If I have seen any of season 15 before, it will have been this story, at least 11 years ago. I immediately recognised the Rutan in part 4, though knowing my memory I could have picked this up from a DVD extra for another story.

This is a brilliant way to kick off the Graham Williams era, continuing the extraordinary run the show has seen since The Deadly Assassin. Like many of my favourites it is set in the recent past, where life is recognisable but different enough to be interesting. The world building is top notch, I loved seeing the different generational attitudes towards electricity for example. The story felt claustrophobic and frightening, inventively set on four sets all seemingly one story above another - it really felt like I was in that lighthouse, it felt real.

The acting of the younger lighthouse worker was not all that great in part one, but for some reason it dramatically improved when the cast grew in part two, with the introduction of the shipwrecked citizens. Otherwise there were flawless performances all round from the well balanced ensemble of actors. It is shocking that every single character other than The Doctor and Leela die, especially given how well developed they were.

This story carries on the Gothic darkness I associate with the Hinchcliffe era (not exactly considered Williams' trademark by fan consensus). It will be interesting to see if and when this is dropped. This was also Terrance Dicks' best effort since The War Games, 8 years before. I have everything crossed hoping this run of form will continue.