CASTROVALVA BY CHRISTOPHER H BIDMEAD Originally Broadcast Part One- 4/1/82 Part Two- 5/1/82 Part Three- 11/1/82 Part Four- 12/1/82 |
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| MAIN CAST The Doctor- Peter Davsion Adric- Matthew Waterhouse Nyssa- Sarah Sutton Tegan- Janet Fielding The Master- Anthony Ainley Head of Security- Dallas Cavell Ruther- Frank Wylie Shardovan- Derek Waring Mergrave- Michael Sheard Portreeve- Neil Tornay Child- Souska John |
| PLOT SUMMARY (Taken from the Televsion Companion, 1st Edition, by David J. Howe and Stephen James Walker) The newly regenerated Doctor escapes with his companions back to the TARDIS. Suffering from post-regeneration trauma, he only narrowly manages to save the ship from destruction as it plunges back to Event One, the hydrogen in-rush that preceded the creation of the universe. He then seeks sancutary in the peaceful domain of Castrovalva, only to discover that it is an illusory, dimensionally paradoxical trap set for him by the Master with the unwilling aid of a kidnapped Adric. The Docotr eventually wins the day by enlisting the help of the Castrovalvan people who, although also part of the Master's creation, are nevertheless able to exercise free will. PERSONAL REVIEW BY BARRY STANTON This is an interesting opening story to an era, never mind to a season. John-Nathan Turner had established a different style of Doctor Who in Tom Baker's final story and he now finishes what he started in Castrovalva. The first two parts are good in regards to the Doctor finding his feet and the Zero Room concept is an interesting idea. Tegan and Nyssa spend most of the first two episodes finding the Doctor, trying to work the TARDIS and finding the Doctor again. Meanwhile the Master rises up and down between speaking to Adric and looking at the Doctor's demise in his TARDIS as the Doctor's TARDIS hurtles back to Event One. The second half is more interesting. The Castrovalvans are believe but you don't realise on first viewing the Protreeve is the Master in disguise and credit goes to Anthony Ainley for pulling it off. Castrovalva is one of those stories which could of been lightened up a bit. Peter Davison has found his feet by the time it was filmed as it was fourth to be filmed in the 7 stories of the season. Anthony Ainley's portrayal of the Master is slightly camp at times but enjoyable. A sense of not knowing what to do with the three companions and as what would happen for the rest of the season at least of them will do virtually not much in a story.. RATING 7 out of 10 |
| VIEWING FIGURES Part One- 9.1m Part Two- 8.6m Part Three- 10.2m Part Four- 10.4m |
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| REVIEWS: Castrolvalva - Average Rating 7. Broadcast 4/1/82- 12/1/82 |
| UPDATES :- Timeframe Podcast 1 |
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