The Web Planet

This is a very divisive episode of the early years. I frankly find it quite entertaining and fun. Though it’s best watching in a spaced out period rather than all at once. Set on a desolate odd world , the doctor and co meet ants, bee people and a number of other insect species like aliens! They are in conflict and our cast get involved...
I feel like this is a zany play more than a show but I don’t know what it is , it just seems full of potential and underdelivered ! Well still I giggled plenty and actually it’s rather cool in odd ways!
The menoptera “flying” , gun ho little slater like dudes and the zarbi of course with there ahem legs ! Oh and the cave fleas ?
It sticks with you and if that’s all it can do it does it well.

I personally can never get into this story. However, I understand if some people like it. Therefore, I award it a 3/10.

This story deserves points for ambition and if you are fair to it by bearing in mind its age you should not hate it too much for its dodgy costumes and other effects because I try not to heavily criticise and hugely deduct points for dated effects, only if the effects are poor for the time it was made. However, even being fair in this way this is one of the weakest Who adventures.

The effects were probably acceptable for their time given the low budget but the problem is there is too much reliance on the effects and the budget was not nearly enough to create the effects required. The story puts all the emphasis on the creation of alien beings in insect form on a very alien landscape. The costumes and effects look silly and give it all a pantomime feel. This would be forgivable if the story and script were strong enough to stand up on their own but they are not strong enough. If you imagine overlaying modern CGI effects onto this to make it all look plausible I am afraid it would still leave a lacklustre story with below par performances. It is a weak entry in the history of Doctor Who saved from total failure by its ambition in presenting a strange world full of non humanoid aliens and the better parts of script, story and acting. It is not all bad and it is an interesting idea but it is badly realised and becomes boring. It ultimately must be considered a misfire and a failure.

My Ratings: Episode 1 - 5.5, Episodes 2-6 - 5/10

Overall: 5.08/10

This story is unjustly underrated in my opinion and the reaction to it by fans can be over the top. It is a high concept story and the ideas it plays with a great and imaginative. I find the animus genuinely quite chilling, as well as the vortis environment in general before anything shows up. The plot isn't excruciatingly slow as everyone thinks, though it is on the more inaccessible end for people new to 60's or classic who in general. Having said that, I feel the story could be shortened to 5 or maybe even 4 parts as some moments feel like filler. The zarbi don't look too bad, though admittedly the Menoptra, larvae guns, and the optera do. But the ambition on display here must be admired. Though admittedly, it does fall a bit flat. I give this story a 6 / 10 as I feel I can see it's positives but also it's short comings. I definitely wouldn't recommend it to those who are new to classic who and / or the Hartnell era.