Terror of the Zygons

Premise: Oil rigs off the coast of Scotland are being attacked by a huge creature… The Doctor returns to Earth, responding to a summons from the Brigadier who asks him to investigate.

Notes: Eager to find new writers for the programme, script editor Robert Holmes discussed ideas with Robert Banks Stewart who came up with a six-part serial called the Secret of Loch Ness. The original script had a lot more focus on the Loch Ness Monster itself, but Holmes encouraged him to concentrate more on the Zygons. Although UNIT would appear later this season, this is effectively the final UNIT story as we've known them. It marks the last appearance of the Brigadier until 1983, where he is no longer part of UNIT, and also the departure of Harry Sullivan from the TARDIS crew, although he would return for a minor role in the Android Invasion. Some of the shots of the Skarasen were achieved through stop-motion animation.

Verdict: An extremely atmospheric piece of drama featuring well thought out villains, great central performances and very overbearing (and possibly a bit offensive) Scotish overtones. It slips a bit towards the end, but on the way there's lots to enjoy 9/10