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The picture quality is generally excellent. While there is a noticeable change in image quality for episode 2, it is not distracting it is superior to the picture quality of the 1992 BBC Video release. One of the extras is a feature on the restoration of this particular story, which highlights just how good the restoration is. The sound quality is excellent and cannot be faulted. Once again, thumbs up to the work of the BBC Restoration Team.
Just as UNIT is playing host to a number of visitors, Mr Chinn from the Ministry and Bill Filer from the FBI, an object is detected, its heading - Earth. Despite the Doctor's protests a missile is launched: the object easily evades the missile. The Doctor estimates that it has landed on the south coast of England. Chinn leads the UNIT team to the landing site but excludes Filer on the grounds that is not a part of the British team (although more likely to spite Filer over his exclusion of Chinn from discussions about tracing the Master). Filer makes his own way down to the landing site and ends up being brought aboard the mysterious object.
Further investigation of the object is superceded by a distress call. Identifying the ship as Axos and its crews as Axons, the call makes a plea for assistance in exchange for a gift that will be of benefit to the people of Earth. A small delegation boards Axos and is confronted with strange, golden-skinned humanoid beings. As before, in exchange for time to repair their ship, the Axons offer a boon to humanity - Axonite. Axonite promises to solve energy and food problems. Chinn, determined to ensure that Britain has exclusive distribution rights to Axonite, has the UNIT personnel confined. The Doctor appears to join sides with scientists from the nearby Nuton Power Complex, his view being that Axonite should be studied and understood.
For Jo, the main worry is the discovery of Filer's car near Axos and the presence of a dessicated body. She could also swear that she heard Filer's voice after venturing inside Axos. For Filer, the discovery of the Master, arch-enemy of the Doctor, a prisoner on board Axos not only provides a means to escape from the alien ship but also a question about why the Axons have really come to Earth.
As the true purpose of Axos begins to emerge the UNIT team must work out how to stop Axos and the Master. However, can they trust the Doctor when he allies himself with the Master? Is it possible that Axonite could allow the Doctor to escape his exile on Earth and would he leave his friends at the mercy of Axos as the price of his own freedom?
REVIEW BY
(d) D.S.Carlin