Vengeance on Varos

Whatever else one can say about Vengeance on Varos, one thing is clear- it is obviously the work of a professional writer. Philip Martin's script is based on solid ideas and these ideas are well executed, which is more than can be said for the amateur drivel that was The Twin Dilemma and the fan-pleasing twaddle of Attack of the Cybermen. The main concept behind the story is the debasement of mass-entertainment- the Doctor's actions in this story are followed by cameras and are broadcast into the homes of the Varosians, two of whom (Arak and Etta) comment on what they are seeing. This is brilliantly brought to a head with the greatest cliffhanger of the Colin Baker era- the Governor directing the filming of the Doctor's apparent death. Varos is a well realised world, depicted as a former prison colony where the descendants of the prisoners and guards have formed a twisted version of a democratic society, where personal freedom is severely restricted and insurrection ruthlessly quashed- but the Governor is held totally accountable, even until death. This is brilliantly stated in one piece of dialogue:

Arak: 'I'm entitled to my opinion'
Etta: 'You're entitled to a vote, that's all.'

Martin populates this twisted world with suitably twisted characters. The Governor is a good man brought up in a bad world. He remembers the value of compassion and wants the best for his people- but he still presides over televised tortures and executions. The dynamic between him and the Chief is subtly and interestingly written. I will come to another supporting character later. Not all of the story works- the whole transmogrification plot and the character of Quillam verge on the ridiculous- but this is an excellent script, overall.

The production values for the story are excellent and the lighting is very atmospheric- however, Ron Jones (the most frustratingly inconsistent director the programme ever had) directs on autopilot- Sil's revelation is totally undramatic and there is little art to the framing and composition. He has little energy for action sequences, which comes to a head in one of the few production failures- the realisation of the cannibals as gurning men in nappies. He also allows some rather weak performances. Jason Connery would soon star in Robin of Sherwood where, under the direction of some of the best directors ever to work on the small screen, he would be effective. Here, he is rather weak, as are the other rebels. However, there are far more effective performances elsewhere- Forbes Collins is very good as the Chief (it is odd to see Prince John from Maid Marian and her Merry Men sharing screen time with Robert of Huntingdon from Robin of Sherwood). Martin Jarvis is simply superb as the Governor, excellently portraying the ambiguities inherent in the character. However, I must be predictable in handing the Best Supporting Actor award to Nabil Shaban's Sil. Shaban is a hugely talented and outspoken actor and he makes Sil both funny and repulsive- his laugh has to be heard to be believed! This is helped by a truly outstanding costume that is a masterpiece of design.

This story has a wholly unwarranted reputation for gratuitous violence. True, there is the acid-bath scene, which is unfairly maligned- true the Doctor makes a quip after the death of two men, but he is not actually violent. Indeed, most of the violence in the story is either implied or 'sci-fi'- the opening torture scene is, visually, a man having a light shone on his body. Colin Baker is allowed to be Doctor-ish again in this and puts in a good performance, as does Nicola Bryant in a sadly underwritten role.

Vengeance on Varos is by no means perfect, but it is the first Colin Baker story that I can easily recommend.

NEXT: The Mark of the Rani