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In the conclusion of the four-part story arc "An Unearthly Child," Doctor Who (William Hartnell) and his companions, Ian and Barbara (William Russell, Jacqueline Hill), are still stranded in the era of the Great Cold some 100,000 years ago. Having managed to escape both the Cave of Skulls and the Forest of Fear, the Doctor and his companions are unable to elude their pursuers, a hostile cave-dwelling tribe. The only hope for salvation lies in the Doctor's ability to create fire and to show the tribesmen how to do the same -- but how to accomplish this, with next to no materials at hand? Originally telecast on December 14, 1963, "The Firemaker" was written by Anthony Coburn. Subsequently, the entire "An Unearthly Child" saga (also known as "The Tribe of Gum" and "100,000 BC") was novelized by Terrance Dicks.