Doctor Who: Warriors of the Deep: Part 1 is set during the year 2084 where the Doctor (Peter Davison) wants to show his companions Tegan (Janet Fielding) & Turlough (Mark Strickson) how Earth is shaping up in the future but as usual things go awry when the TARDIS is damaged when it's shot at by a military satellite, the Doctor is forced to land & ends up at the seabed in a undersea military colony called SeaBase 4 which is on high alert as their sensors have detected something outside & a probe they sent out was mysteriously destroyed. Tensions on-board the base are high & they don't respond well to the Doctor's presence, meanwhile a race of amphibious creatures called the Silurians intend to resurrect the long dormant race of creatures called the Sea Devils that are hibernating near the base, but for what purpose...
This watery based Doctor Who adventure was the first episode of season 21 that aired during early 1984 here in the UK. Directed by Pennant Roberts I rather liked this opening story to season 21 & I think Davison is somewhat underrated as the Doctor but that's another issue. The script by Johnny Byrne certainly has enough going on but thankfully doesn't feel that rushed & as usual it all builds up rather well, there's the threat of the menacing Silurians & the obvious fact that there's something sinister going on in the SeaBase & that all is not well. This particular episode also has a great cliff-hanger of an ending, just the way it should be. I'd say Warriors of the Deep is a good Doctor Who story & as usual it's bags of fun & provides top entertainment if your in the right mood or a fan of the long running series.
This being a BBC production the budget was probably pretty tight to say the least but I really liked the production design on this story, the almost totally white SeaBase with it's structural beams & architecture visible looks great although some of the computers & technology look dated even now & it's meant to be set 80 odd years in he future! The special effects are OK, the model effects look just like what they are, miniature models. The Silurians are great in deign & pretty creepy but the costumes let them down, while the face mask's are good the body suits look poor with loose fitting sleeves & leggings, I don't think the idea of having a red light in their forehead flash when they peak was a particularly good one either as it looks rather silly.
Warriors of the Deep is a worthwhile Doctor Who four parter & probably one of Davison's best, it's just a shame the Silurians themselves look poor as they let down the story & reduce it's scariness & impact. Still worth watching though.
This watery based Doctor Who adventure was the first episode of season 21 that aired during early 1984 here in the UK. Directed by Pennant Roberts I rather liked this opening story to season 21 & I think Davison is somewhat underrated as the Doctor but that's another issue. The script by Johnny Byrne certainly has enough going on but thankfully doesn't feel that rushed & as usual it all builds up rather well, there's the threat of the menacing Silurians & the obvious fact that there's something sinister going on in the SeaBase & that all is not well. This particular episode also has a great cliff-hanger of an ending, just the way it should be. I'd say Warriors of the Deep is a good Doctor Who story & as usual it's bags of fun & provides top entertainment if your in the right mood or a fan of the long running series.
This being a BBC production the budget was probably pretty tight to say the least but I really liked the production design on this story, the almost totally white SeaBase with it's structural beams & architecture visible looks great although some of the computers & technology look dated even now & it's meant to be set 80 odd years in he future! The special effects are OK, the model effects look just like what they are, miniature models. The Silurians are great in deign & pretty creepy but the costumes let them down, while the face mask's are good the body suits look poor with loose fitting sleeves & leggings, I don't think the idea of having a red light in their forehead flash when they peak was a particularly good one either as it looks rather silly.
Warriors of the Deep is a worthwhile Doctor Who four parter & probably one of Davison's best, it's just a shame the Silurians themselves look poor as they let down the story & reduce it's scariness & impact. Still worth watching though.