The Web Planet [TV/1965.2.13 ~ 3.20]

★★★☆☆

  There are historical serials, there are alien serials, and then there's The Web Planet. If I was to give a summarized verdict on what this adventure is, I'd say it's most accurate to be seen as Doctor Who's attempt at crafting an alien story in the format of a historical; it works almost like a documentary on a world and culture completely different to ours, and it's fascinating.

  I suppose I don't need to tell you — the blurry lens effect is pretty naff, and the infamous Zarbi-wobbles-the-camera shots are all there for your scrutiny. It's also a bit too long for its own good, with episodes 2 and 3 suffering the most from having to stretch out its material. Thankfully for it, though, the first episode is genuinely good stuff with a heavy reliance on mystery and subtle terror of the unknown: Barbara and Vicki being influenced by mental powers, Ian and the Doctor encountering an ancient pyramid structure and acid pools, and the TARDIS being dragged away by creatures of unknown danger. The latter three episodes also prove to be an improvement, focusing more on the history and cultural aspects of the Menoptera (in particular their relation to the Optera) and the Zarbi's subjugation to the Great Old One Animus. Sets are as ambitious as always, bringing to life such a vivid world with a tight budget and succeeding for the most part, and William Hartnell in particular is positively electric to watch. Here is a traveller from among the stars, "hmm, ha!"ing his way across the barren landscape of Vortis. This is a serial that brings out the best of Hartnell as an actor, convincingly playing the jovial wanderer as well as the cunning diplomat and the scathing force of justice. 

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ  

  I mean... what else am I supposed to write at this point, other than that The Web Planet is a severe case of 'you like it, you love it or you vehemently hate it' syndrome? It's an ambitious production that perhaps showed the limits of the time a bit too much to have withstood the test of time unscathed, but it's still a brilliant piece of imagination that has the potential to wow audiences. Open your mind, shut off all your disbelief sensors, and take a history lesson on the planet Vortis.