THE WEB PLANET

Written by Bill Strutton.

Directed by Richard Martin.

Transmitted originally: 13 February 1965 to 20 March 1965.

Episode 1: The Web Planet

Episode 2: The Zarbi

Episode 3: Escape to Danger

Episode 4: Crater of Needles

Episode 5: Invasion

Episode 6: The Centre

"What Vortis is, I am. What you are, I will become." -'The Animus'

THE STORY

A strange power drain forces the TARDIS to materialise on the planet Vortis. There, the Doctor, Ian, Barbara and Vicki become involved in the plans of the butterfly-like Menoptra to reclaim their planet from the parasitic Animus that is slowly enveloping it with its web-like domain, the Carsenome. Joining forceas with an advanced party of Menoptra and the underground-dwelling Optera, the travellers manage to destroy the Animus, freeing the ant-like Zarbi and death-spitting larvae guns from its control, as well as releasing the TARDIS. The Menoptra contact their main forces and summoned back to Vortis.

CAST:

The Doctor (William Hartnell), Ian Chesterton (William Russell), Barbara Wright (Jacqueline Hill), Vicki (Maureen O'Brien), Zarbi operators (Robert Jewell, Jack Pitt, Gerald Taylor, Hugh Lund, Kevin Manser, John Scott Martin), Animus Voice (Catherine Fleming), Vrestin (Roslyn de Winter), Hrostar (Arne Gordon), Hrhoonda (Arthur Blake), Prapillus (Jolyon Booth), Hlynia (Jocelyn Birdsall), Hilio (Martin Jarvis), Hetra (Ian Thompson), Nemini (Barbara Joss).

FACTS:

Barbara does not appear in 'Escape to Danger' and Jacqueline Hill was not credited in the closing credits.

The misty effect seen on the surface of Vortis was achieved by means of special filters on the camera lenses.

OTHER FORMATS:

The First Doctor Novelisations

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