N. The Web Planet
Season Two - 1965/1965
Synopsis
The TARDIS is drawn to the planet Vortis by a strange force. Whilst the Doctor and Ian attempt to investigate the force possesses Barbara and she leaves the TARDIS, leaving Vicki inside alone.
Barbara is taken by the ant-like Zarbi to the slave coloby whilst the Zarbi drag the TARDIS to their Web headquarters. Meanwhile the Doctor and Ian become caught up in the struggles of the Menotptra who have been enslaved by the Zarbi.
The Doctor goes to the Web centre and finds the Animus, a large spider-like mind parasite that is controlling the Zarbi. The Menoptra attempt to regain their planet, and the invasion fails.
Barbara uses an isotope brought to the planet by the Menoptra that destroys the Animus, returning the Zarbi to a mindless state, and allows the Menoptra to liberate themselves and return to their planet.
Regular Cast
- Barbara Wright: Jacqueline Hill
- Ian Chesterton: William Russell
- Vicki: Maureen O'Brien
Guest Cast
- The Zarbi: Robert Jewell (1-3,5,6), Hugh Lund (3,5,6), Kevin Manser (3,5,6), John Scott Martin (3,5,6), Jack Pitt (1-3,5,6), Gerald Taylor (1-3,5,6)
- Vrestin: Roslyn de Winter (2-6)
- Hrostar: Anne Gordon (2,4,5)
- Hrhoonda: Arthur Blake (2)
- Animus Voice: Catherine Fleming (2-6)
- Hetra: Ian Thompson (4-6)
- Captain Hilio: Martin Jarvis (4-6)
- Prapillus: Jolyon Booth (4-6)
- Hlynia: Jocelyn Birdsall (4-6)
- Nemini: Barbara Joss (4-5)
- Walk-Ons: Ken McGarvie, Len Russell
Original broadcast on the BBC
| Channel | Title | Date | Viewers | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BBC 1 | 58. The Web Planet |
|
13.5M | 56% |
| BBC 1 | 59. The Zarbi |
|
12.5M | 53% |
| BBC 1 | 60. Escape To Danger |
|
12.5M | 53% |
| BBC 1 | 61. Crater Of Needles |
|
13.0M | 49% |
| BBC 1 | 62. Invasion |
|
12.0M | 48% |
| BBC 1 | 63. The Centre |
|
11.5M | 42% |
Studios
- Ealing Television Film Studios
- Riverside Studio 1
Notes
Part 3: Jacqueline Hill does not appear in part three.
Part 6: Because of the supposed sensitive nature of the following story, The Crusade was not sold abroad to some countries so there exists a second version of part six of The Web planet which indicates that the next episode is The Space Museum and not The Lion.
On the end credits sub-titles are used above each race. For part one the actors playing Zarbi are billed as "Zarbi Operators"; for the rest of the story they are just "The Zarbi".