Doctor Who: Snakedance

The Fifth Doctor and his companion Nyssa travel to the planet Manussa, where Nyssa's sister Adran is a prominent figure in the Technos empire. They discover that the empire is being manipulated by the Mara, a psychic snake-like entity, through the use of a special juice that induces a hypnotic state. The Doctor must find a way to break the Mara's hold and save both Nyssa's sister and the entire planet from its influence.

Snakedance is generally considered a visually interesting and thematically rich story within the Fifth Doctor era. It's praised for its attempt to explore Nyssa's character and her past, as well as its effective portrayal of the Mara's psychological manipulation. However, some critics found the pacing uneven and the plot occasionally convoluted, with certain elements of the alien society feeling underdeveloped. Despite these points, it is often cited as a solid, albeit not top-tier, adventure for Davison's Doctor.

• Praised for its ambitious exploration of Nyssa's backstory and the psychological horror of the Mara.

• Appreciated for its visual design and the performances of the main cast.

• Criticized for occasional pacing issues and a plot that can be difficult to follow.

Google audience: Audience reviews often highlight the story's engaging premise and the personal stakes involved for Nyssa. Some viewers found the visual representation of the Mara and its influence to be particularly effective, while others felt certain plot points could have been clearer or better explained.

The story marks the second appearance of the Mara, a psychic entity from another dimension, having previously appeared in the story 'The Keeper of Traken' and later in 'Terminus'.