TV Review: Doctor Who: City of Death (1979)

Doctor Who: City of Death (1979) directed by Michael Hayes and co-written by David Fisher, Douglas Adams, and Graham Williams under the pseudonym David Agnew

Fourth Doctor Tom Baker and companion Romana (Lalla Ward), who is also from Gallifrey, visit Paris circa 1979 for some relaxation. Their fun times are interrupted by two things. First, minor time loops start happening, indicated someone mucking about with technology far in advance of Earth 1979 A.D. Second, thieves are planning to steal the Mona Lisa, again using technology far in advance of what the locals have. Naturally, the two are related. The Doctor does his usual bit of running around, getting captured, and saying witty things.

The episode is a little slow in parts. It does feature actual Paris locations and the filming has lots of interesting angles and camera movements. The dialog does have the fingerprints of Douglas Adams (he of Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy fame) all over it. Adams, in addition to being a co-writer, was also script editor for the show at this point. He definitely gave a lighthearted touch to the story, though the story itself is pretty standard Doctor Who fare. I enjoyed it but it is not great by any stretch. Tom Baker is charming as always.

Recommended.