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Classic Who S20 • Serial 1 · (4 episodes)

Arc of Infinity

3.12/ 5 250 votes

First aired Monday, January 3, 1983
Production Code 6E
Written by Johnny Byrne
Directed by Ron Jones
Runtime 100 minutes
Time Travel Present
Tropes: (Potential Spoilers!) The Doctor Falls Mind Control Reverse the polarity
Inventory: (Potential Spoilers!) Coronet of Rassilon
Synopsis

Omega, an ancient Time Lord made of pure anti-matter, once defeated by the Doctor, is plotting to cross over into this dimension by bonding with the Doctor. Meanwhile, the disappearance of a man in Amsterdam piques the curiosity of his cousin, Tegan, who previously left the Doctor at Heathrow Airport and now finds herself at Omega's mercy. Fearing total destruction from the collision of matter and antimatter, the Time Lords recall the Doctor to Gallifrey to undertake the only viable solution: executing him!

4 Episodes:

First aired Monday, January 3, 1983
Runtime 25 minutes
Written by Johnny Byrne
Directed by Ron Jones
UK Viewers 7.2 million
Appreciation Index 69

Synopsis

On Gallifrey, someone on the high council is perpetrating a treasonous act - transmitting the Doctor's bio-extract from the space/time matrix to an anti-matter being. On Earth, two English lads spend their last night in Amsterdam sleeping in a crypt where they're attacked by an alien creature under the same anti-matter being's control.

First aired Wednesday, January 5, 1983
Runtime 25 minutes
Written by Johnny Byrne
Directed by Ron Jones
UK Viewers 7.3 million
Appreciation Index 70

Synopsis

With an anti-matter being trying to enter the universe through the Doctor, risking the destruction of everything, there is only one clear course of action for the High Council of Time Lords to take: execute the Doctor. Meanwhile, Tegan arrives in Amsterdam and hears about what's become of her cousin from his unscathed friend.

First aired Tuesday, January 11, 1983
Runtime 25 minutes
Written by Johnny Byrne
Directed by Ron Jones
UK Viewers 6.9 million
Appreciation Index 67

Synopsis

Something seemed amiss about the Doctor's execution, so the Castellan has Commander Maxil discreetly but fully look it. Meanwhile, as the Doctor meets the anti-matter being inside the Time Lord Matrix, Tegan and her cousin's friend run afoul of a bird-like alien back on Earth.

First aired Wednesday, January 12, 1983
Runtime 25 minutes
Written by Johnny Byrne
Directed by Ron Jones
UK Viewers 7.2 million
Appreciation Index 66

Synopsis

The High Council creates a distraction so the Doctor and Nyssa can find Omega on Earth and prevent his reentry into our universe.

Ratings are from TARDIS Guide members only.

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