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Classic Who S12 • Serial 3 · (2 episodes)

The Sontaran Experiment

3.15/ 5 329 votes

First aired Saturday, February 22, 1975
Production Code 4B
Written by Bob Baker Dave Martin
Directed by Rodney Bennett
Runtime 50 minutes
Time Travel Future
Tropes: (Potential Spoilers!) Lost the TARDIS
Story Arc: (Potential Spoilers!) Nerva Beacon
Locations Earth
Synopsis

Arriving on a seemingly deserted Earth, the Doctor, Sarah and Harry soon discover a crew of shipwrecked astronauts from a distant Earth colony. Lured there by a fake distress call, the astronauts are being experimented on by the deadly Sontarans in preparation of a full-scale invasion of the planet. Can the Doctor defeat Sontaran Field-Major Styre and save the world?

2 Episodes:

First aired Saturday, February 22, 1975
Runtime 25 minutes
Written by Bob Baker Dave Martin
Directed by Rodney Bennett
UK Viewers 11 million

Synopsis

The Doctor, Sarah Jane and Harry teleport to Earth to ensure the planet is safe for the survivors on board Nerva Beacon to return and reinhabit their world. A Sontaran named Styre has captured a group of humans and is conducting experiments on them to discover the human body's weaknesses, as part of the Sontaran's goal for domination of the galaxy.

First aired Saturday, March 1, 1975
Runtime 25 minutes
Written by Bob Baker Dave Martin
Directed by Rodney Bennett
UK Viewers 10.5 million
Appreciation Index 55

Synopsis

The Doctor learns that Styre has been experimenting on the Galsec crewmembers to pave the way for a Sontaran invasion of Earth and decides the only way to halt his plans is to challenge him to a duel.

Ratings are from TARDIS Guide members only.

Other adaptations of this story: