This is part of a series of reviews of Doctor Who in chronological timeline order.

Previous Story: The Mysterious Planet

And after such a great start, we're back to Season 22 quality again. The courtroom framing device is still very effective here, and Michael Jayston only gets better as the Valeyard. This story was especially good as you begin to see how the narrative is being twisted and the Doctor is losing favour in the court. I really enjoy how helpless the Doctor is here, it greatly adds to the tension.

The actual plot here is very weak. This story seems to think that the reason Vengeance on Varos was so well-recieved was Sil. I despise Sil. Brian Blessed's King Yrcanos is the definition of hammy Classic Who acting, but atleast they're self aware about it. While I think he's a fun character, I don't like the romantic narrative being set up with Peri.

The idea of mind transfers was pretty interesting, but no matter how much they say it will affect the fate of the universe, I just can't see why the Time Lords care so much. It's also baffling to me why they make Colin Baker's Doctor evil for half this story, it's genuinely impossible to tell whether he's being influenced or if he's genuinely just had a change of heart, that's how erratic and unstable his Doctor is.

Getting rid of Peri like that was ridiculous and the only reason I tolerate it is because of Colin Baker's performance when the Doctor finds out. I'll give it the benefit of the doubt for now though as I haven't watched the rest of the season. Overall, a big step down though not particularly awful mostly thanks to the courtroom scenes.

Next Story: Terror of the Vervoids