Broadcast in December 1979 and January 1980, The Horns of Nimon marks the 108th adventure in Doctor Who and inadvertently ended up serving as the finale to Season 17. Written by Anthony Read and directed by Kenny McBain, this story blends Greek mythology with science fiction, reimagining the tale of the Minotaur and the Labyrinth for a galactic stage. While often remembered for its camp and over-the-top performances, the story also offers a deeper exploration of greed, exploitation, and the cyclical nature of power.
The TARDIS materializes aboard a decaying spaceship bound for Skonnos, a planet under the rule of the manipulative Soldeed. The ship carries a cargo of Anethan tributes—young people offered as sacrifices to the Nimon, a godlike being who promises to restore Skonnos to its former glory. The Doctor and Romana quickly uncover the truth: the Nimon is not a deity but a parasitic alien exploiting the Skonnons to further its own plans for galactic conquest.
Tom Baker’s Fourth Doctor brings his usual blend of wit and eccentricity to the story, but there’s a distinct sense of weariness and irreverence in his performance. Baker’s comedic timing shines, particularly in his interactions with the larger-than-life Soldeed and the hapless tributes. Yet beneath the humour lies the Doctor’s steely determination to expose the Nimon’s duplicity and save the Anethans. Baker’s ability to switch from levity to gravitas anchors the narrative, even as the production veers into farce.
Lalla Ward’s Romana is in top form, her intelligence and resourcefulness taking center stage. Ward’s performance highlights Romana’s growing confidence as she takes on more active roles in problem-solving and leadership. Her interactions with the Anethans, particularly Seth and Teka, showcase her compassion and quick thinking, while her partnership with the Doctor continues to exude charm and camaraderie.
The supporting cast is a mixed bag, with standout performances from Graham Crowden as the flamboyant Soldeed. Crowden’s over-the-top delivery, particularly his infamous exclamation of “The Nimon be praised!”, has divided fans, but it undeniably adds an unforgettable energy to the character. Simon Gipps-Kent and Janet Ellis bring sincerity to their roles as Seth and Teka, the young tributes who find themselves thrust into heroism. The Nimons themselves, with their lumbering movements and horned costumes, are a striking if somewhat camp representation of the Minotaur myth.
The production design reflects both the ambition and the limitations of the story. The labyrinthine corridors of the Nimon’s lair and the decaying spaceship convey a sense of foreboding, though the starkness of the sets occasionally undermines the intended atmosphere. The visual effects, particularly the glowing horns of the Nimons and the crystalline structure of their power source, highlight the era’s resourcefulness despite budget constraints.
From a thematic perspective, The Horns of Nimon explores the dangers of blind faith and the corrupting influence of power. Soldeed’s willingness to sacrifice his people for the promise of restored glory serves as a cautionary tale about the perils of unchecked ambition. The Nimon’s manipulation of the Skonnons mirrors historical patterns of exploitation, with the cyclical arrival of the “Great Journey of Life” symbolizing the repetitive nature of oppression and greed.
Rewatching The Horns of Nimon, I found myself appreciating its unabashed theatricality and its commitment to reinterpreting mythology within a science fiction framework. While the story’s tone often teeters on the edge of parody, its underlying messages remain resonant. The Doctor’s triumph over the Nimon, achieved through a combination of ingenuity and moral clarity, reinforces the series’ enduring themes of hope and resistance against tyranny.
The resolution, which sees the Anethans freed and the Nimon’s plans thwarted, is both satisfying and emblematic of Doctor Who’s optimistic spirit. As the TARDIS dematerializes, the Doctor and Romana’s lighthearted banter offers a fitting conclusion to a story that embraces its quirks and revels in its own audacity.
The Horns of Nimon may not be a universally acclaimed classic, but it embodies the adventurous and imaginative spirit of Doctor Who. Its mix of humour, drama, and mythological inspiration ensures its place as a memorable entry in the Fourth Doctor’s era, prematurely closing Season 17 with a flourish that invites both laughter and reflection.
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