Re-running through corridors: The Myth Makers

4 episodes

Aired between 16th October 1965 and 6th November 1965

Written by Donald Cotton
Produced by John Wiles
Directed by Michael Leeston-Smith

Synopsis

The TARDIS materialises on a arid landscape, where two Grecian warriors: Hector and Achilles fight. The Doctor, Vicki and Steven observe them for a bit, until the Doctor finally decides to go outside and talk to them, feeling confident that they're not really serious because they are doing more talking than fighting. Still, to be cautious, he orders Vicki and Steven to remain in the TARDIS.

Hector defies Zeus to come down and stop him from killing Achilles, and as they begin to fight again, the Doctor emerges from the TARDIS.

Hector takes him for a manifestation of Zeus and whilst he's distracted, Achilles runs him through. The Doctor is angry at the death, but soon gets a handle on where they are. They've landed outside the gates of Troy, where the armies of Agamemnon are gathered and have laid siege to Troy for the last ten years, all because Menelaus' wife ran off with a Trojan.

Achilles firmly believes the Doctor IS Zeus, and has come to help them defeat the Trojans. The Doctor plays up to this, and tries to bluff his way back to his "temple" (TARDIS), but before he can succeed, the Greek warrior, Odysseus, turns up and laughs at Achilles' belief, thinking the Doctor nothing more than a Trojan spy, and that Achilles is weak and couldn't possibly have killed Hector in single combat. Achilles is angry at the insinuations, and asks "Zeus" to forgive them. Odysseus demands that they should all go back to camp with Hector's body, and find out whether the Doctor really is a god, to which the Doctor has little choice. As the Doctor is led away, Achilles takes a different route back, saying that Odysseus will pay for his disrespect.

Back in the TARDIS, Steven and Vicki watch the commotion on the scanner. Steven cautiously decides to change into more appropriate clothes and to follow them over to the camp.

Outside the TARDIS, Trojan soldiers show up and find Hector's helmet on the ground next to the TARDIS.

In the Greek camp, Agamemnon speaks with his brother, Menelaus, about the going of the war. Menelaus says hes fed up with this siege, having spent the last decade outside the gates, and isn't even bothered that his wife ran off with another man, after all, it wasn't the first time. Agamemnon is annoyed, saying that this is more about family honour and this seige wouldn't have been necessary if Menelaus had stepped up and killed Paris in a duel. Looking to put a quick end to it all, Agamemnon decides to try and sort it all out by challenging Hector to single combat on behalf of Menelaus the following day. At that point, Achilles turns up and proudly announces that he's killed Hector. Agamemnon is disappointed, but congratulates Achilles. The Greek warrior accepts the thanks but also tells his general about the disrespectful way that Odysseus has treated the god Zeus. Agamemnon calls Zeus in,

As on the plain, Odysseus mocks the divinity of the Doctor, especially when he tries to bluff that he possesses supernatural knowledge. Agamemnon is doubtful, but doesn't want to anger the God's in anyway, and sees the potential in keeping Zeus around to help them defeat the Trojans. He gets the Doctor to agree to stay under house arrest for a little while, where he will be treated with honour.

As darkness falls, Steven leaves the TARDIS and begins to make his way to the Greek camp, being careful to avoid patrols.

As the Doctor dines with Agamemnon and Menelaus, Odysseus eaves drops outside the tent, only to be interrupted by his weasel of a spy - Cyclops. The mute spy communicates to his master that another stranger has arrived in camp from the "temple". Odysseus thanks Cyclops for the warning and hides near the tent. Sure enough, he catches Steven as he approaches, greeting him as the god Apollo in jest. Odysseus naturally believes that Steven is a spy also and takes him to Agamemnon for confession.

Inside the tent, Steven claims he's but a simple traveller and doesn't know the Doctor. Odysseus calls their bluff and asks the Doctor if there's any reason why Steven shouldn't be put to death. The Doctor says he doesn't care if the man dies, but as Odysseus goes to kill him, the Doctor commands him to stop. Odysseus thinks he's triumphed, but the Doctor simply says that he doesn't want to defile Agamemnon's tent. He commands that Steven be brought to his temple at first light, and be given as a sacrifice to the gods. There, "Zeus" promises to prove his divinity.

Odysseus agrees, but makes it clear that if no miracle happens, then he will kill the both of them. At that point, Cyclops turns up again and tells Odysseus that the "temple" has disappeared.

The following day, The Doctor and Steven are taken out to the plains where they find a small insignia from Troy where the TARDIS once stood. Agamemnon feels like he's been played for a fool and demands that "Zeus" performs his miracle. The Doctor says that it can only be performed from inside the "temple". Odysseus laughs, confirming that the temple is in Troy, and therefore means that the Doctor is obviously a Tojan spy. With no options remaining, the Doctor is forced to confess that he is not Zeus, but he isn't a Trojan either. Agamemnon doesn't care. He orders Odysseus to put them both to death and with that, goes back to camp. Odysseus gloats, but is prepared to hear exactly where the travelers did come from. Sure enough, the Doctor and Steven begin telling him the truth.

Inside the gates of Troy, Paris greets his father, Priam, king of Troy. He says he's brought him a gift and presents the TARDIS.

Unfortunately, neither Priam, or the high priestess Cassandra (Paris' sister) are taken with the offering. In fact, Cassandra says she's had a vision of a gift that was meant to be found, and out of it comes Greek soldiers that kill them all in their sleep. To be sure that this isn't such a ruse, she orders that the TARDIS be covered in oil and burnt as an offering to the gods. If anyone should be inside, the offering will be all the more worthy. Inside the TARDIS, Vicki quickly searches the wardrobe for suitable clothing.

Back on the plains, the Doctor and Steven finish relating their tales of time and space. Odysseus is furious at first, but comes to see the potential in their help, should they be telling the truth. He spares their lives, but only on the condition that they will help the Greeks defeat the Trjoans and find a way into the city. He gives them just two days. The Doctor and Steven have little choice but to agree.

In Troy, the TARDIS has been prepared for the sacrifice, but Paris protests, saying that the God's should be asked if they want the sacrifice. Cassandra scowls at her brother, but relents, asking the Gods to send a sign if the TARDIS should be spared. Vicki takes the opportunity to exit the TARDIS. Everyone is astounded, especially the lecherous Paris, but Cassandra is doubtful. She demands to know what pantheon Vicki comes from, but Vicki openly says she's not a god, she's just human but from the future. Priam seems taken by Vicki, but renames her "Cressida" and agrees to let her live, seeing the potential of the truth, much to Cassandra's chagrin.

Paris tries to chat her up, but Priam scornfully tells him to get back to the front lines and find Achilles to fight in revenge for Hector's death. Paris obviously doesn't like that prospect, but obeys.

Odysseus takes the Doctor and Steven back to the Greek camp, where they can plot, Steven suggests giving them the idea for the Trojan horse, but the Doctor balks at it, saying it's just a myth and wouldn't work. When Odysseus checks up on them, the Doctor demands that if they help the Greeks, Odysseus must promise to spare Vicki's life. Odysseus says that he can't go around the battle asking every woman their name. Steven proposes to save Vicki himself by going into the city as a Greek prisoner and locating her. Odysseus gains a grudging respect for Steven and gives him a set of armour.

Steven changes into the armour and heads off out into the plains. It's not long before he comes across Paris, who is whispering a defiant challenge to Achilles (as he's really a coward and desperately hopes Achilles will not answer). Steven answers the call and despite Paris trying to talk his way out of it, Steven insists they fight. They clash swords for a bit, before Steven intentionally trips and yields.

Paris is confused, but Steven begins to say how foolish he was to attack the "Lion of Troy". He convinces Paris that if he is taken prisoner, he will gladly recount all the fearsome tales of Paris to the king. Paris see's the added bonus of not hanging around outside, waiting for Achilles, so agrees.

In Troy, Priam discusses the Trojans love of horses with Vicki, a fact that leads her to remember the Torjan horse. Priam pushes her to reveal the details of it, but she tries to change the subject of saying how sexy his son Troilus is. Priam anxiously pulls the conversation back to the Trojan horse, and she is about to reveal the details when Paris blunders in, announcing he has a prisoner. Vicki immediately recognises Steven and blurts out her relief. Cassandra emerges from the shadows and points out that she obviously knows Steven, who is parading as a Greek soldier, and therefore she must be a Greek spy. Cassandra orders the guards to kill them both.

As the guards move towards Steven, Paris orders them to sheath their swords. He berates his sister, reminding her that he is commander of the army, and will not have her ordering them about. He explains that Steven is called "Diomedes" and should be kept prisoner. Priam is taken aback by his son's sudden back bone and sides with him, but acknowledges the fact that Vicki recognised Steven as he entered. He gives "Cressida" just one day to find a way to defeat the Greeks, or else. They are both taken away to the cells.

Back in the Greek camp, Odysseus is getting impatient. The Doctor explains a mad capped plan to create gliders and launch them over the city walls with catapults. Odysseus accepts the plan, but expects the Doctor to test it first. This takes the wind out of the Doctors sails and he suddenly becomes less enthusiastic about it.

Meanwhile, Steven and Vicki squabble in adjacent cells. Steven explains the situation going off back at the Greek camp, and the fact that Vicki is now in direct competition with the Doctor. They are interrupted by Cyclops at the prison window. Steven asks him to get a message to the Doctor, asking him to delay his invasion plans. Cyclops nods in agreement and goes off to deliver the message.

Troilus turns up at "Cressida's" cell and flirts with her.

He shows some prejudice tendencies towards "Diomedes" (understandable I guess), but explains that he doesn't really like the fighting and he's tired of the war. Vicki humours him and encourages him to argue for their release on her behalf. Troilus agrees but doesn't think it'll do any good. When he's gone, Steven teases Vicki for her flirting, but encourages her to do it more if it means they can get out of the cells.

Back in the Greek camp, the Doctor has decided that he's changed his mind on the flying machine and tries to back out of it. Odysseus says its a pity because they've already gone and built the catapults, so unless the Doctor can offer a better plan, he will be launched over the wall without a glider. Clutching at straws, the Doctor mentions the Trojan Horse.

Again, Odysseus is agreeable and orders the construction of the horse, and once again, says that the Doctor is going to be along with the soldiers inside it.

Out on the plains, Cyclops is making his way back to the Greek camp, but is spotted by Paris and his guards. They try to question him, but Cyclops turns to run and is killed in the process, ensuring that the Doctor will never receive Stevens warning.

The horse is indeed created, and the Doctor accompanies Odysseus and the soldiers inside it. They stay on the plain into the night, and the Doctor's nerves get the better of him. He explains that he's changed his mind and he doesn't think the plan will work, but it's too late, as the Trojans turn up outside.

The following morning, Troilus goes to "Cressida" and announces with joy that all the Greeks have gone and the war is over. He takes her to Priam in joy. Priam thanks Vicki's divine intervention, but Cassandra is quick to warn them all that Vicki's dangerous. Priam ignores her and is even happier when Paris shows up and says he's found the mythical horse of Asia, just lying around outside on the plains. Priam remarkably sees this as good fortune and allows it to be brought into the city.

Cassandra continues the argument, warning that the horse should not be brought in, and that "Cressida" is a witch and should be killed. Vicki takes the opportunity to sneak off and free Steven from his cell. Together they make their way into the city. King Priam notices that she is gone and sends Paris out to get her. Cassandra doesn't trust her incompetent brother, and sends her handmaiden, Katarina out to find her also.

Once in the city, Steven and Vicki determine that the Doctor must be inside the horse. Steven agrees to hide until the attack begins, and warns Vicki that if she really cares for Troilus, she must get him to leave the city before dawn.

With that they split up and Vicki is shortly after captured by Trojan soldiers and brought back to Priam. Cassandra is very quick to accuse "Cressida" of releasing "Diomedes", a fact that Vicki denies. Despite everything, Priam decides to let "Cressida" live. Casandra is forced to accept the term, but stipulates that Katarina must stay with her at all times.

Inside the horse, the Doctor carries on moaning to Odysseus how he hates the plan and doesn't want to kill the Greeks. He even threatens to leave, but Odysseus just laughs and says that he holds the rope, meaning that the Doctor is looking at a 40ft drop if he wants to leave. Odysseus seems to enjoy getting a rise out of the Doctor, and even reveals to him that he secretly hopes Achilles and Agamemnon would die in the battle so he gets a bigger share of the conquest.

As night falls, and Katarina falls asleep, Troilus sneaks into the main palace room to see "Cressida". Vicki seizes the opportunity to convince Troilus to go outside the city walls onto the plain and find the escaped "Diomedes". Troilus is suspicious and a little jealous, but can see that it's something "Cressida" really wants, so agrees to it.

Shortly after Troilus has left, the horse opens up and the Greeks begin to climb down the rope, making short work of the Trojan sentries. The Doctor is clearly disturbed by the killing, but Odysseus makes sure he's close by, ready to kill the old man if he tries to betray them.

On the plain, Troilus is calling for "Diomedes", but is met instead by Achilles who has returned with the Greek army to sack the city. Troilus is willing to fight his brothers murderer, and sure enough defeats Achilles, but is badly wounded in the fight. He lays on the plain, calling out, asking why "Cressida" has betrayed him.

The gates of Troy are opened and the Greeks begin to sack the city. Paris, Priam and Cassandra gather in the main hall of the palace in confusion. Cassandra wails that they should have all listened to her, as Paris tries to barricade the door, but it's no good. Odysseus and his soldiers break their way in. With glee, Odysseus kills Priam and Paris, and takes Cassandra to be a plaything for Agamemnon. In the chaos, the Doctor manages to slip away.

Elsewhere, Vicki manages to convince Katarina to listen to her. She orders her to go and get Steven from his hiding place. When Katarina leaves, Vicki finds the Doctor. She ushers him towards the TARDIS and says that she's got to find Troilus, despite the Doctors insistence that things are going to hell and she may end up dead or worse. Vicki is clearly upset, but doesn't back down. She gives the TARDIS a hug and runs off out onto the plains to find Troilus. The Doctor watches her go.

Meanwhile, Steven is discovered, but it's by a Trojan soldier. He is forced to fight for his life, and manages to kill the Trojan, but is badly wounded in the shoulder (even though he holds his upper arm). Katarina finds him bleeding out and helps him back to the TARDIS. The Doctor orders her inside with him, but before he can join them, Odysseus calls out, claiming the TARDIS as part of his spoils and threatens the Doctor with death if he moves. The Doctor defiantly says that he's had enough of Odysseus and runs into the TARDIS before they can shoot him with arrows. To Odysseus' amazement, the TARDIS dematerialises in front of his very eyes. When it's gone, Odysseus ponders whether the Doctor was Zeus after all.

Out on the plains, Vicki finds Troilus and comforts him. She explains that "Diomedes" and her friends have left her to go back where they came from, and she chose to stay with him, if he would have her. Troilus is understandably a bit down, not seeing the point in anything as he watches his city burn and no doubt his family destroyed, but he does recognise that they both feel love for each other so there's a chance. As a sign, his cousin arrives on the shores with seven ships, and Vicki says happily that they can leave on them and help to build a new Troy.

Things aren't looking so rosy on the TARDIS though. Steven is burning up a fever, and the handmaiden Katarina has been forced to come along with them. It's ok though from her point of view. She thinks she's dead and the TARDIS is a vessel to the afterlife, piloted by a god in the guise of the Doctor.

The Doctor moves away from Steven and Katarina, sparing a concerned thought for Vicki and hoping she's safe. He then turns his attention to Steven, hoping that the next landing will allow them to get him the right medication, otherwise, things don't look good for the young man.

Trivia

Maureen O'Brien had supposedly been at odds with the programme from episode 2 of the Rescue, and often criticised her characters dialogue. As a result, John Wiles saw an opportunity to cut her loose, given that they were effectively re-designing what the show would do.

Despite being larger than life as the Doctor, William Hartnell in real life was somewhat of a racist, anti-Semitic bigot. He didn't get on with Priam at all, which just added to the stress of the clashes he had begun to have with Producer John Wiles. On top of all that, he wasn't allowed to go to his aunts funeral (who had brought him up as a child). Things were beginning to get the better of him.

Not many people knew, but it was around this time that William Hartnell was also diagnosed with osteosclerosis. John Wiles thought that his line fluffs and foul temper were nothing but a put on (which sometimes could have been true). But there was little doubt that he was struggling. His only friends left now were the two other regulars, and out of those, one was due to leave unexpectedly.

What worked

The bluff and counter-bluff work well, especially when Steven's life is in danger.

Some of the Shakespearean dialogue works well

The model of Troy is a really good one, and fits well with the location shots

The use of the TARDIS to imply the Trojan horse was a good twist, as it makes you think that they wont pull the trick again.

The idea of Vicki having to pit her wits against the Doctor is a good idea

The banter between Vicki and Steven is quite good. It's a shame they weren't together longer.

In a 60's children's programme, you would expect the sacking of Troy to be glazed over, but nevertheless, it is the main action sequence of the story and is quite brutal, with Odysseus thrilling at the prospect of killing Trojans and slaughtering the royal family. It doesn't show what happens to Cassandra, but we can all guess it doesn't end pleasant.

Katarina's interpretation of her TARDIS journey is novel and a welcome change from the (now) decades of "bigger on the inside" conversations.

What didn't work

Odysseus is massively hammed up and overacted

Menelaus is far too posh, (did he come from the same place as the Vikings in the Time Meddler?)

If you think Menelaus is posh, Paris is positively "Leslie Phillips" from the Carry On films, complete with god-awful jokes about horses

The bits of comedy interspersed in this story don't add to it (IMO), they very much destroy any tense situation that the plot builds up - very distracting. In fact, it's just like something out of Monty Python

Paris is an idiot. Although plausible, it's more likely that if he had acted like this in real life, he would have met his death long before now

The Greeks can build a 40ft horse in under a day...really? Damn right the Doctor should be worried about it falling apart!

If this is the story of Troy, where is Helen? It seems odd not to include her. She must have been off shopping that day.

Overall Feelings

With the departure of Verity Lambert, and the appointment of Donald Tosh as script editor, this is as good an opportunity as John Wiles will ever have to stamp his authority on the show. This is a statement and a relaunch all rolled into one, setting the tone for the rest of the series yet to come.

Compare this episode with the Aztecs and you'll see the biggest indication of this. In the Aztecs, we were told categorically that not only should we not mess with time, but that time wouldn't even allow us to anyway. This fit in with Sidney Newman's wish for the historical episodes to be educational. Now that John Wiles is behind the driving seat, we've just done a complete 180. In this story, the Doctor acts as if it's no big deal to pass himself off as a God, tell people he's a time traveler, or give them the Trojan horse idea. If Barbara could only see him now, she'd have a few choice words to say!

The story itself holds up well, and it's a shame we can't see a lot of the location shots anymore, but from the images on the reconstructions, they seem pretty good, as do the model shots. The acting is hit and miss, with some taking the Shakespearean dialogue and turning it up to 11, hamming it up as much as they would in The Horns of Nimon. The comedy bits go overboard too, slapping you in the face with obvious jokes and puns, but when they calm down and just get into it (like when Paris fights Steven), it works a lot better.

The first three episodes all have enough tension in them to keep you interested, and are in a similar vein to the Aztecs, but don't seem to manage the threats as well as they could have been. Vicki's supposed battle of wills against the Doctor wasn't played up as much as it could have been either, which is a big shame. Then we get to episode 4.

The story really comes alive in episode 4, and hurtles you out of your comfort zone into a place where things really might not be alright. This hasn't happened since the Edge of Destruction, and I can imagine that in 1965 it was a bit disconcerting to watch, but it provided a brief moment of excitement, and of exhilaration. And in the next story, things will get even darker.

Rating

7 out of 10

The location shots and model shots looked good, the sound leave's something to be desired, but the story's tone makes it a compelling watch

Rewatchability Factor

7 out of 10

There's enough in the story to keep you watching through the first three episodes, but it's really episode 4 that springs to life and shows how good this "new" Doctor Who can be.

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