The Exxilons

Fourth Doctor Adventures #4.1

Released: 15 January 2015

Listened: 4/3/22

Now we’re back to the Fourth Doctor Adventures, but with added John Leeson! K-9’s presence does make a distinct change to the dynamic. Specifically, they’re toting around a third party with a ranged weapon, and a distinct willingness to use it. Even though he only shoots sentient beings with a stun ray in this story, he quite frequently threatens with it, and does quite a bit of plot-relevant property damage. I can’t help thinking that the Doctor couldn’t have solved problems this way just a couple of stories ago. It’s also to Leela’s detriment, as she doesn’t get to show off her growing knowledge when there’s a talking computer with all the answers hanging around. As for this story, it’s related to “Death to the Daleks,” as you might be able to tell from the title, but it’s not a sequel. In fact, it takes place long before that story, and gives some insight into just what the Exxilons were doing when they were a functioning civilization (hint: it wasn’t great). Of particular note is Jacqueline King (Sylvia Noble in the modern series) playing another role where you’d never recognize her, particularly this time, because she’s using an American accent just for fun. Tim Treloar also features, doing a rather guttural native. The pacing is a bit better than previous one-hour stories, although the ending is a little abrupt.