Doctor Who Logo 'Death to the Daleks'
(4 Parts)
Story Code 'XXX'

by Terry Nation
The Doctor

The TARDIS is pulled off course by a mysterious energy drain, and arrives on the planet Exxilon. The Doctor encounters members of a Marine Space Corps expedition from Earth, who inform him that the galaxy is being swept by a virulent plague, and the antidote, Parrinium, can only be found on this planet. The energy drain too has disabled their ship, and so they are unable to leave with the mineral. Meanwhile, Sarah has discovered a huge white city, with a flashing beacon atop one of its spires, but she is captured by the hostile and savage native Exxilons, and taken to their cave to be executed for defiling their scared city. The Doctor and the humans unwillingly agree to work together with a squad of Daleks, who have also been stranded on the planet, and who have no weapons, as they have been drained of power. The Doctor, the humans and Daleks are all captured by the Exxilons, and the Doctor is sentenced to death. Unknown to the Doctor and his allies, a second squad of Daleks have equipped themselves with machine guns, and as they attack the Exxilons, the Doctor and Sarah escape into the tunnel system. The two time travellers meet Bellal, a member of a tribe of intelligent Exxilons, who tells them that the city was created by his own race, but then brought about their downfall by expelling them into the wilderness. The Doctor realises that the beacon on top of the city is responsible for the energy drain, and plans to deactivate it. He and Bellal enter the city, and have to undergo a series of dangerous tests en route. They are followed by the Daleks, who are also after the Parrinium, having created the plague that is sweeping the planets. The Doctor and Bellal eventually reach the main control room, where the Doctor uses his sonic screwdriver to destroy the central computer. The Daleks attempt to leave the planet with the Parrinium, but are destroyed in an expulsion, triggered by Galloway, one of the humans, who has stowed aboard with a bomb. The rest of the Marine Corps leave for Earth with the precious antidote.

Jon Pertwee (Doctor Who), Elisabeth Sladen (Sarah Jane Smith), Duncan Lamont (Dan Galloway), John Abineri (Richard Railton), Neil Seiler (Commander Stewart), Julian Fox (Peter Hamilton), Joy Harrison (Jill Tarrant), Mostyn Evans (High Priest), Michael Wisher (Dalek Voices); John Scott Martin, Murphy Grunbar, Cy Town (Daleks Operators), Bellal (Meg), Roy Heymann (Gotal)

Produced by Barry Letts
Directed by Michael Briant


TX:
Part 1 - 23rd February, 1974 @ 5.30pm - 5.55pm
Part 2 - 2nd March, 1974 @ 5.30pm - 5.55pm
Part 3 - 9th March, 1974 @ 5.30pm - 5.55pm
Part 4 - 16th March, 1974 @ 5.35pm - 6.00pm

Notes:
*Featuring the Third Doctor and Sarah

*This story features some of the worst incidental music ever...

*Working title: 'The Exxilons'