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{{Infobox ClassicTV|
{{title dab away}}
story name= The Ice Warriors|
{{real world}}
image= [[Image:Icewarriors_title.jpg|250px]]|
{{ImageLinkTV}}
series=[[Doctor Who]] - [[List of Doctor Who television stories|TV Stories]] |
{{Infobox Story SMW
number= [[Season 5]] |
|image= TwoAndVargaTIW.jpg
story number= 39|
|series=[[Doctor Who television stories|''Doctor Who'' television stories]]
doctor=[[Second Doctor]] |
|season number= Season 5 (Doctor Who 1963)|
companions= [[Jamie McCrimmon]]<br/>[[Victoria Waterfield]]|
|season serial number = 3
enemy= [[Ice Warrior]]s|
|story number= 39
year= [[Brittanicus Base]], the future|
|doctor = Second Doctor  
writer= [[Brian Hayles]] |
|companions= [[Jamie McCrimmon|Jamie]], [[Victoria Waterfield|Victoria]]
director= [[Derek Martinus]] |
|enemy= [[Varga]]
producer= [[Innes Lloyd]]|
|setting= [[Brittanicus Base]], circa [[5000]] AD
broadcast date= [[11th November]] - [[16th December]] [[1967]]|
|writer= Brian Hayles
format= 6 25-minute Episodes |
|director= [[Derek Martinus]]  
production code= [[List of production codes|OO]]|
|producer= [[Innes Lloyd]]
previous story=[[The Abominable Snowmen]]|
|novelisation= Doctor Who and the Ice Warriors
next story= [[The Enemy of the World]]}}
|epcount = 6
|broadcast date= 11 November - 16 December 1967
|network = BBC1
|format= 6x25-minute episodes
|serial production code= [[List of production codes|OO]]
|prev = The Abominable Snowmen (TV story)
|next= The Enemy of the World (TV story)
|trailer = Ice Warriors - The classic Second Doctor adventure - Doctor Who
|clip=Victim of the Ice Warriors - The Ice Warriors - Doctor Who - BBC
|clip2 = The deadly stink bomb - The Ice Warriors - Doctor Who - BBC
|thwr=36
}}
'''''The Ice Warriors''''' was the third serial of [[Season 5 (Doctor Who 1963)|season 5]] of ''[[Doctor Who]]''. It marked the first appearance of the recurring aliens, the [[Ice Warrior]]s.


'''The Ice Warriors''' was the third story of [[Season 5]] of ''Doctor Who''. It also marks the first appearance of recurring villains the [[Ice Warrior]]s.
Episodes two and three currently [[Missing episode|remain missing]] from the [[BBC]] archive. They were recreated using animation for the serial's DVD release in 2013.


==Synopsis==
== Synopsis ==
The TARDIS arrives on Earth at the time of a new ice age and the travellers make their way into a base where scientists commanded by Leader Clent are using an ioniser device to combat the advance of a glacier.
The TARDIS arrives on Earth in a new ice age. The travellers make their way into a base where scientists, commanded by Leader Clent, are using an ioniser device to combat the advance of a glacier.


A giant humanoid creature, termed an Ice Warrior by one of the scientists, has been found buried in the glacier nearby. When thawed, it revives and is revealed to be Varga, captain of a Martian spacecraft that landed on Earth centuries ago and is still in the glacier. Varga sets about freeing his comrades and formulating a plan to conquer the Earth - Mars itself now being dead.
A giant humanoid creature, called an Ice Warrior by one of the scientists, has been found buried in the nearby glacier. When thawed, it revives and is revealed to be Varga, captain of a Martian spacecraft that landed on Earth centuries ago and is still in the glacier. Varga sets about freeing his comrades and formulating a plan to conquer the Earth — Mars itself is now dead.


The scientists meanwhile realise that continued use of the ioniser could cause the alien ship's engines to explode. Their trusted computer is unable to advise them without further information, and it seems that disaster is imminent. The disaffected scientist Penley, supported by the Doctor, eventually decides to risk activating the ioniser. There is only a minor explosion, which destroys the Martians and, at the same time, checks the ice flow.
The scientists realise that continued use of the ioniser could make the ship's engines explode. Their computer is unable to advise them without more information. Disaster seems imminent. The disaffected scientist Penley, supported by the [[Second Doctor]], decides to risk activating the ioniser. There is only a minor explosion which destroys the Martians and, at the same time, checks the ice flow.


==Plot==
== Plot ==
====Episode one====
=== Episode one ===
In the distant future at Brittanicus Base, senior control technician Jane Garrett and her staff struggle to control an ioniser which they are using to slow the progress of glaciers rolling over Britain. Leader Clent is convinced they will be able to avert a new Ice Age but the group knows they are only a few hours away from being forced to abandon the base. Tensions rise when Penley, a maverick scientist who has defected from the team, is mentioned. The remaining senior scientist, Arden, is out on the glacier searching for archaeological finds, where he discovers an armoured man within a block of ice. Arden and his colleagues ignore appeals to return to Base and help Clent control the Ioniser, intent instead on digging the ice man from the glacier. Two scavengers observe their actions: the anti-technology Storr and Penley, who both live in the tundra away from technology. When one of Arden’s team is killed in an avalanche, the other two head back to base with the ice man. Storr too is injured in the avalanche, breaking his arm.
Senior control technician Jan Garrett and her staff struggle to control an [[Ionisation|ioniser]]. There has been a pulse stoppage and they are minutes away from evacuation. Garret manages to stop it, much to the pleasure of Leader Clent. She says they need Penley back, a proposition for which he snaps at her. Clent consults a computer that gives data regarding other ioniser bases in [[America]], [[Australasia]], [[South Africa]] and [[Asia]]. This ioniser base, the [[Brittanicus Base]], isn't holding up as well as theirs. Clent worries that they will not be able to hold back the [[glacier]]s. He discovers that one of his scientists, Arden, is still out on the glacier. Furious, he tries to contact him.


The TARDIS arrives outside the base. The Doctor, Jamie and Victoria go inside, where the Doctor senses there is something wrong. His action prevents a reactor explosion, and coupled with his scientific analysis of the current ice age – that it has been caused by a severe drop in the carbon dioxide level of the atmosphere following the wholesale extermination of plant life – Clent is persuaded of his usefulness, despite initial misgivings.
The remaining senior scientist, Arden, is out on the glacier searching for archaeological finds. One of his assistants, Walters, discovers an armoured man in a block of ice. Arden, Walters and his second assistant Davis ignore appeals to return to base and help Clent control the ioniser, intent on digging the ice man from the glacier.


Arden and Walters reach the base with their prize, and Arden sets up a device to melt the ice around the man. The Doctor examines the frozen man; as the creature’s helmet incorporates electronic parts, they determine that the "ice warrior", who has been entombed since the last ice age, is an alien being. Minutes later, an emergency meeting distracts the staff; no-one notices that the ice block has completely melted, with the creature showing signs of life.
Clent is furious at this dissent. The glaciers lose stability again and the evacuation procedure is set off again.


==== Episode two====
Outside, the TARDIS materialises onto a snow drift and falls on its side. The Doctor and his companions clamber out. Jamie, looking at the weather, speculates that they may still be in [[Tibet]], but they soon discover a large dome made of plastic. As they explore it, a door opens and two bedraggled men leave. The Doctor inspects the door as soon as they are out of sight and enters with Jamie and Victoria.
[[File:The Ice Warriors dome exterior.jpg|thumb|Exterior dome of Brittanicus Base.]]
Arden makes contact with the base and says he has found a large man in the ice and intends on bringing it in. Arden and Clent are polar opposites — Clent is about protocol whilst Arden is about discovery.
 
The Doctor, Jamie and Victoria are surprised to discover the house is like an old [[Victorian]] mansion. The evacuation procedure goes off around their ears, and a woman comes up and puts badges, which read "Evacuation Flight 7: Scavenger", on the three of them. The Doctor hears the sound of a computer that is running incorrectly. Victoria wants to leave, but the Doctor insists and goes through a door into the main base. He immediately bursts into action. His action prevents a reactor explosion. Clent is initially appalled at this man bursting into his base but is eventually impressed.
 
Arden, Walters and Davis are confused by the image of the man. He appears to be wearing armour. They begin the excavation process. Storr and Penley look on. The scientists trigger an [[avalanche]], which causes Davis to plummet to his death. Storr is injured too. Arden and Walters return to base with the man.
 
Despite the Doctor not having any "formal qualifications", Clent is impressed with his abilities. He seems bemused that the Doctor doesn't know what the base does. The Doctor says he and his friends have been in Tibet. Clent puts the Doctor to the test. He states that a second [[Ice Age]] has beset the world and this base is trying to control it and asks the Doctor to figure out how. The Doctor's mind flits from possibility to possibility before landing on ionisation — the correct answer. Clent explains that after the advent of artificial food, crops became redundant, which lowered production of [[carbon dioxide]] and stopped the Earth from withholding its heat. Ionisation intensifies the sun's heat on certain parts of the Earth like a magnifying glass. Humans are having to control the machine at the moment due to the fact that the super computer is still processing the data. They are interrupted by the return of Arden, wheeling his find in on a trolley. The Doctor inspects it and is confused by the helmet, which looks like it is a [[Viking]] helmet — which is far too late in history. On closer inspection, as the ice melts, the Doctor sees an electronic connection. The Doctor rushes off to inform Clent and Arden. Jamie and Victoria are left alone. He subtly attempts to flirt with her by discussing the outfits these people are wearing though she thoroughly disapproves of this attire and is horrified when Jamie suggests that she should wear one. However, they are both unaware that the creature has entirely thawed and is beginning to move...
 
=== Episode two ===
The creature becomes mobile, knocks Jamie unconscious and takes Victoria as a hostage.
The creature becomes mobile, knocks Jamie unconscious and takes Victoria as a hostage.


The ioniser planning meeting is interrupted by the Doctor’s news about the warrior. He concludes that if the creature is indeed alien then there could be a spaceship under the glacier which could be powered by atomic systems; using the ioniser in that area could cause a massive explosion that would destroy the Base. The crew are discussing this when Jamie bursts in and reports the creature has come to life and taken Victoria. An alert is issued throughout the base, but only Arden and Jamie can be spared for a search party.
Clent asks the computer if they should accept the Doctor as one of their team. The computer states that he has a high IQ but is ill disciplined and hot headed in certain situations. They are interrupted by the Doctor's news about the warrior. He concludes that if the creature is indeed alien, there could be a spaceship powered by atomic systems under the glacier. Using the ioniser in that area could cause a massive explosion and destroy the base. The crew are discussing this when Jamie bursts in and reports the creature has come to life and taken Victoria. The Doctor, while inspecting the scene, concludes that the Ice Warrior must have used the power pack to accelerate to a higher heat and thaw the ice.
[[File:VictoriaMeetsTheIceWarrior.png|thumb|Victoria meets the Ice Warrior.]]
The creature has Victoria in a store cupboard. He states his name is [[Varga]], and he is a warrior from the planet Mars, who has indeed been frozen for millennia after his ship crashed and his party was encased by an avalanche. He insists Victoria help him find his ship and crew. With the extra troops he can decide whether to return home or stay and conquer the Earth.
 
Clent consults the computer. It states that ionisation should continue but the ship needs to be found. The computer reschedules the workload and frees up Arden to go. Jamie will accompany him.
 
Penley and Storr have made it back to their hideout. Storr's injuries are so bad that his friend needs to return to the base to steal medical supplies.
 
Victoria is forced to help the Ice Warrior to locate the power packs. He threatens Victoria with his sonic gun, which will burst her brain.
 
Arden and Jamie see no sign of Victoria or the Ice Warrior out in the tundra. Furthermore, their equipment is being jammed. Clent orders them to go back.
 
Penley has managed to infiltrate the base. As he rounds a corner, he sees Victoria, who gestures for him to hide. He sees Varga lead Victoria into the room.
 
In the control room, the Doctor asks Clent why they have no expert on the base. Clent explains that they did but he walked out and abandoned them as he could not put up with Clent's domineering ways. He does admit that they are crying out for someone with his knowledge though.
 
Victoria tries to stall Varga, but he soon finds the power pack. Varga now tells Victoria that she is to accompany him to the ice mountains. They meet Clent before leaving, and Varga leaves him unconscious and badly wounded. Penley tires to revive Clent when the Doctor finds him. The Doctor works out that he must be Penley. Once Penley is sure the Doctor is dealing with Clent, he leaves the base, despite the Doctor's protests that he is needed to help with the ioniser. Clent comes round just as Garrett informs them that Victoria and Varga have broken through the perimeter. The Doctor says they should not follow them as that would be the Ice Warrior's plan.
 
Meanwhile, in the glacier, Varga finds four of his frozen comrades and uses his sonic gun to free them. He confirms that he has a plan for if Victoria's friends follow her.
 
Penley has administered the medicine to Storr and goes to explore the glacier for Victoria and Varga. He is also coming round to the Doctor's suggestion that he could return to the base.
Varga has chiselled away at the ice, leaving the semi-exposed forms of his comrades. He prepares to revive them.
 
=== Episode three ===
The four Ice Warriors, [[Zondal]], [[Turoc]], [[Rintan]] and [[Isbur]], are resurrected, much to the terror of Victoria. Penley watches the whole process.
 
The Doctor prepares Jamie for his excursion with Arden. Arden blames himself for the whole situation including the death of Davis, which causes Clent to show a rare moment of compassion. Before they leave, Clent orders them not to go looking for Victoria, much to the displeasure of Jamie.
 
Penley reports back to a fully healed Storr the situation regarding the Ice Warriors. He does not believe him. Their argument is interrupted by a noise outside. It is Garrett, who begs Penley to return to the base. He refuses, saying he does not want to be computerised. Garrett pulls out a tranquilliser but is disarmed by Storr. Storr wants to kill her, but Penley lets her go. He tells her to look up some of his notes when she returns to base.
 
Now fully mobilised, Zondal and the other three Warriors take on the task of creating an ice cave. Others set about finding their craft and digging it out of the ice. Victoria is told she is to be kept with them as bait.
 
The Doctor is trying to figure out the calculation to save the base. Clent encourages him to use the computer, but the Doctor resists. Garrett comes in with the notes about which Penley told her. The Doctor takes one look and cracks the code. Clent says he must check with the computer — which causes the Doctor to become very offended. Arden reports back, saying he has discovered an ice cave and a ship.
 
Arden and Jamie begin to take readings, but minutes later, they are ambushed and gunned down by Varga and Zondal, who leave them for dead. A distraught Victoria is ushered into the ship. The Ice Warriors discuss destroying Victoria, but they decide to keep her as bait. The Ice Warriors leave to fix the ship's propulsion unit. Penley has been watching and emerges from the shadows.
 
The Doctor reminds Clent that it has been a long time since they heard anything from Arden. They try to make contact, but there is no reply.
 
Penley discovers that Arden is dead, but Jamie is still alive. Penley takes him back to his home.
 
Garrett comes back, reporting that the equation is perfect. Clent is overjoyed but soon realises he can't use it with Arden still outside.
 
Jamie awakes at Penley's cave and is eager to seek out Victoria. However, he is too weak and passes out.
 
Victoria, emerging unaccompanied from the ship, discovers Jamie's body gone. She finds the communication device on the ground and attempts to use it.[[File:She is the bait.....jpg|thumb|Varga and [[Zondal]] consider Victoria's fate.]]Unbeknownst to Victoria, she is being observed by Varga and Zondal. They decide she must be stopped. They aim a weapon at her head.
 
The Doctor receives the transmission from Victoria, who tells them of the danger of the Ice Warriors and of Arden and possibly Jamie's deaths. She is probed by Clent for facts. As she does, a weapon emerges from the side of the ship.
 
Varga and Zondal prepare to fire...
=== Episode four ===
Varga decides against killing Victoria so as to not raise suspicion.
Clent grills Victoria for any information regarding the ship's propulsion system, keen to continue the process of ionising. She is not able to help.
 
Turoc is sent by Varga to capture Victoria again and use her as bait.
 
Victoria sees a figure coming and makes a run for it, dodging into the ice to avoid Turoc.
[[File:AutomaticChemicalDispenser.png|thumb|The automatic chemical dispenser. ]]
The Doctor uses an automatic chemical dispenser used on the base to create [[ammonium sulphide]], which will be toxic to the Ice Warriors if Victoria's statement regarding them being Martians is to be believed. The Doctor states he intends to make contact with the Ice Warriors himself. Clent is very unhappy about this but is not faced with many other choices. The Doctor takes a communicator with him but refuses to take a weapon. He states he doesn't need a weapon as he intends to be taken prisoner.
 
Victoria flees ever deeper into the icy caves. She sees a communicator on the floor and attempts to retrieve it but is caught by Turoc. At just that moment an avalanche falls on the pair of them.
 
Storr and Penley continue to minister to Jamie. He awakes and is desperate to find Victoria. Storr is keen to accompany him. Jamie is terrified when he discovers he has no use of his legs.
 
An examination of the engines of the Martian craft shows them working but low on fuel. The Ice Warriors need to know on what the base is powered to see if they can use it on their ship.
 
Victoria cries for help. She is not stuck in the avalanche, but the Ice Warrior has been and is still gripped on to her.
 
Jamie is asleep again. Storr has decided the only way to save Jamie is to talk to the Ice Warriors. Penley is convinced that he should not go, but Storr pushes past him with Penley in pursuit. Storr dashes behind a piece of ice to lose Penley and hears the call of Victoria.
 
Meanwhile Penley has found the Doctor and taken him to Jamie.
 
Storr finds Victoria and manages to free her. He is told that the Ice Warriors are against the scientists and begins to sympathise with them. Another avalanche forces them to leave.
 
The Ice Warriors are eager to attack the base, but Varga says they must bide their time. Their discussion is interrupted by Storr leading a distraught Victoria to their ship. Varga and Zondal hold Victoria personally culpable for the death of Turoc and lead her into the ship. They ignore Storr's offers of help, especially so when he denounces scientists at the very time they want technical aid. He is killed and left in the snow. Varga and Zondal go inside to question Victoria.
 
Back in the cave, the Doctor determines Jamie's paralysis is temporary. Another avalanche rocks the cave. The glacier is moving ever quicker. The Doctor tasks Penley to escort Jamie back to the base. Penley protests, but the Doctor states that everyone needs his help. The Doctor leaves to speak to the Ice Warriors.
 
Clent watches in shock as the glacier moves faster than it has ever done before. Garrett pushes Clent for a plan, but he says he is putting all his faith in the Doctor. The Doctor informs Clent on the video screen that he is going to make first contact.
 
The Doctor heads through the avalanches and knocks on the door of the ship. The weapon emerges, but the Doctor ignores it and demands to be let in. After seemingly being refused, the Doctor begins counting to ten, but the door opens and the Doctor is allowed to enter the [[airlock]]. The Ice Warriors are suspicious of the Doctor's claims; this is only worsened when he refuses to answer questions. Varga tells the Doctor that if he refuses to answer him in the next 10 seconds, he will reduce the pressure in the airlock down to zero, causing the Doctor's body to explode. As the Doctor becomes worried, Varga begins to reduce the pressure in the airlock to zero...
 
=== Episode five ===
[[File:SecondDoctorWithVarga.png|thumb|The Second Doctor conversing with Varga.]]
Seconds away from death, the Doctor agrees to the Ice Warriors' demands and tells them that he is a scientist. He is allowed entrance. The Doctor is unnerved by the sheer size of the Ice Warriors but plays it cool and says that he is the only chance they have of surviving. The Ice Warriors tell the Doctor that they think that the ioniser is a weapon. When he puts them right, they demand to know why they haven't been freed previously.
 
Penley drags Jamie through the snow. They stop for a rest when they see a [[bear]] in the distance.
 
The Doctor explains that the ioniser has not been used as they are worried it will blow up the engine. The Ice Warriors will neither confirm nor deny the make up of their engine. If it is not harmful to ionisation, they will be washed away in the flood; if it is harmful they will be blown up. The Doctor tries to wheedle the information out of the Ice Warriors but cannot. They demand to take away his communicator. The last thing he says is that if his friends at the base don't hear anything, they will be forced to use the ioniser.
 
Clent and Garret, who have been listening via the communicator, take the Doctor's hint that they should prepare the ioniser. There is a modicum of doubt at the base. Garret wants to ring World Control but Clent decides to plug all information they have into the computer.
 
Penley uses the tranquilliser gun on the bear and misses. The bear attacks.
 
The computer says that they should wait, prepare the ioniser and contact World Control. Clent praises the computer for being cold, logical and incapable of taking a gamble.
 
Penley manages to tranquillise the bear, sustaining only a scratch in the process.
 
Back at the Ice Warriors' ship, the Doctor has been shown the ship's engines. They are powered by an ion reactor which will not explode under ionisation. The Ice Warriors refuse to allow the Doctor to pass on this information as it will lead to their destruction. They ask the Doctor what sort of fuel the base runs on. The Doctor realises that they are without fuel to power their ship and refuses to tell them. Varga threatens Victoria's life, forcing the Doctor to say that it runs on the right fuel for them. The Ice Warriors prepare an attack on the base.
 
Clent is informed of the arrival of Penley and Jamie. He allows them in, despite being unsure about Penley's return. Clent and Garret are dismissive initially but offer to help Jamie, but Clent has given up on retrieving the Doctor and Victoria. Penley says that this is ridiculous — to risk two people's lives because a computer says so. Clent refuses to relent. Jamie begins to grab Clent physically, and Clent has both Jamie and Penley tranquillised.
 
Varga, Rintan and Isbur have made it to the base and communicate with the ship to prepare the weapon.
 
The Doctor tells Victoria to pretend to cry. Masked by the sound of her tears the Doctor informs her that he is about to use the ammonium sulphide which will, hopefully, be noxious to the Ice Warriors. Victoria distracts Zondal by saying that water is seeping through the door of the ship, but the Doctor cannot get the cork out of the top of the test tube. Zondal turns and sees the Doctor's plan and rounds on him. The Doctor manages to uncork the test tube just in time. Zondal begins to faint but as he does his hand clamps on to the fire button with the Doctor trying his hardest to stop the annihilation of the base...


The creature identifies itself to Victoria as Varga, a warrior from the planet Mars, who has indeed been frozen for millennia. He insists Victoria help him find his ship and crew; with the extra troops he can decide whether to return home or stay and conquer the Earth. Varga steals power packs from the medi-centre to revive his crew.
=== Episode six ===
The sonic blast triggered by Zondal causes only minor damage, destroying the records wing. Varga uses the communicator to call Clent, threatening to fire again unless the humans surrender. Clent knows the base dome cannot survive another blast and suggests a meeting between the two sides. Garrett suggests they threaten to destroy the ship using the ioniser. Walters says they should go ahead and do it. When Clent says they cannot, Walters loses his nerve and goes to destroy the computer. Garrett tranquillises him.


Penley has meanwhile helped Storr back to their hideout, where Storr’s injuries are determined so bad that Penley needs to go back to the Base to steal some medical supplies. He sees Varga and Victoria in the medi-centre and follows them as they leave the Base. They encounter Clent before leaving, and Varga leaves him unconscious and badly wounded. Penley tries to revive Clent and is found doing so by the Doctor, who has worked out he is the errant scientist. Penley, once sure the Doctor is dealing with Clent, leaves the Base, despite the Doctor’s protests that he is needed to help with the Ioniser. When Jamie and Arden return from their search, the Doctor persuades them that, with the prospect of more than one creature buried in the glacier, they should postpone the next phase of the search until morning.
Back in the Ice Warriors' ship, the Doctor begins to inspect the inner workings of the sonic gun.


Meanwhile, in the glacier, Varga finds four of his frozen comrades and prepares to revive them.
Varga, Rintan and Isbur confront the humans in the ioniser room. The talks fail when the tranquillised Walters tries to shoot Varga. The Ice Warriors kill him. Varga demand the base's [[Mercury (element)|mercury]] isotopes. Clent tells them they do not possess these, but Varga suspect he is lying and threaten to close down the reactor, causing the base to lose light, heat and [[electricity]].


====Episode three====
The Doctor and Victoria overhear all this and begin to dismantle the external section of the gun.
Varga begins the process of reviving them, which takes all night. His lieutenant, Zondal, is given the task of creating defensive structures in their ice cave while the other Ice Warriors set about finding their missing craft and digging it out of the ice. Varga is observed by Penley, who is back tracking in the snow having used the medicine on his friend Storr. When Penley returns to Storr he is surprised to find a visitor, Miss Garrett, who implores him to rejoin the crew of the Base at this critical time. When other approaches fail, she tries to take him at gunpoint but Storr intervenes. Miss Garrett is sent away with Penley’s advice to “check the Omega Factor”. The Doctor tests the new data in simulation mode and proves that the Ioniser can be used more effectively.


Back at the Base, Jamie and Arden are sent into the glacier, ostensibly to find the alien spacecraft rather than Victoria. They discover the Ice Warriors’ cave excavation and report this back to Base. Minutes later, they are ambushed and gunned down by the Ice Warriors, who leave them for dead. Penley investigates and finds Arden has indeed died, but Jamie is still alive. Penley decides to take him back to his home. Storr decides to speak to the Ice Warriors himself, convinced they might be potential allies. Penley heads after him, warning of their ruthlessness.
Varga threatens Garrett and Clent with destruction unless they render the ioniser safe.


Having failed to contact Arden, the Base personnel assume something bad has happened. Moments later, the video link comes alive, operated by Victoria, who tells them of the danger of the Ice Warriors. She is probed by Clent about the propulsion system of their ship. Zondal, concerned that Victoria will reveal their location, trains the ship's weapons on Victoria.
The Doctor and Victoria have adjusted the [[sonic cannon]] so that the frequency of the gun only affects fluids. The Doctor thinks that the Ice Warriors have a higher level of liquid in them so will be affected more. Furthermore he believes their helmets will further exaggerate the sonic effects. He is aware this may be a risk that puts the human lives on the base in jeopardy too.
===='''Episode four'''====
Penley awakes and goes to explore the base.
Varga stops Zondal, in order to evesdrop on Victoria's conversation and learn the Base's primary concern, and to use it as a weapon against them. An Ice Warrior is sent to capture Victoria again and use her as bait. The Doctor decides to go to the spaceship and rescue Victoria. Before leaving, he takes with him a phial of ammonium sulfate, which he deduces will be noxious to aliens from a nitrogen-based atmosphere such as Mars. However, Victoria flees ever deeper into the icy caves. When the Ice Warrior, Turoc, finds her he is caught in an avalanche and crushed – with Victoria alive but trapped in his dead claw.


An examination of the engines of the Martian craft reveal them to be functional but low on fuel. When the Ice Warriors encounter Storr they ignore his offers of help, especially so when he denounces scientists at the very time they want technical aid. Storr is killed but Victoria, who he brought from the ice caves, is permitted to live.
Garrett has rendered the ioniser safe, and the Ice Warriors order total shut down of the reactor. Penley oversees all this and turns the heat and humidity of the base up whilst turning the [[oxygen]] down. This affects the Ice Warriors, who turn on Clent and his scientists.


Meanwhile Penley has found the Doctor and taken him to Jamie. He determines Jamie’s paralysis is temporary and heads off to the Martian craft. Once there he offers himself as an envoy, leaving his communicator active so Clent can hear, and is allowed to enter the airlock. Varga, suspicious of the Doctor's claims, reduces the pressure in the airlock to zero until the Doctor explains his motives.
At the same time, the Doctor fires the sonic cannon. This causes the Ice Warriors and the humans to collapse. The Doctor renders the gun useless and leaves the ship.


====Episode five====
When he returns to the base he finds the Ice Warriors gone. He goes around waking up the crew. Clent orders Garrett to phase up the ioniser. The Doctor and Penley press Clent to use the ioniser as a weapon against the Ice Warriors, but Clent refuses to go against the computer. The Doctor and Penley press their case. Clent consults the computer, which short circuits. Penley takes the decision to use the ioniser at full strength.
Seconds away from death, the Doctor agrees to Varga's demands. With the glacier threatening to crush the spacecraft, the Doctor succeeds in getting Victoria released to him. He is less successful in persuading Varga that the Ioniser is anything but a weapon that could be used against the Martians. The last thing the Doctor is able to establish before Varga takes the communicator is that Clent needs to use the Ioniser at some point, regardless of consequences. The Doctor is marched to the core of the spacecraft, where he spots an ion propulsion system. Varga decides to attack the Base before the Ioniser can be used, and orders his Warriors to prepare a sonic cannon.


Penley has brought Jamie to Base on a motorised sled. Clent gives Penley a frosty reception, and they end up bickering. Clent says he has decided to adopt the Doctor’s advice and use the Ioniser, even if the computer seems unconvinced of the merits of such a proposal. The Doctor and Penley’s new formula for ionisation has been tested in other Bases with great success and is scheduled for use in Britannicus in a few hours time.
Varga and the other two warriors arrive back at the ship. They find Zondal, who apologises for his failure. They find that the glacier is breaking up around them and also discover that their ship does have fuel after all.
Clent orders Penley to stop but he continues.


Zondal has been given the task of arming the sonic cannon. With Varga and his other Warriors, Isbur and Rintan, focussed on this attack, the Doctor and Victoria use the opportunity to release the chemical solution in Zondal’s face. The Warrior collapses, but his hand activates the sonic cannon as he falls.
The Ice Warriors' ship begins to break up.
====Episode six====
The sonic blast triggered by Zondal only glances the Base, causing minor damage. Varga uses the communicator to call Clent, threatening to fire again unless the humans surrender. Clent knows the Base dome cannot survive another sonic blast and suggests a peace meeting between the two sides. The Ice Warriors confront the humans in the Ioniser room. The talks fail when a demented technician, Walters, tries to shoot the Martians. Varga dismantles the Ioniser reactor to get the mercury isotopes he needs for his ship, not caring how this will affect the humans and the Dome. Without the ioniser, the glaciers begin to move forward.


The Doctor and Victoria adjust the Martian sonic cannon so it will harm the Ice Warriors and not the humans. Similarly, Penley, who was not in the Ioniser Room, alters the temperature and atmosphere controls in the Base so it becomes uncomfortable for the Martians. The Doctor fires the sonic cannon, forcing Varga and his men to retreat from the Base. He fuses the sonic cannon before he and Victoria flee the ship. The Doctor revives the Base staff, who were rendered unconscious by the sonic blast, and works with Penley to recalibrate the Ioniser. The computer gives a fifty-fifty chance that the Ionizer will explode when trained on a spacecraft with an ion engine; Penley tells Clent to work without the advice of the computer. When the computer overloads, Penley takes charge and starts the Ioniser.
Back at base, the explosions caused by the ship were only minor. Clent compliments Penley but has no time to thank the Doctor and his colleagues as they have already disappeared.


The Martian craft begins to power up, but does not get far before it is destroyed by the Ioniser. The ship explodes without starting a chain reaction, which solves both the problem of the Ice Warriors and the glacier. Their work done, the TARDIS crew slips away.
The TARDIS dematerialises.


==Cast==
== Cast ==
*[[Second Doctor|The Doctor]] - [[Patrick Troughton]]
* [[Second Doctor|Dr. Who]] - [[Patrick Troughton]]
*[[Jamie McCrimmon]] - [[Frazer Hines]]
* [[Jamie McCrimmon]] - [[Frazer Hines]]
*[[Victoria Waterfield]] - [[Deborah Watling]]
* [[Victoria Waterfield]] - [[Deborah Watling]]
*[[Jan Garrett|Miss Garrett]] - [[Wendy Gifford]]
* [[Jan Garrett|Miss Garrett]] - [[Wendy Gifford]]
*[[Clent]] - [[Peter Barkworth]]
* [[Clent]] - [[Peter Barkworth]]
*[[Arden]] - [[George Waring]]
* [[Arden]] - [[George Waring]]
*[[Walters (The Ice Warriors)|Walters]] - [[Malcolm Taylor]]
* [[Walters (The Ice Warriors)|Walters]] - [[Malcolm Taylor (actor)|Malcolm Taylor]]
*[[Davis (The Ice Warriors)|Davis]] - [[Peter Diamond]]
* [[Davis (The Ice Warriors)|Davis]] - [[Peter Diamond]]
*[[Storr]] - [[Angus Lennie]]
* [[Storr]] - [[Angus Lennie]]
*[[Elric Penley]] - [[Peter Sallis]]
* [[Elric Penley|Penley]] - [[Peter Sallis]]
*Voice of Computer - [[Roy Skelton]]
* [[Varga]] - [[Bernard Bresslaw]]
*[[Varga]] - [[Bernard Bresslaw]]
* Voice of [[ECCO|Computer]] - [[Roy Skelton]]
*[[Zondal]] - [[Roger Jones]]
* [[Zondal]] - [[Roger Jones]]
*[[Turoc]] - [[Sonny Caldinez]]
* [[Turoc]] - [[Sonny Caldinez]]
*[[Rintan]] - [[Tony Harwood]]
* [[Rintan]] - [[Tony Harwood]]
*[[Isbur]] - [[Michael Attwell]]
* [[Isbur]] - [[Michael Attwell]]


==Crew==
=== Uncredited cast ===
*[[Assistant Floor Manager]] - [[Quenton Annis]]
* Control Room Operators - [[Ann Jarvis]], [[Kathie Fitzgibbon|Kathy Fitzgibbon]], [[Monique Briant]]
*[[Costumes]] - [[Martin Baugh]]
* Technicians - [[Donald Sinclair]], [[James Holbrook]], [[Gary Dean]]
*[[Designer]] - [[Jeremy Davies]]
* Computer Operators - [[Frankie Dunn]], [[Sean Hogan]], [[Alec Coleman]]
*[[Film Cameraman]] - [[Brian Langley]]
* Double for [[Varga]] - [[Tony Harwood]] (all [[DWM 303]])
*[[Film Editor]] - [[Michael Lockey]]
*[[Incidental Music]] - [[Dudley Simpson]]
*[[Make-Up]] - [[Sylvia James]]
*[[Producer]] - [[Innes Lloyd]]
*[[Production Assistant]] - [[Snowy Lidiard-White]]
*[[Script Editor]] - [[Peter Bryant]]
*[[Special Sounds]] - [[Brian Hodgson]]
*[[Studio Lighting]] - [[Sam Neeter]]
*[[Studio Sound]] - [[Bryan Forgham]]
*[[Theme Arrangement]] - [[Delia Derbyshire]]
*[[Title Music]] - [[Ron Grainer]]
*[[Visual Effects]] - [[Bernard Wilkie]], [[Ron Oates]]


==References==
== Crew ==
*[[Brittanicus Base]] is run by [[Britain]].
* [[Assistant Floor Manager]] - [[Quenton Annis]]
*Earth's population has taken over all farmland on Earth, [[food]] production has shifted to artificial means.
* [[Costumes]] - [[Martin Baugh]]
* [[Designer (crew)|Designer]] - [[Jeremy Davies]]
* [[Film Cameraman]] - [[Brian Langley]]
* [[Film Editor]] - [[Michael Lockey]]
* [[Incidental Music]] - [[Dudley Simpson]]
* [[Make-Up]] - [[Sylvia James]]
* [[Producer]] - [[Innes Lloyd]]
* [[Production Assistant]] - [[Snowy Lidiard-White]]
* [[Script Editor]] - [[Peter Bryant]]
* [[Special Sounds]] - [[Brian Hodgson]]
* [[Studio Lighting]] - [[Sam Neeter]]
* [[Studio Sound]] - [[Bryan Forgham]]
* [[Theme Arrangement]] - [[Delia Derbyshire]]
* [[Doctor Who theme|Title Music]] - [[Ron Grainer]]
* [[Visual Effects]] - [[Bernard Wilkie]], [[Ron Oates]]


===[[:Category:Timeline|Timeline]]===
=== Uncredited crew ===
*[[Varga]] has been frozen in the ice for thousands of years.
* [[Effects contractor|Effects Contractor]] - [[Peter Pegrum]] ([[INFO]]: ''The Ice Warriors'')
*Clent states that thousands of years of history is under the glacier.
* [[Make-up assistant|Make-Up Assistantss]] - [[Ann Rayment]], [[Heather Shaw]] ([[INFO]]: ''The Ice Warriors'')
* [[Film camera assistant|Film Camera Assistant]] - [[Roy Bailey]] ([[INFO]]: ''The Ice Warriors'')
* [[Film sound|Film Sound Recordist]] - [[George Cassedy]] ([[INFO]]: ''The Ice Warriors'')
* [[Film sound assistant|Film Sound Assistant]] - [[Ken Hains]] ([[INFO]]: ''The Ice Warriors'')
* [[Visual effects assistant|Effects Assistant]] - [[Peter Logan]] ([[INFO]]: ''The Ice Warriors'')
* [[Director's assistant|Director's Assistant]] - [[Sheenagh Tuckwell]] ([[INFO]]: ''The Ice Warriors'')
* [[Camera crew|Camera Crew]] - [[Crew 17]] ([[INFO]]: ''The Ice Warriors'')


==Story notes==
=== Animation Unit ===
*A real live bear was used in specially shot film inserts (as opposed to stock footage).
* Animators
*Miss Garrett's entire costume unexpectedly changes between the fifth and sixth episodes.
** [[Matt Turner]]
** [[Nick Patrick]]
** [[Ciaran Wright]]
** [[Quentin Chaille]]
** [[Sarah Beckett]]
** [[Chris Chatterton]]
** [[Niel Bushnell]]
* Backgrounds
** Nick Patrick
** Ciaran Wright
* Character Design - Chris Chatterton
* Character Rigging - Matt Turner
* Special thanks to
** [[Graham Strong]]
** [[Richard Bignell]]
** [[Toby Hadoke]]
* Audio Restoration - [[Mark Ayres]]
* Producers
** [[Chris Chapman]]
** Niel Bushnell
* Executive Producer - [[Dan Hall]]
* Animation Director - Chris Chatterton
A [[Qurios Entertainment|Qurios]] Production for [[Pup Ltd]]


===Influences===
== Worldbuilding ==
*Archeological discoveries of the time, notably the [[Sutton Hoo]] dig, influenced the idea of a buried body proving to be an [[alien]], with the Ice Warrior's space helmet being mistaken for a ancient helmet.
* [[Brittanicus Base]] is run by [[Britain]].
* Earth's population has taken over all [[farmland]] on Earth, so [[food]] production has shifted to artificial means.
* The Ice Warriors have a [[sonic gun]].
* Arden thought Varga was a [[mastodon]].
* Miss [[Curtis (The Ice Warriors)|Curtis]] works in the control room.
* Miss [[Henry]] works in the control room.


*Notions about Mars, current in 1967 but now known to be false, also inform the programme, such as the nitrogen atmosphere of Mars which causes the Ice Warriors breathing difficulties on Earth.
== Story notes ==
* [[Brian Hayles]] originally envisioned the Ice Warriors as resembling human soldiers in medieval-style space armour. However, costume designer [[Martin Baugh]] felt that they should have more of a reptilian appearance. His initial concept was that of an upright crocodile with a Viking-style helmet.
* The opening title captions referred to the individual instalments as "one", "two" etc. rather than "episodes" as was the standard for all Second Doctor stories.
* Only episodes "one", "four", "five" and "six" of this six-part story exist in the [[BBC Archives]] (as [[telerecording|16mm black & white film telerecordings]]). The episodes were recovered in 1988 and were found at the back of a cupboard at Villiers House in West London which was being cleared out due to BBC Enterprises moving offices.
* This is the third story in a row after ''[[The Tomb of the Cybermen (TV story)|The Tomb of the Cybermen]]'' and ''[[The Abominable Snowmen (TV story)|The Abominable Snowmen]]'' to have a cold or snow theme in its storyline.
* A real bear was used in specially shot film inserts (as opposed to stock footage). It was hired for a day's filming at [[Ealing Studios|the BBC's Ealing Film Studios]] at a cost of £70. ([[REF]]: ''[[The Second Doctor Handbook]]'')
* Miss Garrett's entire costume unexpectedly changes between episodes "five" and "six". Her outfit in episode "six" is the same one she was wearing in episode "one".
* Regarding the dating of this story, a ''[[Radio Times]]'' article published at the time of initial broadcast placed it in the year 3000. This was the date used in [[DWM 76]], ''[[The Doctor Who Programme Guide]]'', ''[[The Universal Databank]]'', ''[[The Doctor Who File]]'' and ''[[A History of the Universe (reference book)|A History of the Universe]]'', and it was referred to in the novels ''[[Legacy (novel)|Legacy]]'' and ''[[The Dark Path (novel)|The Dark Path]]''. However, ''[[The Making of Doctor Who]]'' says that it was set three thousand years after the previous story (so circa 4935), ''[[The Talons of Weng-Chiang (TV story)|The Talons of Weng-Chiang]]'' says that the Ice Age was in the year [[5000]], and no stories set in the 30th century seem to depict Earth being in an Ice Age. The problem with both dates is that each is contradicted by the fact that in this story humanity appears to be completely unfamiliar with the Ice Warriors, despite having contact with them in ''[[The Seeds of Death (TV story)|The Seeds of Death]]'' (set in the 21st century) and ''[[The Curse of Peladon (TV story)|The Curse of Peladon]]'' (set in the year 3885).
* Incidental music from this story exists.
* This is the only Ice Warrior story of the original series to not feature [[Alan Bennion]] as an Ice Warrior.
* [[Derek Martinus]] named this as his favourite story, mainly because the cast was so strong.
* [[Deborah Watling]] was unable to attend the complete recording of the final episode. Consequently, Victoria is asked (off-screen) to return to the TARDIS halfway through the episode. She was originally supposed to return to Brittanicus Base with the Doctor, and would have appeared in the final control room sequence.
* [[Derek Martinus]] insisted that every Ice Warrior actor should be over six feet tall and some of the people who turned up to audition were "very dubious gentlemen with prison records".
* [[Bernard Bresslaw]] was taken aback upon seeing his costume. He was expecting a more Viking-like costume and that he would be recognisable. He later described the costume-fitting as the first time in his career that he’d been measured “not with a tape measure, but with calipers”.
* The script originally called for Varga and Zondal to block the Doctor's path when he enters their room, but [[Patrick Troughton]] ad-libbed him panically attempting to leave.
* It was [[Peter Barkworth]]'s idea for Clent to have a limp and use a cane. He also suggested that he have a stutter, but [[Derek Martinus]] vetoed this.
* Although [[Derek Martinus]] was generally happy with the Ice Warrior costumes, Martinus had deemed some modifications to be necessary following the work at [[Ealing Studios|Ealing]]. Most notably, the original helmets had proved to be very restrictive, and a slimmer, more flexible design was requested -- even though this would create a visual discrepancy between those scenes which had been completed on film and those which would be taped in the studio. The costume for Varga was prioritised for refurbishment, and this was completed in time for the recording of episode two.


*The theories of a "nuclear winter" and "a New Ice Age" are the basis for the setting of the story. The disputes between the scientists seems to represent the debate amongst scientists over the validity of these theories. The idea of weather manipulation had appeared in ''[[The Moonbase]]'' and would also reappear in ''[[The Enemy of the World]]'', which followed from this story, and in the next Ice Warriors story, ''[[The Seeds of Death]]''.
=== Influences ===
* Real archaeology influenced the idea of the body buried in the glacier proving to be an [[alien]]: in the serial, when he is found in the ice the chief Warrior's space helmet is initially mistaken for a Dark Age battle helmet, of the type discovered in the archaeological dig at [[Sutton Hoo]] in 1939.
* Notions about Mars, current in 1967 but now known to be mistaken, also affected the serial, such as the supposed nitrogen atmosphere of Mars, which causes the Ice Warriors' to have breathing difficulties on Earth (a production error, this, since even a 1967 production team must have been aware that the Earth's atmosphere comprises four-fifths nitrogen).
* The theories of a "nuclear winter" and "a New Ice Age" were the basis for the setting of the story. The scripted disputes between the scientists represented a then-current real life debate among scientists over the validity of those theories. The idea of weather manipulation had previously featured in ''[[The Moonbase (TV story)|The Moonbase]]'' and would reappear in ''[[The Enemy of the World (TV story)|The Enemy of the World]]'', which followed on from this story, and would also return in the next Ice Warrior story, ''[[The Seeds of Death (TV story)|The Seeds of Death]]''.
* [[Clent]] states that the cause of the Ice Age is the lack of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, as there are few plants left (so produce less of it), because the needs of feeding an ever increasing global population have made the growing of traditional crops impractical. Both this story and the next, ''[[The Enemy of the World (TV story)|The Enemy of the World]]'', have at their heart global food shortages caused by overpopulation (a powerful fear in real life in Britain during the 1960s, driven in part by memories of the genuine food shortages arising from [[World War II]]).
* [[Brian Hayles]] was inspired by an article he had recently read about the discovery of the well-preserved corpse of a wooly mammoth, which was excavated from the Siberian ice in [[1901]]. He was also intrigued by the planet Mars, and wondered what some of race could conceivably have flourished in its environment. These notions led him to imagine a scenario in which a Martian was discovered on Earth, frozen in a glacier, and then brought back to life.


===Ratings===
=== Ratings ===
*Episode 1 - 6.7 million viewers
* One - 6.7 million viewers
*Episode 2 - 7.1 million viewers
* Two - 7.1 million viewers
*Episode 3 - 7.4 million viewers
* Three - 7.4 million viewers
*Episode 4 - 7.3 million viewers
* Four - 7.3 million viewers
*Episode 5 - 8.0 million viewers
* Five - 8.0 million viewers
*Episode 6 - 7.5 million viewers
* Six - 7.5 million viewers


===Myths===
=== Myths ===
*The base computer is called ECCO. ''(This name was invented by writer Brian Hayles for his later novelisation of the story.)''
* The base computer is called ECCO. ''(This name was invented by writer Brian Hayles for his later novelisation of the story.)''


===Filming locations===
=== Filming locations ===
*[[Ealing Television Film Studios]], Ealing Green, Ealing
* [[Ealing Television Film Studios]], Ealing Green, Ealing


===Production errors===
=== Production errors ===
{{discontinuity}}
{{discontinuity}}
*Varga's head design changes after he wakes up.
* Varga's head design changes after he wakes up.
*The TARDIS lands on its side in episode 1, but it's the correct way up in episode 6.
* The Ice Warriors' mouths aren't in time with their words.
*When they leave the TARDIS, they push the doors outwards - usually people are seen to pull the doors inwards to exit the TARDIS.
* At the cliffhanger of episode "four", the Doctor tells Varga he "won't answer any questions until [he] is addressed properly", but by the beginning of episode five it has become "properly introduced". In the same scene, the pressure gauge is much higher then it was in episode four.
*At the end of Episode Four, the Doctor says he never answers questions until he's "addressed properly." In the reprise at the beginning of Episode Five, he says, "properly introduced." ''(There have always been slight variations whenever a cliffhanger is reenacted instead of replayed from the previous week. This one's just more obvious.)''
* In an extreme close-up of Varga's face in episode "five" when he's talking to the Doctor, a crew member's reflection can be seen in his eye.
* The Ice Warriors' mouths aren't in time with their words. ''(Yes, the actors had to mime to prerecorded lines. The Daleks had similar problems.)''
* The engine room door of the Ice Warriors' ship fails to close properly after the Doctor and Varga leave it. In later scenes it is fully closed.
* Although the TARDIS materialises on its side in episode "one", it is mysteriously upright when it departs at the end of episode "six".
* Brian Hodgson's name is incorrectly spelled as 'Bryan Hodgson' for episode "six".
* The opening credit text for all six episodes is noticeably crooked.
* The closing credits for episode "six" fade in too early, as they do not begin to scroll upwards until after Patrick Troughton's credit has already been on screen for several seconds.
 
== Continuity ==
* The Doctor is wearing [[The Doctor's fur coat|his fur coat]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Abominable Snowmen (TV story)|The Abominable Snowmen]]'') He wears it several times more. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Five Doctors (TV story)|The Five Doctors]]'', [[TV]]: ''[[The Name of the Doctor (TV story)|The Name of the Doctor]]'', [[AUDIO]]: ''[[Beyond the Ultimate Adventure (audio story)|Beyond the Ultimate Adventure]]'', [[TV]]: ''[[Time and the Rani (TV story)|Time and the Rani]]'', and [[COMIC]]: ''[[A Cold Day in Hell! (comic story)|A Cold Day in Hell!]]'')
* Jamie also suggests at first that the Doctor has landed further up the mountain in Tibet, because the environment is still icy. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Abominable Snowmen (TV story)|The Abominable Snowmen]]'')
* The crew have to climb out of the TARDIS because it is lying on its side. The Doctor later has to enter the TARDIS under similarly awkward circumstances. ([[TV]]: ''[[Time-Flight (TV story)|Time-Flight]]'', [[TV]]: ''[[The Eleventh Hour (TV story)|The Eleventh Hour]]'') This is also one of the few occasions in the 1963-1989 run of the series when the ship’s Police Box doors actually open ''outwards'', as was the case with police boxes in the real world.
* The Second Doctor later encounters the Ice Warriors on [[the Moon]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Seeds of Death (TV story)|The Seeds of Death]]'')
* [[PROSE]]: ''[[Happy Endings (novel)|Happy Endings]]'' references the events of this story.
* The [[Seventh Doctor]] tells [[Bernice Summerfield]] about this adventure, stating that it took place "six hundred years ago". He also claimed that the glacier was a result of [[solar flare]]s. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Legacy (novel)|Legacy]]'')
 
== Home video and audio releases ==
=== DVD releases ===
In [[2013 (releases)|2013]], ''The Ice Warriors'' was released on DVD with its surviving episodes and animated versions of the missing episodes "two" and "three" produced by [[Qurios Entertainment]].


==Continuity==
=== Special Features ===
*The Doctor is wearing his fur coat from the previous story, [[DW]]: ''[[The Abominable Snowmen]]''. Jamie also suggests at first that the Doctor has landed further up the mountain in Tibet, because the environment is still icy (ironically, no ice appeared on screen in ''The Abominable Snowmen'').
* Animated Episodes Two and Three
*The crew have to climb out of the TARDIS because it is lying on its side. The Doctor has to enter the TARDIS under similarly awkward circumstances in [[DW]]: ''[[Time-Flight]]'' and [[DW]]: ''[[The Eleventh Hour]]''.
* Commentary (Episodes One, Four, Five and Six) with [[Frazer Hines]] ([[Jamie McCrimmon|Jamie]]), [[Deborah Watling]] ([[Victoria Waterfield|Victoria]]), [[Sonny Caldinez]] ([[Turoc]]), Designer [[Jeremy Davies]] and Grams Operator [[Pat Heigham]]
*The Ice Warriors next appear in [[DW]]: ''[[The Seeds of Death]]''.
* Commentary (Episode Two) with archive recordings of or readings by [[Brian Hayles]] (Writer), [[Derek Martinus]] (Director), [[Martin Baugh]] (Costume Designer), [[Bernard Bresslaw]] ([[Varga]]), [[Peter Barkworth]] ([[Clent]]), [[Wendy Gifford]] ([[Jan Garrett|Miss Garrett]]) and [[Sylvia James]] (Make-Up Designer)
*[[NA]]: ''[[Happy Endings]]'' references the events of this story.
* Commentary (Episode Three) with [[Patrick Troughton]]'s son [[Michael Troughton|Michael]]
*This episode marks the last time that the TARDIS doors open outwards in the original series. They do so again after the TARDIS's redesign in ([[DW]]: ''[[The Eleventh Hour]]'')
* ''[[Cold Fusion (documentary)|Cold Fusion]]'' - Documentary charting the making of ''The Ice Warriors''. With actors Frazer Hines, Deborah Watling, Sonny Caldinez, designer Jeremy Davies and [[James Bresslaw]], son of the late actor Bernard Bresslaw
* ''[[Beneath the Ice: Animating the Ice Warriors (documentary)|Beneath the Ice]]'' - A look behind the scenes of the animated ''Ice Warrior'' episodes. Producers [[Chris Chapman]] and [[Niel Bushnell]], together with animation director [[Chris Chatterton]] lift the lid on the process used to bring Varga and his warriors back to life
* VHS Links - The linking material bridging the missing episodes Two and Three, originally produced for the [[BBC Worldwide|BBC Video]] release in 1998
* ''[[Blue Peter (series)|Blue Peter - Design-A-Monster]]'' - The launch and subsequent winners of a 1967 competition which screened during transmission of ''The Ice Warriors''
* ''[[Doctor Who Stories: Frazer Hines (documentary)|Doctor Who Stories - Frazer Hines (Part Two)]]'' - The second part of an interview conducted with Frazer in 2004 for the BBC Special ''[[The Story of Doctor Who]]''. Part One is available on the DVD release of ''[[The Krotons (TV story)|The Krotons]]''
* Subtitle Production Notes
* Photo Gallery
* Animated Original Trailer - An animated recreation of the original 1967 trailer
* Coming Soon Trailer - ''[[Scream of the Shalka (webcast)|Scream of the Shalka]]''
* ''[[Radio Times]]'' Listings


==Timeline==
<gallery position="center" captionalign="center" hideaddbutton="true">
*This story occurs after [[DW]]: ''[[The Abominable Snowmen]]''
Doctor-who-the-ice-warriors-dvd.jpg|Region 2 UK DVD cover
*This story occurs before [[PDA]]: ''[[Dreams of Empire]]''
The Ice Warriors DVD Australian cover.jpg|Region 4 Australian DVD cover
Ice Warriors Region 1 DVD.jpg|Region 1 US DVD cover
</gallery>


==Home video and audio releases==
=== Digital releases ===
*This was released on video with a Mini-reconstruction of the two missing episodes (episodes 2 and 3).
This story is available:
* in [[iTunes]] stores ([[Australia]], [[Canada]], [[France]], [[Germany]], [[UK]] and [[US]]) as part of the ''Doctor Who: The Classic Series'' collection ''Doctor Who: The Best of The Second Doctor'', which additionally includes the stories ''[[The Tomb of the Cybermen (TV story)|The Tomb of the Cybermen]]'', ''[[The Krotons (TV story)|The Krotons]]'' and ''[[The Seeds of Death (TV story)|The Seeds of Death]]'' (missing episodes two and three are animated);
* on [[Amazon (service)|Amazon Video]] (UK) as Season 39 of ''Doctor Who (Classic)'' series.
<gallery position="center" captionalign="center" hideaddbutton="true">
File:SecondDoctorBest.jpg|''Best of Second Doctor'' collection iTunes cover
</gallery>


*Editing and reconstruction for VHS release completed by [[Doctor Who Restoration Team]].
=== VHS releases ===
When the story was released on VHS as part of ''Doctor Who: The Ice Warriors Collection'', it was released with a mini-reconstruction of the two missing episodes, "two" and "three", which was narrated by David Harley. The narration was originally to have been provided by Frazer Hines, but a contractual issue arose. The mini-reconstruction also appeared as an extra on the DVD release.


It is rumored that Episodes 2 and 3 of this story will be animated and released with the rest of the surviving episodes on DVD in 2010.'' Steve Roberts has announced there are no current plans to release these stories, with animation or otherwise.''
The pack also contained a second video called ''Doctor Who: The Missing Years'', which was a documentary about missing ''Doctor Who'' episodes, along with a CD of the complete soundtracks of the missing episodes "two" and "three" as broadcast, i.e. without linking narration.


==Novelisation and its audiobook==
Editing and reconstruction for the VHS release was completed by the [[Doctor Who Restoration Team]].
[[Image:Ice Warriors novel.jpg|right|75px]]
: ''Main article: [[Doctor Who and the Ice Warriors]]''


*Novelised as ''[[Doctor Who and the Ice Warriors]]'' in [[1976]] by [[Brian Hayles]].
<gallery position="center" captionalign="center" hideaddbutton="true">
The Ice Warriors Video.jpg|VHS UK cover
The Ice Warriors VHS Australian cover.jpg|VHS Australian cover
The Ice Warriors VHS US cover.jpg|VHS US cover
</gallery>


==See also==
=== Audio releases ===
*''[[The Seeds of Death]]''
* This story's soundtrack was released on CD by BBC Audio, with linking narration by [[Frazer Hines]], on [[1 August (releases)|1 August]] [[2005 (releases)|2005]].
*[[NA]]: ''[[GodEngine]]''
*[[BFA]]: ''[[Frozen Time]]''


==External links==
* The story was re-released as part of the box set ''[[The Lost TV Episodes - Collection Four|Doctor Who: The Lost TV Episodes - Collection Four]]'' on [[2 February (releases)|2 February]] [[2012 (releases)|2012]].
*{{bbcepguideclassic|icewarriors/|The Ice Warriors}}
 
*{{dwrefguide|who_2o.htm|The Ice Warriors}}
* The story was released again on Vinyl by Demon Records, also with the Frazer Hines narration, on [[13 June (releases)|13 June]] [[2021 (releases)|2021]].
*{{briefhistory|serials/oo.html|The Ice Warriors}}
 
*[http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/classic/photonovels/icewarriors/ BBC '''The Ice Warriors''' photonovel]
<gallery position="center" captionalign="center" hideaddbutton="true">
*[http://homepages.bw.edu/~jcurtis/Scripts/Ice/intro.html '''The Ice Warriors''' transcript]
Bbccd-icewarriors.jpg|Individual CD release cover
{{season 5}}
Lost TV Eps coll4 cover.jpg|The Lost TV Episodes - Collection Four
The Ice Warriors Vinyl.jpg|Vinyl Record release
</gallery>
 
== External links ==
* {{bbcepguideclassic|icewarriors/|The Ice Warriors}}
* {{radiotimes|2009-06-28/the-ice-warriors|The Ice Warriors}}
{{dwcast}}
{{dwrefguide|who_2o.htm|The Ice Warriors}}
* {{briefhistory|serials/oo.html|The Ice Warriors}}
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/classic/photonovels/icewarriors/ BBC '''The Ice Warriors''' photonovel]
{{DWTV}}
{{Ice Warrior stories}}
{{Ice Warrior stories}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ice Warriors}}
{{TitleSort}}
[[Category:1967 television stories|Ice Warriors, The]]
[[es:The Ice Warriors]]
[[Category:Second Doctor episodes|Ice Warriors, The]]
[[fr:The Ice Warriors]]
[[Category:Ice Warriors episodes|Ice Warriors, The]]
[[ru:Ледяные воины (ТВ история)]]
[[Category:Stories set in Great Britain|Ice Warriors, The]]
 
[[Category:Missing episodes|Ice Warriors]]
[[Category:Animated missing episodes]]
[[Category:Doctor Who (1963) television stories]]
[[Category:1967 television stories]]
[[Category:Ice Warrior television stories]]
[[Category:Stories set in Great Britain]]
[[Category:Stories with missing episodes]]
[[Category:Season 5 stories]]
[[Category:Season 5 stories]]
[[Category:Six part serials]]
[[Category:Stories set in the 51st century]]
[[Category:Doctor Who animated television stories]]

Latest revision as of 20:02, 3 November 2024

RealWorld.png

The Ice Warriors was the third serial of season 5 of Doctor Who. It marked the first appearance of the recurring aliens, the Ice Warriors.

Episodes two and three currently remain missing from the BBC archive. They were recreated using animation for the serial's DVD release in 2013.

Synopsis[[edit] | [edit source]]

The TARDIS arrives on Earth in a new ice age. The travellers make their way into a base where scientists, commanded by Leader Clent, are using an ioniser device to combat the advance of a glacier.

A giant humanoid creature, called an Ice Warrior by one of the scientists, has been found buried in the nearby glacier. When thawed, it revives and is revealed to be Varga, captain of a Martian spacecraft that landed on Earth centuries ago and is still in the glacier. Varga sets about freeing his comrades and formulating a plan to conquer the Earth — Mars itself is now dead.

The scientists realise that continued use of the ioniser could make the ship's engines explode. Their computer is unable to advise them without more information. Disaster seems imminent. The disaffected scientist Penley, supported by the Second Doctor, decides to risk activating the ioniser. There is only a minor explosion which destroys the Martians and, at the same time, checks the ice flow.

Plot[[edit] | [edit source]]

Episode one[[edit] | [edit source]]

Senior control technician Jan Garrett and her staff struggle to control an ioniser. There has been a pulse stoppage and they are minutes away from evacuation. Garret manages to stop it, much to the pleasure of Leader Clent. She says they need Penley back, a proposition for which he snaps at her. Clent consults a computer that gives data regarding other ioniser bases in America, Australasia, South Africa and Asia. This ioniser base, the Brittanicus Base, isn't holding up as well as theirs. Clent worries that they will not be able to hold back the glaciers. He discovers that one of his scientists, Arden, is still out on the glacier. Furious, he tries to contact him.

The remaining senior scientist, Arden, is out on the glacier searching for archaeological finds. One of his assistants, Walters, discovers an armoured man in a block of ice. Arden, Walters and his second assistant Davis ignore appeals to return to base and help Clent control the ioniser, intent on digging the ice man from the glacier.

Clent is furious at this dissent. The glaciers lose stability again and the evacuation procedure is set off again.

Outside, the TARDIS materialises onto a snow drift and falls on its side. The Doctor and his companions clamber out. Jamie, looking at the weather, speculates that they may still be in Tibet, but they soon discover a large dome made of plastic. As they explore it, a door opens and two bedraggled men leave. The Doctor inspects the door as soon as they are out of sight and enters with Jamie and Victoria.

Exterior dome of Brittanicus Base.

Arden makes contact with the base and says he has found a large man in the ice and intends on bringing it in. Arden and Clent are polar opposites — Clent is about protocol whilst Arden is about discovery.

The Doctor, Jamie and Victoria are surprised to discover the house is like an old Victorian mansion. The evacuation procedure goes off around their ears, and a woman comes up and puts badges, which read "Evacuation Flight 7: Scavenger", on the three of them. The Doctor hears the sound of a computer that is running incorrectly. Victoria wants to leave, but the Doctor insists and goes through a door into the main base. He immediately bursts into action. His action prevents a reactor explosion. Clent is initially appalled at this man bursting into his base but is eventually impressed.

Arden, Walters and Davis are confused by the image of the man. He appears to be wearing armour. They begin the excavation process. Storr and Penley look on. The scientists trigger an avalanche, which causes Davis to plummet to his death. Storr is injured too. Arden and Walters return to base with the man.

Despite the Doctor not having any "formal qualifications", Clent is impressed with his abilities. He seems bemused that the Doctor doesn't know what the base does. The Doctor says he and his friends have been in Tibet. Clent puts the Doctor to the test. He states that a second Ice Age has beset the world and this base is trying to control it and asks the Doctor to figure out how. The Doctor's mind flits from possibility to possibility before landing on ionisation — the correct answer. Clent explains that after the advent of artificial food, crops became redundant, which lowered production of carbon dioxide and stopped the Earth from withholding its heat. Ionisation intensifies the sun's heat on certain parts of the Earth like a magnifying glass. Humans are having to control the machine at the moment due to the fact that the super computer is still processing the data. They are interrupted by the return of Arden, wheeling his find in on a trolley. The Doctor inspects it and is confused by the helmet, which looks like it is a Viking helmet — which is far too late in history. On closer inspection, as the ice melts, the Doctor sees an electronic connection. The Doctor rushes off to inform Clent and Arden. Jamie and Victoria are left alone. He subtly attempts to flirt with her by discussing the outfits these people are wearing though she thoroughly disapproves of this attire and is horrified when Jamie suggests that she should wear one. However, they are both unaware that the creature has entirely thawed and is beginning to move...

Episode two[[edit] | [edit source]]

The creature becomes mobile, knocks Jamie unconscious and takes Victoria as a hostage.

Clent asks the computer if they should accept the Doctor as one of their team. The computer states that he has a high IQ but is ill disciplined and hot headed in certain situations. They are interrupted by the Doctor's news about the warrior. He concludes that if the creature is indeed alien, there could be a spaceship powered by atomic systems under the glacier. Using the ioniser in that area could cause a massive explosion and destroy the base. The crew are discussing this when Jamie bursts in and reports the creature has come to life and taken Victoria. The Doctor, while inspecting the scene, concludes that the Ice Warrior must have used the power pack to accelerate to a higher heat and thaw the ice.

Victoria meets the Ice Warrior.

The creature has Victoria in a store cupboard. He states his name is Varga, and he is a warrior from the planet Mars, who has indeed been frozen for millennia after his ship crashed and his party was encased by an avalanche. He insists Victoria help him find his ship and crew. With the extra troops he can decide whether to return home or stay and conquer the Earth.

Clent consults the computer. It states that ionisation should continue but the ship needs to be found. The computer reschedules the workload and frees up Arden to go. Jamie will accompany him.

Penley and Storr have made it back to their hideout. Storr's injuries are so bad that his friend needs to return to the base to steal medical supplies.

Victoria is forced to help the Ice Warrior to locate the power packs. He threatens Victoria with his sonic gun, which will burst her brain.

Arden and Jamie see no sign of Victoria or the Ice Warrior out in the tundra. Furthermore, their equipment is being jammed. Clent orders them to go back.

Penley has managed to infiltrate the base. As he rounds a corner, he sees Victoria, who gestures for him to hide. He sees Varga lead Victoria into the room.

In the control room, the Doctor asks Clent why they have no expert on the base. Clent explains that they did but he walked out and abandoned them as he could not put up with Clent's domineering ways. He does admit that they are crying out for someone with his knowledge though.

Victoria tries to stall Varga, but he soon finds the power pack. Varga now tells Victoria that she is to accompany him to the ice mountains. They meet Clent before leaving, and Varga leaves him unconscious and badly wounded. Penley tires to revive Clent when the Doctor finds him. The Doctor works out that he must be Penley. Once Penley is sure the Doctor is dealing with Clent, he leaves the base, despite the Doctor's protests that he is needed to help with the ioniser. Clent comes round just as Garrett informs them that Victoria and Varga have broken through the perimeter. The Doctor says they should not follow them as that would be the Ice Warrior's plan.

Meanwhile, in the glacier, Varga finds four of his frozen comrades and uses his sonic gun to free them. He confirms that he has a plan for if Victoria's friends follow her.

Penley has administered the medicine to Storr and goes to explore the glacier for Victoria and Varga. He is also coming round to the Doctor's suggestion that he could return to the base. Varga has chiselled away at the ice, leaving the semi-exposed forms of his comrades. He prepares to revive them.

Episode three[[edit] | [edit source]]

The four Ice Warriors, Zondal, Turoc, Rintan and Isbur, are resurrected, much to the terror of Victoria. Penley watches the whole process.

The Doctor prepares Jamie for his excursion with Arden. Arden blames himself for the whole situation including the death of Davis, which causes Clent to show a rare moment of compassion. Before they leave, Clent orders them not to go looking for Victoria, much to the displeasure of Jamie.

Penley reports back to a fully healed Storr the situation regarding the Ice Warriors. He does not believe him. Their argument is interrupted by a noise outside. It is Garrett, who begs Penley to return to the base. He refuses, saying he does not want to be computerised. Garrett pulls out a tranquilliser but is disarmed by Storr. Storr wants to kill her, but Penley lets her go. He tells her to look up some of his notes when she returns to base.

Now fully mobilised, Zondal and the other three Warriors take on the task of creating an ice cave. Others set about finding their craft and digging it out of the ice. Victoria is told she is to be kept with them as bait.

The Doctor is trying to figure out the calculation to save the base. Clent encourages him to use the computer, but the Doctor resists. Garrett comes in with the notes about which Penley told her. The Doctor takes one look and cracks the code. Clent says he must check with the computer — which causes the Doctor to become very offended. Arden reports back, saying he has discovered an ice cave and a ship.

Arden and Jamie begin to take readings, but minutes later, they are ambushed and gunned down by Varga and Zondal, who leave them for dead. A distraught Victoria is ushered into the ship. The Ice Warriors discuss destroying Victoria, but they decide to keep her as bait. The Ice Warriors leave to fix the ship's propulsion unit. Penley has been watching and emerges from the shadows.

The Doctor reminds Clent that it has been a long time since they heard anything from Arden. They try to make contact, but there is no reply.

Penley discovers that Arden is dead, but Jamie is still alive. Penley takes him back to his home.

Garrett comes back, reporting that the equation is perfect. Clent is overjoyed but soon realises he can't use it with Arden still outside.

Jamie awakes at Penley's cave and is eager to seek out Victoria. However, he is too weak and passes out.

Victoria, emerging unaccompanied from the ship, discovers Jamie's body gone. She finds the communication device on the ground and attempts to use it.

Varga and Zondal consider Victoria's fate.

Unbeknownst to Victoria, she is being observed by Varga and Zondal. They decide she must be stopped. They aim a weapon at her head.

The Doctor receives the transmission from Victoria, who tells them of the danger of the Ice Warriors and of Arden and possibly Jamie's deaths. She is probed by Clent for facts. As she does, a weapon emerges from the side of the ship.

Varga and Zondal prepare to fire...

Episode four[[edit] | [edit source]]

Varga decides against killing Victoria so as to not raise suspicion. Clent grills Victoria for any information regarding the ship's propulsion system, keen to continue the process of ionising. She is not able to help.

Turoc is sent by Varga to capture Victoria again and use her as bait.

Victoria sees a figure coming and makes a run for it, dodging into the ice to avoid Turoc.

The automatic chemical dispenser.

The Doctor uses an automatic chemical dispenser used on the base to create ammonium sulphide, which will be toxic to the Ice Warriors if Victoria's statement regarding them being Martians is to be believed. The Doctor states he intends to make contact with the Ice Warriors himself. Clent is very unhappy about this but is not faced with many other choices. The Doctor takes a communicator with him but refuses to take a weapon. He states he doesn't need a weapon as he intends to be taken prisoner.

Victoria flees ever deeper into the icy caves. She sees a communicator on the floor and attempts to retrieve it but is caught by Turoc. At just that moment an avalanche falls on the pair of them.

Storr and Penley continue to minister to Jamie. He awakes and is desperate to find Victoria. Storr is keen to accompany him. Jamie is terrified when he discovers he has no use of his legs.

An examination of the engines of the Martian craft shows them working but low on fuel. The Ice Warriors need to know on what the base is powered to see if they can use it on their ship.

Victoria cries for help. She is not stuck in the avalanche, but the Ice Warrior has been and is still gripped on to her.

Jamie is asleep again. Storr has decided the only way to save Jamie is to talk to the Ice Warriors. Penley is convinced that he should not go, but Storr pushes past him with Penley in pursuit. Storr dashes behind a piece of ice to lose Penley and hears the call of Victoria.

Meanwhile Penley has found the Doctor and taken him to Jamie.

Storr finds Victoria and manages to free her. He is told that the Ice Warriors are against the scientists and begins to sympathise with them. Another avalanche forces them to leave.

The Ice Warriors are eager to attack the base, but Varga says they must bide their time. Their discussion is interrupted by Storr leading a distraught Victoria to their ship. Varga and Zondal hold Victoria personally culpable for the death of Turoc and lead her into the ship. They ignore Storr's offers of help, especially so when he denounces scientists at the very time they want technical aid. He is killed and left in the snow. Varga and Zondal go inside to question Victoria.

Back in the cave, the Doctor determines Jamie's paralysis is temporary. Another avalanche rocks the cave. The glacier is moving ever quicker. The Doctor tasks Penley to escort Jamie back to the base. Penley protests, but the Doctor states that everyone needs his help. The Doctor leaves to speak to the Ice Warriors.

Clent watches in shock as the glacier moves faster than it has ever done before. Garrett pushes Clent for a plan, but he says he is putting all his faith in the Doctor. The Doctor informs Clent on the video screen that he is going to make first contact.

The Doctor heads through the avalanches and knocks on the door of the ship. The weapon emerges, but the Doctor ignores it and demands to be let in. After seemingly being refused, the Doctor begins counting to ten, but the door opens and the Doctor is allowed to enter the airlock. The Ice Warriors are suspicious of the Doctor's claims; this is only worsened when he refuses to answer questions. Varga tells the Doctor that if he refuses to answer him in the next 10 seconds, he will reduce the pressure in the airlock down to zero, causing the Doctor's body to explode. As the Doctor becomes worried, Varga begins to reduce the pressure in the airlock to zero...

Episode five[[edit] | [edit source]]

The Second Doctor conversing with Varga.

Seconds away from death, the Doctor agrees to the Ice Warriors' demands and tells them that he is a scientist. He is allowed entrance. The Doctor is unnerved by the sheer size of the Ice Warriors but plays it cool and says that he is the only chance they have of surviving. The Ice Warriors tell the Doctor that they think that the ioniser is a weapon. When he puts them right, they demand to know why they haven't been freed previously.

Penley drags Jamie through the snow. They stop for a rest when they see a bear in the distance.

The Doctor explains that the ioniser has not been used as they are worried it will blow up the engine. The Ice Warriors will neither confirm nor deny the make up of their engine. If it is not harmful to ionisation, they will be washed away in the flood; if it is harmful they will be blown up. The Doctor tries to wheedle the information out of the Ice Warriors but cannot. They demand to take away his communicator. The last thing he says is that if his friends at the base don't hear anything, they will be forced to use the ioniser.

Clent and Garret, who have been listening via the communicator, take the Doctor's hint that they should prepare the ioniser. There is a modicum of doubt at the base. Garret wants to ring World Control but Clent decides to plug all information they have into the computer.

Penley uses the tranquilliser gun on the bear and misses. The bear attacks.

The computer says that they should wait, prepare the ioniser and contact World Control. Clent praises the computer for being cold, logical and incapable of taking a gamble.

Penley manages to tranquillise the bear, sustaining only a scratch in the process.

Back at the Ice Warriors' ship, the Doctor has been shown the ship's engines. They are powered by an ion reactor which will not explode under ionisation. The Ice Warriors refuse to allow the Doctor to pass on this information as it will lead to their destruction. They ask the Doctor what sort of fuel the base runs on. The Doctor realises that they are without fuel to power their ship and refuses to tell them. Varga threatens Victoria's life, forcing the Doctor to say that it runs on the right fuel for them. The Ice Warriors prepare an attack on the base.

Clent is informed of the arrival of Penley and Jamie. He allows them in, despite being unsure about Penley's return. Clent and Garret are dismissive initially but offer to help Jamie, but Clent has given up on retrieving the Doctor and Victoria. Penley says that this is ridiculous — to risk two people's lives because a computer says so. Clent refuses to relent. Jamie begins to grab Clent physically, and Clent has both Jamie and Penley tranquillised.

Varga, Rintan and Isbur have made it to the base and communicate with the ship to prepare the weapon.

The Doctor tells Victoria to pretend to cry. Masked by the sound of her tears the Doctor informs her that he is about to use the ammonium sulphide which will, hopefully, be noxious to the Ice Warriors. Victoria distracts Zondal by saying that water is seeping through the door of the ship, but the Doctor cannot get the cork out of the top of the test tube. Zondal turns and sees the Doctor's plan and rounds on him. The Doctor manages to uncork the test tube just in time. Zondal begins to faint but as he does his hand clamps on to the fire button with the Doctor trying his hardest to stop the annihilation of the base...

Episode six[[edit] | [edit source]]

The sonic blast triggered by Zondal causes only minor damage, destroying the records wing. Varga uses the communicator to call Clent, threatening to fire again unless the humans surrender. Clent knows the base dome cannot survive another blast and suggests a meeting between the two sides. Garrett suggests they threaten to destroy the ship using the ioniser. Walters says they should go ahead and do it. When Clent says they cannot, Walters loses his nerve and goes to destroy the computer. Garrett tranquillises him.

Back in the Ice Warriors' ship, the Doctor begins to inspect the inner workings of the sonic gun.

Varga, Rintan and Isbur confront the humans in the ioniser room. The talks fail when the tranquillised Walters tries to shoot Varga. The Ice Warriors kill him. Varga demand the base's mercury isotopes. Clent tells them they do not possess these, but Varga suspect he is lying and threaten to close down the reactor, causing the base to lose light, heat and electricity.

The Doctor and Victoria overhear all this and begin to dismantle the external section of the gun.

Varga threatens Garrett and Clent with destruction unless they render the ioniser safe.

The Doctor and Victoria have adjusted the sonic cannon so that the frequency of the gun only affects fluids. The Doctor thinks that the Ice Warriors have a higher level of liquid in them so will be affected more. Furthermore he believes their helmets will further exaggerate the sonic effects. He is aware this may be a risk that puts the human lives on the base in jeopardy too. Penley awakes and goes to explore the base.

Garrett has rendered the ioniser safe, and the Ice Warriors order total shut down of the reactor. Penley oversees all this and turns the heat and humidity of the base up whilst turning the oxygen down. This affects the Ice Warriors, who turn on Clent and his scientists.

At the same time, the Doctor fires the sonic cannon. This causes the Ice Warriors and the humans to collapse. The Doctor renders the gun useless and leaves the ship.

When he returns to the base he finds the Ice Warriors gone. He goes around waking up the crew. Clent orders Garrett to phase up the ioniser. The Doctor and Penley press Clent to use the ioniser as a weapon against the Ice Warriors, but Clent refuses to go against the computer. The Doctor and Penley press their case. Clent consults the computer, which short circuits. Penley takes the decision to use the ioniser at full strength.

Varga and the other two warriors arrive back at the ship. They find Zondal, who apologises for his failure. They find that the glacier is breaking up around them and also discover that their ship does have fuel after all. Clent orders Penley to stop but he continues.

The Ice Warriors' ship begins to break up.

Back at base, the explosions caused by the ship were only minor. Clent compliments Penley but has no time to thank the Doctor and his colleagues as they have already disappeared.

The TARDIS dematerialises.

Cast[[edit] | [edit source]]

Uncredited cast[[edit] | [edit source]]

Crew[[edit] | [edit source]]

Uncredited crew[[edit] | [edit source]]

Animation Unit[[edit] | [edit source]]

A Qurios Production for Pup Ltd

Worldbuilding[[edit] | [edit source]]

Story notes[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • Brian Hayles originally envisioned the Ice Warriors as resembling human soldiers in medieval-style space armour. However, costume designer Martin Baugh felt that they should have more of a reptilian appearance. His initial concept was that of an upright crocodile with a Viking-style helmet.
  • The opening title captions referred to the individual instalments as "one", "two" etc. rather than "episodes" as was the standard for all Second Doctor stories.
  • Only episodes "one", "four", "five" and "six" of this six-part story exist in the BBC Archives (as 16mm black & white film telerecordings). The episodes were recovered in 1988 and were found at the back of a cupboard at Villiers House in West London which was being cleared out due to BBC Enterprises moving offices.
  • This is the third story in a row after The Tomb of the Cybermen and The Abominable Snowmen to have a cold or snow theme in its storyline.
  • A real bear was used in specially shot film inserts (as opposed to stock footage). It was hired for a day's filming at the BBC's Ealing Film Studios at a cost of £70. (REF: The Second Doctor Handbook)
  • Miss Garrett's entire costume unexpectedly changes between episodes "five" and "six". Her outfit in episode "six" is the same one she was wearing in episode "one".
  • Regarding the dating of this story, a Radio Times article published at the time of initial broadcast placed it in the year 3000. This was the date used in DWM 76, The Doctor Who Programme Guide, The Universal Databank, The Doctor Who File and A History of the Universe, and it was referred to in the novels Legacy and The Dark Path. However, The Making of Doctor Who says that it was set three thousand years after the previous story (so circa 4935), The Talons of Weng-Chiang says that the Ice Age was in the year 5000, and no stories set in the 30th century seem to depict Earth being in an Ice Age. The problem with both dates is that each is contradicted by the fact that in this story humanity appears to be completely unfamiliar with the Ice Warriors, despite having contact with them in The Seeds of Death (set in the 21st century) and The Curse of Peladon (set in the year 3885).
  • Incidental music from this story exists.
  • This is the only Ice Warrior story of the original series to not feature Alan Bennion as an Ice Warrior.
  • Derek Martinus named this as his favourite story, mainly because the cast was so strong.
  • Deborah Watling was unable to attend the complete recording of the final episode. Consequently, Victoria is asked (off-screen) to return to the TARDIS halfway through the episode. She was originally supposed to return to Brittanicus Base with the Doctor, and would have appeared in the final control room sequence.
  • Derek Martinus insisted that every Ice Warrior actor should be over six feet tall and some of the people who turned up to audition were "very dubious gentlemen with prison records".
  • Bernard Bresslaw was taken aback upon seeing his costume. He was expecting a more Viking-like costume and that he would be recognisable. He later described the costume-fitting as the first time in his career that he’d been measured “not with a tape measure, but with calipers”.
  • The script originally called for Varga and Zondal to block the Doctor's path when he enters their room, but Patrick Troughton ad-libbed him panically attempting to leave.
  • It was Peter Barkworth's idea for Clent to have a limp and use a cane. He also suggested that he have a stutter, but Derek Martinus vetoed this.
  • Although Derek Martinus was generally happy with the Ice Warrior costumes, Martinus had deemed some modifications to be necessary following the work at Ealing. Most notably, the original helmets had proved to be very restrictive, and a slimmer, more flexible design was requested -- even though this would create a visual discrepancy between those scenes which had been completed on film and those which would be taped in the studio. The costume for Varga was prioritised for refurbishment, and this was completed in time for the recording of episode two.

Influences[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • Real archaeology influenced the idea of the body buried in the glacier proving to be an alien: in the serial, when he is found in the ice the chief Warrior's space helmet is initially mistaken for a Dark Age battle helmet, of the type discovered in the archaeological dig at Sutton Hoo in 1939.
  • Notions about Mars, current in 1967 but now known to be mistaken, also affected the serial, such as the supposed nitrogen atmosphere of Mars, which causes the Ice Warriors' to have breathing difficulties on Earth (a production error, this, since even a 1967 production team must have been aware that the Earth's atmosphere comprises four-fifths nitrogen).
  • The theories of a "nuclear winter" and "a New Ice Age" were the basis for the setting of the story. The scripted disputes between the scientists represented a then-current real life debate among scientists over the validity of those theories. The idea of weather manipulation had previously featured in The Moonbase and would reappear in The Enemy of the World, which followed on from this story, and would also return in the next Ice Warrior story, The Seeds of Death.
  • Clent states that the cause of the Ice Age is the lack of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, as there are few plants left (so produce less of it), because the needs of feeding an ever increasing global population have made the growing of traditional crops impractical. Both this story and the next, The Enemy of the World, have at their heart global food shortages caused by overpopulation (a powerful fear in real life in Britain during the 1960s, driven in part by memories of the genuine food shortages arising from World War II).
  • Brian Hayles was inspired by an article he had recently read about the discovery of the well-preserved corpse of a wooly mammoth, which was excavated from the Siberian ice in 1901. He was also intrigued by the planet Mars, and wondered what some of race could conceivably have flourished in its environment. These notions led him to imagine a scenario in which a Martian was discovered on Earth, frozen in a glacier, and then brought back to life.

Ratings[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • One - 6.7 million viewers
  • Two - 7.1 million viewers
  • Three - 7.4 million viewers
  • Four - 7.3 million viewers
  • Five - 8.0 million viewers
  • Six - 7.5 million viewers

Myths[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • The base computer is called ECCO. (This name was invented by writer Brian Hayles for his later novelisation of the story.)

Filming locations[[edit] | [edit source]]

Production errors[[edit] | [edit source]]

If you'd like to talk about narrative problems with this story — like plot holes and things that seem to contradict other stories — please go to this episode's discontinuity discussion.
  • Varga's head design changes after he wakes up.
  • The Ice Warriors' mouths aren't in time with their words.
  • At the cliffhanger of episode "four", the Doctor tells Varga he "won't answer any questions until [he] is addressed properly", but by the beginning of episode five it has become "properly introduced". In the same scene, the pressure gauge is much higher then it was in episode four.
  • In an extreme close-up of Varga's face in episode "five" when he's talking to the Doctor, a crew member's reflection can be seen in his eye.
  • The engine room door of the Ice Warriors' ship fails to close properly after the Doctor and Varga leave it. In later scenes it is fully closed.
  • Although the TARDIS materialises on its side in episode "one", it is mysteriously upright when it departs at the end of episode "six".
  • Brian Hodgson's name is incorrectly spelled as 'Bryan Hodgson' for episode "six".
  • The opening credit text for all six episodes is noticeably crooked.
  • The closing credits for episode "six" fade in too early, as they do not begin to scroll upwards until after Patrick Troughton's credit has already been on screen for several seconds.

Continuity[[edit] | [edit source]]

Home video and audio releases[[edit] | [edit source]]

DVD releases[[edit] | [edit source]]

In 2013, The Ice Warriors was released on DVD with its surviving episodes and animated versions of the missing episodes "two" and "three" produced by Qurios Entertainment.

Special Features[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • Region 2 UK DVD cover

    Region 2 UK DVD cover

  • Region 4 Australian DVD cover

    Region 4 Australian DVD cover

  • Region 1 US DVD cover

    Region 1 US DVD cover

Digital releases[[edit] | [edit source]]

This story is available:

  • Best of Second Doctor collection iTunes cover

    Best of Second Doctor collection iTunes cover

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

When the story was released on VHS as part of Doctor Who: The Ice Warriors Collection, it was released with a mini-reconstruction of the two missing episodes, "two" and "three", which was narrated by David Harley. The narration was originally to have been provided by Frazer Hines, but a contractual issue arose. The mini-reconstruction also appeared as an extra on the DVD release.

The pack also contained a second video called Doctor Who: The Missing Years, which was a documentary about missing Doctor Who episodes, along with a CD of the complete soundtracks of the missing episodes "two" and "three" as broadcast, i.e. without linking narration.

Editing and reconstruction for the VHS release was completed by the Doctor Who Restoration Team.

  • VHS UK cover

    VHS UK cover

  • VHS Australian cover

    VHS Australian cover

  • VHS US cover

    VHS US cover

Audio releases[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • The story was released again on Vinyl by Demon Records, also with the Frazer Hines narration, on 13 June 2021.
  • Individual CD release cover

    Individual CD release cover

  • The Lost TV Episodes - Collection Four

    The Lost TV Episodes - Collection Four

  • Vinyl Record release

    Vinyl Record release

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

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Series 8: 2014
Regular episodes
Series 9: 2014-2015
Christmas Special
Minisode
Regular episodes
Christmas Special
Series 10: 2016-2017
Christmas Special
Regular episodes
Christmas Special
 
Series 11-13: Jodie Whittaker
Series 11: 2018-2019
Regular episodes
New Year Special
Series 12: 2020-2021
Regular episodes
New Year Special
Series 13: 2021
Minisodes
Regular episodes
Seasonal specials
 
60th Anniversary Specials: David Tennant
Specials: 2023
Minisodes
60th Anniversary Specials
 
Season 1 (2023)-present: Ncuti Gatwa
Season 1: 2023-2024
Christmas Special
Regular episodes
v • e
Ice Warrior stories
For the purposes of this list, an "Ice Warrior story" is one in which one living, authentic Ice Warrior plays a part within the confines of the story, outside of flashbacks to previous stories and cliffhangers that lead into the following story.
Television
Audio
Prose
Comics
Video games
Complete list of appearances
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