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Doctor Who

Earthshock: Part Three

  • Episode aired Mar 15, 1982
  • TV-PGTV-PG
  • 24m
IMDb RATING
8.2/10
480
YOUR RATING
S19.E21
  • S19
  • E21
All episodes
All
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Peter Davison, Beryl Reid, and Matthew Waterhouse in Doctor Who (1963)
  • Adventure
  • Drama
  • Family
The Doctor and Adric are taken prisoner aboard the freighter after they've discovered one of the crewmen dead. Captain Briggs is upset at the delay the disappearance of three crew members ha... Read allThe Doctor and Adric are taken prisoner aboard the freighter after they've discovered one of the crewmen dead. Captain Briggs is upset at the delay the disappearance of three crew members has caused but the Doctor denies having anything to do with that. Meanwhile, the Cyber leade... Read allThe Doctor and Adric are taken prisoner aboard the freighter after they've discovered one of the crewmen dead. Captain Briggs is upset at the delay the disappearance of three crew members has caused but the Doctor denies having anything to do with that. Meanwhile, the Cyber leader activates the Cybermen they've placed in the ship's hold and sets off to take control of... Read all
IMDb RATING
8.2/10
480
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Peter Grimwade
  • Writers
    • Eric Saward(by)
    • Sydney Newman(uncredited)
  • Stars
    • Peter Davison
    • Beryl Reid
    • James Warwick
Top credits
  • Director
    • Peter Grimwade
  • Writers
    • Eric Saward(by)
    • Sydney Newman(uncredited)
  • Stars
    • Peter Davison
    • Beryl Reid
    • James Warwick
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 3User reviews
    • 3Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos

    Doctor Who (1963)
    Doctor Who (1963)
    Peter Davison and Matthew Waterhouse in Doctor Who (1963)
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    Top cast

    Edit
    Peter Davison
    Peter Davison
    • The Doctoras The Doctor
    Beryl Reid
    Beryl Reid
    • Briggsas Briggs
    James Warwick
    James Warwick
    • Scottas Scott
    Clare Clifford
    • Kyleas Kyle
    Janet Fielding
    Janet Fielding
    • Teganas Tegan
    Sarah Sutton
    Sarah Sutton
    • Nyssaas Nyssa
    Matthew Waterhouse
    Matthew Waterhouse
    • Adricas Adric
    June Bland
    • Bergeras Berger
    Alec Sabin
    • Ringwayas Ringway
    David Banks
    • Cyber Leaderas Cyber Leader
    Mark Hardy
    • Cyber Lieutenantas Cyber Lieutenant
    Graham Cole
    • Cybermanas Cyberman
    • (uncredited)
    Nikki Dunsford
    • Trooperas Trooper
    • (uncredited)
    Jonathan Evans
    • Soldier Marshallas Soldier Marshall
    • (uncredited)
    Steve Ismay
    • Cybermanas Cyberman
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Peter Grimwade
    • Writers
      • Eric Saward(by)
      • Sydney Newman(uncredited)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

    Storyline

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    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      This episode was watched by 9.8 million viewers on its original transmission.
    • Goofs
      When Tegan and her crew arrive at the stairs and discover the shipmen murdered by the Cybermen, there is a member of the film crew in the shadows in the background, reading a script.
    • Quotes

      Tegan: I'm just a mouth on legs.

    • Connections
      Featured in Doctor Who Confidential: Confidential Christmas 2008 (2008)

    User reviews3

    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    Shock and awe - a solid gold classic.
    Review of all 4 parts:

    This is a tremendous serial. It had a big effect on me when I watched it on original transmission and rewatching it now I am still thrilled, entertained and moved by it. Eric Saward shows his capability to produce incredible stories as a writer.

    The story features the TARDIS arriving on 26th Century Earth following a signal to a cave system where some archaologists have gone missing and a military force are investigating. The Doctor and his companions come under suspicion until they are all attacked by androids, The Doctor discovers a bomb which he defuses and we then discover the Cybermen are behind it all.

    This is one of the very best Cybermen stories and their involvement was a really effective surprise. The androids before that were really a distraction to stop viewers realising the threat was from Cybermen but the androids themselves are brilliant! They are simple but very effective and really well created. In fact, it is a pity they were not subsequently used.

    It is not just the androids which are well produced and effective, the whole production is superb. It makes you realise there is not much excuse for the cheap, tasteless and cheesy production that would dominate seasons 22 to 24 in particular. The impeccable taste in presenting clean, simple, believable sets, settings and costumes gives huge credibility and class to this serial. The military outfits look great, the androids work brilliantly, the Cybermen look better than ever before and the freighter spaceship is excellent. Unlike the glitzy silliness of some sets and costumes, this is more like you see in films like Alien and it really gives a sheen of quality.

    The plot itself is exciting and engrossing. There are plenty of thrills, a rare occasion when Cybermen have a logical seeming plan and there is darkness and drama that is really impactful. The cliffhangers are great and the ending of the final part is as dark, hard hitting and heartbreaking as any Doctor Who story has ever been.

    The acting all round is top standard. Peter Davison is fantastic as The Doctor showing all the qualities you could want and acting it all really well. The companions act really well too. Adric in his final story is absolutely at his best but so are Nyssa and Tegan. They all have important roles and deliver strong performances. Guest roles are also strong. James Warwick is totally convincing as Lieutenant Scott and Beryl Reid is interesting and striking as Briggs. Other cast are all good and the Cybermen are good too.

    It is noticeable that the Cybermen are more human/emotional than you would expect in their language but this is done for dramatic reasons and can be excused. The important thing I think is that the Cybermen remain totally without conscience. They may react with human pride, annoyance etc but they are at their best here in terms of their menace and conscienceless cruelty. They aim for the furtherment of the Cyber race at the expense of all others and it all works really well.

    Powerful emotion, fun action, thrilling danger and compelling drama are all in great evidence in this marvelous story. It is a top 30 classic for me.

    All 4 parts 10/10.
    helpful•0
    0
    • A_Kind_Of_CineMagic
    • Sep 30, 2019

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 15, 1982 (United Kingdom)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Official site
      • BBC (United Kingdom)
    • Language
      • English
    • Production company
      • British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • Runtime
      24 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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