8.5
UNIT is providing security cover at an experimental drilling project at Eastchester, designed to penetrate the Earth's crust and release a previously untapped source of energy. Soon, however, the drill head starts to leak an oily green liquid that transforms those who touch it into vicious primeval creatures with a craving for heat. The Doctor is accidentally transported "sideways in time" by the partially repaired TARDIS control console into a parallel universe where the drilling project is at a more advanced stage. Thwarted by his friends' ruthless alter egos, he works to save both universes.
Jon Pertwee
Dr. Who
Caroline John
Liz Shaw / Section Leader Elizabeth Shaw
Nicholas Courtney
Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart / Brigade Leader Lethbridge-Stewart
John Levene
Sergeant Benton / Platoon Under Leader Benton
Olaf Pooley
Professor Stahlman / Director Stahlman
Christopher Benjamin
Sir Keith Gold
Sheila Dunn
Petra Williams / Dr Petra Williams
Derek Newark
Greg Sutton
David Simeon
Private Latimer
Derek Ware
Private Wyatt
Walter Randall
Harry Slocum
Ian Fairbairn
Bromley
Roy Scammell
RSF Sentry
Keith James
Patterson
Peter Thompson
Primord
Philip Ryan
Primord
Walter Henry
Primord
Pat Gorman
Primord
Dave Carter
Primord
Barry Letts
Loudspeaker Voice
Derek Martin
UNIT Soldier
Terry Walsh
UNIT Soldier
Ian Elliott
UNIT Soldier
Alan Chuntz
UNIT Soldier
Alan Clements
Technician Phillips
Director
Douglas Camfield
Script Editor
Terrance Dicks
Writer
Don Houghton
August 26, 2024
7
I found this to be very similar to the previous "Ambassadors of Death" series with the "Doctor" (Jon Pertwee) and his assistant "Liz" (Caroline John) recruited by the "Brigadier" (Nicholas Courtney) to help solve some mysterious goings-on at another top secret government establishment. This time, it's "Prof. Stahlman" (Olaf Pooley) who is leading a team determined to drill into the Earth's core and release an unlimited source of cheap energy. Of course, this isn't anywhere near as straightforward as it sounds and the deeper they go, the more unusual the side effects on the scientific team who are working on the project. Things become even more complicated when a power surge opens a time tear and the doctor ends up in a parallel universe where a much more militaristic government is in charge of the self same proceedings. This new regime think the "Doctor" is up to no good, so he has to convince them otherwise then manage, somehow, to make it back to his own timeline and save the day. This story is a better constructed one, with the characterisations of the increasingly maniacal "Stahlman" and the comically-scarred alternative "Brigadier" working quite well as the story allows Pertwee to clearly have some fun leading us on a scientific joyride. The special effects are borderline pantomime, but that doesn't really matter as this eight-part drama builds nicely to a tense conclusion. I've heard of death by firing squad, but never by fire extinguisher....
Status:
Released
Original Language:
Budget:
$0.00
Revenue:
$0.00