Review of The Dæmons (#59)
DVD Release Date:  10 Apr 12
Original Air Date:  22 May – 19 Jun 1971
Doctor/Companion:  Three, Jo Grant, Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart
Stars:  Jon Pertwee, Katy Manning
Preceding Story:  Colony in Space (Three, Jo)
Succeeding Story:  Day of the Daleks (Three, Jo, the Brigadier)

A lot of Long-Term Fans have a pretty high opinion of The Dæmons, from what I understand. That kind of reputation always makes me approach a story with caution. With a pedestal so high, can it possibly be as beautiful as those who put it there believe?

For me, it’s a bit of a mixed bag. Yes, it’s an enjoyable story. There’s a lot to recommend it, and I could probably watch it again relatively soon without complaint. But there are the standard silly bits, too, and it’s not quite engaging enough for me to ignore them all.

Based on conversations elsewhere, I think at least some of the story’s charm is lost in translation, as it were. An idyllic English village doesn’t trip all the cultural nostalgia triggers that it would for a Brit or that, say, a small rural town or farm would for me, as someone who was raised in the American Midwest. So while the village square surrounded by pub, chapel, and such may stir something deep in the soul of a native of the British Isles, I find it merely quaint.

So what is it I’m not ignoring? Let’s start with the Master’s whole plan. Why the hell (~ahem~) is the Master bent on dominating humanity? Doesn’t he hate this backward little planet? Hasn’t he already tried to wipe out our species several times over? Isn’t he sick of the place? For a while I thought maybe that last bit was part of the answer – he’s stuck here, but has decided to make the best of it, and live up to his name. But that can’t be right – it’s not till the end of The Dæmons that he’s locked up by UNIT (so he can later wreak havoc with The Sea Devils), and since we’ve just seen him in Colony in Space, we know he’s got full control of his TARDIS. So I’m back to square one: wtf?

There also seemed to be a fair bit of just larking about. Plot-wise, I mean there’s a lot that just feels like padding (and more plot holes I won’t mention for now, because that would just get tedious); production-wise, I’m looking at you, random UNIT helicopter and copious pyrotechnics. That can not have been cheap.

On the other hand, how can you not love a story that gives you another instance of “reverse the polarity” (in Ep. 4) and “Chap with the wings, there. Five rounds rapid!” (Ep. 5)? Even better, the Doctor actually says, “Elemental, my dear Benton.” I’ve got yer Wholock right here.

To top it all off, there’s plenty for a neowhovian to latch onto. The Doctor gets to tell everyone it’s not “the Devil” (Satan Pit, anyone?); the gargoyle-come-to-life Bok looks like a super early version of a Weeping Angel; and Jo gets to “blow them up with love” at the end, making the über-cheesy ending to Closing Time last year feel like it has at least the barest iota of legitimacy – even if it’s equally bollocks here.

DVD Extras (highlights)

The Devil Rides Out

When the Companion who would replace Liz Shaw was being cast, the audition piece they used apparently involved a hat stand turning into something large and scary. The nugget of that idea eventually turned into The Dæmons. This anecdote is one of many of note in this disk’s “making of,” and the cast and crew’s great fondness for this story in particular come through clearly.

Remembering Barry Letts

Barry Letts, who was producer of Doctor Who during Pertwee’s time as the Doctor, passed away in late 2009. Here we get a retrospective on his career – and a bit on his personality – from his two sons (though it’s odd to hear them refer to him as “Barry” instead of “Dad,” or even “Father”), Terrance Dicks (scriptwriter and friend), and others. His career was long and varied, and he is clearly missed.

Location Film

I include this extra simply for its novelty. Soundless though it is, this 6-7 minute amateur-made film puts me in mind of a 40-year-old version of Doctor Who Confidential. I found the behind-the-scenes-while-filming shots quite reminiscent of what Confidential did for these past six series.

There’s just not enough time and space (“someone get that blogger a TARDIS!”) to cover all the things I wanted to say about The Dæmons. Some of it’s absurd (“holy cats – Morris dancers?! Possessed Morris dancers?!?”), and some is ahead of its time (I love that Miss Hawthorne’s character is a strong female with beliefs she’s willing to stand up for, yet is also willing to change her views when presented with new evidence). Mostly, it’s Doctor Who (Sue’s right; UNIT couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn at point blank range). In the end, what more could a fan ask for?