Production Code: YYY
First Transmitted
1 - 23/03/1974 17:30
2 - 30/03/1974 17:30
3 - 06/04/1974 17:30
4 - 13/04/1974 17:30
5 - 20/04/1974 17:30
6 - 27/04/1974 17:30
Plot
The TARDIS returns to Peladon some fifty years after the Doctor's last visit. The planet is now ruled by Queen Thalira - daughter of the late King Peladon - with advice from Chancellor Ortron. The Doctor and Sarah are arrested by Ortron for trespassing on sacred ground but their names are cleared by Alpha Centauri, now Galactic Federation ambassador to Peladon.
A ghost-like image of Aggedor has been responsible for some deaths in the planet's trisilicate mines, heightening unrest amongst the miners. The Doctor discovers that the apparitions are really the result of the use of a matter projector and a directional heat ray by a human engineer, Eckersley.
Eckersley is in league with a group of renegade Martian warriors, led by Commander Azaxyr, in a plot to seize the trisilicate deposits for Galaxy 5, a power bloc at war with the Federation. Azaxyr mounts an attack on the throne room and kills Ortron.
The Doctor however turns the heat ray on some of the Martians, while others are dispatched by the miners. Eckersley flees, taking the Queen hostage, but the Doctor uses the real Aggedor to track him down. Eckersley is killed, but Aggedor also dies in the skirmish.
Its plans thwarted, Galaxy 5 surrenders to the Federation. The Doctor is invited by Thalira to take over as Chancellor but he declines, suggesting the miners' leader Gebek would make a better candidate.
Episode Endings
As the Doctor and Blor, the Queen's Champion, enter the cave, a disaffected miner named Ettis, intending to sacrifice them to Aggedor, detonates some explosives. The resulting rock fall traps the Doctor and Blor in the cave. Suddenly a roaring image of Aggedor appears, killing Blor.
The Doctor and Sarah are thrown into a pit beneath the temple to face the judgment of Aggedor. A low growl alerts them to the fact they they're not alone. The Doctor pulls out a small flashlight and they see the beast Aggedor looming out of the shadows towards them.
The Doctor suspects that the image of Aggedor may be controlled from the supposedly shut refinery in the mine workings. He and the leading miner, Gebek, go there to investigate. The Doctor disarms the automatic protection system and the refinery door opens to reveal a Martian warrior.
The Doctor struggles with Ettis to prevent him from destoying the citadel with a sonic lance aimed at it from a neighbouring peak. They are unaware that Azaxyr has set the lance to self destruct and that if it is operated anyone in the vicinity will be killed. Ettis overpowers the Doctor and operates the lance, which explodes.
The Doctor, Gebek and Sarah enter the refinery in order to use the Aggedor statue - which is linked to a matter transmitter and a heat ray - against the Martians. Azaxyr's deputy Sskel and some other Warriors start to burn their way through the refinery door.
The Doctor and Sarah make their way back to the TARDIS and leave Peladon.
Dialogue Triumphs
Sarah Jane Smith : "There's nothing "only" about being a girl."
Sarah Jane Smith : [Speaking of the Doctor, who has apparently been killed.] "I still can't believe it. I can't believe that he's dead. You see, he was the most alive person I ever met."
Sarah Jane Smith : "It's another rotten, gloomy old tunnel."
Double Entendre
The Doctor : "I've always been very keen on Survival."
Continuity
The Doctor knows mining lore, can go into death-like complete sensory withdrawal (see 'The Trial of a Time Lord'), and is resilient against mental attack. He repeats the lullaby to calm Aggedor, and carries a pen light (also seen in various first Doctor stories, including An Unearthly Child and The Edge of Destruction).
Trisilicate is needed for warfare, being a vital component of circuits and heat shields. Once found only on Mars, it's now found on Peladon, too [possibly a factor in Azaxyr's rebellion]. It's no longer a crime to enter the Temple of Aggedor. Alpha Centauri is now a Federation ambassador. Commander Azaxyr leads a militant breakaway faction of Ice Warriors, including Sskel. They don't recognise the Doctor, and carry a hand-held rodlike weapon that can kill and melt. Ice Warrior ships carry scout craft. [Ice Lords] can be killed by swords.
The natives of Vega are a satyr like race of mining engineers.
QV
Location
Peladon, 50 years after the Doctor's last visit.
Future History
Galaxy Five (cf. The Daleks' Master Plan) are at war with the Federation. They sue for peace at the end of the story. Ice Warriors are used [with other races] as Federation troops. Federation law states that the natives of primitive planets are forbidden access to sophisticated weapons. An emergency channel can be used to summon troops, which when summoned can't be recalled. A spatial distress beacon sends out a more general SOS. Federation regulations don't allow summary execution.
Trivia
In an attempt to recapture the feel of The Curse of Peladon, the same director and designer were assigned to this story and many of the props that still existed (including the Alpha Centauri, Aggedor and Ice Warrior costumes) were reused.
Myth
Azaxyr is an Ice Lord. (Although he is referred to as a Lord, the term 'Ice Lord' is never used.)
Goofs
The mines apparently have central heating.
In episode one the Doctor opens a secret door which nearly knocks him over.
Sarah tries not to burst out laughing.
Lip reading the Doctor at the end of episode one results in the great line 'What the bloody hell is it?'.
In episode four we get a clear look at stunt double Terry Walsh when, as the Doctor, he throws Ettis.
In episode six the hole in the door vanishes along with the Aggedor statue.
When Aggedor dies Nick Hobbs's skin shows as the trousers detach from the boots.
Stuntman Max Faulkner is killed twice, once in an ambush, and three minutes later by Eckersley.
Fashion Victim
The Pel miners' badger-like haircuts.
Cast & Crew
Cast
The Doctor - Jon Pertwee
Sarah Jane Smith - Elisabeth Sladen
Aggedor - Nick Hobbs
Azaxyr - Alan Bennion
Blor - Michael Crane
Body of Alpha Centauri - Stuart Fell
Eckersley - Donald Gee
Ettis - Ralph Watson
Gebek - Rex Robinson
Guard Captain - Terry Walsh
Miner - Roy Evans
Miner - Max Faulkner
Ortron - Frank Gatliff
Preba - Graeme Eton
Sskel - Sonny Caldinez
Thalira - Nina Thomas
Vega Nexos - Gerald Taylor
Voice of Alpha Centauri - Ysanne Churchman
Crew
Director - Lennie Mayne
The Monster of Peladon