So, yesterday and today are frustrating weight days. I made a lot of sustained progress in the past few weeks, so a rebound was pretty much inevitable. It doesn't make it any less demoralizing, though. Still, yesterday was awful and today was halfway back to where I was, so even though the five-day average has taken a nasty turn upwards, it does seem to be just a normal little hiccup and things are hopefully moving back on track. Lord knows my son will have me out walking around theme parks all weekend, so that will help.

Anyway, about the conclusion to The Savages -- wow, what a rip-roaring back half! You know how the most fun part of a home improvement project is the demolition? Just taking a sledge hammer to those crappy cabinets and smashing them to bits? While, the climax of this story has exactly that kind of glee. On top of that, the story marks the exit of Peter Purves as Steven, and he goes out as a triumphant hero in every possible way.

Let's talk about that.

The Savages - Episodes 3 & 4

(TARDIS Data Core recap)

When last we left our intrepid adventurers, the Doctor had been strapped down onto the life-force sucking machine, and Steven and Dodo were outside the city with the titular Savages. As has been frequently the case in recent stories, William Hartnell is largely sidelined for a good chunk of the story. Here, he has been drained of most of his life energy, and is either unconscious or mostly so for the majority of the third episode. This time, however, it really does seem to serve the story well. The chief Elder Jano takes on the Doctor's life force, and instead of just getting the energy he also picks up many of the Doctor's mannerisms and speech patterns. More importantly, he picks up the Doctor's conscience. I gather that William Hartnell worked quite a bit with the actor playing Jano, in order to help him perform the best possible impersonation. That being the case, it seems like Hartnell is there even when he isn't, which is a pleasant surprise.

Outside the city, Steven becomes a true rebel leader, rallying the people into an invasion force. He is able to overcome one of the city security officers and steal his light gun, and then uses that to acquire yet another gun. Soon Steven and Dodo are storming the city in an attempt to rescue the Doctor. Although the initial attempt fails, in the end Steven is able to lead a revolution and overthrow the city Elders while destroying the evil laboratory with the life-sucking machine. In the end, the remaining city folk and savages-who-aren't-savage come together to forge a new society, and they ask Steven to help guide them as their leader. He elects to accept the role, and the Doctor and Dodo depart in the TARDIS.

I am really bummed that Peter Purves is gone from the show, I ended up liking him quite a bit. Where Ian was a bit too fussy and upper-class for my tastes, Steven was a true Man of Action and a relatable protagonist. As William Hartnel began to increasingly falter, Peter Purves stepped right up and carried much of the weight of the dialog and action. Most of the other recent companions I haven't really missed, but Steven has been a delightful surprise for me. I am really glad he came along for the ride.

STATS:

Doctor(s): First
Companion(s): Steven Taylor, Dodo Chaplet
Episode(s): Episode 3 & 4
Steps Walked: 6,708 today, 419,505 total
Distance Walked:  3.39 miles today, 195.88 miles total
Weight: 288.00 lbs (five day moving average), net change -19.30 lbs