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“The Massacre: A Grim Yet Underwhelming Historical”

The Massacre, penned by John Lucarotti and set in 16th-century France, is one of Doctor Who’s more serious pure historicals. Following Lucarotti’s earlier successes (Marco Polo and The Aztecs), this serial attempts to blend political intrigue, religious conflict, and moral dilemmas into a tense narrative. However, despite some standout moments and performances, it ultimately falls short of its lofty ambitions, leaving a story that feels more like missed potential than a true classic.

Set during the lead-up to the St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre, the story is drenched in political and religious tension between Catholics and Huguenots. Unlike Lucarotti’s previous works, The Massacre feels more restrained and focused, with the brewing conflict slowly building across its four episodes. The tension is palpable at times, especially with the Doctor’s eerie absence for much of the serial and the introduction of his double, the Abbot of Amboise.

However, the story never quite delivers on its promise. The titular massacre is barely glimpsed, and the narrative often feels like extended setup without a satisfying payoff. The pacing is sluggish, and the resolution is rushed, robbing the serial of the impact its premise deserves.

With the Doctor largely absent for much of the story, Steven takes centre stage, and Peter Purves rises to the challenge. His performance is strong and emotional, particularly in the final episode when Steven confronts the Doctor about his decision to leave Anne Chaplet to her fate. This moral conflict adds depth to Steven’s character and provides a rare moment of introspection for the series.

William Hartnell delivers a remarkable double performance as both the Doctor and the Abbot of Amboise. The Abbot is so convincingly portrayed as a separate character that it’s easy to forget it’s the same actor. Hartnell’s ability to bring such gravitas and menace to the Abbot contrasts sharply with his usual portrayal of the Doctor, showcasing his range and adding intrigue to the story.

The supporting cast is extensive, but many characters blend into one another, making it difficult to become fully invested in their fates. Joan Young as Catherine de’ Medici and Barry Justice as King Charles IX stand out, but their roles are underused. Anne Chaplet, played by Annette Robertson, is a sympathetic figure, though her brief presence leaves little lasting impact.

The lack of a compelling villain also hinders the story. The Abbot isn’t truly antagonistic, and other potential villains, such as the King and the Queen Mother, are too peripheral to feel threatening. This leaves the narrative without a central figure to anchor its conflict.

The production, as reconstructed through the Loose Cannon reconstructions and BBC Soundtrack, suggests a visually authentic recreation of 16th-century France. The sets and costumes, while unseen, are described as lush and evocative, and the sound design helps to create a sense of place. However, the dialogue-heavy nature of the serial makes it challenging to follow without visuals, and the lack of surviving material diminishes its impact.

The serial’s most memorable moments come in its closing minutes. Steven’s anger at the Doctor’s detachment from the unfolding tragedy is a rare and powerful moment of conflict between the Time Lord and his companion. The arrival of Dodo Chaplet adds an unexpected twist, though her introduction feels rushed and out of place amidst the story’s grim tone.

📝Verdict: 6/10

The Massacre is a sombre and ambitious historical that struggles to fully deliver on its potential. While Hartnell’s dual performance and Purves’ compelling turn as Steven are highlights, the lack of a strong villain, the slow pacing, and the underwhelming resolution leave it feeling incomplete. It’s a story that might have benefited greatly from surviving footage or animation to enhance its atmosphere and help differentiate its characters.

For fans of pure historicals and those interested in Doctor Who’s exploration of moral dilemmas, The Massacre offers some intriguing moments. However, it’s unlikely to be anyone’s go-to serial, and its reputation as one of the more challenging and underwhelming historicals remains intact.

Random Observations:

• The Part 1 cliffhanger, which reveals the Abbot of Amboise, who looks exactly like the Doctor, is one of those jaw-dropping moments the first time you see it. There's a similar moment at the close of Part 3 as well, related to the first cliffhanger, as Steven discovers the dead body of the Abbot, believing it to be the Doctor.
• For the first time (but far from the last; see The Enemy of the World; 1967-1988, Meglos; 1980, or Nightmare in Silver; 2013, for instance), the actor playing the Doctor plays a villain (or another character) within the same story.
• I've always found it eerie how similar Anne Robertson looks and sounds to Jackie Lane, so you'd easily be fooled into thinking Lane was playing two different parts as well!
• Eric Thompson (father of famed British actress Emma Thompson!) is pretty fascinating as Gaston, though I can only think of the Disney villain from Beauty and the Beast whenever his name is mentioned.
• Leonard Sachs, who portrays de Coligny, later appeared as Borusa in Arc of Infinity.
• I also want to give a shout-out to Erik Chitty, who appears as the Doctor’s idol Breslin. He would later appear as one of my favourite Time Lord characters, Engin, in The Deadly Assassin.
• Christopher Tranchell later played Leela’s beloved Andred in The Invasion of Time.
• Another actor who would later return in a more well-known role is David Weston, who we mostly remember as Biroc from Warrior’s Gate but who appears in a smaller role here.
• The closing moments of the serial feature a fake companion departure followed by a rare instance of the Doctor sadly reminiscing about all of his former travelling companions.
• Dodo remains one of the few companions who barely notices the fact that the TARDIS is bigger on the inside upon entering it for the first time.