All 'teeth and curls', soon-superstar Tom Baker couldn't have asked for a better opening season from which to launch one of the most successful and defining eras in the show's history, aided by the equally terrific onscreen pairing of his companions Elisabeth Sladen as plucky Sarah Jane Smith and Ian Marter as the bumbling-ly heroic Dr. Harry Sullivan.
We hope you have enjoyed our extensive coverage of Season Twelve, and enjoy the collected links...
In this thrilling adventure, the Doctor (Tom Baker) defends Earth from invasion by horrific transforming aliens. Arriving in Scotland at the request of the Brigadier, the Doctor discovers that the mysterious force which has destroyed three oil rigs has left giant teeth marks on the wreckage.
The mystery deepens leading them to the shores of Loch Ness where they find that the legendary monster really does exist. Part-Cyborg, part-organic, the terrible creature is the murderous tool of the Zygons, aliens intent on overpowering the planet.
The Doctor and his companions must find a way to defeat the deadly Loch Ness Monster and its controllers, but the Zygons have the terrifying power to change shape and the Doctor is in grave danger when he finds that his friends and allies are not always what they seem...
Original BBC Video VHS synopsis - 1988
With the Classic Series now entering the greatest phase in its audience popularity, I was immediately hooked by Terror of the Zygons - it was certainly very atmospheric and very, very scary - like Davros beforehand, I found the Zygons terrifying to look at for many years, especially deep within their brilliant lit sets and backed up with eerie music by Geoffrey Burgon. I recall vividly the scenes of the duplicate Harry attacking Sarah (I wasn't surprised the scene was trimmed on the later VHS compilation release!), the Skarasen chasing the Doctor and later emergent from the Thames (at my age back then I wasn't worried about how wonky it first looked!), plus the final confrontation between Broton and the Doctor at the Energy Commission headquarters. I also fondly remember seeing the Target paperback book cover for the story, for the first time, at the 'Book Boat' at Greenwich (whose selection of Who titles opened my eyes to how many books there had so far been in the range!), my mum and dad having prior bought a selection of novelisations at that site for me, but us not having enough money to buy it until a few years later...
And I loved seeing Terror on its aforementioned BBC Video VHS release with my family back in the late eighties. I recall we all renewed our enjoyed of it, and how it brought back great memories of 1975. And no, I didn't get to see the Who's then glossy rival, Space: 1999, airing on the London Weekend Television region in September, 1975, until a good while after!
Even though the story would ultimately be used as the introduction to the show's Season Thirteen, I can't help watching the show at home these days as part of Twelve instead (of which it was originally planned for). To me, it works so perfectly as the closer to Tom Baker's first important, hugely successful year in the title role.
James Acheson's iconic concept design for the Zygons.
Classic posed publicity image of the Doctor in danger.
A deleted beginning, as the Doctor, Sarah and Harry arrive in Scotland to answer the Brigadier's summons. The TARDIS becomes invisible.
A pensive publicity image of Tom in his distinctive Scottish get-up, during location filming in Surrey.
Arriving at the Fox Inn of Tulloch Moor, the Doctor and his friends must solve the mystery of the destroyed American/Scottish oil rigs.
The Doctor liaises with UNIT and American Rig Boss Mister Huckle (Tony Sibbald) on what has been determined as an underwater creature attack.
With Harry shot down for saving a stricken Oil Rig survivor, Sarah attends to him but is soon threatened by a shape-changing Zygon in the excellent Part One cliffhanger.For the Doctor Who DVD Files UK. Art by Tom Connell.
The same scene also brilliantly rendered by Daryl Joyce.
A Zygon snares the Doctor and Sarah in the medical centre's compression chamber, which they eventually escape from. Colourized image by Clayton Hickman.
The wounded Harry, now a prisoner of the Zygons, who soon outline to him their plans for the conquest of Earth.
Another great posed publicity image of Ian Marter with John Woodnutt as Broton, leader of the small force of Zygons located under the infamous Loch Ness.
Broton takes command of the underwater ship's bio-engineered controls. The Zygons must surely rank as the greatest monsters created for the Classic Series.
The Doctor must rid himself of the Skarasen beast's homing device at all costs.
The Zygon's pet creature, the Skarasen attacks the Doctor on Tulloch Moor.
Both escaped from the Zygons, a great publicity image of Elisabeth Sladen and Ian Marter. Colourization by Clayton Hickman.
Captured by the Zygons in a scene specially shot for publicity purposes.
The Doctor is almost killed sending a tracking signal to UNIT.
Broton, now the only surviving Zygon corners the Doctor in London.
Our heroes watch the Skarasen beast depart the Thames and head back to Loch Ness.
Sad to see him go, Harry elects to stay Earthbound as the Doctor and Sarah continue their adventures.
Behind the scenes of the Zygon interior, at BBC TV centre in 1975.
Leading in to the new Season 13, launched by the story, Tom Baker hosts a memorable Disney Time film clip special in September 1975. Colourized and restored image by Clayton Hickman.
The image as used in the Radio Times of the day.
Outside the St. Martin's Lane Disney cinema for the special programme, which featured a lead-in to Terror of the Zygons.
The legendary artist Frank Bellamy's superb art promotion for the story in the Radio Times.
The original 1976 hardback jacket sleeve for the story, novelised by Terrance Dicks as The Loch Ness Monster! Art by Chris Achilleos.
US Pinnacle Books cover art from 1979, by David Mann.
The striking cover to Issue 9 of 1979's Doctor Who Weekly. I remember my 9 year old self finding it very scary to look at.
The cover to Doctor Who Magazine Issue 93 1984
Original UK VHS sleeve design for the edited compilation by Sid Sutton
The original UK VHS sleeve.
Australian VHS release sleeve.
Broton makes a memorable cover star several times more for Doctor Who Magazine. Issue 171, 1991.
Issue 235 from 1996.
Photo montage cover for the episodic, uncut version VHS release of the 2000's.
The classic elements of the story are well represented in this coverage by the In-Vision fan magazine series.
UK laserdisc release, cover art by Pete Wallbank.
Laserdisc back cover,
As popular a story as ever, and the cover to Issue 443, from 2012.
A top selling issue - number 154 - for the figurine collection.
UK DVD release art composition by Lee Binding.
Available from September 4th, 2025...
Get the all-new Target audio book adaptation here:
His attempt to destroy the world through the ancient powers of the mighty Daemon Azal thwarted, The Master's swift escape attempt in Bessie is equally stopped in its tracks by the Doctor's unique control of the vehicle. Surrounded by UNIT troopers, the renegade will surely face international justice for his many crimes against Humanity...
A classic posed image of Roger Delgado at his devilish best as The Master, from the lovely Aldbourne, Wiltshire location filming for The Daemons in 1971.
Jon Pertwee writes to a fan about his friendship with the late, much-missed Delgado.
Another of the now infamous Missing Adventures from Colin Baker's 'lost' Season Twenty-Three is available on BBC Audio form from 6th November 2025, written by the late, great Philip Martin, and a four-parter that was to have originally featured the repulsive but beloved alien Sil, teamed up with the Ice Warriors!
Here's the release info for Mission to Magnus!
Nicola Bryant reads the novelisation of a 'lost' TV story for the Sixth Doctor and Peri.
"Is it the Doctor I have drawn to me?"
The TARDIS has been pulled off course and sent hurtling through space and time. When it finally stops, Peri is amazed to witness the Doctor's transformation into a cringing coward.
The takeover of the TARDIS by the school bully from the class of the fourth millennium on Gallifrey is only the first of the Doctor's problems. On the surface of the planet Magnus more of his old enemies are conspiring to trick the planet's all-female rulers.
The Doctor and Peri have to foil a plot to freeze the entire world and wipe out most of the population.
Nicola Bryant, who played Peri in the BBC TV series, reads Philip Martin's novelisation of his own television script, planned but ultimately unmade for the cancelled 1985 series of Doctor Who.
2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd
Reading produced by Morrison Ellis. Sound design by James Murray. Executive producer for BBC Audiobooks: Michael Stevens.
I was extremely sad to hear of the recent passing of acclaimed disabled actor Nabil Shaban. His excellent performance as Sil will never be forgotten by Classic Series fans.
Caught in the Land of Fiction realm where reality and imagination mix in ways never before experienced, the Doctor and his companions (including a facially altered Jaime) must tread lightly in their explorations. So far, the characters they've encountered there have been fairly benign, but the dangers are escalating, especially with the arrival of colourful but ultimately sinister 'toy' soldiers, at work for a so far unrevealed power!
A memorable scene within the fantasy gem that is The Mind Robber.
Cover art by David McAllister.
Get the nicely produced Target Book audio adaptation here:
