Watched a partial AI reconstruction, but even with that it's another slow one to get through. Highlight being the departure of Steven.

Quite the underrated Story!
I think this is such an interesting Story in many regards, not only does the Doctor arrive somewhere where he knows and even admired, but it also draws some great Parallels to An Unearthly, showing how much the Doctor has grown through all his Adventures.
While Dodo by far is still a bit a weaker Character compared to other Companions we got in the Past, I think she gets some okay and great Moments here, where Lane can prove that she has a lot to offer.
Steven gets some nice Material here too, even if his Exit can feel a bit abrupt, at least it has some great Moments with the Doctor and Dodo hugging each other and wondering if they will ever see him again.
The whole Culture around this World is just great, the Elders are such interesting figures and all played quite well.
Really the Story has a lot to offer and has something interesting to say. My only Issue here is something that other Stories are effected as well that being the Use of Blackface for the Elders, which of course is off-putting regardless. Then again this Issue is not exlusive to this Story and a few others are guilty of it as well, here it’s just more noticeable really.

Hoping with the Animation coming out more People will realizse that this one is quite a good one. While Season 3 is less conistent with its Quality and the Tone of its Stories, it’s probably the most interesting Hartnell Season because of it.

 Thworping through time and space, one adventure at a time! 

“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.

Considering this is the 60s, and is called The Savages, this serial has a surpringly solid political message, though we do still have the blackface. I really wish we had moving images of Jona embodying the Doctor because even listening to it was fun

Steven's exit was deeply stupid and felt very rushed, but you can't win them all

“Exploitation, indeed! This, Sir, is protracted murder!”   

C’est presque génial.

Stuart Black fait en effet ses débuts dans la série avec une histoire furieusement politique !  

Sauf qu’elle est tout le temps coincée entre sa satire brillante, et un traitement pourtant très dédaigneux des gens qu’elle devrait défendre.   

C’est une histoire qui parle d’oppression, mais qui traite le seul personnage féminin de la distribution comme une idiote. 

C’est une histoire sur l’exploitation, mais où le méchant a carrément son visage peint en noir. 

The Savages: 9/10 - The Savages is a really good depiction of class warfare and uses that plot to tell a fascinating story. I think the characters are all really good with Jano being my favorite. Jano’s depiction of the Doctor works really well. The scene with the Savages in the cave, wary of Edal is really tense and interesting. Stevens departure is a really sad one but ultimately its nice to see a companion not just leave the Tardis, but work to make a society better and improve a world.

There is an interesting subtext in this story. Rich society vs. oppressed poor. This is refreshing following the gunfighters! Dodo is good here, her curiosity unraveling the rich folk's scheme, enabling us to begin to see why the savages might be in the position they are.

All of the cliffhangers in this are corkers, starting with the idea that a beastly savage is in fact a frail and exhausted old man.

There are relatively adult themes. The distress coming from Nanina during her energy transfer torture is alarming and The Doctor's defense of the helpless "savages" from the upper class is equally arresting. I love a passionate and socially conscious doctor, who believes that 'progress' is not worth human exploitation, standing up for the rights of minorities.

The Doctor is subjected to the same energy transfer treatment as the savage victims, his life force being sucked out of him you can hear the villains describing the procedure as a great success. I don't believe our hero has ever been in so much danger.

A new order is achieved and the old hierarchy is destroyed but as The Doctor refuses to take the mantel as leader people look to Steven to take the new leadership. It is a shame to see this wonderful character (albeit one who is very much in the same template as Ian Chesterton) go - and with three stories left it feels as if this doctor's reign is slowly coming to an end.

What an amazing exit story for Steven this story is so underrated it’s a perfect story for Steven for the doctor and dodo as she’s on top form this episode too

A pretty good concept held back by a lack of worldbuilding.

The Savages sees our party land on a planet that houses 2 groups of people: Scientific and prosperous futuristic folk that live in a domed city, and scraggly savages that live in the caves. The future folk have long tracked the movements of the Doctor, and are delighted to have him finally arrive. However, something is brewing under the surface. How have these people built their advanced society? And what role do the savages outside play?

First off, watchability. This story is missing with no animated replacement, so your options are either the target novel, the narrated soundtrack or the Loose Cannon reconstruction. For a companion exit, I usually like to go with the most visual option. In this case the Loose Cannon reconstruction, which isn’t brilliant, but does the job pretty well. Anyway, Moving on:

The pitch for this story is pretty solid! Very sci-fi! I’m always down for a good commentary on inequality. The problem with this story, however, is in its presentation. Within the four episodes, there is mostly a focus on intrigue: Is there something going on? What is going on? Oh, maybe nothing is going on? Or is there? Most of the focus is put on deepening the feeling of mystery.

Problem is, this is a Doctor Who episode. Of course something is going to happen. In general, I’m not that excited by the concept of “Something is going to happen”, but rather “What is going to happen?”.

And the story only answers that second question very flatly. It turns out the futuristic people are stealing the savages’ life force to fuel their way of life. Capturing them, sucking them dry, then releasing them again.

But they don’t really play around much with that concept. The entire idea raises quite a few questions, but the story had no answers. This is apparently all we needed to know. I would’ve liked to know exactly how the life source was used. Or how one group became so advanced, while the other became (or always was) primitive. Some history on this society would have helped it loads.

Another angle would be a harder focus on the scientific side. What method are they using to drain life force? Why let the people go after capturing them? What are the long term effects of sapping life force? Are they ever going to run out of savages? Is there a plan for that?

But the story never gave any answers. We leave it at absolute base level knowledge. After that, it is running around to both sides until compromise is reached. Which quickly makes the story very generic.

Because it has no deeper focus, it has nothing to really call its own once the twist is revealed. The setting is a jungle and a hi-tech dome, just like the Ark from 3 stories ago. It uses the idea of a doctor duplicate, which was done in the Chase last season. It’s all stuff we’ve seen before. Interesting ideas, but ideas that have already had their spotlight. Some as recent as 5 episodes ago.

Maybe it would’ve been better if we still had the full visuals for this story, but that’s speculation. What’s available now mostly looks like the Ark, but without any memorable setpieces like the statue or elephant. Sure, visuals will always help an originally visual performance to some extent, but I doubt it would turn this story into a hidden gem.

Still, even though it does present it very flatly, the story does come up with interesting ideas it can call its own. Stealing the Doctor’s life source to inspire morality in the villains is a clever way to start a revolution. Even if his morality has been particularly twisted this season. The light guns that work as freeze rays are pretty new for this show as well. So there are ideas that do work. The overall presentation is just not very inspired.

Before all is said and done, though, let’s pay some attention to the ending.  Savages and Future Folk come together to destroy the laboratory, which is the source of their inequality. This is fine, if a bit questionable. Certainly a society so advanced that they can track time travel has heard of ‘Backups’ before? Then again, this episode itself is missing, so….. maybe not.

As they’re destroying the lab, they decide they’ll need a leader to unite the two groups together. They ask the Doctor, but he’s not interested. He instead recommends Steven for the job. Leading into his exit.

While I do have no doubt in my mind that Steven could do it, I don’t love the way this story presents this ending. First of all, the main villain has basically gained the personality of the Doctor, so there’s no reason he couldn’t do it himself. Second, I don’t like how the Doctor makes the call to leave it to Steven.

It's a bit reminiscent of the ending of “Return of the Rocketmen”. The same thing happened there. Steven described that he made a choice, but when we’re finally shown the choice, it was actually the Doctor that made it. Like he wants to get him out of the way.

Meanwhile, Steven has been a very important character in this season. He has been our connection to the show. He has had more screen time than the Doctor. So this really should’ve been made his call. Or maybe it should have been presented as a last heroic deed.

That would work great in context! Steven was shown as very capable when with the Savages. Managing to steal a light gun from a soldier, which had never been done before. This could’ve been a great moment to call back to. Make the savages choose him as a leader, based on their earlier experiences with him.

Same goes for the other side. The leader of the future folk has the Doctor’s personality and memories, so play with that a little. Make it shimmer through that the Doctor always saw Steven as capable, but never really said it out loud. Maybe this copy version doesn’t shy away from saying it.

The story could’ve chosen to be a bit more bombastic about his departure. Because this is a big moment. Not “They need a leader! Steven, you do it.”, but “Steven, we want you as our leader”. That little difference would have done so much.

Compare this farewell to those of earlier companions. Let’s skip on Vicki, because there’s really no footage of her departure left. Susan got a speech, one of the most famous ones in the show. Ian and Barbara got a montage that is still memed on to this day. I can’t think of a clearer sign of quality :P.

But Steven….. he just gets a handshake. That’s it. Goodbye. Shaky shake. Done. Left behind. And for someone of his caliber, who carried the show this season, that’s absolutely not enough.

As a whole, “The Savages” is like a puddle of glitter. It looks good at a glance, but has absolutely no depth in any aspect. It has a spark, and some unique traits, but it barely plays around with anything it offers. This not only comes to the detriment of the story, but also damages Steven’s departure. I’m still glad I’ve seen it, but there’s absolutely no reason to get back to this.