The Savages

Story Title: The Savages
Series: 3 Story No: 9 Episode Count: 4
Doctor: 1st Companions: Steven & Dodo
Date(s) Watched: Tuesday 30th June 2009

A rather good story this one although an odd one at that. The story sees two factions on a planet in the distant future with the Elders based in the city & the Savages based out in the wastelands. It’s revealed that the Doctor has visited once before & is called “The Traveller From Beyond Time” by Jano and several others. However the pleasant greetings soon change once the Doctor finds out the terrible experiments been carried on the Savages in the city.

The location work looks very good as do the City sets, although it doesn’t really look that much like a city to me. Hartnell, Purves & Lane are on form as usual & in this story Dodo’s nosiness actually fits in with this story. The performances by the support cast are on form as usual, especially Jaeger who does a rather great impression of the First Doctor.

This story sees the departure of Steven who has been a great companion throughout his reign & has had to content with quite a few different companions since he entered the Tardis (Vicki, Katarina, Sara & Dodo). However with all he’s been through during his nine story tenure he gets a rather fitting send off, becoming leader of the planet & trying to unite the Savages & the Elders, although it does feel slightly rushed. Steven’s ending is rather sad, mainly as he has been there for such a long time that he’s departure feels more poignant.

The First Doctor is yet again incapacitated in this story & perhaps takes his biggest hit since DMP, with his memories & strengths partially transferred over to Jano & is left in an very weak state during the end of Part 3 & the start of Part 4. However he seems to gain back his energy to help lead the rebellion against the technology being used on the planet. The First Doctor also gives another moving speech to another departing companion, something which Hartnell always delivered well.

Overall Rating: 4.25/5 – A very good story that goes along at a nice pace, the recent LC Recon is great and really helps the story along, it’s a shame that this one seems to get forgotten by fans however.