I'm almost embarrassed to admit that, despite being a Doctor Who fan since the revival began when I was five, I only recently began watching the original series. I'm also sorry to say that I didn't see this until after listening to six series of Big Finish's ‘Jago & Litefoot’ (which is excellent).

As a ‘Jago & Litefoot’ fan witnessing their first meeting, I must say that this was just amazing. How thoroughly developed they were, and how prepared the infernal investigators were to assist the Doctor. And as someone with a regrettably limited attention span, I wasn't even bothered by the six episodes!

I can't bring up this story without pointing out the unfortunate and blatant anti-Chinese bigotry. It's (hopefully) obviously racist and disappointing that a White actor is wearing prosthetics to perform the role as our primary Chinese character. I've seen the argument to consider the episode in the context of the 70s, and while that might be accurate, it's difficult to support given how many of the extras are of real East Asian origin. It is brought down by that as well as the Doctor’s apparent indifference for the racist comments.

Apart from that, it's a great story. Can’t wait to listen to more ‘Jago & Litefoot’ finally knowing their origin story!

I can't believe I finally got the Scooby-Who of my dreams, and it's specifically Doctor Who and the Backstage Rage, and it's in Victorian London, and it's even in a music hall – in short, everything I could ask for... and they went and made it racist. The Doctor and Leela specifically, even. Bob Holmes you have a lot to answer for.

It's hard to rate this one because even aside from the racism (which took it down a star), the last two episodes are a real letdown after the first four. I wish they'd been condensed into one episode, because I think I would have liked that a lot better. I'm not really into true science fiction as opposed to fantasy and comedy and historicals, so I'm sure that has something to do with it. I also don't think it looks as good as everyone else seems to, especially coming off The Robots of Death, whose aesthetic I love.

Also Litefoot is fine, but nothing special, and Jago is annoying. Loved seeing Basil Brush's cousin as the Giant Rat of Sumatra tho!

I feel like it is maybe losing some of the reputation it had over time because of the racist elements, but I still think it remains one of highlights of the classic series, especially from a production standpoint. The Victorian costumes and atmosphere are perfect, as are the characters and story. I can personally get past things like the yellowface and cultural stereotypes as products of their time but it's understandable if people are not able to. I don't particularly like the fact The Doctor never comments on some of the language used. It's an awkward one to review, but it's still an incredible story.

Talons could have been a 5-star story, if it wasn't for its fatal flaw.

Ignoring said flaw, Talons is a story about the Doctor and Leela arriving in Victorian London, and ending up caught in the investigations of the murders of several women and a man, with strong supporting casts. It turns out that the enemies of the story have been working for a man from the future, a Time Agent called Greel (I wonder if Time Agents will ever appear again... Maybe one will get a spin off show dedicated to him). There's strong dialogue, a captivating plot, and a hilariously bad rat. An all-time Doctor Who classic, with some wonderful location footage.

I've actually been to the location of the fight between The Doctor/Leela and the four men. It's no longer run-down and is now the entrance to the Clink Museum. Yes, The Doctor and Leela are fighting in front of an abandoned medieval prison.

One scene I find heart-warming is the one with Litefoot and Leela, where he ends up copying her style of eating, munching on a leg of lamb, after she accepts a knife but turns down a fork.

There's also racism.

Except for Magnus Greel, all the serial's enemies are Chinese. And all Chinese characters are enemies. The direct subordinate to Greel is Chang, who is possibly the worst example of yellowface I have ever seen, as you can practically see where John Bennet's face ends and the prosthetics begin. This is even more apparent when side-on, as his face juts out from... Well, his face.

I have no issue with Victorian characters being racist, given the era, but it's rather odd when the Doctor seems to be going along with the racism. This includes, according to other criticisms I have seen, the Doctor speaking nonsense to the Chinese man after saying he speaks Chinese. Google Translate also seems to back this up, by giving up the translation halfway through, and up to then translating it as 'How are you? Nickname iMac or anabatic o mono RA put C' If that's accurate, then no wonder the man gives him a confused, distrustful look.

It would be easy to dismiss this as criticising a 70s story by the standards of today, so I think it's worth noting that the serial was criticised for its racism even when it aired, or didn't air. Canadian broadcaster TVO refused to air the serial in its entirety, after receiving a complaint from the Chinese-Canadian National Council for Equality. This isn't a case of the serial ageing badly due to unfortunate choices.

If you can compartmentalise the racism and the rest of the episode, it is brilliant. If you can't, I really don't think this is an episode you'll enjoy.

This is a very frustrating story for me. I should love it to bits... but for god's sake, Rob, WHY ALL THE RACISM. It's so hard to ignore, and frankly nor should it be. If just a few details were changed and it focused more on Greel as a not-Phantom of the Opera then it'd be fine, but as is I can't rate it any higher in all good conscience.