The Seeds Of Doom

Right at the beginning (with some not very convincing snow effect), it is set in the Arctic. You wouldn't be blamed for thinking you're watching a low-budget remake of "The Thing". Two men who work at a nearby lab station finds a pod and brings it back inside. Quickly the scientists moan and argue what to do with this strange one-of-a-kind object. Soon enough it feels like "The Thing" again as the pod hatches and takes over Keeler (a scientist body). Meanwhile a crazy and rich botanist named Chase hears of this pod and orders two of his best men (one of which you'd recognise as Boycie from Only Fools and Horses) to find another one. The Doctor however is talking to a guy in the government, also hearing of this pod.

All this takes an entire episode and could easily be put into less than ten minutes. However it does pick up pace onto the second. Keeler is infected and controlled by whatever came out of the pod which gives another classic horror association (Day of the Triffids, The Bodysnatchers) which are also associated with plants. But the story takes a turn away from the pod and focuses onto the characters behaviours. Especially once Chase's men arrives at the lab station in the Arctic, the story tells of greed, untrust and insecurity between the good men and the bad. Doctor also arrives in the Arctic to find a second pod (as they travel in pairs apparently) and simply a fight break out. After survival, they simpy return to Chase's mansion. There is much to describe here as the story does stretch on a bit.

Anything else to say is difficult to describe as it would spoil the story. There is a "heavy moral" though, why is it so acceptable for animals to eat plants but not the other way round? What I really wanted Doctor to say "Not on this planet bitch" but hey-ho. There are some impressive graphics that still looks a bit convincing today, Sladen is wonderful as ever, the extras are awful but amusing and seeing Boycie is also a delight. However the story is simply too long, this can easily be re-filmed today into a 45minute slot and would do it justice too.

6/10