The Invisible Enemy

A very background episode, put this one on when you are doing something. The episode isn't boring in anyway, it is a bit of fun but theres not much there. Only really known for introducing K-9 and he is a standout for the story. 4 and Leela are fun, as well as Prof. Marius. Not terrible, but not one I will be rushing back too.

The Invisible Enemy is a curious case. It introduced one of the show's most iconic companions in K9 (so iconic, in fact, that he was even included in the level pack for LEGO Dimensions seven years after his last appearance in the series) yet his introductory serial is very average.

The story sees the Doctor and Leela arriving at Professor Marius's ship where a three-man crew are under the control of the sentient virus the Nucleus The Doctor is also infected and must be cloned so they can be inserted inside his body in order to stop the infection. The special effects are usually not one of the selling points of a classic series serial because they are under a shoestring budget but even taking that into account, they are terrible here. The Nucleus looks unconvincing, like a massive prawn; this is probably the one serial you should avoid showing to any new viewers at any cost. When the special effects are bad, you need your story to help those watching to forget it. Sadly, whilst the story isn't terrible it's not that brilliant either; however it does do something interesting with clones of the Doctor and Leela inside the Doctor's brain and the special effects during this sequence are on the better side for a classic series serial.

With an average serial and a terribly designed monster, thank God then that the acting is on point. I think The Invisible Enemy shows Tom Baker at his best; he is brilliant throughout especially during parts three and four and you cannot detect the awkward relationship offscreen between Tom Baker and Louise Jameson at all (they infamously didn't get on well behind the scenes because Tom Baker didn't like the idea of the Doctor travelling with a violent companion as he believed it to be against the Doctor's moral compass). I also liked Frederick Jaegar; it is a shame he didn't become a recurring character as he is an engaging one.

The serial is also nicely paced at four parts. The Invisible Enemy as a story would never be able sustain any more than that; as a six parter it would have really dragged so four parts feels like its natural length and if it had a lesser number it would arguably have had a bigger impact on the narrative forcing it to be tighter and rushed to a conclusion (something that some had a problem with for some of the new series' series 7 episodes - personally didn't bother me but I can see their point in terms of The Power of Three). It feels like it needed the four parts; no more, no less.

Overall, this is a very average classic series serial let down by a terrible monster design and a forgettable narrative. K9 deserved a better introduction than this but at least it feels like its the right length, featured great acting and a character in Professor Marius who really should have been a recurring one (a trend in the Tom Baker era).

As fun as it may be to rip into TIE, no Doctor Who story is truly irremediable and the Invisible Enemy is a great example.

Model work is superb; K9 is introduced and the serial is a goldmine of ideas. Unfortunately, little else holds up. Whilst episode three is unique and exciting, with our cast entering the Doctor's mind - this wonderful idea, rather than forming the tent pole of the serial is tossed around as a part two cliffhanger and part three conflict. As such, structurally the serial is a total mess with an utterly inconsistent tone.

The effects too are inconsistent, with anything but the model work and K9, frankly indefensible in '77 following the heady heights of the Hinchcliffe era. Worst of all however must be the inconsistencies in our leads. The Doctor within moments bounds from outright mean spirited behaviour towards Leela to a wind-ruffling scene of adventurous romanticism. Much is reiterated as to the Doctor's morality (ala Genesis) before one of the cruellest resolutions I can think of - before revelling in the satisfaction!

From set design to performances, there's an overwhelming sense that with the exception of episode three and the model work, the cast and crew were aware that they were working on a dud. Matt Irvine and some creative ideas aside, this is just Doctor Who on an off day.

If you like Doctor Who as campy, than this story is for you. There are fans who are disappointed in this story as it follows a trilogy of solid stories such as, "Robots of Death," But this wasn't isn't horrible. The effects are mostly on the silly side particularly the reveal of the monster. The idea of sending a clone that could last for only 10 minutes inside the Doctor (or the idea that you could make these clones faster than a minute egg) is just insane but it's insane in a good way. Leela has some really funny moments in the Invisible Enemies, moments that aren't funny by making her stupid but in ways that are true to her character. She also carries the action very well.