Rate "Terror Of The Zygons"

Brigadier Alastair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart summons the Doctor, Sarah Jane and Harry Sullivan (IS AN IDIOT!) back to Earth from their galactic wanderings. In this case, it's to Scotland, where a number of north sea oil rigs have been attacked. UNIT has been called in to investigate, and the Doctor soon discovers that there is, in fact, something to the rumors about a Loch Ness monster. Indeed, it isn't a monster, its a Skarasen, a cybernetic reptile that's apparently been domesticated by the Zygons. Who are Zygons? Zygons are shape-shifting aliens intent on invading Earth, and they are using both their powers of impersonation and the Skarasen as part of gambit to soften the Earth up prior to invasion day.

So what did you think of the story which launched Season 13, and Sir Thomas of Baker's second year in the role?

All-time classic. So much to love, and the extra opening scene on the DVD release was a lovely addition.

What extra opening scene?

Where The Doctor, Sarah Jane and Harry arrive in Scotland, straight after the destruction of Charlie Rig.

It was deleted from the transmitted version, even though it ran short. B&W copy was found and recolourised for the DVD. It's a lovely scene and helps give setting and reason to the final scene.

I can't give this a full 5. It is a marvellous story, the Zygons were truly fascinating monsters, and I loved that they whispered as opposed to shouted. But that Skarasen was less than convincingly achieved, and the scenes where it was set loose on Parliament were just a bit difficult to accept. 4/5.