The Masque of Mandragora: Part Three

Review of all 4 episodes:

This is a very good pseudo-historical story which is rather overshadowed by the superior quality of the rest of season 14.

Portmeirion, the village in North Wales made famous as the setting for TV series The Prisoner here doubles for 15th Century Italy very effectively indeed. The period setting and most production values are very good giving a nice historical context for the adventure. There is good action and dialogue with plenty of humorous moments.

The Doctor and Sarah arrive at a time when the likes of Leonardo Da Vinci are changing the thinking of the world and bringing about 'the Renaissance'. This period is targeted by an alien intelligence, the Mandragora Helix, which uses the TARDIS to take it there. It plans to change the course of history and prevent the renaissance (in which civilisation and science took huge strides forward), keeping humanity in the dark ages of superstition and ignorance. It aims to then dominate them easily and stop them from spreading their civilisation through the galaxy threatening its domain.

There is an interesting touch in this story when The Doctor explains that languages are translated for him and his companions by a "Timelord gift" (in other words a telepathic translation power) and suggests that Sarah would not have usually questioned her ability to understand unless something had interrupted the telepathic process.

Tom Baker and Lis Sladen are on great form as usual with lovely interplay between them and sparkling performances. There is some nice dialogue with themes of science versus superstition and civilisation versus barbarity. There are some decent characters acted well by the guest cast. The adventure is very good quality and good fun. It is not as exceptional as most of the preceding season (Season 13) or the remainder of season 14 but that is not really a criticism as the standards of this era were just so high.

My ratings: Part 1 - 8/10, Part 2 - 8.5/10, Parts 3 & 4 - 9/10, Overall - 8.63/10.

If you were a mask what likeness would you take, if you were a mask what likeness would you fake, if you were a mask what mischief would you make, if you were a mask what mischief would you bake.

It's not the most exciting season opener if I'm honest, although next season's does compete.

Demnos uprising continues, Count Federico plans more machinations.

Portmeirion looks amazing, once again I must complement the appearance of this episode, there is no doubt in my mind that this is one of the best looking stories of all. Production values are sublime. It's gotten better as time has gone on, Parts one and two are a little slow, this is hardly dramatic, but it is better. The direction lacks the sharpness somehow that is associated and apparent throughout all of Season fourteen.

We get the origins of the concept of TARDIS translation, when Sarah questions why she's speaking Italian.

Best scene the chilling conclusion in the Temple, it looks fantastic.

The hand of a friend is a subtle, but certain weapon, that's a wonderful line, chillingly delivered.

Best part yet. 7/10