Doctor Who "The Sea Devils - Episode Three" (1972)

After dueling with the Master and soundly defeating him, the Master performs quite a cowardly act and throws a knife at the Doctor while his back is turned. The genuine look of surprise on the Doctor's face had me wondering if he ever believed the Master would actually try and kill him. Now of the original series I've only seen one other serial with the Master and he and the Doctor, while enemies, had a camaraderie and ability to work with one another. Coupled with the Doctor's statement in the first episode that they used to be friends long ago, I think there's more to the Doctor's reaction than just being startled.

Trenchard comes upon the scene and we start to see the seeds of doubt entering his mind regarding the Master and how trustworthy he really is. The Master is obviously covering when he says his attack on the Doctor was self-defense and later Trenchard continually cuts the Doctor off when he makes his pleas for innocence. I think he's buried himself a little too deep conspiring with the Master and considers it too late to turn back now. He also looked jumpy when the Master has a brief outburst of rage in discovering Trenchard let Jo get away before he quickly reverts to his charming self.

With regards to Jo, I really like her a lot. I've seen quite a few serials with Katy Manning as the companion, including her last, and despite the fact she is not as clever or formal as Dr. Liz Shaw, her predecessor, she is a resourceful, sweet character and to be completely shallow, very attractive. I think this is the first serial I've seen where she is not in a miniskirt but she does look good in her suit. She is able to fight off the guards and evade them on the prison grounds long enough to find and rescue the Doctor. She may not have book smarts, but she is definitely intelligent and skilled enough to sneak into the Master's cell where the Doctor is being held and undo his handcuffs. The little business at the end of the scene where they each allow the other to go out the door first is a highlight of their relationship. Pertwee and Manning come across as good friends, with the Doctor taking almost a fatherly role over Jo, protecting and looking out for her, while she genuinely worries when he places himself in danger for the good of others.

Favorite moment: The pantomime plan of Jo's to release the Doctor is a comical but telling moment as we see just how effectively the Doctor and Jo can communicate to one another by looks. The Doctor's grin as he acknowledges her plan shows just how much the Doctor has come to like and respect Jo and if it weren't for her he may not have escaped. I also liked the scene because the new series appears to have paid homage to it, in even more comical form, as the Doctor and Donna communicate through pantomime across a room while separately spying on the villains in "Partners in Crime". When I saw it here I immediately thought of that scene and I love how the new series pays tribute to the original in both spirit and action.