With the Doctor behaving rather oddly after his regeneration, the Brigadier finds the research centre under attack after a robot steals the plans for a new disintegrator gun. Could the members of the mysterious Think Tank be responsible for the giant invader? How sinister are the intentions of the shadowy Scientific Reform Society? More importantly, can the Doctor recover in time to save the Earth from Atomic War?
Original BBC Video UK VHS sleeve notes
Robot was the story that genuinely cemented my affection for the original Doctor Who series, would see me making the show a regular staple of my TV watching choices, and solidified my memories of the Fourth Doctor's era for the rest of my life with great affection. And Tom Baker immediately made an impact with me as that young child back in the day - I loved the way he looked and acted, mixing humour and heroism, against foes old and new, and especially in this first story from the ever reliable Terrance Dicks (whose name I was starting to remember and look out for now that I had one of his first Target paperback adventures to hand), making sure that the new figure (I wasn't really aware that he was a Time Lord back then) was amongst old friends at UNIT, so as to remind viewers that they were still watching the show they had adored since 1963, or even 1973. Of these four episodes (aired from 28th December, 1974 - 18th January, 1975) , it's the opening and closing ones I recall the most, the former where Tom stole the limelight, and the fourth for its major use of the K-1 robot (Michael Kilgarriff bringing it to great on s screen life) in its threatening, super-large form, holding onto Sarah Jane Smith (the ever-gorgeous Elisabeth Sladen) in memorable King Kong fashion. I even remember the Action Man tank used onscreen against the Robot, as my older brother had had one for a Christmas present a year or so before!
Now with an extra companion in the lovable old-fashioned Harry Sullivan (the gone from us far too early Ian Marter), the Doctor and Sarah's all-new adventures in time and space, beyond Earth and UNIT, were ready to begin. And I couldn't wait to see what happened next...
Tom Baker in an early behind the scenes photo for the story, garbed in Jon Pertwee's wardrobe from Planet of the Spiders.
A lovely on location image of Elisabeth Sladen later used for publicity.
Publicity images sent to merchandisers during location filming.
The Radio Times charts the regeneration whilst promoting Robot.
The dying Third Doctor's regeneration is underway.
The Fourth Doctor's regeneration is complete.
At UNIT, the Brigadier and Sarah Jane Smith converse with the newly regenerated Doctor, persuading him not to depart the Earth just yet.
With the new Doctor confined to hospital, a keen Sarah Jane obtains a pass from the Brigadier to visit the intriguing Think Tank scientific facility. A photo taken during studio rehearsals.
Still Unstable, the Doctor challenges the patience of UNIT's new Doctor, Harry Sullivan (Ian Marter)
A variety of costumes for the new Doctor before he settles down to his familiar look.
In his new wares, the Doctor helps UNIT investigate the theft of the disintegrator gun.
In the hands of the giant K-1 Robot (Michael Kilgarriff), Sarah shows concern for the enslaved artificial creation.
The Robot is sent to kill the Doctor in its creator's laboratory. A rehearsal shot from the story.
UNIT to the rescue, as Warrant Officer Benton leads the heroics.
The Robot escapes UNIT assault.
The robot with its inventor, Professor Kettlewell (Edward Burnham), soon revealed as a traitor working against humanity with an elite group of dangerous scientists.
With Sarah captive, the Robot, deflecting UNIT fire, is led out of the Think Tank facility.
The former Think Tank villains Jellicoe and Miss Winters (Alec Linstead and Patricia Maynard) are thankfully stopped from destroying the world, as the Robot escapes its underground bunker confines.
The Brigadier's use of a laser gun backfires as the Robot increases its size to even more destructive effect, whilst its ongoing concern for Sarah soon puts her in greater danger.
The Doctor and Harry, in Bessie, attack and sadly destroy the unique Robot with a special metal virus. Art by Daryl Joyce.
Helping Sarah get over her grief for the robot, the Doctor plans his next trip in the TARDIS.
The bumbling but lovable Harry soon joins them.
Original K-1 Robot designs by James Acheson.
Acheson on location with the Robot.
Joan Noakes, Lesley Judd and Peter Purves on the set of Robot, as one episode of Blue Peter is disrupted by BBC industrial action.
Tom Baker gets first impressions from younger viewers when making a surprise house call during part one's transmission.
The original Target novel cover art spread, by Peter Brookes.
Young Readers edition adaptation - 1979. Art by Harry Hants.
First UK VHS BBC release sleeve. 1992 art by Alister Pearson.
UK DVD release cover composition by Clayton Hickman.
UK DVD files release cover.
Formidable cover art by Jeff Cummins, originally for the 1979 Target Books reprint.
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