067 – Frontier in Space | |||||
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Doctor Who serial | |||||
Jo Grant, The Doctor, and the Master talk with the Draconian Emperor.
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Cast | |||||
Others
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Production | |||||
Directed by |
Paul Bernard David Maloney (uncredited, see below) |
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Written by | Malcolm Hulke | ||||
Script editor | Terrance Dicks | ||||
Produced by | Barry Letts | ||||
Executive producer(s) | None | ||||
Incidental music composer | Dudley Simpson | ||||
Production code | QQQ | ||||
Series | Season 10 | ||||
Length | 6 episodes, 25 minutes each | ||||
Originally broadcast | 24 February–31 March 1973 | ||||
Chronology | |||||
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Author | Malcolm Hulke |
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Cover artist | Chris Achilleos |
Series |
Doctor Who book: Target novelisations |
Release number
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57 |
Publisher | Target Books |
Publication date
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23 September 1976 |
ISBN |
Frontier in Space is the third serial of the tenth season of the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, which was first broadcast in six weekly parts from 24 February to 31 March 1973. It was the last to feature Roger Delgado in the role of The Master.
As the Earth cargo ship C982 moves through hyperspace, it narrowly avoids a collision with the TARDIS. As the Third Doctor determines that they are in the 26th century, Jo sees a ship come alongside. Before her eyes, the ship shimmers, changing shape, turning into a Draconian Galaxy-class battlecruiser. The two pilots, Stewart and Hardy, send out a distress signal and prepare for battle. When Hardy goes to get weapons, he meets the Doctor, but sees him and Jo as Draconians. Hardy escorts them at gunpoint to the ship.
On Earth, the President and the Draconian ambassador (who is also the Emperor's son) accuse each other of attacking the other's ships and violating the frontier established by treaty between the two empires. General Williams reports to the President that a mission to rescue C982 is being prepared. Williams's hostility against the Draconians is well known — it was his actions that started the original war between the two sides and the Prince believes Williams wants war again, a war the Prince warns the President that will see Earth destroyed. News of the attack spreads and anti-Draconian riots break out on Earth, with the opposition calling for the government to take action.
Locked up in C982's hold, the Doctor deduces that the strange sound was some kind of sonic hypnosis device that caused Hardy to hallucinate and see what he most feared. As the enemy boarding party burns its way through the airlocks, Hardy gets the Doctor and Jo to use as hostages, but when the airlock door bursts open, the boarders are not Draconians, but Ogrons. The Ogrons' energy weapons stun the two pilots and the Doctor. They then tie Jo up, taking the ship's cargo and the TARDIS as they leave. When the Doctor revives and releases Jo, she tells him what the Ogrons did, and wonders if they are working for the Daleks, as they were when she first met them. The Doctor points out, however, that the Ogrons are mercenaries.