THE TRIAL OF A TIME LORD:

THE MYSTERIOUS PLANET

The Doctor and Peri visit the planet Ravalox, as the Time Lord is eager to discover why the world which was apparently devastated by a solar fireball is habitable. Two shady off-worlders, Sabalom Glitz and Dibber are also on Ravalox hoping to locate a set of technological secrets kept by an L3 robot, named Drathro . Drathro has set up an underground survival system, consisting of a population of humans who obey him and know him as 'The Immortal', with the intention of eventually being rescued. However, Ravalox, which is actually a future Earth after the visitation of the solar fireball has been shifted two light years in space, and the rescue mission from Andromeda missed its target.

The Doctor is coerced into aiding Drathro, whose Black Light power system is damaged by Dibber. Meanwhile, a group of humans who have escaped the robot's authority, led by their queen Katryca, attack Drathro's habitat, intent on freeing their fellows and gaining the Immortal's' secrets. The Doctor realises the power system must be repaired, but Drathro needs to be shut down. The robot will not comply, reasoning that if he is to be destroyed, everthing should br destroyed. Katryca is killed by the L3, while Glitz and Dibber trick Drathro into retrieving the secrets. The Doctor manages to contain the explosion when the system overloads, and the robot is destroyed, as are the secrets. The humans, now free emerge onto the surface as the Doctor and Peri bid farewell.

The Valeyard states the Doctor's interference caused destruction and deaths, the trial will present even more evidence of the Doctor's guilt, and by the end the court will demand his life...

CAST:

The Doctor (Colin Baker), Peri (Nicola Bryant), The Valeyard (Michael Jayston), The Inquisitor (Lynda Bellingham), Dibber (Glen Murphy), Glitz (Tony Selby), Broken Tooth (David Rodigan), Katryca (Joan Syms), Merdeen (Tom Chadbon), Drathro (Roger Brierley), Grell (Timothy Walker), Balazar (Adam Blackwood), Tandrell (Sion Tudor Owen), Humker (Billy McColl).

FACTS:

Tom Chadbon seen as Merdeen, played Duggan in the 1979 story 'City of Death'.

During a scene where a semi-conscious Doctor mentions Sarah-Jane, Colin Baker impersonated the Third Doctor, played by Jon Pertwee.

Roger Brierley, the actor credited as Drathro, provided only the voice. He was originally to have been inside the costume as well, but found he could not work in such a confined space. Visual effects assistant Paul McGuiness stepped in and took his place.

OTHER FORMATS:

The Sixth Doctor Novelisations

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