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  • Season: 7

  • Production Code: BBB

  • Directed by: Timothy Combe

  • Written by: Malcolm Hulke

  • First Transmitted: 31 January 1970 to 14th March 1970

 

STORY SYNOPSIS

Summoned by the Brigadier to an underground research centre at Wenley Moor, the Doctor and Liz Shaw learn from its director, Dr Lawrence, that work on a new type of nuclear reactor is being hampered by inexplicable power losses and by an unusually high incidence of stress-related illness amongst staff.

Investigating a nearby cave system, the Doctor discovers it is the base of a group of intelligent reptiles, termed Silurians, who went into hibernation millions of years ago but have now been revived by power from the research centre.

The Doctor strives for peace between reptiles and humans and manages to gain the trust of the old Silurian leader, but then a rebellious young Silurian seizes power and releases a deadly virus that threatens to wipe out humanity.

The Doctor finds an antidote, but the Silurians retaliate by taking over the research centre and preparing to destroy the Van Allen Belt, a natural barrier shielding the Earth from solar radiation harmful to humans but beneficial to reptiles. The creatures are tricked into returning to their caves when the Doctor overloads the reactor, threatening to cause a nuclear explosion. The Brigadier, to the Time Lord's disgust, then has the Silurian base blown up.

 EPISODE 1

EPISODE 1 NOTES

  • A close up shot of Bessie's brass horn was the first part of Bessie ever seen on TV.
  • The hood is draped over the back seat in the first scene and not properly attached to the hood frame.
  • A very unusual shot of the underside of Bessie is seen as she is on ramps as the Doctor works underneath her.
  • The location scene showing the Doctor and Liz in Bessie driving along a busy street was filmed in the High Street at Godalming. Another scene showing the Doctor and Liz in Bessie on the way to the research station was filmed at the Hog’s Back Transmitter Station, Guildford, Surrey. Both scenes were filmed on 20th November 1969.
 EPISODE 3

EPISODE 3 NOTES

  • The scene showing the Doctor, Liz and UNIT soldiers at the barn after the Silurian attack was filmed at Sheephatch Farm Tilford, Surrey on 14th November 1969. Although this sequence appeared in episode 3, interestingly, this was the first scene to be filmed which featured Bessie. She can be seen parked against the barn in this episode.
  • The scene showing the Doctor and the Brigadier searching on the moor for the Silurian was filmed at Hankley Common, Rushmoor, Surrey on 17th November 1969.
 EPISODE 5

EPISODE 5 NOTES

  • The scene of the Doctor and the Brigadier rushing to Wenley hospital was filmed at the Chest Hospital in Milford, Surrey on 19th November 1969.
  • As they pull up Major Baker collapses and dies in front of Bessie.
 EPISODE 6

EPISODE 6 NOTES

  • The reprise to episode 5 covers the scene above.
  • The Doctor races off alone in Bessie leaving the Brigadier at the hospital. This scene was filmed at the Chest Hospital in Milford, Surrey on 19th November 1969.
EPISODE 7

EPISODE 7 NOTES

  • The scene shows the Doctor peering under the bonnet of a broken down Bessie.
  • The Doctor adds a chemical formula into Bessie's radiator head and looks at this watch as he mimes the route of the fluid as it travels through Bessie. A drip of fluid leaves the exhaust pipe and the car bursts into life.
  • There is a nice close shot of Bessie's radiator head and cap in this scene. Clearly showing a black radiator head before it was converted to a polished brass head.
  • This scene was filmed at the Hog’s Back Transmitter Station, Guildford, Surrey on 20th November 1969 (the same day as the scenes for episode 1).

 

CONTACT ME:

If you would like to contact me about Sivas, Edwardians or Bessie, you can email me at dean.rose@tiscali.co.uk

 



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