Doctor Who: The Trial of a Time Lord
This season had a unique format, never again repeated in the show. Doctor Who had returned to production after a near-cancellation and an eighteen-month production hiatus. For the first time, a season consisted of a single story, The Trial of a Time Lord, although this was made up of four serials from a production perspective: each serial was written by a different person (save for The Mysterious Planet and the first
Season 23 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 22.
- 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
This season had a unique format, never again repeated in the show. Doctor Who had returned to production after a near-cancellation and an eighteen-month production hiatus. For the first time, a season consisted of a single story, The Trial of a Time Lord, although this was made up of four serials from a production perspective: each serial was written by a different person (save for The Mysterious Planet and the first part of The Ultimate Foe, both of which were written by Robert Holmes) and featured a different story presented as evidence, excluding the final two episodes which concluded the ongoing story of the trial; the trial storyline itself acted as a framing device to bracket the first three serials. As a result, whether The Trial of a Time Lord should be considered one story or four has been intensely debated. This single-story format, sometimes referred to as a "miniseries", would later be utilised for the third and fourth series of Torchwood.
Episode Guide
Season 23 Progress Shield
The Trial of a Time Lord: Part 1
Sep 6, 1986 · 26 min
The Doctor is taken 'out of time' by the Time Lords and made to face an inquiry into his meddling in the affairs of others, overseen by the Inquisitor. The prosecutor, the Valeyard
The Trial of a Time Lord: Part 2
Sep 13, 1986 · 25 min
The Doctor has an appointment with the Immortal, while Peri finds herself caught up with Glitz and the Tribe of the Free. Meanwhile, Merdeen begins to question all he believes.
The Trial of a Time Lord: Part 3
Sep 20, 1986 · 25 min
The Doctor escapes to rejoin Peri on the surface but shortly after becomes the prisoner of a surface-dwelling tribe called The Free. Ravalox isn't Ravalox after all, but before the
The Trial of a Time Lord: Part 4
Sep 27, 1986 · 25 min
All those on Ravolox are in exponentially greater peril than anyone can comprehend. If anything in the entire universe is to survive, it may come down to the Doctor arguing against
The Trial of a Time Lord: Part 5
Oct 4, 1986 · 25 min
The Doctor's trial continues. The Valeyard's next piece of evidence for the prosecution concerns the Doctor's recent trip to Thoros Beta. Though originally investigating arms deali
The Trial of a Time Lord: Part 6
Oct 11, 1986 · 25 min
The scientist Crozier keeps making empty promises and Yrcanos and Peri are seemingly betrayed by the addled Doctor who is sure the Matrix is being manipulated...
The Trial of a Time Lord: Part 7
Oct 18, 1986 · 25 min
While the Doctor helps Dr. Crozier transfer Lord Kiv's brain into a new host skull, Peri accompanies King Yrcanos as he searches for the Alpha Resistance fighters whom he feels, mo
The Trial of a Time Lord: Part 8
Oct 25, 1986 · 25 min
As the Possidor Ambassador visits, Sil is appalled to realise Crozier has selected Peri to be the Kiv's new host body - a move Yrcanos takes exception to with devastating results.
The Trial of a Time Lord: Part 9
Nov 1, 1986 · 25 min
With the prosecution case concluded, at last the Doctor is able to present his evidence. It takes place in the future with a new companion and new problems.
The Trial of a Time Lord: Part 10
Nov 8, 1986 · 25 min
As the Hyperion III continues its journey, more mysterious deaths occur.
The Trial of a Time Lord: Part 11
Nov 15, 1986 · 25 min
A course change that takes the Hyperion III closer to a black hole could prove unwise when there are so many aboard ship with hidden agendas. Disappearances continue, a murderer re
The Trial of a Time Lord: Part 12
Nov 22, 1986 · 25 min
With factions vying for control of the ship, the Vervoids are found to be responsible for the many disappearances. Only the Doctor sees the fundamental but missed point as to why t
The Trial of a Time Lord: Part 13
Nov 29, 1986 · 25 min
The Valeyard's true identity is revealed and the trial aborted, but the Doctor and Mel must pursue his new enemy into the Matrix itself, where nothing is quite what it seems…
The Trial of a Time Lord: Part 14
Dec 6, 1986 · 30 min
The final part of this epic adventure. The Doctor and the Valeyard have entered the world of the Matrix. Can the Doctor defeat the evil incarnation of himself?