Production Code: AA
First Transmitted
1 - 28/05/1966 17:35
2 - 04/06/1966 17:35
3 - 11/06/1966 17:35
4 - 18/06/1966 17:35
Plot
The TARDIS has arrived on a far-distant and seemingly idyllic world, but the Doctor, Steven and Dodo discover that it hides a terrible secret: the apparently civilised Elders maintain their advanced society by draining off and transferring to themselves the life-force of a group of defenceless Savages.
Outraged at this exploitation, the Doctor is seemingly helpless to prevent it when some of his own life-force is tapped by the Elders' leader, Jano. In the process, however, Jano also acquires some of the Doctor's attitudes and conscience. Turning against his own people, he enlists the help of the Savages to destroy the Elders' transference laboratory - a task with which the time travellers gladly assist.
Steven agrees to remain behind on the planet to become leader of the newly united Elders and Savages.
Episode Endings
Seeing the dishevelled figure of one of the Savages, Wylda, approaching her down the corridor, Dodo screams.
On Jano's orders, Senta prepares to subject the Doctor to the transference process. As power builds up around the Doctor's prostrate body, Senta comments that this will be the Elders' greatest achievement yet...
Dodo and Steven struggle to get the semi-conscious Doctor clear of the corridor as gas pours in. They begin to cough and choke as the gas engulfs them...
The TARDIS dematerialises from the surface of the planet.
Dialogue Triumphs
Jano : "Doctor, do you realise that with our knowledge we can make the brave man braver, the wise man wiser, the strong man stronger. We can make the beautiful girl more beautiful still. You see the advantages of that in the perfection of our race."
Jano : "We do not understand you, Doctor. You have accepted our honours gladly. How can you condemn this great artistic and scientific civilisation because of a few wretched barbarians?"
The Doctor : "So, the rewards are only for the people that agree with you?"
Jano : "No. No, of course not. But if you are going to oppose us..."
The Doctor : "Oppose you! Indeed I am going to oppose you - just as in the same way that I oppose the Daleks, or any other menace to common humanity!"
Jano : "Do you not realise that all progress is based on exploitation?"
The Doctor : "...This, sir, is protracted murder!"
Continuity
The Elders live as parasites, draining the 'life energy' from the Outsiders. This process seems to involve the extraction not only of tangible biological elements but also of psychological qualities and character traits. When Jano absorbs the Doctor's life energy, he begins to exhibit many of the Doctor's characteristics.
The Elders know of the Doctor, calling him 'the Traveller from Beyond Time'. They say they have watched his progress through Time and Space and awaited his arrival. [The planet, run along similar lines to the Capitol, may be a Gallifreyan colony, similar to Minyos, Dronid, or the planet of Mawdryn. See Underworld, Shada , Mawdryn Undead.]
Location
The planet is never named.
Links
The Doctor states 'I oppose you as I oppose the Daleks or any other menace to common humanity!'
Trivia
The arrival of the TARDIS crew has unusually been anticipated by the Elders, who afford the travellers a warm welcome - they have been tracking the ship's journeys for 'many light years' and have accorded the Doctor the title of 'The Traveller from Beyond Time'.
Frederick Jaeger's mimics Hartnell excellently in the scenes after some of the Doctor's life-force is transferred to Jano - a performance in which he was extensively coached by Hartnell himself.
Myth
The Elders' 'light guns' were realised on screen simply by means of a powerful light positioned at the end of the prop. (Although they did incorporate a light, the guns also emitted 'dry ice' smoke.)
Goofs
If the Elders are such a danger to the Savages, why do they continue to live just outside the city?
Cast & Crew
Cast
The Doctor - William Hartnell
Dodo - Jackie Lane
Steven Taylor - Peter Purves
Avon - Robert Sidaway
Captain Edal - Peter Thomas
Chal - Ewen Solon
Exorse - Geoffrey Frederick
First Assistant / Assistant - Andrew Lodge
Flower - Kay Patrick
Guard - Tim Goodman
Jano - Frederick Jaeger
Nanina - Clare Jenkins
Savage - John Dillon
Second Assistant - Christopher Denham
Senta - Norman Henry
Third Assistant - Tony Holland
Tor - Patrick Godfrey
Wylda - Edward Caddick
Crew
Director - Christopher Barry
The Savages