Stories Television First Doctor Classic Who S2 Serial: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 The Web Planet 1 image Overview Episodes Characters How to Watch Reviews 12 Statistics Related Stories Quotes 4 Transcript Overview First aired Saturday, February 13, 1965 Production Code N Written by Bill Strutton Directed by Richard Martin Runtime 150 minutes Time Travel Future Tropes (Potential Spoilers!) Mind Control, TARDIS is damaged Inventory (Potential Spoilers!) Fluid Link, Signet ring Location (Potential Spoilers!) Vortis Synopsis On the planet Vortis, the Doctor, Ian, Barbara and Vicki are swept up in the struggles of the butterfly-like Menoptera, the original denizens of Vortis who were forced to flee the planet for the moon Pictos to escape the encroaching web of the Animus and its mind-controlled minions, the ant-like Zarbi, and their living weapons, the larvae guns. Watch Watched Favourite Favourited Add Review Edit Review Log a repeat Skip Skipped Unowned Owned Owned Save to my list Saved 6 Episodes The Web Planet First aired Saturday, February 13, 1965 Runtime 25 minutes Written by Bill Strutton Directed by Richard Martin UK Viewers 13.5 million Appreciation Index 56 Synopsis The TARDIS is drawn by a mysterious force and lands on the alien planet Vortis. There the Doctor, Ian, Barbara and Vicki find themselves caught up in a war between an evil force known as "The Animus", its ant-like Zarbi allies, and the butterfly-like Menoptra race and their allies the subterranean Optera. The Zarbi First aired Saturday, February 20, 1965 Runtime 25 minutes Written by Bill Strutton Directed by Richard Martin UK Viewers 12.5 million Appreciation Index 53 Synopsis The Doctor, Ian and Vicki are captured by the Zarbi while Barbara meets up with the butterfly-like Menoptera who are trying to reclaim the planet. Escape to Danger First aired Saturday, February 27, 1965 Runtime 25 minutes Written by Bill Strutton Directed by Richard Martin UK Viewers 12.5 million Appreciation Index 53 Synopsis The Doctor is forced to co-operate with the Animus but Ian uses the opportunity to make an escape attempt. Crater of Needles First aired Saturday, March 6, 1965 Runtime 25 minutes Written by Bill Strutton Directed by Richard Martin UK Viewers 13 million Appreciation Index 49 Synopsis Ian and Vrestin are captured by the subterranean Optera while Barbara and her Menoptera allies attempt to escape from the slave camp. Invasion First aired Saturday, March 13, 1965 Runtime 25 minutes Written by Bill Strutton Directed by Richard Martin UK Viewers 12 million Appreciation Index 48 Synopsis Barbara and the surviving Menoptera take refuge in the Temple of Light while the Doctor and Vicki attempt to escape by taking control of a Zarbi. The Centre First aired Saturday, March 20, 1965 Runtime 25 minutes Written by Bill Strutton Directed by Richard Martin UK Viewers 11.5 million Appreciation Index 42 Synopsis The Doctor and Vicki are taken before the Animus but the isoptope is left behind in the laboratory.The only hope of victory lies with Barbara and her Menoptera allies. Show All Episodes Characters First Doctor Ian Chesterton Barbara Wright Vicki Pallister Animus First Appearance Menoptera First Appearance Zarbi First Appearance Show All Characters (7) How to watch The Web Planet: Watch on iPlayer Blu-Ray The Collection – Season 2 DVD The Web Planet VHS The Web Planet (VHS) (Part 1) VHS The Web Planet (VHS) (Part 2) Reviews Add Review Edit Review Sort: Newest First Oldest First Most Likes Highest Rating Lowest Rating Username (A-Z) Username (Z-A) Spoilers First Spoilers Last 12 reviews 15 December 2024 · 377 words Review by RandomJoke Spoilers 1 This review contains spoilers! This is a Story that most would probably disagree with me. While I don’t think it’s bad, I don’t really think it’s good either. It’s something that is in a weird limbo for me, where I was never able to articulate my proper thoughts. I do appreciate the ambition, even through it was clear that they were maybe a bit too ambition, then again for all its flaws, what is doctor who, if not trying (even if it doesn’t work much in this case). Still there are things I love, I love the whole Planet of Vortis and all its inhabitants, the Costumes are a bit clunky, but I say if anything the sound design is probably the most clunkiest yet (but not the worst in the Hartnell era). I think our leads do great, especially Hartnell and his short moments, like when the Tardis is gone. Such an excellent Moment. The Animus while a bit clunky is very charming and is probably the Highlight of the new concepts here. I am not the biggest fan of the blurry picture, but it’s an interesting decision. Still I am not sure if this really needed 6 Episodes, don’t get me wrong I love long Stories, but this one could have used its time a little better (and it kinda hurts to say that when I defend longer Serials). I definitely get why it’s not liked at all, there is a lot not to like. Clunky Execution, not the best of script, and maybe a bit too much ambitious for its own good. If anything I do give it credit for its ambition and unlike a certain story that comes later in Hartnells Run cough The Toymaker cough I think it is somewhat charming despite being certainly on the weaker side of his Era. And hey while it can get annoying (even for me) at times, at least I wasn’t bored about it and honestly that’s a big plus in my book (being boring is probably the worst a who story can be for me, personally speaking). It’s a complicated one for me to review, but yeah that’s my quick thoughts about it. Like Liked 1 11 November 2024 · 120 words Review by Dogtor 1 “You know, Doctor, I’m getting quite fond of Zombo” Du Méliès croisé McCarthy qui montre tout un monde alien assez créatif, mais le rythme n'est vraiment pas à la hauteur, et l’histoire bien qu’attachante est juste pénible. C’est con, car sa production est extraordinaire! Vortis est une planète envoûtante au charme un peu ringard, et les décors et les costumes font vivre tout un monde de mystère et de magie. Seulement, le script (anti communiste) est absolument médiocre, et ne tire jamais profit de la douce folie de sa production. Chaque plan invite alors peut être au rêve mais tout le reste endort surtout son spectateur. Like Liked 1 28 October 2024 · 45 words Review by greenLetterT 2 The Web Planet is a serial that doesn't bother with little things like "plot" or "identifiable side characters". It could stand as a psychedelic film alongside the likes of Head (1968) were it not for the fact that the Doctor and his gang keep showing up Like Liked 2 26 August 2024 · 703 words Review by MrColdStream Spoilers 5 This review contains spoilers! 📝2/10 Thworping through time and space, one adventure at a time! "The Web Planet: Ants, Butterflies, and Missed Potential" Plastic mega ants, humanoid butterfly creatures, and a mysterious, disembodied voice—The Web Planet is ambitious, surreal, and utterly unforgettable. It’s a story that swings for the fences, but whether it succeeds depends entirely on your tolerance for bizarre 1960s sci-fi. A Strong Start That Loses Its Way The opening moments offer glimmers of promise, with some delightful character beats, such as Barbara and Vicki’s touching exchange in Part 1. The barren alien world of Vortis is introduced with an eerie, dreamlike quality enhanced by Vaseline-smeared lenses and unsettling sound design. The first episode manages to maintain intrigue and suspense, but the momentum quickly unravels. The narrative bogs down in Parts 3 to 5, with excessive filler material and a lack of engaging plot. By the end of Episode 2, the story still hasn’t defined its central conflict or villain. Instead, viewers are treated to long, tedious sequences of characters aimlessly wandering or interacting with the often ridiculous Zarbi. The pacing issues make The Web Planet a slog to get through, especially for modern audiences. Bold Concepts, Questionable Execution At its heart, this is a war story between two alien factions—the Menoptra and the Zarbi—over their planet, Vortis, manipulated by the mind-controlling Animus. It’s a classic Doctor Who trope of resistance against oppression, but here, the plot is overshadowed by overly ambitious concepts that the production can’t fully realize. The Menoptra are one of the serial’s rare triumphs. Their alien movements, speech patterns, and unsettling otherworldly presence are impressive, with a standout flying sequence in Part 4 that still looks great for its time. However, the Zarbi, giant ant-like creatures, are more laughable than menacing, hindered by clunky designs and poorly choreographed movements (including infamous moments of actors bumping into cameras). The Optera, with their awkward movements and grating voices, are even less convincing. The Animus is an intriguing idea—an unseen, malevolent force controlling Vortis with a chilling vocal performance by Catherine Fleming. Unfortunately, the payoff falls flat when she finally appears as an underwhelming, web-covered prop. The villain would have been far more effective if left as a disembodied voice. The Good, the Bad, and the Plain Strange The production team deserves credit for attempting something as ambitious as The Web Planet. The alien landscapes, eerie soundscapes, and experimental visuals showcase the creativity and ingenuity of the 1960s Doctor Who crew. However, these strengths are often undermined by glaring weaknesses. The overuse of lens flares obscures the action, while the Carsinome set design is as baffling as its name suggests. The cliffhangers—usually a Doctor Who hallmark—are underwhelming, save for the tension-filled one in Part 5. The alien sound effects, though adding to the alien atmosphere, are grating and headache-inducing by the end. Characters Left Adrift The regular cast does their best with limited material. Barbara is sidelined for much of the story, disappearing completely in Part 3, while Vicki struggles to establish her role as the new companion. The Doctor gets a few witty lines (Hartnell’s “drop this hairdryer or whatever it is!” being a highlight), but overall, the cast is underused. The guest characters fare no better. The Menoptra are intriguing but fail to emotionally connect with the audience, while the Zarbi are more comical than threatening. The supporting cast never rises above being mere plot devices. A Cautionary Tale in Overreaching The Web Planet is a textbook example of Doctor Who aiming high but faltering under the constraints of budget and technology. It’s a bold, experimental story with moments of brilliance but ultimately fails to sustain its six-episode runtime. While its ambition and creativity are commendable, the lack of narrative focus, uneven pacing, and production missteps make it a frustrating experience for many viewers. In the end, The Web Planet is an intriguing misfire—a fascinating relic of Doctor Who’s willingness to experiment, even when the results are far from perfect. Like Liked 5 21 August 2024 · 121 words Review by TheDHolford 3 “All so strange, so unnatural. I’ve never seen anything in my life before like this.” Overly ambitious and sadly that’s its main let down. I’ll give it one thing, it tries something unique and original, but the execution just doesn’t work. Having no human characters other than the main cast leaves a big gap in any sort of emotional connection, and the aliens themselves vary from irritating to outright boring and bland. Some cool designs, and ideas here and there, but this story would feel stretched with 3 episodes, let alone 6 episodes. It’s such a slog to get through, and perhaps my least liked of all the Hartnell era. Like Liked 3 Show All Reviews (12) Open in new window Statistics AVG. Rating359 members 2.44 / 5 Trakt.tv AVG. Rating709 votes 3.00 / 5 The Time Scales AVG. Rating184 votes 2.70 / 5 Member Statistics Watched 657 Favourited 28 Reviewed 12 Saved 3 Skipped 0 Owned 8 Related Stories The Fifth Doctor Adventures Return to the Web Planet Rating: 2.66 Story Skipped Audio Drama Reviews(1) More Actions View Sets Close Related Sets Set of Stories: The Fifth Doctor Adventures Add Review Edit Review Skip Skipped Unowned Owned Save to my list Saved Virgin Missing Adventures Twilight of the Gods Rating: 2.95 Story Skipped Book More Actions View Sets Close Related Sets Set of Stories: Virgin Books Set of Stories: Virgin Missing Adventures Add Review Edit Review Skip Skipped Unowned Owned Save to my list Saved TV Comic On the Web Planet Rating: 2.83 Story Skipped Comic Reviews(2) More Actions View Sets Close Related Sets Set of Stories: First Doctor TV Comic Set of Stories: TV Comic Add Review Edit Review Skip Skipped Unowned Owned Save to my list Saved Doctor Who Annuals The Lost Ones Rating: 2.50 Story Skipped Short Story Reviews(2) More Actions View Sets Close Related Sets Set of Stories: Doctor Who Annuals Set of Stories: The Dr Who Annual 1966 Add Review Edit Review Skip Skipped Unowned Owned Save to my list Saved Doctor Who Annuals The Lair of Zarbi Supremo Rating: 3.55 Story Skipped Short Story Reviews(1) More Actions View Sets Close Related Sets Set of Stories: Doctor Who Annuals Set of Stories: The Dr Who Annual 1966 Add Review Edit Review Skip Skipped Unowned Owned Save to my list Saved Give-a-Show Projector On the Planet Vortis Rating: 2.38 Story Skipped Comic Reviews(1) More Actions View Sets Close Related Sets Set of Stories: Give-a-Show Projector Add Review Edit Review Skip Skipped Unowned Owned Save to my list Saved Other adaptations of this story: We define an adaptation as a recreation of a similar story but on a different medium or with different characters. Target Collection Doctor Who and the Zarbi Rating: 2.84 Story Skipped Book Reviews(1) More Actions View Sets Close Related Sets Set of Stories: Target Collection Add Review Edit Review Skip Skipped Unowned Owned Save to my list Saved Give-a-Show Projector The Zarbi Are Destroyed Rating: 2.32 Story Skipped Comic Reviews(1) More Actions View Sets Close Related Sets Set of Stories: Give-a-Show Projector Add Review Edit Review Skip Skipped Unowned Owned Save to my list Saved Other variations of this story We define a variation as another way of experiencing the exact same story - like a reconstruction or an omnibus edition. BBC Audio Soundtracks The Web Planet (BBC Audio Soundtrack) Rating: ??? Story Skipped Soundtrack Reviews(1) More Actions View Sets Close Related Sets Set of Stories: BBC Audio Soundtracks Add Review Edit Review Skip Skipped Unowned Owned Save to my list Saved Quotes Add Quote Link to Quote Favourite IAN: I have a feeling we're being watched. Haven't you? DOCTOR: No. No, no, no, no, I can't see any spooks or anything. I don't think so, no. Not particularly, no. I must say that if I lived here and I heard you roaring your head off, I'd probably come down and take a look at you. IAN: Then take my pen? DOCTOR: Yes, what if the power's that's got hold of the TARDIS has taken your pen? Of course! Ha ha! Now then, there's something for us to solve. Come along, come along, come along. — The Web Planet Show All Quotes (4) Open in new window Transcript Needs checking Episode One - The Web Planet [TARDIS] DOCTOR: I wouldn't had thought it possible, but somehow we've materialised, for a split second of time, and been imprisoned in some kind of force. I simply can't break its hold. Somewhere, somehow, we're being slowly dragged down.IAN: Dragged down? To what? [Planet surface] (The TARDIS materialises in a bleak landscape) Show Full Transcript Open in new window