I really hate putting together reviews like this, because I know damn well this is a highly rated episode, but just like Inferno, I'm not sure if the hype did me any favours. I had seen and heard so much about Caves of Androzani I expected a lot more out of it than what I got.

Now, don't get me wrong, there is a lot to like here. The Doctor getting desperate and doing everything he can to save Peri, even sacrificing himself, is very moving. The ending with his regeneration is memorable and might, to date, be my favourite regeneration scene. An 8/10 is not a bad rating, after all, it is just not quite as high as what some others have given here.

I stand by it though, because a lot of the surrounding plots and ideas don't live up to some of Androzani's stronger moments. The shoot-out at the end felt a little dull from a narrative perspective. Peri's fake American accent really stuck out to me here. Some of the sets were really cool looking while others felt very artificial and hastily constructed, while the ADR at the beginning stuck out like a sore thumb.. It is perhaps most impressive that the episodes look pretty good thanks to how well shot they are considering the above. Graeme Harper and the cinematographer did a really good job in that regard, at least. I just think this story is more of the John Nathan-Turner era than people want to admit, sadly, as it has a lot of those traits.