macra

Macra is a fictional species from the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who. They are large, spider-like creatures with a distinctive appearance, often depicted with multiple eyes and a tough exoskeleton. Macra first appeared in the 1967 serial "The Macra Terror" and have since made a few notable reappearances, most recently in the 2007 episode "Gridlock."

In their initial appearances, the Macra were portrayed as a parasitic species that controlled humans through a form of psychic suggestion. They were often found in environments such as mining colonies or isolated space stations, where they could exert their influence more easily. The Macra's intelligence and manipulative capabilities made them a formidable threat to the Doctor and his companions.

Their modern-day revival in "Gridlock" presented a different interpretation. These Macra were still dangerous but were also shown to be more animalistic, driven by instinct. The episode depicted them as a part of the ecosystem of the densely populated future city of New New York. Despite the changes in their portrayal over the years, the Macra remain a memorable part of Doctor Who's diverse alien menagerie, representing a classic "monster of the week" type antagonist that the Doctor often has to outsmart.