117) FOUR TO DOOMSDAY

A plot so out there and bizarre it’s hard not to enjoy the serial which relies on visual storytelling rather than story narrative. The script incorporates themes of religion, greed and power which mesh together surprisingly well. Some repetitious scenes such as the black sphere communicating with the androids and the overly long space jump segment in space make for some tedious viewing. Peter Davison continues to find his feet in the role but his confidence for the part is never far away. Stratford Johns is a delight in costume, make-up, and performance however Monarch never comes across as a powerful villain due to the frogman sitting down for most of the story. Most of the cast are either totally forgettable due to them appearing, saying a few lines, and disappearing into the background. The companions once again are in constant battle for attention. Throw away lines, sexist remarks, childish acting and a lack of important qualities make for some tiresome scenes. The dances and swordfights are crafted nicely by choreographer Sue Lefton. The dances suggest a sense of robotics and machinery which turns out to be Monarch’s evil secret. The sets although well-made and realised are a little bland at times. Dark shadows in the corners keep them from reaching their full potential. Four to Doomsday with its atmospheric shots, memorable cliffhangers, great camera angles all hold this story up. The less said about Enlightenment and Persuasion the better. ****​