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BLACK SCREEN

(Coloured lights flash before our eyes and resolve into a familiar, friendly face, which fades into the background. It is replaced by the show logo.)

(This is then replaced by the following text.)

TITLE

THE THREE DOCTORS

(Fades to.)

WRITTEN BY BOB BAKER AND DAVE MARTIN

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PART ONE

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1. EXT. WILD LIFE SANCTUARY – LAKE DISTRICT – DAY

(By the side of a lake, a weather balloon has come down. A man, ARTHUR, walks up to it and inspects a box that is attached to it. He touches it, hesitantly.)


2. EXT. WILD LIFE SANCTUARY – ENTRANCE – DAY

(A land rover drives up to the house, passing a sign.

MINSBRIDGE
WILD LIFE
SANCTUARY
WARDENS OFFICE

(The land rover drives up to a house and stops. The driver, DOCTOR TYLER, gets out and is approached by a WOMAN.)

WOMAN: Dr. Tyler is it?
TYLER: Yeah. Sorry to be a trouble. Thanks very much for calling.
WOMAN: Oh, Arthur's keeping an eye on it, down by the lake. He hasn't touched it.
TYLER: Oh good.
WOMAN: It's not chemicals is it? Only the birds, you see...
TYLER: No, you'll be all right. Nothing to worry about.

(He gets back into his land rover and drives off.)


3. EXT. WILD LIFE SANCTUARY – LAKESIDE – DAY

(Arthur is looking at the box suspiciously. He gets up and looks at the road and sees Tyler's land rover approaching. He looks back at the box. The box crackles, menacingly. Arthur looks down at it. There is a blinding flash of light, emanating from the box, and Arthur Ollis vanishes. Across the lake the birds take flight in fright...)

(A few moments later, Tyler drives up in his land rover. He gets out of the car and looks around for Mister Ollis.)

TYLER: (Yelling.) Mr. Ollis!

(He is answered only by a bird's call.)

TYLER: (More cautiously.) Mr. Ollis?

(Tyler gazes at the box. Sighing, he turns back to the land rover and pulls out a radio, one of the small walkie-talkie kinds that can be connected to the dashboard.)

TYLER: Put me through to UNIT HQ will you, please?


4. INT. UNIT HQ – DOCTOR'S LABORATORY – DAY

(The Box sits on the bench. The TARDIS sits in the corner of the lab. Jo enters with a tray of standard issue military coffee in plastic cups. Doctor Tyler is talking with the Third Doctor as the Brigadier watches.)

TYLER: So there you are. Mrs. Ollis says her husband's down there, I see him wave, get there and there he is – gone. So I got in touch with you lot.
BRIGADIER: Quite right too. That's what we're here for, hey Doctor?
THE THIRD DOCTOR: Yes of course.
JO: What exactly is this machine for?

(Jo starts examining the box.)

TYLER: Cosmic Ray Research, Mrs. Grant.
JO: And you still use balloons.
TYLER: That's right. We may not be NASA, but we get the results. Inside that (Indicating the box.) is the most sophisticated Cosmic Ray Monitoring device between here and Cape Kennedy. You see, I was going to get in touch with you people anyway, even before this business.
BRIGADIER: Oh? Why was that?
TYLER: Can you give me that briefcase, will you?
THE THIRD DOCTOR: Yes of course.

(The Doctor picks the briefcase up from the floor and passes it to him.)

TYLER: Well, we've been getting some pretty funny results on these latest tests.

(He puts on his glasses, opens the briefcase, and pulls out some slides.)

TYLER: Now this is the first one you see. Ah, this is normal.

(This slide shows the normal pattern of cosmic rays. He then hands it to the DOCTOR who pins it up on a board over the lab bench.)

TYLER: Now then. This is why I'm here. Last week's tests. Look at that.

(The BRIGADIER stares at the second slide and then Tyler passes it on to the DOCTOR for closer inspection.)

THE THIRD DOCTOR: Good grief.

(The second slide shows a streak of lightening.)

TYLER: Yeah. Nobody knows what to make of it. Well, they've all seen it. Yanks, and the other lot.
BRIGADIER: Oh?!
TYLER: Now here's somewhere, oh yes. Now this is what really put the tin hat on it. From that deep space monitor Houston put up. But just take a look at those readings!

(While he has been talking, Tyler has pulled out a mass of paper, covered in numbers. He shows it to the BRIGADIER, who looks confused by it.)

BRIGADIER: Erm, the Doctor's the, erm, the man that you...
TYLER: What? Oh, oh I see.
THE THIRD DOCTOR: Thank you.

(Tyler now shows the papers to the DOCTOR, who takes them and starts leafing through them, looking at a few pages here and there very briefly.)

THE THIRD DOCTOR: Well it's travelling faster than light.
TYLER: Yes. And it can't, can it? I don't know what to make of it. It's come all that way, through millions of star systems. Must have been directed... And it must have been directed at us. But why?
THE THIRD DOCTOR: Why indeed, Professor Tyler, why indeed.
BRIGADIER: Thing is Doctor, is there anything I can do?
THE THIRD DOCTOR: Yes. Pass me a silicon rod will you?

(The BRIGADIER picks up a small rod from the bench in front of him. He passes it to Jo, who in turn passes it to the Doctor. He stirs his coffee with it, and then takes a sip. The Brigadier looks annoyed.)

BRIGADIER: Yes, what I meant was, is there anything that U.N.I.T. can do about this space lightening business?
THE THIRD DOCTOR: Lightening? Yes I suppose it could look like lightening, only it isn't.

(The DOCTOR stares at the two plates hanging up over the sink.)

THE THIRD DOCTOR: No. If there where such a thing I would say it was compressed light. A sort of controlled superlucent omission.
BRIGADIER: What? (Not understanding a word of it.)
JO: He means it travels faster than light.
BRIGADIER: Thank you, Miss Grant.
THE THIRD DOCTOR: Tell me, Professor, is this machine of yours functioning properly?
TYLER: Far as I can tell. Haven't developed that latest slate yet, of course.
THE THIRD DOCTOR: Well, I suggest that you do so immediately and let me know the result of your findings. Jo, you and I are going to take a look at the scene of the crime.
JO: Right.
THE THIRD DOCTOR: I think you'll find everything you need here.
TYLER: Oh, right. Thanks.

(The Doctor and Jo leave, while Tyler takes a small plate out of the box and begins to use the equipment in the lab to develop it. The Brigadier looks on. Tyler notices the Brigadier, still hovering expectantly.)

TYLER: Oh, I can manage now, thank you.
BRIGADIER: (Icily.) I'm delighted to hear it. Make yourself at home. (Sarcastic.) We're only supposed to be a top-secret security establishment. Liberty Hall, Doctor Tyler. Liberty Hall!

(With that the Brigadier marches away, leaving Tyler to shake his head in bewilderment. A few seconds later he is given cause for even more bewilderment. Upon pressing a button on the developing machine in the corner of the laboratory, a small piece of photographic paper emerges. Tyler picks it up and looks at it in amazement.)

TYLER: That shouldn't happen.

(Placing the slide on the viewer, we can now see the cause for concern. The slide shows a streak of space lightening, and then, superimposed upon the image, is Mr. Ollis' face, contorted in agony.)

TYLER: That defiantly shouldn't happen.

(Tyler goes across to the box, still sat on the workbench, and begins to unscrew the top of the box. The box crackles to itself and Tyler backs away in fear as there is a blinding flash of light and Tyler vanishes. Poor Doctor Tyler seems to have gone the way of Mr. Ollis. A few moments later a small blob of purple-brown stuff emerges from the box and makes it's way slowly into the sink and down the drain.)


5. EXT. WILD LIFE SANCTUARY – LAKESIDE – DAY

(The THIRD DOCTOR is bent down, examining the ground while JO and Mrs. OLLIS watch.)

MRS. OLLIS: This here's the place all right.

(Jo is not convinced.)

JO: Are you sure Mrs. Ollis?
MRS. OLLIS: Well the Land Rover tracks stop here don't they? I told you, you're too late. The other gentleman's been and gone.

(The Doctor has been examining the ground with a Geiger counter-like device which has been emitting a lot of beeps, far more than is normal for simple background radiation. The Doctor looks up and addresses Mrs. Ollis.)

THE THIRD DOCTOR: And you haven't seen your husband since this morning?
MRS. OLLIS: No. Nothing unusual in that. Oh he'll be off somewhere. We shan't see him now until dark. I'll look for him if you like.
THE THIRD DOCTOR: No. No, it's not important.
MRS. OLLIS: Please yourself. I'll be getting on then.

(Mrs. Ollis walks away, back to the house, leaving the Doctor and Jo to chatter.)

JO: It is important, isn't it, Doctor?
THE THIRD DOCTOR: Yes Jo. Yes, it's much more important than I thought.


6. INT. UNIT HQ – DOCTOR'S LABORATORY – DAY

(The BRIGADIER enters the now deserted room. Some time has passed since Doctor Tyler's disappearance, but the room is just as he left it.)

BRIGADIER: Doctor Tyler, these reports might interest you...

(He notices the absences of Doctor Tyler.)

BRIGADIER: Tyler?

(Crossing to another door, the Brigadier opens it and yells through it.)

BRIGADIER: Doctor Tyler?!

(He crosses back into the middle of the room.)

BRIGADIER: Sergeant Benton!

(After a moment, Sergeant BENTON runs into the Laboratory.)

BRIGADIER: (Fuming.) Doctor Tyler appears to be wandering around UNIT Head Quarters. Go and find him and bring him here at once.
BENTON: Yes sir.

(Benton turns to leave.)


7. EXT. UNIT HQ – APPROACH ROAD – DAY

(The THIRD DOCTOR and JO drive BESSIE, the Doctor's car, up to the entrance to UNIT HQ, with the hood down. The Doctor and Jo are protected from the rain by her umbrella.)

(The sign on the gate reads

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
U.N.I.T. HEADQUARTERS
BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE STEWART
NO UNAUTHORISED ENTRY

(BESSIE drives in through the gate, around the UNIT building and enters the garage at the back of the complex.)


8. EXT. UNIT HQ – UNIT GARAGE – DAY

(BESSIE enters the garage and the THIRD DOCTOR parks the car. Jo puts down the umbrella, and the Doctor and Jo get out of the car.)

THE THIRD DOCTOR: Right, lets see what Doctor Tyler's found out about that plate.
JO: What's that?

(Coming out of the drain in the centre of the garage is a much larger version of the blob that entered the sink in the laboratory before. It seems to be drawn towards Jo and Bessie. Jo is still standing on the running boards of the car.)

THE THIRD DOCTOR: Jo! Back slowly away behind the car.

(Jo doesn't move.)

THE THIRD DOCTOR: Do as I say!

(She does so and they both stand with the car between them and the Blob, now almost the size of the car.)

JO: What is it?
THE THIRD DOCTOR: When I tell you to run, you run.

(A pause.)

THE THIRD DOCTOR: Right! Run!

(Jo does so, heading for the bushes across the road from the garage. The Doctor follows close behind her. They hide behind a tree and watch what happens inside the garage. The Blob increases in size and there is a blinding flash. Bessie vanishes. The Doctor and Jo exchange worried glances.)

JO: What happened? What is that?
THE THIRD DOCTOR: I don't know.

(The Blob disappears back down into the drain.)

JO: Poor old Bessie.
THE THIRD DOCTOR: Right. Come on.

(The camera lingers on the spot where Bessie once stood. The THIRD DOCTOR and JO head off into the building.)


9. INT. UNIT HQ – DOCTOR'S LABORATORY – DAY

(The BRIGADIER is tapping Doctor TYLER'S box with his cane, awaiting the return of... anybody really. After a moment, SERGEANT BENTON enters the Laboratory.)

BRIGADIER: Well, where is he?
BENTON: Sorry sir, we just couldn't find him. Doctor Tyler's just disappeared. We've searched the grounds and the buildings sir and there's no sign of him. Oh, and there was an explosion in the garage sir.
BRIGADIER: Explosion? What explosion? I heard nothing.
THE THIRD DOCTOR: Well, you wouldn't Brigadier.

(The THIRD DOCTOR and JO enter the Laboratory.)

BENTON: But there was a flash Doctor.
THE THIRD DOCTOR: A flash yes, not an explosion. It was a release of kinetic energy.
BRIGADIER: One of Bessie's gadgets misfire?
JO: It's far more series than that Brigadier.
BRIGADIER: You better check Benton.
BENTON: Right sir...
THE THIRD DOCTOR: (Cutting him off.) NO! I shouldn't go anywhere near it. Not just at the moment.
BENTON: What shall I do sir?
THE THIRD DOCTOR: I suggest that you put a guard on the drains Benton.
BENTON: The drains?
THE THIRD DOCTOR: Yes the drains!
BRIGADIER: Put the men on stand by, Benton.
BENTON: Right away sir.

(Benton leaves to carry out his orders.)

THE THIRD DOCTOR: All right Brigadier. Well then, what's the situation as you see it?
BRIGADIER: Well, I just had a call from Mrs. Ollis. Her husband hasn't returned.
JO: Oh no.
THE THIRD DOCTOR: Yes, I was rather afraid that might happen.
BRIGADIER: We're cooperating with the local Police, but we have got fifteen hundred acres to cover.
THE THIRD DOCTOR: Well, I shouldn't bother going on looking for him Brigadier. I think you'll find that that's Mr. Ollis.

(The Doctor has found the slide that Doctor Tyler was processing shortly before his disappearance. He hands it to the Brigadier.)

BRIGADIER: Is this the plate that Tyler was developing when we left?
THE THIRD DOCTOR: Yes that's right.
BRIGADIER: When I came back with these satellite reports, Tyler had disappeared and this box was open as it is now.

(The box's lid is half off, as we last saw it.)

THE THIRD DOCTOR: Nothing's been moved?
BRIGADIER: Nothing.
THE THIRD DOCTOR: Excuse me a minute will you?
BRIGADIER: Um.

(The THIRD DOCTOR takes his Geiger counter out of his jacket pocket and tests the box for radioactivity. There are only slight beeps from the Geiger counter, but still more than would be expected from normal background radiation. The Third Doctor moves the counter over the sink and then the readings go through the roof.)

THE THIRD DOCTOR: All right Brigadier, go on.
BRIGADIER: These are tracking reports and assessments from just about every country in the world.
THE THIRD DOCTOR: Thank you.

(The Doctor takes the large sheaf of papers and flicks through it, looking at only a few entries here and there, as if all the pages say the same thing.)

THE THIRD DOCTOR: It looks as if Tyler was right. That light beam or whatever it is seems to have scanned the Earth like a searchlight and picked on us.
BRIGADIER: Since UNIT is now in charge of this investigation it would help if you where a little more forthcoming.
JO: Tell him about Bessie, Doctor.
THE THIRD DOCTOR: Wh...? Oh yes. Well Brigadier, now Bessie has disappeared.
BRIGADIER: What?
JO: But it was after us.
BRIGADIER: Yes, but what was after you?
THE THIRD DOCTOR: Well, some kind of powerful organism thing with a very strong hunting instinct.
JO: It was hunting you, wasn't it Doctor?
THE THIRD DOCTOR: Yes. Yes, I'm afraid so.
BRIGADIER: Are you trying to tell me that this whole thing has been arranged just for your benefit?
JO: Oh yes that's right. You see that stuff simply ignored me as soon as it saw the Doctor.
BRIGADIER: What about this chap Ollis?
THE THIRD DOCTOR: Oh I don't know. Well perhaps this thing was confused, or it's instructions weren't getting through.
BRIGADIER: And Tyler?
THE THIRD DOCTOR: Tyler? Yes that was its second mistake, here in this laboratory where I usually work. And its third mistake was Bessie.
JO: And you were in Bessie.
THE THIRD DOCTOR: Yes.
BRIGADIER: And you think there's a link between the beam and this... this organism thing.
THE THIRD DOCTOR: Yes I do. I think that that beam was the method it used to get here.
BRIGADIER: Well now it's arrived. And it's hostile. And it's still here. So what do we do and how do we find it?
THE THIRD DOCTOR: We don't find it Brigadier. If we wait around here long enough, it'll find us.


10. EXT. UNIT HQ – FRONT GATE – DAY

(Two soldiers guard the main gate. One of them strolls over and leans against a small army jeep that is parked near the front gate. He stands and looks down the approach road that leads from the main road to the front entrance to UNIT. One by one, THREE CREATURES appear at the entrance to UNIT. They are roughly the shape of a man, with a round featureless head and thick blobby arms and legs. They are the small Blob-like substance that attacked Bessie, but are now much more solid. They are the equivalent of assault soldiers.)

(They stand motionless for a second and then begin to advance towards UNIT HQ.)

GUARD: Holy mosses! What's that?

(The GUARD, the one leaning on the van, looks towards the creatures as they emit a strange growling sound and start to advance.)

GUARD: Get Sergeant Benton, quick!


11. EXT. UNIT HQ – BUNKER – DAY

(The CREATURES appear all around UNIT HQ.)


12. EXT. UNIT HQ – FRONT GATE – DAY

(SERGEANT BENTON and TWO OTHER MEN arrive.)


13. EXT. UNIT HQ – BUNKER – DAY

(More creatures arrive.)


14. EXT. UNIT HQ – FRONT GATE – DAY

BENTON: How many of them?

(More men rush out of UNIT HQ and follow the SERGEANT.)

GUARD: I'm not sure, Sarge. They seem to be springing out all over the place.
BENTON: Right. You hold them off here, and I'll cover the back. Right, you men come with me. Hurry.

(BENTON and all but two of the men leave.)

GUARD: Fire at will!

(The guards fire at the creatures. The gunfire has no effect whatsoever on the creatures. It is as effective as taking on a Tyrannosaurus Rex with a peashooter. One creature raises its hand and emits a burst of energy. There is a huge explosion and the man dies.)


15. INT. UNIT HQ – DOCTOR'S LABORATORY – DAY

(The BRIGADIER, Jo and THE THIRD DOCTOR watch from the LAB window as the creatures surround UNIT HQ and advance.)

BRIGADIER: What are those creatures? Where are they coming from?
THE THIRD DOCTOR: Obviously from the same source as that organism thing. First the scout, then the reinforcements.
BRIGADIER: Their grasp of military tactics is very good.
JO: Well let's hope Sergeant Benton's are even better.


16. EXT. UNIT HQ – BACK ENTRANCE – DAY

BENTON: Hurry men and keep your heads down.

(SERGEANT BENTON runs past the back entrance to UNIT HQ just as three more creatures appear. Two men run out of the building and set up a sub-machine gun, which then blasts away at the creatures. One of the creatures raises its hand and fires, blowing up the men holding the gun, killing them instantly. It also destroys the sub-machine gun.)


17. EXT. UNIT HQ – BACK ENTRANCE – OTHER AREA – DAY

(SERGEANT BENTON is directing the action on a walkie-talkie. One man fires a bazooka at a creature and it appears to die.)

BENTON: Well done Johnson!

(However, the creature gets up and advances, followed by three others.)

BENTON: (Into walkie-talkie.) Brigadier, do you read me? Over.
BRIGADIER: (On walkie-talkie.) What's the situation Benton? Over.
BENTON: We're under attack from all sides. Weapons are useless. Nothing seems to touch them. Nothing. Over.


18. INT. UNIT HQ – DOCTOR'S LABORATORY – DAY

(The BRIGADIER is talking on the walkie-talkie. JO and the THIRD DOCTOR are watching.)

BRIGADIER: Get the men out Benton. Complete evacuation. Then report to me in the laboratory. Is that clear? Over.

(Outside the window, BENTON yells at the men.)

BENTON: (Voice Over.) Okay men, fall back! Complete evacuation. _____________ building. Everybody. Now move.
BRIGADIER: (Over above.) I better see what's happening. You stay here Doctor.
THE THIRD DOCTOR: Not much point in my going anywhere else is there?

(The Brigadier leaves the laboratory. As he does so, a small blob can be seen emerging from an air vent just outside the laboratory doorway. It heads straight for the Laboratory and the THIRD DOCTOR, growing larger as it does so. Inside the laboratory, THE THIRD DOCTOR and JO and talking.)

THE THIRD DOCTOR: I think you ought to get out of here too Jo.
JO: Not a chance. I'm staying right here with you.
THE THIRD DOCTOR: Now please Jo, do as I ask. They won't harm you. You ignore them, they'll ignore you. I'm the one they're after.
JO: Well, I'll just have to risk it, won't I?
BENTON: (Climbing in the window.) Right Jo, Doctor. Have you seen the Brigadier?
THE THIRD DOCTOR: Sergeant Benton. Just the man I wanted to see. Will you please take Miss Grant with you? Even if you have to carry her!
BENTON: I'm sorry Doc, my orders were to report to the Brigadier.
THE THIRD DOCTOR: Your orders sergeant...

(The argument is stopped when the blob makes the doors to the laboratory vanish.)

THE THIRD DOCTOR: Into the TARDIS quick!

(All three run for the TARDIS. The Doctor opens the doors and they enter.)


19. INT. TARDIS CONSOLE ROOM

(THE THIRD DOCTOR starts operating the controls and the TARDIS begins to warm up. Sergeant Benton takes in the huge console room he's just stepped into, housed inside the tiny 1963 London Police Telephone Box exterior.)

THE THIRD DOCTOR: Right. Force field on.

(The TARDIS doors close.)


20. INT. UNIT HQ – DOCTOR'S LABORATORY – DAY

(Annoyed at loosing its pray, and being unable to enter the TARDIS, the Blob starts to remove parts of the laboratory.)


21. INT. TARDIS CONSOLE ROOM

JO: You were going off without me weren't you.
THE THIRD DOCTOR: Well sergeant, aren't you going to say it that it's bigger on the inside than it is on the outside. Everybody else does.
BENTON: It's pretty obvious isn't it. Anyway, nothing to do with you surprises me anymore Doctor.
THE THIRD DOCTOR: Oh. Thank you for the complement.

(Jo smiles. Benton is obviously very shaken. The Doctor fiddles with the controls and the TARDIS shakes a little. It starts making the first part of the dematerialisation noise. Jo looks on, wondering what he's doing.)

THE THIRD DOCTOR: It's not reacting. Well, there's only one thing for it. I'll have to send an SOS.

(The THIRD DOCTOR pulls up a small box set into the console and flips a switch.)

THE THIRD DOCTOR: I hate having to call them, but, there we are.
JO: What were you planning to do, anyhow?
THE THIRD DOCTOR: I was planning to lure that stuff away from Earth, Jo. But now as it seems to have immobilised the TARDIS, I'm not going anywhere. We're trapped.
JO: So what are we going to do?
THE THIRD DOCTOR: At least we can watch that thing in comfort and then we can send in a report and see what they have to say about it.

(The Doctor turns on the scanner and goes to look at it. He can't seem to get an image on the scanner.)

BENTON: Who are 'they'?
JO: The Time Lords. Oh, things are pretty serious.
THE THIRD DOCTOR: Yes. They are.


22. SPACE

(The SOS message departs the TARDIS and spins through space.)


23. INT. CHAMBER – TIME LORDS HOME PLANET – DAY

(The SOS is being received. Two people, one very old, the other middle aged, sit at consoles. The rest of the large room is deserted. Two people enter the room. They are the PRESIDENT and the CHANCELLOR. They approach the Old Man.)

PRESIDENT: Is the Doctor holding out?
OLD TIME LORD: We are giving his TARDIS all the energy we can spare.
PRESIDENT: And the hostile?
OLD TIME LORD: Unidentified so far my lord.

(On the monitor screen above the Old Man's console, the old Time Lord now plays a recording of the Blob destroying the laboratory. The image is in black and white.)

CHANCELLOR: And the source of this beam?
PRESIDENT: You see Chancellor? The Black Hole.

(On the screen, a massive gagged hole in space can be seen. From it, a beam of light is being emitted, directly at Earth.)

CHANCELLOR: That's a nowhere. No place. A void. According to all known laws nothing can exist there.
PRESIDENT: Somehow through this black hole vital cosmic energy is draining away in spite of all we can do to check it.
CHANCELLOR: Already the Time Travel facility is in danger, my lord.
PRESIDENT: Without it, we shall be helpless. Unless the energy loss is stopped the whole fabric of space time will be destroyed. We are being consumed and we can find no way to fight back.
CHANCELLOR: Are you telling me we are up against an adversary, a force, equal to our own.
PRESIDENT: Equal and opposite to our own.
CHANCELLOR: A force which inhabits a universe where by definition even we cannot exist.
PRESIDENT: Yes. A force in the universe of antimatter.
CHANCELLOR: But that's too terrible to contemplate. Someone must go and help the Doctor.
PRESIDENT: I agree, but no one can be spared, you excellency. Everyone is needed to combat the energy drain.
CHANCELLOR: Are you saying we can't help him?
PRESIDENT: Yes I am. But perhaps he can help himself. Show me the Doctor's time stream, the section for his earlier self before he changed his form.
OLD MAN: Sir.
CHANCELLOR: You can't allow him to cross his own time stream! Apart from the enormous energy it would need, the First Law of Time expressly forbids him to meet his other selves.

(The Old Man types on the console.)

PRESIDENT: I am aware of that your Excellency, but this is an emergency.
CHANCELLOR: But you can't!
PRESIDENT: No excellency. I have to.
CHANCELLOR: Be it on your own head.

(The Chancellor turns and leaves the room.)

PRESIDENT: Now, show me.

(On the screen, a black and white image forms of a little man in a baggy black jacket and equally ample check trousers. He appears to be running away from a burning barn. He puts his finger in his mouth as he reaches the camera and his face has an expression of 'Did I do that?' This is the SECOND DOCTOR.)

(The image fades and the camera returns to the TARDIS CONSOLE ROOM.)


24. INT. TARDIS CONSOLE ROOM

(Inside the CONSOLE ROOM, the THIRD DOCTOR, JO and BENTON and gathered to one side of the console. They hear a dematerialisation sound.)

THIRD DOCTOR: That's odd. Nobody touched anything did they?
BENTON and JO: No.
THIRD DOCTOR: Well you heard it though didn't you?
JO: Yes and felt it too. Could it be that stuff outside?
THIRD DOCTOR: Well I don't think so. Hello, what's this?

(The Third Doctor has found a recorder on the console. He picks it up and looks at it. Haven't we seen this before somewhere?)

THIRD DOCTOR: Seems strangely familiar. Is it yours Jo?
JO: A flute? No.
THIRD DOCTOR: Well, properly speaking it's a recorder.
SECOND DOCTOR: Thank you.

(The Second Doctor appears out of thin air and takes the recorder from the Third Doctor.)

SECOND DOCTOR: I was wondering where that had got too.

(He plays a few notes experimentally. The recorder seems to be broken.)

SECOND DOCTOR: You haven't been trying to play this have you?

(He looks around the TARDIS console room.)

SECOND DOCTOR: Oh. I can see you've been doing the TARDIS up a bit. Um. I don't like it!

(The Second Doctor looks around, taking in the scene, including the monitor with the image of the Blob on it, as it tries to destroy the lab.)

SECOND DOCTOR: Oh my word.

(The Doctor flips a switch on the console, rather dramatically, and the sound increases. We can hear the chairs and tables being removed. He then flips the switch again, just as dramatically, and the sound turns off.)

SECOND DOCTOR: Oh dear. We are in trouble aren't we? Just as well I turned up.
JO: Doctor... (To the THIRD DOCTOR.)
BENTON: Doctor! (To 'his' Doctor. The original article, you might say.) Where did you spring from?
SECOND DOCTOR: Now don't tell me.

(The Doctor thinks for a moment and then snaps his fingers.)

SECOND DOCTOR: Corporal Benton isn't it!

(BENTON points to his third stripe.)

BENTON: Sergeant Benton now.
SECOND DOCTOR: How do you do my dear fellow.
BENTON: Nice to see you.
SECOND DOCTOR: Haven't seen you since that nasty business with the Cybermen.
BENTON: All those years ago.

(JO turns to her Doctor, the THIRD DOCTOR. BENTON and the SECOND DOCTOR keep chatting. Brief snatches of conversation are heard as Benton tells the Doctor that the Brigadier has gone up in the world now as well.)

JO: Who is he and how did he get in here.
THIRD DOCTOR: Well it's a bit difficult to explain, Jo.
JO: He's not one of them is he?

(Jo points to the ceiling, meaning the 'Time Lords'.)

THIRD DOCTOR: Well not so much one of them as one of use. One of me to be precise.

(The Second Doctor has been listening to this last part.)

SECOND DOCTOR: Oh no no no no. I'm sorry my dear I hate to be contrary, but I can see he's a little bit confused, poor old chap, and I do feel you should have the correct explanation, you don't mind do you?
THIRD DOCTOR: Yes.
SECOND DOCTOR: (Ignoring himself.) I didn't think you would. You see Jo, I may call you Jo, mayn't I?

(Jo nods.)

SECOND DOCTOR: He is one of me.
JO: Oh I see. You're both Time Lords.
SECOND DOCTOR: Well quite. Well, not quite.
JO: Oh.
SECOND DOCTOR: Not... not just Time Lords. Were the same Time Lord.
THIRD DOCTOR: Oh please, you're only confusing my assistant. Jo, it's all quite simple. I am he and he is me.
JO: "And we are all together gogokechoo?"
THE DOCTORS: What?
JO: It's a song by the Beatles.
SECOND DOCTOR: Oh, how does it go?

(The Second Doctor places the recorder to his lips.)

THIRD DOCTOR: Oh please be quiet.

(The Second Doctor lowers the recorder and looks offended.)

JO: Look, is he really you?
THIRD DOCTOR: Yes, yes I'm afraid so.
BENTON: I think he is Miss Grant. You see, when the Brig and I first met the Doctor, he (Pointing at the Third Doctor.) looked like him. (Pointing at the Second Doctor.)
JO: How?
THIRD DOCTOR: Yes. That's what I'd like to know. You've got no right to be here.
SECOND DOCTOR: Perhaps...
THIRD DOCTOR: What about the First Law of Time.
SECOND DOCTOR: Perhaps I could explain!
THIRD DOCTOR: Perhaps you could!
SECOND DOCTOR: Well our fellow Time Lords out there are just as much under siege as we are.
THIRD DOCTOR: What?
SECOND DOCTOR: And they couldn't send anyone to help you. But they did summon up enough temporal energy to lift me out of my bit of our time stream and prop me down here. Into my own future, so to speak.
THIRD DOCTOR: Why?
SECOND DOCTOR: My dear fellow, you are being a bit dim aren't you? Your effectiveness is now doubled!
THIRD DOCTOR: Halved more like!
SECOND DOCTOR: Now, now. There's no need to be ungracious. Suppose we have a look, er, at our problem, shall we? Er, you don't mind do you?
THIRD DOCTOR: Oh, be my guest!
SECOND DOCTOR: Oh, thank you.

(He flips a switch on the console.)


25. INT. UNIT HQ – DOCTOR'S LABORATORY – DAY

(The Brigadier, now in full military dress, strides towards the Laboratory followed by two soldiers, preparing to storm what remains of the Lab. They sidle up towards the hole in the wall where the doorway once was, and look at the Blob inside the room.)

GUARD: Good grief, sir. What's that?
BRIGADIER: Don't just stand there man. Open fire!

(The Guard does so, and the creature causes the water cooler, right next to him, to vanish. The Guard falls back in fear.)

BRIGADIER: Fall back!


26: INT. TARDIS CONSOLE ROOM

(Inside, the Doctors, JO and Benton have just watched this on the monitor.)

SECOND DOCTOR: Dear old Lethbridge-Stewart. Still blazing away as usual.
BENTON: Can't we do something to help them, Doctor?
THIRD DOCTOR: They'll be all right as long as they keep out of its way.

(The Third Doctor turns off the monitor.)

THIRD DOCTOR: Right, now you can see our problem, can't you.
SECOND DOCTOR: Yes. Most unpleasant. (To one side, to himself.) They are very worried, you know.
THIRD DOCTOR: Yes, and so am I. I think perhaps I ought to put you in the picture.
SECOND DOCTOR: Right.
THIRD DOCTOR: Contact.
SECOND DOCTOR: Contact.

(They both face forward and looking straight ahead with eyes closed telepathically tell each other about what has gone on. The camera holds on each face for a split second so that we get the impression of both faces merging into one being.)

(They open their eyes. Contact is broken.)

SECOND DOCTOR: I see. So it's after you? Or should I say us?
THIRD DOCTOR: That's right. And as they can't help us, we'll just have to help ourselves.

(We now see how different the personalities of the two Doctors actually are. The Second needs music to think by, but the Third prefers quiet to work.)

SECOND DOCTOR: "Twinkle, twinkle little star."

(He proceeds to play the tune on the recorder, as he starts to think what to do.)

BENTON: What was all that about?
JO: Sort of telepathic conference, I think.
THIRD DOCTOR: Must you!
SECOND DOCTOR: Are you going to take this attitude to my music all the time?
THIRD DOCTOR: Yes, I'm rather afraid I am.
JO: Oh dear...

(The Two Doctors argue.)


27. INT. CHAMBER – TIME LORDS HOME PLANET – DAY

(In the Chamber, the Old Man and the Chancellor are watching the progress of the two Doctors. Both can be seen bickering on the monitor, as Jo and Benton try to stop them.)

OLD MAN: We've achieved a transference, sir.
PRESIDENT: Splendid.
OLD MAN: But I don't think it's going to work.
PRESIDENT: Why, what's wrong?
OLD MAN: They refuse to co-operate.
PRESIDENT: I see. Well, we'll soon shatter that. Show me the earliest Doctor.
OLD MAN: Him too sir, but surly...
PRESIDENT: Show me.

(On the monitor, the FIRST DOCTOR can be seen, as he straightens his jacket. He is a quiet, dignified, white-haired old man. A figure who is to be reckoned with.)

PRESIDENT: He'll keep them in order.


28. TARDIS CONSOLE ROOM

(Back as they where before. The Doctors are STILL arguing, this time over the loss of picture on the monitor.)

SECOND DOCTOR: Well, you've been fiddling with it, haven't you?
THIRD DOCTOR: It was perfectly all right until you touched it. Now if only you'd leave things to me.
SECOND DOCTOR: If we were to leave things with you, my dear fellow, we'd be in a fine pickle wouldn't we?
THIRD DOCTOR: Look, you lost the image, not me.
BENTON: Here they go again.
SECOND DOCTOR: I did not loose the image!

(The THIRD DOCTOR and the SECOND DOCTOR have an overlapping argument as each accuses the other of losing the image. JO Notices something appearing on the screen.)

JO: Doctor look. Both of you! Look.

(On the monitor, a small triangular cell is seen lowering into view. Inside, the FIRST DOCTOR is trapped.)

FIRST DOCTOR: Ah, there you are. I seem to be stuck up here. Um? Um? Oh. So you're my replacements.

(Both replacements smile politely.)

FIRST DOCTOR: A dandy and a clown.

(The smiles vanish and both stare at each other.)

FIRST DOCTOR: Have you done anything?
SECOND DOCTOR: Well, we've, er, assessed the situation.
FIRST DOCTOR: Just as I thought. (He laughs.) Nothing.
THIRD DOCTOR: Well it's not easy, you know.
SECOND DOCTOR: It's not as if we know what that stuff is.
THIRD DOCTOR: No.
FIRST DOCTOR: Then I'll tell you. It's a time bridge.

(Both Doctors looks surprised.)

SECOND DOCTOR: What?
THIRD DOCTOR: I see.
FIRST DOCTOR: Now what's a bridge for, hay?
SECOND DOCTOR: Well, I...
THIRD DOCTOR: Crossing.
FIRST DOCTOR: Right. So stop dilly-dallying. And cross it!

(He recedes into the distance.)

(The Second Doctor screams at the monitor and runs back to the console and starts fiddling with the controls, followed by the Third Doctor.)

SECOND DOCTOR: No! No wait!
THIRD DOCTOR: You faded him again.
SECOND DOCTOR: I did not fade him, you saw...
THIRD DOCTOR: Yes you certainly did...

(They both start arguing again.)

JO: I hate to ask.

(The DOCTOR'S stop and turn to her.)

JO: But, who was that?
THIRD and SECOND DOCTORS: Me.

(They turn indignantly to each other and shout at each other.)

THIRD and SECOND DOCTORS: Me!
SECOND DOCTOR: Call will you?

(The Second Doctor produces a coin from his pocket. It's one the Third Doctor knows well. It's doubled headed.)

THIRD DOCTOR: Heads.

(The Doctor tosses the coin, catches it, reads the face and then quickly pockets the coin.)

SECOND DOCTOR: Hard luck.

(The Third Doctor is resigned to his fate.)

THIRD DOCTOR: All right. Stand by to disconnect the force field.
BENTON: What are you going to do?
THIRD DOCTOR: Now!
JO: Doctor, No.

(The Second Doctor disconnects the Force Field and opens the TARDIS doors. The Third Doctor emerges.)


29. INT. UNIT HQ – DOCTOR'S LABORATORY – DAY

(The Third Doctor is now in the lab. Jo runs after him and catches up to him. They are now trapped by the blob.)

THIRD DOCTOR: Jo get back!

(Jo grabs hold of him and there is a blinding flash of light. The laboratory is deserted.)


Next Episode


END CREDITS

DOCTOR WHO
Jon Pertwee

DOCTOR WHO
Patrick Troughton

DOCTOR WHO
William Hartnell

JO GRANT
Katy Manning

BRIGADIER LETHBRIDGE-STEWART
Nicholas Courtney

SARGENT BENTON
John Levene

DOCTOR TYLER
Rex Robinson

PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL
Roy Purcell

MR. OLLIS
Laurie Webb

CHANCELLOR
Clyde Pollitt

TIME LORD
Graham Leaman

MRS. OLLIS
Patricia Prior

CORPORAL PALMER
Denys Palmer

Written by
Bob Baker and Dave Martin

Title Music
Ron Grainer and the
BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Incidental Music
Dudly Simpson

Special Sound
Dick Mills

Film Cameraman
John Baker

Film Sound
Bob Roberts

Film Editor
Jim Walker

Visual Effects Designer
Michaeljohn Harris

Costume Designer
Jim Acheson

Make Up
Ann Rayment

Lighting
Clive Thomas

Sound
Derrick Miller Timmins

Script Editor
Terrence Dicks

Designer
Roger Liminton

Producer
Barry Letts

Directed by
Lennie Mayne

COLOUR

© BBC 1973

 

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