The Massacre of St Bartholomews Eve - Bell of Doom

The final part of this less than exciting pure historical adventure. The way that the cliffhanger was resolved was quite good as when Steven returns to speak to Anne he seems to be suffering from the effects of being chased. Still don't fully understand where Anne is suppose to be coming from because its certainly not from anywhere if France. In between all the historical stuff the main (and only) interesting aspect of the episode is Stevens search for the Doctor and the key to the TARDIS.

William Hartnell appears as the Doctor and its a blessed relief. You don't appreciate something until its gone and even though Hartnell has been appearing as the Abbott he hasn't been the Doctor and it feels like he has been gone for too long. The moment that Hartnell returns we get a great scene between the Doctor, Steven and Anne. It seems like they were tempted to have Anne as a companion judging by the way that Steven is protective of Anne. Its the first scene since the first episode that seems to get a reaction out of me. I think that the story has been wandering aimlessly until this episode where things seem to be getting back on track. Sad that its taken until now for anything exciting to come to the screen (or speakers in this case). 

Its good how they chose the moment for the Doctor and Steven to leave was to be the moment the massacre starts. The audio track suggests that this would have looked effective on TV but sadly we have to miss out on that and it just becomes a prolonged section of dramatic music and a big crowd. There is a moment between the Doctor and Steven discuss the historical ending to the Massacre and it was a nice touch I thought. Steven unusually becomes hostile to the Doctor over the decision to leave Anne even though the Doctor tries to defend his decision and it leads to Steven demanding to leave. It's a great little scene played out superbly by Hartnell and Purves. Hartnell's reaction when Steven leaves is the moment where the Doctor gets very sombre about the people he has travelled with and the thought he might be on his own. It's another great moment from William Hartnell and the viewers in 1966 must have been sad to leave. But he's not gone for long and after a stranger appears in the TARDIS they set off and the TARDIS has a new face.

Jackie Lane debuts in this episode but with a cockney accent who runs into the TARDIS thinking that its a proper Police Box. It's a promising start as we learn that Dodo has no family to miss and its good how the Doctor instantly thinks that she looks like Susan and its implied that Dodo might have some relation to Anne. The combination of the Doctor, Steven and Dodo is a far cry from the very first combo but it still looks promising.

This was a much improved episode than the last two and its good because it mixes the stuff that happens in France and the introduction of a new companion helps elevate this story from mediocre historical to a good adventure. This third season of Doctor Who is a bit inconsistent and the revolving door of the TARDIS does seem to be having a negative impact on the series but it seems like the new direction of the series could see some fresh air introduced to the story.