Season 23 of Doctor Who, famously known as The Trial of a Time Lord, might not top every fan’s list of favorites, but it undeniably marks a significant turning point in the show’s history and for many viewers, their personal lives as well. For long-time enthusiasts, certain eras of Doctor Who become deeply intertwined with personal memories, and Season 23 is a prime example. Coming after an extended hiatus, and following the controversial Season 22 and the bold era of Colin Baker’s Sixth Doctor, The Trial of a Time Lord arrived with high expectations and a unique, season-long narrative structure that divided audiences then and continues to spark debate today.
The Hiatus and the Hopes for Season 23
The 18-month gap leading up to Season 23 felt like an eternity for fans at the time, a stark contrast to the shorter breaks we experience in modern Doctor Who eras. While today’s “Wilderness Years” might refer to periods with less frequent content, back then, this hiatus was a palpable absence. For many, including the original article’s author, there wasn’t a widespread dissatisfaction with Season 22 or Colin Baker’s portrayal of the Doctor. The perception of a sudden violent shift in Season 22 seemed overstated, especially when compared to earlier, intense moments in the show’s history. Stories like Revelation of the Daleks in Season 22 were seen as innovative and thrilling, setting the stage for an exciting Season 23.
The opening visuals of The Trial of a Time Lord, featuring a massive space station ensnaring the TARDIS, seemed to immediately deliver on those hopes. This impressive special effect, however, unfortunately set a visual bar that the rest of the 14-episode season struggled to consistently meet.
The Mysterious Planet: Robert Holmes’s Uneven Swan Song
Image of The Valeyard (Michael Jayston) in Doctor Who Season 23
The Mysterious Planet holds the distinction of being the final full Doctor Who script penned by the legendary Robert Holmes. Holmes had made a triumphant return to the series previously, writing acclaimed stories like The Caves of Androzani and the more debated The Two Doctors. However, during the writing of The Trial of a Time Lord, Holmes was facing illness and could only complete Mysterious Planet and half of The Ultimate Foe.
While Mysterious Planet contains classic Holmesian elements, particularly in the witty duo of Glitz and Dibber, it’s evident that the story was somewhat underdeveloped. Perhaps treated with too much deference due to Holmes’s stature, the script could have benefited from further refinement. Despite this, The Mysterious Planet possesses an unpretentious charm. Freed from the trial narrative constraints, it could have been a very compelling standalone story. The concepts of Drathro and the subterranean dwellers, unaware of the surface world’s revitalization, are intriguing. However, the Marb Station sets, while clean, appear overly bright and studio-bound, diminishing the sense of scale and realism. The performances are strong, especially Joan Sims as Queen Katryca, but there’s a sense of hurried direction. Dominic Glynn’s dynamic score injects much-needed energy into the narrative. Glynn’s revamped theme music, with enhanced bass in remastered versions, also receives a positive reappraisal.
Blu-Ray Extended Editions: A Mixed Blessing
The Blu-Ray release of Season 23 offers extended versions of each story, presenting both advantages and disadvantages. Deleted scenes are often cut for pacing or narrative tightness, and in The Mysterious Planet, many reinserted scenes are trial sequences. These courtroom interludes, featuring Lynda Bellingham as the Inquisitor and Michael Jayston as the Valeyard, while well-acted, tend to disrupt the momentum of the main story. Despite the intention to showcase a more amicable Doctor-Peri dynamic in Season 23 after the previous season’s constant friction, an added opening scene ironically depicts them bickering, highlighting the impact of editing choices on character portrayal.
Mindwarp: A Darker Turn with Stellar Performances
Image of Drathro confronting Queen Katryca (Joan Simms) in Doctor Who Season 23
Mindwarp, penned by Philip Martin, who previously created Vengeance on Varos and the memorable Sil, takes a markedly darker tone. Visually, Mindwarp contrasts sharply with Mysterious Planet. Director Ron Jones utilizes low lighting for the tunnel sequences, creating a palpable sense of claustrophobia, while the planet’s surface explodes with vibrant, almost garish, “Paintbox™” effects, showcasing the era’s visual technology.
While Mindwarp was initially a highlight of The Trial of a Time Lord for some, a more mature perspective reveals its heavy, death-obsessed atmosphere. Despite this, Mindwarp is arguably the best-written segment of the season, boasting a truly exceptional cast. Nabil Shaban returns as Sil, Christopher Ryan portrays Kiv, Patrick Ryecart delivers an arch performance as Crozier, and Brian Blessed embodies the larger-than-life King Yrcanos with characteristic bombast, even outdoing his iconic Vultan from Flash Gordon.
Nicola Bryant’s portrayal of Peri’s apparent death is a standout. While companion deaths can be a controversial trope, Bryant’s performance is powerfully convincing. However, the climactic brain-transference sequence, with Kiv inhabiting Peri’s body, is considered by some to be a misstep. A more impactful and shocking conclusion might have been achieved by keeping Peri’s fate ambiguous until the reveal of her body being occupied by Kiv, maximizing the dramatic impact.
Terror of the Vervoids: A Bland Whodunit with Alternate Possibilities
Image of the Sixth Doctor getting used to carrying an umbrella in Doctor Who Season 23
Pip and Jane Baker, known for The Mark of the Rani and later Time and the Rani, also contributed Terror of the Vervoids to Season 23. While some viewers appreciate it, others find it unremarkable. Malcolm Clarke’s musical score is considered one of the weakest of the season, particularly compared to the fresher sounds of Dominic Glynn and Richard Harvey.
Terror of the Vervoids adopts a classic whodunit structure, but faces several challenges. The Vervoids themselves are often criticized for their uninspired design and somewhat comedic portrayal, undermining the intended seriousness of The Trial of a Time Lord. Their “vaginal appearance,” though likely unintentional, adds to the unintended humor. The scale of the supposed space cruise liner setting is never convincingly realized, with limited sets and a small cast of passengers, making the Vervoids’ threat less impactful.
The Blu-Ray release includes a “non-Trial” version of Terror of the Vervoids, removing the courtroom scenes and adding new effects and titles. This alternate version surprisingly enhances the story, suggesting a potential Season 23 focused on standalone adventures rather than a season-long arc. The original format of The Trial of a Time Lord as a single, extended narrative felt restrictive to some, perhaps influenced by the contemporary, but ultimately less successful, format of series like The Tripods.
The Ultimate Foe: A Chaotic but Creative Conclusion
Image of The Doctor interrogating Peri (Nicola Bryant) in Doctor Who Season 23
Image of Sil (Nabil Shaban) in Doctor Who Season 23
Image of BRIAN BLESSED!!!!!! in Doctor Who Season 23
The Ultimate Foe concludes The Trial of a Time Lord in a fashion that is both flawed and fascinating. Despite significant behind-the-scenes turmoil, the final segment remains entertaining, inventive, and distinctly unique. Originally intended to be fully written by Robert Holmes, his passing after completing only the initial part led to script editor Eric Saward stepping in to finish the story based on Holmes’ notes. However, disagreements with producer John Nathan-Turner over the ending resulted in Saward leaving and Pip & Jane Baker being brought in to rewrite the concluding episode with limited knowledge of the intended resolution.
Despite this production chaos, The Ultimate Foe surprisingly coheres. Set largely within the Matrix, it adopts a surreal, fantastical atmosphere. Even the courtroom scenes regain tension and intrigue. The revelation of the Valeyard as an evil incarnation of the Doctor allows Michael Jayston to fully embody the villain, delivering a memorable performance that overshadows even the Master’s brief appearance in episode 13. Glitz also reappears, though his dynamic with Dibber is missed. Geoffrey Hughes shines as the Dickensian Mr. Popplewick within the Matrix, and James Bree returns as the Keeper of the Matrix.
While the plot moves at a breakneck pace, masking some logical inconsistencies, especially in the second episode, Pip & Jane Baker managed a commendable salvage job under difficult circumstances. However, some contemporary computing references now feel dated, and a more timeless, magical portrayal of the Matrix might have been more enduring. The ending, while functional, is considered less satisfying than the originally intended Reichenbach Falls-inspired cliffhanger. Colin Baker’s final lines as the Doctor, repeating “carrot juice,” are a somewhat anticlimactic send-off.
Season 23’s Legacy: A Pivotal but Imperfect Season
Image of The Doctor and Mr Popplewick (Geoff Hughes) in Doctor Who Season 23
Image of There goes our family-friendly rating! in Doctor Who Season 23
Image of The Valeyard sans hat in Doctor Who Season 23
Looking back, The Trial of a Time Lord is a season that, despite its limitations, production challenges, and behind-the-scenes conflicts, manages to be more than the sum of its parts. It remains a family show, though the subsequent season would arguably lean more towards a younger audience. Colin Baker’s performance in Season 23 is often considered his strongest, demonstrating the potential of his Sixth Doctor after the extended hiatus. The fact that he faced so many hurdles in the role and was not given more opportunity to fully realize his Doctor is considered a missed opportunity by many fans.
The Blu-Ray release of Season 23, with its extensive extras, is a testament to the enduring appeal of this era. While initially an unexpected choice for a special release, the comprehensive treatment it has received highlights its significance within Doctor Who history. Season 23 stands as a pivotal, if imperfect, season, reflecting both the creative highs and production struggles of 1980s Doctor Who, and continues to be a source of fascination and discussion for fans.
