Season 26, Episode 4 | 3 parts | First broadcast: 22 November – 6 December 1989 | Writer: Rona Munro | Director: Alan Wareing
Cast
- Sylvester McCoy as the Doctor
- Sophie Aldred as Ace
- Anthony Ainley as the Master
- Julian Holloway as Paterson
- Lisa Bowerman as Karra
Summary
Bringing Ace home to her old stomping ground of Perivale, the Doctor grows concerned as local friends of Ace’s begin mysteriously vanishing, their trail leading to a desolate alien world ruled by a race of predatory cat-like Cheetah People. There the Doctor discovers his old adversary the Master, stranded and slowly succumbing to the planet’s primal, savage influence, and must resist the same corrupting pull himself in order to save Ace and return them all safely to Earth.
Interesting Facts
- This serial was the final story of Doctor Who’s original 26-year run, marking the last appearance of the classic series until its brief 1996 television film revival.
- It was writer Rona Munro’s only television Doctor Who script until she returned decades later to write for the modern series’ 2017 season.
- Anthony Ainley’s performance marks his final regular television appearance as the Master, a role he had played since 1981.
- The closing narration added to the final episode, reflecting on the Doctor and Ace’s ongoing adventures, became a poignant, unplanned send-off for the entire classic series.
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