Thworping through time and space, one adventure at a time!

"DREAM TEAM: A NIGHTMARE-FUELLED TWO-PARTER WITH FAMILIAR FOES"

Dream Team pits the Fifth Doctor and his companions against the terrifying Dream Crabs in a tightly paced two-parter. Set on Concordium, a planet offering corporate away days, the story sees the TARDIS crew trapped in layered dreamscapes, where the line between reality and illusion blurs. While the Dream Crabs have been used before, this story leans into their potential for eerie psychological horror, creating a tense and compelling adventure.

LAYERED DREAMS AND UNSETTLING TENSION

The narrative plays with multiple dream layers, twisting and turning as the characters attempt to realise their predicament. This structure works well, keeping the tension high and preventing the story from feeling predictable. The Doctor's journey into Tegan and Adric’s dreams while leaving Nyssa to fend for herself adds an extra layer of suspense, particularly as Adric struggles to convince Tegan that none of what she’s experiencing is real.

A RUSHED RESOLUTION

Despite the strong build-up, the climax feels hurried. The reveal that the Porcians are behind the entire scheme is an abrupt turn, leaving little time to explore their motivations or actions in detail. While the resolution is serviceable, it doesn’t quite match the intrigue and intensity of the preceding dream sequences.

THE TARDIS TEAM SHINES

With only the regulars in the cast, Dream Team makes excellent use of the Fifth Doctor’s crew. Peter Davison once again proves adept at balancing authority with warmth, while Nyssa, Adric, and Tegan each get moments to shine. Nyssa’s independence is particularly notable, holding her own while the Doctor is occupied, and Adric’s struggle to break through Tegan’s dream delusions adds emotional weight.

VERDICT: A DREAM WITHIN A DREAM

A solid two-parter with a strong concept and effective tension, Dream Team makes good use of its limited cast and delivers a compelling psychological mystery. However, its rushed ending prevents it from reaching its full potential. Still, for fans of dream-based Doctor Who stories, it offers a satisfyingly eerie ride.

📝7.5/10