Doctor Who: The Crowmarsh Experiment

Leela wakes in a research institute in 1978 to be told that she's a scientist who agreed to be a test subject for a technique for giving people false memories. And now, of course, they want her to accept ‘reality' and return to her former life.

This, or something much like it, is a fairly common trope in serialised SF, so one can't credit Llewellyn with having come up with something totally fresh and unique. But I have to confess that it's a trope that I like, if it's not overused. There's also the strength here that this inevitably becomes a Leela story, with the Doctor playing a minor (if admittedly crucial) role. Some might find that a weakness and, indeed, this might have worked as a Companion Chronicle, rather than a 4th Doctor Adventure but I, for one, don't find it a problem.

On the other hand, given that it is a common plot device, this story doesn't ring any changes on the basic idea, beyond the fact that this is Leela we're talking about. It's hard to think of any companion more removed from ‘1970s scientist' than she is, so there's a real clash of cultures that we wouldn't get if it were, say, Liz Shaw. Yet Llewellyn does find some ways to suck her into the fake narrative she's being spun and, at least for the first half, there is at least some question as to what it is that's actually happening.

There is also clever use of the supporting cast and, for that matter, of Tom Baker, who is playing two roles here. It does make references to an earlier story that I haven't listened to, and might have more impact for those who have, but it's clear enough what's going on even without the detail. Yes, the “Cuckoo Nest” trope (according to tvtropes) has been done before, and even on Doctor Who, but this is a good and enjoyable example of the type, especially if you're a Leela fan.