The Savages

As the Doctor promised, it is an era of peace ond prosperity on the planet the TARDIS has brought himself, Dodo and Steven to. There is an idyllic city governed by the Elders, where all the needs of the citizens are met and everyone is kept happy. Oh sure, there are some savages living in the wastelands, but they're nothing to worry about; they are easily controlled with light guns, and they do have their uses after all. The Elders, it seems are so advanced that they knew the Doctor would come to them one day and have offered him a position on their council. He accepts, and then is told the secrets of the civilization's propersity. The chief scientist of the city has discovered a way to distil the life force out of the savages and transfer it to the citizens of the city, which enhances their lives but leaves the savages weak and confused, and they are flung back into the wilderness to recover or die. The Doctor and his companions are outraged at what they see and immediately side with the savages, but the Doctor is subjected to the process and the leader of the city absorbs his life essence, only to absorb the scruples and morals of the Doctor as well. Steven shows the savages how to fight back and when the battle is eventually won by the good guys, they want Steven to stay and lead them. And he does.

Alas, there are no complete episodes of The Savages to enjoy, but the CD was entertaining with liking narration performed by Peter Purves. This was Purves' last adventure as a member of the TARDIS crew, with Steven taking the responsibility of leading the savages and the citizens of the city into their future. He immediately says he can't do it, but the Doctor almost pushes him into the role, telling him this is what he was born to do, and thus the TARDIS is down one companion. Do I buy this? Sort of. Steven was a strong character yes, a good foil for the Doctor, almost a grandson to him, but leader of a planet? Not sure. Still, he did a good job of showing them how to fight back, that's got to count for something, and everything he has seen and learned while with the Doctor has prepared him for just about anything. This leaves the Doctor on his own with Dodo, "the girl with the ridiculous name" as her calls her. What is an old man to do when he is travelling alone with a young girl? (Minds out of the gutter, people).

Maybe Dodo might want out too.

NEXT EPISODE : THE WAR MACHINES