Tractator
| 132 – Frontios | |||||
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| Doctor Who serial | |||||
“Let me show you how we smooth our walls, Doctor...”
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| Cast | |||||
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Others
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| Production | |||||
| Directed by | Ron Jones | ||||
| Written by | Christopher H. Bidmead | ||||
| Script editor | Eric Saward | ||||
| Produced by | John Nathan-Turner | ||||
| Executive producer(s) | None | ||||
| Incidental music composer | Paddy Kingsland | ||||
| Production code | 6N | ||||
| Series | Season 21 | ||||
| Length | 4 episodes, 25 minutes each | ||||
| Originally broadcast | 26 January–3 February 1984 | ||||
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| Author | Christopher H. Bidmead |
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| Cover artist | Andrew Skilleter |
| Series |
Doctor Who book: Target novelisations |
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Release number
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91 |
| Publisher | Target Books |
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Publication date
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10 December 1984 |
| ISBN | |
Frontios is the third serial of the 21st season in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, which was first broadcast in four twice-weekly parts from 26 January to 3 February 1984.
The TARDIS lands in the far future, on the planet Frontios, where some of the last vestiges of humanity are struggling for survival. The planet is being attacked by meteorite showers orchestrated by an unknown enemy responsible for the disappearance of several prominent colonists, including the colony's leader, Captain Revere. After witnessing Revere being "eaten by the ground," Security Chief Brazen engages in a cover up. To the public, Captain Revere died of natural causes. After a state funeral, Revere's son, Plantagenet, assumes the leadership of the colony.
The TARDIS is mysteriously affected by a meteorite storm and dragged down to the planet by gravity. The Doctor, Tegan and Turlough emerge, in the middle of the bombardment, to investigate. Despite his earlier reservations about getting involved, the Doctor violates the cardinal rule of the Time Lords by helping the colonists who were injured by the meteorite bombardment by providing medical assistance.
Needing better light in the medical facility, the Doctor sends Tegan and Turlough to fetch a portable mu-field activator and five argon discharge globes from the TARDIS. However, once they arrive, they find that the ship's inner door is stuck, preventing them from getting beyond the console room. Norna, Tegan and Turlough obtain an acid-battery from the research room to power the lights. On their way back, however, they are forced to render the Warnsman unconscious to avoid capture. Another bombardment occurs and, in the Warnsman's absence, catches the colony unawares. When the skies clear, the TARDIS has gone, seemingly destroyed; all that is left is the Doctor's hat stand.
Plantagenet orders the execution of the Doctor, but Turlough intercedes, using the TARDIS hat stand as a weapon. Plantagenet tries to attack the Doctor with a crowbar but suffers a heart attack. The Time Lord manages to save his life using the battery, but Plantagenet is later dragged into the ground by some mysterious force.
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Wikipedia