Watch Doctor Who: The Green Death

Doctor Who: The Green Death is a classic sci-fi adventure television series, originally broadcast on the BBC One network in 1973. Starring Jon Pertwee as the third incarnation of the Doctor, this memorable serial focuses on a mystery in the small Welsh mining town of Llanfairfach.

The story begins as UNIT, the United Nations Intelligence Taskforce, investigates a series of bizarre, apparent poisonings at the nearby Global Chemicals factory. The Doctor's involvement is quickly requested after a concerned colleague of his, Jo Grant (Katy Manning), alerts him to the odd occurrences.

The Doctor arrives in Llanfairfach posing as a representative of the British Department of Health, and soon realizes that the Global Chemicals plant is not the idyllic, environmentally conscious operation it claims to be. The factory's manager, Stevens (Jerome Willis), is callous and dismissive of any reports of danger, while the staff is worked to the point of exhaustion on a new, secretive project. In addition to the factory's issues, the nearby village of Llanfairfach is experiencing several concerning incidents related to the mine that runs deeper than any local knows.

As the plot unfolds, the Doctor and Jo find themselves at odds with a group of eco-activists, led by the charismatic Professor Clifford Jones (Stewart Bevan). Their protests against Global Chemicals, and their deep concern for the preservation of the natural environment, cause them to clash with the company's interests in exploiting the earth's resources.

However, it soon becomes clear that there is something far more sinister afoot than just environmental deterioration. The Doctor's investigations lead him to discover that the mine and its inhabitants have been contaminated by a strange, glowing fungus that has been growing for thousands of years. This fungus, which the government had been cultivating in secret for its energy properties, has begun to mutate and evolve, becoming increasingly deadly.

The Green Death is a thrilling, action-packed story that highlights many of the themes which Doctor Who is known and loved for. These include poignant commentary on the dangers of unchecked technology and industry, scientific explanations for seemingly supernatural events, and a good old-fashioned confrontation of good vs evil.

The serial features excellent performances from the entire cast, particularly Jon Pertwee as the wise and compassionate Doctor, and Katy Manning as his plucky and loyal companion. Special mention should also be made of the aforementioned Stewart Bevan as the passionate eco-activist, and the ever-reliable Nicholas Courtney as the rugged UNIT captain, Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart.

The setting of the Welsh mining communities is vividly realized, giving an authentic feel to the story while also providing a strong platform for the themes of the narrative. The Green Death is also notable for featuring some of the more memorable creatures in the Doctor Who canon, including a race of giant maggots and a particularly revolting, methane-breathing creature.

Overall, Doctor Who: The Green Death is a classic slice of late 20th century sci-fi television, full of intrigue, action, and compelling characters. It is a key piece of the Doctor Who universe, and a must-watch for fans of the classic series.