050 – The War Games | |||||
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Doctor Who serial | |||||
The Doctor, Jamie and Lieutenant Carstairs are caught by English soldiers during World War I
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Cast | |||||
Others
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Production | |||||
Directed by | David Maloney | ||||
Written by | Terrance Dicks and Malcolm Hulke | ||||
Script editor | Terrance Dicks (uncredited) | ||||
Produced by | Derrick Sherwin | ||||
Executive producer(s) | None | ||||
Incidental music composer | Dudley Simpson | ||||
Production code | ZZ | ||||
Series | Season 6 | ||||
Length | 10 episodes, 25 minutes each | ||||
Date started | 19 April 1969 | ||||
Date ended | 21 June 1969 | ||||
Chronology | |||||
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Author | Malcolm Hulke |
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Cover artist | John Geary |
Series |
Doctor Who book: Target novelisations |
Release number
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70 |
Publisher | Target Books |
Publication date
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25 September 1979 |
ISBN |
The War Games is the seventh and final serial of the sixth season of the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, which originally aired in ten weekly parts from 19 April to 21 June 1969. It was the last regular appearance of Patrick Troughton as the Second Doctor and it is the last serial to be recorded in black and white. It is also the last regular to feature Wendy Padbury and Frazer Hines as companions Zoe Heriot and Jamie McCrimmon. It is also the story where the Doctor's race, the Time Lords, are revealed.
On an alien planet the Doctor uncovers a diabolical plot to conquer the galaxy, with brainwashed soldiers abducted from Earth forced to fight in simulated environments, reflecting the periods in history whence they were taken. The aliens' aim is to produce a super army from the survivors; to this end, they have been aided by a renegade from the Doctor's own race of the Time Lords, calling himself the War Chief.
Joining forces with rebel soldiers, who have broken their conditioning, the Doctor and his companions foil the plan and stop the fighting. The War Chief is apparently killed when the War Lord realises he has been plotting against him. But the Doctor admits he needs the help of the Time Lords to return the soldiers to their own times, but in asking, risks capture for his own past crimes, including the theft of the TARDIS. After sending the message he and his companions attempt to evade capture, but are caught.
Having returned the soldiers to Earth, the Time Lords place the War Lord on trial and dematerialise him. They erase Zoe and Jamie's memories of travelling with the Doctor, and return them to the point in time just as they entered the TARDIS. They then place the Doctor on trial for stealing the TARDIS and breaking the rule of non-interference. The Doctor presents a spirited defence, citing his many battles against the evils of the universe. Accepting this defence, the Time Lords announce that his punishment is exile to Earth. The operation of the TARDIS is wiped from his memory and his next regeneration is imposed as the Second Doctor complains defiantly.