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“THE SAVAGES: A DARK LOOK AT A SUPPOSEDLY PERFECT SOCIETY”
Ian Stuart Black crafts one of Doctor Who’s most thought-provoking settings yet in his debut story The Savages, placing the Doctor, Steven, and Dodo on a distant planet divided between two starkly different societies—the advanced, intellectual Elders and the so-called Savages who live in the wilderness. From the outset, the world-building is impressive, with the Doctor being a revered figure among the Elders, a rare shift in dynamic. The contrast between civilisation and barbarism is sharply drawn, but as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that this is not the simple tale of a warring planet—it’s something far more sinister.
Black’s themes—scientific overreach, exploitation, and the horrifying pursuit of perfection—are powerfully woven into the narrative. There are clear parallels to real-world historical atrocities, particularly unethical experimentation in the name of progress, but the story also stands on its own as a compelling cautionary tale. The slow, deliberate peeling back of the Elders’ seemingly perfect society is one of the story’s greatest strengths, allowing tension to build naturally.
THE DOCTOR’S ROLE AND A GAME-CHANGING TWIST
While the Doctor often takes an active leadership role in his adventures, The Savages sees him in an unusual position—initially welcomed and admired, only to be betrayed and used as an experiment. From the start, his scientific curiosity and moral compass put him at odds with the Elders’ practices. He begins by openly praising their society, fascinated by their scientific advancements, but once he realises the horrifying truth behind their power, his stance shifts entirely. The Doctor’s fierce opposition leads to his capture, resulting in one of the most shocking moments of the era—his mind being drained and implanted into Jano, the Elders’ leader.
This twist is an ingenious narrative device, allowing us to see what happens when an ordinary man is suddenly imbued with the Doctor’s intelligence and morality. Jano’s struggle to reconcile his newfound conscience with his past actions is one of the story’s highlights, providing a rare glimpse into what makes the Doctor’s mind so exceptional. It also effectively sidelines Hartnell for a portion of the serial, a necessity given his worsening health at the time, while still allowing his influence to be felt through Jano’s transformation.
FREDERICK JAEGER’S PERFORMANCE AND LEGACY
Frederick Jaeger delivers a standout performance as Jano, particularly after absorbing the Doctor’s mind. He expertly mimics Hartnell’s speech patterns and mannerisms, convincingly portraying a battle between two personalities within one body. The moments where he slips into the Doctor’s way of speaking are both eerie and fascinating, giving a glimpse into the internal struggle taking place.
Jaeger would go on to appear in Doctor Who twice more, playing Professor Sorenson in Planet of Evil (1975) and Professor Marius, creator of K9, in The Invisible Enemy (1977). While his later roles were more overtly theatrical, his portrayal of Jano remains his most nuanced and compelling contribution to the series.
EWEN SOLON AND THE SAVAGE POPULATION
Ewen Solon gives a commanding performance as Chal, the leader of the Savages. Best known to Doctor Who fans as Vishinsky in Planet of Evil (where he played another noble and defiant figure), Solon brings a quiet authority to the role. His calm yet determined leadership makes him a strong counterpoint to the Elders, and he provides a grounding presence throughout the story.
Initially depicted as primitive and dangerous, the Savages are gradually revealed to be the true victims of the Elders’ oppressive regime. Their depiction follows a common sci-fi trope—barbarians who are, in reality, more honourable than their so-called civilised oppressors—but it’s handled well here. The reveal that their simplicity is a direct result of the Elders’ experiments adds an extra layer of tragedy to their plight.
STEVEN AND DODO TAKE CENTRE STAGE
With the Doctor incapacitated for much of the serial, Steven and Dodo take on a more active role. Steven, in particular, is given a great arc, stepping up as a leader and taking charge of the fight against the Elders. His sudden exit at the end of the serial is poorly set up—there’s no real build-up to his departure—but the final scene itself is beautifully performed by Peter Purves and William Hartnell. It’s bittersweet, with the Doctor insisting that Steven stay behind to lead the Savages, a rare moment where the Doctor actively encourages a companion to leave.
Dodo, while not given a major standout moment, is at least handled competently here. She participates in the action and witnesses the horrors of the Elders firsthand, making her feel more involved than in previous outings. However, considering her exit is coming in the next serial, it’s disappointing that she doesn’t get more focus.
ACTION AND PACING—A MIXED BAG
While The Savages is largely a cerebral story, it does feature a few moments of well-executed action. The early sequences of the Savages being hunted set up the tension effectively, and Steven’s eventual leadership of the resistance provides a strong climax. However, Part 3 slows the momentum significantly, with a lengthy sequence inside the caverns that feels like padding. This section could have benefited from a tighter pace or more of Jano’s internal conflict to maintain engagement.
The final battle in Part 4, where the Savages rise up against the Elders, is an exciting payoff to the build-up. The Doctor’s manipulation of Jano to turn against his own people is particularly satisfying, as it allows for a more intelligent resolution rather than a straightforward rebellion.
STRONG CLIFFHANGERS THAT ADD TO THE TENSION
Despite its slower moments, The Savages delivers some of the strongest cliffhangers of the Hartnell era.
- Part 1’s cliffhanger, where a Savage rushes towards Dodo in the half-lit corridors of the Elders’ city, is an effectively eerie moment that sets up the tension to come.
- Part 2’s revelation—the Doctor being strapped into the life-draining machine—is one of the most shocking twists of the serial, changing the direction of the story entirely.
- Part 3’s dramatic climax, where the Doctor’s lifeless body is found and Steven and Dodo are trapped in a smoke-filled corridor, builds a real sense of danger and uncertainty.
These moments, combined with the underlying tension of the Doctor’s fate, help to keep the story engaging despite its occasional slow patches.
A LOST CLASSIC WITH STRONG DIRECTION
Despite being a missing story, The Savages is elevated by its strong direction from Christopher Barry. The telesnaps and surviving audio paint a picture of a visually striking production, with the interior sets of the Elders’ city being particularly impressive. Even the quarry-filmed exteriors manage to feel alien, rather than just another rock-strewn landscape. The cave scenes in Part 3, though difficult to make out in the reconstructions, seem to add to the eerie atmosphere.
Raymond Jones’ string-heavy score enhances the unsettling tone, making the seemingly utopian setting feel subtly menacing. The use of music, combined with Black’s script and Barry’s direction, ensures that The Savages remains a compelling and immersive experience despite its lost status.
📝VERDICT: 9/10
The Savages is a gripping and thought-provoking story that explores complex moral themes within a richly developed setting. The slow build-up in the middle drags slightly, and Steven’s abrupt departure is underwhelming, but the strong performances—particularly from Frederick Jaeger and Ewen Solon—and the eerie, unsettling atmosphere make up for these shortcomings. With its dark themes, innovative twists, and strong character moments, it stands out as one of the most ambitious and intelligent stories of the Hartnell era.
