First broadcast in September 1986, The Mysterious Planet marked the return of Doctor Who after its controversial 18-month hiatus. As the opening serial of Season 23, it also introduced the ambitious Trial of a Time Lord arc, a season-long narrative in which the Sixth Doctor finds himself placed on trial by the Time Lords, forced to defend his actions across multiple past, present, and future adventures. Written by Robert Holmes and directed by Nicholas Mallett, The Mysterious Planet attempts to blend mystery, humor, and classic dystopian elements, but its effectiveness is often overshadowed by the metatextual framing of the trial itself.
The story follows the Doctor and Peri as they arrive on the planet Ravalox, only to discover that it bears a striking resemblance to Earth. The mystery deepens when they encounter two distinct factions of inhabitants: the underground dwellers ruled by the bookish and misguided Drathro, and the more primitive surface people led by Queen Katryca. As they unravel the truth behind Ravalox, they uncover a plot involving a massive cover-up, stolen technology, and the sinister intervention of the Time Lords themselves.
Colin Baker’s Sixth Doctor is as brash and arrogant as ever, though the trial sequences force him into a more defensive position. His exasperation at the Time Lords’ accusations is palpable, and while his characteristic bombast remains, there are moments of nuance that suggest a deeper frustration with the system he once served. Nicola Bryant’s Peri continues to play the role of the skeptical but loyal companion, though her interactions with the Doctor still occasionally lean toward bickering rather than genuine camaraderie.
The introduction of the Valeyard, played with icy menace by Michael Jayston, adds a fascinating layer to the trial framework. His role as the prosecutor—relentlessly picking apart the Doctor’s actions—establishes him as a formidable opponent, and his cold, calculated delivery suggests that he has a deeper connection to the Doctor than initially revealed. Meanwhile, Lynda Bellingham’s Inquisitor provides a more neutral, restrained presence in the courtroom sequences, keeping the proceedings from becoming entirely one-sided.
One of the strongest elements of The Mysterious Planet is the supporting cast. Tony Selby’s Glitz is a standout, providing a mix of roguish charm and comedic opportunism that makes him an entertaining wildcard in the story. Joan Sims as Queen Katryca brings theatricality to her role, though her character is ultimately underdeveloped and somewhat wasted. Drathro, the L3 robot tasked with overseeing the underground society, is a fascinating concept but suffers from clunky execution and a lack of true menace.
Visually, The Mysterious Planet is a mixed bag. The location filming in a lush forest setting adds a welcome sense of scale and realism, contrasting well with the artificial underground sequences. However, the production design feels somewhat uninspired, with Drathro’s domain appearing sterile and generic rather than the imposing technological wonder it is described as. The robotic design, while ambitious, does not quite achieve the level of intimidation required for the role.
Thematically, The Mysterious Planet explores ideas of lost knowledge, manipulation, and the consequences of unchecked power. The revelation that Ravalox is, in fact, Earth—displaced in space to cover up the Time Lords' interference—adds an intriguing element to the overarching Trial of a Time Lord narrative. The Doctor’s realization that his own people may be responsible for a galactic-scale atrocity sets the stage for future developments, though the story itself does not delve deeply enough into the moral implications of this revelation.
Rewatching The Mysterious Planet in 2025, it remains a competent but somewhat unremarkable start to The Trial of a Time Lord. The trial framing device, while ambitious, often disrupts the flow of the narrative, pulling the audience out of the adventure to remind them that this is evidence being used against the Doctor. While this structure adds intrigue, it also diminishes the stakes of the immediate story, as we know from the outset that the Doctor survives.
The serial’s conclusion, with the underground society collapsing and Glitz making his escape, is satisfying in a traditional Doctor Who sense but lacks the weight needed to make it a truly memorable opening chapter. The final moments, as the Doctor is pulled back into the courtroom to continue his defense, reinforce the overarching tension but fail to give The Mysterious Planet a strong individual identity.
Ultimately, The Mysterious Planet is an intriguing but flawed start to The Trial of a Time Lord. It carries the weight of the show’s uncertain future on its shoulders, trying to prove that Doctor Who can still be engaging despite the behind-the-scenes turmoil. While it offers some strong performances and compelling ideas, it struggles to fully escape the limitations imposed by its own framing device. As the trial continues, the stakes will rise, but for now, the Doctor remains very much under scrutiny.
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