Castrovalva

Parts stronger than the whole. There's a great deal of stuff to like in Castrovalva - the format, a snappy opening episode (effectively Edge of Destruction) followed by a triple bill of episodes on Castrovalva; the concepts and effects, an homage to Escher and of course, a new Doctor.

Castrovalva's issues arise when the specifics are dug up. The opening episode sounds great on paper, but in practise there's little tension as we intercut to Peter browsing the wardrobe. Nyssa's intellect removes a great deal of concern regarding the situation, and there's a really shoddy use of effects (i.e. none). A similar situation occurs later as the charm of far off worlds is evaporated by the sight of Tegan and Nyssa pushing around Peter in a plywood box.. on a wheelchair..

The plot too, whilst intriguing and packed with high concepts, is oddly paced and poorly explained. A relatively simple doppleganger plot, utilising block-transfer-computation from the season prior, is made almost impenetrable. With little of the Doctor throughout the serial, there's no 'in' for the viewer, and we're bereft of explanation.

Effects and tension aside, there's a major issue in the 'Doctor-light' nature of Castrovalva. Not the idea, not even the execution, but the companions on which the serial lies. Nyssa, Tegan and Adric are poorly characterised, irritatingly characterised, or bemuddledly characterised and none exude much charisma. The brunt of proactive explanation and plot development falls upon some of Who's weakest companions, and the whole serial suffers as a result.

A story where the new Doctor (who replaced the most popular Doctor ever) spends most of the first three episodes incapacitated (alternately in a wheel chair, in a quiet room, and just generally struggling to stay conscious), you wouldn't expect much but Castrovalva really is surprisingly good.

There's so much to like about it. We deal with a brilliant but unnecessarily overly complicated plan from the Master that equals some great classic sci fi that makes the block transfer stuff from last season a lot cooler. There's nice location work, and the Companion turn in good performances. Janet Fielding is a far cry from the out of control shrillness of "Logopolis" and Sarah Sutton is great as Nyssa. This crew could do good work if given the right script and direction.

There are problems, but relatively minor ones. This isn't as good as Troughton or Pertwee's first adventures, but this is still a nice opening for Peter Davison