This is a wildly experimental and unique Doctor Who story. A real showcase for Janet Fielding as Tegan too, who does an amazing job. She is absolutely sensational at playing Tegan under the possession of the Mara; you can really tell that it's the Mara that's controlling her and that this isn't the Tegan we know.

The dream sequences are an incredible achievement for the classic series too. The cinematography is sublime, with sequences like the multiple Tegans and the Mara making it and Tegan invisible because Tegan says she wants to be left alone creating such strong images. Not to mention the prophecy stuff that Panna shows the Doctor and Todd, where the image is all distorted in this weird yellowy colour.

I like the Mara too. The Mara is a great threat; so intimidating, you really feel like Tegan is in danger.

Also: don't tell the NotMyDoctors, but this story is *SHOCK* political. It contains themes of colonialism in the way that the people in the base want to colonise the planet and see the locals as little more than savages.

Where this story's faults lie is in the use of the companions. Tegan, as previously mentioned, is used brilliantly throughout, but the same can't be said for Nyssa and Adric. Adric is mainly relegated to the military base, with Todd of the supporting cast effectively fulfilling the companion role, and Nyssa is written out entirely (bar the beginning and end), feeling quite drowsy and going to sleep in the TARDIS.

I can't say I'm the biggest fan of the supporting cast either. They're a bit OTT, especially Richard Todd as Colonel Sanders, who seemed to be hamming it up somewhat as this experienced military figure.