The Edge of Destruction (TV story)

The Edge of Destruction
Doctor:	[[doctor::First Doctor]]
Companion(s):	Susan Foreman Barbara Wright Ian Chesterton
Main enemy:	None
Main setting:	Time/Space Vortex (episode 1), Creation of the Milky Way Galaxy (episode 2)
Key crew
Writer:	David Whitaker
Director:	Richard Martin (episode 1) Frank Cox (episode 2)
Producer:	Verity Lambert
Release details
Release number:	3
Premiere broadcast:	8th February - 15th February 1964
Format:	2 25-minute Episodes The Edge of Destruction The Brink of Disaster
Production code:	C

Summary

A mysterious blast renders the TARDIS crew unconscious. They awake disorientated and soon find that the TARDIS is strangely malfunctioning. As all of the systems breakdown, the behaviour of the crew becomes more erratic. Soon the Doctor comes to believe that the school teachers are behind the malfunctions in an attempt to blackmail him into taking them home.

Gradually it becomes clear that the problems are a warning from the TARDIS. It seems that a spring has broken on the fast return switch causing the TARDIS to travel back through time towards the creation of the Milky Way Galaxy. The Doctor corrects the problem and the travellers are able to escape.

Cast & Characters

• Dr Who - William Hartnell
• Ian Chesterton - William Russell
• Barbara Wright - Jacqueline Hill
• Susan Foreman - Carole Ann Ford

Crew

• Writer - David Whitaker
• Director - Richard Martin (episode 1), Frank Cox (episode 2)
• Producer - Verity Lambert
• Script Editor - David Whitaker
• Designer - Raymond Cusick
• Assistant Floor Manager - Jeremy Hare
• Associate Producer - Mervyn Pinfield
• Costumes - Daphne Dare
• Make-Up - Ann Ferriggi
• Production Assistant - Tony Lightley
• Special Sounds - Brian Hodgson
• Studio Lighting - Dennis Channon
• Studio Sound - Jack Brummitt
• Theme Arrangement - Delia Derbyshire
• Title Music - Ron Grainer

More Info

• Story Synopsis
• Story Transcript
• Story Novelization
• Story Statistics
• Story in the Media