When a Navy ship accidentally damages an alien craft, UNIT is called in – but the Doctor and Jo discover that nothing is quite what it seems… even in the Kent countryside…

Andrew Smith’s story for this sixth full cast Third Doctor tale is another one that slots in perfectly into the era, with the character development of both the Time Lord and his young assistant in keeping with the period. This is a Jo Grant who knows her own worth, and her own abilities – and has a faith that those around her (including but not limited to the Doctor) will come through when necessary.

It’s not the standard Earth under attack, UNIT to the rescue story – certainly in the early portion, there’s a feel of The Sea Devils to it, not least because of the Navy connection, and the idea of the Doctor taking matters into his own hands foreshadows the way that he behaves in Invasion of the Dinosaurs. Smith has come up with a new sort of foe for the Doctor, whose modus operandi is rather different from anything we’ve met before (with hints of the Jem’Hadar from Deep Space 9 echoing in the background). There’s a bittersweet side to the story as a result of this m.o., and you may well find yourself mouthing the Doctor’s final line along with him, as it’s the perfect capstone.

Tim Treloar and Katy Manning sound more confident in each successive tale, and as with the Dalek tale that accompanies this, it’s that rapport as much as Treloar’s embodiment of Pertwee’s incarnation that makes this work so well. Robin Weaver is a good adversary while Iain Batchelor, Robert Hands and Richard Derrington all make their marks quickly. Joe Meiners’ sound design and Jamie Robertson’s music are both excellent with director Nick Briggs giving the necessary space for the story to breathe and not let the high (melo)drama overshadow the emotional beats at its core.

Verdict: Another highly enjoyable return to teatime in 1973. 9/10

Paul Simpson