Season 19, Episode 7 | 4 parts | First broadcast: 22–30 March 1982 | Writer: Peter Grimwade | Director: Ron Jones
Cast
- Peter Davison as the Doctor
- Sarah Sutton as Nyssa
- Janet Fielding as Tegan Jovanka
- Anthony Ainley as the Master
- Nigel Stock as Professor Hayter
Summary
When a Concorde vanishes mid-flight over the Atlantic, the Doctor discovers it has been hurled back 140 million years to prehistoric Earth, where the Master is manipulating a stranded, telepathic alien to rebuild his shattered TARDIS. Grieving the recent loss of Adric, the Doctor and his companions must outmanoeuvre the Master’s scheme while navigating the emotional aftermath of the previous story’s tragedy.
Interesting Facts
- The story deals directly with the emotional fallout of Adric’s death in the immediately preceding serial, an unusual continuity thread for the era.
- Its plot to disguise a hijacked Concorde required real cooperation with British Airways for location and prop authenticity.
- The story’s plateau setting and creature effects were widely considered a weak point, contributing to its mixed critical reputation over the years.
- It marks another appearance from Anthony Ainley’s Master, continuing his recurring rivalry with the newly regenerated Doctor.
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