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126) TERMINUS

15 - 23 February 1983

Average Viewing Figure: 7.1M

Plot

When Turlough sabotages The Tardis, The time travellers find themselves on Terminus with passengers suffering Lazar's disease

Cast

Peter Davison (The Doctor), Sarah Sutton (Nyssa), Janet Fielding (Tegan), Mark Strickson (Turlough), Liza Goddard (Kari)

Dominic Guard (Olvir), Valentine Dyall (The Black Guardian), Rachael Weaver (Inga), Martin Potter (Eirak), Andrew Burt (Valegard)

Tim Munro (Sigurd), Peter Benson (Bor), RJ Bell (The Garm), Martin Muncaster (Tannoy Voice)

Crew

Steve Gallagher (Writer), John Waller (Fight Arranger), Roger Limb (Incidental Music), Steve Goldie (Production Manager)

June Collins (Production Associate), Rena Butterwick (Production Assistant), Polly Davidson (Assistant Floor Manager)

Remi Adefarasin (Film Cameraman), Graham Hare (Film Sound), Frances Parker (Film Editor), Peter Pegrum (Visual Effects Designer)

Dave Chapman (Video Effects), Jeff Jeffrey (Technical Manager), Alec Wheal (Senior Cameraman)

Carol Johnson, Mary Kellehar (Vision Mixers), Rod Waldron (Videotape Editor), Sam Barclay (Studio Lighting)

Scott Talbott (Studio Sound), Dee Robson (Costume Designer), Joan Stribling (Make-Up Designer), Eric Saward (Script Editor)

Sid Sutton (Title Sequence), Dick Coles (Designer), John Nathan-Turner (Producer), Mary Ridge (Director)

Broadcast

Filming Locations

  • Television Centre Presentation: Studio B

  • Ealing Film Studios: Stage 3B

  • Television Centre: Studio 1

  • Television Centre: Studio 6

  • Television Centre: Studio 8

Deaths

  • [death fails to follow The Doctor this time]

Production Days

  • 9 Days between Tuesday 28 September - Saturday 18 December 1982

Production Errors

  1. Isn't it 'theoretically' impossible for Terminus to be at the exact centre of the known Universe. If the Universe does in fact expand, then wouldn't Terminus have to continually change its position, to take into account the expanding Universe and the location it's currently in?​​

Working Titles

  • [no known working titles]

Verdict

If there was ever a Doctor Who story which should receive more recognition and praise for its worth then that distinction should be this one. Tightly designed and written. The production design is top notch with tucked away doors and corridors and darkly lit corners. The sinister nature of the sets are assisted with slow camera movements which create a claustrophobic atmosphere for everyone involved. The exact centre of the Universe plot point matches surprising well with the Big Bang plot point, the third in the Peter Davison era to do thus. Some well structed stunts and executed practical explosions add to the tense story. The Black Guardian is a little unbelievable he would not give Turlough so many last chances as he does. Nyssa reaches her highest point in the serial and her departure is one of the series’ saddest exits you can really tell The Doctor loses someone very special to him and the unrealised epic duo will never be been seen again. Tegan and Turlough continue to get in each other’s way. Not the prettiest of serials to watch but it is certainly a rare treat. ****​

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