A fantastic story. Elliot Chapman’s Ben Jackson feels like the real thing and gives you the other half of that iconic Ben and Polly relationship that Anneke Wills truly deserves. Even today (or when this was recorded in 2015) her and Frazer sound to me exactly as they did in the 60s… and Frazer’s Doctor is as strong an approximation as you could hope for - it just *feels* right.

The writing on this one feels era appropriate but pushes the team to a location and time (Singapore during World War 2) that feels a little outside of the show’s route one comfort zone. Giving Ben a run in in the past with his much younger father is something that you’d be much more likely to see in the new series - but it’s an idea which fizzes with energy in this context. It gives the character serious development - a feat given how long Ben has been in our imaginations. Ben’s father joins an exciting guest cast - I particularly liked the hotel owner who kind offers then “a special rate”.

The “fear monster” which our TARDIS team defeat with bravery is a well worn idea in science fiction but it works beautifully in this context with these characters.