Brief Summary
This video summarizes Season 18 of Doctor Who, a transitional period marked by significant changes under new producer John Nathan Turner. The season aimed for a more serious tone, introducing a new theme music, a revamped Doctor's look, and complex storylines. Key points include:
- Introduction of Adric, one of the least popular companions.
- Departure of Romana and K9.
- The Master's return in "The Keeper of Traken."
- Tom Baker's departure in "Logopolis," a regeneration story involving the Master and the collapse of the universe.
Introduction to Doctor Who Season 18
Season 18 of Doctor Who, which aired from August 30, 1980, to March 21, 1981, brought significant changes under new producer John Nathan Turner (JNT). JNT aimed to modernize the show, replacing the composer with the radiophonic workshop and revamping the intro and theme music. The show shifted from sitcom-esque comedy to more serious science fiction. The Doctor's look changed to burgundy attire, and Tom Baker appeared older due to illness during the season. Barry Letts oversaw JNT to ensure stability, resulting in a season reminiscent of the Philip Hinchcliffe era but without key elements like UNIT or specific characters. Romana and K9 remained, with John Leeson continuing to voice K9.
The Leisure Hive
The first story, "The Leisure Hive," is set in a failing holiday resort on a planet devastated by nuclear war. The resort aims to promote peace, but a race seeking to buy the resort complicates matters. The story involves disguises, bizarre science, and a murder investigation. Tom Baker's portrayal is notably somber, and the plot is slow-paced. Despite its flaws, the aliens are well-designed, and the Doctor spends part of the story as an old man.
Meglos
"Meglos" features an alien planet, Ellaa, where the inhabitants worship a power source called the Dodecahedron. Some Talons want to study it scientifically, leading to conflict. Meglos, from the race that created the Dodecahedron, attempts to steal it by trapping the Doctor in a time loop and disguising himself as the Doctor. Jacqueline Hill, who played Barbara in the William Hartnell era, appears as a different character. The story includes subtle humor, such as a character named Bradac, an anagram of "bad actor."
Full Circle
In "Full Circle," the Doctor intends to take Romana home to Gallifrey but ends up in a pocket universe called E-Space. They find a crashed colony ship from the planet Pterodon, with descendants of the colonists aiming to rebuild and colonize a new planet. Native Marshmen and spiders threaten the colonists, especially during mistfall. Adric, a mathematical genius, stows away on the TARDIS, becoming a regular character. Adric is portrayed as whiny, arrogant, and unpopular.
State of Decay
"State of Decay" is set on an alien planet resembling Transylvania, where three vampires reside in a tower, periodically selecting victims from nearby villages. The vampires are revealed to be human astronauts pulled into E-Space by Great Vampires, an ancient alien race wiped out by the Time Lords led by Rassilon. The astronauts became lesser vampires, enslaving their crewmates' descendants. The story is both silly and significant, setting up Time Lord mythology and hinting at Rassilon's darker side. Vampire-killing bow ships introduced in this story are later referenced in the new series.
Warriors' Gate
"Warriors' Gate" marks Romana's departure. The TARDIS lands in a white void with a gateway, encountering Commander Rorvik and his slaves, the Tharils. The Tharils were once intergalactic raiders who used time powers to enslave planets until robots overthrew them. Romana and K9 Mark II stay with the Tharils, as Romana is interested in their plight and reluctant to return to Gallifrey. The story is considered unmemorable, with excessive chroma key and an overly complicated plot.
The Keeper of Traken
In "The Keeper of Traken," the TARDIS lands on Traken, a planet where good in the air inhibits evil. A statue called the Melkur, intensely evil, is cared for by the inhabitants. The Keeper of Traken is dying, and his replacement is Tris, father of future companion Nyssa. The Melkur is revealed to be the Master's TARDIS, with the Master, mostly dead, manipulating events to take over Traken or steal the Doctor's body. Failing that, he steals Tris's body, marking a new phase for the Master. Jeffrey Beevers and Anthony Ainley are highlighted for their performances as the Master.
Logopolis
"Logopolis" is Tom Baker's final story. JNT wanted familiar faces to ease the transition, but offers to former companions were declined, leading to Nyssa's return. Tegan, an Australian flight attendant, becomes a companion after stumbling into the TARDIS. The Doctor seeks the Logopolitans, super mathematicians who can alter reality, to fix the TARDIS's Chameleon Circuit. The Master interferes, causing the universe to collapse. To save the universe, the Doctor and the Master must cooperate, but the Doctor falls to his death. The story is considered one of the weaker regeneration stories but is notable for featuring the Master as the primary villain. The season is praised for its interesting and imaginative stories, providing a breath of fresh air after previous years.
