1 - 9 February 1983
As we approach the middle point of
Peter Davison's time as the Doctor, we'd expect the regulars to be known
quantities by now. True enough, Sarah Sutton feels like she once again
didn't get a whole lot to do as Nyssa, Tegan is rather short with
everyone, and the Fifth Doctor seems curiously unconcerned with
everything around him. Although this story is a considerable improvement
on Grimwade's last serial, Time-Flight, it seems like a mastery of the main cast's characterization has not miraculously materialized in the interim.
Accordingly it's a bit odd that a new companion is being introduced when
the existing characters already seem so inconsistent. Nevertheless, I
find Turlough very interesting, and his introduction as a
semi-antagonist rather than the traditional companion role is definitely
interesting. The story draws a parallel between Tegan and Nyssa's
distrust of Mawdryn as the fake Doctor and Turlough's introduction as a
"false" companion which I find pretty neat.
Seeing the Brigadier is always a pleasure, and he brings a fair bit to
the story. The time travel quandary centered on the split between 1977
and 1983, and his selves on either side, is a great plot beat, although
it feels somewhat buried in the mix of everything else going on with
this story.
All in all, I'd consider this one a fun story with some good ideas that
stops shy of being great because it tries to do a little too much in its
allotted time. It might grow on me with future viewings.
Terminus is up next.
(Modified from the original posted at Gallifrey Base on 22 April 2024.)
No comments:
Post a Comment