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Doctor Who
S10.E9
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  • Cast & crew
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IMDbPro

Frontier in Space: Episode One

  • Episode aired Feb 24, 1973
  • TV-PG
  • 23m
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
620
YOUR RATING
Peter Birrel in Frontier in Space: Episode One (1973)
AdventureDramaFamilySci-Fi

The Doctor and Jo discover the Master and the Ogrons are the masterminds behind the galactic war between the Earth Federation and the Draconian Empire. The Master has framed the Doctor and J... Read allThe Doctor and Jo discover the Master and the Ogrons are the masterminds behind the galactic war between the Earth Federation and the Draconian Empire. The Master has framed the Doctor and Jo as spies working for the Draconians. But the Master is also working with the Doctor's gr... Read allThe Doctor and Jo discover the Master and the Ogrons are the masterminds behind the galactic war between the Earth Federation and the Draconian Empire. The Master has framed the Doctor and Jo as spies working for the Draconians. But the Master is also working with the Doctor's greatest enemies, the Daleks.

  • Director
    • Paul Bernard
  • Writers
    • Malcolm Hulke
    • Sydney Newman
    • Donald Wilson
  • Stars
    • Jon Pertwee
    • Katy Manning
    • Vera Fusek
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.4/10
    620
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Paul Bernard
    • Writers
      • Malcolm Hulke
      • Sydney Newman
      • Donald Wilson
    • Stars
      • Jon Pertwee
      • Katy Manning
      • Vera Fusek
    • 4User reviews
    • 3Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos3

    View Poster
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    Top cast16

    Edit
    Jon Pertwee
    Jon Pertwee
    • Dr. Who
    Katy Manning
    Katy Manning
    • Jo Grant
    Vera Fusek
    • President of Earth
    Michael Hawkins
    • General Williams
    Peter Birrel
    Peter Birrel
    • Draconian Prince
    Ray Lonnen
    Ray Lonnen
    • Gardiner
    Barry Ashton
    • Kemp
    John Rees
    • Hardy
    James Culliford
    • Stewart
    Louis Mahoney
    Louis Mahoney
    • Newscaster
    Roy Pattison
    • Draconian Space Pilot
    Karol Hagar
    • Secretary
    Andy Devine
    • Draconian
    • (uncredited)
    Pat Gorman
    Pat Gorman
    • Earth Guard
    • (uncredited)
    Terry Sartain
    • Earth Prison Guard
    • (uncredited)
    • …
    David Waterman
    • Earth Guard on Ogron Planet
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Paul Bernard
    • Writers
      • Malcolm Hulke
      • Sydney Newman
      • Donald Wilson
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews4

    7.4620
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    Featured reviews

    7lowpolygon

    Not as good as I remembered but definitly essential viewing

    The main aspect of the story I noticed is the ambition of it. In a way its like a mini Doctor Who Flux hopping around from place to place with an overarching story. The story mainly acts as a piece of world building where the doctor navigates a politically unstable landscape, trying to prevent a terrible war. The story is very noticeably cynical on authority whether its the facist leaning ideology of General Williams or the sexist traditions of the Draconian court. Because the serial spends a lot of the time in exploring the world it, does drag quite a bit. Jo Grant also barely gets anything to do and could easily be removed from the story without any impacts. Despite this Pertwee and Delgado are in top form and the final cliffhangers is probably one of the best in the shows history.
    8Sleepin_Dragon

    Strong start to one of Pertwee's best.

    I've often wondered if this was an attempt at recreating something along the lines of the Dalek Masterplan. Frontier in Space is a terrific story, but all events lead to the events on Spiradon.

    Part 1 is a great episode, I love the story, I love the ideas, and most of all, I love the Draconians, known for being Pertwee's favourite monster, they were terrific, a great design, with a personality and culture seldom seen. It amazes me that The Draconians have never returned in new Doctor Who, they were a real triumph of the Pertwee years.

    A very rich content, we learn that Earth and the nobles of Draconia are on the brink of war, but someone is obviously behind it. It's always good when The Doctor is separated from his TARDIS.

    Pertwee and Jo are delightful together, she had now become so resourceful.

    The news broadcast reminds me a bit of Masterplan also, we witnessed similar scenes.

    Why all the high collars, they must have been so uncomfortable to wear.

    Related interests

    Still frame
    Adventure
    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama
    Drew Barrymore and Pat Welsh in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
    Family
    James Earl Jones and David Prowse in Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
    Sci-Fi

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Jon Pertwee said that the Draconians were his favourite aliens in Doctor Who (1963).
    • Goofs
      During the first attack on the cargo ship, a Draconian is on the video screen. If the hypnotic sound does not work on the Doctor, he should see an Ogron instead of a Draconian.
    • Quotes

      Draconian Emperor: An emperor who does not rule deposes himself.

    • Connections
      Featured in The Space War: Remembering 'Frontier in Space' (2009)

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 24, 1973 (United Kingdom)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Official site
      • BBC (United Kingdom)
    • Language
      • English
    • Filming locations
      • BBC Television Centre, Wood Lane, Shepherd's Bush, London, England, UK(Studio)
    • Production company
      • British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 23m
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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