This is one of those stories I enjoy, then immediately forget. The high point was the costuming: seeing the quick evolution of Trekan fashion in the beginning, the obvious differences in fabrics and cuts between higher and lower ranks and even older and younger people, was something that I personally really appreciate.

The story itself was fine. I got lost at some point in the second episode and spent a lot of time mildly confused. I did, however, manage to predict the Master twist, despite not knowing he was in this episode. It's nice to have him back.

I love Adric in this. He gets to be a little sassy and a lot more proactive than usual, and his budding friendship with Nyssa is a joy to watch.

Most of all, I'm glad to see the Fourth Doctor era come to an end. I'm excited to finally meet the Fifth Doctor and get a change of pace.

A really exciting Tom Baker story. The Melkur poses an intimidating threat over proceedings, and the reveal that it's the Master's TARDIS makes sense of a lot of the events that transpire.

I love the concept of the Keeper, as the one who inhabits the planet's source and maintains the planet's peaceful atmosphere. It's a bold and clever concept, that gives this fantastical feel to Traken society.

Nyssa's debut is overall a stronger companion introduction than Adric's. She moves the plot forward more than Adric does in his first story, and the only downside is that we don't get to see her reaction to the Master merging with Tremas. I think it would be nice had Nyssa arrived just as the Master and Tremas had merged, rather than after the process had already completed.

This is part of a series of reviews of Doctor Who in chronological timeline order.

Previous Story: Warriors' Gate

And thus, we've arrived at Tom Baker's penultimate story as the Fourth Doctor.

It starts off really slow, the first part was exceedingly dull. Nothing actually happens but it does serve to establish some of the characters. I will say the setting is very vibrant and Traken is a well-realised place with some solid world-building.

After that though, the story picks up and I absolutely love the cliffhangers in this one. Geoffrey Beevers is also in this in his only TV appearance as the Master. I think he's absolutely brilliant, his voice is especially good but it is weird to have listened to so many audio stories with him before he's even appeared on the show.

My only gripe is that the actual reveal of the Master to the audience was very anticlimactic. I don't really see what a lot of people mean when they say Tom Baker looks like he's given up or that he's phoning it in as he seems on top form in this and the last few stories.

Anthony Ainley shines in this story as Tremas, he's a very good side character in my opinion and I'm looking forward to seeing where his Master goes.

Next Story: Logopolis

The Keeper of Traken is a memorable enough episode that certainly resonates with continuity heavily. The introduction of Traken, the Tremas Master, and Nyssa obviously would have major consequences on the continuity of the show, and as such these are often referenced and referred to episodes. They are a little boring and stiff though. The planet of Traken is realized well but the story and characters felt a little bland to me.

It should be more fun having the Doctor and Adric on an adventure but the latter feels a bit wasted, while I got the sense from the former's performance that this definitely was the era of the show that drove Baker away from the role at the time. I can't blame him either - while Keeper of Traken retroactively has this weight to it given how important a story it is for what was to come, the episodes themselves are comparatively quite weak on the whole.

As sometimes is the case in Bidmead's era the show, this feels overly formal and uptight. It’s a pretty weird mode of a programme which has always felt so carefree. It somehow manages to be camp without being all that fun in it’s presentation. There is perhaps the worst performance from any Master ever in this iteration of the charred master.

There is however plenty of interest and intrigue with the plot (which is unfortunately spoiled for anyone not watching this at the time). The Master! I like the clues they lay “you will obey me”. I imagine for the audience though, this legendary return will have come left of field. I also like the forced perspective shots with that statue, they are pretty clever.

Considering how exciting the plot points are and how epic what happens at the end is, with the new master. it’s amazing that it’s so limp. It’s the same epic big moments that ultimately pull it through.