Cast : The Doctor : Peter Davison
Tegan : Janet Fielding
Turlough : Mark Strickson
White Guardian : Cyril Luckham
Black Guardian : Valentine Dyall
Striker : Keith Barron
Marriner : Christopher Brown
Wrack : Lynda Baron
Mansell : Leee John
1st Officer : James McClure
Jackson : Tony Caunter
Collier : Clive Kneller
Written By : Barbara Clegg
Produced By : JNT
First UK Broadcast : 1 – 9 March 1983.
Length : 4 x 25 minute episodes.
Plot : The Tardis is forced by the Guardians onto a schooner ship, in a space race to the prize of “enlightenment”.
Whats good : Old style sailing ships, racing in space. Best episode of the Black Guardian Trilogy.
Whats bad : The pirates are a bit camp and cliched.
Review With Spoilers : Enlightenment is the third and final part of the Black Guardian trilogy, following; Mawdryn Undead and Terminus.
Enlightenment is easily the best of the three Guardian stories, with its old sailing ships flying in space. It’s a memorable and stylish story and confirms Who’s biggest strength; mixing old world and new tech – into one big glorious anachronism.
The crew of the Schooner, are a race of beings, known as “The Eternals”; who have unlimited power but require the input of “Ephemerals” (flesh and blood humanoids) to give the Eternals form, substance and entertainment.
Each part of Enlightenment works effectively. The Crew of the Schooner – especially Captain Striker (Keith Barron) play their roles with real creepy alien-esque detachment. The bleakness of the space-race and the sparse electronic musical arrangement. Makes this feel, more like a mid-80’s Terry Gilliam film; than a serial of Who.
“It seems this race is getting serious. Someone is prepared to kill in order to win!” The Doctor
The only part of Enlightenment which lets down proceedings, is the introduction of the pirates. All “arrr me hearties” and “shiver me timbers” cliches. They are too camp and detract a little bit, from the sparse and serious-tone.
The prize of Enlightenment is worth killing for – seemingly, as some of the other ships in the race, are destroyed in explosions.
The prize itself, turns out to be time in the company of the Black and White Guardians and a crystal that will give all-seeing knowledge to the owner.
The Black Guardian is still gunning for the Doctor, with Turlough finally coming to his senses and escaping his torment by throwing the crystal at the Black Guardian, who explodes and disappears.
Enlightenment is a great sparse concept piece and the definite highlight of season 20; aside from the season finale.
