Circular Time, Winter

Main Range #91

Released: 20 January 2007

Listened: 12/27/19

Although it was part of an anthology from 2007, this story takes place at the very end of “Caves of Androzani,” as the Doctor is carrying Peri back to the TARDIS. He’s having a vision of a farmhouse and a family, creating an “I don’t want to go” moment several years before David Tennant does his. It’s a trap by the Master, though, and an older Nyssa, with her minor psychic ability combined with her husband’s dream-analyzing machine, is able to break through with lucid dreaming. Although this presented some logistical problems for the stories of Nyssa’s return, earlier in this project, this story is quite poignant, and has a lot of references for long-time fans to enjoy. It helps a lot if you’re familiar with the events at the end of “Androzani,” but it’s not required. It’s worth noting that the Fifth Doctor willingly, even eagerly, accepts his fate, and seems to have a good opinion of the Sixth Doctor who doesn’t yet exist, which is a very generous interpretation of the events of “The Twin Dilemma.” Still, this story goes right to the very end of “Androzani,” making this a very fitting last piece for this part of the project.