Will Brooks’ 50 Year Diary - watching Doctor Who one episode a day from the very start...

Day Eighty-Nine: Trap of Steel (Galaxy 4, Episode Two)

Dear diary,

This isn't likely to be a particularly popular comment, but I don't think that Galaxy 4 is one of the greatest losses among Doctor Who's missing episodes. That's not to say that I'm glad it's missing - I might be enjoying it even more were I able to see it properly - or that I wouldn't want to see more of it returned to the archives, but I'm glad that we've lost this one, as opposed to, say, The Time Meddler.

Yes, yes, I'm sure you can judge from that opening paragraph my feelings towards today's episode. It's that same sense of disappointment that I found myself experiencing during Season Two - It's not that there's anything wrong with the episode, it's all just too bland. The Doctor and Steven get caught in the TARDIS, where bombs are set off outside, but there never feels like any real threat.

Then the pair wander back to the Drahvin spaceship and discuss the poor quality of its design. Then they argue with Maaga a bit, before she takes one of the Doctor's companions hostages, and he goes for another walk. Ooh, exciting.

That's not to say that the episode doesn't have its merits. Steven still proves to be a real boon to the series, and his discussion with the Drahvin soldier, as he tries to convince her to go and get the better gun is fantastic. Steven knows the way that this works, and he's able and willing to play the situation to get the result he needs. It helps to give us a glimpse at his intelligence while painting a picture of the way the Drahvin society works.

I also have to give praise for the scene in which the Doctor and Vicki observe, note, collate, conclude… and then she throws a rock at a Chumblie. It's another example of the series injecting just the right amount of comedy, and I have to admit to laughing out loud when Vicki explained her method to the Doctor. It feels as though Vicki's character has been given a bit more of a rounding out over the last couple of stories again, which is nice to see.

But tomorrow is surely the bigger excitement. An episode of Doctor Who missing from the archives for several decades, and now back in its rightful home, fully restored and out on DVD just in time for me to reach it with this marathon. And just think, it's only a single dawn away!

Next Episode: Airlock

Next Episode: Airlock