4.1 Doctor Who: The Exxilons; Written by Nicolas Briggs

4.2. Doctor Who: The Darkness of Glass; written by Justin Richards

4.3. Doctor Who: Requiem for the Rocket Men; written by John Dorney

4.4. Doctor Who: Death Match; written by Matt Fitton

4.5. Doctor Who: Suburban Hell; written by Alan Barnes

4.6: Doctor Who: The Cloisters of Terror; written by Jonathan Morris

4.7. Doctor Who: Fate of Krelos & 4.8: Doctor Who: Return to Telos by Nicolas Briggs

Starring Tom Baker and Louise Jaimeson and many others

Originally released : January, February etc 2015

Listened to: November 2025

Context:

Again, rather than reviewing these as individuals, I have decided to put all episodes into this one review, as I did with the previous season, so here we go again. The Fourth Doctor has always been my favourite, and despite trying to ration these stories out its time to delve into the fourth doctors back catalougue of adventures with Gusto!

THE REVIEW

What I thought:

The Exillons is a decent start to this season, with a solid story, classic 1970’s esque adventure, which sets the Tardis team amongst two factions, one advanced and one primitive, with the advanced group turning out is constructing a beacon for the Exillons! It’s an interesting return/prelude to the Day of the Daleks with a twist that sets up the exillons as an advanced species rather than what we see them in the aforementioned 3rd Doctor adventure. It’s a pretty standard story, fun enough, with the TARDIS team elevating this to a great fun episode.

The Darkness of Glass is similar to the first story, in the sense that the 1970’s vibe is perfectly set up, a very Talons of WC vibe to this one with a creepy turn of the centrary -magical context, with a demon and a stormy Cornish night (although sadly the setting doesnt get much mention apart from at the begining of this episode). Again, the team is in great form here, and the supporting cast is top-notch. Lovley episode.

Requiem for the Rocket Men is good fun, although at times the story lost me a little, but a good scheme by the Doctor and it’s always nice to have this (crispy) version of the Master back. The rocket men are also great fun, and a surprising story ending for Leela, I wasn’t expecting her to leave! The whole cast seem to be having a ball in this one.

Death match is a follow on of sorts, with the Master ensnaring Leela in his scheme. Lots of good Leela fights, the fourth doctor mopey to start missing her, and K9 doing his thing, all great fun and a continuation of some of the threads from the previous episode. Leela even has a romance with Marshall, him also trying to get Leela back. The final scenes are quite sad, and uplifting with a lovely few lines from Tom at the end, great work all involved.

Suburban Hell is a more comedic turn, with so much that is fun and silly (mixed with terror) it is basically Abigails Party but with Aliens. Annette Badland turns up in this one, and does a great turn as Thelma from over the road, she is simply great. Tom and Louise have great fun with the story. The tone then shifts again for a very classic story, with The Cloisters of Terror. A very enjoyable hour was spent listening to ths one, with Ghost nuns and Liz Shaw’s mum. Lots of jeporady in an Oxford collegue, a mystery for the 4th Doctor to solve and new friends made. Possibly my favourite story of ths season thus far.

The finale of the boxset is really two episodes, Fate of Krelos and Return to Telos, both well written by Nick Briggs. There are some great cross over moments with Tomb of the Cybermen, a bit of 2nd Doctor, a bit of Jaime, all of which is pretty cool, understated and more impactful as a result. The destruction of Krelos is impactful, and the return to Telos is very cool. A cyber infected K9 is a brilliant idea, very much enjoyed these two, a great ending to another peak fourth doctor, Leela and K9 set of adventures.

Rating: 4 out of 5 scarfs: this TARDIS team keeps smashing it out of the park in these seasons (old to others, new to me in 2025). Some very strong stories in this season (Suburban Hell a highlight for me, amongst many strong episodes) and a delight to be listening to this now. So much fun in this series of classic Fourth doctor adventures,

What I felt: amused, happy, slightly moved at times and always entertained.

What am I left thinking?

• Can this run continue to be this good!

Memorable bits

• The world ends not with a bang, but a whimple! (absolute classic Tom)
• The second doctor and Jaime!
• Middle class alien meltdown nightmare and fondue/G and T’s
• The return of Leela and a certain crispy timelord
• The rocketmen are a fun new adversary for this Doctor.