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Classic Who S8 • Serial 5 · (5 episodes)

The Dæmons

78% 727 votes

First aired Saturday, May 22, 1971
Production Code JJJ
Directed by Christopher Barry
Runtime 125 minutes
Story Type Series Finale
Time Travel Present
Inventory: (Potential Spoilers!) Bessie
Synopsis

The Master, posing as a rural vicar, summons a cloven-hoofed demon-like creature named Azal in a church crypt. Seeking to gain the ancient titan's demonic power, he gathers a cult and then corrupts or controls the residents of Devil's End to bow to his will.

Dark elemental forces begin to disturb the village on the eve of May Day: unexplained murders, a stone gargoyle come to life, and a nigh-impenetrable infernal energy dome. With the Master fully prepared to destroy the Earth, the Doctor and UNIT — aided by a benevolent practitioner of witchcraft — battle the wicked rites of a secret science wielded by an alien from another world.

5 Episodes:

First aired Saturday, May 22, 1971
Runtime 25 minutes
Directed by Christopher Barry
UK Viewers 9.2 million

Synopsis

Earth, the near future. When an archaological dig at the village of Devil's End goes disastrously wrong, an ancient power begins to revive. Can even the Doctor withstand the power of the Daemons? And just what is the local vicar up to in his spare time?

First aired Saturday, May 29, 1971
Runtime 25 minutes
Directed by Christopher Barry
UK Viewers 8 million

Synopsis

With the Doctor frozen by the energy release from the barrow, Jo calls Yates and Benton for help, but when the Brigadier tries to join them he finds the village surrounded by a heat barrier.

First aired Saturday, June 5, 1971
Runtime 25 minutes
Directed by Christopher Barry
UK Viewers 8.1 million

Synopsis

The Doctor explains to his friends that the Master is trying to gain the power of the last of the Daemons, a race who influenced Earth's development, while the Master brings the rest of the village under his control.

First aired Saturday, June 12, 1971
Runtime 25 minutes
Directed by Christopher Barry
UK Viewers 8.1 million

Synopsis

The Master orders Bert to set a trap for the Doctor at the village while a concussed Jo makes for the cavern.

First aired Saturday, June 19, 1971
Runtime 25 minutes
Directed by Christopher Barry
UK Viewers 8.3 million

Synopsis

The Master decides to sacrifice Jo to Azal and when the Doctor and his friends try to intervene they come under attack from Bok.

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Also featuring:

Tom Osgood  UNIT  Azal