📝8/10

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"Battlefield: UNIT, Arthurian Legends, and the Brigadier's Final Stand"

Battlefield is a bold and nostalgic adventure that seamlessly blends modern-day Earth, Arthurian mythology, and UNIT action while honouring Doctor Who's legacy.

Written by Ben Aaronovitch, who previously delivered the masterpiece Remembrance of the Daleks, this serial feels both fresh and familiar, packed with emotional moments, high stakes, and strong performances.

The return of UNIT and Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart gives Battlefield a special place in classic Doctor Who history. Nicholas Courtney’s Brigadier remains as brave, witty, and dependable as ever. Watching him step back into action one final time is both nostalgic and rewarding, especially as he proves he still has what it takes to stand alongside the Doctor. His heroics are particularly surprising—his confrontation with the Destroyer is a standout moment. The Brigadier’s sacrifice and determination to do what is necessary, even if it means facing death, remind fans why he is such a beloved character.

Angela Bruce as Brigadier Winifred Bambera is a welcome addition, delivering a strong, authoritative presence. She’s fearless, headstrong, and feels like a natural successor to Lethbridge-Stewart. Her interactions with Ancelyn inject humour and charm into the story while hinting at her softer side.

Ben Aaronovitch cleverly weaves the Arthurian mythos into Doctor Who, merging history and legend with science fiction in a way that feels natural rather than forced. Morgaine’s knights, complete with swords clashing against UNIT troops, create a fascinating contrast between mediaeval fantasy and modern military action.

Jean Marsh is the heart of the story as Morgaine, an exceptional villain who ranks among Doctor Who's greatest. Her commanding performance elevates Morgaine into a layered and compelling antagonist—part warrior queen, part sorceress. Unlike many villains, Morgaine is not driven purely by evil; she has an undeniable sense of honour and nobility that sets her apart. This is exemplified in the scene where she honours fallen soldiers, providing a surprising moment of depth and reflection.

Christopher Bowen’s Mordred is suitably menacing yet petulant, serving as a perfect counterpoint to Morgaine’s grandeur.

Marcus Gilbert’s Ancelyn brings warmth and humour, grounding the Arthurian characters amid the chaos.

Sylvester McCoy’s Doctor continues to shine, perfectly balancing the mysterious and manipulative qualities of his character. His darker side emerges once again as he engages in mind games with Morgaine, yet his compassion remains at the forefront. His new costume suits the mystical tone of the story and further emphasises the Doctor’s growing connection to the mythic elements.

Sophie Aldred’s Ace is once again a highlight. Her bravery and loyalty to the Doctor are on full display, but we also see her vulnerable side, particularly in the gripping Part Two cliffhanger, where she almost drowns. The stakes feel genuinely high, and Ace’s survival is a moment of pure relief.

The Destroyer is one of the most visually impressive creatures of the classic series. His design, with menacing horns, glowing eyes, and grotesque features, is a testament to the production team’s ambition. Though his screen time is limited, his presence is effective, especially during the finale where the Brigadier faces him head-on.

The production design overall is solid. The mediaeval elements feel authentic, while the UNIT action scenes are dynamic and engaging. The use of location filming, particularly in rural settings, adds to the atmosphere and enhances the blend of myth and reality.

Final Thoughts:

Battlefield is a thrilling and nostalgic serial that successfully combines mythology, military action, and character-driven drama. Ben Aaronovitch’s ambitious script brings a sense of grandeur to the show, offering fans a story with high stakes, emotional resonance, and strong ties to Doctor Who's history.

The return of the Brigadier is a highlight, giving Nicholas Courtney one last chance to shine in the classic series. Jean Marsh’s Morgaine is an unforgettable villain, while the Seventh Doctor and Ace continue to prove themselves as one of the show’s strongest pairings.

While not as tightly paced as Remembrance of the Daleks, Battlefield remains a memorable and rewarding adventure that celebrates the show’s past while pushing it into bold new territory.

In the end, Battlefield is a fitting tribute to Doctor Who’s history and a showcase of the show’s ability to tell stories that are bold, ambitious, and emotional. It holds a special place as the Brigadier’s swan song and remains a story that fans revisit for its charm, action, and Arthurian intrigue.

Random Observations:

• The Brigadier’s quiet retirement with his wife, Doris, offers a rare glimpse into his personal life, grounding his character in a way we haven’t seen before.
• The Doctor’s new outfit, with its darker and more mystical aesthetic, perfectly suits the Seventh Doctor’s evolving persona.
• The Part Two cliffhanger, where Ace nearly drowns, is one of the most harrowing and intense moments of the classic series. Behind the scenes, Sylvester McCoy’s intervention saved Sophie Aldred from a dangerous mishap—an impressive show of quick thinking.
• The Doctor’s car, Bessie, makes a welcome return, further linking this story to the golden era of UNIT.
• The inclusion of UNIT’s new leader, Brigadier Bambera, hints at the organisation’s evolution and future potential, bridging the old and new eras.
• Ace’s use of the word “Geronimo!” foreshadows the Eleventh Doctor’s iconic catchphrase decades later—a lovely bit of serendipity. 

Battlefield is a cracking, action-packed story. It has a strong cast of great characters and some lovely location shooting. The costumes and prosthetics also look really good. I found some elements of the plot a little unclear and I did feel that episode 4 began to loose its focus a bit, but, on the whole, I enjoyed this serial a lot.

I really enjoy a lot about this episode. Most of the ideas – the Doctor's future self having been a mythological figure in the past; the characters of Arthurian legend in modern-day England; Ace being able to lift Excalibur; the two Brigadiers – are solid. The setting is really nice too, and Shou Yuing is a great quasi-companion.

The effects, it must be said, are terrible, making "Time and the Rani" look good by comparison. Ironically, shoddier practical effects probably would have been more convincing than these then-state-of-the-art CGI effects. But my main frustration with the story is that it just doesn't make sense. Why is Morgaine trying to ... actually, what even is Morgaine trying to do? And why does she have the Destroyer around if she doesn't trust him?

So again, I arrive at three stars not in the sense of "mediocre", but in the sense of "parts of it are a solid four stars and parts of it are just scraping two".

Don't ever really hear this story spoken about that much and it's probably because it's a bit middling, not amazing but not terrible either. Compared some of the other McCoy serials I've been watching it felt a bit flat, although I do like the Arthurian lore. Always fun to see the Brigadier also and the monster at the end is genuinely probably the best looking creature the classic show ever did

A really exciting way to kick off Season 26. Battlefield is like a legacy sequel before legacy sequels were cool. It's one big throwback to the Pertwee era, with the original Brigadier, UNIT, and even Bessie. There's even the neat introduction of Brigadier Bambera, who is unbelievably cool, and feels ahead of her time, being a fearless black leader of a secret organisation during the late 80s, when there weren't as many prominent black female characters.

I love the idea of a future Doctor being Merlin, and the Arthurian legends adds an interesting mystical vibes to proceedings. Morgaine is an excellent one-off antagonist too; she feels like more than a match for the Doctor.