The Sun Makers

Directed by

UK Viewers

8.5 million

Synopsis

Pluto, the distant future. The planet has been terraformed and is now orbited by artificial suns, provided by the rapacious company who ruthlessly exploit the relocated human workforce. The Doctor, Leela, and K9 arrive and befriend a luckless drone worker, but they must flee with him to the dark undercity...

Part Two

First aired

Saturday, December 3, 1977

Runtime

25 minutes

Written by

Directed by

UK Viewers

9.5 million

Synopsis

The Doctor has been captured by the Gatherer. Leela works to free him but the Gatherer is already laying his own plans…

Part Three

First aired

Saturday, December 10, 1977

Runtime

25 minutes

Written by

Directed by

UK Viewers

8.9 million

Appreciation Index

Synopsis

Now Leela is the prisoner of the Collector. He knows of the Doctor and is determined to rid himself of both of them.

Part Four

First aired

Saturday, December 17, 1977

Runtime

25 minutes

Written by

Directed by

UK Viewers

8.4 million

Appreciation Index

Synopsis

The Doctor now moves to completely overthrow the Company. But the Collector has one last trump card to play.

Characters

Fourth Doctor

Tom Baker

Leela

Louise Jameson

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The Sun Makers

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The Sun Makers (VHS)

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8 reviews

An oppressive regime on the planet Pluto and a resistance that wants to fight back. Always a storyline that's enjoyable in science fiction. All the cast seem to be having fun which shows as there's never really a dull moment.

Scottybguud

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Review last edited on 16-06-25

This review contains spoilers!

I'm surprised that they decided to write a story about taxes and it turned out as well as it did.

Only the Doctor would play chess against a dog - and lose. While he goes through the story with a big smile and laughs, he's clearly caring of these oppressed citizens, and the Doctor clearly enjoys getting the best of the Company, as their rule is everything he stands against. I'm surprised how well Leela settles into this story, considering it's not something that Leela is used to. K-9 acts a lot more like a dog than he does in the future, and some of my favourite moments are between the two companions, and they are extremely close, something I really love about this TARDIS team. All three of them get a chance to shine, K-9 especially!

Holmes is clearly writing an anti-government political stance and this is shown through all of the villains - I'm sure this created a lot of controversy at the time. This doesn't give the story too much of a serious outlook, however as each villain keeps the story upbeat and fun, with the Gatherer being OTT and the Collector being high pitched. The guards aren't very good at their job, and I'm surprised that the citizens didn't revolt beforehand. The higher ups establish their threat early, even convincing someone to commit suicide - DARK!

I'm annoyed that Pluto doesn't look like Pluto - just get a planet that looks like Earth, and problem solved. It makes literally no sense for them to be on Pluto. The settings themselves are very bland, and I wasn't interested in the place, and I just think they should've put far more effort into the visuals of the story.

The citizens are probably the best part about this story - but far too weak generally. Of course, we get Condo, who starts off as someone with no hope, and develops over the course of the story and rediscovers life - and then we have the rebels, who are serious and get to have some fun after hiding at long last.

It's okay, but a little boring and dull, both plot-wise and in terms of visuals. The characters are the saviour of this though.

Ryebean

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Review last edited on 3-06-25

This is arguably the most fun 4th doctor story like this dj the story you would put on for a good laugh

Rock_Angel

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Review last edited on 25-04-25

This review contains spoilers!

One of my all-time favorite episodes! First off, it's hilarious that it managed to accidentally be one of the best anti-capitalist episodes in a show full of purposeful anti-capitalist episodes. It's meant to be anti-tax, but the way taxes are treated is more just using a different word for fees and the cost of living. The biggest problem is exploitation by the company that runs the planet, has a monopoly on goods and jobs, and pumps the air full of drugs to keep the populace nervous and easily exploited. At one point they actually explicitly go on strike.

Leela gets a chance to be a leader in her own right, which I always appreciate, and there are some excellent moments with her and K-9. It's also funny to see that the company is aware of the Time Lords but remains unconcerned about them because they aren't monetarily exploitable.

presidentdisastra

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Review last edited on 13-04-25

I found The Sun to be enjoyable. It has some funny moments and the plot is also quite good. It does have some strange political messaging, though.

Bongo50

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Review last edited on 9-02-25