"The Dalek Masterplan" was the longest of the early Doctor Who adventures, running a full 12 episodes and beginning on November 13, 1965. In the first episode, "The Nightmare Begins," the Doctor (William Hartnell) and his companions act upon evidence gleaned by Special Agent Marc Cory in the previous episode "Mission to the Unknown," that the dreaded Daleks intend to utilize their own doomsday weapon, the Time Destructor. Accompanied by Cory's colleague Bret Vyon (Nicholas Courtney), the crew of the TARDIS blasts off to thwart the Dalek's plans. The vessel crash-lands in the jungles of Kembel, where the Doctor, seeking help for the ailing Steven (Peter Purves), runs into a gaggle of old enemies. Among the guest performers in this story arc is future Upstairs Downstairs regular Jean Marsh as Sara Kingdom. Written by Terry Nation, "The Nightmare Begins" is one of ten episodes of "The Dalek Masterplan" that have apparently vanished from the earth.
by Hal Erickson
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