The Doctor, Ben, Polly and Jamie are in the wrong place at the wrong time yet again, when the Selachians attack GalactiBank…
Putting one minor technical niggle aside (the use of the TARDIS sound effect near the end of the story), this is a lovely little caper story, that brings to mind series like Burn Notice, where the main character becomes caught up in someone else’s operation, and has to ensure the safety of everyone involved if at all possible.
It’s another verbal tour de force for Frazer Hines, who, not content with voicing Jamie and the Second Doctor, now adds Ben to his repertoire. There are times when Anneke Wills has to provide dialogue for Michael Craze’s character, and it’s a tribute to both Hines and Wills that the combination doesn’t sound jarring.
Steve Lyons’ script plays with the conventions of the bank heist genre – Ben’s moments as John McClane don’t work out too well when his plan isn’t understood by Jamie, and a surprise attack doesn’t go according to plan. The various characters are paired up with each other at different times and Anneke Wills is given enough to do as Polly to warrant being voiced separately.
Verdict: With a few acerbic nods at modern day banking practices, this is a fun tale. 7/10
Paul Simpson
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