Doctor Who: Season 17
It consisted of five stories, plus the incomplete Shada, unfinished as a result of an industrial strike. Lalla Ward joined as Romana II, and the season is notable for the involvement of Douglas Adams in the writing department. This was the last season to use the traditional Delia Derbyshire "Doctor Who theme" arrangement.
Season 17 Lore Primer
Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.
- Directly follows the overarching narrative developments of Doctor Who Season 16.
- Faction dynamics and core character alliances shift under escalating external stakes.
- Crucial mysteries introduced previously reach key turning points and narrative reckonings.
- Sets up serialized story arcs that build directly toward the climactic season finale.
Season overview
It consisted of five stories, plus the incomplete Shada, unfinished as a result of an industrial strike. Lalla Ward joined as Romana II, and the season is notable for the involvement of Douglas Adams in the writing department. This was the last season to use the traditional Delia Derbyshire "Doctor Who theme" arrangement.
Episode Guide
Season 17 Progress Shield
Destiny of the Daleks (1)
Sep 1, 1979 · 25 min
Skaro, the Dalek homeworld, some time in the future. The TARDIS lands in the irradiated ruins of the old Kaled city and something is moving underneath the wasted surface of the pla
Destiny of the Daleks (2)
Sep 8, 1979 · 25 min
Romana has been captured by the Daleks, the Doctor is the guest of the Movellans. The Daleks are drilling deep into Skaro for something and the Doctor has an awful suspicion about
Destiny of the Daleks (3)
Sep 15, 1979 · 25 min
The Daleks have awoken Davros in the heart of Skaro. Only the Doctor and the Movellans stand between them and their objective. But are the Movellans really on the Doctor's side?
Destiny of the Daleks (4)
Sep 22, 1979 · 25 min
Trapped between the Movellans and the Daleks, the Doctor must find a way to defeat both. Meanwhile, vast space fleets await new orders.
City of Death (1)
Sep 29, 1979 · 25 min
Paris, 1979. The Doctor and Romana are here on holiday, but something is disturbing the flow of time. Could the time travel experiments of Count Scarlioni be to blame?
City of Death (2)
Oct 6, 1979 · 25 min
Captured by the Count, the Doctor and Romana uncover an elaborate plan to steal the Mona Lisa. But there is more to Scarlioni's plans than a simple theft.
City of Death (3)
Oct 13, 1979 · 25 min
The Doctor and Romana unwrap an intricate plot involving aliens, time travel and the Mona Lisa. How is Count Scarlioni living in two times at once? And what does he want?
City of Death (4)
Oct 20, 1979 · 25 min
Scaroth is determined to go back 400 million years in time to prevent a mistake. But the Doctor must stop him – because the consequences would be disastrous.
The Creature from the Pit (1)
Oct 27, 1979 · 25 min
The planet Chloris. Drawn here by a mysterious distress signal, the Doctor becomes the prisoner of the ruthless Adrasta. A strange and deadly pit awaits those who displease her.
The Creature from the Pit (2)
Nov 3, 1979 · 25 min
The Doctor is in a pit with a deadly creature. And Adrasta has plans for Romana and K-9.
The Creature from the Pit (3)
Nov 10, 1979 · 25 min
The Doctor has come face to face with a massive green creature. Adrasta goes into the mines to kill the monster. But everything is not as it appears…
The Creature from the Pit (4)
Nov 17, 1979 · 25 min
The truth about the creature is revealed. But its imprisonment may have already set in motion a terrible revenge.
Nightmare of Eden (1)
Nov 24, 1979 · 25 min
The orbit of the holiday planet, Azure, the year 2116. The starships Empress and Hecate are fused together after an accident in hyperspace. Naturally the Doctor thinks he can find
Nightmare of Eden (2)
Dec 1, 1979 · 25 min
Two ships have collided above Azure but that may be the least of the Doctor's problems. Monsters and drug smugglers are loose on the ship. And it all seems to tie in with Tryst's e
Nightmare of Eden (3)
Dec 8, 1979 · 25 min
The Doctor and Romana begin to uncover the truth about the strange events aboard the luxury liner Empress. They first have to separate the two ships from each other, but they've go
Nightmare of Eden (4)
Dec 15, 1979 · 25 min
The Doctor finally discovers the truth about the drug smuggling ring. But the villains are still one step ahead.
The Horns of Nimon (1)
Dec 22, 1979 · 25 min
Deep space, an unknown time. The TARDIS encounters a disabled Skonnon battlecruiser transporting Anethan 'tribute'. The co-pilot is determined to reach Skonnos at any cost.
The Horns of Nimon (2)
Dec 29, 1979 · 25 min
Having reached Skonnos, Romana is sent with the Anethians to face the deadly Nimon.
The Horns of Nimon (3)
Jan 5, 1980 · 25 min
The Doctor and Romana are trapped in the Nimon's lair. Is he really the last of his race? What are his real intentions toward Skonnos?
The Horns of Nimon (4)
Jan 12, 1980 · 25 min
Romana is trapped on a ruined planet. The Nimons are launching their invasion of Skonnos. Can the Doctor stop the 'Great Journey of Life' ?