THE AWAKENING

Written by Eric Pringle.

Directed by Michael Owen Morris.

Transmitted originally: 19 January to 20 January 1984.

"Doctor? Doctor bain't a proper name. Will Chandler be a proper name." 'Will Chandler'

THE STORY

The Doctor takes Tegan to see her grandfather, Andrew Verney, in the village of Little Hodcombe. They find elaborate war games, recreating the English Civil War are under way, led by Sir George Hutchinson. Verney has gone missing and no-one seems willing to help, except the local teacher, Jane Hampden, who disapproves of the games. While Tegan is forced to become Queen of the May, a human sacrifice, it becomes apparent that the situation is getting out of control.

The Doctor, investigating the local church discovers Will Chandler, a youth from 1643 has been transported to the present and learns that the Malus, an evil alien war machine has been feeding off the psychic energy of the war games and is controlling Hutchinson. Rediscovered dormant in the church by Verney, the Malus was awakened by Sir George's deranged mind. The Doctor manages to cut off the creature's link to the villagers, but Sir George is killed and the church is destroyed as the Malus destroys itself.

CAST:

The Doctor (Peter Davison), Tegan (Janet Fielding), Turlough (Mark Strickson), Jane Hampden (Polly James), Sir George (Denis Lill), Colonel Worlsey (Glyn Houston), Joseph Willow (Jack Galloway), Will Chandler (Keith Jayne), Trooper (Christopher Saul), Andrew Verney (Frederick Hall).

FACTS:

Polly James who starred in 'The Liver Birds' follows in the footsteps of her co-star, Nerys Hughes, who appeared in 'Kinda'.

This story has often been seen as taking many of its ideas form the Pertwee story 'The Daemons' from 1971.

The Malus is said to originate from the planet Harkol, in the star system of Rifta.

OTHER FORMATS:

The Fifth Doctor Novelisations

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