Terror of the Vervoids
| 143c – The Trial of a Time Lord: Terror of the Vervoids | |||||
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| Doctor Who serial | |||||
Having hatched from their pods, the Vervoids prepare to storm the Hyperion III.
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Others
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| Production | |||||
| Directed by | Chris Clough | ||||
| Written by | Pip and Jane Baker | ||||
| Script editor | John Nathan-Turner (uncredited) | ||||
| Produced by | John Nathan-Turner | ||||
| Executive producer(s) | None | ||||
| Incidental music composer | Malcolm Clarke | ||||
| Production code | 7C | ||||
| Series | Season 23 | ||||
| Length | 4 episodes, 25 minutes each | ||||
| Originally broadcast | 1 November–22 November 1986 | ||||
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| Author | Pip and Jane Baker |
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| Cover artist | Tony Masero |
| Series |
Doctor Who book: Target novelisations |
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Release number
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125 |
| Publisher | Target Books |
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Publication date
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17 September 1987 (Hardback) 18 February 1988 (Paperback) |
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Terror of the Vervoids is the third serial of the 23rd season in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, which was first broadcast in four weekly parts from 1 November to 22 November 1986. It is part of the larger narrative known as The Trial of a Time Lord, encompassing the whole of the 23rd season. The title Terror of the Vervoids is never used on screen and only appears in the serial's scripts with the four episodes that comprise the season being referred to as The Trial of a Timelord Parts Nine to Twelve. This serial is the first appearance of Bonnie Langford as the companion Mel Bush.
As with the other serials from Season 23, Terror of the Vervoids is framed by the trial of the Doctor by the Valeyard, accusing him of meddling in other species' affairs in a way unbecoming of a Time Lord. In his defence, the Doctor presents evidence through a screen linked to the Matrix, showing the details of his actions on the spaceliner Hyperion III in his own personal future. The bulk of the episode centres on recorded narrative.
On the Hyperion III, an elderly man named Kimber thinks he recognises a fellow passenger as an investigator called Hallett. However, the passenger claims that he is a mineralogist called Grenville. A trio of scientist passengers - Professor Lasky and her colleagues Bruchner and Doland - are alarmed that Grenville might be an investigator.
Edwardes, the communications officer, detects a craft close to the ship - the TARDIS - but is unable to get a reply. Suddenly, an unseen figure attacks him and injects him with a syringe. He then uses the communication equipment to send a message to the TARDIS. On board, the Doctor and Mel pick up a Mayday message. They materialise within the Hyperion III's cargo hold, are seized by guards, and are brought before Commodore Travers - whom the Doctor has met before. Travers denies sending a mayday signal, but wants the Doctor and Mel to remain on board. Travers hopes that the Doctor will find out who sent the fake mayday call.
The Doctor is convinced that whoever sent the message wants him on board. Security officer Rudge takes Mel to the ship's gymnasium, where he shows her how to use the headphones and tape recordings to help her exercise. Doland informs Lasky that someone has broken into their Hydroponics centre. As they rush off to find Bruchner, Mel hears someone on her headphones, telling her to take the Doctor to Cabin 6. In the cargo hold, Lasky, Doland and Bruchner check the Hydroponics centre; the large pods inside are stable, but the Demeter seeds have been stolen from the small work cabin. At Cabin 6, the Doctor and Mel find the room has been wrecked and discover the silver Demeter seeds and a single boot.
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