Rory and Lancelot go on a quest…

The newly knighted Sir Rory is manoeuvred into having to leave Camelot in this middle instalment of the latest box set, and Tim Foley’s script keeps the listener’s attention firmly on what’s going on as Rory and Lancelot cross country… but by the end, you realise that things are a lot more serious than they’ve appeared initially. The production team seem to have taken a leaf out of the mid-Hartnell period, and particularly the Donald Cotton stories – festoon your tale with humour, but never forget the underlying peril, and prepare for things to get nasty. All of the odd behaviour that permeates the story is explained in a way that makes sense to the 21st century nurse – and makes him, and us, wonder what’s going on. It’s a difficult balancing act to maintain, and director Scott Handcock handles it well – the final scene as Rory gets answers is particularly strong, and Rob Harvey’s score is particularly attuned to the change in moods.

The relationship between Rory and Lancelot is moved forward a level during this, and Arthur Darvill and Hugh Skinner play both the comedic and dramatic moments with the necessary sincerity while guest stars Rosie Baker and Harley Viveash portray their characters deftly – it’d be fun to hear them in the “real” universe at some point.

Verdict: Far more going on than the surface jollity would suggest makes for another enjoyable adventure for the noble Roman. 8/10

Paul Simpson

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