Robert Holmes Movies

In the second episode of the season-long continuity "The Trial of a Time Lord," the Doctor (Colin Baker) faces a death sentence unless he can prove that his breaking of the Laws of Time was for a good purpose. As evidence for the prosecution, the Valeyard (Michael Jayston) shows the Doctor and his travelling companion, Peri (Nicola Bryant), acting in a highly suspicious manner on the earthlike planet Ravolox. Subtitled "The Mysterious Planet," this chapter of "The Trial of a Time Lord" was written by Robert Holmes and originally aired on September 13, 1986. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The 23rd season of Doctor Who ended with chapter four of the 14-part adventure "The Trial of a Time Lord." Written by Pip and Jane Baker and titled Doctor Who: The Ultimate Foe, Episode 1 the two-episode conclusion of the story finds the Doctor (Colin Baker) still on trial for violating the laws of space. Facing a death sentence on a charge of genocide, the Doctor receives unexpected support from two old enemies: The Master (Anthony Ainley) and intergalactic con artist Glitz (Tony Selby). This episode originally aired on November 29, 1986. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Returning to television after an overlong hiatus (save for a brief "revival" in the BBC radio serial "Slipback"), Doctor Who launched its 23rd season on September 6, 1986. In an unusual move, the producers decided to devote the entire season to a single continuity, with the overall title "The Trial of a Time Lord." The story was subdivided into four chapters, each given its own subtitle (those these subtitles did not appear onscreen), each running between two to four episodes. In "The Mysterious Planet, Episode 1," the Doctor (Colin Baker) is put on trial for his life for breaking the Laws of Time. The Valeyard (Michael Jayston), or chief prosecutor, endeavors to seal the Doctor's doom with selected videotaped examples of the Doctor's "treachery." Doctor Who: The Mysterious Planet, Episode 1 was written by Robert Holmes. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Patrick Troughton returns to his old role of the Second Doctor in the three-part adventure "The Two Doctors." Sent to investigate a space station, the Doctor and his companion, Jamie (Patrick Hines, also making a return appearance), are attacked by the Sontarans. It is up to the Sixth Doctor (Colin Baker) to rescue his distinguished predecessor from this and other perils. In keeping with the nostalgic milieu of this adventure, the early sequences with Patrick Troughton were filmed in black-and-white. Written by Robert Holmes, "The Two Doctors" was originally telecast in England on February 16 and 23, and March 2, 1985, then released in a six-part version in the United States. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the conclusion of the three-part adventure "The Two Doctors," the Sixth Doctor (Colin Baker) rushes to Spain, there to (hopefully) rescue his predecessor, Doctor #2 (Patrick Troughton). Complicating matters is a false ally named Chessen o' the Franzine Grig (Jacqueline Pearce) and a band of surly Sontarans. The ending, in which the Sixth Doctor must not only save his "prior self" but also their respective travelling companions Peri (Nicola Bryant) and Jamie (Frazer Hines), hinges on a carefully laid trap. Part three of "The Two Doctors" originally aired on March 2, 1985. The entire adventure was later released in a six-part version in the United States. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Beginning with its first episode on March 8, 1984, the four-part Doctor Who adventure "The Caves of Androzani" marked yet another milestone in the life of the venerable Doctor, played by Peter Davison (at least at the beginning of the story). Arriving on the planet Androzani Minor, the Doctor and his new companion, Peri (Nicola Bryant), investigate a set of strange tracks leading to a cave -- and promptly become infected with a bizarre "miracle" drug. "The Caves of Androzani, Episode 1" was written by Robert Holmes. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the third episode of the pivotal four-part story "The Caves of Androzani," the planet of Androzani Minor continues to be the setting for a three-pronged power struggle between a mad doctor, a corrupt businessman, and an insurrectionist. The catalyst for all the carnage is a drug called Spectrox, which purportedly prolongs life. Both infected with Spectrox, the Doctor (Peter Davison) and Peri (Nicola Bryant) learn to their horror that Spectrox has the exact opposite of the desired effect. Originally telecast on March 15, 1984, "The Caves of Androzani, Episode 3" was written by Robert Holmes. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Avon (Paul Darrow) agrees to trade the ship's computer, Orac, for a new, highly destructive long-range weapon, the tachyon funnel. Unfortunately, the inventor of the weapon, a megalomaniac recluse named Egrorian (John Savident) double-crosses Avon and sabotages the Scorpio crew's space shuttle. The lives of the space travelers are dependent upon Vila (Michael Keating), who may have to jettison himself into space to allow his comrades to escape their latest predicament. "Orbit" was first telecast on December 7, 1981. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the third episode of the four-part story "The Power of Kroll," the Doctor (Tom Baker) and Romana (Mary Tamm) are forced to deal not only with the superstitious natives of the swamp moon of Delta Magna, but also with a gun smuggler named Rohm Dutt, who has been attempting to foment violence that will benefit the owners of a despotic Methane refinery. Adding to the Doctor's headaches is the fact that he has yet been able to locate the all-important fifth segment of the Key to Time. Written by Robert Holmes, "The Power of Kroll, Episode 3" originally aired on January 6, 1979. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Blake (Gareth Thomas) and his crew launch a search for a valuable crystal, necessary to decode messages from the Federation. At the same time, a space vessel that has been missing for 700 years returns to the Federation base. Unfortunately, the ship carries a deadly virus, which ultimately infects the all-important decoding crystals. Once again, it is up to crew member Avon (Paul Darrow) to figure a way out of the present predicament. "Killer" was originally broadcast on February 20, 1979. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the second episode of the four-part story "The Power of Kroll," the Doctor (Tom Baker) and Romana (Mary Tamm) trace the fifth segment of the Key to Time on the swamp moon of Delta Magna. Almost immediately, the two time travellers incur the wrath of the local Swampies, who worship a God called Kroll. In time-honored Doctor Who tradition, Kroll requires a human sacrifice -- and Romana is chosen for that honor. Written by Robert Holmes, "The Power of Kroll, Episode 2" originally aired on December 30, 1978. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The 16th season of Doctor Who commenced on September 2, 1978, with episode one of the four-part "The Ribos Operation." Cyril Luckham appears as the White Guardian, who orders the Doctor (Tom Baker) to restore the balance between Good and Evil. To do this, the Doctor must locate and reassemble the missing segments of the Key to Time. Not only does this introduce an epic quest that will continue throughout the season, but it also serves to provide the Doctor with an attractive new companion: Time Lady Romana, played by Mary Tamm. "The Ribos Operation, Episode 1" was written by Robert Holmes. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the third episode of the four-part story "The Ribos Operation," the Doctor (Tom Baker) has located the first missing segment of the Key to Time on the planet Ribos. Unfortunately, the planet may fall into the hands of the sinister Graff Vinda-K (Paul Seed), thanks to a pair of confidence tricksters named Garran (Iain Cuthbertson) and Unstoffe (Nigel Plaskitt). Could all this skullduggery be the handiwork of the yet-unseen Black Guardian, who is determined to prevent the reassembly of the Key -- and, by extension, the restoration of the balance between Good and Evil? Originally telecast on Septmeber 16 1978, "The Ribos Operation, Episode 3" was written by Robert Holmes. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide