Season 2, Episode 3 | 2 parts | First broadcast: 2–9 January 1965 | Writer: David Whitaker | Director: Christopher Barry
Cast
- William Hartnell as the Doctor
- William Russell as Ian Chesterton
- Jacqueline Hill as Barbara Wright
- Maureen O’Brien as Vicki
Summary
On the planet Dido, the Doctor, Ian, and Barbara encounter Vicki and Bennett, the last survivors of a crashed spaceship, who claim they are being menaced by a native creature called Koquillion. As the Doctor investigates the truth behind the mysterious deaths of the rest of the crew, Vicki joins the travellers aboard the TARDIS, becoming the newest addition to the crew following Susan’s departure.
Interesting Facts
- This brisk two-part story introduces Vicki, played by Maureen O’Brien, who was cast partly to fill the gap left by Susan and was written as a similarly youthful character.
- It was written quickly by outgoing story editor David Whitaker specifically as a low-cost, small-cast bridge between the larger-scale Dalek Invasion of Earth and The Romans.
- The “monster” Koquillion is revealed to be a disguise rather than a real alien, an early example of the series subverting expectations of its own format.
- Both episodes survive in the BBC archive.
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