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Doctor Who: The Myth Makers - A Mixed Mythical Adventure



"The Myth Makers" is a 1965 historical serial from Doctor

Who's classic era, part of the First Doctor's adventures.

Here's a breakdown to help you decide if you'd like to

embark on this journey through Trojan War myths:



Story



The TARDIS materializes in ancient Greece during the Trojan War.

The Doctor, Vicki, Steven, and Barbara find themselves caught

between the Greeks and the Trojans. The Doctor discovers

the Trojan War might be a fabricated story perpetuated

by the manipulative Medusa, a creature from another

world who feeds on human conflict. The companions

get embroiled in the legendary events as the

Doctor tries to expose the truth and prevent

further bloodshed.



Review



Strengths



Unique Blend of History and Myth: The story weaves

together elements of Greek mythology (Trojan War, Medusa)

with historical fiction (Trojan conflict), creating

an intriguing backdrop.



Focus on Companions: The companions play active roles

in the narrative, with Barbara's knowledge of history

proving valuable.



Humorous Elements: The serial has lighter moments

with the Doctor and companions adjusting to ancient

Greece, providing a balance to the historical drama.



Weaknesses



Missing Episodes: Unfortunately, episodes 2 and 3

exist only as photo reconstructions, which can

disrupt the narrative flow for modern viewers.



Limited Historical Accuracy: While inspired

by mythology, the depiction of the Trojan War

might not be entirely historically accurate.



Slow Pacing in Parts (Reconstructions):

The reconstructed sections might feel

slow at times, especially during exposition

scenes explaining the mythology and historical context.



Reception:



Positive: Praised for its unique blend of history

and myth, focus on the companions' roles,

and lighter humorous moments. Some fans also

enjoy the concept of the Doctor unraveling

a fabricated mythology.



Negative: Criticised for its missing episodes

that disrupt the narrative, limited historical

accuracy, and slow pacing in certain sections,

especially when relying on reconstructions.



Overall Thoughts:



"The Myth Makers" is an interesting experiment

in merging mythology and historical fiction

in Doctor Who. While the missing episodes

and looser approach to history might be

drawbacks, it offers a thought-provoking

exploration of warfare and the power of stories.



Would I recommend watching it?



For Fans of Classic Doctor Who: 6/10

(Especially those interested in historical settings

with a mythological twist

and enjoy seeing the companions in action)



For Fans of Modern Doctor Who: 4/10



If you're a die-hard fan of classic Doctor Who

and are willing to overlook the limitations

of lost episodes and reconstructions,

"The Myth Makers" might be worth checking out.

However, if you prefer fast-paced adventures

with complete narratives and strict historical

accuracy, you might find it slow and less engaging.



Additional Points to Consider:



This serial is significant for being the First Doctor's

first historical adventure, paving the way

for future historical stories in the show.

"Doctor Who: Spearhead from Space" is a pivotal serial

from the Jon Pertwee era, originally broadcast in 1970.

Here's a review of the serial:



Episode 1: The newly regenerated Third Doctor, played by Jon Pertwee,

is exiled to Earth where he lands in a rural area. The episode

effectively introduces the new Doctor and sets up his dynamic

with UNIT and his companion, Liz Shaw. The Auton threat

is established, creating a sense of mystery and danger. Rating: 9/10



Episode 2: The Auton invasion escalates as more of the plastic creatures

come to life, causing chaos. The Doctor, Liz, and UNIT work together

to investigate and combat the threat. The action sequences are engaging,

and the tension builds as the true scale of the invasion becomes

apparent. Rating: 9/10



Episode 3: The Doctor and his allies continue to uncover the extent

of the Auton threat, leading to some thrilling confrontations.

The pacing remains brisk, and the character dynamics

are well-developed. Rating: 9/10



Episode 4: The climax of the story sees the Doctor

and UNIT launching a final assault on the Autons' base,

leading to a dramatic showdown. The resolution is satisfying,

and the Doctor's resourcefulness shines through. Rating: 9/10



Overall, "Spearhead from Space" is a fantastic Doctor Who serial

that effectively reintroduces the show with a new Doctor

and a fresh direction. Jon Pertwee's portrayal of the Doctor

is charismatic and dynamic, and the story benefits

from strong performances, well-executed action sequences,

and a sense of urgency. The introduction of the Autons

as formidable villains adds to the excitement,

making this serial a standout in the show's history.

Overall Rating: 9/10