Episode Critics
Compiled by Martin Willey

2. The Exiles

One of the finer episodes of series two. Peter Duncan...is surprisingly good. Less impressive is the set of the Golos control room, a redressed version of the biological computer from the previous episode 'The Metamorph'. (Richard Houldsworth, TV Zone, 1993)

To some extent this episode is still introducing aspects of the new season- Maya is seen changing her shape from that of Helena, to a silly monster, a tiger and a hag and yet takes very little part in the plot. It is interesting to note that in these early episodes she has brown ears which she loses later on (the colour, not the ears). As episodes go this is far from a classic and the final result is a cross between Star Maidens and Fireball XL5. The plot centres on Helena and Koenig rather more than usual with the rest of the crew there simply to provide light relief. Surprisingly the model work in this episode is also below par. Rating 3/10. (Anthony McKay, DWB, 1993)

Despite some crass dialogue and the atrocious dubbing of Peter Duncan's voice, this is quite a good episode with some delightful incidental music from Derek Wadsworth. B+ (Chris Bentley, SFX 20, 1996)

To the delight of many faithful viewers, The Exiles looks and feels like a hold over from the earlier days of Series One. This story is horrific, atmospheric and tense. Perhaps the only reason this episode falls short of being completely effective is that the tale of Moonbase Alpha held in the grip of an immortal, psychotic alien exile had already been told in the excellent End Of Eternity. Cantar and Zova, an alien Bonnie and Clyde team, provide a charismatic menace. And the climax, with Cantar ageing 300 years in seconds, is delightfully frightening. (John Kenneth Muir, Exploring Space: 1999, p103-104)

That old sci-fi staple of not judging by appearances is trotted out yet again as a pair of angelic looking aliens turn out to be deadly killers. **- (average) (James O'Neill, Sci-Fi On Tape, p271, 1997)

The ageing make-up is first rate, as is Peter Duncan's performance as the ancient and dying Cantar. The Exiles is a superb second episode of Year Two. 9/10 (Bob Wood, The Future Is Fantastic, 2001)