Season 16 (Doctor Who 1963): Difference between revisions

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{{Infobox Series
{{Infobox Series
|image            = Doctor Who diamond logo.jpg
|image            = Doctor Who diamond logo.jpg
|image2          =
|image2          =  
|broadcast year  = 1978
|broadcast year  = 1978
|broadcast year2  = 1979
|broadcast year2  = 1979
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|companion        = Romana I
|companion        = Romana I
|companion2      = K9 Mark II
|companion2      = K9 Mark II
|main enemy      = The [[Black Guardian]]
|producer        = Graham Williams
|producer        = Graham Williams
|producer2        =  
|producer2        =  
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|ref book7        = TCH 30
|ref book7        = TCH 30
|doc              = A Matter of Time
|doc              = A Matter of Time
|doc2            = There's Something About Mary
|doc2            = There's Something About Mary...
|doc3            =
|doc3            =  
|doc4            =
|doc4            =  
|doc5            =
|doc5            =  
|mythmakers      = MM VHS 2
|mythmakers      = MM VHS 2
|mythmakers2      = MM VHS 17
|mythmakers2      = MM VHS 17
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|mythmakers8      =  
|mythmakers8      =  
|mythmakers9      =  
|mythmakers9      =  
|mythmakers10    =
|mythmakers10    =  
|prev            = season 15
|prev            = season 15 (Doctor Who 1963)|
|next            = season 17
|next            = season 17 (Doctor Who 1963)|
|trailer          =
|trailer          =  
|trailer2        =
|trailer2        =  
|clip            = The white guardian - Doctor Who - The Ribos Operation - BBC
|clip            = The white guardian - Doctor Who - The Ribos Operation - BBC
|clip2            = Stretch! - Doctor Who - The Power of Kroll - BBC
|clip2            = Stretch! - Doctor Who - The Power of Kroll - BBC
|clip3            = You Shall Die for This! - Doctor Who - The Armageddon Factor - BBC
|clip3            = You Shall Die for This! - Doctor Who - The Armageddon Factor - BBC
|bts              =
|bts              =  
|bts2            =
|bts2            =  
|bts3            =
|bts3            =  
}}
}}
'''Season 16''' of ''[[Doctor Who]]'' ran between [[2 September (releases)|2 September]] [[1978 (releases)|1978]] and [[24 February (releases)|24 February]] [[1979 (releases)|1979]]. It starred [[Tom Baker]] as the [[Fourth Doctor]], [[Mary Tamm]] as [[Romana I]] and [[John Leeson]] as [[K9 Mark II]]. The season opened with ''[[The Ribos Operation (TV story)|The Ribos Operation]]'' and concluded with ''[[The Armageddon Factor (TV story)|The Armageddon Factor]]''.
'''Season 16''' of ''[[Doctor Who]]'', also referred to as '''''The Key to Time''''', ran from [[2 September (releases)|2 September]] [[1978 (releases)|1978]] to [[24 February (releases)|24 February]] [[1979 (releases)|1979]]. It starred [[Tom Baker]] as the [[Fourth Doctor]], [[Mary Tamm]] as [[Romana I]] and [[John Leeson]] as [[K9 Mark II]]. The season opened with ''[[The Ribos Operation (TV story)|The Ribos Operation]]'' and concluded with ''[[The Armageddon Factor (TV story)|The Armageddon Factor]]''.


== Overview ==
== Overview ==
It consisted of six serials and twenty-six episodes. This season saw the introduction of the [[Black Guardian|Black]] and [[White Guardian]]s as well as the companion Romana I who became the first [[Time Lady]] companion since [[Susan Foreman|Susan]]. This season is sometimes colloquially known as ''The Key to Time'' season after the story arc involving the [[Key to Time]]. Although not the first season to consist of linked stories ([[Season 8]] in [[1971 (releases)|1971]] was the first, as all the stories that year featured {{Delgado}}), it was the first to be recognised as having a series-long arc. Although multi-serial arcs would occur again, such a full-season experiment wouldn't be attempted again until [[Season 23]]. The arc has a number of similarities to the Season 1 story ''[[The Keys of Marinus (TV story)|The Keys of Marinus]]''. The storyline was originally proposed for Season 15, but it required more planning.<ref>http://www.shannonsullivan.com/doctorwho/serials/5a.html</ref>
It consisted of six serials comprised of twenty-six episodes. This season saw the introduction of the [[Black Guardian|Black]] and [[White Guardian]]s as well as the companion Romana I who became the first [[Time Lady]] companion since [[Susan Foreman|Susan]]. This season is sometimes colloquially known as ''The Key to Time'' season after the story arc involving the [[Key to Time]]. Although not the first season to consist of linked stories ([[Season 8 (Doctor Who 1963)|Season 8]] in [[1971 (releases)|1971]] was the first, as all the stories that year featured {{Delgado}}), it was the first to be recognised as having a series-long arc. Although multi-serial arcs would occur again, such a full-season experiment wouldn't be attempted again until [[Season 23 (Doctor Who 1963)|Season 23]]. The arc has a number of similarities to the Season 1 story ''[[The Keys of Marinus (TV story)|The Keys of Marinus]]''. The storyline was originally proposed for Season 15, but it required more planning.<ref>http://www.shannonsullivan.com/doctorwho/serials/5a.html</ref>


Season 16 marked a triple milestone for ''Doctor Who'': the hundredth story (''[[The Stones of Blood (TV story)|The Stones of Blood]]''), the five-hundredth episode (episode 1 of ''[[The Armageddon Factor (TV story)|The Armageddon Factor]]'') and the fifteenth anniversary of the first broadcast, on [[23 November (releases)|23 November]] 1978.
Season 16 marked a triple milestone for ''Doctor Who'': the hundredth story (''[[The Stones of Blood (TV story)|The Stones of Blood]]''), the five-hundredth episode (episode 1 of ''[[The Armageddon Factor (TV story)|The Armageddon Factor]]'') and the fifteenth anniversary of the first broadcast, on [[23 November (releases)|23 November]] 1978.
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A number of publicity photos for the season show Tom Baker sporting a very obvious bandage on his upper lip; this was due to his being bit by a dog shortly before filming for the season began. The resulting lip injury is visible to varying degrees throughout the season.
A number of publicity photos for the season show Tom Baker sporting a very obvious bandage on his upper lip; this was due to his being bit by a dog shortly before filming for the season began. The resulting lip injury is visible to varying degrees throughout the season.


In [[2002 (releases)|2002]] (Region 1) it became the first ''Doctor Who'' season to be released to DVD in its entirety in a single box set; it remained the only "classic series" season to be available as a single set until the release of [[Season 23]], ''[[The Trial of a Time Lord]]'' to DVD in [[2008 (releases)|2008]].
In [[2002 (releases)|2002]] (Region 1) it became the first ''Doctor Who'' season to be released to DVD in its entirety in a single box set; it remained the only "classic series" season to be available as a single set until the release of [[Season 23 (Doctor Who 1963)|Season 23]], ''[[Season 23 (Doctor Who 1963)|The Trial of a Time Lord]]'' to DVD in [[2008 (releases)|2008]].


Tom Baker decided to leave by the end of this season, but he was persuaded to stay.<ref>http://www.shannonsullivan.com/doctorwho/serials/5f.html</ref>
Tom Baker decided to leave by the end of this season, but he was persuaded to stay.<ref>http://www.shannonsullivan.com/doctorwho/serials/5f.html</ref>
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== Television stories ==
== Television stories ==
{| {{prettytable}}
{| {{prettytable}}
! # || Title || Writer || Episodes || Notes
!# ||Title ||Writer ||Episodes ||Notes
|-
|-
|1 ||''[[The Ribos Operation (TV story)|The Ribos Operation]]''||[[Robert Holmes]]||4||First appearance of [[Romana I|Romana]]. First appearance of the [[White Guardian]].
|1||''[[The Ribos Operation (TV story)|The Ribos Operation]]''||[[Robert Holmes]]||4||First appearance of [[Romana I|Romana]] and the [[White Guardian]]. Beginning of the [[Key to Time]] quest.
|-
|-
|2 ||''[[The Pirate Planet (TV story)|The Pirate Planet]]''||[[Douglas Adams]]||4|| First story to written by Douglas Adams and the only televised story where he received sole credit.
|2||''[[The Pirate Planet (TV story)|The Pirate Planet]]''||[[Douglas Adams]]||4||First story to written by [[Douglas Adams]], and the only televised story where he received sole credit.
|-
|-
|3 ||''[[The Stones of Blood (TV story)|The Stones of Blood]]''||[[David Fisher (writer)|David Fisher]]||4|| Marks ''Doctor Who'''s one hundredth television story. Part four aired during the fifteenth anniversary of the series. First story to be written by David Fisher.
|3||''[[The Stones of Blood (TV story)|The Stones of Blood]]''|| rowspan="2" |[[David Fisher (writer)|David Fisher]]|| 4||Marks ''Doctor Who''{{'}}s one hundredth television story. Part four aired during the fifteenth anniversary of the series. First story to be written by [[David Fisher]].
|-
|-
|4 ||''[[The Androids of Tara (TV story)|The Androids of Tara]]''||David Fisher||4|| Parody of {{wi|The Prisoner of Zenda}}. [[Mary Tamm]] plays four different roles in this story; Romana, [[Strella|Princess Strella]], and android doubles for both characters.
|4||''[[The Androids of Tara (TV story)|The Androids of Tara]]''|||4||
|-
|-
|5 ||''[[The Power of Kroll (TV story)|The Power of Kroll]]''||Robert Holmes||4|| K9 is absent during this story due to his prop's inability to manoeuver in the swampy location of the episode.
|5||''[[The Power of Kroll (TV story)|The Power of Kroll]]''||Robert Holmes||4||
|-
|-
|6 ||''[[The Armageddon Factor (TV story)|The Armageddon Factor]]''||[[Bob Baker]]<br />[[Dave Martin]]||6||Final appearance of Mary Tamm as Romana; first appearance of the [[Black Guardian]]; [[Lalla Ward]]'s first role in ''Doctor Who''. Final story on which [[Anthony Read]] was script editor and the final story to be written by Bob Baker and Dave Martin, although Baker would write a solo story the following season.
|6||''[[The Armageddon Factor (TV story)|The Armageddon Factor]]''||[[Bob Baker]]<br />[[Dave Martin]]||6||Final appearance of [[Romana I]]. First appearance of the [[Black Guardian]]. Final story on which [[Anthony Read]] was script editor and the final story to be written by [[Dave Martin]]. Conclusion to the Key to Time quest.
|}
|}


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* [[Lamia]] - [[Lois Baxter]]
* [[Lamia]] - [[Lois Baxter]]
* [[Till]] - [[Declan Mulholland]]
* [[Till]] - [[Declan Mulholland]]
* [[Archimandrite]] - [[Cyril Shaps]]
* [[Archimandrite (The Androids of Tara)|Archimandrite]] - [[Cyril Shaps]]
* [[Thawn]] - [[Neil McCarthy]]
* [[Thawn]] - [[Neil McCarthy]]
* [[Fenner]] - [[Philip Madoc]]
* [[Fenner]] - [[Philip Madoc]]
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* [[Harg]] - [[Grahame Mallard]]
* [[Harg]] - [[Grahame Mallard]]
* [[Marshal of Atrios|Marshal]] - [[John Woodvine]]
* [[Marshal of Atrios|Marshal]] - [[John Woodvine]]
* Princess [[Astra]] - [[Lalla Ward]]
* Princess [[Astra of Atrios]] - [[Lalla Ward]]
* [[Merak]] - [[Ian Saynor]]
* [[Merak]] - [[Ian Saynor]]
* [[Shapp]] - [[Davyd Harries]]
* [[Shapp]] - [[Davyd Harries]]
* [[The Shadow]] - [[William Squire]]
* [[The Shadow]] - [[William Squire]]
* [[Pilot (The Armageddon Factor)|Pilot]] - [[Pat Gorman]]
* [[Pilot (The Armageddon Factor)|Pilot]] - [[Pat Gorman]]
* [[Drax]] - [[Barry Jackson (actor)|Barry Jackson]]
* [[Second Drax|Drax]] - [[Barry Jackson (actor)|Barry Jackson]]


=== Notes ===
=== Notes ===
* [[John Leeson]], more well known as the voice of [[K9]], appeared as the human [[Dugeen]] during ''[[The Power of Kroll (TV story)|The Power of Kroll]]'' due to K-9 being absent from that story.
* [[John Leeson]], more well known as the voice of [[K9]], appeared as the human [[Dugeen]] during ''[[The Power of Kroll (TV story)|The Power of Kroll]]'' due to K-9 being absent from that story.
* [[Lalla Ward]] guest stars as [[Princess Astra]] in ''[[The Armageddon Factor (TV story)|The Armageddon Factor]]'' before taking over the role of Romana from Mary Tamm in ''[[Destiny of the Daleks (TV story)|Destiny of the Daleks]]''.
* [[Lalla Ward]] guest stars as [[Princess Astra]] in ''[[The Armageddon Factor (TV story)|The Armageddon Factor]]'' before taking over the role of Romana from Mary Tamm in ''[[Destiny of the Daleks (TV story)|Destiny of the Daleks]]''.
* This is one of only three seasons after the [[Season 1 (Doctor Who 1963)|first]] to not have any serials with returning antagonists - the others being [[Season 7 (Doctor Who 1963)|Season 7]] and [[Season 13 (Doctor Who 1963)|13.]] To date, it is the last, with the closest being [[Series 11 (Doctor Who 2005)|Series 11]] of the revival having no enemies prior to that season returning but antagonists from within the season returning in the finale.
== Stories set before this season ==
The following stories are the known stories set between [[Season 15 (Doctor Who 1963)|Season 15]] finale ''[[The Invasion of Time (TV story)|The Invasion of Time]]'' and Season 16 opener ''[[The Ribos Operation (TV story)|The Ribos Operation]]'':
=== Audio ===
* ''[[The Sinestran Kill (audio story)|The Sinestran Kill]]''
* ''[[Planet of the Drashigs (audio story)|Planet of the Drashigs]]''
* ''[[The Enchantress of Numbers (audio story)|The Enchantress of Numbers]]''
* ''[[The False Guardian (audio story)|The False Guardian]]''
''to be completed''


== Stories set during this season ==
== Stories set during this season ==
* [[PROSE]]: ''[[Tomb of Valdemar (novel)|Tomb of Valdemar]]'' (between ''[[The Ribos Operation (TV story)|The Ribos Operation]]'' and ''[[The Pirate Planet (TV story)|The Pirate Planet]]'')
 
* [[PROSE]]: ''[[The Shadow of Weng-Chiang (novel)|The Shadow of Weng-Chiang]]'' (between ''[[The Stones of Blood (TV story)|The Stones of Blood]]'' and ''[[The Androids of Tara (TV story)|The Androids of Tara]])
=== Novels ===
* [[PROSE]]: ''[[Heart of TARDIS (novel)|Heart of TARDIS]]'' (between ''The Stones of Blood'' and ''The Androids of Tara'')
* ''[[Tomb of Valdemar (novel)|Tomb of Valdemar]]''
* [[AUDIO]]: ''[[Ferril's Folly (audio story)|Ferril's Folly]]'' (between ''The Stones of Blood'' and ''The Androids of Tara'')
* ''[[The Shadow of Weng-Chiang (novel)|The Shadow of Weng-Chiang]]''
* [[PROSE]]: ''[[X-Rani and the Ugly Mutants (short story)|X-Rani and the Ugly Mutants]]'' (between ''The Androids of Tara'' and ''[[The Power of Kroll (TV story)|The Power of Kroll]]'')
* Fourth Doctor and Romana's involvement in ''[[Heart of TARDIS (novel)|Heart of TARDIS]]''
* [[PROSE]]: ''[[Light Fantastic (short story)|Light Fantastic]]'' (between ''The Androids of Tara'' and ''The Power of Kroll'')
 
* [[PROSE]]: ''[[Reluctant Warriors (short story)|Reluctant Warriors]]'' (between ''The Androids of Tara'' and ''The Power of Kroll'')
=== Short Stories ===
* [[COMIC]]: ''[[The Weapon (comic story)|The Weapon]]'' (between ''The Androids of Tara'' and ''The Power of Kroll'')
 
* [[PROSE]]: ''[[Return of the Electrids (short story)|Return of the Electrids]]'' (between ''The Androids of Tara'' and ''The Power of Kroll'')
* ''[[X-Rani and the Ugly Mutants (short story)|X-Rani and the Ugly Mutants]]''
* [[PROSE]]: ''[[The Sleeping Guardians (short story)|The Sleeping Guardians]]'' (between ''The Androids of Tara'' and ''The Power of Kroll'')
* ''[[Light Fantastic (short story)|Light Fantastic]]''
* [[AUDIO]]: ''[[Luna Romana (audio story)|Luna Romana]]'' (partially set between ''The Power of Kroll'' and ''The Armageddon Factor'')
* ''[[Reluctant Warriors (short story)|Reluctant Warriors]]''
 
=== Audios ===
* ''[[Ferril's Folly (audio story)|Ferril's Folly]]''
* The Fourth Doctor and Romana I's involvement in ''[[Luna Romana (audio story)|Luna Romana]]''
 
=== Comics ===
* ''[[The Weapon (comic story)|The Weapon]]''


== Adaptations and merchandising ==
== Adaptations and merchandising ==
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==== DVD & Blu-ray releases ====
==== DVD & Blu-ray releases ====
This entire season was released with minimal restoration and extras only in Region 1 as a box set or individually on [[1 October (releases)|1 October]] [[2002 (releases)|2002]] . A limited edition box set with full restoration and expanded extras was released in Region 2 on [[24 September (releases)|24 September]] [[2007 (releases)|2007]]. This limited edition set was later issued in Region 4 on [[7 November (releases)|7 November]] [[2007 (releases)|2007]], in Region 1 on [[3 March (releases)|3 March]] [[2009 (releases)|2009]] as a Special Edition release (these were also available individually),and the 16 November 2009 non-limited region 2 re-release.
This entire season was released with minimal restoration and extras only in Region 1 as a box set or individually on [[1 October (releases)|1 October]] [[2002 (releases)|2002]]. A limited edition box set with full restoration and expanded extras was released in Region 2 on [[24 September (releases)|24 September]] [[2007 (releases)|2007]]. This limited edition set was later issued in Region 4 on [[7 November (releases)|7 November]] [[2007 (releases)|2007]], in Region 1 on [[3 March (releases)|3 March]] [[2009 (releases)|2009]] as a Special Edition release (these were also available individually), and in Region 2 on [[16 November (releases)|16 November]] [[2009 (releases)|2009]] as a non-limited re-release.


{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;"
{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;"
|-
|-
! style="width:30%;" | '''Serial name'''  
! style="width:30%;" |'''Serial name'''
! style="width:10%;" | '''Number and duration<br />of episodes'''
! style="width:10%;" |'''Number and duration<br />of episodes'''
! style="width:10%;" | '''R2 release date'''  
! style="width:10%;" |'''R2 release date'''
! style="width:10%;" | '''R4 release date'''
! style="width:10%;" |'''R4 release date'''
! style="width:10%;" | '''R1 release date'''
! style="width:10%;" |'''R1 release date'''
|-
|-
| ''[[The Key to Time (box set)|The Key to Time]]''<small>
|''[[The Key to Time (box set)|The Key to Time]]''
|| 26 × 25 min. || N/A || N/A || 1 October 2002
|| 26 × 25 min. ||N/A ||N/A ||1 October 2002
|-
|-
| ''[[The Key to Time (box set)|The Key to Time]]:'' ''[[The Ribos Operation (TV story)|The Ribos Operation]]'' (4 episodes) ''[[The Pirate Planet (TV story)|The Pirate Planet]]'' (4 episodes) ''[[The Stones of Blood (TV story)|The Stones of Blood]]'' (4 episodes) ''[[The Androids of Tara (TV story)|The Androids of Tara]]'' (4 episodes) ''[[The Power of Kroll (TV story)|The Power of Kroll]]'' (4 episodes) ''[[The Armageddon Factor (TV story)|The Armageddon Factor]]'' (6 episodes) <small>Only available in ''[[The Key to Time (box set)|The Key to Time]]'' box set in Regions 2 and 4. <br />Available individually or in the box set in Region 1. 
|''[[The Key to Time (box set)|The Key to Time]]:''
|| 26 × 25 min. || 27 September 2007<br /><small> (Limited release)</small><br /> 16 November 2009 <br /><small> (Re-release)</small> || 7 November 2007 || 3 March 2009
 
''[[The Ribos Operation (TV story)|The Ribos Operation]]'' (4 episodes) <br /> ''[[The Pirate Planet (TV story)|The Pirate Planet]] ''(4 episodes)<br />''[[The Stones of Blood (TV story)|The Stones of Blood]]'' (4 episodes)<br />''[[The Androids of Tara (TV story)|The Androids of Tara]]'' (4 episodes)<br />''[[The Power of Kroll (TV story)|The Power of Kroll]]'' (4 episodes)<br />''[[The Armageddon Factor (TV story)|The Armageddon Factor]]'' (6 episodes)
 
<small>Only available in ''[[The Key to Time (box set)|The Key to Time]]'' box set in Regions 2 and 4. <br />Available individually or in the box set in Region 1.</small>
|| 26 × 25 min. || 27 September 2007<br /><small>(Limited release)</small><br /> 16 November 2009<br /><small>(Re-release)</small>||7 November 2007 ||3 March 2009
|}
|}
====  Download/streaming availability ====
 
==== Download/streaming availability ====
{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;"
{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;"
|-
|-
! style="width:25%;" | '''Serial name'''
! style="width:25%;" |'''Serial name'''
!Amazon Video
!Amazon Video
!iTunes
!iTunes
|-
|-
| ''[[The Ribos Operation (TV story)|The Ribos Operation]]'' (4 episodes)
|''[[The Ribos Operation (TV story)|The Ribos Operation]]'' (4 episodes)
|✓
|✓
|✓
|✓
|-
|-
| ''[[The Pirate Planet (TV story)|The Pirate Planet]]'' (4 episodes)
|''[[The Pirate Planet (TV story)|The Pirate Planet]]'' (4 episodes)
|✓
|✓
|✓
|✓
|-
|-
| ''[[The Stones of Blood (TV story)|The Stones of Blood]]'' (4 episodes)
|''[[The Stones of Blood (TV story)|The Stones of Blood]]'' (4 episodes)
|✓
|✓
|✓
|✓
|-
|-
| ''[[The Androids of Tara (TV story)|The Androids of Tara]]'' (4 episodes)
|''[[The Androids of Tara (TV story)|The Androids of Tara]]'' (4 episodes)
|✓
|✓
|✓
|✓
|-
|-
| ''[[The Power of Kroll (TV story)|The Power of Kroll]]'' (4 episodes)
|''[[The Power of Kroll (TV story)|The Power of Kroll]]'' (4 episodes)
|✓
|✓
|✓
|✓
Line 239: Line 262:
|✓
|✓
|}
|}
=== Novels ===
=== Novels ===
* ''[[Doctor Who and the Ribos Operation (novelisation)|Doctor Who and the Ribos Operation]]''
* ''[[Doctor Who and the Ribos Operation (novelisation)|Doctor Who and the Ribos Operation]]''
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* ''[[Doctor Who and the Power of Kroll (novelisation)|Doctor Who and the Power of Kroll]]''
* ''[[Doctor Who and the Power of Kroll (novelisation)|Doctor Who and the Power of Kroll]]''
* ''[[Doctor Who and the Armageddon Factor (novelisation)|Doctor Who and the Armageddon Factor]]''
* ''[[Doctor Who and the Armageddon Factor (novelisation)|Doctor Who and the Armageddon Factor]]''
[[Target Books]] was unable to come to an agreement with [[Douglas Adams]] to novelise his script, ''The Pirate Planet''. It was finally adapted by [[BBC Books]] in 2017.
[[Target Books]] was unable to come to an agreement with [[Douglas Adams]] to novelise his script, ''The Pirate Planet''. It was finally adapted by [[BBC Books]] in 2017.


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{{season 16 aliens}}
{{season 16 aliens}}
{{TitleSort}}
{{TitleSort}}


[[de:Doctor Who Staffel 16]]
[[de:Doctor Who Staffel 16]]
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[[pt:16ª Temporada (SC)]]
[[pt:16ª Temporada (SC)]]
[[ru:16 сезон (классические серии)]]
[[ru:16 сезон (классические серии)]]
[[Category:Seasons]]
[[Category:Seasons]]
[[Category:Doctor Who seasons]]
[[Category:Doctor Who seasons]]
[[Category:Infobox double checked]]
[[Category:Infobox double checked]]
|}

Latest revision as of 08:20, 18 December 2024

RealWorld.png

Season 16 of Doctor Who, also referred to as The Key to Time, ran from 2 September 1978 to 24 February 1979. It starred Tom Baker as the Fourth Doctor, Mary Tamm as Romana I and John Leeson as K9 Mark II. The season opened with The Ribos Operation and concluded with The Armageddon Factor.

Overview[[edit] | [edit source]]

It consisted of six serials comprised of twenty-six episodes. This season saw the introduction of the Black and White Guardians as well as the companion Romana I who became the first Time Lady companion since Susan. This season is sometimes colloquially known as The Key to Time season after the story arc involving the Key to Time. Although not the first season to consist of linked stories (Season 8 in 1971 was the first, as all the stories that year featured the Master), it was the first to be recognised as having a series-long arc. Although multi-serial arcs would occur again, such a full-season experiment wouldn't be attempted again until Season 23. The arc has a number of similarities to the Season 1 story The Keys of Marinus. The storyline was originally proposed for Season 15, but it required more planning.[1]

Season 16 marked a triple milestone for Doctor Who: the hundredth story (The Stones of Blood), the five-hundredth episode (episode 1 of The Armageddon Factor) and the fifteenth anniversary of the first broadcast, on 23 November 1978.

A number of publicity photos for the season show Tom Baker sporting a very obvious bandage on his upper lip; this was due to his being bit by a dog shortly before filming for the season began. The resulting lip injury is visible to varying degrees throughout the season.

In 2002 (Region 1) it became the first Doctor Who season to be released to DVD in its entirety in a single box set; it remained the only "classic series" season to be available as a single set until the release of Season 23, The Trial of a Time Lord to DVD in 2008.

Tom Baker decided to leave by the end of this season, but he was persuaded to stay.[2]

Television stories[[edit] | [edit source]]

# Title Writer Episodes Notes
1 The Ribos Operation Robert Holmes 4 First appearance of Romana and the White Guardian. Beginning of the Key to Time quest.
2 The Pirate Planet Douglas Adams 4 First story to written by Douglas Adams, and the only televised story where he received sole credit.
3 The Stones of Blood David Fisher 4 Marks Doctor Who's one hundredth television story. Part four aired during the fifteenth anniversary of the series. First story to be written by David Fisher.
4 The Androids of Tara 4
5 The Power of Kroll Robert Holmes 4
6 The Armageddon Factor Bob Baker
Dave Martin
6 Final appearance of Romana I. First appearance of the Black Guardian. Final story on which Anthony Read was script editor and the final story to be written by Dave Martin. Conclusion to the Key to Time quest.

Cast[[edit] | [edit source]]

Recurring[[edit] | [edit source]]

Guest[[edit] | [edit source]]

Notes[[edit] | [edit source]]

Stories set before this season[[edit] | [edit source]]

The following stories are the known stories set between Season 15 finale The Invasion of Time and Season 16 opener The Ribos Operation:

Audio[[edit] | [edit source]]

to be completed

Stories set during this season[[edit] | [edit source]]

Novels[[edit] | [edit source]]

Short Stories[[edit] | [edit source]]

Audios[[edit] | [edit source]]

Comics[[edit] | [edit source]]

Adaptations and merchandising[[edit] | [edit source]]

Home media[[edit] | [edit source]]

VHS releases[[edit] | [edit source]]

DVD & Blu-ray releases[[edit] | [edit source]]

This entire season was released with minimal restoration and extras only in Region 1 as a box set or individually on 1 October 2002. A limited edition box set with full restoration and expanded extras was released in Region 2 on 24 September 2007. This limited edition set was later issued in Region 4 on 7 November 2007, in Region 1 on 3 March 2009 as a Special Edition release (these were also available individually), and in Region 2 on 16 November 2009 as a non-limited re-release.

Serial name Number and duration
of episodes
R2 release date R4 release date R1 release date
The Key to Time 26 × 25 min. N/A N/A 1 October 2002
The Key to Time:

The Ribos Operation (4 episodes)
The Pirate Planet (4 episodes)
The Stones of Blood (4 episodes)
The Androids of Tara (4 episodes)
The Power of Kroll (4 episodes)
The Armageddon Factor (6 episodes)

Only available in The Key to Time box set in Regions 2 and 4.
Available individually or in the box set in Region 1.

26 × 25 min. 27 September 2007
(Limited release)
16 November 2009
(Re-release)
7 November 2007 3 March 2009

Download/streaming availability[[edit] | [edit source]]

Serial name Amazon Video iTunes
The Ribos Operation (4 episodes)
The Pirate Planet (4 episodes)
The Stones of Blood (4 episodes)
The Androids of Tara (4 episodes)
The Power of Kroll (4 episodes)
The Armageddon Factor (6 episodes)

Novels[[edit] | [edit source]]

Target Books was unable to come to an agreement with Douglas Adams to novelise his script, The Pirate Planet. It was finally adapted by BBC Books in 2017.

Footnotes[[edit] | [edit source]]

External links[[edit] | [edit source]]