The Ice Warriors

Well, it's been a long time since I continued my marathon, but I'm back now, and kick off my continuation with The Ice Warriors. This is quite a good serial, in my opinion, although it is a bit too similar to other Troughton serials, as it takes places mostly in a single area with no venturing outside.

The Doctor, Jamie, and Victoria arrive at the Brittanicus Base, the base of a large weather-controlling system which is holding back a large Glacier which is almost on top of the base. However, the scientist Arden uncovers a strange warrior in the ice and brings it back to the base, where it wakes up and kidnaps Victoria. Back outside in the ice, the Ice Warrior starts to dig out the rest of it's spaceship crew, and the rest of the story is a struggle between the Ice Warriors and the base staff.

There's another plot going on at the same time, which makes things far more interesting. Leader Clent has dismissed chief scientist Penley who is needed on-site to deal with all the problems, and the Doctor facilitates their reunion and it's a great moment when they put aside each others' differences and agree to work as a team.

This is a rare moment of character over plot in early Doctor Who, and it is most welcome. Otherwise, the Ice Warriors themselves are quite impressive, and it's slightly unfortunate that they spend most of the serial out in the ice, isolated from much contact with the other characters.

However, overall, it's a good story, lots of running around, an awful computer voice, some interesting characters, and the Doctor on top form as usual.