Production Code C
First Transmitted:
CREW
Plot Outline from Wikipedia This episode was a filler, to bring the total number of half hour episodes up to 13, or a half of a 26 week series according to programme planner’s schedules. The BBC executives were making a final decision about whether they would, after all, let the series go ahead, and needed to bring it up to a stage where they could replace it if they went against it. In the end, the fact that they were already considering the production of Dalek model kits in the wake of the new craze they had created, had a big part in the decision to go ahead with the next full budget production. Meanwhile, even thought it was completely incidental, a short, simple episode was no bad way to bridge the space between two seven part complicated plots. While "The Mutants and the episode to follow, "Marco Polo", had large casts and multiple sets and costumes, this story was played out in the one set with the four main characters interacting with each other. In 1964, when plays for TV were still a stock part of broadcasting, a one set story was something viewers could relate to much easier, perhaps, than in later years. Edge of Destruction was a neat mini-play around the ideas of claustrophobia and paranoia which worked well enough and let us get to know the characters a little better before going on with the scheduled plots. One particularly important aspect of this story
is the development of The Doctor’s character and his relationship
with his companions. He is still quite antagonistic towards them at
the start of this story, and as the paranoia takes hold, he is almost
ready to kill them both. When order is restored, we see a transformation.
He actually apologises to Ian and Barbara, something we never see
again, though from here on, The Doctor is much more trusting and friendly
towards his companions and apologies are not necessary. The cold-hearted
alien who kidnapped the two Humans and would have killed the injured
caveman, who put everyone’s lives at risk for his own selfish
ends on Skaro, finally comes down and admits he can be wrong sometimes.
From here on, he really is much more The Doctor we know and love.
Edge of Destruction is the turning point for his character. And as
such these two episodes with their relatively simple plot stand as
highly significant in Doctor Who history.
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