Doctor Who (1963) s09e20 Episode Script

The Mutants, Part Six

Well, how long's the Marshal going to keep us down here? Who knows? Don't suppose he's worried.
Wait a minute - refuelling! Well, what is it? The shuttle! What do you mean? They'll need to refuel "Hyperion" - the Investigator's shuttle.
They should be putting a probe out any minute now.
Then live thaesium will start flooding through there! We'll all be done for! How much longer am I supposed to run Skybase with my entire crew suspended from duty? I refuse to be treated like a like a Criminal? I'm warning you, Doctor.
My apologies, Marshal.
And who is this? Er, it's the Doctor, as I am sure you know.
Your scientific advisor? Well, surely you know one another? Should we? Perhaps I can explain? Perhaps you can in due course.
I've read your report, Marshal.
And I should like to begin this enquiry, if I may, by discussing certain matters arising from it.
You have been accused of some very serious crimes, Marshal.
Well? Well, Investigator, I'm sure you're aware that all Colony Commanders are faced with accusations of this kind.
Some, Marshal.
Occasionally, the accusations are justified.
That is why I'm here.
Oh, of course, of course.
Of course you are.
You see, Solos has been beset in recent months with problems.
I mean, an upsurge of nationalism, outbreak of plague, constant and growing attacks and sabotage, culminating in the assassination of the Administrator by terrorists on the eve of independence.
It was at this point that I decided to impose martial law.
I see.
How severe was this martial law? Oh, rounding up of political suspects There's no report here of any trial being held.
Oh, ho, the prisoners were allowed to escape.
By, er, Stubbs and Cotton? Er, yes.
Now deceased? Yes.
I see.
Continue.
I then took personal control of the operation and tracked these terrorists to their hideout in a disused mine area.
Er, these would be thaesium mines? Correct, correct, yeah I ordered the area to be cordoned off and the exits blown up.
And the natives inside? Oh, they were Mutts.
Mutts? He he means they were all plague victims.
They use the cave as a refuge.
Yes, the terrorists took advantage of their unfortunate compatriots.
I had no alternative.
And presumably thousands died as a result of your actions? Unfortunately, but their condition was incurable.
I couldn't allow this risk of the plague spreading.
"Mutts" you say? Yes, er, "Mutant Natives", sir.
It's a local term.
Medically speaking "Accelerated genetic metamorphosis".
I see.
You are a Doctor, I take it? I am, yes.
Er, qualified in? Practically everything.
Ah.
Well, Doctor, do you agree with the Marshal's diagnosis that the condition of these "Mutts" was incurable? Yes, sir.
Yes, I would.
Look, the walls! Not long now.
Now sure you've got is straight, Miss? Any minute now, "Hyperion"'s fuel probe will come through there.
That's how we get out - okay? Yeah.
If we don't get out soon, it'll be too late.
Stand back! This is it then.
Get inside, Miss.
Inside? Fast as you can - move! Ky! Come here! Ky! _.
You understand? Do you realise "Hyperion"'s started refuelling? Well? Your prisoners are in the fuel lock.
If they caught in the thaesium stream? Then they'll be totally destroyed.
Convenient, isn't it? Professor Jaeger, the committee will hear you now.
Up there - quick! Alright.
Right.
Where are all the guards? Worry about that later.
Come on.
Nevertheless, Professor, you were involved in experiments to change this planet's natural atmosphere? In the laboratory - yes.
The accusation is that you mounted a massive operation to convert the atmosphere to one breathable by humans, but not by the native population.
Nonsense.
And further, that these experiments were the root cause of the outbreak of mutations.
Well? I'm a scientist And I rest my case on scientific proof only.
Your scientists have made their own tests.
The atmosphere of Solos is exactly as it always was.
As for the "Mutts" Er, as for the mutants, I regret that so far, we have found no solution to the problem.
Thank you, Professor, that will be all.
Well, gentleman, we have heard the evidence.
In the absence of evidence to the contrary I have no alternative but to exonerate you from blame _ just let me pass _! and to declare this preliminary hearing closed.
Stop them! Stop them! What is going on here?! Who are these people?! Investigator! These are the missing witnesses.
Jo, er, Miss Grant here, is my assistant, kept hostage Lies, all lies! Kept hostage to ensure my cooperation in this travesty of justice! Investigator, I accuse that man and that man of the most brutal and callous series of crimes against a defenceless people, it's ever been my misfortune to encounter! You see? There is nothing to fear.
Look, I cannot help you until I find the Doctor.
Oh, very well.
I shall go alone, and you will stay as you are now - forever.
You destroyed these poor people for no reason at all.
They would have died anyway! Not died, Marshal - changed.
It was my duty! My duty to save Solos from contamination! Duty?! Your idea of duty was to keep this planet for yourself! They're mutants! Mutts! They're diseased! To be wiped off the face of the planet! I! Need I say more, Investigator? Can you prove your assertion, Doctor? Perhaps we could see these tablets you mention? Yes, yes, of course.
Well? Er, no, I'm sorry, sir.
Er, I I forgot.
The tablets are in the care of Professor Sondergaard.
Ah yes, you mentioned him in your report.
Where is Professor Sondergaard now? I'm not sure, sir.
Somewhere on the surface of Solos, I believe.
I see.
And your other proofs the mutations are not harmful? Well, I can only reassure you that He can prove nothing! As I say, I can assure you, sir, that conclusive evidence does exist.
Where? Where is your proof? This present mutation is one of a series of adaptive changes, sir.
Solos is moving out of spring into summer, and that is why the Solonians are changing.
What is the meaning of this interruption?! Who is this man?! This, sir, this is Professor Sondergaard, who's worked and lived on Solos for many years! He can tell you better than I what the Marshal's been doing there! Doctor, I don't understand.
What's happening here? Don't worry, Professor.
We're holding a much needed investigation.
Thank heavens you've arrived just in time to tell the investigator of our discoveries.
Oh, yes.
Of course! And I'm sure the Doctor will have told you of our work in the cave.
And he will also have told you that we now realise what's made so many of these mutations to go wrong.
Wrong? But the Doctor has said it was a natural process.
Why wrong? Well, you see There you see? Even Sondergaard admits it - the mutants are evil! Must be destroyed! I beg not to listen to this man! The mutants are not monsters.
They are the native life form of this planet, undergoing a a natural and inevitable change.
This change, however, has been brought about prematurely By that man's rash and careless experiments! That's a lie! Where's your evidence? Mutts! No! There's nothing to be afraid of! The mutants are not dangerous unless you try to harm them! They're evil! Don't deserve to live! That is a rational and intelligent creature! To kill it would be murder! Destroy it or we'll all be killed! No! There! You see what I have to deal with? All these creatures may attack us.
I want my men released at once - now! And your men placed under my command! Release the Marshal's men.
Obey his orders during this emergency.
You others follow me.
They've gone.
What?! Who? The Doctor, his assistant, Sondergaard - these two weren't quick enough.
Right, after them to the laboratory! Seal all exits! Take these two to the radiation chamber! But what about the radiation level? After refuelling, it'll be much higher.
That's their problem, isn't it? Take them away! Jo, take this key - lock the door.
Right.
Doctor, the crystal - the one you found in the cave - you have it still? Yes, yes, of course.
Yes.
Now, all we've gotta do is analyse its structure.
But that will take hours.
Yes, well we haven't got hours.
But we do have this.
And it will help me to accelerate the process, I think.
Well quickly, Doctor! I'm being as quick as I can, Jo.
Yes, of course! Of course! The crystal acts as a bio-catalytic agent.
Sondergaard, take this crystal to Ky immediately.
But what about the thaesium radiation? Surely that's the vital part of the process? Well, there's thaesium radiation in the chamber where they took us - Cotton told me.
Well, what else can we do? We must try it.
If we hope to achieve a successful mutation, that is.
Get away from that machine, Doctor! Guards, take that girl and Sondergaard to the radiation chamber.
So? You've managed to wriggle out of trouble, have you? I am once more in full control of Skybase, Doctor.
A fact you would do well to remember.
Congratulations.
Well, what do you want now? An Earth-type atmosphere on Solos - nothing more, nothing less.
Your friends will be confined to the radiation chamber while you work.
I am afraid the radiation is at a dangerously high level at the moment, so you'd better hurry, Doctor.
I'm afraid Ky's just about had it, Miss.
How long has he been like this? It started as soon as we got in here.
The first dose didn't do him any good.
Now this lot on top.
The first d? Oh yes, you were confined here before, weren't you? Well, we'll have to hurry.
We may already be too late.
Now what? We wait.
We can't wait too long.
Ky! No, no, leave him! Look! He's changing! Watch him, Jaeger.
That's about all you're good for.
So watch him like a hawk.
Marshal! Investigator.
Why have my men been disarmed and confined to their quarters? What is this nonsense about my ship not being allowed to leave Skybase? Oh, no nonsense, Investigator.
I'm sure you and your crew will enjoy your stay on Solos.
Solos? Yes, as soon as our good friend, the Doctor, here has finished his twiddling, Solos will find itself with a new atmosphere.
You and the others will be the first settlers on New Earth.
And you, Marshal? I shall rule from Skybase.
You will never be allowed! Oh, come now! You didn't think I'd let you return to Earth Council? An accident will be reported - "lost with all hands" I believe is the phrase.
Other ships will come from Earth! Oh, they'll be room for them.
You should be grateful to help me.
We'll begin a new Earth - the centre of a new empire.
It's alright, Investigator.
He's quite mad.
Oh no, Doctor.
I told you: madmen lose, I've won - Solos is mine.
Have you finished your work? Almost.
And my companions? Will be released as soon as the job is done.
Why is he drawing all the radiation? I don't know, my child.
We can only watch and hope.
It worked! Thank heavens it worked! Worked? Ky? Ky, can you hear me? I hear you.
It's thought transference - that's wonderful! Wonderful! Yeah, marvellous.
But can he get us out? There is little I cannot do now.
Ky thanks you, Professor Sondergaard.
You have saved my people.
You have shown the way.
Goodbye.
Ky! Goodbye? Great innit? He just flashes off and leaves us here! Out, quickly! Help Miss Grant! Are we ready? Yes.
Very well.
You do realise, Marshal, that you're about to destroy a life form unique in the history of the universe? Hurry, Doctor, hurry.
As you wish.
Wait! Change of heart, Marshal? I still don't trust you.
Jaeger? Jaeger! Stop it! I can't! It's overloading! Right - out! Doctor! You have destroyed my dreams! I'll destroy you! Die, Marshal! Let there be an end to your torture of my people! I thank you, Doctor - for all my people.
Goodbye.
Well, Professor Songergaard has agreed to stay on Solos and see as many of the Solonians as possible through to the stage that Ky has already achieved.
But what about the others - the mutants we saw in the caves? They were premature mutations, Jo.
The cycle of changes was triggered off too soon.
Rather like butterflies that hatch out on a cold spring day.
Their instincts were too confused to seek out and use the crystal.
And now you think you'll be able to help them? Oh yes, we think so.
Ky is on Solos now and, with the crystal, we hope we can save them.
And what are you going to do, Cotton? Give Ky and Professor Sondergaard all the help I can.
Try and clear up some of the mess the Marshal made.
Then, do something we should have all done a long time ago.
What's that? Go home, Miss.
Back to Earth.
Exactly.
Cotton, you will assume acting command of this base, pending its return to Earth.
Sir.
I take it you will be returning in "Hyperion" with me? I still require a full account of your involvement in this affair.
Yes, yes, of course, but I I wonder whether you you'd excuse us for the moment, Investigator? My assistant is feeling rather faint.
Who, me? No, I'm fine now, honestly.
I didn't feel too good earlier, but Yeah, Jo, now you have been rather overdoing it, you know, and you don't look too well.
I have? Really? Come on, yeah.
Will you excuse us? We'll we'll see you all - later.
Doctor who, did you say? Well, here we are.
Where? Well, the storage area where we left the TARDIS.
Oh! Oh, no.
They've locked it again.
More breaking and entering? Give me that! Oh well, back to the broom cupboard.
Yes, well, at least we've made a clean sweep of this place! No? Attention! Attention! Computer confirms malfunction in storage area four.
Investigate, please.
Investigate, please.

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