'You feel that pounding in your heart, that tightness in the pit of your stomach, the blood rushing to your head? Do you know what that is? That's adventure. The thrill and the fear and the joy of stepping into the unknown. That's why we're all here, and that's why we're alive!'

Where it all began!

This story is a lot of fun. It's not perfect, not at all, but it's fun. And compared to more recent Doctor debuts like Ravagers, this really is the start of a new era with promise of more to come.

Something I noticed, compared to more recent Eight releases, is how the Doctor's characterisation is actually very similar to the TV movie. When he does the 'How!' greeting to Charley he seems a little weird but also giddy like the infamous 'These shoes! They fit perfectly!' scene. He also name drops throughout just like in the TV Movie. Likewise he is in awe of the way the the decks of the Triskele ship move around the people exclaiming 'Brilliant, just brilliant! I love it!' with youthful awe, something that seems refreshing in contrast to his later Time War and Stranded characterisations.

I also realised that both Charley and Molly O'Sullivan are introduced in the same way - through a scene where they are writing aloud. Charley's character is also well formed by the end of this story.

I liked how it used the real-life triskelion motif and gave it a sci-fi meaning. However, I do agree episode 3 was the weakest and a little dull. I can't say I care much for the Triskele. I also don't understand how the Lawgiver could tell that the Doctor wasn't human but Engineer Prime couldn't?

Finally it is notable that the Doctor did try to order an evacuation on the airship. It wasn't just Charley he tried to save, he tried to save everyone 'parachutes all round' but nobody listened to him. If they had done, though, the web of time would probably be torn to shreds!

Overall, thoroughly enjoyable. Setting up what's to come, with contagious fun and excitement from McGann and Fisher.

7/10