The Monster of Peladon (TV story)

Synopsis
The TARDIS returns to Peladon some fifty years after the Doctor's last visit. The planet is now ruled by Queen Thalira - daughter of the late King Peladon - with advice from Chancellor Ortron. The Doctor and Sarah are arrested by Ortron for trespassing on sacred ground but their names are cleared by Alpha Centauri, now Galactic Federation ambassador to Peladon.

Plot
The TARDIS lands on Peladon, where the Doctor and Sarah battle monsters to save the planet and the universe.

Cast

 * The Doctor - Jon Pertwee
 * Sarah Jane Smith - Elisabeth Sladen
 * Thalira - Nina Thomas
 * Eckersley - Donald Gee
 * Ortron - Frank Gatliff
 * Gebek - Rex Robinson
 * Azaxyr - Alan Bennion
 * Sskel - Sonny Caldinez
 * Ettis - Ralph Watson
 * Voice of Alpha Centauri - Ysanne Churchman
 * Body of Alpha Centauri - Stuart Fell
 * Vega Nexos - Gerald Taylor
 * Preba - Graeme Eton
 * Blor - Michael Crane
 * Guard Captain - Terry Walsh
 * Aggedor - Nick Hobbs
 * Miners - Roy Evans, Max Faulkner

Crew

 * Assistant Floor Manager - Roselyn Parker
 * Costumes - Barbara Kidd
 * Designer - Gloria Clayton
 * Film Cameraman - Keith Hopper
 * Film Editor - William Symon
 * Incidental Music - Dudley Simpson
 * Make-Up - Elisabeth Moss
 * Producer - Barry Letts
 * Production Assistant - Marcia Wheeler
 * Production Unit Manager - George Gallaccio
 * Script Editor - Terrance Dicks
 * Special Sounds - Dick Mills
 * Studio Lighting - Ralph Walton
 * Studio Sound - Tony Millier
 * Theme Arrangement - Delia Derbyshire
 * Title Music - Ron Grainer
 * Visual Effects - Peter Day

Story Notes

 * This story had the working title Return To Peladon.
 * This is the last on-screen appearance of the Ice Warriors, though they did reappear in various novels (NA: Legacy, Theatre of War, Happy Endings, GodEngine, The Dying Days) and audio dramas (BFA: Red Dawn, Frozen Time, BFBS: The Dance of the Dead) to name a few.
 * In an attempt to recapture the feel of The Curse of Peladon, the same director and designer were assigned to this story and many of the props that still existed (including the Alpha Centauri, Aggedor and Ice Warrior costumes) were reused.

Ratings

 * Part 1 - 9.2 million viewers
 * Part 2 - 6.8 million viewers
 * Part 3 - 7.4 million viewers
 * Part 4 - 7.2 million viewers
 * Part 5 - 7.5 million viewers
 * Part 6 - 8.1 million viewers

Myths

 * Azaxyr is an 'Ice Lord'. (The term is never used)

Filming Locations

 * Five days at the Ealing Television Film Studios from January 14th to 18th 1974 filming footage set in the mines.
 * Two day session in BBC Television Centre Studio 8 from January 28th and Tuesday the 29th 1974 filming footage set in the temple and the pit.

Discontinuity, Plot Holes, Errors

 * In The Curse of Peladon, the Doctor says that trisilicate can only be found on the planet Mars. (The Doctor believed what he said but was wrong.)
 * Lip reading the Doctor at the end of episode one results in the great line 'What the bloody hell is it?'. (Actually, he appears to be saying, 'What the blazes is it?'.)
 * In episode four we get a clear look at stunt double Terry Walsh when, as the Doctor, he throws Ettis.
 * In episode six the hole in the door vanishes along with the Aggedor statue.
 * When Aggedor dies Nick Hobbs's skin shows as the trousers detach from the boots.

Continuity

 * This is a sequel to The Curse of Peladon, NA: Legacy and BFA: The Bride of Peladon are sequels to both this story and The Curse of Peladon.

DVD, Video and Other Releases
to be added

Novelisation

 * Main article: Doctor Who and the Monster of Peladon


 * Novelised as Doctor Who and the Monster of Peladon by Terrance Dicks in 1980.