“Mission to the Unknown” is the second serial of the third season of the British science fiction television series Doctor Who. The single episode was broadcast on BBC1 on 9 October 1965.
The only standalone regular episode of the show’s original run, it serves as an introduction to the 12-part story “The Daleks’ Master Plan.” It is notable for the complete absence of the regular cast and the TARDIS; it is the only serial in the show’s history not to feature the Doctor at all.
On the planet Kembel, Marc Cory (Edward de Souza) and Gordon Lowery (Jeremy Young) of UN Deep Space Force Group 1 are attempting to repair their spaceship to reach their rendezvous when they are attacked by the third crew member, Jeff Garvey (Barry Jackson), who was in a violent state of mind upon waking up in the jungle.
Cory shoots Garvey dead when he was about to fire at Lowery. Bringing Lowery into the spaceship for debriefing, Cory explains himself to be a Space Security agent assigned to investigate a possible Dalek base for universal invasion with the presence of a Varga plant confirming their presence.
Outside, Garvey’s body mutates into a Varga. At the Daleks’ base, the Dalek Supreme is informed that representatives from seven planets will soon arrive, and sends a Dalek platoon to destroy Cory and Lowery.
Cory stands guard against the slow-moving Varga plants while Lowery finishes building a rescue beacon. They notice a spaceship flying above them, Cory deducing the Daleks are planning something big. As Lowery was about to record a message, Cory notices something moving in the jungle.
Lowery and Cory flee as the Dalek platoon arrives and destroys their ship. In the Dalek base, the representatives from the seven galaxies have gathered in a conference room. The Dalek Supreme assures representative Malpha (Robert Cartland) that the human intruders will be dealt with.
Cory is forced to kill Lowery upon discovering he became infected by a Varga plant and records a message, only to be surrounded by the Daleks and exterminated. At the Dalek base, the representatives approve an alliance, agreeing with the Daleks’ plan to take over the Solar System.
- Episode 1: Mission to the Unknown
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To view the list of other Doctor Who serials, please click this link
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