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"THE KEYS OF MARINUS: A QUEST TOO FAR"

Terry Nation’s The Keys of Marinus attempts to break away from Doctor Who’s early formula by introducing a quest-based narrative that leaps between six distinct settings. While ambitious in structure, the serial struggles with uneven pacing, lacklustre antagonists, and underdeveloped ideas, ultimately failing to deliver on its intriguing premise.

AN INTRIGUING START THAT QUICKLY UNRAVELS

The opening episode effectively establishes an eerie, mysterious tone reminiscent of The Daleks, drawing the audience into the alien landscape of Marinus. However, the story soon devolves into a series of loosely connected vignettes, each offering wildly different ideas but rarely exploring them with any depth. The ever-changing locations should make for an exciting, fast-paced adventure, yet the serial frequently loses momentum due to sluggish storytelling and padded action sequences—another unnecessary cave-climbing scene, anyone?

HITS AND MISSES IN STORYTELLING

Nation injects some interesting themes into the script, such as mind control, pacifism, and scepticism towards technology, but these elements remain surface-level. The Voord, clearly intended to be another Dalek-style menace, are disappointingly ineffective. Their sleek, wetsuit-like design is visually striking, but they lack any real presence or impact. Yartek, their supposed leader, barely appears and contributes little beyond an unconvincing disguise in the finale.

That said, there are standout moments. Part 4 delivers a genuinely unsettling interlude with Vasor, one of the most disturbing guest characters in early Doctor Who, injecting real tension into the otherwise sagging middle episodes. Meanwhile, Part 5 shifts gears into a courtroom drama, allowing William Hartnell’s Doctor to shine as Ian’s spirited defender. This glimpse of the Doctor as a justice-seeking, quick-witted figure foreshadows traits that will define the character for decades to come.

PRODUCTION LIMITATIONS AND CHARACTER ISSUES

The constantly shifting environments stretch the budget thin, leading to simplistic and unconvincing set designs. This "make do" approach is especially evident in Part 3, which feels like hastily assembled filler. The serial also cleverly accommodates cast absences by splitting up the TARDIS team, but this results in Susan being at her most helpless and grating, frequently reduced to screaming and needing rescue.

The final episode attempts to bring everything together but rushes through its climax, leaving too many loose ends and failing to provide a satisfying payoff. Yartek’s defeat is underwhelming, and the resolution lacks the dramatic weight needed to justify the preceding episodes’ meandering journey.

📝VERDICT: 6/10

Despite its ambitious structure, The Keys of Marinus is ultimately a frustrating watch. While there are flashes of creativity and a handful of strong moments—particularly in the courtroom drama and Vasor’s unsettling presence—the serial is bogged down by sluggish pacing, weak villains, and a lack of depth in its storytelling.

An interesting experiment, but one that never quite unlocks its full potential.

RANDOM OBSERVATIONS:

• William Hartnell delivers a classic flub with the line, “If you would have had your shoes on, boy, you could’ve lent her hers!” A delightful bit of unintended comedy.