November 10: Planet of Fire Parts Three & Four

Although the majority of this story takes place on Sarn, the plight of its people takes a backseat to learning more about Turlough and his history -- this is the plotline that takes up most of the audience's interest.  Even the Master's storyline can't compete, and it's his last story ever!  Allegedly.  (And not actually, as it turned out -- but Anthony Ainley's contract was up at the time, so that's why the Master's fate seems more definite than usual.  But don't worry, he'll be back next season.)  But maybe that's because he spends most of his time cut off from the rest of the story, using Kamelion as a surrogate instead.

No, the interesting bits are about Turlough -- not only did he find the wreck of his father's ship, but he has reason to believe that Malkon is his brother.  Turlough is rather reluctant to reveal more details, which starts to frustrate the Doctor.  "If you're holding back anything that will aid the Master, our friendship is at an end," the Doctor tells him.  But in part four we learn the reasons behind Turlough's reluctance: "The Misos Triangle is the mark of a prisoner, and Sarn is a prison planet for very special people.  That's why my father was sent here," Turlough tells the Doctor.  " ... There was civil war on my planet.  My mother was killed.  My father was on the wrong side and was exiled here with my younger brother.  I, for my sins, was sent by the regime to Earth."  The Trions have agents on "every civilised planet" and thus will know that Turlough has left Earth.  And even despite this, Turlough decides to call on the Trions for help with the remaining inhabitants of Sarn -- he's finally left his cowardice behind, and this is the most important moment of Planet of Fire, second to none.

Oh yes, the Master is still around, in a miniaturized size, we learn in the part three cliffhanger -- apparently he had an accident while experimenting on his Tissue Compression Eliminator and needs the healing powers of the main volcano on Sarn (which can tap a rich source of numismaton gas, a healing substance -- fannishly, one wonders if it's related to the Elixir of Life) in order to regain his full size.  And there's some stuff with Kamelion begging for death -- which the Doctor doesn't really hesitate to provide -- and then the Master standing in the flames, being healed but then burning as the flame changes to a regular flame.  "Won't you show mercy to your own--" he starts¹³⁰, before disappearing into the flames while the Doctor just watches in vague horror.

Peri watches as the Doctor and Turlough say goodbye. (Planet
of Fire Part Four) ©BBC

And that's about it, except for one last thing.  Turlough has learned from the Trion rescue ship that he can now go home.  "I don't want to go, Doctor," he says.  "I've learnt a lot from you.  But I have to go back to Trion.  It's my home."  It's the completion of Turlough's story, from sniveling coward to upright citizen, and this farewell feels correct: a reasoned, steady goodbye as Turlough resolves to shoulder his responsibilities.  It's understated, but a lovely scene nevertheless, as we say goodbye to one of the more interesting (and easily one of the best acted) companions of recent years.  But the Doctor won't be lonely -- he'll be taking Peri on as his new traveling companion.

It's not a terribly big or important story, and the main plot about the people on Sarn is almost an afterthought (and the anti-religion stance Planet of Fire takes is almost an afterthought as well, it seems).  What makes this worthwhile are the revelations we get about Turlough, which are genuinely interesting.  Even though this sees the (sort of) death of the Master, there's a feeling that this isn't the main thrust of the story -- writer Peter Grimwade is more interested in closing a chapter he started: that of Turlough.  But there's nothing about the rest of it that's particularly dull or uninteresting; no, this is another one of those pleasantly average stories Doctor Who occasionally turns out -- fun while it lasts, even if it's not likely to linger in the memory for long.







¹³⁰ Obviously (and deliberately), this line has led to all sorts of speculation as to its intended completion, with "brother" being the most generally accepted candidate (although the recent "Death in Heaven" suggests a slightly different childhood relationship between the Doctor and the Master).