Doctor Who: The Black Guardian Trilogy (Mawdryn Undead / Terminus / Enlightenment) (Episodes 126-28)
Starring: Peter DavisonStudio: BBC Warner
MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Format: Box set, Color, DVD, Full Screen, Original recording remastered, NTSC
DVD Release: November 3rd 2009
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User Reviews
Don't Miss This One!!! - Rating: 5/5
I am sure many fans of the clasic series were hoping these three episodes would be released together and sure enough the Doctor Who Restoration Team did not disapoint us. The three episodes in the box set hail from Doctor Who's 20th aniversary Season (5th Doctor Peter Davison's 2nd season). While that season seemed a bit dis-jointed at times it did have one of those "moments" that reminded you why you loved Doctor Who in the First place. I am of course talking about the real "Gem" of this box set...Mawdryn Undead. This episode is so cleverly executed from start to finish. The writing, the direction and the acting are all top shelf! The story revolves around a group of alien immortals deperatly trying to escape the curse of immortality. The doctor is flung into the middle of their struggle by the bent on revenge "Black Gaurdian" and his emotionaly twisted and unwilling assassan Turlough (sounds like ter-low). The Doctor is aided in this episode by the returning Brigadere Lethbridge Stewart who is now retired from UNIT and teaching at an all boys school. This is truly the Brigadere's finest hour in the program's history as Nicholas Courtney returns to the role and plays the aging veteran to perfection. The episode also features a brilliant plot twist that has the doctors companions Tegan and Nyssa sent back in time some nine years or so and yet they are still able to aid the Doctor as events unfold. Other highlights are the brilliant set designs on Mawdryn's ship, the music score and a nice little "flashback" during episode two...But I'll say no more to protect first time viewers.
The other two episodes in the box set, Terminus and Enlightenment, have their moments but fail to come up to the level of Mawdryn Undead. That being said this box set is worth every penny. If you have seen it buy it again and relive the magic of Mawdryn if for no other reason than to remeber how you felt after you viewed it for the First time ( I would imagine most Doctor Who Fan's can remember exactly where they were the first time they saw this episode.)If you have never seen Mawdryn Undead (and I envy you) buy it as well and enjoy One of Doctor Who's finest hours....or hour and a half. Celery anyone???
