Classic Moments: Brigadier vs Silurians ('Dr Who')

Recent years have provoked plenty of debate about whether supposedly 'civilised' nations should treat potential threats with guns or flowers. One of the final scenes from the classic seventh season Doctor Who story 'The Silurians' embodies this debate perfectly, as the militarial might of Brigadier Alastair Lethbridge-Stewart is at odds with The Doctor's pacifism.

"The military mind," remarks The Doctor. "Present them with a new problem and they start shooting at it."

The Context

The Silurians, a race that once ruled the world, wake from an extended period of hibernation underground and want to reclaim their turf. They drain power from a reactor and their scientists plot the downfall of humanity, although there are some Silurians who are unhappy with these aggressive actions.

After a number of battles with UNIT soldiers, The Doctor ventures into their lair and desperately tries to reason with them. He finally breaks through and wins some allies and returns above ground to tell The Brigadier that a peaceful cohabitation could prove very fruitful for both races.

The Moment

The Doctor instructs The Brigadier to leave the base alone and heads off with Liz Shaw. As soon as the pair depart, The Brigadier orders one of his men to detonate a series of explosive charges that will permanently seal off the base.

When the explosions begin, The Doctor sees them from afar and is stunned and on the verge of tears. Liz tells him that "the government were frightened - they just couldn't take the risk".

The Doctor mournfully responds: "But that's murder. They were intelligent alien beings. A whole race of them - and he's just wiped them out."

He then proceeds to drive off in his car Bessie as the explosions continue.

The Aftermath

The Doctor and Lethbridge-Stewart patched up their differences and continued their battle to protect the Earth from alien foes. The Time Lord was certainly more wary over his friend's tendency to reel off 'five rounds rapid' in the future though.

In 2084, a handful of Silurians who survived the onslaught attack a deep sea base, teaming up with the Sea Devils. They are again wiped out, which disappoints The Doctor. With echoes of his reaction to their previous demise, he emotionally says: "There should have been another way."