2 episodes: The Scourge of the Skies, The Trail of the Rocket Men. Running Time: Approx. 68 minutes. Written by: Matt Fitton. Directed by: Lisa Bowerman. Produced by: David Richardson. Performed by: Peter Purves, Tim Treloar.
THE PLOT:
It is rookie pilot Steven Taylor's 21st birthday, and he's delivering supplies to the colony world Ulysses 519. It's an easy assignment... until he comes under attack by the ruthless space pirates known as "the Rocket Men." He is brought down by the forces of the sadistic Van Cleef (Tim Treloar). Van Cleef tortures Steven using his ancient Smith & Wesson pistol, shooting both of the young man's legs before Steven is saved by another Rocket Man.
Years later, it is pilot-turned-time traveler Steven Taylor's birthday, which he learns when the Doctor uses his astral map to identify the date. Not that it matters. As Steven observes, a birthday doesn't mean much in the TARDIS; any given trip might mean he's incredibly ancient or not even born yet.
Then the TARDIS materializes on Ulysses 519, only to find the colonists in hiding. When they learn where they are, and that the colonists are under attack from the Rocket Men, Steven realizes that his life has come full circle...
CHARACTERS:
The Doctor: When he learns that the colonists' attackers are the Rocket Men, he advises them to stay hidden and just let the pirates take what they want. He knows firsthand how dangerous they are; and as he points out, supplies can be replaced but people cannot. This doesn't stop him from rigging up a distraction in Episode Two and then basking in his own cleverness when it works. Peter Purves does a wonderful job of suggesting William Hartnell's performance, which makes visualizing the First Doctor an easy task.
Steven: This is set shortly before The Savages, and the story is framed as a lead-up to Steven's departure. Writer Matt Fitton echoes the refrain of "When do you know?" from John Dorney's original Rocket Men. This time, the question asks when it's time to move on, which helps this to feel like a very personal story for Steven. Recalling his torment at the hands of Van Cleef, he's as determined to fight the Rocket Men as the Doctor is to avoid them. After events spin out of control, he recalls all the friends he's lost in his travels with the Doctor. He resolves not to allow more deaths, even if it ends up costing him his own life.
Dodo: She's enthusiastic about celebrating Steven's birthday, presenting him with a gift from the TARDIS stores. She's delighted to meet another girl her own age on the colony, bonding with her with an ease Steven envies. She also fights back when Van Cleef takes her hostage, kicking him hard enough that he's still feeling it in the second half.
Van Cleef: An appropriate name for a villain with an admiration for the Old West. I like Van Cleef better than the original story's Ashman. Several scenes are shown from Van Cleef's viewpoint, which makes him feel more distinct as a character than Ashman did. He relates how he got his prized Smith & Wesson and how he subsequently rose to captain. Part of his admiration for the ancient gun is its simplicity. Van Cleef likes to keep things simple: straightforward hits on vulnerable targets, meaning maximum profit for minimal risk. He's also a sadist who enjoys killing for its own sake, and he isn't afraid to make examples of his own men - which ends up coming back to haunt him in more ways than one.
THOUGHTS:
John Dorney's The Rocket Men was a good story that benefited from excellent character work, particularly in its examination of the Ian/Barbara relationship. It was also notable for a nonlinear structure that moved surprisingly smoothly between the Rocket Men crisis and the time travelers' arrival at the location, so that what would have been Episode One of a television story was cut up into Episodes Two and Three.
Writer Matt Fitton shows his respect for the original in several ways. He opens and closes both episodes with the "When do you know?" refrain, reframing it in a way that's as appropriate to Steven as its use in the original was to Ian. The structure is more straightforward; but Fitton works the incident from Steven's youth into the current story, allowing for a small nod at nonlinear structure, complete with us eventually seeing the flip side of the opening scenes.
This is principally an adventure story, and the action zips along nicely. The narrative begins with an action scene, and much of the second half is taken up by a full set piece. Descriptions are sufficient to sketch the characters and locations in our minds, but spare enough to avoid slowing things down.
The setting is less interesting than the first story's. There are no otherworldly sights or strange creatures here. If this was a televised story, it would be one of those that was shot entirely in a quarry. But it moves. It's fast and exciting, and it captures all three regulars well. Yes, even Dodo.
The only real nit I can pick is a tiny one: The means of Steven's survival is obvious pretty much from the start. Still, I never got the feeling that this was meant to be any type of surprise. The device used is a well-worn trope, but there is still enjoyment from seeing it well applied.
OVERALL:
One warning for new listeners: Writer Matt Fitton assumes that his listeners will have followed the entire First Doctor/Steven range, as this story includes a big spoiler for the Companion Chronicle, The First Wave. If you have yet to listen to that story, then do not listen to this until after you've caught up!
That aside, Return of the Rocket Men is an entertaining and well-paced action/adventure story. It may lack the unique setting of the original... but while I'd probably rank the first one as the better story overall, I think this one is more fun.
Overall Rating: 7/10.
Preceded by: The First Wave (not yet reviewed)
Previous Television Story: The Gunfighters
Next Television Story: The Savages
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