Marco Polo - The Roof of the World

This is the first story that doesn’t exist on video. Instead we have to be satisfied with William Russell narrating. As a fan of the Big Finish releases featuring Russell, I always enjoy anything that he’s in.  After the cliffhanger where they discover a huge footprint it falls to Ian to break the news that it’s a normal footprint that has melted in the snow. After the very dramatic previous episodes. The mood is very different as they all seem to be happy in each other’s company. I like that even in middle of mass snow Ian and Barbara entertain the thought of being back on Earth. Even though there’s no actual indication that they are on earth but it’s a theme that runs through their time on the show.
There’s more problems with the TARDIS, however it’s not to the extent that it was in the previous two episodes. The Doctor hopes that by going to a ‘lower altitude’ they might be able to get the parts needed. The fact that they can’t just leave is the only way that they would be staying for the next seven weeks.

Nice moment where Ian is explaining the science of heat to Marco Polo. It’s probably the most amusing part for the regulars. As its effectively a introduction episode, the regulars don’t really stand out very much as they all put in the same sort of performances. The performances aren’t bad but it feels like they are still recovering from the previous two episodes.  Marco Polo shows an interest in the Doctor’s TARDIS in the beginning of his encounter with the TARDIS crew. He wont let the Doctor or any one else enter the TARDIS as the locals are suspicious of the TARDIS crew and in a rare sign of compassion, the Doctor agrees not to force the issue.

We learn of Marco’s intention and its that he wants to offer Khan the TARDIS so that he can go home. It’s hard to dislike Marco Polo as he is played brilliantly by Mark Eden. He doesn’t raise his voice or act intimidatingly but still poses power and isn’t someone that you can say no to..

The Doctor’s reaction is quite strange as he starts laughing, had this happened eight episodes ago then there would have been a different response. Unusual bit of narration by Marco Polo. I like it as it gives a different feel to the story and feels like the series has found its feet and is comfortable in trying something new. It also shows what Marco Polo is thinking because we wouldn’t find out otherwise.

The cliffhanger doesn’t have the dramatic tension that I would have come to expect from a Dalek episode or even one of two of the An Unearthly Child episodes.  Tegana and a Mongol soldier are hatching a plan to kill Marco Polo and the others by poisoning the water and take the ‘caravan’ and bring Kublai Khan to his knees. It sets up the rest of the story rather well . As the story is seven episodes long, the story has the chance to take its time with the plot. The problem with this story existing on audio is that its difficult to really enjoy it. Whereas with a Big Finish audio it doesn’t have to worry about that. As it is, the opening episode is perfectly fine but it’s a pure historical adventure and that’s ok but historicals aren’t particularly well liked in Doctor Who circles. I think their ok as long as we can see them.