Terror of the Zygons [TV/1975.8.30 ~ 9.20]

★★★★☆

  Terror of the Zygons is a really good example of why Douglas Camfield was one of the classic series' best directors. Just look at episode 1, with all the close-up shots and expert use of outdoor/indoor lighting to set up one hell of an atmosphere. Scotland's a dangerous place at the best of times (coming from personal experience, this), but this serial makes it feel outright hostile. Implications of this on Scots-UK relations? I don't know. I suppose they made The Highlanders a few years before this, so it works as an offset.

  Onto more serious talk: the Zygons may or may not be Robert Banks Stewart's barely concealed sucker fetish or something, because as many other writers would poke fun at over the years (ex. the "suckling" sessions in The Zygon Who Fell to Earth, the fondling/arousal jokes in The Zygon Invasion), they're all suckers and raspy voices and veiny flesh. Never mind that their entire shtick is shape-shifting, they grope the controls of their spaceship! Camfield is way too comfortable letting the audience see this in all its glory, and I'm left here wondering why Mary Whitehouse didn't pop veins over this and instead got heated over The Deadly Assassin. Anyhow, I think the Zygons are beautifully realised in this serial; with the insanely detailed spaceship interior set ( love the dark red and green pallette) and the little details in how their changing process/controlling the Skarasen, they're fully believable baddies who have the added creepiness layer of being able to blend in, replace us and strive for our destruction behind our backs. The Skarasen effects are honestly so cool, and the chase sequence between it and the Doctor is made even more enjoyable by some snazzy direction on Camfield's part and the sheer dedication on Tom Baker's. If you like old-timer kaiju flicks, this is the one for you. 

  Terror of the Zygons is often hailed as one of the Hinchcliffe era's highlights, and for good reason. Its atmosphere is palpable, the mystery horror is neat and juicy, and the Fourth Doctor is in a right ol' grump of a mood (which is when he's at his best). Special shout-out this time around to Ian Marter, who gets to step outside his usual playground by acting out a Zygon pretending to be Harry. His performance is so full of spite and lack of compassion, it's amazing. Add the Brigadier being the Brigadier on top of all this, and you've got quite a jam-packed, creepy and slightly horny serial to sink your teeth into.

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