The Season 17 Launch Trailer[1] was a promotional mini-episode of Doctor Who, billed as a trailer by the BBC, featuring Tom Baker as the Fourth Doctor. It was broadcast on BBC One in 1979.
This mini-episode served as a prequel to Destiny of the Daleks, with a mysterious voice forewarning the Doctor of the coming danger, although to retain continuity with the story it promoted, the Doctor's mind was wiped immediately after, leaving only a subconscious memory.
Synopsis[[edit] | [edit source]]
to be added
Plot[[edit] | [edit source]]
On a planet, a detached voice tells the Doctor to awake several times. The Doctor steps out of the TARDIS, asking the voice why he's been woken up in the middle of August.
The voice warns the Doctor that he will be pitted against an evil force, quickly clarifying it to be the Daleks. The Doctor responds "Never heard of them", before suddenly snapping to attention. He asks when he will face the Daleks, and what they are doing. The voice says it cannot tell him, causing the Doctor to retort "Then why bring it up in the first place?" The voice says "Forewarned is forearmed", and then orders that the Doctor now forget their conversation.
The Doctor, now somewhat confused, asks if someone else is there. The voice begins laughing, and the Doctor joins in as well. The Doctor says loudly "Noisy Universe!" and remarks that a fellow should be able to get a few months' rest. He returns to the TARDIS and turns over a sign on the police box doors, which reads DO NOT DISTURB UNTIL SEPTEMBER 1. The TARDIS dematerialises.
Cast[[edit] | [edit source]]
- The Doctor - Tom Baker
- Voice - Unknown
Worldbuilding[[edit] | [edit source]]
- The voice mentions the Daleks.
- The Doctor says it is August, and has a sign on the TARDIS door saying not to disturb him until 1 September.
Story notes[[edit] | [edit source]]
- This scene features new, specially filmed material.
- The Doctor is warned of the events of Destiny of the Daleks, but he has his mind wiped after being told, allowing the trailer to maintain the continuity of the Doctor's surprise at seeing the Daleks during the serial.
Continuity[[edit] | [edit source]]
- The voice's warning would come to pass when the Doctor became involved in the Movellan Incident. (TV: Destiny of the Daleks)