The Trial of a Time Lord is a fourteen-part British science fiction serial of the long running BBC series Doctor Who. The serial, produced as the twenty-third season of the Doctor Who television series, aired in weekly episodes from 6 September to 6 December 1986. It is divided into four distinct chapters which, though not named on-screen, were given titles by the production staff.

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  • The Trial of a Time Lord is a fourteen-part British science fiction serial of the long running BBC series Doctor Who. The serial, produced as the twenty-third season of the Doctor Who television series, aired in weekly episodes from 6 September to 6 December 1986. It is divided into four distinct chapters which, though not named on-screen, were given titles by the production staff. In the serial, the Sixth Doctor is tried by the High Council of Time Lords for breaking several of the laws of Gallifrey, the Time Lords' home world, including interference with outside worlds and genocide. A mysterious character called the Valeyard acts as prosecutor. In the first two chapters, The Mysterious Planet and Mindwarp, events from the Doctor's past and present are submitted as evidence of his guilt. The third chapter, Terror of the Vervoids, presents future events in the Doctor's defence. In The Ultimate Foe, the final chapter, the Doctor's trial is halted, and the Doctor confronts the Valeyard and his old rival, the Master, in order to clear his name and to save the High Council. The Trial of a Time Lord features the last on-screen performances of Colin Baker in the lead role of the Sixth Doctor, and Nicola Bryant in the role of companion Perpugilliam "Peri" Brown (Mindwarp). Bryant's replacement as companion was Bonnie Langford, introduced in the new role of companion Melanie Bush in Terror of the Vervoids. The serial also features several notable guest stars: Michael Jayston as the Valeyard; Lynda Bellingham as the Inquisitor; Joan Sims as Katryca; Tony Selby as Sabalom Glitz; Brian Blessed as King Yrcanos; Nabil Shaban as Sil; Christopher Ryan as Kiv; Honor Blackman as Professor Lasky; and Anthony Ainley as the Master. The idea for the serial stemmed from several production changes to Doctor Who, such as reduced screen time for the season and a request from BBC controller Michael Grade that the series contain less violence and more humour. Several problems occurred during production, including the death of scriptwriter Robert Holmes, and the resignation of script editor Eric Saward. Public reaction to the serial was mixed; while its viewing share was lower than the previous season, its average Audience Appreciation Index was higher.
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  • Cover of the 2008 Region 2 DVD release.
    Left to right: The Inquisitor , the Doctor , and the Valeyard
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  • 29 September 2008
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  • 6 September 1986
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  • 6 December 1986
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  • The Trial of a Time Lord
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  • The Trial of a Time Lord
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  • The Trial of a Time Lord is a fourteen-part British science fiction serial of the long running BBC series Doctor Who. The serial, produced as the twenty-third season of the Doctor Who television series, aired in weekly episodes from 6 September to 6 December 1986. It is divided into four distinct chapters which, though not named on-screen, were given titles by the production staff.
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  • The Trial of a Time Lord
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