It started off a little bizarre - It was fun to hear a cold open in Classic Who for once, but it developed into an epic adventure that audibly shocked me more than once. I honestly think, if you're going to go for this story - don't read ahead, because the big twists are going to be so much better if you don't know they're coming. I expected this to be a bog-standard medieval story. Boy, was I wrong.

The Doctor isn't a massive fan of jokey limericks, though he admires the concept because it's christmas and spreading cheer. In fact, he really doesn't start to take the matter too seriously, seeming a little bored at times (as was I) until that big reveal at the end of Part 2. From that point on, he's fearless, courageous but still maintaining that Fifth Doctor wit when pitted against his foes. There's a moment where he goes into shock at the idea of losing Nyssa, and all that charm is stripped away, and he doesn't quite know how to respond. Nyssa is a strong lead in this story, making her own plans without the Doctor's knowledge (it's interesting to see how the reverse works this time), and her own struggles and challenges are handled so brilliantly. It's fun to hear her take on her noble role as Lady Nyssa of Traken, and essentially poke fun at the the gentry, especially interesting as she sort of rejected that role, being daughter of the Keeper of Traken, to go on travels with the Doctor. The chemistry between the two is fantastic, and it seems like time with Brewster has changed their dynamic from a father-daughter relationship to one of best friends, or intellectual equals. The banter between them works so well and helps to create a relatable, light-hearted tone within this story.

God, I cannot express my shock when I heard that sound, a sound extremely familiar with, I think the first Tom Baker DVD in my collection (not the first I'd watched, but the first I'd owned) - I couldn't believe my ears! The Rutans were back - and just a few weeks shy of a year after watching Horror of Fang Rock in this rewatch (10th November)! What a brilliant twist, as the Doctor has completely undermined the whole situation and he's in deep trouble. I'll admit, the voice itself threw me a little out of the illusion. It was obviously Nick Briggs because they sounded so much like the Daleks. Despite this, they were written fantastically. Menacing, clever and a true threat, managing to torture the Doctor, manipulate Nyssa, and fool everyone more than once. It's a great way to up the stakes from the last Rutan adventure, with many more Rutans added into the mix rather than just the one, which makes it all the more worrying - how many of the group aren't real? Really strong villains and they're done justice here, like always.

I love the timey-wimey elements of this story, flicking back from the present day to the past and back to the present, a lot like The Time Warrior, which this story was obviously inspired by. With us being in the Halloween period currently, I found it rather odd that there were a few Christmas references within the adventure, especially considering that this story was also released in October. Stockbridge is a great setting, used brilliantly, and obviously a nice little reference to the comics. There's so many interesting and gripping elements that accompany this historical, such as the exploration of the feudal system, the basic and medieval tools that the protagonists have to their aid. The first episode was a little slow and it took a while for the plot to get going in this environment, but the gripping concepts and the utilisation of the historical genre really helped sold it once again.

There's a really fun side plot, but also mystery, with the peasants involved - it's hard to know who's who, which works especially well in a story with a shapeshifter. Everyone gets their own little backstory and their characterisation is superb. I love the idea that the story of Saint George and the dragon stems from this little adventure, it's such a neat concept and a lot of fun. There's so much uniqueness and drama from these original and inconsequential side characters that we'll never see again, and they are obviously an homage to Monty Python, but it's great.

The music is so jaunty and magical, it helps to set the tone of the story for a light-hearted adventure, but also goes into darker territory when it needs to. There's a wide variety used here and it's brilliant.

Favourite Line: "Oh, yes, of course - a doctor near at hand, ready to make the champion stand. I'm not another poultry mime. I'm an earl of space and, well you know the rest.

What a fun story. Clever, witty, some interesting references, awesome characterisation and a brilliant plot. The first episode lets it down a bit, but it's full of twists and turns and constantly surprising. Love it.