Doctor Who:
The Macra Terror
Reviewed by Paul Bowler
Having seen the image of a giant claw on the TARDIS time scanner,
the Doctor, Polly, Ben, and Jamie arrive on an unknown planet in the future
where they visit a human colony. They encounter Medok a crazed colonist, who is
quickly arrested by Ola, the Chief of Police. The colony seems to be a happy
place and is run just like a giant holiday camp. However, the Doctor is uneasy,
despite the assurances of the Colony Pilot and the message of greeting from the
mysterious Colony Controller who appears on a screen to welcome them.
The colony has in fact been secretly taken over by
grotesque crab-like creatures known as the Macra, who have brainwashed the
citizens and forced them to mine a gas for them, one toxic to humans, but
essential for the Macra’s survival. Ben also succumbs to Macra’s influence and
turns against the Doctor and his friends. Fortunately he manages to recover in
time and helps the Doctor destroy the gas pumping equipment to kill the Macra.
The colonists want the Doctor to be their new Pilot. Appalled by such a
prospect, the Doctor quickly guides his companions away, dancing past the
celebrating colonists as they depart.
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