paul cornell, martin day, and keith topping gave the serial a mixed review in "the discontinuity guide" (1995), writing, "well meaning, and much more interesting before the master arrives, at which point it turns from a hulke political parable into a typical runaround. rather like watching socially-aware paint dry." in "the television companion" (1998), david j. howe and stephen james walker reprinted some positive reviews from fanzines, but commented that "although the story is indeed refreshing in its setting and contains some interesting ideas and well-drawn characters, it is distinctly short on visual interest and dramatic incident and consequently comes across as being rather dull and lifeless". they felt that the uxarieus civilisation was flawed and the most exciting moment was the reveal of the master, though that had already been telegraphed at the beginning of the first episode.