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Classic Who S3 • Serial 4 · (3/12 episodes intact)

The Daleks’ Master Plan

3.92/ 5 251 votes

First aired Saturday, November 13, 1965
Production Code V
Directed by Douglas Camfield
Runtime 300 minutes
Time Travel Past Present Future
Story Arc: (Potential Spoilers!) The Daleks' Master Plan
Inventory: (Potential Spoilers!) Signet ring Taranium core The Time Destructor
Synopsis

In the year 4000, the Daleks conspire to conquer the Solar System. Their scheme involves treachery at the highest levels and a weapon capable of destroying the very fabric of time. Only the Doctor and his friends can prevent catastrophe — and there is no guarantee they will escape with their lives...

12 Episodes:

First aired Saturday, November 13, 1965
Runtime 25 minutes
Written by Terry Nation
Directed by Douglas Camfield
UK Viewers 9.1 million
Appreciation Index 54

Synopsis

The Doctor runs afoul of the Daleks and Special Security Agent Bret Vyon on the planet Kembel.

First aired Saturday, November 20, 1965
Runtime 25 minutes
Written by Terry Nation
Directed by Douglas Camfield
UK Viewers 9.8 million
Appreciation Index 52

Synopsis

The Doctor infiltrates the Daleks' conference to try and discover their plans, leaving Steven, Katarina and Bret to find a way off the planet.

First aired Saturday, November 27, 1965
Runtime 25 minutes
Written by Terry Nation
Directed by Douglas Camfield
UK Viewers 10.3 million
Appreciation Index 52

Synopsis

The Doctor and his friends escape Kembel in the Spar ship but the Daleks force them down on the planet Desperus, where they are threatened by a group of convicts.

First aired Saturday, December 4, 1965
Runtime 25 minutes
Written by Terry Nation
Directed by Douglas Camfield
UK Viewers 9.5 million
Appreciation Index 51

Synopsis

With Katarina being held hostage, the Doctor, Steven and Bret are in danger of having to given in to Kirksen's demands, while, on Earth, Chen has them listed as traitors.

First aired Saturday, December 11, 1965
Runtime 25 minutes
Written by Terry Nation
Directed by Douglas Camfield
UK Viewers 9.9 million
Appreciation Index 53

Synopsis

The Doctor, Steven and Sara are accidentally transported to the planet Mira where Chen sends the Daleks after them.

First aired Saturday, December 18, 1965
Runtime 25 minutes
Written by Dennis Spooner
Directed by Douglas Camfield
UK Viewers 9.1 million
Appreciation Index 56

Synopsis

The Doctor, Steven and Sara escape Mira in a Dalek pursuit ship but when they find the ship is returning to Kembel, they are forced to come up with a new plan to avoid the Daleks.

First aired Saturday, December 25, 1965
Runtime 25 minutes
Written by Terry Nation
Directed by Douglas Camfield
UK Viewers 7.9 million
Appreciation Index 39

Synopsis

The Doctor, Steven and Sara visit a Liverpool police station on Christmas Day and a Hollywood film set during the 1920s.

First aired Saturday, January 1, 1966
Runtime 25 minutes
Written by Dennis Spooner
Directed by Douglas Camfield
UK Viewers 9.6 million
Appreciation Index 49

Synopsis

The Daleks realise the Doctor has given them a fake Taranium Core while, on the planet Tigus, the Doctor encounters the Meddling Monk.

First aired Saturday, January 8, 1966
Runtime 25 minutes
Written by Dennis Spooner
Directed by Douglas Camfield
UK Viewers 9.2 million
Appreciation Index 52

Synopsis

The Doctor, Steven and Sara travel to Ancient Egypt, pursued by both the Daleks and the Meddling Monk.

First aired Saturday, January 15, 1966
Runtime 25 minutes
Written by Dennis Spooner
Directed by Douglas Camfield
UK Viewers 9.5 million
Appreciation Index 50

Synopsis

Steven, Sara and the Monk are captured by the Daleks in order to force the Doctor to hand over the Taranium Core.

First aired Saturday, January 22, 1966
Runtime 25 minutes
Written by Dennis Spooner
Directed by Douglas Camfield
UK Viewers 9.8 million
Appreciation Index 49

Synopsis

The Doctor, Steven and Sara reach Kembel where they find the Daleks have betrayed their allies and imprisoned them.

First aired Saturday, January 29, 1966
Runtime 25 minutes
Written by Dennis Spooner
Directed by Douglas Camfield
UK Viewers 8.6 million
Appreciation Index 57

Synopsis

With the Daleks poised to invade the solar system, the Doctor decides his only option is to activate the Time Destructor prematurely, threatening the entire planet.

Ratings are from TARDIS Guide members only.

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