Episode One starts with an intriguing prologue on Kastria, setting up the nature of the Kastrians and of Eldrad's destruction, setting up the mystery surround Eldrad superbly. The filming in the quarry is also of a high standard, and it is good to see for once that a quarry appears as itself, rather than an alien landscape. The scenes with the possessed Sarah leaving the hospital and making her way to Nunton are well acted by Elisabeth Sladen, but the real highlight of the episode has to be the visual effects sequence of the hand repairing itself by absorbing radiation and coming to life - the use of static and movable versions of the hand have been tied in together seamlessly, with no feeling of a 'join' that can sometimes be picked up in these sorts of sequences.

Episode Two is set completely within Nunton complex, and both the film sequences and studio material build up a sense of scale and layout to the complex. The scene in which Professor Watson rings home to say goodbye to his wife and children adds an extra layer to a character who could have appeared very one note, but with Glyn Houston's performance it just builds up the impression of Watson as not only a concerned scientist, but also a man who loves his family. Eldrad's presence is felt throughout this episode as various character's fall under the influence, and most do not survive the experience, although thankfully Sarah does. Tom Baker is in his element in this episode as the Doctor takes charge of things, sweeping all along in his wake.

Episode Three sees a rather futile bombing run on Nunton, and all it does is provide Eldrad with enough energy to complete repairs to the physical form. Eldrad is female, and Judith Paris pulls off a superb performance, giving Eldrad a sense of arrogance and power. The costume and makeup work on the female form of Eldrad is also excellent, conveying the idea of silicon-based lifeform with a human influence very well. The relationship between the Doctor and Sarah is put at odds by Eldrad's arrival, giving a sense of build up to Sarah's departure at the end of the story. There's a chemistry in this dynamic that almost makes me wish that the TARDIS missed Kastria, allowing the Doctor, Eldrad and Sarah to travel together for a couple of stories before finally reaching the right destination. The second half of the episode sees the story return to the place it began, on Kastria, where trouble awaits Eldrad...

During Episode Four the sense of menace developed by the opening scene of Episode One returns as scenes of the automated security system reporting to King Rokon are slotted between sequences of the Doctor, Sarah and Eldrad making their way through the thermal caves. The design of the Kastrian complex complements the design of Kastrian costume and make up. Eldrad is apparently killed in the regeneration chamber, but emerges male, insane and played by Stephen Thorne turned up to eleven; his initial performance as Eldrad is rather restrained, until the revelations about Eldrad's true nature emerge. This is the turning point in the story: after three-and-a-half wonderful episodes, we now hit dull and boring, with an evil villain for the Doctor to defeat; the only exception to this being how the Kastrians defeated Eldrad's plans by facing oblivion and preventing the possible resurrection of their species. Thankfully 'evil' Eldrad is dispatched of rather quickly, which allows The Hand of Fear to reach its emotional conclusion, that being Sarah's departure. After all the time she's threatened to leave, the Doctor is forced to call her bluff as the Time Lords order his return home. Elisabeth Sladen and Tom Baker are superb in these last scenes, and their performance is just so right for the moment, the Doctor not know how to convey his sadness at Sarah's departure and Sarah so upset that her travels had to end this way. The final freeze-frame of Sarah turning and looking up to the sky is the icing on the cake for such a long running and well loved character.

Overall, Bob Baker and David Martin's script is well paced, the only sticking point coming mid-way through part three by the way Eldrad's true nature is revealed, and then his death. Lennie Mayne does a superb job on would sadly be his final Doctor Who story, framing sequences well. Dudley Simpson does his usual stirling work with the incidental music. Visual Effects do a superb job, especially with the hand. The Hand of Fear deserves to remembered as more than 'the one where Sarah leaves', perhaps if the conclusion of the story on Kastria could have been a bit more original and left field it would be more highly regarded by fandom.

8.4/10

Next time: The Doctor returns home, where old friends and enemies lie in wait...