The Talons of Weng-Chiang - Episode 4

It’s a shame that the episode starts off with the unconvincing rat versus Louise Jameson’s impressive acting. The focus in this episode is on the cabinet and we know this because its referred to at every opportunity. If I were watching this for the first time in 1977 then I would be wondering just what the cabinet is going to do and there is a nice sense of mystery going on with this aspect of the story. However the only thing that does annoy/worry/concern me is that considering the cabinet is so important, its odd that the Doctor leaves just Litefoot to guard it which considering the resources of Weng-Chiang isn’t perhaps the wisest move. This is a decision that the Doctor would regret but not until the end.

I still think that Jago and Litefoot are superb after another episode where separately they show their awesomeness and its weird to think that they haven’t met yet and still go on to become as loved as they are. Christopher Benjamin is the comedian of the two but Trevor Baxter has a charm to him that cuts through the pomposity of the character’s poshness.

The new costume that Leela wears is quite nice and its better than the one she started the story in. It’s just a shame that she doesn’t stay in it for very long. After complimenting the fact that she does more that the Doctor in the previous episode, the balance is changed and she doesn’t seem to do very much whereas the Doctor does a great deal. The highlight of the episode comes when the Doctor and Leela go to the show. Li H-sen Chang picks the Doctor out and what seems like a normal trick takes a rather dramatic turn when Chang shoots at deck of cards and the Doctor moves the deck closer to his face.

I like the speech that Li H-sen Chang gives when it’s clear that he has reached the end of his life in this story which is a shame as I was starting to like him. The last shot of him is of him being nibbled by the giant rat that nearly got Leela. John Bennett started off with a strong character but he sort of went downhill the moment that Weng-Chiang came in. Bennett still gave it a good go and it was the best character that he has played in the show.

The cliffhanger is ok because it ends with Weng-Chiang leaving with the cabinet that he has apparently been spending years searching for. The story is reaching that moment when it changes direction and it does it rather well during this episode. I think that despite not really have as much location footage compared to the previous episode, I still thought that there was enough going on to make this an entertaining episode.