Premise: The TARDIS arrives aboard a huge sandminer as it travels across a barren landscape, collecting minerals. One of the crew is murdered and the Doctor and Leela are blamed.
Notes: Reference is made to science-fiction writer Isaac Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics formulated in 1941. He made these laws sufficiently ambiguous so that he could write story after story where something strange happens. The Art Deco theme of the visuals was ensured by designer Kenneth Sharp and costumier Elizabeth Waller to get away from the bland silver space ships that were often seen on Doctor Who. All the model sequences for the serial were directed by production assistant Peter Grimwade, although he was not credited for this role.
Verdict: While an obvious killer may make for a bad whodunit, this serial more than makes up for it with great design work, creepy robots, a well done score, a strong atmosphere and a worryingly credible scenario. It is undeniably one of the series' most accomplished productions with some intense moments of pure sci-fi horror 9/10
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