23x2. Mindwarp
Writer: Philip Martin
Director: Ron Jones
Script Editor: Eric Saward
Producer: John Nathan-Turner
Synopsis: The
second part of the prosecution's case against the Doctor concerns a
visit to Thoros-Beta, where he and Peri discover their adversary Sil
and one of his kinsmen, Kiv, who is attempting to have his mind
transferred into a new body by the scientist Crozier. The Doctor
challenges the legitimacy of the evidence when it seems to show him
behaving in a self-serving and cruel manner while the boisterous King
Yrcanos and Peri attempt to lead a rebellion.
Review: I'm wondering now if perhaps it
was the wrong decision to review the four segments of "The Trial of a
Time Lord" as if they were separate serials. While "The Mysterious
Planet" could have stood on its own without the context of the trial,
I'm not sure "Mindwarp" can. We've seen the Sixth Doctor behave
in a callous manner in the past, but here he more or less allies himself
with Sil, Kiv, and Crozier for the greater part of the proceedings, and
it's not entirely clear why. He appears disoriented after initially
being subjected to Crozier's machine, and there are hints that the
whole thing is a ploy, but the script never establishes exactly what he
might have feared would happen if he didn't pretend to collaborate or
what he hoped to achieve with this ploy that he couldn't have by simply
aiding the rebels from the start. Instead, we get numerous scenes of
him interrupting the trial proceedings and suggesting that the evidence
may have been fabricated. This is effective in building up the sense
that there is something sinister underlying this trial, and Colin Baker
ably portrays the Doctor's own shock and dismay at what he's seeing,
especially at Peri's apparent death, but it leaves the actual narrative
of the events on Thoros-Beta somewhat incomplete because we're left
uncertain what did or didn't actually happen. Speaking of which, this
is a particularly bitter swan song for Peri, who doesn't even get a
heroic sacrifice along the lines of Adric and instead goes to her death
with Kiv having taken over her body and believing that the Doctor has
betrayed her (though for me, the impact is somewhat undermined by the
fact that I know what's going to be revealed by the end of "Trial").
All
that aside, "Mindwarp" has some problems that would preclude a full
recommendation anyway. A fair amount of time is spent watching
characters wander around and/or chase each other in caves, in scenes
that never come off as much more than obligatory Doctor Who formula.
As for characterization, Sil and Kiv are notable for being motivated
more by money and profit than by a desire for power or grand
megalomaniacal schemes, but Crozier is a surprisingly blank slate for
such a key figure. It's implied that he might have been brought to
Thoros-Beta against his will, but if he has any ethical misgivings
about his work, any intellectual curiosity about its outcome, or even
any feelings towards Sil and Kiv in general, it certainly doesn't come
across in the writing or in Patrick Ryecart's performance. On the topic
of performances, I'd be neglectful not to mention that of BRIAN BLESSED as Yrcanos, about which not much needs to be said other than that, well, it's BRIAN BLESSED
- certainly memorable, and perhaps appropriate for the character, but a
bit excessive in terms of the scenery-chewing at times, and his
discussion with Peri about the nature of love borders on the cringey
and isn't helped by some melodramatic background music.
"Mindwarp"
has some good ideas, and it's important in moving the overall trial
narrative along, but as a story it feels somewhat frustrating and
incomplete. Whether it was reasonable to expect it to be otherwise,
I'll do my best to suspend judgment for the moment.
Rating: **1/2 (out of four)
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