16x1. The Ribos Operation
Writer: Robert Holmes
Director: George Spenton-Foster
Script Editor: Anthony Read
Producer: Graham Williams
Synopsis: The Doctor is
contacted by a being known as the "White Guardian," who enlists his
help to locate the six segments of the Key To Time, an enormously
powerful object that must occasionally be reassembled to prevent the
universe from falling into chaos. A fellow Time Lord, Romana, is
brought in to help him in this task, and they travel to Ribos, where
the search for the first segment involves them in a complex web of
political agendas and double-crosses.
Review: "The Ribos Operation"
-- and, more broadly, the 16th season in general -- makes its mark by
giving the Doctor a "mission" to complete ahead of time as opposed to
having him just wander into a situation that somehow prompts his
involvement. While he and Romana do side against the Graff Vynda-K,
easily the most malicious and dangerous of any of the individuals
involved in the situation, they remain focused on their priority of
finding the segment, regarding the scheming of the con artists Garron
and Unstoffe with relative indifference. It's also interesting to see
that, perhaps in a slight echo of the conflict between the Second and
Third Doctors in "The Three Doctors," the Doctor doesn't initially take
well to the idea of having someone around who can match his perspective
and intelligence (namely Romana). Rather than bickering with him, she
takes a more aloof approach, making it clear that she's not all that
impressed by his reputation, even mocking his academic performance
during his time as a student on Gallifrey. Romana is a worthwhile
departure from the "subordinate" role that companions typically play,
and as is often the case in a Robert Holmes serial, there has clearly
been some thought put into the background of the various guest
characters and their civilizations. While it isn't as thematically rich
as Holmes' very best efforts, it's still a solid start to the new
season and to the Key To Time arc.
Rating: *** (out of four)
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