For Peter Davison’s, showcase – 20th anniversary season. The producers and writers; wanted to bring back a number of classic monsters and villains.
However, rather than just go for a straight – Dalek or Cyberman return (who would be appearing in the The Five Doctors anyhow). The producer’s wanted to showcase, some less-featured monsters and villains.
They decided on resurrecting Omega, the Timelord anti-hero from The Three Doctors. The Black-and-White Guardians, from season 17’s – ‘Key To Time‘ story arc. The Master and more obscurely – the Mara from season 19’s surprise standout; Kinda.
Season 20 – was split into standalones; The Arc Infinity, Snakedance and The King’s Demons. The finale feature-length special; The Five Doctors and – the Black Guardian Trilogy.
The Guardian Trilogy, was 3-linked stories, Mawdryn Undead, Terminus and Enlightment. Featuring, an overriding plot-arc of the return of the White-and-Black Guardians; powerful god-like beings.
Originally, an episode called Song Of The Space Whale (by Pat Mills) was to be the opener but was abandoned, due to cost and the hastily written Mawdryn Undead (by Peter Grimwade) – replaced it.
Also, to feature – in Mawdryn Undead, was First Doctor companion; Ian Chesterton (William Russell) – who would feature – as a teacher but due to other commitments; was replaced by (the now retired UNIT Brigadier) Alistair Lethbridge-Stewart (Nicholas Courtney) – who had moved into teaching.
Mawdryn Undead, featured the interesting premise – of an immortal zombie-like alien race; the Mawdryn. Who wanted the power of regeneration and were prepared to kill the Doctor, to get it.
Also along for the ride, was an Earth school pupil of the Brigadier’s class; called Turlough. However, Turlough was really a Trionian alien – under the control of the Black Guardian, with a mission to sabotage the Tardis – and kill the Fifth Doctor.
The Black Guardian controls Turlough remotely – in ‘Mawdryn Undead’- 1983.
Mawdryn Undead featured the clever subplot of Tegan and Nyssa, believing that the Doctor had regenerated again but infact; it was Mawdryn impersonating the Doctor; to gain entry to the Tardis.
Terminus (written by Stephen Gallagher) was largely unconnected, save for the writing out – of companion Nyssa; from the show. After a promising start, Terminus fell into a rather insipid plot – of space plague and mercenaries.
The Barbara Clegg penned – Enlightment; got the trilogy back on track, with a spiritual number. Featuring, the non-corporeal ‘Eternals’; racing old-style Earth sailing ships – through space. The Doctor raced onto a final confrontation, with the Black Guardian.
The Black Guardian Trilogy, was a sequel of sorts, to season 17’s – Key To Time. In which, the Fourth Doctor was tasked to reassemble the Key To Time; by the White Guardian. But wisely, decided to scatter it, around the galaxy. To keep it out of the Black Guardian’s possession.
The Guardian Trilogy, benefitted from a nostalgic reappearance by the Brigadier, the tortured loyalties of Turlough – and a clearing of the companional ranks; with the offloading of Nyssa.
The Mawdryn, were interestingly conceived – and tragic purveyors of their own doom. For once, they were not here to invade Earth – they just wanted to die but needed to kill the Doctor – to help achieve that aim.
Terminus, was a non-event. That threatened to rob the Guardian Trilogy of it’s carefully built-up pacing. Thankfully, Enlightment picked proceedings up, again. With a mysterious and atmospheric – space-race thriller from the souless Eternals
And whilst all of the spotlight – in the 20th anniversary year, is usually given to the excellent The Five Doctors. Nonetheless, The Black Guardian Trilogy forms an interesting – mid-season story-arc and backbone – to season 20.
Mawdryn Undead, featured the interesting premise – of an immortal zombie-like alien race; the Mawdryn. Who wanted the power of regeneration and were prepared to kill the Doctor, to get it.
