The Doctor, Sarah and Harry return to Earth in response to an emergency space-time telegraph from the Brigadier, who asks them to investigate the destruction of a series of North Sea oil rig... Read allThe Doctor, Sarah and Harry return to Earth in response to an emergency space-time telegraph from the Brigadier, who asks them to investigate the destruction of a series of North Sea oil rigs.The Doctor, Sarah and Harry return to Earth in response to an emergency space-time telegraph from the Brigadier, who asks them to investigate the destruction of a series of North Sea oil rigs.
- Soldier
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- Robert Banks Stewart
- Sydney Newman(uncredited)
- Donald Wilson(uncredited)
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaNicholas Courtney suggested to Philip Hinchcliffe that the Brigadier be killed off in this story, as he had become aware that he would no longer be required in the series' new format. Hinchcliffe turned down the idea, feeling that it would be an inappropriate fate for a character that had been so popular.
- Quotes
Huckle: Doctor, do you mind telling us exactly what you're doing?
Doctor Who: A little experiment in orthodontology, Mr Huckle.
Huckle: Orthodontology?
Doctor Who: Teeth. Teeth. The scientific study of teeth.
[Holds up the plaster cast]
Doctor Who: That's that cast of a tooth, wouldn't you say?
Huckle: Teeth? Doctor, you can't be serious.
Doctor Who: Teeth are very serious things, Mr Huckle.
Huckle: Look, let's get this straight, are you saying those rigs were chewed up by a set of giant molars?
Doctor Who: Yes. A set of giant molars that can chew through solid steel as easily as paper.
Brigadier Lethbridge Stewart: Are you suggesting that we're dealing with some kind of sea monster?
Doctor Who: Yes. A monster of frightening size and power.
Zygon: This one they call "Doctor", is a threat to us. Already he has found out too much. He must be... destroyed.
- ConnectionsFeatured in The Chronic Rift: Beauty and the Beast (1991)
Well, virtually the only flaw I can think of here is Nessie. Er, it's not a very good-looking puppet. This rubbish monster design is more than made up for by the spectacular Zygons, one of the most memorable and awesome (and I mean that in the classic sense of the word, they genuinely inspire awe) monsters the classic series ever had. Why they never returned on television is a mystery, and I actually think the new series could benefit from their return, particularly with Steven Moffat in charge in 2010. The Zygons are great monsters, their sucker-covered appearance is a bit disturbing, as are any scenes with them killing someone, but design is not all that their success rides on. This script makes the monsters genuinely detailed, they're not just ugly-looking things which show up and get defeated by the Doctor, they're actual characters with motives and a reason for existence. They also have a pretty neat and novel weapon, don't they? Also, the Zygon spaceship is for once appropriately alien, especially the creepy, fleshy controls.
The direction by Douglas Camfield is absolutely superb. In fact, with better effects, "Terror of the Zygons" could hold its own against the best monster features out there; it's one of the most cinematic "Doctor Who" stories there are, thanks to the extensive location shooting, which I believe was done on film as per the BBC standard (video for indoor shooting, film for outdoor shooting, although "Spearhead from Space" was shot entirely on film). I don't think this was shot in Scotland, but it's convincing enough. The guest performances are all excellent, but special mention goes to the wonderful John Woodnutt, and of course to Nicholas Courtney and John Levene as the Brig and Sgt. Benton respectively.
"Terror of the Zygons" benefits from a superb cast, with even the regulars performing better than usual (and the standard at the time for that was certainly quite high), extensive location work, excellent direction and an absolutely superb script. One of the all-time greatest "Doctor Who" stories, for sure.
10/10
- ametaphysicalshark
- Nov 12, 2008