' of contamination, or wouldn't prove it at all. Meanwhile, Ian was struggling and wasn't in a good way. The City Administrator again claimed his wish for the destruction of the Earth people and wanted to use the disintegrator, that had however been disconnected. So he took on the inadvertent plan of Carol's and was going to match what he believed a cunning plan of the Doctor's with one of his own. He asked the Sensorite loyal to him to arrange a quick meeting with the Second Elder. 

The Doctor, despite it not being his wish, seemed to be enjoying himself in the library and was explaining the so called poison. The Sensorite scientists explained how 2/10 people died last year. They also revealed how the water supply came from ten different districts and immediately, the Doctor wanted samples from each. 

Susan was looking after Ian who was in a stressed condition. The Doctor along with the scientists were reporting on the findings from each district. After some negative results, the Doctor discovered the district that was contaminated, and he knew the antidote. Ian would soon have his remedy and a large percentage of Sensorites would stop dying. 

The City Administrator seemed to have more than one loyal Sensorite to him and as the Second Elder entered he was held. The Administrator believed all of the happenings and discoveries made by the TARDIS crew were fake. He claimed Ian was acting ill and the so called antidote would in fact be a poison! It seemed rather ridiculous but the important thing was that he firmly believed it. He clearly despised all people associated with Earth. The City Administrator took the sash of the Second Elder, whilst the real elder wools remain captive. To any outsiders, the City Administrator would be mistaken as the Second Elder. An illegal promotion of sorts. 

John's mental condition was improving slightly but it would still take some time. The antidote had now been repaired and the Doctor wanted it made in large quantities. Things still didn't seem settled and the Doctor's itching curiosity was visible as he was intrigued as to why the poison was only within one district. John described that there was an evil plotting occurring but sadly seemed to be ignored. The Doctor was now going to find the scientist he'd been working with, they were going on a little venture. 

The City Administrator was clearly putting on a voice, similar to that of the Second Elder, when greeted or approached. He was approached with the Sensorite ordered to deliver the prepared antidote to the First Elder but instead took it from him, claiming he'd deliver it himself. Claiming it was a trick, he smashed the beaker to the floor and the antidote was useless. He talked of there being proof as to if the antidote was actually real, claiming that Ian would die without it. If he survived however, then that would prove to him that it was all an act. 

Susan was growing concerned about the absence of delivering the antidote. She wanted to find out why the wait was so lengthy. Meanwhile, the Doctor and the scientist went to the aqueduct and it was ironically rather dark. The scientist explained how Sensorites avoid this place all they can, not only because of the darkness but also due to the horrific sounding 'monsters' that were inside. The Doctor said he'd stay alone and urged the scientist to return to his preferred lightness. 

The Doctor was intrigued at how 'convenient' it was for the two things the Sensorites feared most- noise and darkness- to be in the poisonous aqueduct. The Doctor was convinced there was more than what met the eye. 

Susan had managed to get more of the antidote for Ian and after taking it he was certainly improving! The First Elder though was distressed by the Doctor going down into the aqueduct, fearing the 'monsters.' He claimed that no Sensorites had ever returned from its depths, but then Ian stepped up courageously, still ill. He wanted to save the Doctor. He and Susan left to find their friend/grandfather and the First Elder admired these qualities and planned on telling the Second Elder how they'd misjudged the humans. 

Trying telepathically, the First Elder told the Second of his judgement but the Administrator refused to allow him access to the disc that would enable him to reply. The Administrator had the family group of the Second Elder and using it as a threat against him, wanted to know of the information he'd acquired. The City Administrator seemed pleased to find out where the TARDIS crew had gone, telling how they were near death and he could see victory for himself was near. 

A light was given to Ian and Susan by a Sensorite on the outskirts of the aqueduct. They went in to find the Doctor, who was then seen to the viewer only, dabbling around on the ground and he was happy- he'd found the source of poison... before a large roar was heard nearby! The Doctor froze. 

A pretty interesting cliffhanger to a good part! 

Kidnap

The standard of The Sensorites has been extremely consistent so far and episode five was again good and solid! The Doctor had discovered the source of poison and seemed to be a 'deadly night shade' also. It seemed that poison kept the aqueduct in darkness but after the loud roar, the Doctor was still frozen, not literally of course. 

Ian and Susan soon found the Doctor who was unconscious after being attacked by the unseen creature who was now going away. Susan noticed a machine of sorts in the aqueduct but the Doctor was their concern and she and Ian ignored it. 

John's final treatment was to occur today but now Carol was concerned with her new found friends of the TARDIS crew, who on the words of the Sensorites believed they were dead. In the aqueduct, the Doctor's jacket was visibly clawed but no wounds had got through to the skin of him thankfully. He was relatively okay. The Doctor was soon outraged at finding out that the antidote hadn't reached Ian and the trio knew that they were surrounded by enemies, inside and outside of the aqueduct. The Doctor firmly believed the water contamination and the monster were linked and now he knew that there was an evil Sensorite. As the trio departed, another Sensorite loomed, spying. 

John tried warning his friends again of evil, now claiming 'treachery' was occurring. The scientist explained John's mental state, how a veil of a certain part of the brain needed to be closed to restore normality. 

It was revealed that the looming Sensorite in the aqueduct was one of the City Administrator's loyalists. He told his leader what was occurring. The Administrator used the fact of having the Second Elder's family group held against him and wanted him to summon the Senior Warrior, and for him to bring the firing key of the disintegrator! The appointment was reluctantly made and now the elder feared the end was nigh. 

The meeting was short and quick and the key was given right by the TARDIS crew. The Doctor chased after who he thought was the Second Elder but simply laughed at the fact that he ran away. The Senior Warrior saw all of this. The crew for the first time in a while referenced Barbara and were going to ask if it was possible she could be brought down to the planet. 

In captivity, the Second Elder had gotten himself free and in a struggle managed to destroy the firing key, but he was attacked by the Administrator and was dead. The only other key belonged to the First Elder, the devilish scheme had at least been delayed. 

The First Elder told the Doctor how it was his advisor, the Second Elder of course, that intercepted the antidote previously and ever since he'd been unseen and act rather suspiciously. The City Administrator now confronted the elder, flaunting his collar once again, and claimed that the Doctor had murdered the Second Elder! He had his loyalist and the warrior as his false witnesses. The loyalist claimed that the Doctor took an object from his coat and killed the elder, with the key being damaged in the scuffle. Ian though brilliantly pointed out that the Doctor was no longer wearing his infamous jacket, he'd just been given a cloak by the First Elder himself. The claim was quashed by the elder knowing it was a lie and this only lead to the TARDIS crew believing it was the Second Elder who was the evil betrayer. The City Administrator acted innocent and clueless simply thinking such a 'claim' should be brought to the elder, this increased trust and admiration! So much so that the Administrator was appointed as the new Second Elder! (For the benefit of understanding, I'll maintain referring to him as the City Administrator). This was an intriguing point of the story as this was the wish of the TARDIS crew also. Things were working out well for the 'evil' Sensorite! 

John was now seen and was cured! A little drowsy but he recognised his fiancée in Carol and his pain had been relieved. He couldn't quite remember about the 'evil' and treacherous Sensorite though, he did though know there was a dangerous plot. The Doctor and co happily greeted John and as they tried prompting his memory, the City Administrator prevented the truth from being spilled, pretty subtly too. He shifted the blame onto the Second Elder almost effortlessly. 

The TARDIS crew now noticed the remaining possessions of the humans who died in the ship wreckage that was believed to be the source of the increase of Sensorite death. There was a rather rough plan of the aqueduct and this intrigued the Doctor. A more detailed plan was to be brought to him. Susan though had genially worked out that the 'evil' Sensorite wasn't the dead Second Elder, but it was the City Administrator! John confirmed this recalling the evil being recognisable by the collar. The Doctor and Ian planned on going back to the aqueduct to seek out the enemies contaminating the water. The First Elder ordered they be given light, weaponry and the detailed map. However, the City Administrator intercepted the weaponry and ordered the hand rays have their mechanisms removed, but keeping them looking as normal. 

The Doctor and Ian now asked the First Elder if Barbara could come down and it was to be arranged. The pair now intended on going gown to the aqueduct, fishing out the enemies who were deliberately affected the water. Meanwhile, the City Administrator intercepted the map of the aqueduct and quickly amended it changing some of the routes. The imminent venture of the TARDIS pair didn't seem like it'd be good at all! 

The Doctor and Ian had all the tools and accessories and wanted to go now, without Susan, protecting her from danger despite them knowing she'd want to go with them. They left and the First Elder massively admired their bravery. But his admiration soon turned to disgust as he realised that if it wasn't a crew member who'd killed the Second Elder, then it was a Sensorite. He didn't like the thought and was confused by what incentive the killer would have. 

Susan was seen happy, with John, she was pleased for he and Carol that they were back to normal. He suggested that the engaged pair would give up travelling on their return to Earth and would settle down and get married. As Carol left, a hand smothered her and she was kidnapped! It was almost like a mugging! 

A very intriguing cliffhanger, I look forward to the serial's conclusion! 

A Desperate Venture

A good concluding part that tied up pretty much everything despite it's rushed ending. After Carol is kidnapped, it's revealed that it was the City Administrator and his loyalist who had taken Carol and immediately they wanted her to write a letter to John telling him that she'd gone back up to the ship. Her life was threatened and she reluctantly agreed. The loyalist would be rewarded for his good work it seemed. 

Susan and John had got the letter but ridiculed it not believing it in the slightest as Barbara was back! She'd quietly returned and it was obvious that if Carol had gone up to the ship she'd have passed Barbara on her way down. It was clear the City Administrator didn't know of Barbara's arrival. The First Elder now saw the letter and he knew it was false. John believed undoubtedly that Carol was being held prisoner, a Sensorite was holding her captive. The elder described how the only room rarely used and unchecked was the disintegrator room. 

Inside the aqueduct, Ian soon realised that the weapons were useless and the Doctor knew the map was rubbish and had been altered. They'd been set up. John took matters into his own hands now and entered the disintegrator room in which Carol was captive, a brief threat but then Carol rose and broke free and the loyalist Sensorite was soon arrested. Meanwhile, the First Elder and the City Administrator, of course now Second Elder, were debating about the arrest and talking about the certainty that the loyalist had an accomplice. It was of course the City Administrator but he was cleverly hiding that fact. 

Now the crew were worried for the Doctor and Ian and after the help he'd been given from them, the First Elder promised to help Susan and Barbara find their friends. The Doctor and Ian were meanwhile investigating and suddenly Ian engaged in a struggle with an unknown man! A damaged badge reading 'ineer' was taken from the struggle by Ian and the Doctor immediately believed that the man was a survivor from the ship crew that had supposedly died. The pair went to find the man in search of answers. 

Barbara was interested in using the telepathic disc of the Sensorites, she tried out an experiment with Susan and the pair could communicate telepathically! She wanted Susan to remain in the city with an authentic map and telepathically guide her and John through the aqueduct. Susan seemed to believe that the Sensorites' complete trust in each other may be their downfall. 

Susan, for the first time in a good while, reiterated how she and her grandfather were alien and not from Earth. Susan beautifully portrayed the night sky of her home planet. Whilst describing this, the First Elder said how he'd let the TARDIS crew leave if they returned alive and fixed the contamination. 

Inside the aqueduct, it seemed the Doctor and Ian were the subject of an ambush. Two men approached them, armed, but the Doctor claimed the men were why they'd come down to the duct. The men seemed to like the underground wilderness, as their minds were unreadable by the Sensorites. Meanwhile, John and Barbara entered the aqueduct now aged successful contact with Susan was made. She gave the pair directions as they went through. 

The Doctor gave his word to the two men that they were alone. Barbara and John had found the rubbish maps of the Doctor's and Barbara said they'd take it as evidence of a tampering scheme. John now noticed a fresh mark on the wall and he thought it was made by the Doctor, he'd made a track and when he was seen he was visibly making marks in case of a need to run out. John and Barbara would now follow the marks, and direct Susan with what route they were taking. 

The Doctor and Ian were now introduced to the commander and he seemed lively and definitely was in charge. The Doctor told them that the war was over with the Sensorites and that the planet was there's, including the molybdenum. All the commander cared about was the riches, he was filled with greed. The two other men though gave a warning, presumably sighting Barbara and John. The commander believed they were all spies of the Sensorites but the Doctor quickly brought up a cover story saying how they were all part of the welcoming committee. The commander didn't need convincing and planned to leave, following the 'navigator' in Barbara. 

The Sensorites though were planning a blockage and that once everybody was out of the duct, it would be blocked from returning into. The men exited and were shockingly, to them, greeted by Sensorites. The enemies contaminating the water were found and now the disease would stop within time. The commander tried violence but was stunned with the hand ray. The other two men were deemed insane and taken back to Earth. 

The First Elder had now banished the City Administrator from his elder role with the map enough evidence to do so. The crew left to return to the ship, the goodbyes were said to the First Elder and it was then revealed that the TARDIS lock had already been returned and fixed. 

The Doctor and Susan were inside the TARDIS now and were talking of when they'd eventually get back home. Susan missed the feeling of belonging somewhere. Ian and Barbara had said their goodbyes to Carol and John and now the Doctor saw off Maitland and the ship on the scanner. Ian seemed jealous saying 'at least they know where they're going.' This angered the Doctor as it implied he didn't know where he was going, and the Doctor took so much offence that he said Ian could get off at the very next stop and end his adventure! 

A brilliant lead in to the next serial! 

My analysis; 

Overall, a very good story that despite not being thrilling was still excellent! I loved how Strangers in Space had the Sensorites causing fear to everyone on the ship without even featuring! The Sensorites themselves were an intriguing species and I liked how they were a 'good' race, it was just the City Administrator and a couple of others who were the evil ones. The Administrator was a great villain to be fair, very cunning! The absence of Barbara for half of the serial was unique but Carol and John easily filled the void! Some excellent guest cast! The elders were both marvellous and I liked the telepathy of the alien race. I thought the serial, despite being good, was a little dragged which then saw the climax rushed in my opinion. It could have been better served and exciting in a four parter in my view. But overall a good serial! 

Rating; 8/10.