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Classic Who S16 • Serial 1 · (4 episodes)

The Ribos Operation

3.51/ 5 258 votes

First aired Saturday, September 2, 1978
Production Code 5A
Written by Robert Holmes
Directed by George Spenton-Foster
Runtime 100 minutes
Time Travel Future
Tropes: (Potential Spoilers!) Mind Control
Story Arc: (Potential Spoilers!) The Key to Time
Inventory: (Potential Spoilers!) Jeweller’s loupe
Locations Ribos
Synopsis

The Doctor is summoned by the mysterious and powerful White Guardian, and sent on a quest to find the six segments of the Key to Time, which, once assembled, will restore balance to the Universe. Joining the Doctor and K9 is the smart and sassy Romana, a Time Lord fresh from the Academy.

Landing on the wintry planet of Ribos to locate the first segment, the TARDIS crew quickly find themselves embroiled in a little local trouble with a pair of con men and an unstable warlord...

4 Episodes:

First aired Saturday, September 2, 1978
Runtime 25 minutes
Written by Robert Holmes
Directed by George Spenton-Foster
UK Viewers 8.3 million
Appreciation Index 59

Synopsis

The Magellanic Clouds, the planet Ribos, an unknown time. Ordered by the White Guardian to collect the pieces of the omnipotent Key to Time, The Doctor, K-9 and his new assistant Romana arrive. Collecting the first segment is not going to be easy…

First aired Saturday, September 9, 1978
Runtime 25 minutes
Written by Robert Holmes
Directed by George Spenton-Foster
UK Viewers 8.1 million

Synopsis

Trying to obtain the first segment of the Key to Time, the Doctor and Romana are swept up in an elaborate con. The target – the homicidal Graff Vynda K.

First aired Saturday, September 16, 1978
Runtime 25 minutes
Written by Robert Holmes
Directed by George Spenton-Foster
UK Viewers 7.9 million

Synopsis

Prisoners of the maniacal Graff Vynda K, the Doctor and Romana must break out and pursue the first segment – even as Unstoff takes it into the most dangerous place on Ribos.

First aired Saturday, September 23, 1978
Runtime 25 minutes
Written by Robert Holmes
Directed by George Spenton-Foster
UK Viewers 8.2 million
Appreciation Index 67

Synopsis

Trapped in the catacombs between a mad warlord and ravenous monsters, the Doctor and Romana work desperately to obtain the segment of the Key to Time - and escape alive.

Ratings are from TARDIS Guide members only.

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