Doctor Who: Timelash
Doctor Who: Timelash

Movie spotlight

Doctor Who: Timelash

1985
Movie
90 min
English

The Doctor and Peri arrive on Karfel, a planet ruled by fear where the enemies of its ruler, the despotic Borad, are banished into a time tunnel known as the Timelash.

Insights

IMDb5.5/10
Director: Christopher BarryGenres: Science Fiction, Adventure, Drama

Plot Summary

The Sixth Doctor and his companion Peri find themselves on the planet Karoverse, where they encounter the villainous Borad and his menacing Bandrils. The Borad, a tyrannical leader with a deformed appearance, is engaged in a brutal war and plans to invade other planets. The Doctor and Peri must find a way to escape his clutches and prevent his destructive ambitions.

Critical Reception

Timelash is often cited as one of the weaker stories of the Colin Baker era, facing criticism for its convoluted plot, poor special effects, and underdeveloped characters. While it features an interesting premise with the concept of time travel and alternate realities, its execution failed to impress many critics and long-time fans. Audiences at the time also expressed disappointment with the pacing and the perceived silliness of certain elements.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its ambition in exploring complex sci-fi concepts.

  • Criticized for its poor special effects and production values.

  • Often considered confusing and lacking coherent storytelling.

Google audience: Audience reception for Timelash is generally negative, with viewers frequently citing a nonsensical plot, weak characterizations, and unimpressive special effects as major drawbacks. The story's complexity is often seen as a detriment rather than a strength, leading to a frustrating viewing experience for many.

Fun Fact

The episode famously features a scene where the Doctor uses a 'time scoop' to retrieve an object from the past, a concept that has been rarely revisited in the series due to its potential for narrative paradoxes.

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