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Devil In The Mist


Doctor Who Monthly Adventures 247


‘The snakes can hiss off”


The Doctor, Tegan, Turlough and Kamelion arrive on a ship that’s carrying a single prisoner. 


Things aren’t exactly harmonious on board the TARDIS as Tegan is distrustful of Kamelion - you can’t blame her he has form. The ship they land on is transporting a criminal who can change into a mist at will, so not easy to contain. The crew of the ship consist of two hippopotamus like people. When this go wrong on the ship and it crashes its merely the start of their problems.


Its nice to have Kamelion as a ‘proper’ companion. One of the things about watching the season 21 blu ray set, was a special edition which included a brief moment with Kamelion in the TARDIS, a nice touch. My only real issue is that fact that with Kamelion being so easily susceptible to outside influence, its just more of the same. I can’t help feeling that more could be done with the character, the ability to change appearance could mean he’s the old version of the psychic paper. 


The structure of the story means it's more of a one and three part adventure. One being on the ship and dealing with various technical issues. With the remaining three being set on the planet after the ship crashed with crew separated and trying to reunite.


This is more of a filler story, as in its just doing its job of giving you more of what you want. In this case the added value of more Kamelion. With Turlough involved and him not having that many audios I do feel that he and Kamelion are not use to their full potential.


The Doctor sustains a serious injury in the crash and though integral to the audio, it doesn’t quite have the drama that it should. The two parties battle through the jungle, across rivers, encountering fierce creatures trying to find each other or the TARDIS. With he criminal who can turn into mist on the loose there’s not a lot of trust between them. 


Part 4 drags out a bit, once they all get back together, you kind of feel that that’s it. But there a bit of mopping up do and questions that are answered, but the interest is lost by that point. The fact is the aim of the story isn't clear, is it about battling the elements, or the prisoner - wether he or something has taken over Kamelion, or the mysteries that the planet has brought up?


There are some good moments and references - Tegan and snakes, the Doctor and Gallifrey. Its OK but nothing special.

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