The Keys of Marinus

(Series 1, Episodes 21-26)

Summary: Team TARDIS are blackmailed into setting off on a quest to retrieve the keys to a mind-controlling machine. Over the course of their quest, our team are variously: groped by a statue, attacked by plants, threatened with rape (did you just go there in a teatime show, Doctor Who?), chased by ice knights and framed for murder.  The Doctor transforms himself into a dramatic if ineffectual lawyer whilst Barbara and Susan turn their hand to amateur sleuthing.  The baddy attempts to maintain his highly plausible disguise by inventing a deadly disease, but Ian ain’t fooled.

Watch it because: It features the original TARDIS team at their companionable best.

Original Air Date: 11 April – 16 May 1964.

Doctor: William Hartnell.

Companions: Susan (Carole Ann Ford), Ian Chesterton (William Russell) and Barbara Wright (Jacqueline Hill).

Writer: Terry Nation.

Director: John Gorrie.

Producer: Verity Lambert.

Available on DVD? Yes.