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The Pirate Planet Format Reviewed: DVD Review The Pirate Planet continues the linked Key to Time Season. By having a series of adventures linked by an overall plot line of gathering several objects together to form a key an interesting idea. It really does give the show the scope to be very inventive within a framework that gives the season real direction. The overseeing guardians also give the season a slightly sinister edge, appearing briefly and infrequently to either scare, in the case of the Black Guardian, or encourage in the case of the White Guardian. The second Key to Time segment is traced to Calufrax, but the TARDIS lands on Zanak, a hollow planet that is piloted around the galaxy after having been fitted with engines. Zanak materialise around other planets, sucks the energy and minerals out of them and leaves them as miniature 'globes' in a trophy room on Zanak. Zanak is controlled by The Captain, who appears to be under the control of his nurse, who in fact is a projection of aged Queen Xanxia, who is using the energy to give herself a permanently younger body. The next planet chosen to be plundered is Earth, and aided by the local telepathic people, the Mentiads, they damage the engines. The Captain then frees himself from Xanxia's influence but is killed by her, before she herself is destroyed. The second segment of the Key to Time is then discovered to be the planet Calufrax itself, liberated by The Doctor from the trophy room with the aid of the TARDIS. Like the previous story, The Ribos Operation, The Pirate Planet has its roots firmly in camp TV. The campness is much less obvious here, and the plotlines are much more subtle, but there are certainly some camp elements to the story. If the Key to Time story arc was taken out, I think The Pirate Planet would stand up very well on its own as a story within the Doctor Who universe. This is to the real credit of the writer, as it must have been easier to focus more on the story arc rather than telling a good story in itself. Indeed, it could be argued that if the Mentiads were fleshed out a bit more, and the nurse-Captain relationship delved into further, as they could have been without the Key to Time specific scenes, it might have been an even better story. The main characters are, predictably, Tom Baker as The Doctor and Mary Tamm as Romana. They both give a good account of themselves, with Tamm in particular enhancing her stock. John Leeson also chips in as the voice of K9, giving his instantly recognisable input to the story. The guest cast is dominated by Bruce Purchase as The Captain, Andrew Robertson as Mr Fibuli and Rosalind Lloyd as the Nurse and Queen Xanxia. The performance of Bruce Purchase is very over the top and camp, but solid throughout. Andrew Robertson also contributes a camp performance, but this is stayed somewhat by the strong portrayal given by Rosalind Lloyd, who does well. Mention should also be given to David Sibley who as Pralix, a Mentiad, gives a thoughtful performance. One of the Key to Time story arc really appears to have done is focus everything more in the production of the series. There is a very distinct change in the product between the previous series and the Key to Time series, and everything appears to be tighter and more directed. There just seems to be a greater focus on the telling of the story. The Pirate Planet also gives a different spin on some old story telling ideas of plundering planets in this case in the persuit of youth. Many times the fountain of youth is sought in story telling, and here it is done in a very Who way. Overall, The Pirate Planet is a good story that continues the Key to Time series very well. There are some good and complex sides to the story that could even have been investigated further had the Key to Time story arc not been needed. There are interesting juxtapositions between the characters, and the Doctor-Romana relationship appears to be blossiming nicely. Sure, the story is camp, but not overly so and it passes nicely throughout at a good pace. Rating:  |