The Docor Is Worried

A malfunction of the TARDIS systems causes the main doors of the TARDIS to open of their own accord just before it materialises. The Doctor insists the fault locator shows nothing is wrong and it is safe to venture outside.

On emerging The Doctor, Susan, Barbara Wright and Ian Chesterton soon discover that they have landed in a very strange world. They come across what looks like a dead giant earthworm followed by a large ant that is also dead. After some deduction the travellers realise that they have in fact landed in an English garden but have also been reduced in size so that they are now only about an inch tall!

Ian is investigating a discarded matchbox when someone picks it up and he is hurled around inside. That someone is a government scientist called Farrow. He is visiting the home of the callous and ruthless businessman named Forester to tell him that his application for DN6, a new insecticide, has been rejected as it is too deadly to all insect life. When they fall out over this news, Forester shoots Farrow and leaves him for dead on the lawn.

Ian, Susan and Barbara

The Doctor, Barbara and Susan hear the gunshot as an enormous explosion, and head for the house. They find Ian unhurt near the dead body and surmise a murder has taken place but can do little about it. They are determined, however, to ensure the murderer is brought to justice despite their microscopic size. While avoiding a cat, the travellers get split up again with Ian and Barbara hiding in a briefcase. The giant Forester returns to the lawn and collects the briefcase, taking it inside to the laboratory. His aide, Smithers, arrives and suspects him of murder, but does not report him for fear of undermining the DN6 project to which he has given his life.

The Doctor and Susan have to scale a drain pipe to gain access to the house braving the height as they go. While Ian and Barbara, on leaving briefcase, examine what they soon discover is a laboratory. They soon encounter a giant fly, which is killed instantly when it comes into contact with some seeds. Ian deduces correctly that the seeds have been sprayed with a very powerful insecticide. He warns Barbara not to touch them. But he is too late as earlier Barbara had foolishly touched one of the seeds and is now starting to feel unwell.

Leaving the TARDIS

Barbara and Ian then hear Susan’s voice and discover her and The Doctor in a nearby sink. Using the plug chain as a ladder the four friends are soon reunited. It then that they realise they have stumbled across the plot by Forester, and his misguided scientist colleague.

The Doctor and his companions soon discover that this new insecticide is so destructive that it can kill not only those insects harmful to agriculture but also those vital to it. They also discover that Forester is even willing to commit murder to ensure the success of his business.

It is during their attempts to thwart the criminals that The Doctor learns that Barbara is suffering from the effects of the insecticide and that they are now in a race against time to return to the TARDIS so as to find a cure.

Barbara, The Doctor and Susan

The criminals are eventually brought to justice when The Doctor and his friends tamper with the telephone in Smithers' laboratory, thus fuelling the suspicions of the local exchange operator who sends her police constable husband. PC Rowse, to investigate.

The Doctor and his companions also decide to start a fire to attract attention to the house and succeed in setting up an aerosol can of insecticide and a lab bench gas jet as a bomb. This coincides with Smithers discovering the true virulence of DN6 and demanding Forester stop seeking a licence. Forester spots the makeshift bomb, which goes off in his face. Smithers retrieves the gun as PC Rowse arrives and then places both men under arrest.

Their work done, the travellers return to the TARDIS as fast as they can. When safely inside The Doctor reconfigures the time machine to return them to their normal size. Barbara, who was on the verge of death, recovers on being returned to full size as the insecticide inside her becomes a much weaker dose.