Sarah Sutton 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 conclusion of the pivotal four-part story "The Caves of Androzani," the Doctor (Peter Davison) risks his own life to save his travelling companion, Peri (Nicola Bryant), from the fatal side effects of the "miracle" drug Spectrox. In so doing, the Doctor collapses -- and as he lies in helpless dormancy, a bizarre but familiar metamorphosis takes place. Peter Davison makes his farewell appearance in this episode, which features an unbilled cameo appearance by Colin Baker. Originally telecast on March 16, 1984, "The Caves of Androzani, Episode 4" was written by Robert Holmes. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the second episode of the four-part story "Arc of Infinity," the renegade anti-matter creature (Ian Collier) has overtaken the titular Arc as part of an overall scheme to pass over into normal matter. Crucial to the villain's plan is to adopt a physical presence, and thus, the renegade bonds with the Doctor (Peter Davison), making him a huge risk to the well-being of the universe. First broadcast on January 4, 1983, "Arc of Infinity, Episode 2" was written by Johnny Byrne. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the third episode of the four-part story "Arc of Infinity," a renegade anti-matter creature (Ian Collier) has passed over into the normal universe by bonding with the Doctor (Peter Davison). The High Council of Gallifrey decrees that the only way to destroy the deadly creature is to execute the Doctor -- a fate to which he reluctantly but valiantly acquiesces. First broadcast on January 10, 1983, "Arc of Infinity, Episode 3" was written by Johnny Byrne. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The four-part Doctor Who adventure "Mawdryn Undead" begins on a seemingly arbitrary note, as a pair of juvenile delinquents go for a joyride in the Brigadier's vintage automobile. After the inevitable crash, one of the boys, actually a space alien named Vizlor Turlough (Mark Strickson), is recruited for a daunting assignment. The recruiter is the Black Guardian (Valentine Dyall); the assignment is to kill the Black Guardian's sworn enemy -- the Doctor (Peter Davison). Originally telecast on February 1, 1983, "Mawdryn Undead, Episode 1" was written by Peter Grimwade. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The malignant telepathic force Mara, last heard from in the 19th-season adventure "Kinda," once again takes over the mind of Tegan (Janet Fielding), the traveling companion of the Doctor (Peter Davison). Under Mara's evil influence, Tegan hijacks the TARDIS and pilots the vessel to the planet Manussa -- where the denizens are celebrating the 500th anniversary of Mara's destruction. Written by Christopher Bailey, "Snakedance" launched its four-episode run on January 18, 1983. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the third episode of the four-part story "Mawdryn Undead," the Black Guardian (Valentine Dyall) continues to groom young Turlough (Peter Davison) to assassinate the Doctor (Peter Davison). Meanwhile, the crew of the TARDIS is subject to a daunting series of time-hopping misadventures that have been cleverly engineered by the villain. Originally telecast on February 8, 1983, "Mawdryn Undead, Episode 3" was written by Peter Grimwade. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Hand-picked by the Black Guardian (Valentine Dyall) to assassinate the Doctor (Peter Davison) in the previous adventure "Mawdryn Undead," juvenile delinquent Turlough (Mark Strickson) sets his deadly plan in motion in the four-episode follow-up "Terminus." Not yet under suspicion, Turlough materializes in the hold of the TARDIS -- then promptly proceeds to sabotage the vessel's console. First telecast on February 15, 1983, "Terminus, Episode 1" was written by Stephen Gallagher. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the third episode of the four-part story "Snakedance," the Doctor (Peter Davison) has arrived on the planet Manussa, there to prevent the malevolent mind-force Mara from using a local celebration to regain its full powers. Unfortunately, the Mara has already mentally enslaved the Doctor's companion, Tegan (Janet Fielding), who has managed to steal the Great Crystal, an artifact crucial to the Mara's ultimate victory. Written by Christopher Bailey, "Snakedance, Episode 3" first aired on January 25 1983. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the conclusion of the four-part story "Terminus," the Doctor (Peter Davison) tries to wrest the TARDIS free from the space pattern of a disease-ridden space station -- and to avoid triggering a fuel dump that would result in "Event Two," aka the End of the Universe. With the help of a creature known as the Garm (R.J. Bell), the Doctor may well succeed in saving himself and his companions, including young Turlough (Mark Strickson), who may or may not still be determined to assassinate the Doctor on behalf of the Black Guardian (Valentine Dyall). First telecast on February 24, 1983, "Terminus, Episode 4" was written by Stephen Gallagher. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the conclusion of the four-part story "Earthshock," the leader of the Cybermen intends to destroy the earth by forcing the crash-landing of a huge, heavily armed space vessel. The Doctor (Peter Davison), Tegan (Janet Fielding), and Nyssa (Sarah Sutton), all locked in the TARDIS, are unable to prevent this catastrophe. It is up to Adric (Matthew Waterhouse) to save the day -- and without giving away the ending, it should be noted that this episode represented Adric's final Doctor Who appearance, at least until a surprise guest-shot in the 21st season adventure "The Curse of Androzani." Written by Eric Saward, "Earthshock, Episode 4" originally aired on March 16, 1982. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the second episode of the four-part story "Four to Doomsday," the Doctor (Peter Davidson) and his companions are trapped aboard a space vessel commandeered by the frog-like Urbankans. Likewise in the same predicament are four other passengers, all apparently earthlings, each from a different race (Greek, Chinese, Mayan, and Aboriginal Australian) and different time periods. First telecast January 19, 1982, "Four to Doomsday, Episode 2" was written by Terence Dudley. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the conclusion of the four-part story "Castrovalva," the TARDIS crew is trapped on huge Block Transfer Computation, which the Master (Anthony Ainley) has disguised as an arboreal planet. Knowing that he and his companions must escape this false world lest the Master succeed in his latest bid to take over the Universe, the Doctor (Peter Davison) must first rescue the brainwashed Adric (Matthew Waterhouse) from the villain's evil influence. Written by Christopher H. Bidmead, "Castrovalva, Episode 4" originally aired on January 12, 1982. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide