99%

I can remember sitting down to watch The Caves of Androzani back in March 1984 little knowing what to expect. What I did not expect was the roller coaster ride of a story. Not only that, I didn't expect to find such wonderful performances and some of the most memorable bad guys in a story yet. Sharaz Jek is a wonderful creation, both of Holmes the author and of Christopher Gable the actor. Gable's performance is outstanding, he gives the character such depth and pathos that its hard to think of him as a villain.

I will also admit to being very cold towards Peter Davison when it was first announced that he would be the 5th Doctor. Two seasons later and that feeling had begun to thaw. If there was one story that really changed it all it had to be this one. I don't think Davison was really challenged during his time as the Doctor but The Caves of Androzani certainly gave him a chance for both a powerful perfomance but also an outstaing exit. In my opinion, his final moments are among the best he has given. If it hadn't been for those final moments I might not have bothered watching A Very Peculiar Practice - then I would have missed Davison's best role.

There are a few minor quibbles about the story - such as the point of the Magma creature, but they are very minor and barely detract from the series' finest story. If there was one thing that did make my blood boil though, was the Doctor Who magazine poll in which fans ranked another, lesser story above it. I have been mollified, over the years, by the knowledge that some people just like a good monster rather than a good story.