Skip to content

Classic Who S6 • Serial 6 · (1/6 episodes intact)

The Space Pirates

Other variations of this story: The Space Pirates (BBC Audio Soundtrack)

2.03/ 5 198 votes

First aired Saturday, March 8, 1969
Production Code YY
Written by Robert Holmes
Directed by Michael Hart
Runtime 150 minutes
Time Travel Future
Tropes: (Potential Spoilers!) Mining Pirates The Doctor Falls
Locations Space
Synopsis

The TARDIS materialises in Earth's future on a space beacon just before it is attacked by pirates. The travellers find themselves trapped in a sealed section of the beacon. It is blown apart and flown to where the pirates will plunder it of the precious mineral argonite. They witness a conflict between the pirates and the Interstellar Space Corps, led by General Hermack and Major Warne.

6 Episodes:

First aired Saturday, March 8, 1969
Runtime 25 minutes
Written by Robert Holmes
Directed by Michael Hart
UK Viewers 5.8 million
Appreciation Index 57

Synopsis

Space beacons are being destroyed by pirates, who are salvaging the argonite metal. When the Doctor, Jamie and Zoe arrive on one of the beacons, they are mistaken for pirates.

First aired Saturday, March 15, 1969
Runtime 25 minutes
Written by Robert Holmes
Directed by Michael Hart
UK Viewers 6.8 million
Appreciation Index 52

Synopsis

With the Doctor, Jamie and Zoe trapped on a beacon segment, Hermack becomes suspicious of the unruly prospector Milo Clancey.

First aired Saturday, March 22, 1969
Runtime 25 minutes
Written by Robert Holmes
Directed by Michael Hart
UK Viewers 6.4 million
Appreciation Index 55

Synopsis

The Doctor, Jamie and Zoe flee from the Space Corps with Clancey, who decides to seek refuge on Ta.

First aired Saturday, March 29, 1969
Runtime 25 minutes
Written by Robert Holmes
Directed by Michael Hart
UK Viewers 5.8 million
Appreciation Index 53

Synopsis

The Doctor, Jamie and Zoe are held prisoner by the space pirates while Caven comes up with a plan to throw suspicion onto Clancey.

First aired Saturday, April 5, 1969
Runtime 25 minutes
Written by Robert Holmes
Directed by Michael Hart
UK Viewers 5.5 million
Appreciation Index 56

Synopsis

Madeleine is revealed to be working with Caven, who comes up with a way to kill the Doctor and his friends whilst framing them for the piracy.

First aired Saturday, April 12, 1969
Runtime 25 minutes
Written by Robert Holmes
Directed by Michael Hart
UK Viewers 5.3 million
Appreciation Index 52

Synopsis

With Clancey and Issigri trapped aboard the LIZ, the Doctor, Jamie and Zoe try to convince Madeleine to help them before Caven destroys Ta.

Ratings are from TARDIS Guide members only.

Other adaptations of this story: