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TARDIS Guide

Review of Planet of Fire by dema1020

16 January 2025

This was really great.  Peri's accent is awful and Nicola Bryant, brand new to the role and extremely early on in her career, is pretty much at her all-time weakest (no shame in that - she really improves into one of my favourites over the years). Yet in spite of that, this is a solid introduction to a companion, one of the best I've even seen even, and was a pretty entertaining story all on its own.  Late in the game after a lot of mistakes, the Fifth Doctor era closes out with a couple of serials that I think really understand the character and show.

Caves of Androzani showcases the Doctor's heroism, while this one offers a creative setting, a bunch of fun characters, and an entertaining and cozy little adventure with the Master.  I was even a little enchanted from start to finish, with only a few bits of weakness in the production the 80s could never quite escape when it comes to Doctor Who.  Overall, it's one of the best Fifth Doctor TV stories out there, in my opinion.