Arriving on the planet, he save the rebel Jondar from execution, and incurs the wrath of Sil, the sadistic representative of Galatron Mining Corporation on Varos.

The hunt is on for the Doctor and his rebel friends. And as they are pursued through the Punishment Dome, the Doctor discovers that the people of Varos have some very disturbing ideas of entertainment ...
 

"THE DOCTOR MUST BE ELIMINATED. HE SMELLS THE TRUTH OF THINGS"
"THE DOME WILL TAKE CARE OF HIM."

Varos. A planet ruled by fear and increasing poverty. As its inhabitants cower by their video screens, gleaning their meagre entertainment from public executions scheduled within the mysterious Punishment Dome, the ruling officers enjoy a life of luxury, fat on their profits from the planets major export - the rare substance, Zyton-7. It is into this hellhole which the Doctor and Peri must go, as Zyton-7 is the only cure for the ailing TARDIS' transpower system. Without it their future is bleak, yet obtaining it could be fatal ...
 

The TARDIS arrives desperately short of Zeiton 7 ore to power its engines, and the Doctor and Peri know Varos is the only place they may find it. But soon they become involved in the deadly politics of the planet, and the machinations of the sinister Sil, a slug-like alien who wants the price of Zeiton 7 lowered, and the Doctor - along with the Governor of Varos - out of the way for good.

Fighting for the freedom of Varos and for the ore he needs to continue his journeys, the Doctor faces death many times - whilst being constantly filmed for the pleasure of the viewers at home...

Colin Baker, who played the Doctor in this TV adventure, reads this story, novelised by Philip Martin.