{"id":148,"date":"2017-09-22T00:07:08","date_gmt":"2017-09-22T04:07:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.davidredd.com\/doctorwho\/?p=148"},"modified":"2023-07-10T22:43:38","modified_gmt":"2023-07-11T02:43:38","slug":"the-keys-of-marinus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.davidredd.com\/doctorwho\/first-doctor\/the-keys-of-marinus\/","title":{"rendered":"The Keys of Marinus"},"content":{"rendered":"

“The keys have filled my mind for so long\u2026” \u2013 False Arbitan<\/em><\/p>\n

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This story is one that I loved as a child for the scary moments and arc-shaped story but as an adult realize is seriously deficient in its writing. Basically, it consists of a lot of interesting ideas or moments strung together into an adventure narrative with resultant shifts in tone and narrative plot holes. Yet, I can\u2019t help but still like it for the pleasant memories it brings.<\/p>\n

So what is the good? There are tons of great and interesting ideas. Arriving on a strange land with acid seas and commandeered by its leader, the TARDIS crew is sent off to collect a set of keys hidden across the planet. Just the idea of the group leaping into a different unknown environment each week driven by the overarching search mission is already interesting (and would be used to greater effect later in the Key to Time saga). At each stage of the journey, there are also interesting concepts.<\/p>\n

At the first instance, the city of Morphoton seems perfection. We soon get hints that it\u2019s not and the idea to show it by us both observing the sumptuous d\u00e9cor with the group from one side and then literally seeing through the illusion along with Barbara from her perspective is a great achievement, not just as an idea but—given the technical limitations of the show—in the clever camera angle switch that the director uses to accomplish it. It\u2019s quite amazing to see our heroes totally clueless as we see through Barbara\u2019s eyes the actual pitiful state of the room, Susan hugging dirty rag that she thinks is a a gown, or the Doctor marveling at a filthy mug. The references to drug stupor are evident\u2014down to glassy eyes and sleepy withdrawal. That the whole system is controlled by disembodied brains in glass jars is a nice sci-fi touch. (And kudos for a very nice story title.)<\/p>\n

In the next leg of the journey, I like to think that Susan\u2019s special susceptibility to the screams is part of her ESP showing again. The story really picks up when the initial surprise of simplistic booby traps gives way to the more horrifying idea that the plants are \u201calive\u201d and coming to get everyone. It\u2019s even more interesting to slowly realize that it\u2019s simply a regular process of growth so accelerated that it seems intelligent. \u201cNature’s tempo of destruction\u201d really is horrific\u2014it\u2019s just so slow we don\u2019t notice it. A great concept and one that really struck me on first viewing. I also like the solution of the letters and numbers being a chemical formula (though it would have been better if Ian as the science teacher had figured it out on his own).<\/p>\n

At the next jump, we\u2019re in bitter winter and dealing with ice caves and frozen knights which lends an air of fantasy to the adventure. It\u2019s also interesting after having seen the character Susan become a bit of weepy mess that we get the chance to suddenly see her become the resolute and brave one, accepting without being asked the responsibility to risk getting across ravine to secure the bridge and save the others.<\/p>\n

Finally, we\u2019re in a modern land going through courtroom proceedings and crime drama. There\u2019s a nice moment of the Doctor appearing and suddenly taking charge of confusion with confidence having learned the culture, law, and custom of the people. The first Doctor really seems to be the group leader here.<\/p>\n

Even the overarching storyline of the development of the Conscience of Marinus, a machine so amazing that it forces order and goodness on the will but is then so easily corrupted, makes for a great cautionary tale.<\/p>\n

Given all these elements, it\u2019s too bad that the story itself just does not stand up. Indeed, I have to admit that much of it doesn\u2019t make sense. These lingering questions show just how much of a problem it is:<\/p>\n