Horror of Fang Rock [TV/1977.9.3 ~ 9.24]

★★★★☆

  It rocks that the very first serial of the Graham Williams era is retroactively a love letter to the era of his predecessor, alongside Image of the Fendahl -- claustrophobic horror, horrible deaths and a cut-throat attitude Fourth Doctor ahoy! It also rocks that Horror of Fang Rock is possibly the most well-known classic era serial worldwide due to the otherwise completely unrelated Max Headroom incident, which just happened to hijack a broadcast of this serial. 

  It's great that this has gotten (and will continue to get, depending on how long the Max Headroom incident will remain relevant) traction among true mystery YouTube communities, because as a serial of Dr. Who, Fang Rock never really got that much recognition. Leela's eye colour changes (because Louise Jameson couldn't keep wearing contacts) and the Rutans get their very first appearance on TV... but in terms of long-lasting contributions, it was never going to hold up. Heck, not even subsequent returns of the Sontarans would warrant another outing for these creatures. Shame, really, because the Rutan here is a genuinely frightening creature, a blob of massive green goo that can electrocute someone in the most painful way and disguise as anyone. It even has tentacles, good for trapping greedy people, and its foamy, squelchy sound is enough to send shivers down my spine.

  You know who else sends shivers down my spine? Tom Baker here, and in the best way possible. He's full of vile thoughts and doom-laden attitude, he barely makes eye contact with Louise Jameson (they had a pretty bad relationship back then) and he does not give a damn about social niceties. This is the Fourth Doctor at his most acidic, which is a character trait most present during his Hinchcliffe era, and I love this side of the incarnation. If you enjoy Baker being an arse to everyone onscreen, Horror of Fang Rock is just the slice of atmospheric horror for you. If you're not really a fan of Baker and his antics (especially if your dislike is not limited to the happy-go-lucky Baker of the later Williams era), stay away... and leave me to give the serial all the love and attention. Suits me just fine, that.