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The King's Demons >

Enlightenment

Rating		Votes
10	18%	17
9	25%	23
8	35%	33
7	18%	17
6	2%	2
5	1%	1
4	0%	0
3	0%	0
2	0%	0
1	0%	0
Average Rating 8.4
Votes 93

Synopsis

From: http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/classic/episodeguide

The White Guardian warns of impending danger and directs the TARDIS to what appears to be an Edwardian sailing yacht, the SS Shadow, but is actually one of a number of spaceships taking part in a race through the solar system, the prize being Enlightenment. The yacht's Captain Striker and his fellow officers are Eternals who feed off the thoughts and emotions of their kidnapped human crew - Ephemerals - in order to fill their own empty existences.

Turlough attempts to escape the Black Guardian's influence by jumping into space but is rescued and taken on board the ship of Captain Wrack - another of the Eternals. Two of the other ships in the race are destroyed and Turlough discovers that this has been brought about by Wrack, using a concentrated beam of mental energy with the aid of the Black Guardian.

The Doctor boards Wrack's ship, finds her source of power and, with Turlough's help, ejects her and her number two, Mansell, into space. The Doctor and Turlough then pilot the ship into port - a glowing crystalline structure hanging in space - and, in doing so, win the race. The White Guardian offers a portion of Enlightenment to Turlough, while the Black Guardian demands that the boy give the Doctor over to him in exchange for a huge diamond within a glowing artifact - apparently the prize.

Turlough makes his choice: he sweeps the crystal from the table straight toward the Black Guardian, who vanishes in flames. The boy is now free, as Enlightenment was not in fact the crystal but the choice.

Has Prerequisite Story

17 out of 21 (81.0%) raters say this story requires a previous story.

Extended Ratings

Plot

8.2

(32)

Acting

8.1

(32)

Effects

8.2

(31)

Replay

7.9

(31)

Tegan Jovanka

Vislor Turlough

Eternals

The Black Guardian

The White Guardian

Turlough's Black Guardian Deal

Cast

The Doctor - Peter Davison

Tegan - Janet Fielding

Turlough - Mark Strickson

Black Guardian - Valentine Dyall

Collier - Clive Kneller

First Officer - James McClure

Jackson - Tony Caunter

Mansell - Leee John

Marriner - Christopher Brown

Striker - Keith Barron

White Guardian - Cyril Luckham

Wrack - Lynda Baron

Director:

Fiona Cumming

Writer:

Barbara Clegg

My Rating/Review

Latest Community Reviews

Classic TV Series

From the Reviewer:

User Rating:

9

Plot Rating:

8

Acting Rating:

9

Replay Rating:

8

Effects Rating:

9

Has Prerequisite(s):

Unsure

Reviewed By: BrainofMorbius23Review Date: 12/8/17 2:14 pm

0 out of 0 found this review helpful.

Excellent finish to the black guardian plot line.
This episode is highly aesthetic and well acted. The story feels rather one of a kind in the era and this is quite a breath of fresh air.
This episode is extremely well filmed and lit, and really prospers by its handling of care.

One of my fav fifth doctor stories !

Classic TV Series

From the Reviewer:

User Rating:

7

Plot Rating:

8

Acting Rating:

6

Replay Rating:

5

Effects Rating:

8

Has Prerequisite(s):

Unsure

Reviewed By: AlfredReview Date: 10/3/15 8:17 am

0 out of 0 found this review helpful.

The White Guardian and (even more) the Black Guardian are among the lamest creations in classic Dr Who and blighted quite a few seasons. The acting of Wrack and her off-sider is particularly bad. For me, Tegan never really impresses and Peter Davidson always comes across as battling to make the most of a show that had gone downhill from its halcyon days. That said, this episode has some good ideas and characterisations and the space scenes with the sailing ships are quite artistic in their realisation.

Classic TV Series

From the Reviewer:

User Rating:

8

Plot Rating:

9

Acting Rating:

8

Replay Rating:

8

Effects Rating:

9

Has Prerequisite(s):

Unsure

Reviewed By: adamelijahReview Date: 3/8/15 4:20 am

1 out of 1 found this review helpful.

A female written and directed story that introduces the Eternals and a sailing race in space. This is a fascinating plot with great elements and Turlough's mental anguish finally gives to a head. There's a nice twist ending. It's not perfect and not quite as good as Maedryn Undead but it's a lot of fun and nicely resolved the whole Black Guardian plot

Classic TV Series

From the Reviewer:

User Rating:

10

Plot Rating:

NR

Acting Rating:

NR

Replay Rating:

NR

Effects Rating:

NR

Has Prerequisite(s):

Unsure

Reviewed By: nottheusualfangirlReview Date: 6/12/13 4:11 pm

5 out of 5 found this review helpful.

One of my favorite episodes of the classic series that I think is extremely underrated. The script is clever and thematically ambitious, it's well directed and well acted, and (unusual for classic Doctor Who) the set design and lighting are excellent. Watch the special edition on the 2009 DVD because director Fiona Cumming cut out exactly the right 13 minutes in repackaging it, the widescreen and improved sound are great and the new CGI helps a little (although I think the original effects stand up pretty well). Added eye candy treat: Janet Fielding looks fantastic in an Edwardian gown and Peter Davison is gorgeous in black plastic.