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“FULL CIRCLE: MISTFALL, MARSHMEN, AND MUDDLED SCIENCE”

Full Circle marks the beginning of the E-Space Trilogy, throwing the Doctor and Romana into a parallel dimension and introducing Adric, the young mathematical prodigy from Alzarius. The story centres on the crashed starliner’s inhabitants, who live in fear of the Marshmen and the recurring event known as Mistfall. The Doctor’s primary goal is to help them escape before the next catastrophe—but things are not as simple as they seem.

INTERESTING IDEAS, UNEVEN EXECUTION

While the plot is straightforward, it carries some interesting themes, particularly the blind faith in scientific experimentation and the revelation that the Alzarians can maintain their ship but don’t actually know how to fly it. Part 4 adds a surge of tension as the Marshmen attack the ship, delivering an action-packed climax. However, the ending fizzles out, and the Deciders’ arc never fully develops into anything satisfying.

The setting of Alzarius is a refreshing change from Doctor Who’s usual quarries and industrial backdrops. The lush forests, marshes, and lakes give the planet a natural, almost fairytale quality. The young rebels evoke a Lost Boys or Lord of the Flies vibe, but their characters lack depth. Adric’s older brother, Varsh, is introduced as though he should be significant, yet the story promptly forgets about him. The performances are generally serviceable, though June Page is particularly wooden, and Matthew Waterhouse’s Adric immediately leans towards being an irritating know-it-all—though this is mild compared to his later appearances.

STRONG PERFORMANCES AND ATMOSPHERIC MOMENTS

Tom Baker and Lalla Ward seem to be enjoying themselves here, tapping into the energy of Season 17. Baker shines in the scenes where he passionately challenges the Deciders on their callous treatment of the Marshmen, injecting a rare spark of intensity. Ward is strong in the first half but is unfortunately sidelined once Romana is bitten by a spider and possessed. K9 makes a welcome return, used effectively to gather information about the planet.

James Bree and Alan Rowe make solid contributions, though their characters, like much of the Deciders’ storyline, feel underdeveloped. The direction is a mixed bag—there are some wonderfully atmospheric moments, particularly the chilling emergence of the Marshmen from the water in Part 1, but also some unintentionally comical sequences, such as Romana’s awkward fight with the spider.

EFFECTIVE MONSTERS AND FINAL THOUGHTS

One of the standout elements of Full Circle is the design of the Marshmen. Their make-up and costumes are strikingly effective, making them one of Doctor Who’s better-realised alien species. They are also more than just mindless monsters, with their fear and confusion adding a layer of depth to their threat. The second half of the story builds atmosphere well, even if the scientific research subplot never fully ignites.

There’s a nice bit of continuity at the start, as the Doctor attempts to bring Romana back to Gallifrey as per the Time Lords’ orders—though she clearly doesn’t want to go. These moments add some emotional weight to Romana’s arc in the trilogy.

VERDICT: A SOLID, IF UNEVEN, START TO THE E-SPACE TRILOGY

Full Circle is an intriguing, atmospheric adventure that introduces some strong ideas but doesn’t fully capitalise on them. The setting and Marshmen are memorable, and Baker’s passion for the material lifts the story. However, slow pacing, underdeveloped supporting characters, and a lacklustre resolution hold it back from being truly great.

📝7/10