The Doctor and his companions get involved in a rebellion by the Gonds, who have been virtual slaves to the Krotons for thousands of years.
Directed by David Maloney
Main Cast-
The Doctor - Patrick Troughton
Jamie - Frazer Hines
Zoe - Wendy Padbury
Main Guest Cast-
Selris - James Copeland
Thara - Gilbert Wynne
Vana - Madeleine Mills
Eelek - Philip Madoc
Beta - James Cairncross
Synopsis-
The Tardis lands on an unnamed planet. While exploring, they are horrified to discover a man who's killed after exiting a building complex. They are able to rescue the young woman, Vana, who appears shortly thereafter.
Vana is in a catatonic state, and she's taken by the Doctor and his companions to her people, the Gonds. The Gonds have lived for thousands of years under the control of the Krotons, who live in the complex. The Gonds have never seens the Krotons, but every so often the smartest of the Gonds are chosen to become companions of the Krotons and are never seen again. Vana was one of those chosen to be a companion of the Krotons, so now the Gonds know why they never see their people again.
The Gond's leader Selris and his son, Thara are at odds. Thara wishes to start a rebellion against the Krotons but Selris is unsure since they simply don't have the weapons necessary to defeat the Krotons.
Jamie stays with Thara to care for Vana while The Doctor and Zoe go with Selris to visit the Kroton complex. While the Doctor explores, Zoe uses the learning machines that the Gonds have used for years. The Krotons, who have made the machines, summon Zoe to be a Kroton companion. The Doctor, horrified, also takes the test and is summoned.
Once inside, the Doctor and Zoe learn that the Krotons have been using the Gonds in hopes of finding enough "high brains" to get them back to their home. Jamie, having discovered that the Doctor and Zoe have entered the Kroton complex tries to break in to save them.
Selris is deposed by Eelek, another member of the ruling Gond council. Eelek forces the Gond scientist Beta to help them, as Eelek plans to attack the Kroton complex. Selris, fearful of the attack and the ensuing casualties that will result, recommends attacking the foundation supports underneath the complex. This attack fails, and the Krotons reassert control.
Meanwhile, The Doctor and Zoe are able to escape the complex and discovers that the Kroton complex can be destroyed by sulfuric acid. With the help of Beta, The Doctor manufactures enough acid to destroy the complex, though Selris is killed during the assault by the Krotons while helping the Doctor.
The Doctor, Jamie and Zoe quietly slip away while the Gonds celebrate their defeat of the Krotons.
Review-
The idea of having slaves rise up against their masters is nothing new. The callousness of the Krotons for anything that is of no use to them is fairly evident while Jamie is held as a prisoner by the Krotons. Jamie isn't a "high brain" and thus is of no use to them, except as a hostage.
While not on the epic scale like the Invasion, I think it was an inspired idea to program a quick and simple adventure like the Krotons to follow on after such an epic story like the Invasion. The Krotons is another winner in my humble opinion and well worth checking out.
