Well, thats just the Silurians bag, really.
Created by Malcolm Hulke, theyre scientifically advanced creatures from before humanity evolved.
This makes a different kind of trouble for the Doctor too.
So, for newcomers, heres a quick recap of the Silurians appearances inDoctor Who.
The Siluriansintroduced the species with a group whod been woken up by energy from a nuclear research centre.
When any humans go down into their caves, theyre attacked by the Silurians pet dinosaur.
Lets be generous and say that dinosaur was an ambitious special effect.
Enter the Doctor, who tries his best to broker a deal between the Silurians and the humans.
The Doctor is able to find a cure with help from an older and wiser Silurian, Okdel.
Okdel is killed for his troubles, and negotiations collapse.
The Doctor is saddened and disgusted, and promptly… never mentions it again.
And inThe Sea Devils, we saw a more subordinate caste who the Silurians used as soldiers.
I was very specific in my description of the base, said writer Johnny Byrne.
As stories go, this is poison.
The Hungry Earth (2010)
Silurian fans, rejoice!
40 years after their first use, someone outside of the spin-off media remembers how to use them properly.
Moreover, Chris Chibnall and Steven Moffat seem to be delivering on an old promise.
As Steven Moffat enthused, Just having that idea could make you rich for the rest of your life.
So Malcolm (Hulke) gave it toDoctor Who.
Find more from Mark Harrison at his bloghere.
