FOURTH DOCTOR REVIEW: THE HAND OF FEAR
STORY: 87
ORIGINALLY TRANSMITTED:
OCTOBER 2-23, 1976
DVD RELEASED: NOVEMBER 7, 2006
In my ongoing quest to watch all existing Doctor Who Stories in chronological order I had resisted watching "The Hand of Fear" for quite sometime, and to be honest, for a rather silly reason. I simply was not ready to say goodbye to the Fourth Doctor's companion, Sarah Jane Smith. While I understand that she comes back in the new series and then gets a spin off series of her own, this was the last regular appearance for the character, and the actress, Elizabeth Sladen in the original series. While it should be pointed out that she is my favorite companion thus fur, my reasons lie in her unexpected death this last April at only 65, just as the newest series of the show was about to air.
The Doctor and Sarah, fresh from their last adventure, arrive on modern day Earth and find themselves in the midst of a quarrying explosion which buries Sarah under rock and her holding on for life as well as a fossilized hand. Taken to a nearby nuclear plant, the hand is discovered to be an inert form of Eldrad, a traitor and criminal of the planet Kastria. Under hypnotism Sarah unknowingly helps Eldrad regenerate into human form, taking a form very loosely based on Sarah. Knowing that Eldrad is better off away from Earth, the Doctor allows he and Sarah to escort her back to Kastria, where she plans to, unbeknownst to the Doctor, assume her true form and ascend to the throne as ruler.
What works? Simply put: Tom Baker and Lis Sladen. Knowing that this would be the last story that they would work on together, they really put their all into their peformances. They have always had great chemistry, but it really shines here as they poke a little fun at each, all the while showing the truest love that they have for each other (though not in a romantic way, the Doctor doesn't get involved with companions in the early series). Also, the art direction and set design is quit amazing. Shooting at an actual nuclear power plant from the time really adds to the dimension of the story and feels quite epic in scope that sometimes doesn't always come through on the shows normal budget. And finally, the make up and performance of Judith Paris as the female version of Eldrad. Her look is quite severe, both alien and alluring at the same time. It's not hard to equally fear her and feel for her, all the while she is putting our heroes in danger.
What doesn't work? The last part of the 4 part tale has a lot to live up to, and it doesn't quite come all together. Judith Paris, so great as the female Eldrad has to exit to make way for the male version, played by Stephen Thorne. While Thorne is a capable actor, as seen as Omega in "The Three Doctors," it just doesn't feel right as we have gotten wrapped up in Eldrad's plight, only to see her become a more cliche'd megalomaniacal villian in the last part. I also did not feel his make up was nearly as effective as Paris'. And although it was always planned at the outset not to have Sarah's exit the main thrust of the story, it is a little off putting to have her suddenly leave the TARDIS in the last few moments of the story with the Doctor having to leave her behind as he is called home to Gallifrey. Knowing what is to come in the next story, it felt too convenient and Sarah Jane deserves better.
Overall: A great 4 parter that comes a little loose at the end, and while I'm very sad to see Sarah Jane Smith exit the TARDIS, I welcome what's to come and look forward to the new adventures with Leela. The DVD is also a great set with some entertaining, if somewhat light extras that go into great detail around not only the making of this particular adventure, but the decision of Lis Sladen to leave the show at the peak of it's (and her) popluarity. Rounding out the disc is a great 11 minute period interview from the UK programme Swap Shop with Sladen and Baker, continuity trailers, and an audio commentary with Baker, Sladen, Paris as well as co-writer Bob Baker and producer Phillip Hinchcliffe.
Story: 3 out of 5 TARDIS'
DVD: 3 out of 5 TARDIS'
