Ep 20. The Caves of Androzani: Part 4

As the final episode of Classic Doctor Who season 21, The Caves of Androzani: Part 4 wraps up a gripping story arc that has seen the Doctor and Peri caught up in a dangerous power struggle on the planet of Androzani Minor. In the previous episode, the Doctor found himself on the brink of death after being poisoned by the bat creature's bite, and Peri was captured by Sharaz Jek's men.

The episode opens with the Doctor and Peri both in dire straits. The Doctor is slipping further into delirium, and Peri is being held hostage by Sharaz Jek, the mad scientist who has been trying to overthrow Morgus's conglomerate and take control of the planet's deadly Spectrox supply. Things get even more complicated when the President of Androzani Minor shows up and reveals himself to be a Magma creature in disguise, with plans to take over the planet and enslave its inhabitants.

As the story barrels towards its conclusion, the Doctor and Peri must race against time to stop the various factions vying for power on Androzani. Sharaz Jek, who has become more and more unhinged throughout the course of the story, is poised to unleash a deadly virus on the planet that will wipe out all of Morgus's forces. Meanwhile, Morgus is frantically trying to secure his hold on the Spectrox supply, even as his own hired assassin, Chellak, turns against him. And in the midst of it all, the Doctor is barely clinging to consciousness as he struggles to find an antidote for the Spectrox poisoning that is slowly killing him.

Despite the fast-paced action, The Caves of Androzani: Part 4 also manages to pack an emotional punch. One of the most resonant subplots involves Sharaz Jek's obsession with Peri, whom he sees as a kindred spirit. As the Doctor and Peri face off against Jek in his lair, he reveals the truth about his disfiguring scars and the tortured history that has led him to this point. The Doctor, ever the empathetic hero, tries to reason with Jek and convince him to turn away from his destructive plans. But Jek's madness has consumed him, and tragedy ultimately ensues.

Alongside the strong writing, The Caves of Androzani: Part 4 also boasts some of the most impressive technical elements of Classic Doctor Who. The caves themselves are a stunningly realized setting, full of ominous shadows and lit by the eerie glow of fluorescent fungi. The use of costumes and makeup to create the Magma creature is also top-notch, particularly given the limitations of the time period and budget. And the final confrontation between the Doctor and Sharaz Jek, set amidst a raging inferno, is a true spectacle.

As the final minutes of The Caves of Androzani: Part 4 play out, the stakes have never been higher. The Doctor and Peri are both fighting for their lives, with the fate of Androzani hanging in the balance. It's rare for a story arc in Doctor Who to feel genuinely tense and unpredictable, but The Caves of Androzani manages it by the skin of its teeth. The conclusion of the episode - and the season as a whole - is both heart-wrenching and triumphant, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats until the very end.