The Basics - Issue 117, October 1986. The front cover and inside back cover pin up are both publicity shots from The Mysterious Planet.

News And Views - The final story of the new season will see the return of Anthony Ainley as the Master, along with Tony Selby as Sabalom Glitz. The title music has been rearranged by freelancer Dominic Glynn.

Previews And Reviews - Off The Shelf reviews Black Orchid and The Ark, respectively "superb" and "splendid; a masterpiece and a lovely read". The second story of the 23rd season is previewed - "The show should appeal to a wide audience."

Notables - A major new series, Travelling Companions, begins with an introductory overview.

Other Regulars - The comic strip, Salad Daze, is complete in this issue.

Boxpops - BBC1 launches its daytime service on Monday 27th October - including the debut of Neighbours at 1.25pm (repeated the following morning at 10.05). Top of the pop charts in October 86 were the continuing Communards, True Blue by Madonna and Every Loser Wins by Nick Berry.

Skaro Says - Si Hart remarks that Salad Daze was a wonderful one-off story, with John Ridgway capturing Colin Baker's likeness perfectly. Andrew Curnow remarks that The Ark is a stunning book, making for a lovely adaptation. Black Orchid is good, too, if a little dry. Jonno likes the way that it appears that Colin Baker is holding up the logo on the front cover, feeling it is a nice touch. He didn't think it was necessary for them to give away the fact that the Master would be in the Trial, and wonders whether the first we knew about the new theme tune was when it was on screen, as news of it here was very late. Jonno and Craig Rollins hate the Season 23 theme, Si Hart didn't like it at first but it has grown on him, while Andrew Curnow and Logo Polish quite like the theme, with Logo preferring it to the Peter Howell version.