‘INTER-GALACTIC CAT’

Please feel free to comment on my review.

Genesis III with the Fourth Doctor, Adric and K-9

‘Inter-Galactic Cat’ is the fourth story included in ‘The Cloud Exiles & Other Stories’ audio anthology. It was the first story published in the 1982 ‘Doctor Who Annual’ before ‘Conundrum’, which I’ve reviewed already. I enjoyed reading and hearing this annual story.

The story is read by Matthew Waterhouse, who plays Adric in the TV series and the Big Finish audios. It’s surreal to read and listen to this ‘Doctor Who’ story featuring the Fourth Doctor, Adric and K-9, as I assume it’s set between ‘The Keeper of Traken’ and ‘Logopolis’.

‘Inter-Galactic Cat’ is about a supercomputer that attempts world domination in the blind belief that it’s doing good. There’s a similarity between this story and ‘The War Machines’, although the Genesis III supercomputer wants to benefit humanity rather than replace it.

There are themes in this story that echo TV stories like ‘Planet of Giants’, especially when miniaturisation is featured. I didn’t pick up much on the miniaturisation aspects of this story whilst reading and hearing it, as I thought more of ‘Underworld’ with the supercomputer.

Mind you, miniaturisation is referred to when the Doctor tells the story of ‘Puss in Boots’ to Genesis III. Genesis III can accept the idea of a giant making himself bigger or smaller; but is baffled by the idea of a talking cat. This allows the Doctor the chance to defeat it. 🙂

I couldn’t help but think of Puss in Boots from the ‘Shrek’ films when reading and hearing this story as well as ‘Mickey and the Beanstalk’ from ‘Fun and Fancy Free’ when thinking about a giant making himself bigger or smaller. Incidentally, no cat appears in this annual story.

‘Inter-Galactic Cat’ rating – 8/10