FEATURE BY ALAN BARNES
The Toymaker (Michael Gough) deals the cards in The Hall of Dolls, the second episode of The Celestial Toymaker (1966).
Consider the Doctor’s oldest enemies. Not ‘most enduring enemies’ or ‘enemies of longest standing’. Oldest as in ‘most ancient’ – enemies whose uncertain origins might predate even those of the Time Lords. The Celestial Toymaker, perhaps, or the Great Intelligence, or the Black Guardian, or the Gods of Ragnarok, or Fenric… among others. The Doctor’s ancient enemies. And they all play games.