Ep 37. The Time Meddler: The Meddling Monk
- July 10, 1965
- 25 min
The Time Meddler: The Meddling Monk is an episode from the second season of Classic Doctor Who. The story centers around the Time Lord, the Doctor, and his companions, Vicki and Steven, as they stumble upon a mysterious monk-like figure who seems to be manipulating time itself. The Doctor is initially suspicious of the Monk, but soon realizes that he is also a Time Lord, albeit one who has not adhered to the strict non-interference policy set by their species.
The episode begins with the Doctor and his companions landing the TARDIS on a beach in what appears to be 11th century England. They soon discover that there are some odd anachronisms occurring in the nearby village, such as a gramophone playing music and a wristwatch left behind by a visitor from the future. The Doctor is immediately suspicious and sets off to investigate while Vicki and Steven explore the village.
It isn't long before the Doctor comes across the Meddling Monk, who appears to be living in a monastery nearby. The Monk is an affable and charming figure, but the Doctor quickly suspects that he is up to no good. He discovers that the Monk has been collecting information on historical events from the future and is using it to manipulate the course of history.
As the Doctor and the Monk engage in a battle of wits, Vicki and Steven discover that the village is about to be attacked by Viking raiders. The Doctor realizes that the Monk has been aiding the Vikings in their attack in order to disrupt history. The Doctor must find a way to stop the Monk and save the village from destruction.
Throughout the episode, the Doctor and the Monk engage in a series of clever and entertaining exchanges. The Monk is a fascinating character, a rogue Time Lord who is willing to break the rules in order to satisfy his own curiosity and sense of adventure. He is a worthy foil for the Doctor and their interactions are some of the highlights of the episode.
The Time Meddler: The Meddling Monk is a classic Doctor Who story, full of action, adventure, and timey-wimey twists and turns. It is a memorable episode that showcases the charm and wit of the second Doctor, the resourcefulness of his companions, and the ingenuity of the show's writers. Fans of Classic Doctor Who will not want to miss this entertaining episode.