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Classic Who S16 • Serial 6 · (6 episodes)

The Armageddon Factor

2.99/ 5 242 votes

First aired Saturday, January 20, 1979
Production Code 5F
Written by Bob Baker Dave Martin
Directed by Michael Hayes
Runtime 150 minutes
Story Type Companion Exit
Time Travel Future
Tropes: (Potential Spoilers!) AI gone wrong The Doctor’s Name Miniaturisation
Story Arc: (Potential Spoilers!) The Key to Time
Locations Atrios Zeos
Synopsis

The final segment of the Key to Time is at the heart of a devastating war between neighbouring planets Atrios and Zeos. The Fourth Doctor discovers that a sinister entity is manipulating events and the cost of obtaining the final segment may be more personal than he imagined.

6 Episodes:

First aired Saturday, January 20, 1979
Runtime 25 minutes
Written by Bob Baker Dave Martin
Directed by Michael Hayes
UK Viewers 7.5 million
Appreciation Index 65

Synopsis

Searching for the sixth segment, the Doctor and Romana land in the midst of a brutal nuclear war between the planets Atrios and Zeos.

First aired Saturday, January 27, 1979
Runtime 25 minutes
Written by Bob Baker Dave Martin
Directed by Michael Hayes
UK Viewers 8.8 million

Synopsis

Swept up in an apocalyptic war, the Doctor must help the Marshal defend his planet. But who or what controls the Marshal?

First aired Saturday, February 3, 1979
Runtime 25 minutes
Written by Bob Baker Dave Martin
Directed by Michael Hayes
UK Viewers 7.8 million

Synopsis

The Doctor meets a new enemy – the Shadow – who wants the Key to Time. And the Atrian-Zeon war is approaching an awful climax.

First aired Saturday, February 10, 1979
Runtime 25 minutes
Written by Bob Baker Dave Martin
Directed by Michael Hayes
UK Viewers 8.6 million

Synopsis

The Doctor is forced into a desperate gambit to prevent a massacre. But it is getting harder to tell friend from foe.

First aired Saturday, February 17, 1979
Runtime 25 minutes
Written by Bob Baker Dave Martin
Directed by Michael Hayes
UK Viewers 8.6 million

Synopsis

The Doctor and Romana finally venture into the Shadow's lair. The Shadow appears to hold all the cards but the Doctor has found an old friend.

First aired Saturday, February 24, 1979
Runtime 25 minutes
Written by Bob Baker Dave Martin
Directed by Michael Hayes
UK Viewers 9.6 million
Appreciation Index 66

Synopsis

The Doctor and the Shadow have their final confrontation to take control of the Key to Time. Completing it may entail an awful sacrifice. And the Black Guardian will do anything to obtain it and plunge the Universe into chaos.

Ratings are from TARDIS Guide members only.

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