Forty of the Fourth #13: The Ribos Operation

Hark! I have returned!

Bit of a preface: after the feature for Talons of Weng-Chiang was published, it turned out dismally, probably the lowest turnout I'd had for one of these pieces. I blamed myself for not properly ingratiating myself into the subject like I'd done before, and that caused the disconnection I think...I wasn't myself when I published it. I decided then to take a break from my concept, even if it would probably put me woefully behind. Its a sacrifice I think I had to make to properly come back with a much stronger piece of work, which I think this represents.

That being said, I love how this came out. I had two problems facing me with "The Ribos Operation", mostly because it is the introduction to the Key to Time Saga for Season 16. The first problem was what was a good representation of the episode? Its probably one of the most character driven in the series up to that time, with barely a reliance on monsters to drive the plot and the script focusing primarily on a con man and the quest for the first segment in the Key to Time. The second problem was if I wanted to do just one big piece representing Season 16, since it is an ongoing storyline. I chose to go back to my original plan, feeling that breaking it down story by story would be more appealing.

I eventually settled on the idea of the scene of the Doctor in the catacombs, menaced by the shrivenzale beast. Its not a very iconic moment that one thinks of when they think of the episode, but fun to concoct.

A woefully underrated, "The Ribos Operation".