Season 17 Launch Trailer (TV story)

The Season 17 Launch Trailer was a promotional mini-episode of Doctor Who, billed as a trailer by the BBC, featuring Tom Baker as the Fourth Doctor. It was broadcast on BBC One in 1979.

This mini-episode served as a prequel to Destiny of the Daleks, with a mysterious voice forewarning the Doctor of the coming danger, although to retain continuity with the story it promoted, the Doctor's mind was wiped immediately after, leaving only a subconscious memory.

Synopsis
to be added

Plot
On a planet, a detached voice tells the Doctor to awake several times. The Doctor steps out of the TARDIS, telling the voice to go away. The voice warns the Doctor that he will be pitted against an evil force, quickly clarifying it to be the Daleks, and the Doctor responds "never heard of them" before snapping to attention. The Doctor asks when he will face the Daleks, and what they are doing. The voice responds he will not tell him that, causing the Doctor to retort "Then why bring it up in the first place?" The voice orders that the Doctor now forget their conversation. The Doctor, now confused, asks if someone else is there. The voice begins laughing, and the Doctor joins in as well. The Doctor remarks that a fellow should be able to get a few months rest, before turning the sign on the TARDIS door which reads DO NOT DISTURB UNTIL SEPTEMBER 1.

Cast

 * The Doctor - Tom Baker
 * Voice - Unknown

Worldbuilding

 * The voice mentions the Daleks.
 * The Doctor believes it is August, and has a sign saying not to disturb until 1 September.

Story notes

 * This scene features new, specially filmed material.
 * The Doctor is warned of the events of Destiny of the Daleks, but he has his mind wiped after being told, allowing the trailer to maintain the continuity of the Doctor's surprise at seeing the Daleks during the serial.

Continuity

 * The voice's warning would come to pass when the Doctor became involved in the Movellan Incident. (TV: Destiny of the Daleks)