The Web Planet

"Somewhere, somehow we are being slowly dragged down . . ."

When the Doctor and his friends stray from their astral planet and the TARDIS materializes in eerie alien surroundings, a mysterious force prevents them from leaving. Is it a natural phenomenon or some malevolent intelligence?

Uncanny occurrences are followed by encounters with the deadly Zarbi and their unknown leader, to whom the travelers fall prey. With their allies, the Menoptra, the travelers must discover how to immobilize the Zarbi, save the Menoptra from massacre and rid the planet of this powerful and horrifying evil. As a growing web begins to envelop the planet, imprisoning the travelers in its mesh, the Doctor must consult all of his wisdom to escape its hypnotic power. But what is at the center of the web and from where does it draw its power . . .

• It is worth noting that "The Web Planet" episode 1 had the largest audience figures of any Doctor Who episode.

• Amusingly, this story is famous among fans for its unending snafus and fluffs.  Watch for Zarbi colliding with cameras, an unending legion of fluffed Hartnell lines, invisible ropes and strings which are painfully visible, and the ludicrous alien dancing and chanting rituals throughout.

• Happily, this 6 part story was squeezed onto 1 VHS tape rather than two making it much less expensive than a normal 6 parter.

• Well worth buying just for the sheer silliness of the story.