This episode marks one of those occasions when the title tells you everything you need to know about what's coming up! Anyone with a fear of spiders may want to hide behind the sofa now... although if you are a spider then you may already be there... The title's play on the Sex Pistols song "Anarchy In The UK" will likely be lost on the show's target audience and any memories of the film Arachnophobia will be strictly in the maturer viewers and the least said about Planet Of The Spiders (But I'll explain that later)
The episode opens with some low creeping shots, first approaching then moving through a large, empty hotel. At first it feels like it might be abandoned but we soon learn that it is actually new and not yet open. An American businessman is talking with his, er, he's not quite sure ("I'm your niece's wife, sir" she helpfully prompts, a little disgusted at the need to do so) about some big problem that he needs her to make disappear. We meet Najia, the timid (or rather, "oppressed") general manager who the businessman doesn't know and fires on the spot apparently on a whim. This is not a pleasant man and he's not happy that things aren't going to plan. There are 'subtle' similarities and parallels in character to the current US President Donald Trump but to make it clear that this man does not actually represent Trump, there is a helpful line later on where it is suggested that they might go up against each other. This is all very ironically (or aptly) Trump-like in its execution but actually bears very little relevance to the story itself. He's just an obnoxious tycoon who wants everything his way and sees no barriers to getting it.
Meanwhile, the TARDIS spins its way through the time vortex, all dark but shiny and swirly like the opening titles. This is the first time it's been seen within an actual episode and we linger on it affectionately, even following the TARDIS to a mass conglomeration of tunnels, a super junction never seen before. We see inside the TARDIS as everyone clings to the console while the Doctor's hands fly about over the buttons, knobs and switches, no-one quite sure if it's under control. They land it what looks very much like a contemporary Earth city "We're home!" Declares Yaz, "We're actually home!" The Doctor is equally delighted with her successful steering. But while her new friends get to grips with the fact that it's only half an hour since they left the warehouse at the end of The Woman Who Fell To Earth, the Doctor realises that this is the end of the road for them. Everyone is home where they belong and she's going to be on her own again. She soon perks up when Yaz invites her in for tea though!
The scene is set. The Doctor is about to set off on her travels, her new friends are about to be left behind to become old friends, there's a missing neighbour, far too much junk in Yaz's flat and oversized cobwebs on the landing. Oh and the general manager who lost her job is Yaz's mum. All perfectly normal... until it all gets pieced together! Graham, meanwhile, has gone home and has some sentimental moments thinking of his late wife and finds an oversized spider's shed skin and the missing neighbour isn't so much missing as cocooned!
We see our first live spider at 12 minutes into the episode and it's a big one. Not big like your average wolf spider or spindly but large daddy-long-legs, not even big like a tarantella but big like a small dog! And that's just the one in the flat! Apparently, garlic and vinegar are the ideal deterrent and talking to them. The Doctor, of course, is a pacifist, so talking to and caring for the monstrous creatures is the name of the game but there's some subtle learning to do as she investigates why they are so big, who's behind it and what can be done about it.
It's all rather preposterous but then, this is Doctor Who and it's done with full conviction and just the right level of humour (though the Doctor's repeated use of "Yaz's Mum" and Yaz's mum pointing out that her name's Najia seems to go a little against character). There are a few dubious plot/script moments such as Graham and Ryan being asked if the spider they've caught was the largest one out there and Graham replying "Well, we're not gonna go out and double check are we?" despite being chased by several larger ones following the capture; and the speed at which the cobwebs appear feels far to quick for dramatic effect. But go along for the right and marvel at the effects and you'll be fine. Besides, the phrase "this is not what spiders do" crops up a few times
Speaking of the effects, they are rather amazing to the point that you don't question the reality of the giant spiders for one second. They are real. You can see them with your own eyes as they run around exactly as spiders do only bigger. There isn't a single frame where they look artificial or superimposed. And this is where we reflect on Planet Of The Spiders. Not only are the 1974 effects laughable (because, you know, it was 1974 and they were static models on an unconvincing set design with the only moving coming from a single rod from underneath) but the Doctor seems to have completely forgotten about them despite it being the Third Doctor's final adventure. She does, however, remember an incident (hitherto unseen or heard of) with Amelia Earhart and some supersized spider's thread. More enjoyable lines come as the Doctor flat out refuses to yield to the tycoon's demands:
"You're not going down there it's too dangerous." Doctor replies "I eat danger for breakfast." Then you Yaz "I don't, I prefer cereal. Or croissants," "There! 'Keep out danger of death' You do not have the authorisation!" "I have all the authorisation I need"... which is an interesting development on an earlier scene and the missing neighbours flat where she says she could get the door open by 'sorting the lock' but only if the others are worried about her (which of course they are) so at some point she feels she has all the authority she needs later on, presumably from the moment the full threat is identified, until then mere curiosity and investigation require permission to 'break in'. I like that.
There are economical and ecological lessons within the plot as well as ones of morality and ethics. Sprinkled throughout is the continuation of character development. The regulars shine as always and the supporting cast are pretty much on point too, the only niggle is the Tycoon who, to be fair, is performing the character as the arch villain he's written as and playing it more subtly wouldn't have worked.
The episode ends with the mundane normal life settling back into place and the Doctors new friends visiting her in her TARDIS for what she thinks will be a proper goodbye. But Graham needs time to settle his grief, Ryan has no desire to return to working in the warehouse and Yaz, who wanted to go home, wants more than her insane family can give her. The Doctor gives them the full warning about the dangers of travelling with her but ultimately, she is made up that her new friends want to join her as Team TARDIS! They pull the lever together and finally, the full on adventures can begin!
Final mention goes to the Ed Sheeran gag which I'll leave for you to find and enjoy for yourself!
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