The Masque of Mandragora

You can't count, Count!

This review will probably be the oddest one of the bunch. For every other story in Doctor Who, I watched it with no real attachment or nostalgia. It was simply a source of entertainment. That is not the case with Masque of Mandragora. I've already mentioned how the little episode four recap formed my impression not only of the episode, but of the whole of Doctor Who for years to come. So I come into this one with a bit of a rose tint.

First, removing the tint as much as I can, this is a very enjoyable story. It is well-acted (for the most part), it is shot in part on location (at Portmeirion) to give it that extra sense of style and it is generally well paced. This story also prompted my enjoyment of the use of film in a television show. This was further enhanced by the Beauty and the Beast episode of Faerie Tale Theater, but it started with Masque.

Now, that is not to say that this episode is not without it's flaws. There are bits where the acting can go over the top and become a bit hammy, especially with Count Frederico; the special effects, while very good for 1976 (and to my eyes in 1984) are less than stellar by today's standards; there is also a little too much back and forth with the capturing, escaping, recapturing, and reescaping so that it gives it the padded feel that many Doctor Who stories have. Conversely, episode four feels a bit too packed. There is a bit too much attempt at both explaination and final confrontation between the Doctor and his allies and Hieronymous and his followers. If a little bit of that could have been pushed back into the two previous episodes, it might have perfected the overall balance.

Despite that, I still greatly enjoy this one and wouldn't complain if someone suggested that we sit down and watch it. It might be a bit heavy as a story to draw someone into Doctor Who, but I doubt it would drive anyone away from the show either.

Overall personal score: 4.5 out of 5