(599) Enlightenment - Part 4

So this the final episode of the Guardian Trilogy and it does have to do a lot because it has to finish the story but also finish off the trilogy in a way that is satisfactory and that is a lot of pressure for Barbara Clegg and I think that she manages to do it rather well. The episode starts off with the great reprise where Lynda Baron is talking to screen and its still impressive. I like how Wrack seems to hate the Doctor after just a short time and it’s the same level of hatred that the Master has for him and that one has been going on for a lifetime.

The relationship between Tegan and Marriner seems to take an odd twist which shouldn’t be a surprise considering how much this has been used in the story. Tegan thinks that Marriner is in love with her but he doesn’t know what love is. When he disappears its quite sad because I thought that the character was rather nice. Turlough goes through quite a manic period in this episode. There is one part where he talking to Wrack with his eyes wide open. It’s quite a uncomfortable moment.

Wrack’s plan of blowing up Striker’s ship with the gem is worked out in that way of being very close to the nick of time type thing. The Doctor smashes it thinking that it breaking it up would stop it but it just increased the power, now they just pick up the stuff but I wondered why they didn’t just pick the carpet up and take that outside. There is a bit where they are running around the same set trying to get up onto the deck but its clear that they are just going around the same set but I suppose it’s the restraints of the studio that means it is perhaps a bit silly.

The big scene between the Black and White Guardian is very good although the early stages of it are ruined by the sight of the stupid birds on the guardians heads. The surprise twists start with the Doctor being awarded Enlightenment but turns it down. Turlough is then offered part of it by the White Guardian. Turlough has to make the decision of which to give the Black Guardian, it’s either enlightenment or the Doctor and he chooses enlightenment which causes the Black Guardian to go up in a ball of flames. There is a hint that there would be a third outing but sadly that never happened on TV.

I like how the Doctor believes Turlough when he says he didn’t want the agreement in the first place. The Doctor has had to avoid being killed for twelve episodes and I think that it shows great character that he is willing to even go travelling with him. Now that Turlough is a proper companion that doesn’t have any secondary story and can now just be allowed to focus on the story. I think that the episode did what it needed to do and doesn’t use the entire episode to do this. The whole business with Turlough and enlightenment only goes on for about six or seven minutes and yet it doesn’t feel rushed. Barbara Clegg’s only contribution to Doctor Who is a good one and also Fiona Cumming has done a good job and the whole four episodes have been probably the best  of the season so far and watching the feature length version of this story is even better. Sadly I know that ‘The King’s Demons’ is coming up next. So at least this story will end up as story of the season.