Doctor Who: Vengeance on Varos (1985)

Scripted by Philip Martin and directed by Ron Jones, "Vengeance on Varos" is story number two of Doctor Who's twenty-second season (Colin Baker's first full season as the Doctor). "Vengeance" was originally broadcast in the UK in January 1985. This story is rooted in a number of influences raging from George Orwell's 1984 to Stephen King's The Running Man, from Flash Gordon to THX 1138.

The Doctor and Peri are forced to land on Varos as the Doctor's TARDIS is in need of repairs that require the use of Zeiton-7, an ore which can only be found on Varos, a former penal colony where torture and execution are broadcast to the public as entertainment. The planet and its Zeiton are being exploited by the Galatron Mining Corporation, represented by a repulsive, slug-like being called Sil played by Nabil Shaban. Shaban truly makes a delightful villain as Sil, who controls the leaders of Varos including the planet's governor (Martin Jarvis). The Sil character would make a return the following season during the "Mindwarp" segment (episodes five through eight) of the 14-part epic "The Trial of a Time Lord," played once again by Nabil Shaban.

Jason Connery (son of former 007 Sean Connery) puts in a nice supporting appearance as the rebel leader Jondar, with Geraldine Alexander as his girlfriend Areta. Stephen Yardley and Sheila Reid also shine as Arak and Etta. The strong supporting cast for this story also includes Nicholas Chagrin as Quillam, Owen Teale as Maldak and Forbes Collins as the Chief Officer.

Colin Baker, Nicola Bryant (Peri) and Nabil Shaban join together on the DVD commentary track. Other extras include BBC trailers, pop-up production notes, outtakes and deleted scenes as well as a behind the scenes featurette. Altogether, "Vengeance on Varos" is one of the stronger stories of the short-lived Sixth Doctor era largely due to its great supporting cast as well as Philip Martin's writing.

Other Doctor Who releases on DVD you might be interested in:

The Mark of the Rani

Doctor Who: The Complete Series One (Season One of the New DW series)

Revelation of the Daleks

Earthshock

The Key to Time Collection