A Quick Guide to Classic Who Season 17

Brief Summary

This video summarizes Doctor Who season 17, highlighting key plot points, character changes, and behind-the-scenes issues. It covers the regeneration of Romana, the introduction of new companions, and the departure of key figures like Douglas Adams and Graham Williams. The season is described as having a mix of highs and lows, with "City of Death" as a standout episode and "Shada" left unfinished due to a production strike.

• Romana regenerates into a new form.
• The season features stories with the Daleks, Scaroth, and the Nimon.
• Production challenges and departures mark the end of an era.

Romana's Regeneration and K9's New Voice

Mary Tamm's decision not to return as Romana led to an in-story regeneration of the character, taking advantage of her Time Lord abilities. Douglas Adams oversaw this regeneration, injecting humor as Romana tries out multiple forms before settling on one resembling Princess Astra. K9 also gets a new voice actor, with David Brierley replacing John Leeson for the season.

Destiny of the Daleks

The season begins with "Destiny of the Daleks," the last Doctor Who script credited to Dalek creator Terry Nation. The story involves the Doctor and Romana encountering the Daleks and the Movellans, an ultra-logical race of robots. The Movellans and Daleks are in a centuries-long stalemate due to their shared reliance on logic. Davros is reanimated to help the Daleks win the war, employing tactics like Dalek suicide bombers.

City of Death

"City of Death" was the first Doctor Who story to film outside the UK, with four days of location shooting in Paris. The story involves an alien named Scaroth, splintered throughout time, attempting to finance time-travel experiments to save himself. The Doctor, Romana, and Duggan must stop him to prevent the destruction of all life on Earth. The episode notably features John Cleese in a cameo role.

The Creature from the Pit

"The Creature from the Pit" is considered one of the weaker stories of the season, with a ridiculous plot and characters. Despite its flaws, the episode is somewhat redeemed by Tom Baker's comedic performance and his reaction to the creature's design. The story involves the TARDIS landing on a planet ruled by Lady Adrasta, who controls metal and uses a giant creature in a pit to maintain order.

The Nightmare of Eden

"The Nightmare of Eden" is a more unique story, set on a luxury space liner. The Doctor and Romana encounter a scientist with a device that records planets, which turns out to be more dangerous than it seems. A spaceship crash releases silly monsters called Mandrels, and someone is smuggling an addictive space drug connected to the machine and the monsters.

The Horns of Nimon

"The Horns of Nimon" is described as a less effective version of "The Underwater Menace." The story is loosely based on Theseus and the Minotaur, set in space. The Nimon are parasitic aliens seeking to create an intergalactic empire. This episode was the last one composed by Dudley Simpson, who created much of the show's distinctive 1970s sound.

Shada: The Unfinished Story

"Shada" was intended to be an epic six-part season finale, filmed in Cambridge University. However, a production strike left the story unfinished. Despite this, the half-finished story has been adapted in various forms, including a VHS release with linking material by Tom Baker, an animated reconstruction, and a book adaptation that introduces new elements.

Season 17 Overview and Transition

Season 17 is described as uneven, with "City of Death" as a significant high point. Both Douglas Adams and Graham Williams left after the season, leading to John Nathan-Turner taking over and bringing significant changes to the show. The next season will see the departure of Romana and K9, the introduction of a new companion, and the return of an old adversary.