Doctor Who Television Story: Snakedance

Title: Snakedance
Story Number: 124
Season: 20
Screenwriter: Christopher Bailey
Director: Fiona Cumming

Thoughts:

Two of the highlights of the Peter Davision era are Kinda and it’s sequel Snakedance, both featuring the entity the Mara.  Surprisingly the Mara never returned, although I suppose if Russell Davies continues showrunning they might show up as a series finale surprise.  In this story, Tegan is once again haunted by the Mara as the TARDIS arrives on the planet Manussa in the midst of a festival celebrating 500 years of the banishment of the Mara.  I really love the world building in this episode establishing a culture with the Mara in its folklore.  Janet Fielding gets a chance to show her acting range going from scared when the Mara first reemerges in her mind, to evil when it takes full control. Guest star Martin Clunes (long before he became the voice of Kipper) is excellent as the spoiled son of the local royalty who is also possessed by the Mara.  The only downside to this story is that it kind of ends with a fizzle rather than a bang.

Rating: 8 of 10

The Fendahl Files: Contemporary Views on Tom Baker’s Last Doctor Who Series, Season 18 — Part 2

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://thedoctorwhocompanion.com/2026/04/19/the-fendahl-files-contemporary-views-on-tom-bakers-last-doctor-who-series-season-18-part-2/

Radio Free Skaro #1034 – Quizlings

http://traffic.libsyn.com/freyburg/rfs1034.mp3

Download MP3

In a show of mercy by the wayward forces of the universe, the news list is short and sweet this week as we delve into new Gallifrey One guests, Ncuti Gatwa’s Scottish BAFTA nomination, our usual forensic examination of Big Finish covers, and our feature, an interview with Doctor Who writer Beth Axford about her latest work, the Official Doctor Who Quiz Book and well as her upcoming work of fiction, Doctor Who: Firefall! Extra special Canadian content contained therein! 

Links:

• Support Radio Free Skaro on Patreon
• Sarah Sutton, Alexander Devrient announced for Gallifrey One 2026
• Ncuti Gatwa nominated for BAFTA Scotland Audience Award for Doctor Who
• Big Finish Call Me Master: Monsters released
• Big Finish Bernice Summerfield: The Dalek Eternity 1 released
• Big Finish The Worlds of Doctor Who – Space Security Service: Bret Vyon Lives! due Jan 2026
• Big Finish Companion Chronicles: The Legacy of Time due Feb 2026

Interview:

• Beth Axford
• The Official Doctor Who Quiz Book
• Doctor Who: Firefall

#AlexanderDevrient #BAFTA #BAFTAScotland #BethAxford #BigFinish #FictitiousAwards #GallifreyOne #Interview #Merchandise #NcutiGatwa #SarahSutton

Been rewatching Mawdryn Undead. I had forgotten that it was Turlough’s first story. Has there ever been another companion who started out as an assassin trying to kill the Doctor.

I like this episode, even though I don’t like the Black Guardian or Mawdryn, but I love that it’s actually a time travel story, particularly the (retired) Brigadier’s story.

#DoctorWho #ClassicWho #5thDoctor #PeterDavidon #NicholasCourtney #Nyssa #Tegan #Turlough #SarahSutton #JanetFielding #MarkStrickson

My review of Doctor Who: Black Orchid – This Much-Maligned Story Deserves Another Look #ClassicDoctorWho #DoctorWho #JanetFielding #MatthewWaterhouse #PeterDavison #SarahSutton #sciencefiction #sciencefictiontelevision

https://thoughtsfromthemountaintop.com/2024/03/05/doctor-who-black-orchid-this-much-maligned-story-deserves-another-look/

My review of Doctor Who: Arc of Infinity – Adventures in Amsterdam #ClassicDoctorWho #ColinBaker #DoctorWho #DVDReview #JanetFielding #PeterDavison #SarahSutton #sciencefiction #sciencefictiontelevision

https://thoughtsfromthemountaintop.com/2023/10/15/doctor-who-arc-of-infinity-adventures-in-amsterdam/

Along with Season 20 announcment we also have a trailer…
#DoctorWho #PeterDavison #JanetFielding #SarahSutton

https://youtu.be/NMgKaTU9-bQ

Doctor Who - The Collection - Season 20 announcement!!
#DoctorWho #PeterDavison #JanetFielding #SarahSutton

https://www.doctorwho.tv/news-and-features/season-20-with-peter-davison-next-instalment-collection-bluray-range

My review of Doctor Who: The Keeper of Traken – So Begins the Tales of the Master #AnthonyAinley #ClassicDoctorWho #DoctorWho #MatthewWaterhouse #SarahSutton #sciencefiction #sciencefictiontelevision #TimeLord #timetravel #TomBaker

https://thoughtsfromthemountaintop.com/2023/05/09/doctor-who-the-keeper-of-traken-so-begins-the-tales-of-the-master/