ARC OF INFINITY

Written by Johnny Byrne.

Directed by Ron Jones.

Transmitted originally: 3 January to 12 January 1983.

"What we are, we owe to you." -'Hedin [speaking of Omega]

THE STORY

An antimatter creature has crossed into normal space via a phenomenon known as the Arc of Infinity, but needs to bond its biodata with a Time Lord in order to remain stable. A traitor on Gallifrey who is aiding the creature, selects the Doctor as a candidate. The High Council, headed by President Borusa decides that the Doctor's life must be teminated to avoid the creature from causing untold damage to the universe. Tegan, meanwhile arrives in Amsterdam to visit her cousin, Colin Frazer, only to learn that he has disappeared. She enters a crypt where he was last seen and is captured by an alien creature, the Ergon.

On Gallifrey it is revealed that Councillor Hedin is the traitor, and that his master is the legendary Time Lord figure Omega, who has been trapped for centuries in a universe of antimatter. Omega seizes control of the Matrix, but the Doctor, through Tegan is able to trace him to Amsterdam where she is being held onboard Omega's TARDIS by the Ergon. Omega's body is turning into a replica of the Doctor's, but the process is incomplete and the Time Lord will soon revert to antimatter, causing a massive explosion. The Doctor, Nyssa and Tegan chase Omega through Amsterdam and eventually corner him. Omega attempts to cause an explosion, but the Doctor fires the Ergon's matter converter at him, causing him to disperse harmlessly. Tegan rejoins her companions in the TARDIS.

CAST:

The Doctor (Peter Davison), Tegan (Janet Fielding), Nyssa (Sarah Sutton), Lord President Borusa (Leonard Sachs), Councillor Hedin (Michael Gough), The Renegade/Omega (Ian Collier), Commander Maxil (Colin Baker), The Castellan (Paul Jerricho), Damon (Neil Daglish), Chancellor Thalia (Elspet Gray), Cardinal Zorac (Max Harvey), Robin Stuart (Andrew Boxer), Colin Frazer (Alastair Cumming), Talor (John D. Collins), Hotel Receptionist (Maya Wolfe), The Ergon (Malcolm Harvey), Second Receptionist (Guy Groen).

FACTS:

Omega returns after his appearance in the tenth anniversary story 'The Three Doctors', when he was played by Stephen Thorne. Ian Collier, who had played Stuart Hyde in 'The Time Monster' plays the legendary figure in this story.

Colin Baker, who would play the Sixth Doctor, makes an appearance in this story as Commander Maxil.

This was the first story to be shown in the programme's twentieth season, each story of which featured an element from the Doctor's past.

OTHER FORMATS:

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