What is the connection between a spooky encounter at a Halloween party, a 1960s communication satellite and a UNIT facility in Scotland?

Roy Gill’s story for the UNIT team takes Kate, Osgood and Josh Carter firmly into The Omega Factor territory – to the extent I was half-expecting a “blink and you’ll miss it” reference to Ann Reynolds somewhere in the dialogue – and it’s an area that seems ripe for further investigation based on this. Gill sets up each strand carefully before bringing Osgood and Josh to join Kate up in Scotland, and I really liked the way in which elements of both Josh and Kate’s past became highly relevant to the story.

Lucy Fleming makes a terrific guest star as the caretaker of the facility with Matthew Cottle as her son allowing Jemma Redgrave to bring out some other sides to Kate Stewart. Ingrid Oliver and James Joyce play well off each other as always and there’s something distinctly creepy about Barnaby Edwards’ cultured tones as a harbinger of doom from on high. All credit to sound designer Daniel Burnett and composer Howard Carter for the well-balanced soundscape on this story too.

Verdict: Definitely one to dig out again for relistening at Halloween, this is an unusual but effective tale for the team. 9/10

Paul Simpson