The Daemons

(Series 8, Episodes 22-26)

Summary: Magic versus science in a Generic English Village, populated by a collection of rural stereotypes with accents from Yorkshire to Devon.  The Master goes all out with his tarts and vicars costume, Jo is frequently belittled and the Doctor designs a neutron flow polarity reversing machine.  Benton is courted by a plummy witch and the Brigadier suggests five rounds rapid might defeat a flatfooted gargoyle, but in the end it’s confusion that wins the day. The Master is clapped in irons and, in one of the more surreal conclusions to an episode of Doctor Who, everyone indulges in a spot of maypole dancing.

Watch it because: Yates and Benton the Double Act.

Original Air Date: 22 May – 19 June 1971.

Doctor: Jon Pertwee.

Companions: Jo Grant (Katy Manning).

Writer: Barry Letts & Robert Sloman.

Director: Christopher Barry.

Producer: Barry Letts.