Dr Who - The Krotons: DVD Review

Dr Who - The Krotons: DVD Review

Rating: G
Released by the BBC and Roadshow Home Entertainment

It's a crime some of the most exciting of Dr Who stories 49 years of TV are missing.

And it's even more of a crime that some of the most interminably dull stories exist in their entirety.

So it is with The Krotons - hardly vintage Dr Who but it has the auspicious title of being the last complete Patrick Troughton Second Doctor story released onto DVD. From 1968/69, the 4 part tale sees Jamie, the Doc and Zoe on the world of the Gonds who live under the control of the Krotons. But once the Doctor shows up, the seeds of revolution are planted and soon, society's gone to hell in a handcart.

Largely unremarkable and with baddies which seem to wobble and talk in South African accents, The Krotons is a watchable if unexciting tale from the 60s. It succeeds largely because of the trio - Pat Troughton's never been less engaging as the Doctor and the trio of him, Jamie and Zoe have such chemistry that they propel you along this story.

Much more pleasurable though are the extras on this set - in particular, the Second Time Around doco which looks at the challenges faced by the production team as they gambled on the show's future. It's a fascinating and enthralling watch and is worth the price of admission alone. Part one of a doco about Frazer Hines' companion Jamie is also enjoyable.

The Krotons may be an unremarkable release but thanks to the completist nature of these DVDs, it's an essential own - but not for the story, merely for the additional content which is stand out.

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