This is an enjoyable season of Doctor Who but none of the stories really shine. The Ribos Operation has absolutely nothing going for it. A couple of crooks on an alien planet trying to fool the locals isn't very interesting. The same can be said for the Androids of Tara, a similarly medieval story.

The Pirate Planet has more to enjoy (mainly Douglas Adams' mind) but the guy playing the Captain hams it up far too much. OK it's supposed to be that bad but overall it doesn't give much in the way of menace.

The showdown with the Black Guardian is lame as well. They just have a bit of a barney on the Tardis monitor. They could have stuck a couple of existing baddies in there to balance it out. For example the Cybermen or the Sontarans could have had a key segment.

Still, it's worth every penny for Tom Baker doing that power-crazed bit at the end of the Armageddon Factor.

At last. the key to time season is finally relased on dvd in GB. It's been relased in The U.S.A for years now. Now i have seen it all the way through, it's been brilliant

This boxset is not bad and is better then some boxsets that have released on dvd it contains a lot of special
features and is a whole season of doctor who it also has a k9 story in it so overall it is a good boxset and is worth buying.

having watched this season of 'classic' who for the first time, i was astonished at how good the stories are for their age! yes the kroll monster is laughable & the prisoner of zenda spoof is silly but that's part of its' charm. the plus points are the introduction of RomanaI & the 'ahead of its time' season-long arc. its only flaws are is the contrived ending to the armageddon factor & RomanaI wasn't given an proper ending or regeneration scene. that said, well worth the money whether you're nu who or classic who fans!

Its expensive granted to buy the whole series in this manner, but for any serious Doctor Who fan it is got to be something that is worthwhile having. Tom Baker is in his element as the Doctor collecting together the scattered pieces of the key to time. The series sees the introduction of Romana as a companion and its bnd to be worth it for the audio commentaries from Tom Baker at any rate which are always interesting and entertaining.
If you are fan then well worth it.

At last a Region 2 release for this fantastic season, who could ask for more, Tom Baker's antics, Romana, K-9 and the Black Guardian. All the stories have their own special merits, The peach of the series has to be The Stones of Blood, which boast smashing performances from all, Beatrix Lehmann especially. Some say the story fell flat during the Armageddon Factor, but I disagree, its witty, clever and boasts some wonderful scenes between Tom and Mary in episode 6. The arrival of Lalla Ward is also welcomed.
Sit back and enjoy hours of Classic Dr Who!!!

These days an ongoing arc story is planned years in advance; series like LOST spend seasons setting up plots for a payoff that might never happen.

The Key To Time is not some cleverly choriographed masterpiece. It may have the same episode length as a series of 24 but that's about it. The arcing plot is stupendously week being virtually ignored in some stories while the final denouncement is a tacked on piece of Tom Baker whackyness.

That aside, it is 6 mostly exciting adventures - a mixed bag that goes from the insane genius of an early Douglas Adams to political wranglings top and tailing in Ribos and Armageddon. Only Androids of Tara fails to be worthwhile (assuming that you're willing to overlook Krolls limitations and enjoy it for the genius that it is).

Well firstly I have to say at last, this season is finally getting the release it deserves on Region 2 DVD. What on earth possessed the BBC to release this entire season on region 1 DVD years ago I do not know!

This release comprises of all six stories of the season titled the Key to Time Season in shich the Doctor, Romana and K9 Mk 2 have to search through space and time for the six segments that make up the key to time. This is a device which will help restore the balance of power in the universe.

The stories comprise of The Ribos Operation, The Pirate Planet, Stones of Blood, The Androids of Tara, The Power of Kroll and finally The Armageddon Factor. Each of these stories have a merit of their own this is down to the settings, location filming etc.

The BBC's restoration team have worked hard to restore each story to it's original splendour. Packed with Special Features on each disc this release is worth stretching your wallets for, but at the same time could also make a great Christmas Present for any Doctor Who fan, but honestly can you wait that long?? I can't!

Tom Baker must be the best of the original 7 doctors and this season of stories proves it. A first for Doctor Who with 6 stories all running on from one another to form a mega 26 episode saga, which includes the introduction on Romana. A must for any Doctor Who fan.

You don' t need long reviews of this the most 'cinematic' season Doctor Who, where for the most part the classic series looks as if more money was spent on it than at any other time in its history. Brilliant performances from a fine repetoire of actors in each of the serials. Buy it - its superb.