Peri and the Doctor are separated, with the young American seemingly abandoned alongside a group of colonists…

It’s a month for debuts in the Short Trips range, with Sophie Iles’ Master story forming part of Time Lord Victorious arriving in the same week as Rod Brown’s first foray, with a story of the Fifth Doctor and Peri. It’s very much focused on Peri, picking up on her love of botany established in her first story (and occasionally mentioned thereafter), but its elapsed time continues to strain the gap between Planet of Fire and The Caves of Androzani into which all 5th Doctor/Peri adventures have to fit. Brown posits some emotional maturity as a result of Peri’s experiences on Calleto, but it’s hard to see that difference in the broadcast stories. The story is less than subtle in its ecological message, but in 40 minutes or so, some nuance will inevitably be lost.

Nicola Bryant delivers a strong performance – there’s a point in the story where Peri has to experience multiple sensations, and Bryant embodies each in the space of a few words. Helen Goldwyn’s direction doesn’t rush the pace, with Richard Fox’s sound design providing the enveloping feel of the planet.

Verdict: A slightly too on the nose story that benefits from good narration and production values. 7/10

Paul Simpson

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