Classic Doctor Who Season 21 Episode 9 Frontios: Part 3
- February 2, 1984
- 24 min
The show "Classic Doctor Who" follows the adventures of the time-traveling alien known as the Doctor as he travels through time and space in his TARDIS, a sentient time machine disguised as a British police box. Season 21, episode 9, titled "Frontios: Part 3," is the third and final installment in a story arc that takes place on the planet Frontios, a remote colony world struggling to survive in a hostile universe.
In part 1 of the story, the Doctor (played by Peter Davison) and his companions, Tegan (Janet Fielding) and Turlough (Mark Strickson), land on Frontios and discover that the colony is being threatened by a mysterious force that is causing sinkholes to appear seemingly out of nowhere, swallowing up buildings and people alike. The Doctor suspects that the source of this danger may be hidden below the planet's surface, and sets out to investigate with the help of a group of rebels led by a man named Gravis.
In part 2, the Doctor and his allies are captured by the Gravis and his robotic underlings, who are revealed to be members of a race of intelligent beings known as the Tractators. The Tractators are using their advanced technology to mine Frontios for resources, and plan to use the planet as a staging ground for an invasion of the rest of the galaxy. Meanwhile, Turlough discovers that the TARDIS has been sabotaged, and suspects that one of the other colonists is a spy working for the Tractators.
In part 3, the Doctor, Tegan, and Turlough must work together with the surviving colonists to stop the Tractators and save Frontios from destruction. Along the way, they must unravel the mystery of the sinkholes and confront the true mastermind behind the Tractator invasion. They also discover that their presence on Frontios may have more significance than they initially realized, and that their actions may have a lasting impact on the fate of the colony world.
As with most episodes of Classic Doctor Who, "Frontios: Part 3" is a mix of science fiction, suspense, and humor, with a strong emphasis on the Doctor's problem-solving abilities and his interactions with his companions and the other characters he encounters. The episode also features some inventive special effects and set design, showing the vast underground tunnels and caverns where the Tractators have built their lair.
Overall, "Frontios: Part 3" is a satisfying conclusion to a well-crafted story arc, with plenty of action, adventure, and plot twists to keep viewers engaged until the very end. Whether you're a long-time fan of Doctor Who or are just discovering the show for the first time, this episode is sure to entertain and delight.