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Classic Who S21 • Serial 5 · (4 episodes)

Planet of Fire

3.28/ 5 232 votes

First aired Thursday, February 23, 1984
Production Code 6Q
Written by Peter Grimwade
Directed by Fiona Cumming
Runtime 100 minutes
Time Travel Present
Tropes: (Potential Spoilers!) Companions meeting Mind Control Miniaturisation Robots
Locations Lanzarote Sarn Earth
Synopsis

A strange signal from Earth draws the TARDIS to the island of Lanzarote, where Turlough rescues a young American girl, Peri, from drowning. Among her possessions is an artefact bearing an alien symbol - the same triangular mark that Turlough has branded into his arm.

The mystery deepens when Kamelion falls under the control of a powerful mind, and the TARDIS travels to the volcanic world of Sarn. As Turlough is forced to face his past, the Fifth Doctor must stop his oldest enemy from harnessing the revitalising powers of Numismaton gas...

4 Episodes:

First aired Thursday, February 23, 1984
Runtime 25 minutes
Written by Peter Grimwade
Directed by Fiona Cumming
UK Viewers 7.4 million

Synopsis

Lanzarote, 1985. Archaeologist Howard Foster raises a strange metal artefact from the sea floor. But how is it linked to the signal the TARDIS received? Why is Turlough suddenly so worried? And why is Kamelion acting so erratically?

First aired Friday, February 24, 1984
Runtime 25 minutes
Written by Peter Grimwade
Directed by Fiona Cumming
UK Viewers 6.1 million

Synopsis

While the Master, victim of his own attempt to improve his TCE weapon, seeks restoration through Sarn's numismaton gas, the truth of Turlough's past comes out at last, though to guarantee the safety of his brother and the Sarn people, Turlough must consider a great personal sacrifice.

First aired Thursday, March 1, 1984
Runtime 25 minutes
Written by Peter Grimwade
Directed by Fiona Cumming
UK Viewers 7.4 million

Synopsis

Sarn prophesy foretells of an outsider who will come to aid the people. It's a role the Master is more than delighted to fill, which finally presents Timanov, the Sarn religious leader, the unbridled support he's sought in his campaign to cull the faithless from among his people. Turlough's secret past, however, is somehow intricately involved in all this, and the reluctance of its disclosure is enough to threaten all friendly ties with the Doctor.

First aired Friday, March 2, 1984
Runtime 25 minutes
Written by Peter Grimwade
Directed by Fiona Cumming
UK Viewers 7 million

Synopsis

While the Master, victim of his own attempt to improve his TCE weapon, seeks restoration through Sarn's numismaton gas, the truth of Turlough's past comes out at last, though to guarantee the safety of his brother and the Sarn people, Turlough must consider a great personal sacrifice.

Ratings are from TARDIS Guide members only.

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