Skip to content

Classic Who S14 • Serial 3 · (4 episodes)

The Deadly Assassin

4.05/ 5 328 votes

First aired Saturday, October 30, 1976
Production Code 4P
Written by Robert Holmes
Directed by David Maloney
Runtime 100 minutes
Story Type Companion-Lite
Tropes: (Potential Spoilers!) Breaking the Fourth Wall Miniaturisation
Story Arc: (Potential Spoilers!) Regeneration Limit
Synopsis

Through the millennia, the Time Lords of Gallifrey led a life of peace and ordered calm, protected against all threats from lesser civilisations by their great power. But this was to change. Suddenly and terribly, the Time Lords faced the most dangerous crisis in their long history...

4 Episodes:

First aired Saturday, October 30, 1976
Runtime 25 minutes
Written by Robert Holmes
Directed by David Maloney
UK Viewers 11.8 million

Synopsis

Gallifrey, planet of the Time Lords. Summoned home by a premonition of murder, the Doctor discovers a dark conspiracy at the highest levels of Time Lord society... and his oldest enemy, who poses a threat to the existence of Gallifrey itself...

First aired Saturday, November 6, 1976
Runtime 25 minutes
Written by Robert Holmes
Directed by David Maloney
UK Viewers 12.1 million
Appreciation Index 59

Synopsis

The President of the High Council has been killed and the Doctor is the prime suspect. The Time Lords are eager to dispense quick justice and the Doctor must race agains the clock to discover the truth... and an old enemy.

First aired Saturday, November 13, 1976
Runtime 25 minutes
Written by Robert Holmes
Directed by David Maloney
UK Viewers 13 million

Synopsis

The Doctor has entered the computation Matrix to prove his innocence. But his opponent is prepared for him and the two engage in a mental duel to the death.

First aired Saturday, November 20, 1976
Runtime 25 minutes
Written by Robert Holmes
Directed by David Maloney
UK Viewers 11.8 million
Appreciation Index 61

Synopsis

The Doctor has won his fight in the Matrix and revealed the assassin. But the Master is not defeated and sets a plan in motion that could destroy the Time Lords.

Ratings are from TARDIS Guide members only.

Other adaptations of this story: