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Classic Who S20 • Serial 2 · (4 episodes)

Snakedance

3.62/ 5 241 votes

First aired Tuesday, January 18, 1983
Production Code 6D
Written by Christopher Bailey
Directed by Fiona Cumming
Runtime 100 minutes
Time Travel Future
Tropes: (Potential Spoilers!) Body Possession
Locations Manussa
Synopsis

The TARDIS makes an unplanned landing on Manussa, where preparations are underway to celebrate the defeat of the Sumaran Empire five centuries earlier. But the ancient evil of the Mara lives on, and Tegan, who has been haunted by disturbing dreams since her time under the Wind chimes on Deva Loka, is now a pawn in its plan to re-enter the physical world and subjugate the Manussan people.

4 Episodes:

First aired Tuesday, January 18, 1983
Runtime 25 minutes
Written by Christopher Bailey
Directed by Fiona Cumming
UK Viewers 6.7 million
Appreciation Index 65

Synopsis

Tegan steers the TARDIS to the planet Manussa, without meaning to - but why? And is it a coincidence that the planet is about to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the expulsion of the insidious Mara?

First aired Wednesday, January 19, 1983
Runtime 25 minutes
Written by Christopher Bailey
Directed by Fiona Cumming
UK Viewers 7.7 million
Appreciation Index 66

Synopsis

The Doctor talks to Ambril and Chela to try and stop the 500th anniversary celebrations. A possessed Tegan finds herself in Dugdale's Hall of Mirrors to where she summons Lon. The Doctor and Nyssa return to the caves.

First aired Tuesday, January 25, 1983
Runtime 25 minutes
Written by Christopher Bailey
Directed by Fiona Cumming
UK Viewers 6.6 million
Appreciation Index 67

Synopsis

The possessed Tegan and Lon try to find the whereabouts of the Great Crystal. The Doctor finds himself in prison, with only Nyssa to try and get him out. Chela tells the Doctor tales of Dojjen.

First aired Wednesday, January 26, 1983
Runtime 25 minutes
Written by Christopher Bailey
Directed by Fiona Cumming
UK Viewers 7.4 million
Appreciation Index 67

Synopsis

The Doctor and the original snakedancer Dojjen work to rid the planet of the Mara.

Ratings are from TARDIS Guide members only.

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