Geek Syndicate Issue 8 | Page 45

Geek Syndicate There are many fun elements brought to bear because of the Monk’s nature. He has a gramophone belting out the sounds of chanting monks. He has a list of things to do in Earth’s history. He brings his captive breakfast which includes a bone china teacup and pot. One tiny detail that I think is an oversight is that there’s a modern lock in the door to the monastery! I don’t care if it was an oversight. It fits nicely. The medieval setting is one that the BBC could do well. Add in the anachronistic bits of technology and mischievous villain and frankly, you’re onto a winner. What I really like about this story is that the villain is not evil as such. Rather, he is an amoral time traveller who sees time and space as his own personal toy box. In some ways, the meddler is what the Doctor could have been. I like to think that the Doctor remembered the Meddling Monk when he regenerated. Troughton’s appearance is certainly reminiscent of Peter Butterworth and his Doctor is far more mischievous. I wonder if the Doctor decided it was time to enjoy life, remembered this fellow wanderer and somehow became imprinted on him… The Monk’s TARDIS - Smaller on the Inside? 45