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(More customer reviews)Fifth Doctor Peter Davison's penultimate episode "Planet of Fire" at last is coming to DVD. Lost between the grey and gloomy Ressurection of the Daleks and the apocalyptic Caves of Andrazani POF at times has been seen as a transitional story to be quickly glanced over in route to the grim Davison finale. True Planet of Fire is the ultimate transitional story if ever Doctor Who had one. The viewer has the following transitions to contend with in one four part adventure: Davison's first episode without companion Tegan J. (Finally) as well as his last encounter with The Master, robotic side kick Kamillion's second, final and ill-fated appearence in the program, Companion Turlough's final episode (the truth is revealed at last),and the introduction of new companion Peri Brown (don't ask me to spell her full name). Add all that to the fact that a regeneration is just an episode away and one begins to wonder is there any room left for a plot?? The Answer is yes and in my opinion a good one.
The story centers around The Master's attemp to regain controll of the shape shifting robot Kamillion for the greater purpose of "stealing" a rare and precious gas from the planet Sarn. This gas will help The Master reverse a "little" trouble he got himself into (you'll see what I mean first timers). Stealing this gas is not as easy as one would think as Sarn is a prison planet for fugitives from Turlough's home world of Trion. The prisoners have divided into two factions: One devout, relgious sect dedicated to the worship and protection of "The Fire" (or numismiton gas that The Master seeks) and a second more scientific minded(yet supressed by the first group) group of free thinkers bent on revelation of the fire's true nature as it relates to the planet Sarn's inpending doom. While the story attemps to be fair to both points of view it ultimatly lends itself to the liberal, secular point of view held by the non-religious group.
Where I believe Planet of Fire realy shines is in the performance of the lead cast. Peter Davison gives one of his best perfomances in his tenure as the Doctor. I am not sure if he is more relaxed knowing his time on the program is near an end, or if he has altered his performance to compensate for the lack of Janet Feilding or mayby he just is more comfortale not hiding behind the Cricket suit ( No Cricket jacket, sweater, or celary for most of this episode); But the viewer gets Davison at his best hear. In addition Mark Strickson give his best performance since Terminus which is no suprise as he is finaly given something to do and say. For fans of Anthony Ainley's Master take heart as he is allowed to elevate his performance slightly above the mustache twisting, tie a youg lady to the train tracks badie stereo-type that he was forced to play in previous episodes. And last new companion Nicola Bryant gives her first and best performance during her stay with the program; Of couse this is helped by given a lot to do in the story but still she makes the most of the spot light.
While on the subject of Peri I would be amiss if I did not mention the lovely young Ms Bryant tastfully parading around in the "Skimpiest" outfit a companion has ever worn on the show. I am of course referring to the famous peri in the bikini scene at the end of episode one and start of episode two. Male viewers and perhaps some female viewers to (not that there is anything wrong with that) will admit that this scene alone is worth the price of admission. Meow!!!
A final note worth mentioning is the scenery as this episode's external shots were filmed in The Canary Islands off the coast of North Africa....One word...Beautiful! To sum it all up If you are looking for daleks, cyberman and fast paced paced adventure than this is not for you. But if you want to tie up all the lose ends from the Peter Davison era than Planet of Fire is a must for your collection....and a pretty good story to bust...ah, no butt,ah,uhm no no I mean to boot. Gosh, All this reminiscing about Peri of Fire, no I mean Planet of Fire, has left me in need of a COLD shower. Meow!!
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A strange signal from Earth draws the TARDIS to the island of Lanzarote, where Turlough rescues a young American girl, Peri, from drowning. Among her possessions is an artifact bearing an alien symbol – the same triangular mark that Turlough has branded into his arm. The mystery deepens when Kamelion falls under the control of a powerful mind, and the TARDIS travels to the volcanic world of Sarn. As Turlough is forced to face his past, the Doctor must stop his oldest enemy from harnessing the revitalizing powers of Numismaton gas.
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