The Enemy of the World - Episode 2

The opening scene is quite tense and is very good because Patrick Troughton does well in his first scene as Salamander. I actually found the moment when he returned to the Doctor role quite odd. It seems like by the end of the scene the introduction and plot set up has been done so now we are going to be getting on with the action. We are introduced to a wealth of new characters. The supporting characters are impressive in this episode. I think that Benik (played by Milton Johns) is quite an interesting character. He seems like he has been given power more for who he knows rather than actual ability. Bruce is an important figure and dominates the room everywhere he goes. David Nettheim is also quite good as Fedorin although the moment where he thinks that he’s been poisoned before realising that its just a joke is a nice moment for the character. I forgot that this story features George Pravda who returns in ‘The Deadly Assassin’. He’s a great piece of casting as he’s wonderful in every story that he’s  in.

Frazer Hines gets to be quite heroic when he first encounters Salamander. After taking a back seat in the previous story he gets to make up for this. Deborah Watling returns to the sideline role though she does have a few moments where she’s quite interesting but it feels like an awfully long time since ‘The Ice Warriors’. Patrick Troughton is clearly having a wonderful time playing Salamander. The Salamander character isn’t the most menacing character that there has ever been but I still enjoy the fact that Troughton is playing two roles and there are good things about the character which make you think that he’s come out of a James Bond movie.                            

Barry Letts should be praised in this episode. The scenes where Astrid, Jamie and Victoria are filming scenes on a park bench are impressive. The background is clearly a cloth with a  projection on it but there is a scene where Jamie is seen walking toward the camera before it cuts to Astrid and Victoria. I thought it was another great moment from Letts. It helps create a nice sense that were not in a studio (even though we obviously are).

The cliffhanger has a nice feel to it with Salamander saying that Fedorin is going to be the chief witness at Denes’ trial. There are four close ups and its ends with Fedorin lowering his head as if he didn’t want to do it. It’s not as action packed as previous cliffhangers but it makes up for this by having an interesting way to end what is a rather dull final line. I’m am continuing to be impressed with this story. It’s going to be another case where a six part story actually works. I may end up eating my words.