Writer: Ian Stuart Black
Original Broadcast Date: 11 March 1967 - 1 April 1967
The Macra Terror, sorely missed from the BBC archives, follows the adventures of The Doctor, Ben, Polly and Jamie in a earth colony holiday camp, where they're treated with luxury, but something doesn't seem right. A prisoner escapes, crying about massive insects, but no one believes him - the Macra don't exist! Or do they?
Plunged straight into action, the story sticks to this fast pace throughout its four parts, which works well considering some aspects of the plot are a little daft and are best moved on from, but its a lot of fun nonetheless. Countering The Moonbase's problem with dealing with three male leads, everyone, Doctor and companions included, has something to do in this story, and both Ben and Jamie are given some great time in the spotlight (and the latter is even given some hilarious lines).
As with all the missing episodes, the soundtrack is the only fragment of the episodes that exist, which could potentially work in its favour (60s Who Costume Design + Giant Crabs = Oh Dear!), or not considering the annoying screechy incidental music that could have been masked over with the brilliant visuals.
I'd also like to mention the great use of the setting in this story, with some great chase scenes (at least I assume they're great) and some touches to give the sense of the scale of the colony.
The Macra Terror is spectacular and incredibly unique, something quite unlike anything other in Who history, so very weird, but so very compelling.
8/10
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