The Doctor and his companion Zoe encountered Medusa the Gorgon in a labyrinth in the Land of Fiction. Whilst the Gorgon of Greek mythology turned victims to stone if they gazed on her features, this Medusa was made of stone herself, which then came to life. The Doctor and Zoe felt compelled to gaze upon her, but he recalled the myth and of how Perseus used his polished shield to observe her safely. He used a hand mirror, then convinced Zoe to accept that the Gorgon did not exist and so could not harm them. She reverted to stone.
Played by: Sue Pulford. Appearances: The Mind Robber (1968).
- Medusa's snakes were animated through stop-motion filming - the technique which brought King Kong to life and later became synonymous with Ray Harryhausen, who depicted the Gorgon in his Clash of the Titans (1981).
- In mythology, Medusa was one of three sisters, the others being Stheno and Euryale, who could turn people to stone. Some versions have them hideous creatures whilst others have them beautiful women. She was beheaded by Perseus, and her severed head continued to have the power to petrify. Her blood also had special powers.
- The Gorgons featured in The Sarah Jane Adventures in the story Eye of the Gorgon. These were alien creatures who emitted snake-like energy tendrils which petrified their victims.
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