Production Code: 6M
First Transmitted
1 - 19/01/1984 18:40
2 - 20/01/1984 18:40
Plot
An alien war machine, the Malus, is affecting the inhabitants of the English country village of Little Hodcombe in 1984 so that a re-enactment of a Civil War battle turns into the real thing. The Malus's aim is to gather sufficient psychic energy to activate itself fully.
The TARDIS travellers arrive to meet Tegan's grandfather - one of the villagers - but become involved in the machinations of Sir George Hutchinson, who is in thrall to the Malus. The battle in 1643 becomes linked through time to 1984 and Will Chandler, a youth from the earlier time, finds himself in the present day. The Malus is defeated when Will pushes Sir George to his death.
Episode Endings
In the village church, the Doctor tells Will and school teacher Jane Hampden of the origins of the Malus. Suddenly a section of plaster falls from the wall. The Doctor pulls more of the surrounding plaster away to reveal a giant, green-eyed roaring demonic face. The Doctor is engulfed in smoke that emerges from its mouth.
The TARDIS dematerialises from the church, which is consumed in a huge explosion as the Malus is destroyed. The Doctor promises to drop the villagers off home and return Will to his own time. Tegan, however, suggests staying to spend some time with her grandfather. Outnumbered, the Doctor agrees. Turlough fancies a cup of tea. Will declares this to be 'an evil brew', but the Doctor replies that he quite likes it.
Roots
By the Sword Divided and other Civil War dramas.
Games echoing past evil and the psychic projections are very Sapphire and Steel.
Dialogue Triumphs
Will Chandler : "Doctor? Doctor bain't a proper name. Will Chandler be a proper name."
Turlough : "We're running out of places to run."
Tegan : "It's the story of our lives."
Continuity
Sir George wanders about with a piece of Tinclavic, which is mined by Terileptils on the planet Raaga (see The Visitation) for the almost exclusive use of the inhabitants of Harkol in the star system of Rifta. The Malus, the occupant of a Harkol computer controlled reconnaissance probe came to Earth in 1643, as the spearhead of an invasion fleet which never followed.
Yet another member of Tegan's cursed family, her grandfather Andrew Verney, appears: see also Logopolis, Arc of Infinity. (The implication would seem to be that Tegan's mother - Verney's daughter - is English.) The Doctor is fond of tea.
Location
Little Hodcombe, 1984
Links
The Doctor says that he will take Will home in the TARDIS, and this has been accomplished by the start of Frontios.
Trivia
Polly James, one of the stars of The Liver Birds, appears as Jane Hampden.
There is a bravura performance from Keith Jayne as Will Chandler - one of the most convincing and memorable companions the Doctor never had.
This story bears the last credit on the series for its longest-serving designer - Barry Newbery.
Myth
The Awakening was originally written as a four-part story featuring the Daleks. (It wasn't.)
Goofs
The apparitions are accompanied by superimposed stars that seem to have been produced on a BBC Micro.
Cast & Crew
Cast
The Doctor - Peter Davison
Tegan - Janet Fielding
Turlough - Mark Strickson
Andrew Verney - Frederick Hall
Colonel Wolsey - Glyn Houston
Jane Hampden - Polly James
Joseph Willow - Jack Galloway
Sir George - Denis Lill
Trooper - Christopher Saul
Will Chandler - Keith Jayne
Crew
Director - Michael Owen Morris
The Awakening