Snakedance

"We’re not supposed to be here…"

Surely Tegan must have made a mistake when she set the TARDIS’ co-ordinates, because the Doctor certainly hadn’t intended landing on Manussa?  But upon learning that Manussa was once home of the Sumaran Empire, the Doctor knows that their arrival has been no accident but has been orchestrated by a hostile force-a force which is rapidly gaining control of Tegan’s will.  By first infiltrating Tegan’s subconscious mind, through strange and disturbing dreams dominated by the image of a huge snake’s skull, this force-"The Mara"- is planning on using Tegan as a vehicle for its return to power on the planet Manussa.  So just as Manussa prepares festivities to commemorate the destruction of the Sumaran Empire by the ruling Federation, it seems that the Legend of Mara could be about to come true.  According to this Legend, the Mara was never destroyed by the Federation but merely banished.   Furthermore, the Legend claims that the Mara will return in a dream-a precursor to its gaining control of all their minds… 

It is clear to the Doctor that the first steps in the Mara’s return have already been taken…

• "Snakedance" is the second story of the 20th anniversary season of Doctor Who.   Each story within this season features the return of one of the Doctor's former adversaries.

• This adventure marks the return of the Mara, last seen in the previous season's story "Kinda."

• Look for a particularly effective cliffhanger to episode 1.  The Mara gains control of Tegan in a very eerie scene.

• Episode 4 was heavily edited down due to an overrun in time.  One of the scene was lifted out and placed at the beginning of the next story "Mawdryn Undead."

• A possible third return of the Mara was under consideration after this adventure, but the idea was soon abandoned.

• Although this story was the second one of the season it was the first one filmed (so that location filming for "Arc of Infinity" could be done during a better time of year).