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The Lost Stories #1.6
Doctor Who: Point of Entry
The 16th Century. Playwright Kit Marlowe is attempting to write Doctor Faustus when a darkness descends on his life, in the cadaverous form of a Spaniard called Velez. The monstrosity is in search of a stone blade that was brought from South America...
After a near-disastrous collision with an asteroid in space, the TARDIS makes an emergency landing in Elizabethan England.
These two events are connected. The Omnim are ready. And the point of entry approaches...
After a near-disastrous collision with an asteroid in space, the TARDIS makes an emergency landing in Elizabethan England.
These two events are connected. The Omnim are ready. And the point of entry approaches...
2 pages, Audio CD
First published April 1, 2010
75 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Clegg
12 books2 followersBarbara Diana Clegg was a British actress and scriptwriter for television and radio.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
May 3, 2022
"I have so much darkness to show you..."
October 28, 2022
The last bit made me tear up
ube desinit philosofus, ibi incipit medicus
where the philosopher ends, there the doctor begins
ube desinit philosofus, ibi incipit medicus
where the philosopher ends, there the doctor begins
February 8, 2015
This was actually a very dark and compelling story. Probably my favorite out of The Lost Stories so far. It borders on fantasy and historical fiction concerning real-life playwright Kit Marlowe. I am not sure how I feel about The Doctor's comment on writers since it is sometimes accurate: "Writers are always moaning about something. It helps their creative process."
November 8, 2025
From a space-age resort to troubles in Elizabethan England, The Doctor and Peri’s lost adventures continue with the two-part story, Point of Entry. Penned by the renowned Classic Who writer Barbara Clegg, it features the eponymous TARDIS duo coming face to face with the demons plaguing famous playwright Kit Marlowe.
Set within a less-than-romantic part of Elizabethan England, Clegg’s rejected script for Season 22 finds The Doctor and Peri intruding on Kit Marlowe, who is having trouble writing his latest play, Dr Faustus. Battling demons of his very own, he’s ultimately fallen foul of a wicked Spanish sorcerer named Velez, whose intentions reek of alien interference.
Point of Entry is generally a well-put-together adventure. Dripping with gothic inspiration, it’s a story that creeps along slowly, regaling its listeners with plot threads involving magic, ghosts and necromancy. Velez and his sinister grip on Marlowe play a central and overwhelmingly positive role in keeping this ambience throughout. The cadaverous Spaniard, played by Luis Soto, is a terrifying creature to envisage. Made of rotting flesh and basically unkillable thanks to his alien overlords, he spends his time during the story acting like any proper horror baddie should, psychologically tormenting Kit and sacrificing innocents for his continued survival.
Alongside its antagonist and ambience, the mystery too grows in strength as its revelations come to light. During the final hour of the story, the clues and plot threads that characterise its early scenes come together nicely, rewarding the risky decision to start with slow pacing. These later scenes also give Peri some time to shine in the spotlight. Under the guidance of Kit Marlowe, her acting skills as Elizabeth I end up saving the day, giving The Doctor enough time to stop Velez and the Omnim’s dastardly schemes.
Despite the story’s praiseworthy antagonists and mystery resolution, there are still small problems that remain at its heart. As a result of the story’s pacing favouring second-half revelations, part one ends up with the short end of the straw. Unfortunately, some moments feel like more of a drag than they should. The Doctor’s side quest to the Tower of London during this part, for example, takes until the end of the episode to convince someone of Velez’s wrongdoing. Additionally, there are some shortcomings in the explanations surrounding the alien Aztec hilt. Its powers to affect people’s minds aren’t consistent (affecting some more than others), and there’s no reason given during the adventure.
Despite its slow start, there’s a lot to love about Clegg’s gothic 6th Doctor story. Managing successfully to resolve its slow-burning mystery, the story also creates a chilling ambience throughout, as well as a terrifying original antagonist.
Set within a less-than-romantic part of Elizabethan England, Clegg’s rejected script for Season 22 finds The Doctor and Peri intruding on Kit Marlowe, who is having trouble writing his latest play, Dr Faustus. Battling demons of his very own, he’s ultimately fallen foul of a wicked Spanish sorcerer named Velez, whose intentions reek of alien interference.
Point of Entry is generally a well-put-together adventure. Dripping with gothic inspiration, it’s a story that creeps along slowly, regaling its listeners with plot threads involving magic, ghosts and necromancy. Velez and his sinister grip on Marlowe play a central and overwhelmingly positive role in keeping this ambience throughout. The cadaverous Spaniard, played by Luis Soto, is a terrifying creature to envisage. Made of rotting flesh and basically unkillable thanks to his alien overlords, he spends his time during the story acting like any proper horror baddie should, psychologically tormenting Kit and sacrificing innocents for his continued survival.
Alongside its antagonist and ambience, the mystery too grows in strength as its revelations come to light. During the final hour of the story, the clues and plot threads that characterise its early scenes come together nicely, rewarding the risky decision to start with slow pacing. These later scenes also give Peri some time to shine in the spotlight. Under the guidance of Kit Marlowe, her acting skills as Elizabeth I end up saving the day, giving The Doctor enough time to stop Velez and the Omnim’s dastardly schemes.
Despite the story’s praiseworthy antagonists and mystery resolution, there are still small problems that remain at its heart. As a result of the story’s pacing favouring second-half revelations, part one ends up with the short end of the straw. Unfortunately, some moments feel like more of a drag than they should. The Doctor’s side quest to the Tower of London during this part, for example, takes until the end of the episode to convince someone of Velez’s wrongdoing. Additionally, there are some shortcomings in the explanations surrounding the alien Aztec hilt. Its powers to affect people’s minds aren’t consistent (affecting some more than others), and there’s no reason given during the adventure.
Despite its slow start, there’s a lot to love about Clegg’s gothic 6th Doctor story. Managing successfully to resolve its slow-burning mystery, the story also creates a chilling ambience throughout, as well as a terrifying original antagonist.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 1, 2024
This was an interesting short Doctor Who story. Historical Doctor Who stories are always a mixed bag as far as the story is concerned. Point of Entry was enjoyable enough, but it was mostly just okay.
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August 29, 2025I didn’t like the negative portrayal of Kit Marlowe but that’s just me. The Doctor and Peri work well together here, there’s a nice slice of history, and I think fans of the Sixth Doctor will enjoy this.
July 4, 2017
This one is great! Kit Marlow! Peri pretending to be the Queen! Mystery and magic and all that good stuff. Really enjoyed this one.
May 26, 2018
Creepier than some of the others that I've heard, but still really enjoyable.
October 6, 2019
This was an okay story. It certainly wasn't anything to write home about.
August 20, 2020
The doctor tries to stop kit marlowe from making a bargain with the devil which will end the world.
October 25, 2020
Get this book Whovians. Colin Baker is an awesome narrator.
July 18, 2024
*3.5 stars
loved the atmosphere of this story !!
loved the atmosphere of this story !!
May 17, 2010
Another story that somehow manages to be less than the sum of its parts. I ought to have loved this story, featuring as it does Elizabethan London, Christopher Marlowe, and some seriously creepy alien technology masquerading as Aztec magic. Not to mention that Peri gets to take some initiative, and gets to impersonate Queen Elizabeth to comic effect.
And yet, the creepy bits weren't quite creepy enough, the funny bits weren't quite funny enough, and Marlowe's portrayal ended up on the wrong side of the fine line between obsessed and tormented genius and self-indulgent whiner. That last issue might be the key here - I think the story is most effective when we can see Marlowe as a parallel to his own Faustus - driven by the desire for knowledge to bargain with demonic powers. But the problem is, we're in a Doctor Who story, which means that the Doctor is right on hand to explain to Marlowe why he's making a big mistake. Perhaps there is some combination of script and performance that would maintain our sympathy with Marlowe even while he defies the Doctor, but the play as recorded doesn't quite manage it.
And yet, the creepy bits weren't quite creepy enough, the funny bits weren't quite funny enough, and Marlowe's portrayal ended up on the wrong side of the fine line between obsessed and tormented genius and self-indulgent whiner. That last issue might be the key here - I think the story is most effective when we can see Marlowe as a parallel to his own Faustus - driven by the desire for knowledge to bargain with demonic powers. But the problem is, we're in a Doctor Who story, which means that the Doctor is right on hand to explain to Marlowe why he's making a big mistake. Perhaps there is some combination of script and performance that would maintain our sympathy with Marlowe even while he defies the Doctor, but the play as recorded doesn't quite manage it.
August 1, 2015
I’m an absolute sucker for the ‘pseudo-historical’ stories where aliens are up to dastardly tricks in Earth history. This release therefore made me very happy indeed, it’s almost modern in the appearance of an historical celebrity (Kit Marlowe). As with most Doctor Who stories this depends on the quality of antagonist for its success and on that score it’s very good indeed, a terrifically sinister villain who plays with local superstition and mystical imagery. Clegg and Platt can’t resist playing on Faust analogies either, which are more adeptly executed than they were in Timelash (which was contemporary to the original pitch). It’s the first of these Lost Stories that I feel genuinely disappointed was never made, Colin Baker’s era was filled with SF settings and this adds a layer of regret that something like this couldn’t have been there to add a touch more variety.
November 3, 2015
Once again, a Doctor Who story with a more fantasy bent...where, of course, the fantasy is just sufficiently advanced science. The Doctor and Peri crash land in old England and meet the playwright Kit Marlowe, currently writing his masterpiece, "Faust." It appears his inspiration for a story of a man who sells his soul to the Devil has some major inspiration: Kit himself! The Doctor and Peri must face down sinister cult members to save the life of the writer before he is killed and leaves his great work unfinished!
And, you know. Save the Earth, too.
And, you know. Save the Earth, too.
June 1, 2014
The Doctor and Peri land in Tudor London where Kit Marlowe is making a deal with something evil. This is part of the Lost stories season, scripts from the 80s. It is an incredibly dark story line with demons and someone decaying throughout the plot. There's also some fun moments with Peri getting into her part with a funny accent that does lighten the mood. A good listen.
September 15, 2015
Mediocre story. Bits of mysticism but ultimately pointless.
February 13, 2015
I love the Dr Who stories which venture into history. Interesting take on the 'inspiration' for Kit Marlowe's 'Fautus' which some nicely creepy moments, and a plot twist I didn't see coming.
May 4, 2021
DNF :(
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews