Temple of Secrets (The Myth Makers Episode 1)

The one where the Doctor is mistaken for the god Zeus...

One of my favourite reads of recent years is Madeline Miller's Orange Prize-winning novel The Song of Achilles, which tells the story of the Trojan War through the experiences of young prince Patroclus, who becomes the lover of Achilles, "best of all the Greeks". So when, just seconds into Temple of Secrets, Hector mentions the late Patroclus as he vies with Achilles on the plains of Troy, I was pleasantly surprised. Sadly, Patroclus does not feature in The Myth Makers, and I'm sure that if he did, there would be no mention of romance between them!

I love how the TARDIS materialises during Achilles and Hector's sword fight, arriving in the middle of their duel and instantly becoming a focus for trouble. The Doctor intends to find out where they have landed by simply stepping outside to ask these bloodthirsty warriors, which, as Steven points out, may not be the wisest course of action. However, in a somewhat self-aware moment, the Doctor says that they appear to be talking more than fighting, which is certainly apparent on the surviving soundtrack!

I also like how the Doctor refers to Steven's less than diplomatic way with strangers, pointing out that his sense of humour and tendency for sarcasm may not be appreciated by those outside. Too true! Steven can be very dismissive and frustratingly intolerant sometimes, but sending the Doctor out is hardly any better! The best option would be Vicki, but seeing as she has hurt her ankle, she's too busy playing Archetypal Doctor Who Sidekick to play any meaningful part.

Donald Cotton's dialogue is cod-Shakespearean and quite stagy, which reminds me of what David Whitaker did with The Crusade which I was no great fan of. When characters don't speak naturally, I'm taken out of the fiction and made to think I'm watching a play on TV, and that these are not characters to invest in, but parts played by actors. The guest cast are all very SHOUTY too, including Alan Haywood's thankfully short-lived Hector, and particularly Ivor Salter's Odysseus. Salter was gruffly forgettable in Season 2's The Space Museum, but seems to be relishing his role here, which I suppose is preferable to him not caring at all.

The Doctor is mistaken for the god Zeus, and the TARDIS his temple, and he is soon taken away to see Agamemnon in order to help bring an end to the ongoing siege of Troy. The Doctor doesn't put up too much of a fight when he is taken to the Greek camp, and doesn't seem to care at all that he's left Steven and Vicki behind in the TARDIS. Steven insists on going after the Doctor, instructing the ailing Vicki to stay in the TARDIS and nurse her ankle. Maureen O'Brien has so little to say or do in this episode, which is a pity as her chemistry with Hartnell is usually a joy to watch.

Hartnell himself seems to be relishing Cotton's dialogue, and he barely makes a slip or fluff throughout the episode. There's also a vastly reduced "hmmmm" count, proving that the actor was perfectly capable of sticking to the script given him when it presented itself as something rather richer than usual. The script is witty, sharp and quick, no better demonstrated in the scene between brothers Agamemnon and Menelaus when they are talking about their sibling rivalry and the loss of Helen of Troy. It's amusing but character-building, using soapy wit to flesh out these men of myth.

The cliffhanger to the episode sees the Doctor (aka Zeus) being informed that his TARDIS (ie his temple) has disappeared from the plain where it landed, and we're no doubt treated to one of those wide and fierce-eyed close-ups of Hartnell's face as the credits roll. Where has the TARDIS gone? Has Vicki dematerialised it, or has it been stolen?

First broadcast: October 16th, 1965

Steve's Scoreboard
The Good: Donald Cotton's witty and sharp dialogue is pounced on by a very enthusiastic cast.
The Bad: Ivor Salter's shouty delivery is going to get very wearing, I fear...
Overall score for episode: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆

NEXT TIME: Small Prophet, Quick Return...

My reviews of this story's other episodes: Small Prophet, Quick Return (episode 2); Death of a Spy (episode 3); Horse of Destruction (episode 4)

Find out birth/death dates, career information, and facts and trivia about this story's cast and crew at the Doctor Who Cast & Crew site: http://doctorwhocastandcrew.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/the-myth-makers.html

The soundtrack to The Myth Makers is available on CD. Find it on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Doctor-Who-Original-Television-Soundtrack/dp/0563477776/