"I have the universe to explore..."
Well, here we are...
True to his word, for once the Doctor looks like he's actually brought Ian and Barbara back to England in 1963. Susan hugs the schoolteachers goodbye and they begin to speculate that they may actually be home.
Unlike the close of the previous episode, there is a warmth and humour to this scene with Ian suggesting that they all part over a drink and Barbara dusting the old man's lapels, to his obvious delight. Despite everything, the characters have obviously grown very fond of each other.
I think this scene owes everything to new writer Dennis Spooner who will quickly become Dr Who's Script Editor.
"Mmm, still here...?" says the Doctor, brilliantly.
Fabulous. As is this glimpse of some of the elements of that astonishing first TARDIS set.
I love the treasure chest in the house they find that offers up so much plot exposition: clothes that can be dated, maps, daggers, wine, bread and official documents....
"This is a stopping-off place; a link in some escape chain."
"The Doctor's put us down right in the middle of the French Revolution."
"The Reign of Terror...."
We are introduced to Rouvray and his companion D'Argenson who quickly fills in the horrors of the Terror. The arrival of the soldiers to the sounds of the Marseillaise is really well done, although when Rouvray says, "You can give them uniforms, Lieutenant, but they remain peasants underneath," I'd probably have shot him myself.
Poor D'Argenson is shot off-camera. I suppose it is half past five on a Saturday teatime. That sort of thing would put you off your fish fingers.
Ian, Barbara and Susan are, literally, carted off to Paris. Ian realises the implications of the Doctor being killed, something echoed years later by Donna in 'The Sontaran Strategem' when she too is marooned without him.
But where is the Doctor?
Oh-oh, Chungo!
Still at least the others are ok...
Ah. It never reigns.....
Next episode: Guests of Madame Guillotine
