There are many things to be critical of in this episode; the plot is nonsensical, the dialogue is preposterous and the acting is hammy. And yet, to quote Roger Ebert's review of The Mummy, "I was not bored, and sometimes I was unreasonably pleased." I had a lot of fun switching off the critical part of my brain and getting swept up in the pantomime drama of it all. I cheered when the day was saved by love and I gasped at the impending heartbreak foreshadowed by Charley and the Doctor's final exchange. A good fun way to spend a couple of hours.

A paint-by-numbers Doctor Who serial which is entertaining enough while you're listening to it but not really worth going back to.

The actual story is kinda average if I'm honest. Not terrible, just nothing to write home about. But this is the intro episode for Charlotte Pollard, and my introduction to Big Finish and, as such, has a special place in my heart. The introductory scene where she writes her diary I found incredibly endearing and it's a great snapshot of a kid who has decided that her life is going to be a Thrilling Adventure, so help her God. India Fisher brings a sense of fun and friendliness to the character and all up, I found Charley to be an instantly likeable character.