Cornell, Paul; Day, Martin; Topping, Keith (1995). "Image of the Fendahl". The Discontinuity Guide. London: Virgin Books. ISBN 0-426-20442-5. In my next posts I’ll take a look at the characters inhabiting the world of ‘Image of the Fendahl’ and finally the nature of the menace itself. Accompanied by a detailed magazine that details the appearances and impact of the Mondasian Cybermen.

But then, the public has always had a fascination with horror. Simon basically points this out by exploring Image‘s inspirations – notably the gothic. Now, I’ve always been a bit sketchy about this term, and I’m not turning to a dictionary to regale myself and readers with its actual definition. Nonetheless, Bucher-Jones spells it out well, and takes into account Hammer Horror, Amicus Productions (responsible for the Doctor Who films with Peter Cushing), and the work of Nigel Kneale, something which I find particularly interesting. Gothic Horror: This was the last time the series did this before being Lighter and Softer under Graham Williams. The full frame image looks good, though not outstanding. The Restoration Team has done their magic and this show looks as good as can be expected given the age and videotape origins of the program. The color is good though not quite as intense as I would have liked. The fine detail is good but the show is a little on the soft side and the exterior scenes are a bit grainy. Aside from that this looks just fine. Whilst the ending of the story and the defeat of a menace that has been built up as incredibly dangerous, perhaps feels a bit perfunctory, the lengths they have to go to actually destroy the menace – trapping the core and the Fendahleen inside the imploding priory and having to drop the skull into the heart of a supernova, also help to sell the nature and scale of the menace. How do you kill death itself? Well, take all of that with a pinch of salt… Thea falls into a trance-like state as the scanner is activated. Outside, a large unseen creature approaches the Doctor through the woods, and he seems unable to move.

Broadcast

Time Abyss: The Fendahl might not qualify, considering that it has technically been dead for 12 million years. The Fendahl are defeated, and the Doctor throws the skull into a nearby supernova before getting down to the business of repairing K9. Commentary by Tom Baker ( The Doctor), Louise Jameson ( Leela), Wanda Ventham ( Thea Ransome) and Edward Arthur ( Adam Colby) COLBY: Did you say that about twelve million years ago, on a nameless planet which no longer exists, evolution went up a blind alley? I knew nothing about the Fibonacci sequence (apart from that bit in Flatline) or the Titus-Bode Law before this, but knowing such designs exist across the universe, from spiral galaxies to the smallest strand of DNA, is incredible, and makes me want to learn more. That’s a huge achievement in itself.

Barnes, Alan (28 February 2007). "The Fact of Fiction: Image of the Fendahl". Doctor Who Magazine (379): 42–50. While this is by no means a perfect story it’s one I rewatch again and again, so whilst accepting my nostalgia for it, it’s just such great fun to watch. Apocalypse Maiden: Thea Ransome, although most of the associated emotional turmoil is absent simply because Adam Colby never really figures out what is going on. The scan catches the attention of the Fourth Doctor and Leela when they are pulled down to Earth by it. They set off to find it before it creates a continuum implosion and destroys the planet. They separate and Leela finds the cottage of ‘Mother’ Tyler, a local modern-day witch gifted with psychic powers. The Doctor ends up narrowly avoiding death at the hands of the creature created by the skull, which then kills the leader of a detachment of guards Fendelman has brought in after the death of the hiker, sealing everyone into the priory.Scificollector are pleased to be able to now make it available to collectors and this Death Dalek mega sculpt makes for a fitting completion to the collection. The Doctor and Leela decide they must investigate the priory just as Thea switches on the time scanner. A compulsion draws her to the machine and she and the skull seem to merge. Leela splits up from the Doctor and investigates a nearby cottage, where she is fired upon with a shotgun. Meanwhile, the Doctor feels the presence of the same unseen creature who killed the hiker. He finds himself paralysed, unable to run as the creature is about to consume him. The skull of the Fendahl Core which transported itself to Earth resembled a human skull in every respect, but for a pentagram shape, embedded in its forehead, visible only by an x-ray. After her transformation into the Fendahl Core in July 1977, Thea Ransome appeared as a golden-skinned, majestic being with gigantic, unblinking eyes, long golden fingernails and an ornate ringed hairstyle. The Fendahl Core was practically invulnerable, not harmed by guns at all. When the skull was activated, it began to pulse with a golden glow from inside, and touching it caused great pain — apparently mental pain more than physical — although the cause of this was unclear. It could, however, be safely handled with protective gauntlets. ( TV: Image of the Fendahl)