Meglos

Notes

For conversion into full article:

• Good supporting cast, though the early scenes in the debating chamber are cringeworthy.
• Still using CSO - looks a little better than the Pertwee era but not by much.
• 'Ardent pragmatists' is a good way to describe the mercenaries.
• Fixing K-9 takes most of episode one - doesn't seem to be any plot point to this.
• Time looping is annoying, repeating the same clip again and again. Feels like a cheap way of padding.
• Romana is so whiney in this story, e.g. 'I was only trying to help'.
• Scene of initial exit from spacecraft is well done.
• Getting out of the time loop by repeating the actions seemed a bit of a cop-out.
• Romana being attacked by a plant is a terrible effect. As is often the case with these scenes (e.g. Sarah attacked by a cybermat in Revenge of the Cybermen), it's clearly the case that the actor is manipulating the prop and effectively attacking herself.
• Romana running away from the mercenaries (end of episode 2) is awful, poorly acted and directed. No sense of danger or tension.
• Usual 'kill her... wait!' episode cliffhanger.
• Same jungle background sound effect as Planet of the Daleks.
• Do actors such as Tom Baker get paid double/extra for playing two roles?
• Episode 4 has a long recap - 2:30.
• Due to padding, the whole story feels like 2 episodes stretched out to 4.

Elsewhere

The following podcast episodes have concentrated wholly or primarily on Meglos.

• Krynoid Podcast: Episode 079