13. The Web Planet

This story probably started out as an ambitious idea in some writers mind but given the effects of the day fell short. On paper it has everything - the TARDIS crew stranded on a mysterious planet, two alien races at war with the crew caught between them, an invasion/re-invasion by the former owners, a powerful overlord and the Doctor playing a multitude of tricks on his alien captors while buying time to find a solution to the problem.

Unfortunately when this story goes from paper to the screen not much of that translates. With 6 grueling episodes The Web Planet seems to drag on forever. With the constant stream of high pitched beeps and wails that go on and on for minutes at a time the episode managed to annoy others in my house that weren't even watching!

By the way, it needs to be pointed out that the aliens were giant ants and bees. When the bee-creatures spoke they sort of wriggled their bodies like a worm and talked strangely. Their enemies, the giant ant-things, may be the worst costumes in Doctor Who history. The only part of the costume that moved were the two, very obviously, human legs that power the costume around the set. The giant plastic ant body strapped to these poor actors is embarrassing.

The story they wanted to tell doesn't get told. I hadn't seen this one before and I doubt that I'll be watching it again any time soon.

Ranking: 2/10 (terrible)