Change of Mind

"She saved everyone, but it killer her!"

Writer: Kate Orman
Format: Comic Strip
Released: December 1994 - February 1995
Printed in: DWM 221-223

Featuring: Third Doctor, Liz

Synopsis

The Third Doctor, Liz and the Brigadier investigate a series of impossible murders, and face a psychotic psychic! What connects a miraculous plane crash survival and the paranormal department of Cambridge University? The Doctor will soon find out...

Verdict

Change of Mind was a very good comic strip adventure and a great continuation of the Land of the Blind graphic novel! After a somewhat inconsistent and slightly slacking (probably harsh) start to things, I really was delighted with this one. I thought reuniting the Third Doctor with Liz in a story set after Inferno was a really fantastic idea. I loved that the Doctor echoed his comments in Terror of the Autons that he was sad to see Liz return to her research but I liked how this provided her with the opportunity to explain why she left UNIT. This isn't the first time the pair have been reunited following her departure but it was great to see just how personal Liz's feelings were towards the Doctor and what went on at UNIT. I was quite surprised that she claimed the Doctor wasn't teaching her anything but seeing the pair rediscover their friendship was a real delight. The story starting with a plane crash was quite explosive and thrust things right into action but the Doctor's help with Hardin's student in keeping the plane from a deadly descent through telepathy and psychokinesis was quite extraordinary. The calmness with which he accepted her death was startling and Liz was very quick to pick up on that. It was clear that she wasn't so comfortable with UNIT nowadays. The plan of Hardin to tap into mankind's potential for psychokinesis was intriguing and seeing it in action was quite something. I liked the arrival of the Brigadier in part three and his reaction the scientists' sit in was very humorous. I thought the writing of his character was brilliant though. The characterisation of the Third Doctor was also excellent and I think this adventure really did a great job of fitting into the era in which it was set. That was a really impressive aspect of the comic strip. The ending was quite abrupt but I think that sold just how powerful it was. It was unexpected and with Hardin using his psychokinetic powers to destroy the Doctor's lungs, the Brigadier and Liz emerged and the former's gun was fired. Hardin used his powers to prevent the bullet from hitting him straight away but he wasn't powerful enough to carry out two tasks so the bullet killed him instantly once his grip was let go. Liz's reaction was one of horror and that was why she left UNIT. It was a very emotional and powerful end to what was a very good comic strip story. Overall, this was great!

Rating: 8/10