Doctor Who: 10 Times The Earth Was Invaded

6. The Year That Never Was (Last Of The Time Lords)

Dr Who Dalek Invasion Earth
BBC

Similarly, when the Master invaded the Earth, he used hypnotism and manipulation to create an alternate timeline to oppress the planet. Turning the TARDIS into a paradox machine, the Master brought an army of future-humans known as 'The Toclafane' to Earth, and ordered them to decimate one-tenth of the population. Subjecting humanity to many atrocities, the Master planned to arm the Earth and use it as his base for conquering the universe.

For a whole year, companion Martha Jones travelled the world, supposedly building a weapon which could kill the Master. In fact, she was spreading a message of the Doctor, who had been imprisoned and aged by his nemesis. Using the Master's hypnotic Archangel network, Martha's message resonated throughout the Earth. With the power of prayer, and everyone on Earth thinking about the Doctor at the same time, he was rejuvenated to stop the Master.

Breaking the Paradox Machine, the Doctor reversed the timeline meaning that this year ceased to exist. Only those who had been near the TARDIS remembered its events, and it became known as 'the year that never was'. Now with the Master defeated, the Doctor planned to reconcile and rehabilitate him. This idea was cut short, however, when the Master's wife shot him. Refusing to regenerate simply to spite the Doctor, the Master died in his arms.

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Eden Luke McIntyre is a Scottish writer, editor and script consultant, with an MA in TV Fiction Writing. He writes content for TV, radio, stage, and online, and was appointed as a BBC Writers Room Scottish Voice in early 2020. Eden can usually be found rambling about Doctor Who, The Beatles, and obscure things that no one cares about.