Brief Summary
This video summarizes Season 15 of Doctor Who, highlighting the shift in tone from dark and brooding to broad comedy under the new producer, Graham Williams. It covers each story arc, including "Horror of Fang Rock," "The Invisible Enemy" (introducing K9), "Image of the Fendahl," "The Sun Makers," "Underworld," and "The Invasion of Time" (Leela's departure). The season is characterized by a decline in quality and a move towards more comedic elements, setting the stage for the next season's planned story arc.
- Season 15 marks a significant tonal shift in Doctor Who, moving towards broad comedy.
- The season includes stories like "Horror of Fang Rock," "The Invisible Enemy" (K9's introduction), and "The Invasion of Time" (Leela's exit).
- The Time Lords are portrayed as increasingly incompetent, particularly in "The Invasion of Time."
Introduction of Season 15 and Change in Production
Producer Philip Hinchcliffe was removed after Season 14 due to conflicts with Mary Whitehouse, who opposed Doctor Who being entertaining. Graham Williams replaced him, bringing a different style that would gradually turn Doctor Who into something resembling a sitcom. Season 15 ran from September 3, 1977, to March 11, 1978.
Horror of Fang Rock
The TARDIS arrives in a lighthouse in the early 20th century, where a Rutin begins killing and impersonating people. The Rutins are an alien race at war with the Sontarans. This story is grim, with almost everyone dying except the Doctor and Leela. Despite not being the best or cleverest story, it remains a personal favorite.
The Invisible Enemy
This four-part story introduces K9. In the future, humanity is colonizing space, and a sentient infection affects space travelers. The Doctor is infected and cloned along with Leela. The clones, with a 10-minute lifespan, are shrunk and enter the Doctor's brain to destroy the infection's nucleus. Professor Marius, K9's creator, gives K9 to the Doctor at the end of the story.
Image of the Fendahl
On Earth, an archaeological dig discovers a 12-million-year-old skull from a Fendahl, an energy-eating life form that the Time Lords supposedly eliminated. A scientist, Thea Ranson, is possessed by the Fendahl and transforms into it. Local witches attempt to control the Fendahl, with predictable negative results.
The Sun Makers
Inspired by Robert Holmes' frustration with taxes, the TARDIS arrives on Pluto in the future. A company charges workers exorbitant taxes to use artificial suns. The story revolves around a rebellion against this brutal dictatorship. The main villain, the Collector, is based on Dennis Healey, the British finance minister at the time. The story highlights the casual brutality common in 70s Doctor Who, with rebels throwing the planet's governor to his death.
Underworld
This four-part story is inspired by ancient Greek legends. Millions of years ago, the Time Lords shared technology with the Minos, who later expelled them. The Minos then used Time Lord technology and engaged in a civil war, leading to their planet's destruction. The surviving Minos are locked in ships, one of which becomes a planetoid. The other ship eternally seeks the lost one. This story is considered one of the weakest of the season.
The Invasion of Time
This six-part season finale portrays the Time Lords as a joke. Gallifrey is invaded, and the Doctor becomes President. He allies with the Vardans to occupy Gallifrey and banishes Leela. The Doctor's plan involves lowering the capital's shield to allow more Vardans in, while Leela invades with non-Time Lord Gallifreyans. The Sontarans then invade, succeeding where the Vardans failed. The story features the first extended exploration of the TARDIS interior. Leela leaves at the end of the story, taking K9 with her. The story is considered pathetic, especially the last two episodes.
Conclusion of Season 15
Season 15 represents a shift from Hinchcliffe's dark tone to Williams' broad comedy. The season is seen as a decline in quality, setting the stage for the next season's planned story arc, "The Key to Time," the introduction of a Time Lord companion, and Douglas Adams as head scriptwriter.
