YYY. The Monster Of Peladon

Season Eleven - 1973/1974

Script Editor: Terrance Dicks
Writer: Brian Hayles
Produced by: Barry Letts
Director: Lennie Mayne
Designer: Gloria Clayon
Incidental Music: Dudley Simpson
Fight Arranger: Terry Walsh

Synopsis

Fifty years after his previous visit, the Doctor takes Sarah to the planet of Peladon, now under the rule of the daughter of King Peladon, Queen Thalira, and she is advised by Chancellor Ortron who arrests the Doctor for trespassing on sacred ground. Fortunately Alpha Centauri is on hand to give the Doctor a character reference, and he is allowed to go free.

In the trisilicate mines apparitions of Aggedor have been scaring the miners who refuse to work. The Doctor finds that the apparition is down to a matter projector, and the heat ray is controlled by Eckersley who is in league with a group of Ice Warriors, lead by Azaxyr.

The Ice Warriors want the trisilicate for Galaxy 5, who are at war with the Federation. The Doctor uses the heat ray on the Ice Warriors, although Eckersley escapes, taking the Queen with him.

Using the real Aggedor the Doctor is able to track them. In a skirmish Eckersley is killed along with Aggedor. With the plans thwarted Galaxy 5 surrenders to the Federation. The Doctor declines an offer by Queen Thalira to become Chancellor, saying that the miners' leader Gebek should have the honour.

Regular Cast

  • Sarah Jane Smith: Elisabeth Sladen

Guest Cast

  • Eckersley: Donald Gee
  • Queen Thalira: Nina Thomas
  • Gebek: Rex Robinson
  • Voice of Alpha Centauri: Ysanne Churchman
  • Body of Alpha Centauri: Stuart Fell
  • Ortron: Frank Gatliffe (1-5)
  • Guard Captain: Terry Walsh (1-4)
  • Preba: Graeme Eton (1-2)
  • Vega Nexos: Gerald Taylor (1)
  • Blor: Michael Crane (1+reprise 2)
  • Aggedor: Nick Hobbs (2,3,6)
  • Miner: Roy Evans (3,4,6)
  • Azaxyr: Alan Bennion (4-6)
  • Sskel: Sonny Caldinez (4-6)
Uncredited:
  • Ice Warriors: (all 4-6) David Cleeve, Terence Denville, Alan Lenoir, Kevin Moran
  • Thalira's Attendant: Francis Pidgeon
  • Guards: Gordon Black, Derek Chafer, Pat Gorman, Chris Hodge, Steve Ismay, Tony Lord, David Rolfe
  • Miners: Roy Brent, John Cannon, Max Faulkner, Eden Fox, Bill Haydn, Chris Holmes, Tom O'Leary, Ivor Owen, Paul Phillips, Ivan Santon
  • Extra: Bob Blaine
  • Double for the Doctor: Terry Walsh

Original broadcast on the BBC

Channel Title Date Viewers Rating
BBC 1 370. Part One Saturday, 23 March 1974 17:30 - 17:55 9.2M
BBC 1 371. Part Two Saturday, 30 March 1974 17:30 - 17:55 6.8M
BBC 1 372. Part Three Saturday, 6 April 1974 17:30 - 17:55 7.4M 64%
BBC 1 373. Part Four Saturday, 13 April 1974 17:30 - 17:55 7.2M
BBC 1 374. Part Five Saturday, 20 April 1974 17:30 - 17:55 7.5M
BBC 1 375. Part Six Saturday, 27 April 1974 17:30 - 17:55 8.1M

Studios

  • Ealing Television Film Studios
  • Television Centre Studio 6
  • Television Centre Studio 8

Bloopers

Watch out for the really obvious stunt double when the Doctor is fighting the chap with the sonic lance.

When the Doctor is holed up in the refinery and being attacked by Ice Warriors, he sends out the fake Aggedor to fry them. Notice that before he does this, there is a gaping huge hole in the door. When Aggedor rematerialises after zapping them, we can see the door to the right side of the screen and it is untouched.