Entering the pocket reality of a powerful entity that loves to play games isn’t something that happens every day, but if you’re a character on Doctor Who, it’s an occupational hazard. The Celestial Toymaker is the first realization of that idea onscreen, made more interesting by the revelation that it’s not the first time the Doctor has met this potentially problematic villain. In Who canon, the story is well-remembered if not revered — for the implied history between the two characters, for the clever morphing of kids’ games into deathtraps, and, if we’re being honest, the tumultuous goings-on behind the scenes. Is it really a classic, though, or is its reputation pure nostalgia, amplified by the unfortunate fact that most of the story is missing? Let’s play the re-evaluation game.

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Story Essentials

Season 3, Serial 6
Story number: 23, per the The Pull To Open Codex
Production Code: Y
Writer: Brian Hayles (with Donald Tosh and Gerry Davis)
Producer: Innes Lloyd
Aired 2 April - 23 April 1966

Pull To Open: The Celestial Toymaker

Season 4
Episode 2

Hosts: Pete Pachal and Chris Taylor

Feedback loop and interlude music: Martin West/Thinking Fish

Outro music: Chronos by Alexander Nakarada