The TARDIS becomes trapped in space before ending up in an underground station of a mysteriously deserted London.The TARDIS becomes trapped in space before ending up in an underground station of a mysteriously deserted London.The TARDIS becomes trapped in space before ending up in an underground station of a mysteriously deserted London.
- Soldier
- (uncredited)
- Dead Newspaper Seller
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe production team of the BBC was denied permission to film on the London Underground. Because of that, sets of the tunnels and the stations were built, which turned out so realistic that when the episodes were broadcast, London Transport accused the BBC of surreptitiously sneaking into a real station for the filming. Many of the cast and crew have fondly remembered this and jokingly said the set designer deserved a knighthood for his work.
- GoofsThe Doctor tells Victoria that underground trains are a little after her time; however, Victoria is from 1866, and the first underground railway between Bishop's Road (now Paddington) and Farringdon Street was opened three years earlier, on 10 January 1863.
- Quotes
[the TARDIS has landed, rather bumpily, in a London Underground railway tunnel]
Dr. Who: For the moment, we have eluded our captor. Look at the scanner, both of you.
Victoria: Well, where are we?
Dr. Who: I really don't know, Victoria. Shall we go out and have a look.
Victoria: Now? Is it safe?
Dr. Who: [mischievously and airily] Oh, I shouldn't think so for a moment! Jamie... I think we're going to need torches.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Doctor Who: The Troughton Years (1991)
This has been acclaimed as an all time classic for many years and deservedly so. It is terrific in every department.
The story involves the Great Intelligence, the villain introduced earlier in season 5 and which would return some 45 years later, shortly before and during the shows 50th anniversary season. The threat posed by this villain and the actions of his minions the Yeti, provide cracking entertainment and thrills.
The Great Intelligence causes the TARDIS to go to Earth where the evil power is carrying out an attack on London including robot Yeti marauding through the London underground.
There is plenty of action, there is mystery as to who is under the influence of the Intelligence and consistently great dialogue supporting a tremendously high standard of story (written brilliantly by Mervyn Haisman & Henry Lincoln) throughout the 6 episodes. The number of great characters is incredible with Nicholas Courtney as Colonel Lethbridge-Stewart (later to be Brigadier, regular 'companion' to The Doctor) making his notable debut, the return of Professor Travers (Jack Watling) and the addition of Anne Travers (Tina Packer), the journalist Chorley (Jon Rollason) and some excellent soldiers especially Sgt. Arnold (Jack Woolgar). Great villains, brilliant acting from the whole cast (including regulars Pat Troughton, Frazer Hines and Deborah Watling), great direction from Douglas Camfield, quality production values and set design with a fine script and effects make this pretty flawless.
This is a true all time classic with an atmosphere and a magic which make it one of the best Who stories ever and therefore as good as TV gets! All 6 episodes 10/10.
- A_Kind_Of_CineMagic
- Sep 2, 2014
Details
- Runtime25 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1