“The power of the Keeper is almost ours. Only the Doctor can destroy all that we have planned. He must be found!”
The empire of Traken has lived in total harmony for over a thousand years, governed by the sacred Keeper and his loyal consuls. Until now. Fading fast, the Keeper calls the Doctor and Adric to Traken, fearing the impending disintegration of his world and the onset of a terrible evil. For the malignant presence of the Melkur lurks close by, growing stronger, plotting to replace the Keeper upon his death.
The Doctor must stop it before it gains control of the Source – the energy that sustains the very life of the planet. But just who is controlling the Melkur? The Doctor smells a rat of the very oldest kind…
Originally transmitted 31st January – 21st February 1981, this four part adventure starring Tom Baker brings a new assistant – Nyssa – for the Doctor.
A turn towards the sombre…. This is by far the best story of Tom Baker’s final season as the Doctor. The story’s mood is melancholy, dark and I suppose ultimately, depressing! But its depressing in a GOOD way – if that’s possible!
A classic of the baker era What a brilliant story , Baker may be looking older , but this is a superb tale about corruption and invasion on a planet reknowned for touchy feely love. The planet may be in fact a bbc television studio dressed up , but this four part story is the most absorbing I ever watched… The master is horrifying in his decaying form , and his eerie arrival in his old form rounds up a masterpiece from 1981.
Interesting Version of the Eternal Good vs Evil Story Traken is the tranquil world where peace and harmony reign supreme, undisturbed by evil…until the Master arrives that is and proceeds to destroy Traken society from within to gain his immortality and trap the Doctor. Tom Baker is refreshingly sombre in this story, which also introduces the very strong companion Nyssa. Anthony Ainley is excellent, initially as the kindly Tremas, father of Nyssa, and then more familiarly as the Master, when Tremas’ body is taken over by the Master. Stunning visuals complete an excellent production.