Contact has been made! A servant and his Master reunited. Art by Andrew Skilleter.
A strange signal from Earth draws the TARDIS to the island of Lanzarotte (SIC). Whilst the Doctor tries to track the source pf the signal, his companion Turlough rescues a young American girl, Peri, from drowning. She is holding an artifact made from platinum bearing a strange symbol - the same symbol that Turlough himself carries on his arm, branded into the flesh...
It is the artefact that is enticing the signal, leading them all to the planet Sarn, a world ravaged by volcanoes and yet holding the secret of eternal life. But an old foe of the Doctor's is desperate for the elixir, and will stop at nothing to gain it.
What is Turlough's link to the artefact? What is the nature of Sarn's mythical god, Logar, and how is it linked to the ruined spaceship crashed on a mountainside? As age-old systems of belief begin to break down, will anyone escape from the planet of fire with their life?
Original BBC Video release story synopsis - 1998
Providing the penultimate adventure for Peter Davison's swansong season, veteran Who director turned writer Peter Grimwade delivers his third and final script, the ambitious Planet of Fire, with capable aplomb, assuredly handling the huge shopping list of requirements given to him by the then production team that had to be incorporated into the story, namely the departure and revealed origins of Turlough, the death of the android Kamelion, the return of the Master (also at that point to be killed off with the end of Anthony Ainley's contract), and the introduction of a new American companion. Oh, and there's also the mighty task of structuring a story to incorporate Lanzarote as a filming location on the interested whims of a director and producer. No pressure then?
That Planet of Fire turns out to be as good as it is in its final translation to the TV screen would be a relief to this viewer back on original transmission in February 1984. With an excellent opening episode bringing lots of intrigue and mystery, especially linked to both Turlough and the shape-changing Kamelion, director Fiona Cumming comfortably handles the evolving story and delivers the required expensive looking location filming, though such material (giving things a required glossy look) does jar badly in early episodes alongside the all too small studio bound sets depicting the interiors of Sarn. Thankfully, the film location/studio interiors blending balances out better from the adventure's third part onwards. It's a shame that a few of Malcolm Thornton's sets (like the great hall) couldn't have been additionally shot on film at Ealing rather than the BBC TV Studios.
At the top of his game as series star, Peter Davison continues to be confident and excellent throughout the story, especially in his battle against the Kamelion Master (Anthony Ainley gets to bring an even nastier side to the character via his android slave), their scenes heightened by another evocative score from Radiophonic Workshop composer Peter Howell, leaning on the electronics to represent the android turned villain. Meanwhile, the revelation of the separate miniature Master is an excellent one (and makes for a superb episode three cliffhanger), leading to his seeming fiery consumption demise that proves satisfying yet also left on a deliberate note of intrigue. Was he the Doctor's 'brother'?
Peri makes a youthfully confident and sexy first appearance in the series.
As we wave goodbye to Vislor Turlough, Mark Strickson gets a suitable and rewarding send-off for the character in the series that truly ties up the loose ends most satisfyingly - it's a shame he couldn't have come back for a guest starring tale with a different Doctor and era. As for the arrival of Nicola Bryant, straight out from drama school in her first role, what can we say? It's like producer John Nathan-Turner had deliberately, and effectively, detonated a sex bomb in the heart of the TARDIS that was guaranteed to get all the males in the UK (and beyond its shores) back into watching the series and the adventures of Peri Brown, the first onscreen American companion. Thankfully, along with her superbly showcased bikini figure and sex appeal that's abundantly clear from the start, Nicola Bryant proves one hell of a discovery and is excellent in her debut story, appealing and full of spunk in the role, with more great acting work to enjoy with the end of Season Twenty-One. The role was not only a dream come true for the actress (a lifelong Who viewer), but also for her newly activated personal fan base. Welcome aboard, Peri!
The makings of a first class TARDIS team with the Fifth Doctor and Peri.
Trouble in the TARDIS as a mystery signals brings the Doctor and a troubled Turlough to Lanzarote on modern day Earth.
The Doctor checks on a disturbed Kamelion (voiced by Gerald Flood), suffering some kind of mystery attack that soon turns into a subtle takeover of the TARDIS for his former Master.
On the volcanic world of Sarn, Timanov (Peter Wyngarde) rules its small colony via the religion of the fire god Logar. I was never quite sure if the Arab-esque costume were too obvious for this story.
The young Malkon (Edward Highmore), the chosen one of his people, seeks solace and wisdom from Timanov.
Discovering a mystery signal to be triangulated, the Doctor and Turlough confer with American Howard Foster's archaeological party at work in Lanzarote.
Howard (Dallas Adams) with his troubled step-daughter Peri, who has plans to travel abroad without his permission.
Escaping the confined wishes of her step-father, Peri is soon drowning in the seas, requiring the rescue assistance of a disgruntled Turlough.
Back on the beach, and with the mystery alien signal device object that Peri has acquired.
Now arrived on Sarn, Kamelion turns into the Master and takes Peri hostage.
Back in his android form, Peri is given a vital TARDIS component, as Kamelion fights against the mental takeover of the Master.
Kamelion is the form of Howard within the TARDIS.
The Master solidifies his control of Kamelion.
Taken out of the TARDIS, Peri eventually makes a plucky escape from the Master/Kamelion.
The Master/Kamelion soon meets the primitive Sarns and is welcomed to the community as a servant of Logar by the ignorant and corrupted Timanov.
In the main cavern hall, Timanov extends his power base and takes the Doctor and the heretic Sarn resistance forces, working against the myth of the 'fire god' Logar, captive.
Young Malkon, soon revealed as the younger exiled brother of Turlough, is shot and injured whilst protecting the Doctor.
The Master/Kamelion tries to have the Doctor burnt but soon fails.
Reunited with Peri, the Master/Kamelion prepares to activate the planet's unique and healing Numismaton gas for a special benefit to the Master.
Peri has no choice but to help the Master/Kamelion.
The true fate of the Master is revealed.
The Doctor and Peri work to liberate Kamelion from the influence of the Master.
They succeed in giving the android Kamelion the equivalent of a shocking heart attack.
The Doctor has no choice but to end Kamelion's existence once and for all.
The Master is seemingly dead, consumed by the planet's brutal flames.
Turlough is offered the chance to return home, as are the rest of the surviving Sarn populace from the dying planet (including a disappointingly under used guest star in Barbara Shelley).
The Doctor and Turlough (the consistently excellent Mark Strickson) part ways.
The final congregation before departing Sarn.
The memorable cover to Doctor Who Magazine issue 87, April 1984.
WH Allen hardback release cover sleeve art by Andrew Skilleter.
Introducing Peri, and then some! Sexy cover art for In-Vision magazine.
Original UK VHS release sleeve featuring photo composites.
US DVD release cover composition by Clayton Hickman.
German DVD release art.
Target Books fan art cover by Philip James Allison.
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