The Myth Makers features an interesting structure, such that most sets of characters never interact with one another. Maureen O’Brien gives her best impression of how William Hartnell took the news that Max Adrian had been cast in this serial… (allegedly). But then the story takes a dark left turn, and nothing will ever be the same… The dialogue does not let up for a minute, and for three weeks this is about as funny as Doctor Who ever gets.

Donald Cotton, a new writer for the series, gives us an energetic historical comedy with one foot planted firmly in the farce camp. Hartnell is on top of his game, owning his dramatic/comedic confrontations with the cream of Greek mythology: Achilles, Odysseus, Agammemnon, and Menelaus. The first three episodes of The Myth Makers don’t really show any signs of looming behind-the-scenes trouble, at least. Life is about to get very difficult indeed for the star of the show… William Hartnell should only have been so lucky to get such a quick exit. When they return, there’s a new producer, John Wiles, who’s just given Maureen O’Brien the pink slip. It’s the beginning of Doctor Who‘s third production block and the regulars are back from their summer vacation. The Greeks think the Doctor is Zeus, the Trojans think Vicki is a sorceress, both of them are asked to win the war, and nobody wants Steven. Novelization by: Donald Cotton (April 1985)

Airdates: October/November 1965 (4 episodes)

Doctor Who by Donald Cotton