Season 10, Story 1/5, Serial RRR: 4 x 25min episodes, 30th December 1972 to 20th January 1973, Writers: Bob Baker and Dave Martin, Director: Lennie Mayne, Script Editor: Terrance Dicks, Producer: Barry Letts
Davad@davadsteel Love this story. So exciting to see it as part of the Five Faces season in 1981!
Chris@KosmicKris The Five Faces of Doctor Who I think was so important to fans of a certain (i.e. mine) age. This is one of my all time favourites - it does exactly what a celebratory special should do :)
M@nterik@Manterik yeah, a lovely, affectionate celebration.Davad@davadsteel Oh yes, mind blowing for an 8 year old. And the excitement of Davison starting all combined to make me a Fan.
I'm The Batman@MGW_007 think the last time I watched this was as a tribute the day Nick Courtney passed away.
By a river, a gamekeeper type spies a silvery weather balloon contraption attached to an orange box.
50dw50@50dw50 it is resting from chasing Patrick Mcgoohan.Chris@KosmicKris This is a good, plausible set up.. only problem I have is that if a weather balloon picks it up.. why doesn’t other tech?
"Oo aarr, dactar Tylar is it?" We're definitely in the Pertwee era.
50dw50@50dw50 are you sure? nobody has been locked up or gone into a coma yet #hermit
M@nterik@Manterik terrible colour film print!
Ollis is zapped by a crackly sound effect. The birds don't like it, even if it isn't chemicals.
Chris@KosmicKris Nice little visual effect that :)
Doctor Tyler calls up top secret organisation UNIT...
...and goes round for a cup of tea.
M@nterik@Manterik love those mugs in UNIT HQ. Pertwee 7/10 bouffant factor.
First Tyler wants Jo to look at his box...
...then he wants the Doctor to take a gander at his amateur candid snaps of a streak through space.
Ah, that computer print out paper with the perforated strips at the sides. Remember that?
The Brig asks if there's anything he can do about the streak so the Doctor has him pass a rod with which to stir his tea.
Not exactly taking this seriously, is he?
The Doctor diagnoses space lightning and gives Tyler the run of his lab.
"Liberty Hall, Doctor Tyler, make yourself at home, move your stuff in, rearrange the furniture, see if I care!"
Chris@KosmicKris Tyler is just the right side of annoying - great performance from Rex Robinson.
The crackler zaps Tyler too...
...then naffs off down the sink, obviously.
50dw50@50dw50 i love the acid house blobs, they still kind of work for me.
"We shan't see him now till dark." Ollis is in the habit of hiding out in the woods.
The Brig sends Benton on a wild Tyler chase.
50dw50@50dw50 Benton's hair is starting to get a bit long now.Love Bessie's little theme.
The Doctor & Jo return from their pointless trip to the bird sanctuary...
...only for the crackler to nick Bessie.
I'm The Batman@MGW_007 when I tell you to run - run! Yay!The Brig's really put out at the thought of having missed a good explosion.
The Doctor thinks he's found the missing gamekeeper Ollis when he checks out the results of Tyler's space etch-a-sketch.
As usual, Pertwee thinks it's all about him.
The blob nicked Tyler in his lab then Bessie. Jo better run.
Mobeena Khan@mobeenakhan It's ALWAYS all about Pertwee.
Damn straight, madam!
"Holy Moses! What's that! Get Sergeant Benton, quick!"
I'm The Batman@MGW_007 probably not what he really would've said!
Davad@davadsteel Pat Gorman making sure he's seen on camera!
Their "blobby, blobby, blobby" voices are something of an acquired taste, though.
M@nterik@Manterik The Gel guards scared me terribly when I was 8 when this was first shown.
50dw50@50dw50 cards on the table, I think the Gel Guards are wonderful!
Chris@KosmicKris me too :) I love their eyes :) and the little “whush” sound effect :)
"Holy Moses! What's that! Get Sergeant Benton, quick!"
I'm The Batman@MGW_007 probably not what he really would've said!
Davad@davadsteel Pat Gorman making sure he's seen on camera!
Say what you like about the gelguards, I love that metallic sound effect when they appear out of thin air.
Their "blobby, blobby, blobby" voices are something of an acquired taste, though.
M@nterik@Manterik The Gel guards scared me terribly when I was 8 when this was first shown.
50dw50@50dw50 cards on the table, I think the Gel Guards are wonderful!
Chris@KosmicKris me too :) I love their eyes :) and the little “whush” sound effect :)50dw50@50dw50 Dame Pertwee is looking quite tense, it must have been the thought of Troughton showing him up.
The crackler makes it to the lab...
...and so does Benton - intruder window!
When the crackler attacks, the Doctor, Jo & Benton dive into the TARDIS.
50dw50@50dw50 the washing up bowels have gone from the walls! thankfully #LoveTheRoundThings
"Well, Sergeant, aren't you going to say it that it's bigger on the inside than it is on the outside? Everybody else does."
Does this make Benton a "proper" companion?
Davad@davadsteel Benton seeing the inside if the ship is great! Nice that he gets involved in the story.
atruedrwhofan@atruedrwhofan my favourite Benton line ever "Besides; Nothing to do with you surprises me anymore!" great line of character development.
The TARDIS is immobilized though, so the Doctor has to send an SOS to the Time-Lords.
Chris@KosmicKris they could have made a bit more of the drama of this rather than Jon just going “Well, there it is”
He can only get through to the stationery department, though, where they keep the giant pencil holders.
"Laws of time, shmaws of time!"
"Are you saying we can't help him?"
"Yes, I am, but perhaps he can help himself."
Simon Hart@Si_Hart "Your excellency, I HAVE to!" is quoted regularly in our house.
The Time-Lord president takes drastic measures and gives orders for the 2nd Doctor to be transplanted into the 3rd's TARDIS.
I'm The Batman@MGW_007 why didn't they send future ones as well? :-)
Trapped in the TARDIS, they hear a materialisation sound as first a recorder, and then the Second Doctor himself appear!
Davad@davadsteel Absolute goose pimple moment. Can you imagine how exciting this would be on it's first broadcast?
50dw50@50dw50 Troughton is just adorable, such a brilliant Dr Who
"I can see you've been doing the TARDIS up a bit. Hmm. I don't like it!" A legend is born.
Pertwee calls the police to report the theft of his show.
Well at least Benton's pleased to see him.
Jo wants to know who the little scamp is...
...and he takes exception to his successor's turn of phrase.
"I may call you Jo, mayn't I?"
Jo starts riffing off Beatles songs.
How about "Everybody's Got Something to Hide Except Me and My Monkey"?
Chris@KosmicKris Terrance was a bit concerned about the script going under time so had Jo on standby to sing In-a-gada-da-vida
Davad@davadsteel This is a good story for Jo. She's written and played as very capable.
Very much so! Later on it's actually her that devises their escape plan when the Doctors are out of ideas.
Davad@davadsteel All part of the development she goes through in Season 10.Davad@davadsteel Doctor Two is clearly loving every minute of this!Chris@KosmicKris this is a brilliant turn by Troughton! He absolutely sparkles
The 2nd Doctor doubles his effectiveness by figuring out what they already knew about the crackler being after him.
The two Doctors have psychic conference of sorts...
...then immediately disagree about how best to get the job done.
The Time-Lords decide someone has to play referee to Doctors 2 and 3.
They only have enough power to get the 1st Doctor to appear on the telly, though.
The boss arrives to lay down some "dandy and a clown" rebukes.
Terribly sad to see Hartnell so ill, but lovely to see him one last time also.
Davad@davadsteel He's obviously very frail but still sparkles. "Just as I thought. Nothing."
Chris@KosmicKris the story of his involvement is both heartbreaking and heartwarming.
50dw50@50dw50 poor old Hartnell really does look diminished now
The two Doctors have psychic conference of sorts...
...then immediately disagree about how best to get the job done.
The Time-Lords decide someone has to play referee to Doctors 2 and 3.
They only have enough power to get the 1st Doctor to appear on the telly, though.
The boss arrives to lay down some "dandy and a clown" rebukes.
Terribly sad to see Hartnell so ill, but lovely to see him one last time also.
Davad@davadsteel He's obviously very frail but still sparkles. "Just as I thought. Nothing."
Chris@KosmicKris the story of his involvement is both heartbreaking and heartwarming.
50dw50@50dw50 poor old Hartnell really does look diminished now
The 2 Doctors toss and Troughton comes out on top.
John Mark Frankland@JMFrankland This is perfectly played by Troughton and Pertwee. Troughton's 'Hard Luck' is one of my favourite Doctor Who moments.
So Pertwee has to sacrifice himself to the crackler, only for Jo to dive in too.
End of part 1!
Chris@KosmicKris what an utterly magical first episode!
The crackler awaits further instructions...
...so Benton and the 2nd Doctor venture out.
They bump into the Brig, who doesn't believe a word of it.
I'm The Batman@MGW_007 Nick C's face when seeing Troughton is brilliant!
Davad@davadsteel The Brig's reaction is priceless. Nicholas is SO good here. Everyone obviously enjoying themselves.
Somewhere over the rainbow...
The Brig totally spoilers Troughton about Spearhead From Space.
He says he's "just a temporal anomaly."
50dw50@50dw50 the Brig really is rubbish in this one, such a great character has become a Blimp.
50dw50@50dw50 the Brig really is rubbish in this one, such a great character has become a Blimp.
I'm The Batman@MGW_007 they did write him a bit dim in this one.
Back in the Time-Lord stationery cupboard, they're having a typical 70s power-cut.
Since The War Games, the Time-Lords have taken the Doctor's criticism about failing to use their powers to heart(s).
That'll end well. *cough* Time War *cough*
Davad@davadsteel Loving the Time Lord exposition dialogue. The Chancellor's some lad!
Jo & 3 have travelled through the Black Hole to... a quarry!
Jo thinks they're dead.
"It's a place, just like any other quarry!"
atruedrwhofan@atruedrwhofan just like any other quarry. Look over there Jo. Thats where they filmed Delta and The Bannermen!
Back at UNIT HQ, the 2nd Doctor tries to work out a way to pacify the crackler.
I'm The Batman@MGW_007 feed it with useless information - I wonder if I have a television set handy? Brilliant line!
John Mark Frankland@JMFrankland And delivered beautifully..."I wonder if I have a television set. Bring me knitting!"
The 3rd Doctor & Jo find the missing bits and bobs from UNIT HQ.
...but they're regarded with envious eyes, that slowly and surely draw their plans against them...
...and Mr. Ollis.
The 2nd Doctor's lashed up some sort of pacifying device to tickle the crackler with sparks.
The Brig's told the UN that Pat's Jon's assistant.
Uh-oh, it'll be water pistols at dawn.
Benton gives the crackler some sparks. This town ain't big enough for the both of them.
Davad@davadsteel I always found it hard to believe that the Brig had never been inside the ship before.
The Brig continues his new found idiocy inside the TARDIS: "How's it done, some sort of optical illusion?"
Ever the innovator, it's Pat that's the first to offer jelly babies round.
3 & Jo bump into Dr. Tyler...
The Doctor tells him they've travelled along the light streak, to the inside of the Black Hole. "On a stable world in a universe of antimatter. An anomaly within an impossibility!"
M@nterik@Manterik first glimpse of Omega...
He can conjure up an entire universe with his mind but can't imagine anything more than a 19" CRT telly. Says it all for him.
He dispatches the gelguards to round up his visitors.
The Brig is like a caged Tiger in the TARDIS.
...meanwhile the Trout has lost his recorder.
The Gelguards take Perts, Jo & Tyler to their blobby base of their mysterious booming voiced boss.
Davad@davadsteel The scene where Two wires up the Brig's radio to the TARDIS is one of my favourites in the entire series.
Empty out the contents with a screwdriver then bash it till it works. I use that exact method for fixing pretty much everything.
Davad@davadsteel Yes. "Doctor Who" taught us all so much!
50dw50@50dw50 a lot of glue and green glitter have been used in Omega's throne room, not the palace from the book.
I'm The Batman@MGW_007 I really like the 'twinkly' music while they are standing around.Pertwee thinks he looks so cool with his collar up, doesn't he?
Davad@davadsteel He does! He's badass!!!Tyler decides the episode needs some padding...
...so has a run around anti-matter HQ...
...before returning to the cell.
Chris@KosmicKris even when I first watched this as an 8 yr old I thought “eh? What is Tyler playing at?”I'm The Batman@MGW_007 at least he's honest - "That was a bit of a waste of time wasn't it?".
Davad@davadsteel So meta. Moffat wishes he could write as well as this...
The 1st Doctor reappears to order his successor through the black hole.
Davad@davadsteel Another spine tingling scene. "Because he told me too." Very 2nd Doctor that he doesn't say who Hartnell actually is.
Tyler can't get his head around this anti-matter business...
With the forcefield switched off on Hartnell's orders, the TARDIS is vulnerable to the crackler...
End of part 2, and Omega's removal business knocks it out of the park, literally.
UNIT HQ? That'll fit on the van.
50dw50@50dw50 the pacing is really good though, Pertwee needed more 4 part storiesTrue; if this had been 6 parts, Tyler's little escape bid would have been a whole episode & involved a speedboat.
I'm The Batman@MGW_007 yep, too many 6 parters that were a bit dragged out.Chris@KosmicKris this was a beautifully paced story - has Dicks editing fingerprints all over it!
The Doctor, Jo & Tyler are ushered into a garish throne room of sorts...
...where they meet the villain of the piece, the impressive-looking & boomingly-voiced Omega.
Omega is the stuff of Time-Lord legend; he gave them the power of time travel by harnessing the black hole.
Jo & Tyler are sidelined.
After millions of years in his anti-matter domain Omega's gone stark staring bonkers. "I should have been a god!"
Chris@KosmicKris to be fair I’m like that after a couple of beers!
atruedrwhofan@atruedrwhofan I much prefer this Omega to the Arc of Infinity version. Also love the version Katy performs in the audio.
Omega's squeaky pink bollock reports more intruders.
50dw50@50dw50 what do we think of the set?Not a bad design necessarily but the crayon-scribbled walls are about as slapdash as it gets. Really disappointing.
The 2nd Doctor tells Benton the whole of UNIT HQ has moved.
The Brig is fairly sure that's Chroma-key.
"There's sand everywhere!"
"Oh, splendid, who's for a swim!"
"What am I going to tell Geneva!"
Davad@davadsteel "Who's for a swim?!" Ooh. "Enemy of the World" reference!!!
Surprised Trout isn't stripping down to his long johns. There's a beach too, apparently.
Davad@davadsteel Brilliantly played scene. Absolutely hilarious. Acted and shot like a sit-com!
There's a bit of a sense that Lethbridge-Stewart isn't coping very well with all of this.
I'm The Batman@MGW_007 I do love the 'fairly sure that's Cromer' line though!
The Brig teams up with Ollis...
...while the gelguards bring the captured 2nd Doctor & Benton to Omega's party.
Davad@davadsteel Kind of obvious now that by this point Benton is there instead of Jamie.
Omega knows all about the Time Lords and their laws, and that they broke them to bring the Doctors together.
I like the idea that he's been watching the series on that telly of his.
atruedrwhofan@atruedrwhofan shame there are the gaps where the Time Lords have thrown out or burnt the adventures.
After Omega has them locked away with Jo and Tyler, 3 accuses 2 of twittering on. Who would do such a thing!
Davad@davadsteel The "Is it neither of us?" line is wonderful. Another deference to Bill.
50dw50@50dw50 the two Doctors back story for Omega sounds the the prologue to every New Adventure novel
Ha! Yes. All that "Other" guff!
A good old Pertwee neck-rub for you there.
Chris@KosmicKris he had to pay John Le Mesurier 50p every time he did that!
I'm The Batman@MGW_007 when I find myself doing that I wonder if that is the reason why!
Davad@davadsteel "Who's for a swim?!" Ooh. "Enemy of the World" reference!!!
Surprised Trout isn't stripping down to his long johns. There's a beach too, apparently.
Davad@davadsteel Brilliantly played scene. Absolutely hilarious. Acted and shot like a sit-com! 
There's a bit of a sense that Lethbridge-Stewart isn't coping very well with all of this.
I'm The Batman@MGW_007 I do love the 'fairly sure that's Cromer' line though!
The Brig teams up with Ollis...
...while the gelguards bring the captured 2nd Doctor & Benton to Omega's party.
Davad@davadsteel Kind of obvious now that by this point Benton is there instead of Jamie.
Omega knows all about the Time Lords and their laws, and that they broke them to bring the Doctors together.
I like the idea that he's been watching the series on that telly of his.
atruedrwhofan@atruedrwhofan shame there are the gaps where the Time Lords have thrown out or burnt the adventures.
After Omega has them locked away with Jo and Tyler, 3 accuses 2 of twittering on. Who would do such a thing!
Davad@davadsteel The "Is it neither of us?" line is wonderful. Another deference to Bill.
Benton hasn't been paying attention. "Who is this 'Oh-Meega' anyway?"
50dw50@50dw50 the two Doctors back story for Omega sounds the the prologue to every New Adventure novel
Ha! Yes. All that "Other" guff!
A good old Pertwee neck-rub for you there.
Chris@KosmicKris he had to pay John Le Mesurier 50p every time he did that!
I'm The Batman@MGW_007 when I find myself doing that I wonder if that is the reason why!
It's Jo that figures out the Doctors can conjure up a door.
They were useless.
I'm The Batman@MGW_007 I've just realised the Day of the Doctor connection!
Darth Marenghi@DarthMarenghi The number of old series refs in DOTD is incredible. Yet because some old Doctors didn't show up, fans lose it...
It riffs off The Three Doctors a lot, and Moffat even admitted as much from quite early on.
While the others scarper...
...the Doctors check out the singularity room.
Davad@davadsteel So cool seeing Jon and Pat share the screen. Despite the reported differences they make a great double act.
Omega gets in a paddy about it...
...and decrees that Terry Walsh must fight the dark side of his mind!
The "dark side of [Omega's] mind" looks like some sort of egg-headed pig goblin with scales. And a bit crap, really.
I'm The Batman@MGW_007 I imagine that might actually have been slightly scary to a kid at the time.
The spooky effect of the slow motion and totally black space make it, but the creature looks very cheaply lashed together.
The escapees meet up with the Brig and Ollis and they all beat a retreat with the Gelguards hot on their heels.
The Time-Lords decide the 1st Doctor must go into the black hole. Well, most of season 3 & his early historicals, anyway.
"Those that oppose the will of Omega shall not live!"
Cliffhanger resolution: Omega changes his mind and lets him live. Alrighty then.
Chris@KosmicKris again, I got so caught up in the funness of the story that it never occurred to me how mundane this cliffhanger was!
MAW Holmes@MAW_H "Yes! I'm going to kill you...!" (Dramatic close-up, run titles) "but... Not yet..."
The escapees make it back to Bessie and are finally able to show the Gelguards a clean pair of heels.
Trout asks for a new recorder. Omega isn't Father Christmas, Trout.
As usual, it's all an act, goading Omega to test out how his temper tantrums affect his control...
"This means nothing to me... Oh, Vienna!"
Now we learn the truth of Omega's predicament.
"I am, if you like, the Atlas of my world."
"Those that oppose the will of Omega shall not live!"
Cliffhanger resolution: Omega changes his mind and lets him live. Alrighty then.
Chris@KosmicKris again, I got so caught up in the funness of the story that it never occurred to me how mundane this cliffhanger was!
MAW Holmes@MAW_H "Yes! I'm going to kill you...!" (Dramatic close-up, run titles) "but... Not yet..."The escapees make it back to Bessie and are finally able to show the Gelguards a clean pair of heels.
Trout asks for a new recorder. Omega isn't Father Christmas, Trout.
As usual, it's all an act, goading Omega to test out how his temper tantrums affect his control...
"This means nothing to me... Oh, Vienna!"
Now we learn the truth of Omega's predicament.
"I am, if you like, the Atlas of my world."
He's well up on his Greek classics despite having been stuck in a black hole for millions of years.
I guess he is able to spy out, hence being able to see Earth etc.
I'm The Batman@MGW_007 and don't forget watching documentaries on his highly advanced TV!
Omega's underestimated the "slow corrosive effect" of the lightstream...
...it's completely dissolved his physical form.
John Mark Frankland@JMFrankland Its a great concept. I love it.
MAW Holmes@MAW_H Did he never get an itch and whip off the cossy before? Did he never go to the loo?
Probably didn't notice because his Will still exists.
50dw50@50dw50 erm... plot hole in the black hole.
Omega throws a (screen) wobbler...
...and the Doctors escape.
The Doctors are reunited with their Bessie-bound buddies.
They make it back to the TARDIS...
...where the group will have to figure out how they can defeat Omega.
Omega throws the Gelguards after them.
...and the Doctors escape.
The Doctors are reunited with their Bessie-bound buddies.
They make it back to the TARDIS...
...where the group will have to figure out how they can defeat Omega.
Omega throws the Gelguards after them.
The Time-Lords are in such dire straits they can't even stretch to a colour TV.
Benton suggests knobbling Omega.
Luckily, Hartnell has a better idea.
Trout gets lippy with the guvnor. "You can talk!"
Davad@davadsteel Bill's much better here. Real sparks.Contact!
"3 of them! I didn't know when I was well off!" says the Brig. Shhh, no-one tell him he's just been given *another* 13 lives.
The misisng recorder is found, trapped within the TARDIS' forcefield - and it's just what they need! (What were they going to do if they didn't have this, by the way?)
50dw50@50dw50 Gallifrey looks much better with the lights turned down.
The Doctors retrieve the recorder, and are ready to rock.
Then they ring Omega Taxis for a lift to blob base. "It'll be half an hour, love."
Omega takes the handbrake off the TARDIS so they can arrive chez blob.
The Doctors tell Omega they'll stay & keep him company, playing scrabble and having sings-songs etc.
Omega agrees to their only condition, to let their friends return to Earth. Oh, and Ollis. He can go too, I guess.
Tyler takes one giant step first...
...then Ollis...
...then (under protest) Benton.
Jo takes some persuading, too. Well, ordering from the Brig, any way.
atruedrwhofan@atruedrwhofan I really adore the Brigs salute. He and the Doctor(s) really do respect each other.
I'm The Batman@MGW_007 When I watched this the day Nick Courtney died, the scene with him saluting and disappearing into the smoke was really poignant.Having packed their mates off through the lightstream made of steam the Doctors offer Omega the recorder.
Omega knocks the still-made-of-matter recorder from their hands & wipes himself out in the process. Berk.
The Time-Lords are pretty chuffed.
This quarter's leccy bill is on Omega!
This quarter's leccy bill is on Omega!
Everyone is flung back to Earth and arrives in UNIT HQ. Everyone jump!
50dw50@50dw50 cut to a scene of Mr Ollis laying crushed under a falling Bessie.
Jo fears the worst.
The Brig is very diplomatic about who his "favourite" is.
The Doctors in the TARDIS return! Hurrah!
As the 3rd Doctor explains that they all snapped back to their proper places...
...the 2nd laments the loss of his recorder. "It had a lovely tone..."
With the job done, it's time for the previous Doctors to say their goodbyes...
...including a very fond farewell indeed to the one and only William Hartnell.
"Well, the party's over now. You, young man, and I go back to our time zones. Though considering the way things have been going, well, I shudder to think what you'll do with out me..."
And it's Toodle-pip to Doctor number two, too!
I'm The Batman@MGW_007 'Don't think I'll write it up in the university journal - not if I want to keep my job'. That's academia for you.
The Brig goes all nerd and wants to make a big list. Benton's not sure how to account for anything missing.
The Doctor rues having to trick Omega, but hopes he's found peace. Don't worry, mate, he'll be chilling out in Amsterdam in no time.
The Time-Lords reward the Doctor by revoking his exile. Hurrah!
atruedrwhofan@atruedrwhofan beautifully underplayed. He could be cheering and hugging Jo but he isn't. Its much better calmy done.
I'm The Batman@MGW_007 yeah, will make a nice change!
"You'd never believe me, woman. Supper ready?" hilarious.
I do enjoy that story. Great stuff from all the cast.
Chris@KosmicKris Brilliant stuff - genuine Who folklore and just great funatruedrwhofan@atruedrwhofan brilliant story. Love seeing the Doctors together. Its great that after this Jon and Pat became firm friends.
Not to name drop or owt, but I'm off to read my copy of the Target novelisation signed by Sir Terrance Dicks!
TTFN! K.
Coming Soon... The Awakening
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