The first year of Lethbridge-Stewart books went through Yeti, Rutans and Dominators (presumably the Doctor Who monster/aliens that Candy Jar could get the rights to). This year the books seem to be working through some generalised traditional foes. Lethbridge-Stewart and team have recently faced aliens from the moon, Nazis and Zombies (in the short story release ‘The Playing Dead’). Now it is the turn of man eating plants.

Inevitably they end up borrowing from Triffids and Krynoids, but as far as plant based opponents go the Grandfathers, despite their benevolent sounding title, are actually a very interesting and deadly alien species. It is there one-sided symbiotic relationship with the Ymir that makes them intriguing and original. The possibility that they could conquer and control other species in such a way means that there is certainly scope to have them return at some point or even be utilised in other Doctor Who media. They are the first monster created by the Lethbridge-Stewart books that has such potential. The Ymir themselves are also fairly worthwhile monsters, although they are somewhat too similar to the Pyroviles.

By now the Fifth Operational Corps seems to be established in their new home and working as a team. Although not yet the fully fledged UNIT we’re familiar with they are basically operating as such and are beginning to possess the feel of the Third Doctor/UNIT era. Suitably this novel more than the previous ones in the series, is, perhaps, the easiest to envisage as a Doctor Who story in terms of structure and atmosphere.

It is interesting to note that Anne Travers (who presumably stops working with Lethbridge-Stewart at least sometime before ‘Spearhead from Space’ to necessitate the initial need for Liz Shaw) has, in many ways, assumed a role that is a forerunner to that which Doctor adopts at UNIT. It is not merely that she has become the de facto scientific advisor for the Fifth Operational Corps. Her relationship with Lethbridge-Stewart certainly bears a reflection of that which later exists between the Brigadier and the Doctor.

The author also makes good use of Evans (originally appearing in ‘The Web of Fear’) and starts to make him a better rounded and developing character. This novel certainly instils some potential in him for the future books.

It is an entertaining, action packed story which utilises its various locales very well. It also includes a good link to ‘Planet of Giants’ which becomes integral to the efforts of the Brigadier and his corps.