Season 18, Episode 6 | 4 parts | First broadcast: 31 January – 21 February 1981 | Writer: Johnny Byrne | Director: John Black
Cast
- Tom Baker as the Doctor
- Matthew Waterhouse as Adric
- Sarah Sutton as Nyssa
- Anthony Ainley as the Master
- Geoffrey Beevers as the Master (decayed form)
Summary
Summoned by the dying Keeper of Traken, guardian of a peaceful union held together by a mysterious calming power known as the Source, the Doctor and Adric arrive to find corruption spreading through the union’s ruling Council, embodied by an ominous, statue-like figure called Melkur. As the true identity of Melkur is revealed to be the Doctor’s oldest enemy, the decayed Master, in disguise and plotting to seize the Source’s power for a new body, the Doctor must protect Traken’s new Keeper and the innocent Nyssa from the Master’s ruthless scheme.
Interesting Facts
- This serial introduces Nyssa, played by Sarah Sutton, who would go on to become a companion for both the Fourth and Fifth Doctors.
- It also introduces Anthony Ainley in the role of the Master, following the character’s brief, decayed appearance as played by Geoffrey Beevers, marking a major recasting for the classic series’ most iconic recurring villain.
- The story ends with the Master successfully seizing the body of Traken’s Consul Tremas, a name that is an anagram of “Master,” setting up his return the following serial.
- Its themes of political corruption within an outwardly perfect utopian society echo classical tragedy as much as science fiction.
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