What a shame Eric Pringle never wrote another story! This is a very neat two parter (the best two part story there has been so far!). It builds up a lot of strange mysteries, then manages to pay them off!

The Doctor and his companions land in a modern day setting (1984) where most people they come across are mysteriously taking on olden day personas, pretending it's the 17th century. This is a novel and very entertaining premise. You are left baffled by what this entire town’s motivation would be to isolate themselves from the rest of the world and play war games, deliberately ignoring all the elements of their town that reveal their in the 1980s, such as the town telephone box. Some of the townsfolk seem more taken in by the roleplay than others, but all of them are playing along - even if they know it's a bit strange.

This strange twist on reality in a subverted domestic environment reminds me of Terry Nation’s Survivors. There is a spooky uncanniness to the world they enter that feels convincing.

The cliffhanger is one of the best from the series that I’ve seen in recent memory. The wall of an ancient church falling away to reveal a giant stone face with glowing eyes - it's a visual treat (much needed after our run in with the Myrka last week). I like the Malice as a one off enemy. A big static statue that controls people through psychic projections and by taking over their minds, explaining the strange behaviour of the townsfolk.

This is a short but sweet one - a great antidote to duller, more overlong tales. I’m surprised more people don’t talk about this underrated gem!