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 From: doctor@doctor.nl2k.ab.ca 
  
 Doctor Who: Galaxy 4 - A Mixed Bag on a Lost Planet 
  
 "Galaxy 4" is a lost serial from Doctor Who's classic era, 
  originally airing in 1965 as part of the First Doctor's tenure. 
  Due to missing episodes, reconstructions are used to view the story, 
  which can affect the overall experience. Here's a breakdown 
  to help you decide if you'd like to  venture to this mysterious planet: 
  
 Story 
  
 The TARDIS lands on a seemingly barren planet called Galaxy 4. 
 The Doctor, Steven, and Vicki encounter the ammonia-based 
 alien race, the Rills, who  communicate  telepathically 
 and  appear  somewhat  repulsive  due  to  their  reliance 
   on  ammonia  environments.  Meanwhile,  a  group  of  humanoid 
   aliens  called  the  Drahvins  arrive,  claiming  ownership 
   of  the  planet.  The  companions  get  caught 
   in  the  middle  of  this  conflict 
   while  the  Doctor  tries  to  unravel  the  truth 
   about  Galaxy 4  and  the  intentions  of  both  alien  races. 
  
 Review 
  
 Strengths 
  
     Unique Alien Concepts: The story introduces the concepts 
  of ammonia-based life forms (the Rills) and telepathic 
  communication, which were original ideas for television at the time. 
   
     Moral Complexity: The serial doesn't present clear-cut heroes 
  and villains. Both the Rills and the Drahvins have their 
  own motivations, raising questions about perception and prejudice. 
   
     Strong Voice Acting (Rills): Despite not being seen fully, 
  the voice acting for the Rills is considered a highlight, 
  bringing them to life in a memorable way. 
  
 Weaknesses 
  
     Missing Episodes: Unfortunately, a large portion of "Galaxy 4" 
  is lost, with only reconstructions available. 
  This can disrupt the narrative flow and make certain plot 
  points less clear for modern viewers. 
   
     Dated Special Effects: The visual effects used for the alien 
  races and the planet itself might seem primitive by modern 
  standards, especially when relying on reconstructions. 
   
     Slow Pacing in Parts (Reconstructions): The reconstructed 
  version might feel slow at times, especially during 
  exposition scenes explaining the alien races 
  and the conflict on the planet. 
  
 Reception: 
  
     Positive:  Praised for its  unique  alien  concepts, 
  exploration  of  moral  complexity,  and  strong 
  voice  acting  for  the  Rills.  Some  fans  also 
  appreciate  the  subversion  of  expectations 
  regarding  the  alien  races. 
  
     Negative:  Criticized for its  large  amount 
  of  missing  episodes  that  hinder  the  narrative, 
  dated  special effects  (especially  noticeable 
  in  reconstructions),  and  slow  pacing  in  certain  sections. 
  
 Overall Thoughts: 
  
 "Galaxy 4"  has  interesting  ideas  but  suffers 
 from  the  limitations  of  its  era  and  the  loss  of  episodes. 
  While  the  reconstructions  might  not  be  ideal, 
  the  story  offers  a  glimpse  into  the  inventiveness 
  of  early  Doctor Who  and  explores  thought-provoking 
  themes  about  appearances  being  deceitful. 
  
 Would I recommend watching it? 
  
     For Fans of Classic Doctor Who: 5/10 
  (Especially those interested in the show's 
  exploration of alien societies and moral dilemmas, 
  but be prepared for the missing episodes) 
   
     For Fans of Modern Doctor Who: 3/10 
  
 If you're a die-hard fan of classic Doctor Who 
 and  are  willing  to  overlook  the  limitations 
 of  lost  episodes  and  reconstructions, ... 
  
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