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“STATE OF DECAY: GOTHIC HORROR MEETS SCI-FI IN A VAMPIRE EPIC”

Following the stark sci-fi approach of Full Circle, State of Decay takes a completely different turn, embracing medieval fantasy and Gothic horror. Originally written by Terrance Dicks for the Graham Williams era, the script was later reworked for Season 18, creating a tonal clash between Dicks and director Peter Moffatt—who wanted to retain its Gothic horror roots—and script editor Christopher H. Bidmead, who was steering the show toward a hard sci-fi approach. The result is a fascinating blend of classic Doctor Who horror elements with the more serious and cerebral tone of the season.

A TIME LORD LEGEND REVEALED

One of the story’s standout aspects is its expansion of Time Lord mythology with the introduction of the Great Vampires—ancient enemies of the Time Lords from the Dark Times. Their history adds weight to the narrative, making the Doctor’s struggle against the Three Who Rule feel like part of a much larger conflict. The slow-burn horror of discovering the castle’s secret and the chilling reveal of the Great King Vampire buried beneath it are effectively eerie, particularly the tomb exploration sequence and the Part 2 cliffhanger. The structure of the story also shares some DNA with The Time Warrior and The Time Meddler, as the Doctor and Romana uncover traces of future human technology in what initially appears to be a purely medieval society.

STRONG CHARACTER DYNAMICS, WEAK PLOT MOVEMENT

Tom Baker feels far more engaged here than in some earlier stories this season, delivering a performance that balances wit and gravitas. His chemistry with Lalla Ward’s Romana remains delightful, with the pair bouncing off each other brilliantly as they piece together the mystery. Unfortunately, the plot stagnates in the middle, with much of Parts 2 and 3 consisting of the Doctor and Romana working things out while the supporting cast meanders.

Adric, in his debut-filmed story, is sidelined for most of the runtime, used mainly to provide some worldbuilding before being captured. The Doctor even forgets about him at one point, with Romana having to remind him that Adric needs rescuing. His role in Part 4 feels especially underwhelming.

One of the more engaging supporting characters is Kalmar, played by Arthur Hewlett. As the leader of the rebels, Kalmar provides a grounded and sympathetic counterpoint to the aristocratic villains, though the rebellion itself lacks momentum for much of the story.

MEMORABLE VILLAINS AND ATMOSPHERE

The Three Who Rule—Zargo, Camilla, and Aukon—are a highlight. Their eerie, aristocratic presence is wonderfully theatrical, with Emrys James stealing scenes as Aukon, even as his performance veers into pantomime. Their descent into desperation as they attempt to turn the Doctor into one of them adds to their menace. The climactic sequence, in which their bodies wither away after the Great King Vampire’s destruction, is particularly effective.

Visually, the story makes the most of its gloomy sets and muted colour palette, successfully evoking a foreboding, decayed kingdom. The model work for the castle is impressive, though the electronic score—while well-composed—feels at odds with the setting.

VERDICT: A RETURN TO GOTHIC DOCTOR WHO

Despite some pacing issues and underutilised supporting characters, State of Decay is a strong entry in the E-Space trilogy. The mix of Gothic horror, medieval aesthetics, and Time Lord mythology creates a compelling adventure, with a fantastic villain trio and a suitably eerie atmosphere. The story’s DNA can be traced back to classic Doctor Who adventures, and while the tension between Dicks’ original vision and Bidmead’s sci-fi focus is evident, the end result is an enjoyable throwback to an earlier era of the show.

📝7/10

RANDOM OBSERVATIONS:

• Following the 2020 multimedia event Time Lord Victorious, the story became a part of the event, used as an origin story to explain the Great Vampires, who pop up in The Monstrous Beauty DWM comic strip.
• Kalmar shares his name with a town in Sweden.
• Baker and Ward weren't on speaking terms during production, due to Baker dismissing Ward's attempt at rekindling their relationship. They both found Waterhouse disrespectful towards cast and crew members and shared a dislike of him, so they buried the hatchet to announce their engagement shortly after production.