Review of The Sensorites by MrColdStream
6 June 2024
This review contains spoilers!
📝6/10
Thworping through time and space, one adventure at a time!
"The Sensorites: From Suspense to Snooze"
The Sensorites is an odd tale that feels like two separate stories awkwardly stitched together. The first two episodes are a tense, gripping thriller set aboard a confined spaceship—easily one of the most compelling openings of the First Doctor’s era. Episode 1, in particular, stands out as a masterclass in atmosphere, blending sharp direction, sound design, and performances into a near-perfect prototype for the "base-under-siege" stories that would become iconic in later eras.
The story begins with a reflective tone, as the TARDIS crew reminisce about past adventures, including unseen ones that add a dash of intrigue to the Doctor's mysterious past. The Part 1 cliffhanger, with its eerie reveal, is a classic that must have haunted countless children in its time.
However, the narrative stumbles once we leave the spaceship in Part 3 and venture into the dull and overly talkative world of the Sense Sphere. The intriguing menace of the Sensorites dissipates as they transform from creepy telepathic aliens into bureaucratic squabblers. The plot becomes bogged down by padding, contrived twists, and an uninspired medical mystery. By the time we reach the rushed and unremarkable climax in Part 6, it feels like Peter R. Newman ran out of steam.
The latter episodes rely heavily on the scheming of the pantomime-like City Administrator, whose raspy voice and cartoonish villainy fail to provide real tension. His grand plan is not only absurdly simple but also undermined by noticeable differences between the Sensorites (like their voices and body shapes), despite the story insisting they are identical.
On a brighter note, this serial gives Susan some much-needed character development. Her growing independence strains her relationship with the Doctor, creating emotional depth for both characters. Carole Ann Ford delivers a nuanced performance that hints at Susan’s untapped potential—sadly, this was not explored further before her departure.
William Hartnell, meanwhile, is at his absolute best, especially in the first two episodes. The Doctor is witty, determined, and commanding, embracing his role as an investigator with gusto. These episodes also feature a delightful "Doctor doing science" montage, a rare treat.
The guest cast shines early on, particularly Stephen Dartnell as the troubled John. Unfortunately, the narrative sidelines them once the action shifts to the Sense Sphere. The Sensorites themselves start as an intriguing concept: a peaceful, telepathic race with a creepy aesthetic. However, their appeal dwindles as the script reduces them to ineffective plot devices. Even their telepathy—initially a key feature—feels underutilized, as they converse with everyone just like any other alien species.
Visually, the spaceship set and Sensorite masks are suitably eerie, but the Sense Sphere is disappointingly bland. Frequent line flubs from the Sensorite actors (and even Hartnell) add unintentional humor to the mix.
Ultimately, The Sensorites is a tale of two halves: a fantastic opening followed by a repetitive, padded descent into mediocrity. While it has its highlights, it never quite lives up to its early promise.
MrColdStream
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