Dr. Who (The Early Years) - Part 58 "The Five Doctors"

The Doctor, Tegan and Turlough are visiting the Eye of Orion, a tranquil place. As they are enjoying their down time, the Doctor begins to feel cosmic angst. He explains he's being diminished, whittled away, piece by piece. Urgently he rushes to set the co-ordinates of the Tardis, trying to be reunited with his other selves. As he sets the Tardis in motion, he passes out on the floor and begins to disappear. Tegan and Turlough are uncertain how to help the Doctor or what he's babbling about, so resort to arguing amongst themselves.

Meanwhile on Gallifrey, a sinister Timelord is using ancient and forbidden equipment to collect previous versions of the Doctor, his companions and a few of his enemies and depositing them in Gallifrey's 'Death Zone'; a place where in ancient days, the Timelords would kidnap aliens from all over the universe and have them fight against each other. Using the 'Time Scoop', he collects the first Doctor walking alone in a garden, his grand-daughter Susan, The Second Doctor as he's visiting the Brigadier at his retirement from Unit, the Third Doctor as he's driving Bessie and Sarah Jane Smith on her way to work. He tries to collect the Fourth Doctor and Romana but the equipment suddenly fails.

As the first Doctor is wandering in a corridor the Time Scoop placed him, he runs into his grand-daughter. Their reunion is short lived as they meet a Dalek which begins chasing them. The Doctor tricks the Dalek into shooting itself. The Dalek explodes, taking portions of the wall with it. Just outside, the Doctor and Susan see the Tomb of Rassilon and realize they are on Gallifrey. They make their way for the 'Dark Tower' when Susan spots the Tardis.

The Second Doctor and the Brigadier are walking along trying to figure out where they are when they have a brief encounter with a Cybermen. Suddenly the Doctor realizes they could be playing the game of Rassilon when he spots the Dark Tower. He explains to the Brigadier how at one point in Gallifrey's history, they used to kidnap others and bring them to fight in the games till other Timelords rebelled and forbade the use of the equipment. The Brigadier can tell by his tone, they are not expected to win.

Realizing what's going on, the High Council of Gallifrey (minus two who went into the Death Zone to investigate, neither returned) look for the Doctor to help figure out who's using the ancient equipment. When they can't find the Doctor they employ the Master to rescue the Doctor and help figure out who's using the equipment. President Borusa objects but is over ruled by the High Council. The Master also is reluctant, but agrees; finding humor in being sent to 'rescue' the Doctor. He is given a recall device which will return him back to the High Council chamber. He's also given the 'Seal of Rassilon' to help prove to the Doctor his good intentions.

The Third Doctor is driving Bessie when he hears a scream. Sarah, wandering around blindly in the fog has fallen down a hill. Using Bessie and a rope, he rescues her, but she's surprised because from her perspective, the Doctor has already regenerated. As they drive away he tells her about the Death Zone when they run into the Master. Being his greatest enemy, the Doctor refuses to believe the Master is there to help. The seal of Rassilon does little to impress the Doctor. He assumes it's either forged or stolen and takes it away from the Master. Suddenly a strange energy bolt is fired and the Doctor speeds away, abandoning the Master, assuming its a trap. What the Doctor doesn't realize is the Master is being fired upon also. Suddenly, Bessie is hit and the Doctor and Sarah must start walking towards the Tomb of Rassilon.

Upon entering the Tardis, the First Doctor and Susan are surprised to find three young people in his Tardis. Tegan explains it's the Fifth Doctors Tardis. Suddenly he regains consciousness and life is restored to him. Susan is pleased to meet another, younger version of her grand-father, but Tegan realizes the two Doctors should not be together at the same time. The Tardis has been locked by a tractor beam so they set the co-ordinates for the Dark Tower. The Fifth Doctor, Tegan and Susan head for the Dark Tower to determine what is going on, who might be behind it and to free the Tardis.

As the Fifth Doctor, Susan and Tegan are walking, the meet up with the Master. The Doctor advises Susan and Tegan to back away as he talks. The Master tries to convince the Doctor of his good intentions and explains he is armed and could easily kill him if he wanted to, but the Doctor knows that isn't the Masters style at all. Suddenly a troop of Cybermen show up. Susan and Tegan head for the Tardis while the Master and the Doctor run in the opposite direction, followed by the Cybermen. When the Master is grazed and the Cybermen catch up to the Doctor he finds the Masters recall device and activates it. From a safe distance, Tegan and Susan watch the Cybermen catch up to the Doctor, but see him suddenly disappear. They run back to the Tardis to inform the First Doctor, but Susan trips and sprains her ankle on the way.

Back on Gallifrey, the High Council are surprised to see the Doctor arrive. When they explain what has been going on, he realizes the Master was telling the truth. The Doctor finds the High Council are just as clueless as he is. However, suddenly the black scrolls of Rassilon are found in the Castellans room. He claims to have never seen them before and is adamant he is not the one running the Time Scoop. But when he's taken away for questioning, the Doctor hears laser fire and finds the Castellan dead. The guard explains he was armed and trying to escape.

The Third Doctor and Sarah are close to the Tomb of Rassilon when they run into a Raston Warrior Robot, the most perfect killing machine ever created. Sensors detect movement, any movement. They move like lightening and their armory is built in. The Raston begins to toy with them when it suddenly spots a more delicious target, a group of Cybermen. While the Raston Warrior decimates the troop, Sarah and the Doctor escape, stealing the robots extra weapons and rope.

After escaping the Raston Warrior and the Cybermen, the Third Doctor and Sarah have climbed to the top of a rock face opposite the Tomb of Rassilon. The Doctor uses the rope acquired from the Raston to lasso a pillar at the top of the Tomb. Using it, he and Sarah "Zip-Line" across seconds before a lone Cybermen catches up to them, but dies before firing a shot. Safely across, the two enter the Tomb and search for the main hall.

Back at the Tardis, Susan informs her grand-father what has transpired. Realizing it's now up to him, he heads for the Dark Tower. Tegan offers to accompany him while Turlough bravely opts to remain in the Tardis with the now injured Susan. As the Doctor and Tegan enter the Tower, they realize they have been followed by the Master. After the Fifth Doctor left him, he formed an 'alliance' with the Cybermen, though he still warns the Doctor to hide before they Cybermen arrive. As the Cybermen enter, the Master instructs them to march in and take control of the Tower. What the Cybermen don't know is the floor is booby-trapped and the Master succeeds in destroying the entire cyber troop. The Master flees, telling the Doctor they too can cross the board safely, "It's as easy as pi". Deducing what the Master meant, the Doctor uses a mathematical formula to safely cross the floor, Tegan follows.

As they arrive upon a cave, the Second Doctor begins reciting a nursery rhyme. He explains to the Brigadier the Gallifreyan nursery rhyme talks of three entrances into the Tomb of Rassilon. One above, one between, one below. The cave is the entrance to the 'below', but their troubles are far from over as they realize they are being followed. Finding a safe enclosure, they discover they are being tracked by a Yeti, left over from the former games. When the angered Yeti starts a rock slide, they believe they are trapped. But the Doctor discovers the cavern goes back further and they find a door leading into the Dark Tower.

Still in the Capitol, the Fifth Doctor does a bit more investigation work and realizes the Castellan was framed. Searching about, he discovers a hidden room containing the forbidden Death Zone equipment. The biggest shock however, is Borusa, the Lord President of Gallifrey is operating the equipment. His ambition is to remain the President of Gallifrey eternal. The Doctor vows to stop him, but Borusa has on the Coronet of Rassilon which emphasizes his will. He uses it to make the Doctor bow down and follow him.

According to legend, Rassilon can offer eternal life to whoever seeks it. This is the reason Borusa sent the Doctor into the zone, to eliminate all threats and prepare the way for him to arrive. When he does, the other Doctors concentrate and break Borusa's hold of the Fifth Doctor. But Borusa does not feel threatened, he plans to tell the High Council the Doctor is the traitor. Considering the Doctor is the notorious renegade, he assumes the Doctor will not be trusted.

His hold of the Doctor released, Borusa is still able to command all the companions to remain still, unmoving. Earlier the companions banded together to dispose of the Master who is now bound on the floor, so he's not a threat either. Things are certainly in Borusa's favor when suddenly the voice of Rassilon is heard. A holographic image of his head appears over his preserved body and offers immortality to whoever takes, and puts on the ring from his dead body. Gleefully, Borusa puts on the ring, only to realize too late his immortality comes at a price. He's turned into a living stone bust, adorning Rassilon's sarcophagus.

The First Doctor begins to laugh when he suddenly realizes what the old Gallifreyan quote, "To lose is to win, and he who wins shall lose" means. As losers, the Doctor has won, and as the winner of immortality, Borusa is actually the loser. As a result of temporal fission, the first three Doctors depart, accompanied by the Brigadier, Susan and Sarah Jane Smith. Rassilon also frees the Maser and the Fourth Doctor. He then congratulates the Doctor on choosing wisely. Rassilon fades away just as Chancellor Flavia (the last remaining High Council member) arrives with a few guards. The Doctor informs her of Borusa's failure. Proud of his accomplishments, the Chancellor informs the Doctor he is to become the next President of Gallifrey. The Doctor reluctantly agrees and quickly ushers Tegan and Turlough into the Tardis.

As he rushes into the Tardis, the Doctor informs the guards to escort her back to the Capitol as he follows in his Tardis. Inside, Tegan and Turlough are distraught. Tegan doesn't want to go and Turlough hopes his Timelord buddies can find a Tardis that works properly and get him home. Surprised, the Doctor tells them he has no plans to return to Gallifrey. Instead he plans to go on the run from his own people, in a rackety ol' Tardis; The way it all began.

Dr. Who (The Early Years) - Part 51 "The Fourth Doctor In Review"

Notes: If anything, Tom Baker is certainly recognized as 'THE' Doctor when most people talk about the older Doctor Who episodes. As to whether he's the 'BEST' Doctor is widely debated. Technically, he was still UNIT's scientific adviser but he was being used less and less in this capacity. After the story 'Robot', The Doctor went on to adventure other places besides Earth, meaning UNIT stories became less and less frequent. Also, the Tardis began to 'fill up'. The first Doctor had three people in his Tardis but eventually that was scaled back to two by the time Patrick Troughton took over. When Jon Pertwee was the Doctor, he was down to just one dedicated companion. Tom Baker also had a dedicated companion in Sarah but Harry Sullivan did travel with them for a short time. Once Sarah Jane left, the Doctor had one adventure all by himself on Gallifrey. After that Leela began to accompany him. Shorty after K-9 joined the Doctor and the days of the single companion were essentially gone for the time being. Even still, using K-9 was an easy fix when the story required only one companion because K-9 would either break down, or the planet would be inhospitable for him. Leela left and was replaced by Romana during a season long story arc, something the newer episodes are now doing. When the first Romana actress left the series, she 'regenerated' into Lalla Ward and tensions on the set were extreme. There was something between Tom and Lalla, but it wasn't good. There was a lot of friction between the two actors who seemingly despised each other. There are even a few episodes of Doctor Who where you can see the tension even on screen. Usually neither looked the other in the eye. So it was a surprise to everyone when Tom suddenly announced they had gotten married over the weekend. The marriage really didn't last long and when Lalla was once asked at a convention what her favorite Doctor Who monster is, she replied "Tom Baker". Just before Romana left the series, Adric was introduced. This marked the beginning of the 'crowded house' feel of the Tardis. Adric did have one adventure with the Doctor as a sole companion, but it was the adventure they met Nyssa. Though not joining the Tardis this episode, she did the very next episode along with Tegan. Just in time for another regeneration, and a new era of Doctor Who.
Name: The Doctor 1974-1981
Actor: Tom Baker
January 20, 1934 -
Occupation: Timelord
First Seen: Earth, 1974
First Episode: Robot (Season 12)
Last Seen: Earth, 1981
Last Episode: Logopolis (Season 18)
Special Appearance: The Five Doctors (1983), Dimensions In Time (1993)


Notes: The Doctor still has lose affiliations with UNIT after his regeneration, though he's not as dedicated to the cause as when he was marooned on Earth. The Brigadier has the ability to contact the Doctor when his help is needed and generally the Doctor comes to the aid. The Doctor can at times infuriate the Brigadier, but Lethbridge-Stewart knows the Doctor is almost always right, which conflicts with his own ego. All things aside, the two generally become very good friends though the Brigadier refuses to travel in the Tardis with the Doctor for loyalty with UNIT. If he had his way, he'd like to run into at least one alien threat that wasn't immune to bullets. In the original series, the Brigadier met 6 incarnations of the Doctor and considers them wonderful chaps, all of them.
Name: Brigadier Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart
Actor: Nicholas Courtney
12/16/29 - 02/22/11
Occupation: Brigadier of UNIT.
First Seen: Earth, 1974
First Episode: Robot (Season 12)
Last Seen: Earth, 1975
Last Episode: Terror of the Zygons (Season 13)
Special Appearance: Mawdryn Undead (1983), The Five Doctors (1983),


Notes: Working as a medic for UNIT, Harry was looking over the Doctor when he regenerated for the third time. He quite probably thought the Doctor was insane and when he was invited into the Tardis, he did so to prove it didn't actually work. Harry stayed with the Doctor till another adventure brought them back to Earth. He then opted to catch a ride back to UNIT headquarters instead of travel with the Doctor. Though he enjoyed the time with the Doctor, Harry always seemed eager to head home. Always chivalrous, he drove Sarah Jane crazy with his view on the women's role and annoyed her by constantly calling her 'old girl'. He reunites with Sarah and the Doctor when another adventure brought them back to Earth, though he's not invited back onto the Tardis. Quite probably because he would have declined the offer.
Name: Harry Sullivan
Actor: Ian Marter
10/28/1944 - 10/28/1986
Occupation: Medic
First Seen: Earth, 1974
First Episode: Robot (Season 12)
Last Seen: Earth, 1975
Last Episode: Android Invasion (Season 13)


Notes: Much as Tom Baker is the most recognized Doctor, Elisabeth Sladen as Sarah Jane Smith is widely recognized as THE companion of the Doctor. It's true she started out with Jon Pertwee as a feminist, but her tough exterior gradually faded. No, it didn't disappear all together. It seems her travels with the Doctor mellowed her out. It certainly broadened her mind and taught her to look beyond just the surface of things. Being a journalist, this was a handy skill to develop. Sarah traveled with the Doctor for quite a long time and would likely have traveled even longer with him if he hadn't dropped her off at home when he learned there was trouble on Gallifrey. Lke the Brigadier, she's met several different regenerations of the Doctor. She met the first five while on Gallifrey's Death Zone and would later go on to meet the tenth and eleventh Doctors. In fact, the Doctor became so fond of Sarah he gave her a K-9 unit as a present. She used K-9 till he became inoperable and had to place him in storage. Exactly when she meets the latest Doctors will be discussed in the future.
Name: Sarah Jane Smith
Actor: Elisabeth Sladen
February 01, 1948 - April 19, 2011
Occupation: Journalist
First Seen: Earth, 1974
First Episode: Robot (Season 12)
Last Seen: Earth, 1976
Last Episode: Hand of Fear (Season 14)
Special Appearance: K9 & Company (1981), The Five Doctors (1983), School Reunion (2006), The Stolen Earth (2008), Journey's End (2008), End of Time (2009) Sarah Jane Adventures (2008-2011)


Notes: A descendant of a crashed spaceship on an unnamed planet, Leela's people were essentially savages. At some point in the planets past, the Doctor visited the crashed ship and tried to repair it though he forgot to whip his personality out of the computer when done. As a result, the computer used his likeness which created an alter ego, driving the computer insane. After the Doctor set things straight Leela decided to accompany him, though the Doctor had to forbid the use of deadly force, through the poisonous Janis thorns she used. As a savage, she believed the Tardis was magic, though the Doctor did his best to try and explain it scientifically. As an outcast when he first met her, Leela had no where to go when he returned to Gallifry. This time he took Leela with him, despite having to leave Sarah behind on Earth the last time he visited. Or maybe the Doctor realized Leela would fit in better. And fit in she did. So much in fact, when the Doctor was departing, she opted to stay behind, having fallen in love with a Gallifreyan. K-9 stayed with Leela.
Name: Leela
Actor: Louise Jameson
April 20, 1951 -
Occupation: Savage
First Seen: Unnamed planet in the future.
First Episode: Face of Evil (Season 14)
Last Seen: Gallifrey
Last Episode: Invasion of Time (Season 15)
Special Appearance: Dimensions In Time (1993)


Notes: Originally owned by Professor Marius, K-9 was given to the Doctor when the Professor realized he was going to be heading back to Earth and K-9 would not be able to travel with him. K-9's time with the Doctor was tricky because landing on a planet with rough or rocky terrain meant K-9 had to sit out on the adventure. This was something Tom Baker grew to appreciate because he'd have to bend down to K-9's level to have a conversation with it. When Leela left the series K-9 was scripted to depart as well, but by then K-9 was every child's favorite companion and in a last minute scene, the Doctor brings in a new K-9. This second version of K-9 traveled with the Doctor and Romana during the Key of Time quest, though there were still a few times he was unable to join them because of swamps or other terrain hazards. Another device which took K-9 out of the picture was damage. Several episodes had K-9 out of commission in part or all because he was not functioning properly. When Romana opted to stay behind in E-Space, K-9 stayed with her and reminded her he had full schematics of the Tardis saved in his memory if they desired to build their own.
Name: K-9
Actor: John Leeson / David Brierly
March 1943 - / 1935 - June 10th 2008
Occupation: Faithful Computer Pet
First Seen: Bi-Al Foundation, Asteroid K4067; 5080
First Episode: Invisible Enemy (Season 15)
Last Seen: E-Space
Last Episode: Warriors Gate (Season 18)
Special Appearance: K9 & Company (1981), The Five Doctors (1983), Dimensions In Time (1993), School Reunion (2006), Journey's End (2008), Sarah Jane Adventures (2008-2010), K9 Series (2009-2010)


Notes: Romana's full name is Romanadvoratrelundar but shorted to just Romana when the Doctor realized it was too much to say, especially if he needed to get her attention quickly. She was sent to help the Doctor in his quest to find the Key of Time. A device which would enable the White Guardian to restore the balance in the universe. Tensions between the Doctor and Romana were at first high. The Doctor finally had someone on board truly his equal, and Romana wanted to simply get the task completed, instead of getting involved in local affairs as the Doctor was prone to do. Ultimately, the two became very fond of each other and instead of returning back to Gallifrey when the task was complete, she decided to regenerate and continue traveling with the Doctor.
Name: Romanadvoratrelundar I
Actor: Mary Tamm
March 22, 1950 -
Occupation: Timelady
First Seen: The Tardis, Gallifrey Native
First Episode: Ribos Operation (Season 16)
Last Seen: The Tardis
Last Episode: The Armageddon Factor (Season 16)
Special Appearance: None


Notes: When Patrick Troughton's Doctor was forced to regenerate, the Timelords gave him several options of what he could look like. He ultimately decided to take his chances randomly. So it's not so odd to find out when Romana decided to regenerate she chose what she wanted to look like. Though the Doctor was against the idea, she wanted her next regeneration to look like Princess Astra, someone the pair met on the previous adventure. Unlike the other Romana who seemed very sure of herself, this Romana turned out to be a screamer. Of course, its possible she gave that impression to make it look like she wasn't as much of a threat as she was. This was a characteristic the second Doctor had. This Romana also seemed to be more caring and empathetic towards others plights. She completely understood the Doctors reasoning's for getting involved and was upset when Gallifrey recalled her. Instead of going back to Gallifrey, she stayed in E-Space with K-9 to help free the Tharils from the various worlds they were imprisoned on.
Name: Romanadvoratrelundar II
Actor: Lalla Ward
June 28th, 1951
Occupation: Time Lady
First Seen: The Tardis
First Episode: Destiny of the Daleks (Season 17)
Last Seen: E-Space
Last Episode: Warriors Gate (18)
Special Appearance: Dimensions In Time (1993)


Notes: The Doctor met Adric when he was first trapped in E-Space. As a promising elite on the crashed starliner he was from, Adric became bored with his life and tried to join his brother who was rebelling against the society. But the time of mists brought some dark days for Alzarius when the Marshmen began attacking the starliner. Adric's brother died in a Marshmen attack so after the Doctor helped resolve the situation he stowed away in the Tardis. The Doctor was hesitant in letting Adric remain, but relented and asked Adric if he'd miss E-Space because the Doctor was heading back to his normal universe. Adric said there was nothing for him anymore and was excited to travel with the Doctor. Adric was at the Doctors side when he regenerated.
Name: Adric
Actor: Matthew Waterhouse
December 19th, 1961
Occupation: Civilian
First Seen: Alzarius (E-Space)
First Episode: Full Circle (Season 18)
Last Seen: Still traveling with the Doctor
Last Episode: Logopolis (Season 18)
Special Appearance: None


Notes: When her father married, Nyssa was assigned to take care of the evil Melkur instead of her step-mother. Though she didn't realize it, her step-mother was already being influenced by the Melkur who turned out to be the Master's Tardis. The Doctor left Traken with Adric after defeating the Master while Nyssa stayed behind. But the Doctor was unaware of the Masters true intent and was not around to stop the Master from taking over the body of Tremas, Nyssa's father. Unable to find her father, Nyssa tried to contact the Doctor but it was the Watcher who picked her up and brought her to Logopolis to be reunited with the Doctor and Adric. When the Doctor fell to his death, Nyssa was at his side.
Name: Nyssa
Actor: Sarah Sutton
December 12, 1961 -
Occupation: Civilian
First Seen: Traken
First Episode: Keeper of Traken (Season 18)
Last Seen: Still traveling with the Doctor
Last Episode: Logopolis
Special Appearance: Dimensions In Time (1993)


Notes: On her way to her first flight as an airline stewardess, Tegan's car broke down close to one of the last Police Box's. However, the Doctor materialized around it to take measurements and in so doing sprung a trap set by the Master. So Tegan stumbled into the Tardis, when the doors suddenly closed behind her. The Master, while waiting to bait the Doctor even further, murdered Tegan's aunt by compressing her atoms, shrinking her. When the Doctor took off for Logoplis, Tegan was still on-board the Tardis, lost and unaware of her Aunt's death. The Doctor was successful in stopping the Master's evil plan, but feel to his death. Tegan, along with Nyssa and Adric were by his side when the Watcher helped the Doctor to regenerate.
Name: Tegan Jovanka
Actor: Janet Fielding
January 1st, 1957
Occupation: Stewardess
First Seen: Earth, 1981
First Episode: Logopolis (Season 18)
Last Seen: Still traveling with the Doctor.
Last Episode: Logopolis (Season 18)
Special Appearance: A Fix With Sontarans (1985)

Dr. Who (The Early Years) - Part 48 "Warriors Gate"

The Tardis crew are still searching for a way out of E-Space. Adric assures them he won't mind leaving his universe. Suddenly the Tardis doors open and a lion looking creature called a Tharil enters the Tardis and directs it to a place with 0 co-ordinates. It's a gateway past and future, but more importantly a gateway between N-Space and E-Space. K-9 is damaged by the "Time Winds" so when the creature named Biroc leaves, the Doctor follows him.

Another ship trapped in the white void of the Gateway is searching desperately to get back home. They have enslaved the Tharils as navigators for their ships as they are the only ones who can properly 'see' through the time winds. In addition to being unaffected by the Time Winds, the Tharils are time sensitive. Detecting the Tardis, the crew of the ship investigates the Tardis. Romana unsure of their intentions, instructs Adric to stay on the Tardis with K-9 unless she gives an all clear signal, however she's taken captive.

Once Adric sees Romana leave, he sets off on his own with K-9, who's still not functioning properly; memory circuits are damaged and he operates backwards. Romana is back on the ship and when it's discovered she's also time sensitive like the Tharils, the Captain hooks her up to their machines to 'navigate' their ship. Once the bridge is clear though, a Tharil who has escaped from the ship's holding area, makes his way to the bridge and frees Romana. Walking out of phase, they walk through the ship and into the void.

The Doctor is still with Biroc and is show where they have lived before they were enslaved. As time sensitive creatures, the Doctor is physically enjoying a meal with the Tharil's when Gundan guards break in. The Gundan's are robots built by slaves of the Tharil's, as the Tharils once used to be a tyrannical race. Being enslaved themselves they have now changed and only wish to free themselves. Romana has been brought to the same place and when she sees the Gundan's break in, she grabs the Doctor and they are suddenly in the present, but surrounded with men from the ship.

The captain has seen the Tharils use mirrors to make their escapes so he's hoping to engage his engines and perform a back blast in hopes of shattering the mirrors and capturing the Tharils once again. The Tardis crew realize he'll likely blow himself up so help the rest of the Tharils on the ship escape. As though, the captain is only successful in blowing his ship and crew up. The Tardis has safely left, but without K-9 or Romana who have left to help free the Tharil's from countless worlds they have been enslaved on. But the good news is the Tardis is finally free of E-space.

WHO: Romanadvoratrelundar II

DEPARTURE LOCATION: E-Space

REASON FOR DEPARTURE: After physically seeing the universe with the Doctor, Romana is unwilling to go back to Gallifrey. Romana opts to stay in E-space and help the Tharils who have become enslaved.


WHO: K-9 Mark II

DEPARTURE LOCATION: E-space

REASON FOR DEPARTURE: Damaged by the Time Winds, K-9 no longer functions in normal space, even with the salvaged memory circuits. So when Romana opts to remain in E-Space, K-9 joins her. He also reminds Romana he has all technical manuals and schematics of a fully functioning Tardis.


NEXT: The Master of Traken

Dr. Who (The Early Years) - Part 47 "Full Circle"

Now that she's traveled with the Doctor for so long, Romana is upset to learn the Timelords have recalled her back to Gallifrey. She sulks in her room till the Doctor comes to see her. She wants to rebel against the Timelords and refers to the Doctor even doing so at one point. He reminds her on that occasion, he lost. Of course he's referring to events that led up to a forced regeneration and being marooned on Earth. As they are discussing this in her room, K-9 is monitoring the Tardis flight.

As K-9 is monitoring the Tardis, they are drawn into a CVE (Charged Vacuum Emboitment), a space anomaly that takes them out of normal space and into E-Space. The Tardis lands on the planet Alzarius, but it's supposed to be Gallifrey. As this is E-Space, all co-ordinates are negative, but the Tardis is having trouble comprehending that. As the Doctor and Romana are talking, a young boy wanders into the Tardis. it's Adric. He's just run away from a group of kids led by his brother after he was caught stealing fruit. They are kids who have rebelled from life about the Starliner, a ship marooned on the planet.

The planet has fallen into mistfall, a time when strange creatures rise from the Marsh. Of course the Doctor decides to investigate. When he comes upon a Starliner, he sneaks in but is followed by one of the creatures. He's soon discovered by the inhabitants of the ship who also find the creature. He urges them not to over-react to the creature and he tries to calm it down. The ship staff want none of that and knock out the Doctor and take the creature for further study.

While the Doctor is investigating the ship, Adric has left the Tardis but Romana gives him a homing beacon to find it again. Back with his brother's little gang, he tells them about the Tardis. Despite Adric's protests they force him to take them to the Tardis. Romana is clever though, and disarms the group, with Adric's help. After a quick flight in the Tardis, Romana leaves to investigate a cave, but she's bitten by a fruit spider and her mind is suddenly like that of the Marshmen. As Marshmen suddenly arrive to attack, K-9 tries to fight them off, but is beheaded by one of the creatures. Scared, the group in the Tardis begin to press various buttons and the Tardis dematerializes.

The Tardis re-materializes on the Starliner, and Romana and the Marshmen make their way for it. They break into the ship and cause havoc while the Doctor tries to find a cure for Romana and do more investigative work into figuring out what the Marshmen are. A cure is found, and the Doctor discovers the residents of the Starliner are actually descendants of the Marshmen. Pure oxygen drives them away, but they are adapting quickly. Pumping the ship full of Oxygen drives them from the ship and back to the swamps. However, Adric's brother dies in the process. Grieved, he sneaks into the Tardis as the Doctor is explaining to the Deciders how to operate their ship, something no one has ever figured out how to do, as the ship has been there for 40,000 generations.

WHO: Adric

PLANET OF ORIGIN: Alzarius, unknown time.

REASON FOR JOINING: After the death of his brother and bored with the Starliner, Adric stows away in the Tardis.







NEXT: The Gateway

Dr. Who (The Early Years) - Part 46 "Shada"

This is one of the hardest episodes of Doctor Who to review considering it was never fully finished, and never officially released on TV. All because of some labor union strike. The story begins with a Skagra and several other companions storing their intellect into a single orb. But Skagra has tricked the others and steals their minds completely. His hopes are to find the lost Gallifreyan prison planet Shada. His goal is to find a Timelord named Salyavin and enlist his help (or his mind) in taking over the Galaxy.

Meanwhile, the Doctor and Romana are on Earth responding to the summons of a retired Time Lord named Professor Chronotis. He's and old friend of the Doctor's and at first forgets why he summoned the Doctor. When he finally remembers, the Doctor is shocked to learn Chronotis wants to return a Gallifreyan book entitled 'The Worshipful & Ancient Law of Gallifrey'. A powerful book from the Panoptican, which is the key to the Gallifreyan prison planet of Shada, where the most ruthless criminals in the universe are held.

Unfortunately, he can't find the book and remembers a student, Chris Parsons, was in earlier to borrow some books. Chronotis believes he took the book by mistake. The Doctor takes a bicycle and travels to retrieve the book, but Skagra is able to steal it. Skagra sends the probe to steal the Doctors mind but only receives a 'copy' of it, thanks to Romana's rescue of the Doctor. With Chris Parsons in tow, they follow the probe which leads them to Skagra's invisible ship. At first the ship does not respond to the Doctor, but he's soon successful in convincing the ship to take him where he want to go.

Earlier, the probe also drained Professor Chronotis' mind, which killed him. But Chris' friend Clare visits Professor Chronitis and accidentally brings him back to life. It turns out his room is actually an older Tardis, which has restored him. Wishing to join the Doctor, the Professor gives Clare a portion of his mind which enables her to help fix his Tardis for flight. The effects are only temporary and she soon forgets all she learned.

Having caught up with the Doctor, they next follow Skagra to Shada. All are shocked to discover Salyavin is missing from his holding cell. The Doctor is worried, considering Salyavin has the ability to force his mind into other people. Finally, Professor Chronotis admits he is Salyavin. But he's reformed and simply wants to retire in peace and quiet, on Earth. Skagra escapes, but his freedom is short lived. The Doctor has reprogrammed Skagra's ship, which no longer recognizes him as being in charge. The ship teleports him to the brig. Professor Chronotis heads back to Cambridge, to live out the rest of his retirement.

NEXT: Into the CVE

Dr. Who (The Early Years) - Part 44 "The Armageddon Factor"

The Doctor and Romana have five pieces of the Key of Time and are beginning their search for the sixth. The Doctor tries to park the Tardis in orbit around Atrios to see where their final mission will take them. Initially the Tardis has trouble finding Atrios but soon discovers it, though millions of miles where it should be. The Doctor realizes this will not be the typical mission, more may be involved than meets the eye.

The planet Atrios is at war with Zeos and on the brink of loosing the war. Princess Astra and medic Merak are romantically involved, but more importantly secretly trying to contact Zeos in hopes of ending the war. All attempts by Astra have failed and she's worried the Marshall is suspicious. Merak assures her they are still safe, or the Marshall would have done something about them trying to contact Zeos. Shortly after, the Marshall gives orders Princess Astra is to be locked away in a part of the city teaming with radiation.

The Marshall is determined to make sure he wins the war at all costs. Several times he 'meditates' in front of a mirror, much to the puzzlement of his right hand man Shapp. Shapp notices he seems to be talking to someone. Once the Doctor arrives, the Marshall blames him for the death of a guard, but when the Doctor claims to be able to help win the war, the Marshall takes a liking to the Doctor and is willing to work with him.

The Doctor tells the Marshall he'll need K-9 to help build a shield to stop the Zeons from attacking, but Shapp informs them K-9 was found and sent the furnaces to be melted down (per the Marshall's order). The Doctor runs after K-9 in hopes of saving him from being melted into slag. While doing so, Romana notices the Marshall is very agitated and mutters to himself, "the Doctor does not die.... yet."

The Doctor quickly discovers the Marshall is actually a puppet to some unknown shadow. He discovers a trans-mat which takes them, not to Zeos, but to a hidden base between both planets. On this planet is Mentalis, a computer that has been waging the war the Marshall has been fighting. K-9 talks to Mentalis and informs the Doctor if the Marshall is successful in his attack, Mentalis' fail-safe is to blow itself up, taking Atrios and Zeos with it.

While trying to figure out who this mystery shadow person is the Doctor runs into Drax, another Timelord. Drax recognizes the Doctor but calls him Theet. The Doctor is horrified to find out Drax built Mentalis, though under pain of death by the Shadow. It doesn't take long before the Doctor convinces him to switch sides and help the Doctor. Drax agrees Timelords should stick together and agrees to help. He starts off building a gun which can shrink people.

Once the gun is complete, Drax uses the gun on the Doctor and himself. The Doctor actually wanted Drax to shrink one of the Shadow's guards. Drax hadn't realized the Doctor opened his Tardis, which the gave the guard access. He went in and retrieved the first five segments of the Key to Time, claiming to know where the sixth piece was. The Doctor uses his miniature size to infiltrate the Shadow's domain (who turns out to be a servant of the Black Guardian). He reveals that Princess Astra is actually the final segment to the Key to Time. The Doctor grabs the completed Key and runs for the Tardis with Drax, Romana and K-9.

Safely in the Tardis and with Drax happily departed, the Doctor is contacted by the White Guardian who immediately tells the Doctor to release the Key to Time to him. When the Doctor asks what will happen to Astra, the White Guardian tells him she is a sacrifice for maintaining peace in the galaxy. This callous view of life makes the Doctor realize the White Guardian is really the Black Guardian in disguise. Not fooled, the Doctor disperses the Key to Time, the segments returning to their original forms, including Princess Astra. Now reunited with her lover Merak.

WHO: Romana I

DEPARTURE LOCATION: In the Tardis (Time and Location unknown)

REASON FOR DEPARTURE: It's unclear if Romana regenerates after being tortured by the Shadow, or simply wanted to change her appearance. Either way, it's not talked about on-screen and doesn't happen till the next episode.

NEXT: Return To Skaro