365 Days of Doctor Who: Rewatching THE WEB PLANET - Warped Factor - Words in the Key of Geek.

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365 Days of Doctor Who: Rewatching THE WEB PLANET

Unlucky for some, day thirteen and adventure thirteen, and perhaps aptly brings us to The Web Planet, a six-part serial that aired in February and March 1965. Written by Bill Strutton, this story is one of the most ambitious and divisive of early Doctor Who, aiming to depict a truly alien world populated by entirely non-human creatures. With its surreal visuals, experimental sound design, and heavy use of allegory, The Web Planet pushes the boundaries of what the series could achieve on a modest 1960s budget.

Revisiting this serial today, it’s clear that The Web Planet is a bold and imaginative undertaking, but its execution is uneven. While its creativity and ambition are commendable, its pacing, visual effects, and sometimes inaccessible narrative pose challenges for contemporary viewers.


The Story: A Struggle for Survival

The TARDIS lands on the planet Vortis, a barren and eerie world dominated by strange and insect-like creatures. The Doctor, Ian, Barbara, and Vicki quickly find themselves embroiled in a conflict between the gentle Menoptra—an elegant, butterfly-like species—and the Zarbi, large ant-like creatures controlled by the malevolent Animus, a parasitic force that has taken over Vortis.

The Animus is using the Zarbi to enslave the planet, draining its resources and attempting to destroy the Menoptra resistance. The TARDIS crew becomes central to the fight for Vortis’s freedom, navigating the planet’s strange landscapes and dangerous creatures to help the Menoptra overthrow the Animus.


An Alien World Brought to Life

The Web Planet is perhaps best remembered for its attempt to create a completely alien environment, something rarely attempted in Doctor Who at this scale. The planet Vortis is depicted as a stark, otherworldly landscape with minimal sets and heavy use of lighting effects and soundscapes to evoke its alien nature.

The costumes and designs for the Menoptra and Zarbi are some of the most creative and distinctive in the show’s history. The Menoptra’s flowing, balletic movements and high-pitched voices emphasize their otherness, while the Zarbi’s lumbering presence conveys brute force. The ambition behind these designs is remarkable, even if the execution is occasionally hampered by the limitations of the era’s technology.

However, the commitment to creating a truly alien world also results in an aesthetic that can feel overwhelming or even alienating. The constant high-pitched sound effects, combined with the deliberately slow pacing, create a viewing experience that demands patience and immersion.


The TARDIS Crew: Adaptable as Ever

The TARDIS crew once again proves their resourcefulness and adaptability in a hostile environment:

  • The Doctor is at his most curious and determined, fascinated by Vortis and its mysteries. William Hartnell balances the Doctor’s scientific curiosity with a sense of moral responsibility, particularly as he becomes more invested in helping the Menoptra defeat the Animus.

  • Barbara takes on a leadership role among the Menoptra, her compassion and pragmatism making her a natural ally to their cause. Jacqueline Hill’s performance brings warmth and resolve to Barbara’s character, even in the face of the serial’s slower pacing.

  • Ian is once again the action hero, navigating treacherous terrain and leading daring missions to undermine the Animus. William Russell’s steady, reliable presence provides an anchor for the audience amid the surrealism of Vortis.

  • Vicki provides a youthful energy and curiosity, her enthusiasm for the alien environment adding an element of wonder to the story. While her role is somewhat limited compared to the others, Maureen O’Brien brings charm and a sense of discovery to the character.


Themes of Oppression and Resistance

At its core, The Web Planet is an allegory about oppression, exploitation, and the resilience of those who fight for freedom. The Animus’s control over the Zarbi represents the destructive power of greed and domination, while the Menoptra’s resistance embodies the enduring spirit of hope and cooperation.

The story also touches on themes of ecological balance and the interdependence of species. Vortis is depicted as a world out of harmony, its natural order disrupted by the Animus’s parasitic influence. This environmental undercurrent feels particularly resonant in today’s context, where the impact of human activity on ecosystems is a pressing concern.


Production and Limitations

The ambition of The Web Planet is undeniable, but the production often struggles to match its vision. The Zarbi, while an impressive concept, are hindered by cumbersome costumes that limit their mobility, occasionally making them appear more comical than menacing. Similarly, the Menoptra’s elaborate movements, while unique, can feel stilted or overly theatrical.

The sound design, while effective in creating an alien atmosphere, is relentless and can become grating over the course of six episodes. The pacing is another challenge, with lengthy sequences that prioritize atmosphere over plot progression, potentially testing the patience of modern audiences.

Despite these shortcomings, the serial’s willingness to embrace its vision is admirable. It’s a testament to the creativity and determination of the production team, who worked within significant constraints to bring an entirely alien world to life.


From 1965 to Today: A Critical Perspective

Viewed through a contemporary lens, The Web Planet is both a fascinating artifact of its time and a challenging viewing experience. Its experimental approach and commitment to depicting a truly alien world are groundbreaking, but the execution often falls short of modern standards for pacing, effects, and narrative coherence.

The serial’s surrealism is difficult to engage with, particularly given its lack of familiar touchstones or relatable human drama. However, its themes of resistance and ecological harmony remain relevant, and its ambition to push the boundaries of science fiction storytelling is commendable.


Legacy and Influence

The Web Planet occupies a unique place in Doctor Who history. Its attempt to create an entirely alien environment paved the way for later stories that would explore similarly ambitious concepts, such as The Ark in Space (1975) and The End of the World (2005). While it is not universally loved, its influence on the show’s willingness to experiment and take creative risks cannot be understated.

The serial also highlights the importance of the TARDIS crew as a grounding force. Amid the surrealism of Vortis, their humanity and resourcefulness provide an emotional anchor, ensuring that the story remains accessible even as it ventures into the bizarre.


Final Thoughts

Revisiting The Web Planet as part of this 365-day journey underscores its dual identity as both a triumph of ambition and a victim of its limitations. It’s a story that dares to be different, embracing its alien premise with a boldness that is both admirable and, at times, frustrating.

While it may not be the most accessible or polished entry in the series, The Web Planet stands as a testament to the creativity and determination of the Doctor Who team. It’s a story that challenges both its characters and its audience, reminding us of the boundless possibilities of science fiction storytelling.

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