The first of a two-part thriller, ‘The Zygon Invasion’ brought Doctor Who’s most famous shape changers back to our screens.

Despite their fearsome reputation, this is only their third proper appearance in the show, although they have been active in spin-off media, such as 2014’s audio tale ‘Zygon Hunt’ and the novel ‘Sting of the Zygons’.

> Buy Season 9 on DVD on Amazon.

> Buy Season 9 on Blu-ray on Amazon.

While we wait for ‘The Zygon Inversion’ this weekend, here are a few recommendations for further viewing…

 

‘The Day of the Doctor’ (2013)

This week’s tale picked up directly on the events of the show’s 50th Anniversary tale, where we left the shape-changers and their UNIT counterparts working out the details of the truce which would allow Zygons to settle on Earth.

As well as bringing us the story of John Hurt’s War Doctor, the story also resolved the programme’s long standing Time War backstory and gave the Doctor a new purpose. It also introduced Ingrid Olivier’s fan-pleasing UNIT scientist Osgood.

To be honest, any excuse to go back and watch ‘The Day of the Doctor’ is fine by us!

 

‘Dark Water’ / ‘Death in Heaven’ (2014)

Of course, Doctor cosplayer Osgood appeared to meet her fate at the hands of Missy during Season 8’s finale, and the implications of that death have informed the current story.

We also saw the Doctor installed as the President of the World and UNIT neutralised by cyber-zombies, as well as the final salute from an old friend.

 

‘Terror of the Zygons’ (1975)

Stepping back a few decades, “The Zygon gambit with the Loch Ness Monster” (as the Doctor once described it) was the story where these shape changing creatures were first introduced. Set in the Scottish highlands, we found their leader Broton using a Skarasen cyborg to attack oil rigs.

A terrific UNIT tale, it was the last of its kind with the final 70’s appearance for the Brigadier and the end of Harry Sullivan’s regular travels with the Doctor and Sarah.

 

Continued on next page…