Classic Who: Season 16, 'The Key to Time'

For most of this year so far, I've been working my way more-or-less sequentially through the Tom Baker era, largely thanks to UKTV Drama. When the current season of New Who started up, however, they went into temporary hiatus, leaving me hanging at The Robots of Death. I was ready, though. The enticingly-packaged Key to Time box-set was already waiting in reserve. It meant jumping forwards a little - but what with one thing and another there are actually only four stories I haven't seen between Robots... and the start of this season, so it wasn't too much of a problem, and it has meant another six stories viewed (mainly) in their original broadcast order. Now that I've worked my way through not only its six stories, but a solid selection of its myriad extra features, it's time to review it - as a season, and as a set.

( Fourth Doctor: The Ribos Operation )

( Fourth Doctor: The Pirate Planet )

( Fourth Doctor: The Stones of Blood )

( Fourth Doctor: The Androids of Tara )

( Fourth Doctor: The Power of Kroll )

( Fourth Doctor: The Armageddon Factor )

( The Key to Time Season )

( The Key to Time Box Set )

Overall, then, not every story in this season may be amongst the best. But the box-set itself is a very sound investment. And now I do believe it is time for this week's episode of New Who... *big grin*

New Who 4.5, The Poison Sky

It certainly had some great moments, and definitely wasn't as bad as the second part of Helen Raynor's series 3 two-parter - but I'm slightly unconvinced by this one overall.

( Those great moments include )

( But, on the other hand )

On the whole, not actually bad... just not particularly outstanding.