Humans first detected the planetMondas returning to the solar system. It apparently was in orbit between Mars and Venus. The manned atmospheric probe Zeus IV was destroyed by the planet's Cyberman inhabitants and they launched an attack on Earth, starting with the Snowcap base in Antarctica. They planned to use a Z-bomb located there to destroy Earth as one of the two worlds needed to be destroyed to save the other. When they failed, Mondas was destroyed instead. Present for these events was the First Doctor and while the Cybermen were defeated, the strain of the conflict led to his subsequent regeneration from his first incarnation into his second. (TV: The Tenth Planet)
31 - Twenty years after they helped the First Doctor prevent the return of Mondas in the then-future year of 1986 in their personal timelines, Ben Jackson and Polly Wright - who had gone their separate ways in life following a brief relationship after their return to Earth on 20 July1966 - reunited on New Year's Eve in 1986, which was by then their present. Ben believed that numerous governments may have covered up the return of Mondas and the Cybermen invasion of the Snowcap. (PROSE: Mondas Passing)
15 - PROSE: Turlough and the Earthlink Dilemma was first published. Turlough and the Earthlink Dilemma was the first release of a planned spin-off series of original novels called "The Companions of Doctor Who". As such, this book was the first original novel based upon characters from the TV series (discounting shorter works released in annuals).
Around the time of Holmes' death, Eric Saward resigned as script editor due to a disagreement with John Nathan-Turner over Saward and Holmes' plans for the final part of the Trial story arc; Nathan-Turner commissioned Pip and Jane Baker to write the final chapter.
Severn House launched Make Your Own Adventure with Doctor Who, a series of "interactive" books in which readers made decisions every few pages that directed the storyline. The first two books published were Search for the Doctor and Crisis in Space. Later in the year, US publisher Ballantine reissued the books (in different order) under its Find Your Fate line.
14 - Production concluded on the fourteen-part TV: The Trial of a Time Lord. Unknown to most at the time, this concluded Colin Baker's involvement with the series.
Marvel Comics in the United States published the 23rd and final issue of Doctor Who, a monthly series of reprints of comic strips and other material from Doctor Who Magazine. Discounting distribution of imported works from the UK published by Marvel UK and, later, Panini, the next Doctor Who comics published specifically for the American market did not appear until IDW Publishing began its own series of DWM reprints and original works in 2007.
06 - TV: The Mysterious Planet Part 1 (aka The Trial of a Time Lord Part 1) was first broadcast, launching the belated Season 23. The series returned to its original twenty-five-minute eipsode format and the number of episodes per season was increased from thirteen to fourteen. However, given the actual episode length reverted back to twenty-five minutes, this resulted in a considerably shortened season compared to the 1984 and previous seasons. The Trial of a Time Lord, although not the first season to consist of a single story arc (see The Key to Time), was the first time only one on-screen title was used for an entire season, although the fanbase and producers divided the tale into four stories. A new arrangement of the theme music, by Dominic Glynn, was introduced. Lynda Bellingham, as the Inquisitor, and Michael Jayston, as the Valeyard, were introduced and became regulars for this season. Sabalom Glitz was introduced. This was the first fall debut for a new season of Doctor Who since 1980.
11 - PROSE: Harry Sullivan's War was first published. This was the second of three released under the Companions of Doctor Who spin-off line. It was written by Ian Marter, who had portrayed Harry Sullivan in the TV series more than a decade earlier. Marter died a few weeks later, making this the final book released (but not the final book written) in his lifetime.
According to The Television Companion by Howe and Walker, at some point this month, Colin Baker was informed that his contract to play the Doctor was not being renewed.
06 - Around this time, BBC Controller Michael Grade approached the originator of Doctor Who, Sydney Newman, for ideas on how to revvitalise Doctor Who. In a letter dated 6th October, Newman provided some ideas and suggested he be brought on board as executive producer of the series. He also attempted to be credited as the show's creator. Subsequent meetings, however, failed to result in Newman's return to direct involvement in the series.
28 - Actor and writer Ian Marter died from a diabetes-related heart attack in London on his 42nd birthday. He left behind several Target manuscripts which were published posthumously over the next couple of years.
06 - TV: The Ultimate Foe Part 2 (aka The Trial of a Time Lord Part 14) was first broadcast, concluding Season 23. Although not widely known at the time, this was Colin Baker's final appearance in the series. This also marked the final use of Dominic Glynn's short-lived theme arrangement and the neon-tubing series logo that had been in place (with adjustments upon Baker's arrival) since 1980. Lynda Bellingham and Michael Jayston, having spent the full season as regular cast members, took their leave.
The BBC announced that Colin Baker would not be returning as the Doctor in the next series.
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