Time in Office

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

Previous Story: Frontios

A simple premise executed perfectly. There's been a lot of teasing throughout the show about the Doctor's technical presidency, ever since The Deadly Assassin. And now, it's finally gotten a follow up. I like how this follows on from Frontios by having the Doctor concerned that he's been recalled for them to put him on trial again, only for the Time Lords to force him into being president. Lots of hijinks ensue, the way this story is formatted is almost like a collection of short one-part stories rather than one cohesive narrative.

That's not to say it doesn't have one, just that each part is distinct and tells its own stories about different events. The first part is good fun, we get to meet up with Leela again. I've always liked Leela but felt she was a bit suffocated around 4 and there was a power dynamic there that I really didn't like. With 5 they're almost on equal standing and it's a joy to hear. Peter Davison and Louise Jameson have excellent chemistry right off the bat and prove to be a great pairing. As someone who really likes Turlough, his absence was disappointing but it makes up for it by bringing the spotlight to Tegan who becomes Earth ambassador for the Time Lords, a role she's surprisingly good at.

The second part deals with the consequences of one of the Doctor and Leela's previous adventures. I won't get into the details but it's a very fun addition to Time Lord history and gives Tegan an excellent moment to shine. The third part features a Time Lord stealing a TARDIS and escaping Gallifrey, much like the Doctor. He brings Tegan along with him who rather aptly calls him a "tribute act" of the Doctor. This was a really great moment that shows just how much the Doctor has progressed as a character since he left Gallifrey and a funny little reflection of the Doctor as a character.

The final part loses most of the surreal and silly Time Lord-yness that I really enjoyed throughout this story. But I can't have expected it to all be comedy, I just think by this point it loses it's steam. Overall it's an excellent story that you'll be glad to have spent two hours on.

Next Story: The Auton Infinity

The Doctor is recalled to Gallifrey to take his place as president, not that he wants it...

This serves as a follow up to the Five Doctors and is more of a light hearted, comedic story. Its almost four separate stories, the cliff angers are not cliffhangers, but just the end of the episode. The 'plot' is that the Doctor is forced into being president; not wanting it, but doing it anyway. There's stuff about a diplomtic ceremony and the Doctor & Leela having previous killed someone brother. A wannabe Doctor who virtually kidnapps Tegan and the new capitol building.

It is nice to have the fifth Doctor and Leela together and with Tegan as his only current companion its a refreshing change.

There are a number of continuety references here, Turlough is on Frontios awaiting the Doctor and Tegan's arrival. The fact that The Doctor didn't meet Leela on his recents trips backs to Gallifrey and lots of stuff about the Five Doctors.

Leela is very much out of character here. With the Gallifrey series, companion chronicles, Jago and Litefoot etc, she goes from taking sayings literally to being quite wise. In this, at the end the Doctor asks if she wants to rejoin him due to the mess he's left behind, and she says she'll 'ride it out' - it just doesn't work.

Its a nice release and enjoyable but nowhere near the top marks that some have rated it.