6V. Vengeance On Varos

Season Twenty Two - 1985

Script Editor: Eric Saward
Produced by: John Nathan-Turner
Writer: Philip Martin
Director: Ron Jones
Designer: Tony Snoaden
Incidental Music: Jonathan Gibbs

Synopsis

The TARDIS stalls in the galactic equivalent of a lay-by with a lack of fuel - Zyton-7. While the Doctor is resigned to his fate, Peri attempts to retrieve the TARDIS manual and find a solution. The Doctor studies the manual and find that there is a way to get to the nearest planet with Zyton-7, the plant of Varos.

The people of Varos are descendants from a colony for the mentally insane, and they thrive on the punishment and torture of others. The Doctor wants Zyton-7, but so does Sil, a representative of the Galatron Mining Corporation. Whilst the Governor is trying to get the best price, so is Sil, and he is succeeding.

Whilst the Doctor attempts to find out what is really going on, Peri and a local named Areta are taken for experimentation. Due to the Doctor, Sil's negotiations were delayed. During this time the Galatron Mining Corporation became desperate, and sent a message to Sil to buy the Zyton Ore at any price. The Governor puts in a high price, and with the promise of wealth he sets about abolishing the old ways.

Regular Cast

  • Peri Brown: Nicola Bryant

Guest Cast

  • The Governor: Martin Jarvis
  • Sil: Nabil Shaban
  • Quillam: Nicholas Chagrin
  • Jondar: Jason Connery
  • Chief Officer: Forbes Collins
  • Arak: Stephen Yardley
  • Etta: Sheila Reid
  • Areta: Geraldine Alexander
  • Bax: Graham Cull
  • Maldak: Owen Teale
  • Rondal: Keith Skinner (1)
  • Priest: Hugh Martin (2)
Uncredited:
  • Executioner: Bob Tarff (2)
  • Madmen: (all 2) Jack McGuire, Alan Troy
  • Mortuary Attendants: (all 2) Roy Alon, Gareth Milne
  • Body: David Wilde (2)
  • Monks: Charles Rayford, Sam Scott
  • Technicians: Peter Dukes, Trevor Wedlock
  • Sil's Attendants: Ronnie Cash, Kwabena Monso
  • Guards: Les Conrad, Peter Garvie-Adams, Ray Knight, Robert Smythe, Bob Tarff, Wayne Thistleton

Original broadcast on the BBC

Channel Title Date Viewers Rating
BBC 1 629. Part One Saturday, 19 January 1985 17:20 - 18:05 7.2M 63%
BBC 1 630. Part Two Saturday, 26 January 1985 17:20 - 18:05 7.0M 65%

Studios

  • Television Centre Studio 6

Bloopers

Part 1: After the TARDIS breaks down the Doctor and Peri can be seen standing over the console reading the manual even though it is quite clearly just a book full of blank pages!

Working Titles

Domain

Planet of Fear