N.B. there might (or might not) be spoilers in this article!

Galaxy 4 is unusual insomuch that it has an “official” DVD release with a reconstruction of its missing episodes, albeit one that is tucked away without fanfare on disc 2 of The Aztecs: Special Edition. So whereas previously I’ve not watched a recon as part of this marathon, in this case I made an exception.

“I never kill anything. Neither do my friends.”

The Doctor, Trap of Steel

And, with its mixture of clips, stills, 8mm footage, off-air audio recording, some new 3D model work and the 2011-recovered episode Air Lock, the recon does a good job of condensing the main action. (It loses around thirty or so minutes as it does so, but I also listened to the soundtracks – to fill in the blanks, so to speak.)

But what of the serial itself?

The race of dominant women is a common enough trope in science fiction, so it was perhaps inevitable Doctor Who would get around to it eventually – hell, even The Two Ronnies used it as the basis of one of their serials. Steven seems initially enamoured of the Drahvins, but of course they are not what they seem, and for all their apparent attractiveness, it is the more conventionally monstrous-looking Rills who are the peaceable aliens.

The whole ‘looks can be deceiving’ message could seem a little naïve and simplistic to our jaded 21st century sensibilities, but, quaint morality tale though it may be, I rather like Galaxy 4. It has interesting aliens, a tension-infused scenario – the planet is imminently going to explode – and cute robots.

Incidentally, I do find it curious how Vicki’s name Chumbley sticks. Perhaps the Rill didn’t bother to name the robots, but it quickly becomes accepted as a way to refer to the robots (by Drahvins, Rill and our regular travellers). This won’t be the last time a character in Doctor Who gives an alien a name that, for better or worse, sticks. “Ice Warriors”, anyone?