Season 7@50 Something I’d never really thought of before is
how versatile the Silurians’ third eye is. In this episode, a large
chunk of which we spend in their subterranean company, it is used to open and
close doors, create a forcefield, operate a console and finally to kill another
Silurian. Presumably it is controlled by the power of thought but even so it
must have to be concentrated thought of some strength. Perhaps that’s why they
are so jumpy. Each of the three main Silurians we see seems to have been given
a different movement in order for us to differentiate between them and it gives
them an eerie quality. They are jerky movements whereas we might expect
reptiles to be slinkier. The most remarkable aspect to them is that
Peter Halliday does all the voices arguing with himself over Silurian politics.
It’s a cruel game with someone able to seize power simply by turning that third
eye on their rival. I’m not sure why Old Silurian as he is known in the tv
version (see below about the novel) doesn’t fight back, maybe its because he’s
old? As for Silurian scientist (aka K’To if you’re reading the book) he’s
clearly not a fighter and will acquiesce to whoever’s third eye looks the most
threatening.
