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The Doctor tries to return Tegan to Heathrow in 1981 but
the TARDIS manages to miss its location by some 300 years.
However, the pre-airport peace is soon shattered: first by
villagers afraid of the plague and then by something altogether
more sinister... an alien presence whose plans for humanity
will make the plague seem like a minor outbreak of sniffles...
The
Visitation is a simple story well told and although it's
not a thoroughbred classic it's lack of an over-complex narrative
and techno-babble plotting means that it stands up far better
than a good number of its contemporaries. At heart it has
the feel of a second Doctor story, right down to the final
sequence of the TARDIS occupants leaving before the authorities
arrive to ask them questions.
However,
perhaps the best things about The Visitation (what
a unhelpful title!) is Richard Mace, played by a wonderfully
over the top Michael Robbins. The unemployed actor turned
highwayman is a work of comic genius who manages to be both
heroic and cowardly in equal measure. And for once, the alien
menace, the Terileptils, are also more than just two-dimensional
power-mad conquerors.
The
disc features all the usual extras and trimmings. A great-looking
picture, clean sound, commentaries and some excellent documentaries.
These include "Directing Who", a 26-minute interview featurette
with Peter Moffatt; "Writing a Final Visitation", a 12-minute
interview with author Eric Saward conducted in the story's
location, Black Park; "Scoring the Visitation", an interview
with composer Paddy Kingsland talking about his score; plus
photo gallery and production subtitles.
So
it's yet another quality production, albeit for a story that
perhaps wouldn't make it into many fans' top 10 favourites
list. But that shouldn't stop you buying this DVD as its entertainment
value is far greater than just the four episodes at its heart.
Anthony
Clark
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