THE FIFTH DOCTOR AT 40: 'THE VISITATION'

The classic publicity image for The Visitation, which also made an exemplary cover to Doctor Who Monthly magazine back in the day.

Heathrow, and the TARDIS has finally arrived where it should be for Tegan. Sadly, it's a case of being in the right place, but the wrong century, as the Doctor and his companions soon discover, alongside that of an alien arrival of criminal Terileptils (with their lethal, laser-blasting android), stranded on Earth and prepared to destroy humanity with their genetically re-engineered version of the infamous Black Death, whilst also thirsting to acquire the TARDIS for their own means, unless they can be stopped.

Memories from my original 1982 viewing: the eerie and suspenseful opening with the scary reveal of gorgeously designed and colourful android (Peter Van Dissel) and its wiping out of an Elizabethan family; the reveal of the Terileptil, an intriguing alien race that loves beauty but is happy to indulge in war and destruction  - it's still one of the best Davison era creatures (despite their limited body manipulation), and well voiced by Michael Melia (Someone should bring the creatures back in the modern series); the loss of the beloved sonic screwdriver (which shocked me then but proved a production decision ultimately good for the Classic Series in its final years); the Doctor's clever way out of Part Three's cliff-hanger, and, of course, the now infamous ending at Pudding Lane, London - terrific for all younger viewers who'd then spent many school months learning about the history of The Great Fire of London!

Overall, I thought the story's director Peter Moffat did a sold and pacy job, able to build-up drama in Who historical/gothic dramas with a sci-fi edge (though he'd sadly prove hopelessly lost handling pure sci-fi adventures later on), whilst Eric Saward's first script for the series would prove a cracker, conjuring a great plot and fine use of the Doctor. No wonder he was soon hired as the series then desperately needed script editor.

The Doctor surveys his latest destination.

Trouble ahead for our heroes as they witness smoke in the distance...

The Android in his guise as the 'Grim Reaper'.

Tegan is captured and controlled by the Terileptil and its robot servant (Peter Van Dissel).

The Doctor and Nyssa (Sarah Sutton) converse with the thespian Highwayman Richard Mace (a fine performance from Michael Robbins).

The Doctor confers with the scarred Terileptil leader (Michael Melia).

The Doctor takes desperate measures to avoid being contaminated by the Black Rat and its plague germ.

Within the TARDIS, the Doctor examines Nyssa's handiwork at destroying the Robot.

The Terileptil prepares to make his way to a secret London destination.

Now arrived in London, our group encounters the Terileptils for a final history-making time.

Behind the scenes, the team has fun on location in Black Park.

David McAllister's original unused art for the Target novelisation.

Chris Achilleos' piece for The Visitation BBC Books' reprint.

The Android 'Grim Reaper' takes centre stage on the television soundtrack cover.

An atmospheric art piece for the novelisation reading from BBC AUDIO.

Lovely image compilation art for the Doctor Who - The Complete History Partwork series.