Doctor Who: Castrovalva written by Christopher H. Bidmead and directed by Fiona Cumming
The Fifth Doctor (Peter Davison) has just regenerated from the Fourth Doctor (Tom Baker). He's not in great shape and needs more time to finalize the regeneration. The first plan is to take him to a special room in the TARDIS with healing properties. While Tegan (Janet Fielding) and Nyssa (Sarah Sutton) escort him, Adric (Matthew Waterhouse) becomes lost in the TARDIS. Soon enough they discover that Adric has been kidnapped by the Master (Anthony Ainley), who is using him to sabotage the TARDIS. Tegan flies them to Castrovalva, a city recommended by the Doctor for its healing powers. They arrive only to find it very strange. Are the Castrovalvans plotting against them too?
The story is very slow, with a few extended wandering around scenes. The pacing probably would have benefitted by condensing from four to three episodes. Some of the costumes are silly even by Doctor Who standards. The special effects are also dodgy-looking. This story was Davison's first outing as the Doctor, so he switches into his cricket outfit and, by the end, gets the celery stalk on his lapel. Overall, a less than remarkable beginning for a guy who would grow nicely into the role.
Mildly recommended.
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