MEANWHILE, ON TELOS...

One of the captured humans (the popular supporting artist and TV legend Pat Gorman), presumably from the crew of the mysterious timeship acquired by the Cybermen, takes a moment out from his work duty on the desert realms of Telos, ever watched by the silver monsters, in this rare-ish image from Attack of the Cybermen.

Enjoy 'Paula Moore's action-packed tale in upscaled HD within the story/extras packed release of Doctor Who - The Collection: Season 22, finally available on Blu-ray

Get it here:

Doctor Who - The Collection - Season 22 - Limited Edition Packaging [Blu-ray] [2022]: Amazon.co.uk: DVD & Blu-ray

THE FIFTH DOCTOR AT 40: 'BLACK ORCHID'

Getting into the party spirit for Black Orchid.

A chance for some exciting cricket, and to indulge in a splendid masquerade ball held at the magnificent stately home of the Cranleigh family. It's an arrival within 'Roaring Twenties' England that our time/space travellers enjoy to the fullest. Until, of course, there's a murder (of which the Doctor is soon presumed guilty until proved innocent!), numerous attempted kidnaps by a masked guest/intruder (beware the Harlequin!), and a mystery/revelation linked to the Cranleighs' that brings Terence Dudley's charming two-parter Black Orchid to a tragic and fiery close, all of which is competently directed by newcomer Ron Jones, whose work would improve further by later stories. 

The Doctor's cricketing skills come to the fore!

Tegan and Nyssa enjoy some time with Ann Talbot.

Tegan enjoys the Charleston!

A sad time for Ann Talbot (Sarah Sutton) and Lord and Lady Cranleigh (Michael Cochrane and Barbara Murray).

A sombre but memorable ending involving our time travellers, the kind not often seen in the series.

A lively period showcase that doesn't outstay its welcome, Black Orchid proves just right for generic audiences to enjoy - nice scenery, a great cricket showcase for Davison to savour as the Doctor (the character's last example for a while), a doppelganger scenario perfect for a prior underused Sarah Sutton, and a fine guest cast (especially Barbara Murray and Michael Cochrane), before the oncoming storm that is Earthshock...

All dressed up for a masquerade to remember, in this location publicity session.

Colourful image eventually used on the Issue 69, October 1982 issue of Doctor Who Monthly.

American DVD release sleeve composition,

Composition from the Doctor Who - The Complete History partwork series.

The 2014 BBC Audio cover sleeve featuring adjusted art from the original Target novel's cover art by Tony Masero.

IN THE CROSSHAIRS OF 'THE DEADLY ASSASSIN'!

Returned to his home world of Gallifrey via a mystery summons alongside the projections of an assassination in the Capitol, the Doctor is soon caught in the revenge machinations of his deadly enemy, the Master, now a macabre, genuinely scary sight, whose vindictive madness has intensified to total genocide against his former race.

A terrific piece of art by Andrew Skilleter for The Deadly Assassin's original VHS release, exceptionally showcasing the excellent Matrix-immersive nightmare world seen in Part Three. Assassin was a classy, if fan controversial Robert Holmes tale whose aforementioned episode cliff-hanger would soon see in many complaints and behind the scenes changes to the show's tone in the then not too distant future...

THE UN-FRIENDLY ROBOT!

Investigating the mysterious and disturbing deaths of two farmer colonists on the planet Uxarieus, the Doctor soon discovers the murderous truth behind the sighting of so-called 'reptile monsters', in this memorable early moment from our hero's welcome return to the universe: Colony In Space.

TAKEOVER TV!

The discovery of a false leader fused with the lies of a seemingly benevolent colony being under human control sees the concept of 'Fake News' going amok once the true rulers of the planet are finally revealed - the hideous and manipulative crab-like monsters, the Macra, in the tightly written four-parter made for the unique atmosphere of B/W TV Who: The Macra Terror!

IN THE LAIR OF THE ZARBI!

He'd previously been to the mysterious but pleasant world of Vortis, so the Doctor is soon surprised and shocked by its now air of danger and malevolence by the time of his second visit, as well as the transformation of the ant-like Zarbi into oppressive creatures. A great posed image of William Hartnell taken on the set of The Web Planet.

Original Radio Times listing.

BY THE SWORD DIVIDED!

A composition from the German DVD release.

A mystery summons from another dimension, the arrival of formidable armoured warriors linked to Arthurian British mythology, and a top secret UNIT nuclear missile convoy sabotaged by dark forces. The Seventh Doctor and Ace arrive at a future time on Earth in the British countryside, soon caught in a conflict between good and evil unlike anything they've encountered before, in the always enjoyable four-parter, Battlefield. Though I always preferred the more intriguing and romantic original title for the story in its three-part storyline form: Storm Over Avallion.

Get the all-new BBC Audio expanded adaptation of Marc Platt's splendid Battlefield novelisation, read by Toby Longworth, here:

Doctor Who: Battlefield: 7th Doctor Novelisation (Audio Download): Marc Platt, Toby Longworth, BBC Audio: Amazon.co.uk: Books