Jonathan Doors has found a way to prolong his life: a computer simulation of him is running in the Doors International building, planning to carry out a mission that will bring the Taelons to their knees.

Ah, now this is a bit more like it. Although Jonathan Doors has never been much of a character, his return is actually oddly welcome, especially as he’s back to his season one self, determined to make the Taelons pay for what they’ve done to humanity and get them to admit what they’ve done. The weak link is, as usual, Joshua Doors. As the person who can help the being christened ‘Cyberdad’ by Liam facilitate his plan, he’s still, as usual, not much of a rounded character. His final sacrifice to his father’s memory is a suitably dramatic way to round things off, but I’m not really going to miss him.

Once again it’s the Taelon machinations that are important here, although this time they’re directly related to the main plot. Zo’or’s vicious act at the start of the episode to teach Sandoval a lesson is shockingly powerful and something that should have been done long ago rather than threats being banded about. But this isn’t the half of it. His murder of T’Than is even more surprising, not just that he’s so blatant after last season’s pussyfooting around, but that a recurring character is so suddenly dealt with. It’s a shame in some ways, but it needed to be someone recognizable to make it stronger.

The massive problem for Taelonkind will hopefully provide some urgency in the series, as Zo’or steps up his plans to ensure the continuation of his species, even if he’s willing to wipe out other Taelons to do it. Da’an’s crisis of conscience is also surprisingly resolved, with consequences for everyone to come later. Zo’or’s reaction to the loss of the Taelons’ salvation is also nicely done.

There are still a couple of problems. Although CyberDoors manages to be quite imposing and threatening, he’s pretty easily dealt with, not to mention oddly human-like for a computer. Liam and Renee don’t figure immensely prominently in proceedings again, either, although Renee’s confrontation with Jonathan is well written. The only real problem I have with the whole thing is that Doors’ plan is superb. Rob the Taelons of something they need to survive and get them to admit what they’ve done to humanity. Why is Liam so quick to end Jonathan’s threat? This is exactly what he’s wanted for the last couple of years. Maybe this isn’t the way to make known what the aliens have been doing, but at least humanity might be more susceptible to the resistance. Some vital plot threads that deserve to be picked up in this one.

****

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