The King’s Demons is a two part story that marked the end of the 1983 season. It wasn’t intended to be this as it was planned for a four part adventure called ‘The Return’ which would have seen the return of the Daleks. However due to industrial action prevented this from being done. It followed after the Black Guardian Trilogy which was unfortunate. This story was written by Terrence Dudley who isn’t my favourite writer and unfortunately despite some impressive location filming at Bodiam Castlet this story isn’t anything spectacular. Set on Earth in 1215 in the court of King John of England.
This story sees the return of Anthony Ainley as the Master. He was last seen in Time-Flight which was the last story of the previous series. Everytime the Master returns his identity is hidden both in the Radio Times listings and also with make-up. Normally this works however the make-up job was so bad that it was obvious that Sir Giles Estram was the Master. Though the first line after he changes into the Master was quite funny.
Master: Oh my dear Doctor, You have been so naive!
The regular cast do a relatively good job despite the script. Peter Davison is the best (as you would expect) and his highlight was the sword fight that he has with the Master. It’s just a shame that he was wearing his cricketing outfit whilst he was doing it. Janet Fielding and Mark Strickson do their usual good job. The best of the supporting was Gerald Flood as King John. I liked the times that he was on screen. Flood not only did the role of King John but was the voice behind the worst creation in Doctor Who history – Kamelion. The character is fine when it's sitting down but is useless when it comes to moving about as it would be made clear in the documentaries it was a nightmare. How the Master thinks that it would convince anyone is beyond me. Over the years, I wondered what was behind the decision to go ahead with Kamelion. Only by the watching the documentary on the DVD was it explained and I just shook my head saying ‘Why?’. It looks stupid and it’s not hard to understand why it didn’t get another outing until Planet of Fire a year later.
The King’s Demons only saving grace is that its two episodes long. Had it been four then it would have been much worse. Terence Dudley’s script doesn’t have anything that stands out and is a poor way to end the series. Tony Virgo did an ok job but struggled with a script that doesn’t have anything good about it. It’s not the worst story that has ever been as this story is watchable however after a consistently good series its’s a shame this doesn’t stand up to the rest.
This story sees the return of Anthony Ainley as the Master. He was last seen in Time-Flight which was the last story of the previous series. Everytime the Master returns his identity is hidden both in the Radio Times listings and also with make-up. Normally this works however the make-up job was so bad that it was obvious that Sir Giles Estram was the Master. Though the first line after he changes into the Master was quite funny.
Master: Oh my dear Doctor, You have been so naive!
The regular cast do a relatively good job despite the script. Peter Davison is the best (as you would expect) and his highlight was the sword fight that he has with the Master. It’s just a shame that he was wearing his cricketing outfit whilst he was doing it. Janet Fielding and Mark Strickson do their usual good job. The best of the supporting was Gerald Flood as King John. I liked the times that he was on screen. Flood not only did the role of King John but was the voice behind the worst creation in Doctor Who history – Kamelion. The character is fine when it's sitting down but is useless when it comes to moving about as it would be made clear in the documentaries it was a nightmare. How the Master thinks that it would convince anyone is beyond me. Over the years, I wondered what was behind the decision to go ahead with Kamelion. Only by the watching the documentary on the DVD was it explained and I just shook my head saying ‘Why?’. It looks stupid and it’s not hard to understand why it didn’t get another outing until Planet of Fire a year later.
The King’s Demons only saving grace is that its two episodes long. Had it been four then it would have been much worse. Terence Dudley’s script doesn’t have anything that stands out and is a poor way to end the series. Tony Virgo did an ok job but struggled with a script that doesn’t have anything good about it. It’s not the worst story that has ever been as this story is watchable however after a consistently good series its’s a shame this doesn’t stand up to the rest.
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