Season 3, Episode 1 | 4 parts | First broadcast: 11 September – 2 October 1965 | Writer: William Emms | Director: Derek Martinus
Cast
- William Hartnell as the Doctor
- Maureen O’Brien as Vicki
- Peter Purves as Steven Taylor
Summary
Two starships lie crashed on a dying planet after a space battle: one crewed by the beautiful Drahvins, the other by the monstrous-looking Rills. Assuming the obviously alien Rills must be the villains, the travellers initially side with the Drahvins, only to discover that appearances are deceptive and the true threat to their survival lies elsewhere entirely.
Interesting Facts
- This serial deliberately plays with audience expectations about appearance and morality, presenting the conventionally attractive Drahvins as the story’s real antagonists and the alien-looking Rills as trustworthy allies.
- Only episodes 1, 2, and 4 currently exist in the BBC archive; episode 3, “Air Lock,” remains missing and was recreated with animation for home release.
- It was the first Doctor Who serial of Season 3 and the last to be produced under original producer Verity Lambert’s direct oversight before her departure.
- Writer William Emms based elements of the Rills on his own reflections about prejudice and first impressions.
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