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Season 17 – Doctor Who

Play trailer Poster for Season 17 – Doctor Who 1979 Sci-Fi Fantasy Adventure Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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36% Tomatometer 11 Reviews 78% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
"Doctor Who" is a classic science-fiction series with a cult following. The Doctor is called a "Time Lord," a time-traveling scientist from a far-off planet who travels through time and space in a shop known by the acronym TARDIS. A TARDIS is a machine that is larger on the inside than the outside and is supposed to change its appearance based on its surroundings. The Doctor is also able to evolve his biology, so he appears as many different people throughout the series. The Doctor loves Earth, so he makes many trips here to save the planet, or to enlist earthlings to help him with tasks in the galaxy.
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Doctor Who — Season 17

Doctor Who — Season 17

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Critics Consensus

Not even the singular Douglas Adams can save Doctor Who's disappointingly drab seventh season.

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Critics Reviews

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Dan Martin Guardian City of Death is not "normal" Doctor Who, but it stretches sideways, and that pushes it to true greatness. What else would you expect from the pen of Douglas Adams? Mar 5, 2019 Full Review Christopher Bahn AV Club Although there's a lot to enjoy here, especially in the early episodes, in the end the story fizzles out. Mar 5, 2019 Full Review Mark Braxton Radio Times Tom Baker is on robust form, although some of his horseplay should have been tamed in an adventure that's otherwise refreshingly serious. Mar 5, 2019 Full Review Arnold T. Blumberg IGN Movies When any non-fan thinks of phrases like "wobbly sets" and recalls substandard production values, dodgy acting, threadbare stories... they're thinking of Season 17 and stories like "Destiny of the Daleks." Mar 5, 2019 Full Review Ian Berriman SFX Magazine The many longeurs suggest an underwritten script desperately padded out by then-script editor Douglas Adams. He adds a couple of good gags, but some of the comedy sabotages the drama. Rated: 2/5 Mar 5, 2019 Full Review Cliff Chapman Den of Geek I'm a fan of the 'Everest In Easy Stages' scene, but the bit where Tom tries to communicate with Erato (the only bit of Creature I knew for years, thanks to The Tom Baker Years video) is a little more awkward. Mar 5, 2019 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Wolfgang B The opening Dalek story is a bit nothingy, but is fun nonetheless, and City of Death is rightly regarded as one of the best DW stories ever. The rest though... Less said the better. Not good Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 07/02/23 Full Review Matt V Ah I love this season! It's so full of joy and fun. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/14/22 Full Review Audience Member The Critics seem to hate this one, but personally I find this probably the most fun (and possibly even the overall best) of the Tom Baker seasons, and strongly recommend giving it a watch for it's absurdity and ridiculousness... and of course great contributions from the late 'Douglas Adams'. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/09/23 Full Review Audience Member Doctor Who at its middle point. Season 17 begins with so much hope but when it ends it becomes a disappointing mess with a sad end to the finale story "Shada". "Destiny Of The Daleks" was a good story and a great start for the new "Romana" (Lalla Ward). "City Of Death" proves how great it would be if Douglas Adams would have write more doctor who stories, even become a show runner. City of Death have great ideas, great humor and feel big and grand in scale. The rest of the stories for the season beside from the unfinished "Shada" was boring at best. At worst it shows the mess behind the scenes which real destory what could have been a great season. Speaking of Shada it is a fun story and could have been one of the greats of the the show history. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/09/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Doctor Who — Season 17

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Cast & Crew

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Tom Baker

Dr. Who

Lalla Ward

Romana

Christopher Neame

Skagra

Julian Glover

Count Scarlioni

Denis Carey

Professor Chronotis

Eileen Way

Karela

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Sep 1, 1979 Destiny of the Daleks The Doctor arrives on a desolate planet only to discover he is not the only person interested in the ruins of an ancient city. Details Episode 2 Aired Sep 8, 1979 Destiny of the Daleks The Movellans try to discover the purpose of the Daleks. Details Episode 3 Aired Sep 15, 1979 Destiny of the Daleks The Doctor's worst fears are realized when he and Romana are trapped underground. Details Episode 4 Aired Sep 22, 1979 Destiny of the Daleks The Doctor and Davros are used as pawns in a great space war that has been halted by a logical stalemate. Details Episode 5 Aired Sep 29, 1979 City of Death A holiday turns sinister. Details Episode 6 Aired Oct 6, 1979 City of Death An alien steals the "Mona Lisa." Details Episode 7 Aired Oct 13, 1979 City of Death The Doctor discovers the truth about the count. Details Episode 8 Aired Oct 20, 1979 City of Death The Doctor is sent on one of the strangest journeys of his career as he tries to stop Scaroth's plans. Details Episode 9 Aired Oct 27, 1979 The Creature From the Pit The Doctor lands on Chloris. Details Episode 10 Aired Nov 3, 1979 The Creature From the Pit The Doctor is trapped in a pit and must confront the resident monster. Details Episode 11 Aired Nov 10, 1979 The Creature From the Pit Romana and the evil Adrasta search for the Doctor. Details Episode 12 Aired Nov 17, 1979 The Creature From the Pit The Doctor tries to unravel a creature's dark secret. Details Episode 13 Aired Nov 24, 1979 Nightmare of Eden The collision of two ships in space signals the beginning of some very sinister happenings. Details Episode 14 Aired Dec 1, 1979 Nightmare of Eden The Doctor is threatened on all sides by unseen danger. Details Episode 15 Aired Dec 8, 1979 Nightmare of Eden The Doctor and Romana brave the terrors of Eden. Details Episode 16 Aired Dec 15, 1979 Nightmare of Eden The battle reaches a climax as the Doctor tries to unmask his other foes. Details Episode 17 Aired Dec 22, 1979 The Horns of Nimon With the Tardis immobilized, the Doctor gets pulled into a whirlpool in space. Details Episode 18 Aired Dec 29, 1979 The Horns of Nimon Romana is trapped aboard the Skonnon ship while the Doctor is abandoned in the whirlpool. Details Episode 19 Aired Jan 5, 1980 The Horns of Nimon The Doctor and Romana find themselves in the clutches of the evil Nimon. Details Episode 20 Aired Jan 12, 1980 The Horns of Nimon Romana discovers the ugly truth about the Nimon's purpose. Details Episode 21 Aired Jan 19, 1980 Shada A mysterious traveler can visit any point in space and time. Details Episode 22 Aired Jan 26, 1980 Shada A mysterious traveler can visit any point in space and time. Details Episode 23 Aired Feb 2, 1980 Shada A mysterious traveler can visit any point in space and time. Details Episode 24 Aired Feb 9, 1980 Shada A mysterious traveler can visit any point in space and time. Details Episode 25 Aired Feb 16, 1980 Shada A mysterious traveler can visit any point in space and time. Details Episode 26 Aired Feb 23, 1980 Shada A mysterious traveler can visit any point in space and time. Details

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Doctor Who — Season 17

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Season Info

Director
Pennant Roberts, Alan Bromly, Kenny McBain, Michael Hayes, Ken Grieve, Christopher Barry, Charles Norton
Screenwriter
David Fisher, Anthony Read, Bob Baker, Terry Nation, Douglas Adams, John Nathan-Turner, Charles Norton
Network
BBC
Rating
TV-PG
Genre
Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Adventure, Drama
Original Language
British English
Release Date
Sep 1, 1979