C12S01 Robot

Synopsis

Mortally weakened by the Spider Queen on Metebelis 3, the Doctor is forced to regenerate.  His recuperation is cut short as UNIT investigate a spate of robberies involving components for a top-secret disintegrator gun.  The culprit is quickly identified as a highly sophisticated robot built by Professor Kettlewell, which is being ordered to act against its Prime Directive.

Just how is the robot being used to carry out the sinister agenda of the Scientific Reform Society?  And can the Doctor rescue Sarah from the robot's clutches and avert a nuclear war?

Cover notes

It is difficult now to imagine a time when Tom Baker was not synonymous with the role of the Doctor, such is the iconic impact that he exacted during his seven-year tenure.  All the more fascinating, then, to observe him here, in his fledgling performance.

The end of the Jon Pertwee era also signalled a change in the production team, with the departure of producer Barry Letts and script editor Terrance Dicks.  Robot was intended to smooth the transition between old and new, and Dicks crafted an Earth-bound UNIT story, sprinkled with continuity references, in order to début the brand new Doctor.

Notably, the regeneration is barely allowed to inpinge on the action.  Witnessing the transformation first-hand, both Sarah Jane and the Brigadier readily accept this new Doctor without a moment's hesitation, and although temporarily confined to sickbay, he shows none of the prolonged physical trauma that would beset his future regenerations.  Once engaged in action, this Doctor is by turns charming, childlike, incisive and even devious, displaying a dazzling eccentricity that reminds us he is rather more than human.  Vitally though, we are never permitted to doubt that he is anything other than totally safe hands.  Tom Baker had arrived - and Doctor Who would never be the same again.

Cast

Crew

DVD Extras

Commentary