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Classic Who S19 • Serial 4 · (4 episodes)

The Visitation

3.41/ 5 272 votes

First aired Monday, February 15, 1982
Production Code 5X
Written by Eric Saward
Directed by Peter Moffatt
Runtime 100 minutes
Time Travel Past
Tropes: (Potential Spoilers!) Spaceship
Inventory: (Potential Spoilers!) Sonic Screwdriver
Locations Earth England London
Synopsis

The Fifth Doctor tries to take Tegan back to Heathrow Airport but the TARDIS arrives in the 17th century instead of the 20th. The time travellers find a space capsule has crash-landed nearby and that its alien occupants, three Terileptil prison escapees, intend to wipe out all indigenous life on Earth by releasing rats infected with an enhanced strain of the great plague.

4 Episodes:

First aired Monday, February 15, 1982
Runtime 25 minutes
Written by Eric Saward
Directed by Peter Moffatt
UK Viewers 9.1 million

Synopsis

As plague sweeps 17th century England, the Doctor discovers a more exotic threat at work - shipwrecked Terileptil convicts, intent on making the planet their own.

First aired Tuesday, February 16, 1982
Runtime 25 minutes
Written by Eric Saward
Directed by Peter Moffatt
UK Viewers 9.3 million

Synopsis

To rescue Tegan and Adric, captured and interrogated by the Terileptil fugitive leader, the Doctor must get past the locals under alien control and overcome Death (an android servant dressed up as The Grim Reaper).

First aired Monday, February 22, 1982
Runtime 25 minutes
Written by Eric Saward
Directed by Peter Moffatt
UK Viewers 9.9 million

Synopsis

The Doctor makes the fugitive Terileptils a rare offer they shouldn't refuse; but, though few in numbers, they have a plan in the works for the quick and complete domination of Earth and mean to see it through.

First aired Tuesday, February 23, 1982
Runtime 25 minutes
Written by Eric Saward
Directed by Peter Moffatt
UK Viewers 10.1 million

Synopsis

With Tegan and Richard under alien control, and the manor sealed against anyone leaving or entering, it's a question whether or not the Doctor can get to London before the Terileptils release their improved strain of black death upon the world.

Ratings are from TARDIS Guide members only.

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Other adaptations of this story: