Mindwarp

143b – The Trial of a Time Lord: Mindwarp
Doctor Who serial
Lord Kiv awakes in Peri's body.
Cast
Doctor Colin Baker (Sixth Doctor)
Companion Nicola Bryant (Peri Brown)
Others Lynda Bellingham — The Inquisitor Michael Jayston — The Valeyard Brian Blessed — King Yrcanos Nabil Shaban — Sil Christopher Ryan — Kiv Patrick Ryecart — Crozier Thomas Branch — The Lukoser/Dorff Gordon Warnecke — Tuza Alibe Parsons — Matrona Kani Trevor Laird — Frax Richard Henry — Mentor
Production
Directed by	Ron Jones
Written by	Philip Martin
Script editor	Eric Saward
Produced by	John Nathan-Turner
Executive producer(s)	None
Incidental music composer	Richard Hartley
Production code	7B
Series	Season 23
Length	4 episodes, 25 minutes each
Originally broadcast	4 October–25 October 1986
Chronology
← Preceded by Followed by → The Trial of a Time Lord: The Mysterious Planet The Trial of a Time Lord: Terror of the Vervoids

Mindwarp

Author	Philip Martin
Cover artist	Alister Pearson
Series	Doctor Who book: Target novelisations
Release number	139
Publisher	Target Books
Publication date	15 June 1989
ISBN

Mindwarp is the second serial of the 23rd season in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, which was first broadcast in four weekly parts from 4 October to 25 October 1986. It is part of the larger narrative known as The Trial of a Time Lord, encompassing the whole of the 23rd season. The title Mindwarp is not used on screen and appears only on the serial's scripts with the four episodes that comprise the story being transmitted as The Trial of a Time Lord Parts Five to Eight. This story marks the final appearance of Nicola Bryant as Peri Brown.

As with the other serials from Season 23, Mindwarp's present is the trial of the Doctor by the Valeyard, accusing him of meddling in other species' affairs, in a way unbecoming of a Time Lord. The Valeyard provides evidence to the Inquisitor and presiding through a screen linked to the Matrix, showing the details of the Doctor's actions on the planet Thoros Beta. The bulk of the episode centres on recorded narrative.

As shown by the video, the Doctor and Peri arrive on Thoros Beta, the Doctor's curiosity piqued on the availability of advanced weaponry by the Warlords of Thordon. As they explore a cave system, the Doctor discovers Sil, an arms dealer for the Mentors that are supplying the weapons. Exploring further, they find that the scientist Crozier in Sil's employ is attempting to perfect the ability to transplant the brilliant mind of Kiv, Sil's superior, into another body to overcome Kiv's pending death. When discovered, the two make their escape with the warlord King Yrcanos, one of Crozier's test subjects.