The bumpf on the back of the box gives us an indication of what a little treat we're in for.....
On Tigella, two opposing factions are irrevocably divided over one fundamental issue: the Dodecahedron, a mysterious artefact which provides the entire planet’s energy. With the Savants and the Deons locked in a crippling stalemate, and their civilisation on the brink of collapse, the Tigellan leader Zastor seeks the Doctor’s help. But the Doctor and Romana have been trapped aboard the TARDIS in a timeloop by Meglos, the last of the Zolpha Thurans, who will stop at nothing to steal back the awesome power of the Dodecahedron...This story leaps out from the retained memories of my 8 year old consciousness. I remember the Cactus Doctor. It was such an amazingly strong image. I didn't know that the actress who had played Barbara Wright was making a comeback to the show that she had so beautifully graced or that the man who played the kidnapped earthling was also an accomplished playwright. Nor did I care. It had a scary cactus baddie and to an 8 year old, that was what I got fixated with. Therefore, watching this story was always going to be a bittersweet moment as I slew one of those monsters from my childhood but also realised that a little part of my childhood had died in the battle. For the record, it is rubbish being a 38 year old. I loved being an 8 year old though, and Meglos was part of the reason why.
Now for the mature reflection.... The story is not at all in keeping with the more rigorous approach to scripts that JNT and Chris Bidmead introduced. The supporting cast is very good with some real strong performances from the supporting cast. Jacqueline Hill was radiant, regal and a lesson to casting directors everywhere about finding parts for actresses over 50. Bill Fraser and Frederick Treeves are both splendid and look every inch the time-served theatre actors. Poor Edward Underdown (Zastor) looks like he's on his last legs but makes it through to the end with a lovely little performance. The effects make use of a new camera synchro tool called 'Scene-Sync' which means the CSO effects are much better than in previous adventures. The score is good, the costumes are interesting and generally the whole thing looks nicely put together
The DVD itself is another fine 2Entertain package. There is a lovely 'making of' where the two writers gad-about London reminding themselves of how they came up with the idea and also includes a meeting with Chris Bidmead and a bit of matey banter in there. There is a very nerdy explanation of Entropy by a very clever physicist which pleased me greatly. Perhaps the cherry on the cake is the 10 minute tribute to Jackie Hill containing interviews with her husband and friends. A rare beam of light is shed into her world and our world is all the better for it. A lovely and fitting tribute which is (in my not-so-humble opinion) worth the money for the DVD alone.
In conclusion, Meglos has the feel of a Douglas Adams romp about it. Completists will want to own it simply because it is the final missing DVD from Tom Baker's last season. In terms of the rest of the season, it jars as being a little incongruous. It is fun - but it never really decides exactly what message or theme it is looking to promote. I think it is safe to say Meglos will never win any prizes amongst fans for favourite stories but it will almost certainly never be on a 'most hated' list. And i think that rather nicely sums Meglos up. It's not the best, it's not the worst and it has some good moments. I don't see it earning any new converts to Doctor Who, but then again, I am not an 8 yr old boy.....
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