 This story is known for Susan's use of telepathy. Therefore reminding the viewer that she is no ordinary teenage girl but has unusual abilities.
Whether Time Lords in general have telepathy is unclear. At the climax of 1969 story "The War Games", The Doctor displays telepathic (and apparent telekinetic) abilities, sending a message home on this occasion by entering a trance and placing his thoughts into an assembling box, that is then somehow transmitted through time and space. Also in the 1973 Tenth Anniversary Special "The Three Doctors" and the 1983 Twentieth Anniversary Special "The Five Doctors" the different incarnations of The Doctor telepathically communicate with each other - though it was never clarified in these stories whether this was just due to the fact that they were the same person. It has also been revealed that the TARDIS has 'telepathic circuits.
Jacqueline Hill (who plays Barbara Wright) did not appear in episode 4, "A Race Against Death", and episode 5, "Kidnap", as the actress was on holiday during the recording of these two episodes.
Peter Glaze (Third Sensorite) is famous for his involvement with the BBC children's series Crackerjack. However, his familiar face is obscured by his Sensorite mask. He plays the part of the scheming City Administrator.
Stephen Dartnell, who plays John, previously appeared as Yartek in "The Keys of Marinus".
John Bailey, who plays the Commander, returned to the show to play Edward Waterfield in "The Evil of the Daleks" and Sezom in "The Horns of Nimon".
The TARDIS crew are heard to discuss their adventures so far (but miss out "The Edge of Destruction").
In the Doctor Who Confidential episode, "You've Got the Look" (released to accompany "The Impossible Planet/The Satan Pit"), Russell T. Davies said that he wanted the Ood to resemble the Sensorites, and that he likes to think they come from a planet near the Sense Sphere. This was later confirmed in the Tenth Doctor story "Planet of the Ood", in which The Doctor visits the Ood's homeworld (the Ood-Sphere) and mentions that he once visited the Sense-Sphere in the same system.
Susan's experiences in this story carry over into the Big Finish Productions audio story "Transit of Venus".
Susan's description of her home planet as having a burnt orange sky and silver leaved trees is backed up by a similar description of the planet by the Tenth Doctor to Martha Jones in "Gridlock". It also bears similarities to the description given to Grace in the 1996 television movie "Doctor Who: The Movie".
Designer Raymond Cusick used almost all curves in his sets for the Sense Sphere, feeling that this would give a more alien look.
This story was the subject of a studio dispute (concerning production facilities) that nearly led to its cancellation.
Episode 2, "The Unwilling Warriors", was shown 15 minutes later then scheduled due to extra coverage given to the Wimbledon tennis tournament.
The weeks gap between "The Unwilling Warriors" and "Hidden Danger" was due to extra coverage given to the Wimbledon tennis tournament and a cricket test match. This was the only time in the show's history that such a break has occurred mid story.
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The Firsts:
The first time that The Doctor’s home planet of Gallifrey is mentioned (though not by name).
The first Doctor Who story to contain a guest appearance - this being Peter Glaze as the Third Sensorite.
For the first time there was a weeks break between episodes. This was caused due to extra coverage given to the Wimbledon tennis tournament and a cricket test match.
The first Doctor Who story to be written by Peter R Newman.
The first Doctor Who story to be directed by Mervyn Pinfield.
Sonia Markham's first involvement in the show as Makeup Artist (in episode 6).
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(Position = 133 out of 159)
(Position = 183 out of 200)
(Position = 225 out of 241)
