Sophie Aldred Movies

Four years after its "official" demise as a weekly series, Doctor Who briefly resurfaced in the form of a two-part, 14-minute special. Created to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the series' birth, Part One of "Dimensions in Time" was shown as a segment of the BBC's Children in Need Telethon. The plot proper pitted five of the Doctor's seven incarnations -- played by surviving series stars Jon Pertwee, Tom Baker, Peter Davison, Colin Baker, and Sylvester McCoy -- against renegade Time Lady Rani (Kate O'Mara), who hoped to determine the outcome of the universe's evolution. This cliffhanger was resolved on November 27, 1993 with Part Two of "Dimensions in Time," shown as a six-minute component of the series' Noel's House Party. It was truly an "interactive" effort, with the home viewers calling in their suggestions for the outcome. Also appearing were several cast members of the popular British soap opera Eastenders (one of whom was selected by popular vote to "save" the Doctor). Written by John Nathan-Turner and David Roden, "Dimensions in Time" represented the Doctor's last TV appearance until the 1996 two-hour "revival" film. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the first episode of the three-part Doctor Who adventure "Ghost Light," the Doctor (Sylvester McCoy) accompanies Ace (Sophie Aldred) on a visit to her home town of Perivale. Arriving during the Victorian era, the time travelers try to determine the source of a terrifying experience in Ace's childhood -- one which has given her nightmares ever since. Written by Marc Platt, "Ghost Light, Episode 1" originally aired on October 4, 1989. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the conclusion of the three-part story "Ghost Light," the Doctor (Sylvester McCoy) and Ace (Sophie Aldred) have arrived at Ace's ancestral home, Gabriel Chase, in 1883. Hoping to discover the source of Ace's nightmares, the Doctor at first concludes that the house is haunted by traditional ghosts. He quickly changes his mind when he is confronted with a spectral light, a pantry full of radioactive silverware, a Neanderthal house servant -- and a spaceship in the cellar. Written by Marc Platt, "Ghost Light, Episode 2" originally aired on October 18, 1989. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

With episode one of the four-part "Battlefield," Doctor Who launched its 26th (and thus far final) season. The Doctor (Sylvester McCoy) and Ace (Sophie Aldred) travel to the England of the not-too-distant future, arriving on the battlefield where King Arthur once battled Mordred over possession of the sword Excalibur. He soon discovers that this ancient war is far from over and that a UNIT convoy headed by stalwart Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart (Nicholas Courtney) is in danger of being destroyed -- not only by a group of extra-dimensional villains, but also by galloping inflation. Jean Marsh of Upstairs, Downstairs fame, who previously appeared in the 1965 Doctor Who adventure "The Dalek Masterplan," is here cast as the sorceress Morgaine. Originally telecast on September 6, 1989, "Battlefield, Episode 1" was written by Ben Aaronovitch. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the second episode of the four-part story "Battlefield," the Doctor (Sylvester McCoy) discovers that the long-ago battle between King Arthur and Mordred of possession of the sword Excalibur has spilled over into the 20th century. A group of warriors from another dimension insist that the Doctor is actually the ancient wizard Merlin -- a conclusion also jumped to by the resurrected Mordred (Christopher Bowen). Meanwhile, the Doctor's friends, Ace (Sophie Aldred) and the Brigadier (Nicholas Courtney), face their own separate perils. Jean Marsh of Upstairs, Downstairs fame, who previously appeared in the 1965 Doctor Who adventure "The Dalek Masterplan," is here cast as the sorceress Morgaine. Originally telecast on September 13, 1989, "Battlefield, Episode 2" was written by Ben Aaronovitch. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the second episode of the four-part story "The Curse of Fenric," the Doctor (Sylvester McCoy) and Ace (Sophie Aldred) have arrived at a Northumberland secret naval base in the waning days of WWII. The ongoing efforts of a group of Russian commandos to steal a British code-breaking device has inadvertently triggered an ancient Viking curse -- and the results could prove fatal for everyone at the base, including the two time-travelers. Written by Ian Briggs, "The Curse of Fenric, Episode 2" originally aired on November 1, 1989. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the conclusion of the four-part story "The Curse of Fenric," the spirit of the ancient evil entity Fenric has risen from the sea, determined to summon the Great One and destroy all mankind. It is up to the Doctor (Sylvester McCoy), who had originally imprisoned Fenric some 17 centuries earlier, to dissuade the Great One from carrying out this horrible scheme. Inasmuch as the action takes place during WWII, the audience knows that the outcome will be positive, yet the level of tension is quite high all the same. Written by Ian Briggs, "The Curse of Fenric, Episode 4" originally aired on November 11, 1989. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The 26-year saga of Doctor Who came to an end (albeit temporarily) with the series' final three-part adventure, "Survival." Returning to the 20th century, the Doctor (Sylvester McCoy) and Ace (Sophie Aldred) arrive in Ace's hometown of Perivale. The two time travellers are immediately plunged into a mystery involving a strange breed of cats and a series of abrupt disappearances. First telecast on December 5, 1989, "Survival, Episode 1" was written by Rona Munro. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the conclusion of the three-part story "Survival," the Doctor (Sylvester McCoy), Ace (Sophie Aldred), and Sgt. Paterson (Julian Holloway) have been whisked away to the Hunting World, where they find themselves the quarry of the dreaded Cheetah People. Pulling the strings of this situation is the Doctor's perennial nemesis, the Master (Anthony Ainley), who has aligned himself with the Cheetah People -- an alliance that may have devastating consequences on everyone in the universe, including the Master. It is up to the Doctor to set things right by summoning what a psychiatrist might refer to as "The Inner Beast." Written by Rona Munro, "Survival, Episode 3" was originally seen on December 19, 1989, at which point the 26-year-old series Doctor Who went into mothballs until the 30th anniversary special four years later. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the second episode of the four-part story "Remembrance of the Daleks," the Doctor (Sylvester McCoy) and Ace (Sophie Aldred) have arrived in 1963 London, in search of a stellar manipulator known as the Hand of Omega. Impressed by the pop-cultural trappings of her new surroundings, Ace is blissfully unaware that her movements are being monitored by the two armies in a Dalek civil war -- both of whom are willing to wipe out all mankind to get their mitts on the Hand of Omega before the Doctor does. First telecast October 12, 1988, "Remembrance of the Daleks, Episode 2" was written by Ben Aaronovitch. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The Totter's Land Junkyard site that had figured so prominently in many an earlier episode of Doctor Who is again given a good workout in the four-episode adventure "Remembrance of the Daleks." Having reprogrammed the Hand of Ortega, a remote stellar manipulator, the Doctor (Sylvester McCoy) hands the device over to one of two warring Dalek factions. It is the Doctor's fervent hope that the device will end up destroying not only both Dalek armies, but also their home planet Skaro. But what effect will all this destruction have on poor London? First telecast October 26, 1988, "Remembrance of the Daleks, Episode 4" was written by Ben Aaronovitch. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the third episode of the four-part story "The Greatest Show in the Galaxy," the Doctor (Sylvester McCoy) and Ace (Sophie Aldred) are trapped in the Psychic Circus on the planet Segonax, where a triumvirate of evil demigods from Ragnarok have demanded that the two time-travelers entertain them -- or suffer a violent demise. Facing such perils as killer-robot clowns and ancient spirits, the Doctor and Ace are also in danger of being literally bored to death. Written by Stephen Wyatt, "The Greatest Show in the Galaxy, Episode 3" first aired on December 28, 1988. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the second episode of the three-part story "The Happiness Patrol," the Doctor (Sylvester McCoy) and Ace (Sophie Aldred) have arrived on Terra, a planet governed by the Happiness Patrol, who punish those not expressing eternal joy by killing them on the spot. Since both the Doctor and Ace have been designated as "Killjoys," they are targeted for extinction by the robotic Kandyman (David John Pope). The only hope for the time-travelers is to foment a rebellion against the smiley-faced dictator, Helen A (Sheila Hancock). Written by Graeme Curry, "The Happiness Patrol, Episode 2" first aired on November 9, 1988. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide