Or, as I prefer to call it, The Robots...of Death!

A studio-bound story might not sound like a logical choice for DVD release, but with its stylish sets, outrageous costumes, and lovely female cast members, The Robots of Death shines in this new format.

The strengths of this episode are well documented. The title creatures are superbly designed, the best robots ever to feature in the series, with the possible exception of the Daleks. Michael Bryant directs with imagination, using POV shots to create some of Doctor Who's best "shock moments."

The Robots of Death can be enjoyed on several levels. On the surface, it’s just a fun mystery/horror romp, as the robots stalk through the corridors of the sand miner and pick off the helpless human crew one by one. But there's more to it than cheap scares. There are moments when Chris Boucher's script offers fascinating psychological insight into the characters. The villain, Taran Capel – a sort of Nat Turner or John Brown of the robot race – is a deeply disturbed individual who abandons his own humanity in favor of becoming a sort of living automation. Although his identity is kept secret, if you watch carefully throughout the episode, he gives himself away by moving and acting in an "inhuman" fashion. His final appearance as a mock robot is as pathetic as it is menacing. Poul's condition of "robophobia" is a nice touch that addresses the discomfort that most people feel when confronted with the increasing mechanization and de-personalization of society. And while Uvanov is prejudiced against the rich Zilda, the careful viewer will notice subtle clues that he fancies her as well (thanks to my brother Marc for pointing this one out – I almost had it, but not quite!).

There are times when it doesn't quite click. Unfortunately, too much of the plot hinges upon Zilda, who happens to be the most ludicrously costumed and worst acted character in the story. Once she dies, the episode improves considerably! Thankfully, the rest of the cast performs well. Pamela Salem (Toos) must have the Midas touch, because she worked on no less than three classic episodes of the series. David Collings is excellent as Poul, particularly in the scene when he describes life on the sand miner to Leela. It's exactly the sort of scene that should reek of phoniness – after all, it involves a guy in eye makeup and a woman in skins discussing a fake mineral called "lucanol," for God's sake – but good scripting and credible acting make it work.

Speaking of Leela, I didn’t mind seeing her with the clarity of DVD! But her leather costume aside, she is arguably the best companion in the history of the series, as subtle as she is shocking. And at this point, she’s acting alongside Tom Baker at his peak, when he is perfectly blending humor and drama in his performance. Talk about a dream team...

The BBC's DVD release does The Robots of Death proud. The picture and sound quality are good, though of course the episode still looks as though it was shot with cheapo cam back in the '70s! I only noticed a few annoying screen blips in part four. The model test shots and studio floor plans, though a nice idea in theory, are hard on the eyes in reality and not half as interesting as you'd think. The highlight of the special features is the commentary by Chris Boucher and Philip Hinchcliffe.

Now, if you’re the sort of fan who’s seduced by "star power," and you’re disappointed that Tom Baker didn’t do the commentary instead, you’re not going to like it. However, if you really want insight into the creative process of making Doctor Who in the 1970s, then you’re going to be fascinated. Sure, Boucher and Hinchcliffe are a little low-key, but they have plenty to say about crafting scripts, overcoming production difficulties, creating and casting Leela, Robert Holmes' vision of the show, and much more. I've read fan criticism on the Web that labeled this the worst commentary on a Doctor Who DVD, but I rather think it's the best to date.

The Episode: B+
The DVD: B+