The Armageddon Factor
(DVD)

 

Starring Tom Baker
6 Episodes
1978
150 minutes (color)
Single Disc




 

 

Production Notes
Doctor Who
Tom Baker

Romana
Mary Tamm

Voice of K9
John Leeson

Written by
Bob Baker and Dave Martin

Directed by
Michael Hayes
Produced by
Graham Williams

Original Airdate
Jan 20, 1979 -Feb 24, 1979

US Video Release Date
October 2002

Warner Home Video
#E1340

Key To Time Box Set


 

 



Cover Blurb
The last stretch of the quest for the Key to Time brings the Doctor and Romana to the planet Atrios in the last days of a nuclear war with its neighboring planet Zeos. The Atrian ruler, Princess Astra, presses for peace, but the Marshal insists that his forces can win the war. Those near the Marshal fear that his judgment is suffering from the strain of command. He has taken to making most of his decisions following meditations before a strange black mirror. The Princess has disappeared, and the Marshal now rules unopposed. 

Have the Doctor and Romana arrived too late to complete their mission before Atrios is destroyed? When the Doctor learns that no living Atrian has ever met a Zeon, he proposes to travel to Zeos to negotiate for peace and the return of Princess Astra, who seems to be linked in some way to the sixth segment. He finds the planet deserted. There are no living Zeons, but they left the computer running, and it’s programmed for Mutual Assured Destruction.




 

 

DVD Features
  • Information Text:
 Lots of trivia and tidbits of Whovian detail are provided.  The text appears intermittently along the bottom of the screen and is written by Richard Molesworth of the Doctor Who Restoration Team
 

 
  • Commentary:
 Commentary is provided by Mary Tamm (Romana), John Woodvine (the Marshal), and Michael Hayes (director).  Interesting stuff.
 

 
  • Photo Gallery:
 Color stills showing many publicity stills from the production of this story.  Many of the pictures are rare or even never before seen.
 

 
  • Who's Who:
 A feature unique to the North American DVD releases.  It lists short biographical information on many of the actors involved in the story.
 

 
  • Easter Eggs:
 None.  For a full list of known Easter Eggs and screen grabs of them click HERE.



 

 

Additional Notes
  • The final story in the Key to Time arc, "The Armageddon Factor" also is Mary Tamm's last appearance as Romana. 
  • Shortly after filming she decided that her character had descended into the screaming companion role and decided not to return.  Her replacement was handled in the first story of the next season, "Destiny of the Daleks."  To make matters a little more confusing, Tamm's replacement was Lala Ward (who played Princess Astra in "Armageddon Factor").
  • John Leeson (the voice of K-9) would also depart after the filming of this story.  David Brierly would replace Leeson for the 17th season.  Leeson would be absent for one year before his return for season 18, where his character was finally written out for good in "Warriors' Gate."
  • The Doctor's "name" was revealed in this story by a classmate of the Doctor's from Gallifrey as Theta Sigma.  No other reference was made of this name until 9 years later in the Sylvester McCoy story "The Happiness Patrol" where the Doctor clarified that Theta Sigma was his nickname at school.  
  • Veteran actor Valentine Dyall would appear as the Black Guardian near the end of this story.   Some years later he would reprise his role in a 3 story arc during the 20th anniversary season of Doctor Who ("Mawdryn Undead," "Terminus," and "Enlightenment").
  • In a break with tradition, this story (along with all of the stories from the Key To Time umbrella season) is being released on DVD here in North America BEFORE the U.K.  Apparently, the North American market is much more focused on Tom Baker's era of Doctor Who.  As a result, BBC Worldwide is making a concerted effort to release more Tom Baker DVD's over here.
  • The Doctor Who Restoration Team did some limited clean-up work on this story.  However, due to time constraints, this release is very light on extras.
  • This story can be purchased individually or together with the other stories from season 16 (i.e. The Key To Time Boxset).