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Doctor Who

Earthshock: Part Four

  • Episode aired Mar 16, 1982
  • TV-PGTV-PG
  • 24m
IMDb RATING
8.6/10
527
YOUR RATING
S19.E22
  • S19
  • E22
All episodes
All
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
James Warwick in Doctor Who (1963)
  • Adventure
  • Drama
  • Family
The Cybermen are now in control of the ship and they have eliminated their human accomplice. The Doctor, Adric and several members of the crew are now their prisoners. Tegan finds herself se... Read allThe Cybermen are now in control of the ship and they have eliminated their human accomplice. The Doctor, Adric and several members of the crew are now their prisoners. Tegan finds herself separated from Lt.Scott and she too is soon taken prisoner and is reunited with the Doctor w... Read allThe Cybermen are now in control of the ship and they have eliminated their human accomplice. The Doctor, Adric and several members of the crew are now their prisoners. Tegan finds herself separated from Lt.Scott and she too is soon taken prisoner and is reunited with the Doctor who realizes just what the Cybermen are going to do: use the spaceship as a flying bomb. Sc... Read all
IMDb RATING
8.6/10
527
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Peter Grimwade
  • Writers
    • Eric Saward(by)
    • Sydney Newman(uncredited)
  • Stars
    • Peter Davison
    • Beryl Reid
    • Matthew Waterhouse
Top credits
  • Director
    • Peter Grimwade
  • Writers
    • Eric Saward(by)
    • Sydney Newman(uncredited)
  • Stars
    • Peter Davison
    • Beryl Reid
    • Matthew Waterhouse
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 4User reviews
    • 3Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos

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

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    Peter Davison
    Peter Davison
    • The Doctoras The Doctor
    Beryl Reid
    Beryl Reid
    • Briggsas Briggs
    Matthew Waterhouse
    Matthew Waterhouse
    • Adricas Adric
    James Warwick
    James Warwick
    • Scottas Scott
    Clare Clifford
    • Kyleas Kyle
    Janet Fielding
    Janet Fielding
    • Teganas Tegan
    Sarah Sutton
    Sarah Sutton
    • Nyssaas Nyssa
    June Bland
    • Bergeras Berger
    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)
    Marc Sinclair
    • 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

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    • Trivia
      This is one of the few serials in which the ending credits have been changed from the regular credits. Adric's star-shaped badge for mathematical excellence is shown broken in pieces while the credits roll in silence. It is the only story in which the main theme is not used in the credits.
    • Goofs
      As the freighter approaches Earth after coming out of the Time Warp, the continents look very much like they do in the Present Day. 65 million years ago, Korea and Japan would not have been in the positions that they are seen in.
    • Quotes

      Adric: Now I'll never know if I was right.

    • Crazy credits
      The closing credits roll up in silence, over the remains of Adric's badge.
    • Connections
      Featured in Doctor Who Confidential: Confidential Christmas 2008 (2008)

    User reviews4

    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•1
    0
    • A_Kind_Of_CineMagic
    • Sep 30, 2019

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 16, 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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