The Greatest Show in the Galaxy: Part Four

I had truly loved Greatest Show in The Galaxy up to this point, I thought the writing was terrific, I loved the characters, villainy of the clowns, and the performances were terrific. Sadly though, thills last part is a real let down, overall I found it really dull, and at times it felt incredibly panto.

The Gods of Ragnarok themselves, so creepy looking in human form, but in their natural environment they look like Garden furniture, boring, dull garden furniture at that.

I'm afraid I have to fast forward the scenes where Sylvester entertains the gods with magic tricks, I've never been one for light entertainment, and Who should not have been the place for it.

One terrific scene, where the Doctor calmly walks off, and the circus explodes behind him,. wonderfully visual.

A shame, it had been great up until now. 3/10

By the fourth episode, the Doctor is left entertaining for his life. Captain Cook gets upset when called a bore. Mags does not like moonlight. There are killer bus conductors and the clowns realise that it is the end of the Psychic Circus.

This story takes advantage of Sylvester McCoy's vaudeville roots. In return the scene where the Doctor walks away unflinchingly as the tent explodes was very much the show must go on. The explosion was more near to him and louder than anticipated. His pants were on fire.

Ace tells the doctor that the circus was really about him. That was very much the intention of John Nathan-Turner.

The Gods of Ragnarok, the extra dimensional beings who feed on entertainment were basically BBC management. Never nurturing anything and demanding instant success. In the BBC's case cutting the budget in half and putting Doctor Who against Coronation Street where it was slaughtered in the ratings.

McCoy had the last laugh on Micheal Grade and Jonathan Powell. In 2012 the Christmas day edition of Doctor Who clashed with Coronation Street. This time the Timelord was the comfortable winner. At the same time McCoy had a nice role in the Hobbit trilogy of movies which was number one in the worldwide box office.

Funny how time works!