Classic Doctor Who Season 25 Episode 6 The Happiness Patrol: Part 2
- November 9, 1988
- 24 min
The Happiness Patrol: Part 2 is the sixth episode of season 25 of the classic British sci-fi show, Doctor Who. The episode continues the story from Part 1, where the Doctor, portrayed by Sylvester McCoy, and his companion Ace, played by Sophie Aldred, have arrived on Terra Alpha, a planet under the rule of the manipulative and ruthless Helen A (Sheila Hancock). The planet's inhabitants are forced to be always happy, and any display of sadness or emotion is punishable by death.
In the second part of the story, the Doctor and Ace continue their mission to overthrow Helen A's regime and liberate the planet's citizens from their enforced happiness. They are joined by another rebel, Earl Sigma, who wants to put an end to the oppressive regime and reclaim the planet for its inhabitants.
The episode is a tense and thrilling adventure, as the Doctor and his companions navigate their way through the brightly colored streets of Terra Alpha, avoiding the patrols of the Happiness Patrol, Helen A's enforcers who are armed with deadly weapons that can turn their victims into sugar. The Doctor and Ace are also pursued by the Collector (Michael Kilgarriff), an eccentric collector of rare and exotic objects who is working with Helen A to maintain her control over the planet.
As the rebels gather momentum and the fight against the Happiness Patrol intensifies, the Doctor and Ace must come up with a plan to destroy the source of Helen A's power, the Kandy Kitchen, where the deadly happiness drugs that keep the population subdued are made. With Earl Sigma's help, they infiltrate the Kandy Kitchen and face off against Helen A in a dramatic showdown.
The episode is a commentary on the dangers of totalitarianism and the importance of free will and individuality. It is a thrilling adventure that showcases the talents of McCoy and Aldred, who bring their unique chemistry and sense of humor to the roles of the Doctor and Ace. The supporting cast also shines, with Hancock delivering a chillingly dictatorial performance as Helen A, and Kilgarriff providing comic relief as the quirky Collector.
Overall, The Happiness Patrol: Part 2 is a must-see episode for fans of classic Doctor Who and sci-fi enthusiasts alike. Its themes of oppression, rebellion, and the importance of individuality are as relevant today as they were when the episode first aired in 1988.