I like the synth work in the soundtrack (reminds me of Play-era Moby, real lucid flying dream stuff) and the Rani's minefield is the kind of mad science I respect. But oh lord, is this one dull. The Rani does little to distinguish herself from the Master (a woman and a mad scientist, two things the Master can be and has been to much greater effect), and while their interplay is okay for the most part, I can see why she hasn't returned to the revived series yet. I'd be happier for a new appearance from the Monk, quite frankly.

The Rani is so sick of these stupid gay idiots it's so funny

I'd say it's a decent one. It doesn't have much going for it, but it's still very enjoyable. The Master + Rani duo is truly iconic.

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

Previous Story: Vengeance on Varos

Surprisingly, this might be one of the most consistent seasons of Doctor Who yet. This is another really solid story that introduces a new villain; the Rani. Kate O'Mara is great as the titular character, especially in her dynamic with Anthony Ainley's Master. It's also nice to see a Time Lord villain that isn't just a carbon copy of the Master and it gives us a great perspective on how other Time Lords view the rivalry between the Doctor and the Master. The story itself is nothing remarkable; it's a decently captivating adventure. It does feel like it lacks substance a little. There isn't much of a mystery after the identity of the Rani is revealed and that's fairly early on.

I think part of what makes me enjoy this story is how authentic it feels. It rarely feels like the Doctor actually time travels, especially in the early days. Normally the cramped studio sets and hammy acting give away the low-budget nature of the show. This story is an exception with excellent location filming, costumes and dialogue. Overall, this is a story that follows the historical formula to a tee and greatly benefits from it. Colin Baker is really starting to shine as the Doctor and I appreciate that this is a more grounded and less zany story.

Next Story: The Two Doctors

God forbid women do anything

Okay I cannot in honesty say this is a good story but I did enjoy it, particularly the first part. The Rani makes an excellent addition to the Doctor+Master dynamic and she might even come back one of these days