The Time Meddler

Directed by

UK Viewers

8.9 million

Appreciation Index

57

Synopsis

The Doctor, Vicki, and Steven Taylor, go to 1066 England, but something doesn't seem right including modern inventions like a Gramaphone and electricity. Could there be another Time Lord?

The Meddling Monk

First aired

Saturday, July 10, 1965

Runtime

25 minutes

Written by

Directed by

UK Viewers

8.8 million

Appreciation Index

49

Synopsis

The Doctor is being held prisoner by the Monk and Steven and Vicki's search for him brings them to the Saxon village.But a greater danger threatens when a Viking raiding party arrives.

A Battle of Wits

First aired

Saturday, July 17, 1965

Runtime

25 minutes

Written by

Directed by

UK Viewers

7.7 million

Appreciation Index

53

Synopsis

The Doctor manages to escape from his cell and get the upper hand on the Monk but his plans are derailed when Sven and Ulf arrive at the monastery.

Checkmate

First aired

Saturday, July 24, 1965

Runtime

25 minutes

Written by

Directed by

UK Viewers

8.3 million

Appreciation Index

54

Synopsis

The Doctor finally discovers what the Monk is up to and must move fast to prevent his opponent from altering the course of history.

Characters

First Doctor

William Hartnell

Vicki Pallister

Maureen O'Brien

How to watch The Time Meddler:

Watch on iPlayer

Blu-Ray

The Collection – Season 2

DVD

The Time Meddler

VHS

The First Doctor (VHS) (Special Edition Box Set)

Reviews
Add Review Edit Review

Sort:

16 reviews

A strong season finale. Interestingly we get to see another of the Doctor's race and another Tardis. The Monk is cast very well. Steven's doubt about the Tardis having travelled in time is something we never get to see, so that was fun to see. A bit slow in places with the vikings but overall a good story.

Scottybguud

View profile

Like Liked 0

Review last edited on 18-03-25

This review contains spoilers!

The Saxon/ Viking conflict was pretty dull. Otherwise, I found the cheeky quality of the Time Meddler to be quite endearing. Loved the idea of a Time Lord who wants to change things for the better, but ends up messing up the course of human history, especially since the Doctor has made the same mistake multiple times since. Bring back the Time Meddler!!!

goblinikov

View profile

Like Liked 1

Review last edited on 2-02-25

This review contains spoilers!

This one is easily one of my favorites of the Hartnell era. Kinda a paradox, since this was the slow beginning of the end of the pure historical (in some ways).
Watching this after The Chase probably also helped it at my first viewing, since while I do find some aspect of that Story appealing, I feel like this one balances the Comedy and the stakes a lot more.

Butterworth is the great standout here really, his Monk is just amazing, and it’s a great shame we only got him here (and later in the DMP). The Monk while in many ways similar to the Master, feels to me like a unique version of an antagonist, since he really all does it to mess with it.
Another Thing I highly can praise is the Pacing, dare I say while I love the slower pace of the Hartnell era a lot, this one feels perfectly paced with its 4 Parts.
There is a lot I can praise. For example the whole subplot where Vicki tries to convince Steven that the Tardis is a time machine, it doesn’t play for too long to become annoying, no the right amount of time.
As always, Hartnell is a blast, especially his banter with Steven in the beginning is lovely “and there is a chair with a panda sitting on”

RandomJoke

View profile

Like Liked 0

Review last edited on 15-12-24

The Time Meddler is just a really strong story. The side characters (well, one of them, Edith), are well done, the sets are really good, and the main cast is stellar. It's also a fascinating story in terms of establishing Doctor Who lore - we learn for the first time that the Doctor is, in fact, alien, and from the same place as the Monk, and we even learn that the Doctor's fancy TARDIS isn't all that.

Speaking of the Monk - absolute highlight of the story. He plays off the Doctor really well, offering an opposing but nevertheless similar character. What a guy

greenLetterT

View profile

Like Liked 0

Review last edited on 21-11-24

“I’m, I’m marooned. Marooned! In 1066! Oh, Doctor.”

The Time Meddler est fantastique.

Hartnell et Butterworth se trollent, rient de leur propre rivalité, et livrent chacun une performance mémorable! Mais en plus c’est un script hyper important.

Chaque scène clé de l’épisode repousse en effet un peu plus les limites de la série. Mais c’est tellement bien millimétré, et les acteurs sont tellement à fond, que c’est aussi surprenant que pourtant vraiment naturel dans l’exécution.

De plus là où l’histoire est peut être assez négligée, c’est dans son trio. C’est tout un chapitre qui s’ouvre, mais les interactions de Vicki et Steven sont tellement bien qu’on oublie carrément Ian et Barbara.

Si ça c’est pas du bon taff.

“I’m, I’m marooned. Marooned! In 1066! Oh, Doctor.”

The Time Meddler is fantastic.

Hartnell and Butterworth troll each other, laugh at their own rivalry, and each delivers a memorable performance! But it is also a very important script.

Each key scene of the episode indeed pushes the limits of the series further. But it is so well measured, and the actors are so committed, that it is as surprising as it is really natural in execution.

Moreover, where the story may be somewhat neglected, is in its trio. It’s a whole new chapter that opens, but Vicki and Steven's interactions are so good that you completely forget Ian and Barbara.

If that isn’t good work.

(Translation generated by AI, so mistakes are possible).

Dogtor

View profile

Like Liked 1

Review last edited on 11-11-24