Battlefield - The Brigadier returns. Athurian legend. A new Brigadier. UNIT. Jean Marsh. I mean, seriously, what is there not to love about this? Okay, the script could be more polished in parts but this is a great series opener and brings back a lot of happy memories - 8
Ghost Light - Where to begin? I must have viewed this story a few times in my life and in honesty I've never quite got my head around it. And yet, it still works. It's a complex story about evolution and devolution (Not the Scottish kind) and has some entrail soup in it. Should it have been 4 parts? Maybe but it might have lost some of the mystery that it gains by speeding through stuff. I have yet to meet anyone who truly understands this story but it is still very enjoyable - 8
The Curse of Fenric - World War II is always a great place to set a Who story. This is no exception. Dodgy Russians working undercover form part of the story but this one just builds in layers of complexity as the story proceeds. Like Remembrance, it wouldn't feel out of place as a nuWho story. The crippled mathematician Doctor Judson is superb. The writers had wanted to use Alan Turing for the part (and the fact they didn't is the one downside to this story) but due to the still existing sensitivities about glamourising homosexuality the BBC didn't feel brave enough to include him but Dr. Judson's frustrations at his disability represent Turing's frustrations and present a nice metaphor. Again, it's easy to forget this story was made in 1989 and not 2009 and which is why perhaps the Turing 'snub' stands out to me. Anyway, the story develops as it goes and continues to excel as we discover the real forces at work and as The Doctor seemingly betrays Ace. Cracking story and hugely powerful - 9
Survival - Perfectly paced. 3 parts is perfect. There is some mucking around with atmospheric scenery and music but the pace is just spot on. Anthony Ainley returns for his final, and in my humble opinion, best performance as The Master. He someimtes played that role a bit camp for me but here the campness drops away and the sinister Master is truly there. He reminds me of Roger Delgado in his pomp in this. A fitting end to a series that didn't need to end and the Doctor's final speech always leaves a lump in my throat as I think of the barren years that awaited us...
"There are worlds out there where the sky is burning, where the sea is asleep and the rivers dream; people made of smoke and cities made of song. Somewhere there's danger, somewhere there's injustice, and somewhere else the tea is getting cold. Come on, Ace, we've got work to do."
9
See you soon, old friend...