The story so far. With Mrs Wibbsey substantive clearout of bric-a-brac from Nest Cottage in aid of the local village fete, the Doctor's TARDIS special geometer components have been lost. During the fete, Wibbsey exchanges the components for a selection of unrelated seemingly inconsequential items. However, upon closer inspection the items feature images of not only the Fourth Doctor but of Wibbsey and former UNIT member, Mike Yates. The hunt is on through time to fine the items but what lies at the end of the quest?
A SHARD OF ICE is the third of five episodes as part of DOCTOR WHO - DEMON QUEST and is, surprisingly for a "middle episode" the best to date. It is thoroughly engaging, entertainingly witty (without it being comedic), superbly acted (including a guest appearance from Samuel West) and, a warning for those of a nervous disposition, seat-of-your-pants frightening.
This episode is "told" by Albert Tiermann (Samuel West), engaged by default as storyteller to the King but is, as the Doctor discovers, as at the centre of time-web drawing the Time Lord in as part of a master plan.
Oh, I cannot help myself - and here's the spoiler - but there is another TARDIS involved. A "primitive" form of a TARDIS, as the Doctor describes it, but nonetheless a time-space vessel. There, I've revealed it.
Through a controlling "shard of ice" (read: alien technology as opposed to the literal sense), Tiermann is under the life-long influence of an Ice Queen intent on manipulating events (including the manifestation of the storybook that was found by Mrs Wibbsey at the "bring-and-buy" sale) to bring the Gallifreyan to a single point in history. But why?
On entering the lair of the Ice Queen, the Doctor: Anyone home? Shop! Any demons home?
Tom Baker is on sterling form as the fourth Doctor as if he had never hung up his ambiguous, reality-defying multi-coloured scarf. He's still cheeky (as written under the guidance of Douglas Adams), still petulant (as devised by CLASSIC SERIES Producer, Graham Williams) and dark, angry & brooding (as encouraged by CLASSIC SERIES Producer, John Nathan-Turner). Following a tepid and divergent version of his Doctor in DOCTOR WHO - HORNETS' NEST, I am heartened that the laden innuendo has been removed (though a hint of Baker's lustfulness character remains without it becoming intrusive or a parody) to leave a fully rounded and recognisable Time Lord.
Unfortunately, Richard Franklin's appearance as Mike Yates is less successful and, like many DOCTOR WHO episodes, his "companionship" is limited to keeping the home (read: isolated Tavern) fires burning bright while the Doctor defiantly encounters the Ice Queen. However, I am certain that Paul Magrs' sequential arced events will see the old soldier, along with housekeeper Wibbsey, become more embroiled in the DEMON QUEST.
Once again, as one would expect, the production values of the episode are stunning, with a balanced incidental music score and special sound effects (by Simon Hunt) complimenting each other. From the subtle yet authentic background "hum" of a Type 40 to the unequivocal destruction of the. well, that's one event that would be a true spoiler.
The accompanying booklet is wonderfully designed and illustrated by CLASSIC SERIES costume designer, June Hudson. Nice touch.
DOCTOR WHO DEMON QUEST: A SHARD OF ICE is a perfect chastened antidote to the previous overly melodramatic episode (THE DEMON OF PARIS), setting a darker & menacing tone for the final two episodes for the Doctor and his "Pensionable" assistants.
The next episode: DEMON QUEST: STARFALL.
