As an American who is unfamiliar with cricket, I found all the cricket stuff completely fascinating. I have absolutely no idea what the rules of the game are or how score is kept, but it all seemed like great fun. The atmosphere of the episode was in itself enough to hold my interest.
The fact that this is a small-scale story with no discernible galactic repercussions is pretty unique in the history of Who. In fact, I cannot think of another story in which it would matter so little if the Doctor and companion(s) never showed up. Perhaps someone else can think of one?
Don’t mistake me, I don’t mean that as a criticism. The story was a most enjoyable romp and a great opportunity for Nyssa, one of my favorite companions, to shine. Any excuse for the BBC to do period drama is fine by me, since they were, and are, so very good at it.
Is it only the 5th Doctor who seems so eager to prove he is who he says he is by offering to give guided tours of the TARDIS? I don’t recall any the earlier incarnations of the Doctor doing that with a stranger. I have always found it to be a little strange when that happens several times in the Davison era.
