Lalla Ward Movies

A star-studded supporting cast enhances the enjoyment of the four-episode Doctor Who adventure "City of Death." On holiday in modern-day Paris, the Doctor (Tom Baker) and Romana (Lalla Ward) experience what turns out to be a "crack in time." Before long, they have joined forces with a private eye named Duggan (Tom Chadbon) in thwarting the villain of the piece: Count Scarlioni (Julian Glover), who plans to steal the Mona Lisa -- but for reasons that go far beyond financial gain. First telecast September 29, 1979, "City of Death, Episode 1" was written by Douglas Adams and Graham Williams. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the third episode of the four-part story "City of Death," the Doctor (Tom Baker) discovers that Count Scarlioni (Julian Glover) has been stealing and selling valuable works of art in order to raise funds for his time-travel experiments. But there is a more pressing matter at hand: Romana (Lalla Ward) and detective Duggan (Tom Chadbon) are in immediate danger of losing their lives at the Count's hands. Catherine Schell co-stars as Countess Scarlioni. First telecast October 13, 1979, "City of Death, Episode 3" was written by Douglas Adams and Graham Williams. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

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 second episode of the four-part story "Full Circle," the Doctor (Tom Baker) and Romana (Lalla Ward) have been trapped in E-space, marooned along with several other space travelers on the planet Alzarius. Confined to a crippled starliner during an atmospheric emergency, the Doctor soon discerns a dire threat to the wellbeing of the castaways -- namely, the morphing Marshmen. Written by Andrew Smith, "Full Circle, Episode 2" was originally telecast on November 1, 1980. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the conclusion of the four-part story "Full Circle," the Doctor (Tom Baker) has discovered that the marooned passengers of a crippled starliner have had it within their power to escape Alzarius for centuries. The trouble is, the passengers are unaware of this -- or rather, they don't seem to want to be aware. Will the Doctor be able to realign their thinking, and thereby wrest himself free of E-Space so that he can answer an urgent summons from his fellow Time Lords? Matthew Waterhouse joins the regular cast as the Doctor's new companion Adric. Written by Andrew Smith, "Full Circle, Episode 4" was originally telecast on November 15, 1980. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the second episode of the four-part Meglos, the title character (Christopher Owen) is determined to restore his past glories as the ruler of the now-extinct Zolfa-Thuran civilization. To do this, Meglos kidnaps the Doctor (Tom Baker) and assumes his identity, the better to tap the precious power sources of the planet Tigella. Jacqueline Hill, who'd played the Doctor's traveling companion Barbara Wright in the earliest episodes, guest stars as Lexa, leader of the cultish Deon race. Written by John Flanagan and Andrew McCullough, "Meglos, Episode 2" first aired on October 4, 1980. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the conclusion of the four-part Meglos, the Doctor (Tom Baker) has managed to escape a time loop, not to mention his mercenary captors. Will he be in time to prevent Meglos (Christopher Owen), the power-hungry solo survivor of the Zolfa-Thuran civilization, from destroying the planet Tigella? Aiding and abetting the Doctor is Lexa, leader of the Deon race, played by Jacqueline Hill, some 17 years after her portrayal of the Doctor's traveling companion Barbara Wright. Written by John Flanagan and Andrew McCullough, "Meglos, Episode 4" first aired on October 18, 1980. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the second episode of the four-part story "Nightmare of Eden," the Doctor (Tom Baker) encounters danger in the unstable matter zones created by a collision in hyperspace of two space cruisers, the Empress and the Hecate. In addition to tracking down dozens of bizarre animals called Mandrels who have escaped from an electronic zoo, the Doctor is also threatened by the unchecked activities of two bands of drug smugglers. Originally telecast December 1, 1979, "Nightmare of Eden, Episode 2" was written by Bob Baker and codirected by Alan Bromly and (uncredited) Graham Williams. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the conclusion of the four-part story "Nightmare of Eden," the Doctor (Tom Baker) has successfully disposed of the Mandrels, a breed of space animals who had been set free from an electronic zoo by the collision of two space cruisers. Now he must expose the identity of the man who has been smuggling a dangerously addictive drug, derived from material found in rotting Mandrel corpses. Originally telecast December 15, 1979, "Nightmare of Eden, Episode 4" was written by Bob Baker and codirected by Alan Bromly and (uncredited) Graham Williams. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Still roaming about in E-Space, the Doctor (Tom Baker), Romana (Lalla Ward), and Adric (Matthew Waterhouse) land on a mysterious planet governed by a sinister trio known as the Three Who Rule. Though the planet is outwardly primitive, the Doctor cannot help but notice that the aura of high intelligence still lingers in the air. He will soon learn that he is closer to his own Time Lord world of Gallifrey than he suspects. Beginning its four-episode run on November 22, 1980, "State of Decay" was written by Terrance Dicks. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the third episode of the four-part story "State of Decay," the Doctor (Tom Baker) discovers that the planet on which he is stranded is ruled by the minions of the Great Vampire, who was exiled after a bloody war with the Time Lords. Bound to an ancient edict, the Doctor must destroy the Vampires' henchmen. How can he do this while simultaneously bound to the edict that no Time Lord should ever resort to violence? First shown on December 6, 1980, "State of Decay, Episode 3" was written by Terrance Dicks. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The Doctor locates the sixth and last missing segment of the Key to Time, which is necessary to restore the balance between Good and Evil in the universe. Unfortunately, the Doctor (Tom Baker) and Romana (Mary Tamm) may not be able to retrieve the precious segment -- not if the much-dreaded (and still unseen) Black Guardian has anything to say about it. This final adventure of Doctor Who's 16th season began its run on January 20, 1979, and lasted six episodes, bringing the series' entire episode count to a daunting 504. "The Armageddon Factor" was written by Bob Baker and David Martin. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the third episode of the six-part story "The Armageddon Factor," the Doctor (Tom Baker) offers to assist Princess Astra (Lalla Ward) of Atrios in her ongoing war with twin planet Zeos. His motives are not entirely altruistic; by helping Astra, the Doctor hopes to retrieve the sixth and final missing segment of the Key to Time. He does not yet realize that he is under the careful scrutiny of the Black Guardian, who has vowed that the Key will never be reassembled. Originally telecast on February 3, 1979, "The Armageddon Factor, Episode 3" was written by Bob Baker and David Martin. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide