And, as they say, on with the show...
On the first trip in the Tardis since being allowed his freedom by the Time Lords, The Doctor and Jo materialize on the S.S. Bernice in the middle of the Indian Ocean. This is rather disconcerting, since The Doctor was aiming Metebelis Three, but all is not what it seems.
Directed by Barry Letts
Main Cast-
The Doctor - Jon Pertwee
Jo - Katy Manning
Main Guest Cast-
Vorg - Leslie Dwyer
Shirna - Cheryl Hall
Major Daly - Tenniel Evans
Claire Daly - Jenny McCracken
Lt. John Andrews - Ian Marter
Kalik - John Wisher
Orum - Terence Lodge
Pletrac - Peter Halliday
Synopsis-
The Tardis lands on the S.S. Bernice in what appears to be the Indian Ocean. Once they are discovered by the passengers on board, they are taken as stowaways. Several minutes later, the passengers and crew of the ship can't remember either The Doctor or Jo being taken prisoner.
The Doctor eventually figures out that the Tardis has materialized inside a miniscope, which houses miniaturized living beings which is used as an entertainment device by the carival showman Vorg and his assistant Shirna.
Vorg and Shirna have just arrived at the planet Inter Minor, with the hope of putting on a show for the local population. The local tribunal is suspicious of Vorg and Shirna, however, and forbid them entry onto the planet.
Meanwhile, The Doctor and Jo have made their way off the ship and into the inner working of the miniscope. While trying to find the way out, they discover a second environment inhabited by the Drashigs, a deadly worm-like life form. The Drashigs follow the Doctor and Jo and eventually wreak havoc on the inner workings of the miniscope.
Eventually, The Doctor escapes the miniscope and linking the Tardis to the miniscope's working is able to save Jo and return everyone back to their correct time and space. The miniscope is destroyed, however.
Review-
Carnival of Monsters is, to put it quite simply, a fun romp. Vorg, the carnival showman that owns the miniscope clearly isn't aware that these miniscopes have been made illegal by the Time Lords. For Vorg and Shirna, the miniscope is simply a way to make a quick buck.
The ship's inhabitants, who keep reliving the same moments over and over again, are appealing and one does feel for their predicament. Ian Marter (best known for playing Harry Sullivan) makes an early appearance as Lt. Andrews, who clearly has a romantic attachment to Major Daly's daughter, Claire.
The intercutting between The Doctor and Jo story and Vorg and Shirna's story is handled quite well. The only thing that feels a bit out of place is a plot by two of the tribunal's members to discredit the President of Inter Minor by allowing the Drashigs to escape the miniscope. Vorg foils this plan by destroying the escaped Drashig. Fortunately, this unneeded bit of plot doesn't really get in the way of the story.
All in all, one of the most entertaining stories from the Third Doctor era and an excellent follow-up to The Three Doctors.
