The Power of Kroll [TV/1978.12.23 ~ 1979.1.13]

★★☆☆☆

  There are a few serials that still sink under the depths despite Tom Baker's best efforts, and The Power of Kroll is one of them. A rare Robert Holmes dud, the serial fails to be entertaining in any large way -- which is especially egregious because it's in the sublime Seson 16 roster, with four magnificent serials before it. The only constant in the six serials of the season is the superb characterisation of the Fourth Doctor, and that's what keeps Kroll from being a total abomination in my eyes. Baker is effortlessly charming, making joke after joke and never losing his sense of humour even in a crisis. I wouldn't want my Dr. Who to be like this for all their tenure, but Baker's three-year Graham Williams stint saw him shed away from the vicious, violent and strikingly alien traveller to possibly the funniest Doctor yet, and that's why I love him.

  The actual effects bringing Kroll to life are pretty good; the modelwork is fantastic, and I love how the tension of its arrival is built up until they're unleashed for the final episode. Location work can be really good at times, and Mary Tamm is at the very least given a nice outfit before she's given a very underwhelming role in the story. Other than all these, I don't think I have anything very nice to say about The Power of Kroll, really. It's the standout dud from the Key to Time saga, a drawn out yawn of a serial with allegories of imperialism and overuse of natural resources not being able to help the fact that it's quite a slog to get through. The race of Green Giants, King Kong-esque sacrificial rituals and Kroll scenes certainly make this memorable... but only just.