Doctor Who: The Sun Makers

Watch Doctor Who: The Sun Makers

  • 1977
  • 1 Season

Doctor Who: The Sun Makers is a classic science fiction series that first aired on BBC One in November 1977. The show revolves around the adventures of the Doctor, an alien Time Lord from the planet Gallifrey, who travels through time and space in his TARDIS, a time machine that looks like a blue phone box.

In this episode, the TARDIS lands on Pluto, where the Doctor and his companions Leela and K9 discover a society that is completely controlled by a group of ruthless corporate leaders known as The Company. The people of Pluto live in poverty and slavery, forced to work in mines to extract a valuable gas called Helix that is used to power the entire civilization.

The Company, led by the sinister Collector, has a stranglehold on the planet's economy and taxes the people into oblivion, leaving them with barely enough to survive. The Doctor and his friends soon find themselves caught up in a rebellion against The Company, as they work to topple the corrupt regime and set the people of Pluto free.

The Sun Makers is an entertaining and thought-provoking episode that touches on themes of oppression, rebellion, and the abuse of power. The society on Pluto is a powerful metaphor for the worst excesses of capitalism, with the Company representing the kind of greedy, heartless corporations that put profits ahead of people.

Despite the bleakness of the setting, The Sun Makers is also a lot of fun, with plenty of action, humor, and imaginative sci-fi elements that make it a memorable entry in the Doctor Who canon. Tom Baker, who played the fourth incarnation of the Doctor, is at his charming and charismatic best here, delivering witty one-liners and quips as he battles the forces of evil.

Leela, played by Louise Jameson, is a fierce and capable companion who is not afraid to fight for what she believes in. Her loyalty to the Doctor is unwavering, and she proves to be a valuable ally in the struggle against The Company.

One of the highlights of the episode is K9, the Doctor's robotic dog who often steals the show with his deadpan humor and cool gadgetry. From shooting lasers to analyzing data, K9 is an invaluable member of the Doctor's team, and his interactions with the other characters are always amusing.

The villains in The Sun Makers are suitably villainous, with the Collector providing a suitably creepy and Machiavellian presence that makes him a worthy adversary for the Doctor. The other members of the Company are no less nefarious, with their sinister suits and soulless demeanor making them perfect stand-ins for corporate greed and corruption.

Overall, Doctor Who: The Sun Makers is a classic episode of the long-running sci-fi series that is sure to please both old-school fans and newcomers alike. With its powerful themes, memorable characters, and exciting action, this is a must-watch for anyone who loves great science fiction.

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Seasons
Episode 4
4. Episode 4
December 17, 1977
Arriving at a human colony living in an artificial biosphere on Pluto, the Doctor discovers a citizen on the verge of committing suicide because of an impossible tax burden. Aiding the resistance, the Doctor discovers that the corrupt corporation controlling the colony is being run by an evil alien...
Episode 3
3. Episode 3
December 10, 1977
Arriving at a human colony living in an artificial biosphere on Pluto, the Doctor discovers a citizen on the verge of committing suicide because of an impossible tax burden. Aiding the resistance, the Doctor discovers that the corrupt corporation controlling the colony is being run by an evil alien...
Episode 2
2. Episode 2
December 3, 1977
Arriving at a human colony living in an artificial biosphere on Pluto, the Doctor discovers a citizen on the verge of committing suicide because of an impossible tax burden. Aiding the resistance, the Doctor discovers that the corrupt corporation controlling the colony is being run by an evil alien...
Episode 1
1. Episode 1
November 26, 1977
Arriving at a human colony living in an artificial biosphere on Pluto, the Doctor discovers a citizen on the verge of committing suicide because of an impossible tax burden. Aiding the resistance, the Doctor discovers that the corrupt corporation controlling the colony is being run by an evil alien...
Description
  • Premiere Date
    November 26, 1977