Is this still a kid's show? Commentary and analysis on Doctor Who's  "The Reign of Terror!"

Attempting to return Ian and Barbara to their time and place, the Doctor accidentally lands the crew in the middle of the Reign of Terror just outside Paris. Soon Ian, Barbara, and Susan are being taken to the guillotine and the Doctor is impersonating a regional official trying to save them. Encountering English spies, revolutionaries, and counter-revolutionaries, Team TARDIS must navigate one of the darkest times in history....

BARBARA: We demand the right to speak.
JUDGE: You have no rights! You will be guillotined as soon as it can be arranged. Take them to the cells!
________
JULES: There are only two sides today, Barbara. Those who rule by fear and treachery, and those who fight for reason and justice. Anyone who betrays these principles is worse than the devil in hell!

I discuss the ways in which this serial builds an atmosphere of extreme distrust through both its writing and directing, the horror of what we don't see, how the comedy adds to the drama, the ways in which the serial addresses the complexities of the revolution, as well as the animation.


NEXT TIME: I will be doing a special recap of Season 1, discussing the first season overall, trends, and such, so no new serials next week. The following week we'll move on to Season 2 with Serial #9 The Planet of Giants (Episodes: "The Planet of Giants," "Dangerous Journey," "Crisis")


Special thanks to Cathlyn "Happigal" Driscoll for providing the beautiful artwork for this podcast. You can view her work at https://www.happigal.com/ 

Do feel free to get in touch to share the love of all things Doctor Who: [email protected]

Special thanks to Cathlyn "Happigal" Driscoll for providing the beautiful artwork for this podcast. You can view her work at https://www.happigal.com/

Do feel free to get in touch to share the love of all things Doctor Who: [email protected]