Season 24, Episode 1 | 4 parts | First broadcast: 7–28 September 1987 | Writers: Pip and Jane Baker | Director: Andrew Morgan
Cast
- Sylvester McCoy as the Doctor
- Bonnie Langford as Mel Bush
- Kate O’Mara as the Rani
- Donald Pickering as Beyus
- Wanda Ventham as Faroon
Summary
Freshly regenerated and disoriented after the TARDIS is forced down on the planet Lakertya, the newly minted Doctor finds himself at the mercy of the renegade Time Lady the Rani, who disguises herself as Mel to manipulate him into helping complete a bizarre device meant to harness the combined intelligence of history’s greatest minds. While the addled Doctor stumbles through the Rani’s scheme, the real Mel rallies the oppressed, bat-terrorized Lakertyans into rebellion against their tyrannical captor.
Interesting Facts
- This serial marks Sylvester McCoy’s first appearance as the newly regenerated Seventh Doctor, following Colin Baker’s off-screen departure from the role.
- Kate O’Mara plays the Rani for the second time, here disguised as Mel Bush for much of the story, requiring her to impersonate Bonnie Langford’s mannerisms.
- A new title sequence and theme arrangement debuted with this story, replacing the “starfield” motif used since 1980.
- The regeneration mix-up meant the script was heavily rewritten at short notice after Colin Baker declined to film a regeneration scene for his successor.
No Responses