Castrovalva [TV/1982.1.4 ~ 1.12]

(Artwork by Caroline Tankersley)

★★★★☆

  How this bonkers four-parter got commissioned is beyond me; how blessed we all are that it actually got made, and didn't get left in its conception/rough-draft stage like so many of its high-concept peers. Christopher H. Bidmead and John Nathan-Turner's "no-nonsense" hard sci-fi approach was still going strong in 1982, and the story delights in its ability to wow even the most stubborn of science fiction fans with its conceptually exciting world (a land straight for M.C. Escher's mind, folding in on itself ad infinitum). The location work and the elaborately designed sets complement the script beautifully, and the recently added special effects truly bring alive the Escheresque moments that the story truly deserves (the cliffhanger of episode 3 being one of my personal favourites from the Classic series). 

  Castrovalva also has much to say about the newly-regenerated Doctor and his companions, and it gives each of them something of import to do -- a minor miracle in this era. Peter Davison brings alive the uncertain and almost timid Fifth Doctor, still in his infancy stage, with such ease and charm. He's the kind of man to walk up to an impossible realm in search of himself and solve a giant mystery by chance after answering a little girl's question concerning simple mathematics... and I love that characterisation of the Doctor. He stresses the importance of teamwork among his dysfunctional TARDIS team, and therefore allows each of them (Tegan, Nyssa and Adric) to show their strength in the face of trouble. Tegan is the ringleader, and becomes the no-nonsense face of the team against the weird and the suspect. Nyssa is the brains of the operation, and the member the Doctor confides in the most in terms of complex calculations and concepts. Adric may have gotten the short stick, true, but at least he shows courage and defiance against the Master. All the actors share this comfortable chemistry amongst one another, like they've been doing this for a long time, and it lends another layer of comfort and warmth to the finished product. It's certainly a boon to the serial on its own, but it does make the difference in Davison and co.'s chemistry between this and Four to Doomsday quite noticeable.

  Over the years, I've come to realise that Castrovalva may be one of my favourite post-regeneration stories. It's not the serial with the highest stakes, nor does it strike out in any visceral way, but it's a calm reflection on the Doctor's character (particularly the malleable state they are in after a regeneration) as well as a conceptually exciting piece brought to life with surprising confidence. I can imagine going back to this serial for a comfy and evocative four-parter experience time and time again, as I have done for quite a few years now.