The Doctor and UNIT encounter an alien artist who wants to meet with the leaders of the world. The Doctor disappears, and all the other soldiers in UNIT seem to fall under her thrall once she gives them ring and that seems to include the Brigadier.

This story is a bit predictable with few surprises and a lot of technobabble. However, the story is entertaining because of some good character moments for Yates as well as a few insights that explained future decisions he made.

In the Barbarians and the Samurai, the Doctor and the TARDIS crew arrive in early 19th Century Japan which had still banned Westerners. They quickly are hunted by the Samurai. However, when the Doctor and Barbara are captured they find themselves in the midst of political intrigue.

This is a solidly researched story that brings this era to life in a realistic way. The characters are great. The Japanese Characters really fit the time and believable but without being predictable which leads to a scrip that often surprises. Overall, this is an outstanding historical.

In our final mystery, the man set to play St. Bernard in the town's festival dies in an apparent accident. At the time, Shilling tries to find the Black Widow whose evil deeds connects the crimes in the first three episodes. The story comes to a resounding if not entirely unexpected solution. The story also features a few good character moments, particularly for Lady Penelope and Inspector Cribbage.

Writer/Producer/Sound Desiger Nigel Fairs deserves credit for how he manages to tantalize listeners for another series. He doesn't leave the key cases unsolved, but he drops hints of so many intriguing goings on about the village with hints of other unknown underhanded dealings, Inspector Cribbage stating he has a reason for being there and is making an inquiry and that some characters have secret pasts. On top of that, three characters end the series in very sticky situations. Thus instead of petering out, Series 1 sets the stage for more cases in a future box set.

The Doctor takes Liv and Helen to Salzburg for the Holiday Season on Krumpas Day, which is little more than a fun celebration on Earth. However, it becomes far more serious when the Imps come to claim the souls of anyone who have done wrong.

This is an absolutely solid story. While occassionally, Doctor Who will take a potentially terrifying idea and fail to deliver it, Better Watch Out really does deliver the great sense of atmosphere that makes the imps that their actions unnevering and the entire situation constituting a dark and scary story. At the same time, Paul McGann delivers an outstanding performance. He manages to show compassion as well as some chilling moments. The Doctor has some narration and its brilliantly performed by McGann. The story has several pieces that are a mystery including the man the Doctor is telling the story to as well as another situation of the story being told which is left open.

Overall, this features a superb performance by McGann and solid directing make this story a winner and closes with a great cliffhanger to set up the next story.