Day seven, adventure seven: The Sensorites. First aired in June and July 1964, this six-part serial takes the TARDIS crew to the Sense-Sphere, a mysterious planet inhabited by a race of telepathic beings called the Sensorites. After the tightly written drama of The Aztecs, The Sensorites marks a return to science fiction storytelling, blending intrigue, paranoia, and moments of eerie atmosphere.
Rewatching this serial highlights both its ambition and its flaws. It’s a story that strives to explore complex themes and alien cultures, but it often struggles under the weight of its pacing and uneven execution.
The Setup: A Mysterious Spacecraft
The story begins aboard a derelict spaceship orbiting the Sense-Sphere. The TARDIS crew discovers two human survivors, Captain Maitland and Carol, who are trapped in a state of fearful stagnation, held in place by the Sensorites’ telepathic control. This eerie opening, with its sense of isolation and dread, sets the tone for what could have been a gripping psychological thriller.
The Sensorites themselves soon make their presence known, and their design is both distinctive and unsettling. With their bulbous heads, featureless faces, and flowing robes, they embody an otherworldly aesthetic that fits the show’s early vision of alien life.
Character Dynamics: The TARDIS Crew
The TARDIS crew is given a fair amount of agency in this story, with each character contributing to the narrative in meaningful ways:
The Doctor takes center stage as a problem-solver and negotiator. William Hartnell’s performance balances authority and compassion, especially as the Doctor delves into the political and social tensions of the Sensorites. His frustration with bureaucracy and his determination to uncover the truth about the illness plaguing the Sensorites highlight his growing sense of moral responsibility.
Barbara is sadly sidelined for much of the story, as she and Susan trade places in narrative focus. After her commanding role in The Aztecs, Barbara’s reduced presence here feels like a missed opportunity.
Ian is his usual dependable self, stepping up as both a protector and a diplomat. His partnership with the Doctor is particularly strong in this serial, with the two working together to navigate the complexities of the Sensorite society.
Susan finally gets a chance to shine, with her latent telepathic abilities playing a key role in the story. Her interactions with the Sensorites add an emotional dimension to the narrative, as she grapples with her place in the TARDIS crew and her evolving identity as a young alien among humans.
Exploring the Sensorites
One of the most compelling aspects of this serial is its attempt to depict an alien society with depth and nuance. The Sensorites are not straightforward villains; they are a complex people, torn between fear, ambition, and duty. Their society is plagued by internal divisions, with political intrigue and paranoia threatening to tear them apart.
The Chief Administrator, in particular, is a standout character, embodying the dangers of fear-driven leadership. His mistrust of the humans and his manipulations to maintain power add tension to the story, even as the Sensorites’ inherent passivity and cautiousness make them less menacing than other Doctor Who antagonists.
The exploration of their culture is ambitious, but it’s let down by pacing issues and repetitive dialogue. While the Sensorites are a fascinating concept, their execution lacks the dynamism needed to sustain six episodes.
Themes of Fear and Distrust
At its heart, The Sensorites is a story about fear—fear of the unknown, fear of change, and fear of “the other.” The Sensorites’ actions are driven by a deep-seated mistrust of humans, stemming from a previous encounter that led to devastating consequences for their society. This theme resonates strongly in a modern context, reflecting the dangers of xenophobia and the challenges of building trust between cultures.
The serial also delves into the impact of power and leadership. The Sensorites’ hierarchical society is portrayed as both fragile and stagnant, with internal politics hampering progress and creating unnecessary conflict. The Doctor’s role as a mediator highlights his growing ability to navigate these complexities, though his impatience with bureaucracy is a trait that will become more pronounced in later incarnations.
Production and Atmosphere
The production design of The Sensorites is a mixed bag. The Sense-Sphere interiors, with their minimalist sets and stark lighting, create an appropriately alien aesthetic, but they lack the grandeur or detail of other early Doctor Who settings. The Sensorites’ costumes, while iconic, don’t fully convey the sophistication of their society, often appearing more awkward than otherworldly.
The story’s atmosphere is strongest in its early episodes, particularly aboard the spaceship. The sense of isolation and creeping dread is palpable, reminiscent of classic sci-fi tropes. However, as the action shifts to the Sense-Sphere, this tension dissipates, replaced by a slower, more dialogue-driven narrative.
From 1964 to Today
Viewed through a contemporary lens, The Sensorites is an uneven but ambitious tale. Its slower pacing and talk-heavy scenes may test the patience of modern audiences, but its themes and character work remain compelling. The story’s exploration of fear, power, and cultural misunderstanding feels surprisingly relevant, even if the execution leaves something to be desired.
Legacy and Influence
The Sensorites has often been overshadowed by the more iconic stories of early Doctor Who, but it holds an important place in the show’s history. It’s one of the first serials to delve deeply into the intricacies of an alien society, laying the groundwork for later stories that would tackle similar themes with greater sophistication.
The Sensorites themselves, while not as enduring as the Daleks or Cybermen, are memorable for their distinctive design and their role as morally ambiguous antagonists. Their telepathic abilities and hierarchical society would later inspire other Doctor Who creations, such as the Ood.
Final Thoughts
Rewatching The Sensorites today is a mixed experience. It’s a story that dares to explore complex ideas and alien cultures, but it’s hampered by its pacing and uneven production. Still, its ambition and thematic depth make it a fascinating chapter in Doctor Who’s early years. It's a reminder of the show’s willingness to take risks, even when the results are imperfect. It’s certainly not the strongest story of the era, but it remains an intriguing piece of Doctor Who history.
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