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| The Master takes control of a Satanic cult. |
5 episodes. Running Time: Approx. 122 minutes. Written by: Guy Leopold (pseudonym for Barry Letts and Robert Sloman). Directed by: Christopher Barry. Produced by: Barry Letts.
THE PLOT:
Professor Horner (Robin Wentworth) is conducting an archaeological dig of the "Devil's Hump," an ancient burial mound located by the village of Devil's End. The Doctor watches the coverage on the BBC. After the superstitious Miss Hawthorne (Damaris Hayman) is shown berating the professor that his dig will bring disaster on them all, the Doctor declares that she's right and insists that he and Jo drive up to Devil's End immediately!
He's too late to stop the dig, arriving just as the professor breaks through. The icy gust that emerges from kills the professor, but the Doctor is saved by his ever-useful Time Lord metabolism. Capt. Yates and Sgt. Benton join the two of them in the village; but before the Brigadier can arrive, an invisible dome of heat cuts Devil's End off from the rest of the world!
Though Miss Hawthorne insists that this is the work of the devil, the Doctor is certain there is a more scientific explanation. He becomes even more convinced when he learns of the new vicar in town: the Reverend Magister... the Master!
CHARACTERS:
The Doctor: He's particularly irritable in this story. This is likely because he already knows what the threat is and how serious it is, and so every delay or setback aggravates him that much more. It is worth noting that when Jo mimics his condescending attitude toward the Brigadier, he immediately upbraids her for it. He does have basic respect for Lethbridge-Stewart; he may butt heads with and even insult him, but he won't stand by while anyone else does the same.
Jo Grant: This is a particularly strong story for Jo. When she and the Doctor arrive in Devil's End, he pointlessly alienates some villagers at a local pub while trying to get directions to the dig. Jo steps in to mediate, which by this point she does pretty much on instinct. Predictably, she gets better results with a warm tone and a smile than the Doctor manages. When he's injured at the dig, she watches over him like a mother hen. She also plays a key role in the story's resolution.
The Master: In a story that borrows heavily from horror movie tropes, the Master assumes the guise of a devil worshipping priest. He gets a particularly plum scene in Episode Three. At a gathering of villagers, he calls out the townsfolk by name and recites their sins, from the petty (a grocer padding the bills of wealthy customers) to the severe (murder), all without judgment and even with a hint of approval. A silver tongue only goes so far, however; when one man protests too much, he calls on his Right-Hand-Gargoyle to do away with the troublemaker. Roger Delgado has been terrific all season, but I think this performance is his series best.
Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart: Spends the bulk of the story locked out of the town, stuck on the opposite side of the heat barrier. When he finally arrives, he calmly takes in the devil worshippers and the unkillable living gargoyles and delivers his iconic order: "Chap with the wings there: Five rounds rapid." Me, I prefer his closing line. When all the other characters are joining a village dance, he expresses his preference for going to the pub for a pint.
Capt. Yates: He and Jo may not be dating, precisely, but it's clear there's a strong mutual attraction. At the start, the two of them have plans to watch the dig on television together - a date the Doctor crashes when the name "Devil's End" catches his attention. It's after Jo calls him from the village that he commandeers the Brigadier's helicopter; and when he states the need to check on the Doctor and Jo as the top priority, his specific phrasing is "Jo and the Doc" - with Jo at the top of his mind.
Sgt. Benton: He has his own priority when they arrive at the village: breakfast. Yes, Benton truly is the most relatable member of UNIT. He rescues Miss Hawthorne from the Master, and is pronounced her "knight" as a result. His keen marksmanship also allows the Doctor to put on an impromptu - and life saving - magic show near the story's end.
THOUGHTS:
The Daemons is a fan favorite, and it's easy to see why. While there are still a few of the classic series' trademark "very special" effects (such as almost anything to do with the "Daemon" of the title), the overall production values are pretty high. Much of the story was shot on location at the village of Aldbourne, which helps it to break free of the studio look of many serials.
I have complained in the past about finding director Christopher Barry's work for the series to be a bit stagy. Given this, I think it only fair to give him props for a largely terrific job here. He follows the cues in the script and captures the spirit of many British horror films of the period. The combination of the supernatural atmosphere with the script's themes of science vs. superstition proves effective - as would be true when producer Philip Hinchcliffe would regularly mine that vein a few years later.
There's a lot to praise in this story. It's well-paced. Its script is witty and often quotable. Its five episodes are consistently engaging. But the thing I most noticed was how well this serial uses Season Eight's full ensemble.
Every regular character gets something to do. The Master, who felt tacked onto The Colony in Space, is at his best here. With that beard and aristocratic bearing, it seems only natural for him to be conducting Satanic rituals, while spending many of his scenes dressed up as a priest. Nicholas Courtney gets some great lines as the Brigadier fumes impatiently on the wrong side of the barrier; and his sidelining for most of the story allows Benton and Yates to enjoy a greater share of the spotlight. Not to mention Jo, who arguably is even more the hero of this story than the Doctor!
Simply put: Everyone gets a page, and this is accomplished without bogging things down.
OVERALL:
The Daemons is a rare case of Classic Who delivering a "modern" season finale. Season Eight was "The Master Season," with the stories centered around him making mischief, mostly on Earth. This season brings that to an appropriate close, and it does so while giving Roger Delgado's Master his best role of the season.
Most importantly, though, this is a good, fun romp that easily justifies its reputation as a fan favorite.
Overall Rating: 9/10.
Previous Story: The Colony in Space
Next Story: Day of the Daleks
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