Small World (Reducing “Planet of Giants”)

What is so fascinating about the micro world that almost every sci-fi franchise has been inspired to include an episode where the characters shrink to the size of insects? The Doctor’s first foray into diminished circumstances came pretty early: William Hartnell’s second-season opener, Planet of Giants, sees the original TARDIS crew taking on giant bugs, deadly water faucets, and a ruthless killer indifferent to a looming environmental catastrophe. Seen through a magnifying glass, Doctor Who feels like an entirely different show. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it’s hard to see that “less is more” in this case. Maybe we just need to squint.

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Story Essentials

• Season 2, Serial 1

• Story number: 9, per the The Pull To Open Codex

• Production Code: J

• Writer: Louis Marks

• Producer: Verity Lambert

• Aired 31 October – 14 November 1964

Pull To Open: Planet of Giants

• Season 3

• Episode 38

Hosts: Pete Pachal and Chris Taylor

Feedback loop and interlude music: Martin West/Thinking Fish

Outro music: Chronos by Alexander Nakarada