Review: Doctor Who Classic: Kinda

The Mara as Dukkha taunts Tegan in her mind.

Doctor Who - Season 19, Story Three - Kinda

Kinda is that wonderful story that only comes along once in a blue moon that focuses on more spiritual and metaphysical ideas without being preachy about it. One of Davison's best, this Buddhism-influenced tale is quite unlike any Doctor Who at the time. There are a few aesthetic issues here or there, but the episode is best appreciated on a thematic level and the performances are so above-par that there's little to no point in quarrelling over the little things.
     Notably, this episode didn't at all feature Nyssa in the middle two episodes due to writer Christopher Bailey's lack of knowledge about the character's sudden companion status. The result is a little contrived; Nyssa is out of action, as is the Sonic Screwdriver, which is being used as part of a machine to sooth her headaches. However, this doesn't affect the story in too big a way, and the good thing is that greater focus can be placed on Adric and this episode's star, Tegan. Janet Fielding is on top form here and her character's emotional rollercoaster in the first two episodes is perfect.
     The episode surrounds the planet Deva Loka, where a human colonial team have identified the local tribe, the Kinda, as primitive beings. Traditional Sanders bullies on-edge Hindle, while female scientist Todd ( Nerys Hughes) calls for order. As The Doctor and Adric become embroiled with the Survey team, Tegan enters a dream state where her very existence is questioned by white-clad figures. One such figure, Dukkha, appeals to Tegan, forcing illusions upon her until she agrees to be taken over by the illusion's master, The Mara.

The Mara expresses itself in many ways.

      Hindle, in Sanders absense, goes completely power-mad and takes over the base, using mind-washed Kinda to form a miniture totalitatian regime. The Doctor and Todd manage to escape after a brainwashed Sanders returns, but their regime continues. The Mara posesses Tegan's body and then posesses a male Kinda called Aris. Kinda men are mute and only communicate via telepathy; they live in a matriachal society, and so Aris becomes a deity-like figure amongst the Kinda and leads an attack against the Colonists. As Tegan comes round, The Doctor pacifies the situation in the base by using Kindan technology. He then uses mirrors to trap the Mara within itself, sending it back to its own world. And Nyssa's fine.
     The nightmare sequences in the first two episodes are, despite coming totally out of the blue, incredibly powerful pieces of television. Tegan's initial bolshiness is crumbed and crubled as she first questions her own existance and then her individuality, culminating in her total and utter surrender to The Mara. Tegan is too often stereotyped as gobby and poorly acted, and this serial (plus its Season 20 sequel Snakedance, which I'll be covering in two months) stands as proof of Janet Fielding's extraordinary acting ability.
     Hollywood actors Richard Todd and Mary Morris weave their magic as Sanders and the Kinda's female leader Panna respectively. Simon Rouse, who went on to be in The Bill, is a wonderfully professional actor who gives the role of Hindle a powerfully insane edge. With Tegan away and Adric stupid, Nerys Hughes' Todd is a nice companion-esque character who's a tad more realistically written than the regulars are the rest of the time.

The insane Hindle talks to Adric.

     Kinda is wonderful from start to finish, both contemplative and exciting episode on episode. Janet Fielding is on full form and delivers her best performance so far, and the Mara and his related themes are some of the most interesting in the Eighties. Kinda continues a good streak for Davison's Who, and I love every second.

Thanks.

NEXT WEEK: Goodbye Sonic Screwdriver! We visit the Great Fire Of London in The Visitation.
P.S. This story invented the fan phrase, "Not-We," which is infinitely amusing. For me, anyway.