The Space Museum [TV/1965.4.24 ~ 5.15]

★★★☆☆

  By-the-numbers Doctor Who served on an entirely new, ambitious plate — this really is a mixed bag, isn't it? They say the first impression you get watching Episode 2 of The Space Museum determines whether or not you enjoy it; either the subjugation/revolution plot (c'mon now, it's way too big to label as a subplot and call it a day) is enjoyable, or it's not. Considering that it offers very little other than the normal Who oppressed-race-motivated-to-revolt repertoire, it's a minor miracle that I found myself mildly enjoying all the Xeron and Morok nonsense.

  It's still a bit of a shame, though. Episode 1 is such as strong 25-minute piece of science fiction all on its own; the main cast pull off suitably shaken performances, the mystery is palpable, and there's an unmistakable sense of excitement in the air as Verity Lambert and crew delve deeper into the concept of time travel and jumping time tracks, seeing the future in the wrong order. The Space Museum could have been a definitive serial to deal with the notion of time being able to be rewritten, had there been one or two redrafts during the writing process to either make that sci-fi notion more relevant to the narrative or spruce up the revolution plot. 

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ  

  As it stands, I probably enjoy The Space Museum more than some, but that doesn't necessarily mean I have a special fondness for it or anything. Its first episode trumps all, of course, and leaves a very strong impression that is gradually gnawed away into almost mediocrity due to the rather humdrum nature of the following three. Season 2's answer to An Unearthly Child, then, to the letter.