"The Curse of Peladon" is a classic Doctor Who serial from the third season. In this four-episode story, the Doctor and his companion, Jo Grant, find themselves on the planet of Peladon, a world attempting to join the Galactic Federation. However, they soon discover that there is a conspiracy afoot, with various factions attempting to sabotage Peladon's membership. The story revolves around the so-called Curse of Peladon, a mythological legend that has plagued the planet for generations. According to the legend, a great beast known as Aggedor has been responsible for the deaths of many miners in the citadel's tunnels. This curse has led to a deep-seated fear among the people of Peladon, making it difficult for them to move forward and embrace progress.
Peladon: "There is no plot! I am being completely honest with you!'"
As a result, viewing figures were significantly lower for the last two installments, although some regions tried to compensate by prefacing Episode Four on February 19th with a short summary of Episode Three. Although script editor Terrance Dicks was underwhelmed by both of Hayles proposals, he liked certain aspects of them, such as the presence of the Ice Warriors in The Brain-Dead and the locked-room mystery nature of The Shape Of Terror.
This curse has led to a deep-seated fear among the people of Peladon, making it difficult for them to move forward and embrace progress. As the Doctor and Jo investigate the truth behind the curse, they uncover a plot by the Ice Warriors, who are secretly attempting to undermine Peladon's membership in the Galactic Federation. The Ice Warriors, a reptilian race, are using the myth of the curse to manipulate the situation, causing doubt and fear among the Peladonians.
The Curse of Peladon: Episode Two
The Doctor is convinced the Ice Warriors are trying to sabotage the conference but his attempts to prove it see him accused of sacrilege. The Doctor is convinced the Ice Warriors are trying to sabotage the conference but his attempts to prove it see him accused of sacrilege. The Doctor is convinced the Ice Warriors are trying to sabotage the conference but his attempts to prove it see him accused of sacrilege.
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IMDb RATING 7.4 / 10 YOUR RATING Rate- Director
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- Voice of Alpha Centauri
- (voice)
- Voice of Arcturus
- (voice)
- Grun
- (as Gordon St Clair)
- Director
- Brian Hayles
- Sydney Newman (uncredited)
Storyline
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This episode was watched by 11 million viewers on its original transmission.User reviews 3
Featured review High drama and Politics.The Doctor has had previous dealings with The Ice Warriors, and is convinced that they are to blame for a near accident, and for an attempt on the life of Arcturus.
First of all, we've had many criticisms of the show now being too political, I chuckled as I watched this one, a small isolated planet is about to join The Federation, just as The UK is about to join The EEC, EU.
Former enemies are now friends, The Ice Warriors who had previously been warriors, are now brokers of peace. I like all of the mythology surrounding Agador.
It's a strong performance from Katy Manning, one of Jo's best stories.
"The Curse of Peladon" is one of the better politically-conscious Pertwee stories. The politics don't get in the way of the storytelling, which is certainly very politically-oriented in itself, I suppose, but there's little heavy-handed moralizing here, it's all presented rather fairly and simply. What's wonderful about Brian Hayles' script here is how excellent all the supporting characters here are. Not only do we get a return of the Ice Warriors, one of the all-time greatest Doctor Who monsters (who don't play a particularly villainous role here, but are still very entertaining), but also a couple of other amusing aliens (Alpha Centauri's unfortunately phallic appearance makes it hard to take the story too seriously, though). The really superb guest characters here are King Peladon (played superbly by David Troughton, son of Patrick) and Geoffrey Toone as Hepesh, who is doing all he can to fight off Peladon's joining of the Federation, which he perceives as something that would threaten Peladon's traditions and would essentially end with them becoming slaves.
Throughout the story, the Doctor is committed to getting to the truth and exposing the Ice Warriors' true intentions. Alongside the Queen of Peladon, they work together to reveal the conspiracy and prove that the curse is nothing more than a deception. By the end of the story, the Doctor not only saves Peladon from the threat of the Ice Warriors but also helps the planet take its first major step towards progress. "The Curse of Peladon" explores themes of fear, deception, and progress. It highlights the dangers of superstition and the importance of seeking the truth. The story also showcases the Doctor's determination to fight for justice and his belief in the power of knowledge and logic. This classic Doctor Who serial is remembered for its engaging storyline, well-developed characters, and intriguing mystery. It has become a fan favorite and a significant part of the show's rich history. "The Curse of Peladon" stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of Doctor Who and its ability to tell meaningful and entertaining stories..
Reviews for "The Curse of Peladon: A Tale of Betrayal and Revenge"
1. Jenny - 2 stars - I found "The Curse of Peladon" to be incredibly dull and uninteresting. The plot seemed to drag on without any real excitement or suspense. The characters were forgettable and lacked depth, making it difficult to connect or care about their fates. Additionally, the special effects were poor, even for its time, which further detracted from my overall enjoyment. Overall, I was disappointed with this installment and would not recommend it to others.
2. Mark - 1 star - "The Curse of Peladon" is easily one of the worst Doctor Who episodes I have seen. The story was convoluted, with various political subplots that were confusing and unnecessary. The pacing was incredibly slow, making it hard to stay engaged throughout the episode. The acting was also subpar, with wooden performances that failed to bring any emotion or depth to the characters. Overall, this episode was a major disappointment and a waste of time.
3. Laura - 2 stars - "The Curse of Peladon" lacked the excitement and adventure that I usually associate with Doctor Who. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, with the actors delivering their lines without any real conviction. The sets and costumes were lackluster, failing to capture the imagination or transport me to another world. The episode felt like a missed opportunity to explore interesting themes and ideas, leaving me feeling unsatisfied and uninterested in the outcome. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this episode to fans of the show.
4. Robert - 3 stars - While "The Curse of Peladon" had its moments, I found it overall to be a forgettable and mediocre episode. The story was predictable, with cliched plot twists and a lack of originality. The acting was decent, but the characters felt underdeveloped and lacked meaningful arcs. The episode's pacing was inconsistent, with some scenes dragging on while others felt rushed. While it wasn't the worst Doctor Who episode I've seen, it certainly wasn't one of the best either.