The Mind Robber

"What they did to us was unforgivable."

Writer: Pete McTighe

Format: Webcast

Broadcast: 01 November 2023

Series: Tales of the TARDIS 1.02

Featuring: Jamie, Zoe

Synopsis

Jamie and Zoe meet again and remember their encounter with robots, clockwork soldiers and Medusa in a Land of Fiction governed by a mysterious master.

Verdict

The Mind Robber was another lovely Tales of the TARDIS episode! I’m such a big fan of the idea behind this series and it is filled with nostalgia from what are actually two very simple scenes that bookend a Classic serial which in this case is The Mind Robber. It’s the only choice really when it comes to the idea of feeding the Memory TARDIS stories because what would be better suited than a visit to the Land of Fiction itself? The way we got there though was just beautiful. I’ve blogged the story at the heart of this episode in both television and novelisation format so I won’t touch too much on the details in there, but I will say that the scene where the TARDIS explodes is still something I find extraordinary. Such a safe haven is completely obliterated in this mysterious world. The image of Zoe and Jamie clinging to the console remains iconic! It’s also still absolutely hilarious for the Doctor to get Jamie’s face wrong. A recast for a part is handled fantastically and fits perfectly with the story. Anyway, back to the Memory TARDIS and this was just tremendous. Jamie and Zoe being reunited after so long was so touching and wonderful. It was the perfect way to honour the Second Doctor era and I thought the moment where they find the recorder and ponder over the Doctor being out there somewhere was very touching. The Memory TARDIS returning Jamie and Zoe with their memories of their travels with the Doctor after they lost them at the end of The War Games was lovely and made the reunion even more special and poignant, although I would have liked a little more confirmation on if that was permanent once they would return to their own times. I do agree with Zoe’s line about the actions of the Time Lords in doing that being unforgivable but I think part of why the Second Doctor’s swan-song is my favourite ever story is because this doesn’t get reversed. It’s such a powerful way to see out two legendary companions. Hearing Jamie and Zoe reminisce on their adventures was lovely and it was fun for Jamie to not want to talk about the Cybermen! He’d met them plenty and didn’t want remembering of those encounters. I liked touching on the Krotons and Quarks from The Krotons and The Dominators respectively, with the memory of the latter leading into their quick escape from the volcano that would lead them to nothingness and the Land of Fiction. I thought that was very nicely done. Learning more about Zoe and Jamie in their older age was really lovely and I loved learning about Jamie’s massively extended family! Four daughters and nineteen grandchildren is quite the haul. I bet he’d be the best grandad though. That was really lovely to hear. Zoe was still hard at work and whilst she’d departed the Wheel now, she was a bloody President! That feels right for her expertise and intelligent. The little twirl she gave in her regalia was a very nice moment. The mention of the Ice Warriors was a touching moment as not only did they remember The Seeds of Death which is one of favourites, but it allowed Jamie to remember The Ice Warriors and the scream that came from Victoria upon seeing them. That provided a really wonderful moment of reflection and honour for Victoria as a companion and character. Jamie clearly cared for her a great deal and hoped she’d lived a good life. It was really touching and the right kind of nostalgic emotion. Zoe wondering at the end if all of the Doctor’s companions came to the Memory TARDIS at one point was really nice and leads us to more episodes in the future, even beyond those this series. I’m sure we’ll get a second one! Overall though, this was a wonderful episode and a fine way to celebrate the Second Doctor era. 

Rating: 9/10