The Ribos Operation

The Doctor and K9 Mark II are sent on a mission by the immensely powerful White Guardian.  The six segments of the Key to Time, currently disguised and scattered throughout the cosmos, need to be brought together.  Once assembled, the Key will allow the Guardian to restore balance and good to a universe that is descending into evil and chaos.  It will also thwart the plans of the fearsome Black Guardian! 

As if accepting such a daunting task wasn’t enough, the Guardian appoints a new young assistant for the Doctor, Romanadvoratrelundar-or Romana for short.  Fresh out of the Time Lord Academy, the 140-year old Romana is confident that their mission will be easy and, if the Doctor can curb his irrational behavior, can be rapidly completed. 

Using special Tracer, the TARDIS locates the first segment on the feudal planet Ribos, where two intergalactic criminals are using a lump of Jethryk as bait in a plot to trick a visiting nobleman into buying the planet-which is not theirs to sell.  The Doctor finds himself drawn into the con-men’s fiendish plan while Romana has to confront the monstrous Shrievenvzale…

• Lots of new beginnings for this season of Doctor Who.  After writing out K9 at the end of the previous season, K9 Mark II is constructed by the Doctor.  Running much quieter than its predecessor, K9 Mark II's voice is still provided by John Leeson.

• A new companion is introduced, Romanadvoratrelundar (Romana for short).  She is the first and only companion to come from the Doctor's own race, the Time Lords.  The role breaks tradition by casting a companion as smart as (or smarter than, depending on who you ask) the Doctor. 

• This season is also groundbreaking in its approach.  The Key to Time arc runs continuously throughout the season.  Such a story arc would only be attempted once more in the show's history with "Trial of a Timelord."

• When Graham Williams became the producer of Doctor Who he had originally created the Key to Time arc with the idea of using it during his first season there.  When it became obvious that more time would be needed to create such a monumental season he opted to put it off for the following year.

• If you look closely, you'll notice a scar on Tom Baker's lip.  This was the result of a severe dog bite which occurred over the summer break.  It was noticeable for several more stories and could be seen even with make-up.  The neck scarf that he is wearing also serves to cover more of the bite marks.

• This story is also available on DVD as an individual title or as part of the Key To Time Boxset.

The Key To Time Arc
"The Ribos Operation"
"The Pirate Planet"
"The Stones of Blood"
"The Androids of Tara"
"The Power of Kroll"
"The Armageddon Factor"