CELEBRATING FORTY YEARS OF SEASON TWENTY: 'THE KING'S DEMONS'
Android problems for the Doctor in The King's Demons.
It's history but not quite as we know it, as our heroes land in thirteenth century England to discover that the renegade known as the Master has not only survived their last conflict and dispatch to the alien world of Xeraphas but has also brought a trophy prize weapon from that planet- the intriguing shape-shifting android Kamelion, whose test objective is to alter and pervert the course of events linked to the all-important signing of the Magna Carta treaty by King John, a move that will shape the course of politics and living in Britain for generations. And the only way to stop the Master? By the Doctor entering into a unique mind battle for control of Kamelion...
Never intended to be the Anniversary season closer, more an appetiser for the planned but scrapped epic finale with the Daleks, The King's Demons, a competent final story from then series regular Terence Dudley, is best enjoyed for what it is - a fun and mildly-engrossing-for-what-it-is two-parter, with lovely location footage (if looking brutally cold for the actors during filming in January 1983), efficient direction (from deliberately one-time only Who visualist Tony Virgo), a great supporting cast that rises above the thin material, and a fun turn from Anthony Ainley as that evil renegade, once again wearing a disguise, alongside a hammy French accent, as Sir Gilles Estram, and engaging in lively heavyweight sword-play with Peter Davison.
Radio Times clippings from 1983.
The real guest star of the show however must surely be the android Kamelion, which looks impressive in atmospherically lit period scenes, and is a nice idea (if only for a single story), in the classic series. But it should ultimately have overloaded/blown itself to pieces during the mind battle between Time Lords - that would at least have given the season a kind of explosive bang later denied to it with the sad cancellation of the action-packed closer that was to have audience surprise-showcased the dreaded Daleks' return, handled in the kind of re-invented way that had brought the Cybermen back the previous year in the acclaimed Earthshock...
The TARDIS travellers arrivals cause concern for King John's hosts, Ranulf (Frank Windsor) and Lady Isabella (Isla Blair).
At Bodiam castle in December 1982. Colourised image by Clayton Hickman.
The mysterious French Knight, Sir Gilles Estram observes the arrival of King John's 'demons' during a jousting session.
King John (Gerald Flood) and his mystery bodyguard enjoy table company.
The Doctor and Tegan are concerned by the imposter King John.
The Doctor fights Sir Gilles in the castle of Lord Ranulf.
The identity of Sir Gilles Estram revealed.
The Master - escaped from Xeriphas!
The final confrontation for the control of Kamelion begins.
Book art by David McAllister.
Art for the In Vision magazine coverage of the story, by Jimmy Sangster.
Original VHS release art by Colin Howard.
UK DVD release sleeve image composition by Clayton Hickman.
Composition for the Doctor Who - The Complete History partwork series, by Lee Johnson.
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