Previously … Crisis (broadcast version)…

The DVD release of Planet of Giants included a reconstructed 4-part version.  It was originally intended to be broadcast as a four-part story, but was trimmed down to three parts, presumably because it didn’t have enough story to make it to four full episodes.

In the 28-minute reconstructed version of episode 3, there’s a lot more discussion and work from Forrester and the scientist, Smithers, to alter Farrow’s report (including Forrester faking Farrow’s signature), together with a second load of water down the plughole.  This second sinkful of water explains why, in the televised version, the Doctor says the plug has been put back in and he worries about the overflow (the pipe of which they’re standing in).  In the televised version, we immediately see that the plug is not in the plughole straight after the Doctor said it was.  So this, at least, makes more sense.

The Doctor determines the massive scale of the problem with the new insecticide and, while Ian and the others want to make their escape via the sink’s plughole, it’s the Doctor who stands firm and says that this insecticide could result in the destruction of all life on the planet and he won’t stand by and let this happen.  A very strong moment for the first Doctor that isn’t in the televised version.

There’s more from the exchange operator and her husband (the policeman) in which she’s suspicious of “Farrow’s” voice, and a very unnecessary extended version of the TARDIS crew reading the notepad.

Another scene of the phone operator getting suspicious of Forrester’s voice and discussing it with her husband (who’s apparently had a run in with Forrester’s car).

As the episode continues, it feels a little backwards way on.  The Doctor has already expressed his reasons for staying, but it’s not until he’s read the notepad that he understands the full extent of the insecticide.

On their journey to the telephone, the Doctor ponders if the telephone will compensate for the pitch of their voices.  This is shortly followed by the scientist returning and having a smoke, leading to lots of choking by the TARDIS crew.

A further phone call with Forrester sorting out distribution of the insecticide, together with a discussion of the spray can design that will be used (the can that the Doctor and Ian later explode).  Smithers is getting itchy feet, and Forrester is stopped making his next telephone call by the operator being busy sorting out other orders in the shop part of the post office.

The episode now reaches the scene of the TARDIS crew using the telephone.  The episode ends with Barbara collapsing unconscious, they figure out that Barbara is infected, and the Doctor is unsure if he can save her.

The reconstruction is done by reusing previous scenes and having other actors put their voices on the characters.  It works to a degree, but is a little distracting.  There are also newly filmed sequences (where only hands are required), and some simple CGI efforts (the cat jumping onto the sink and dying, the smoking scientist re-entering the room, etc).

Next time … The Urge to Live