The Wheel in Space - Episode 2

So this episode is where Wendy Padbury is introduced into the story and it’s the episode where Patrick Troughton goes on holiday. It’s several minutes before Jamie and the unconscious Doctor are rescued and that’s when we get another important part of Doctor Who trivia. This is the episode that the John Smith name comes around. The Doctor would go on and use this from time to time for the rest of time. I liked how there was an explanation about what the wheel does and how some people don’t like the wheel and will try and sabotage it (more of than in later episodes) and this leads to Jamie and the Doctor’s presence being confused for one of these saboteurs.

The thing about Zoe is that she’s not particularly likeable. Unlike pretty much every companion up until now, they have been to varying degrees likeable. Here Zoe comes across a little bit snobbish and also acts like the female version of Stephen Fry except without the charisma or humour. It’s not the greatest debut episode for a companion its has to be said. What’s slightly disappointing about this episode as well is Jamie. I don’t think that it’s the best Frazer Hines’ best episode because all he does is walk around with Zoe pretending to be interested and about to cause trouble for everyone. Normally it wouldn’t be noticeable that Patrick Troughton has gone on holiday because the story would be good enough to keep my attention and it managed to do the same here but only because the supporting cast were all interesting. Jamie and Frazer Hines were let down in this episode.

Of the supporting cast members there were two that stood out for me (apart from Zoe). They are Anne Ridler who plays Gemma and Michael Turner who plays Jarvis Bennett. It’s clear from the outset that Jarvis is going to be the worrier of the story and is instantly in this episode jumping to conclusions and its clear that you wouldn’t want him around because he would just make you worried and paranoid. At least he will be a nice distraction from time to time.

We have to wait until the cliffhanger before we get our first glimpse of the Cybermen. Even then it’s not the whole Cyberman but merely its had. David Whittaker is definelty making us wait for the Cybermen but at least its helped by not having them named in the title. I thought that this second episode was a good progression because at least Zoe was introduced and we got to meet the supporting cast and now the Cybermen will be gracing us with their presence and best of all, its on DVD.