Doctor Who: The Underwater Menace

The Doctor, Jamie, Polly, and Ben visit Atlantis.

They run into Professor Zaroff, who has convinced the people of Atlantis that he can raise it from the sea. You just need to hear the name "Zaroff" to know that he's the bad guy, right? In reality, he's going to crack open Earth's crust, let the ocean pour in, and blow the planet apart. His reason? Because it would be cool to see if he could do it.

Polly, Jamie, Ben, and the Doctor

So of course they have to stop him. Their plan involves the fish people.

Fish people!

I just wanted to mention the fish people so I had a good reason to show a picture of them. Check them out! Polly is uncharacteristically whiny and screaming in this episode. She's normally tough and kicks butt. It was a disappointing departure from her usual self. In the end, Atlantis is flooded. But at least Earth doesn't blow up.

THE RUNDOWN

Doctor: Second
Companions: Jamie, Polly, Ben
Episode: #32, "The Underwater Menace," four parts
Adversary: Professor Zaroff
Classic Lines: the Doctor, to Zaroff: "Just one small question...Why do you want to blow up the world?"
Tuck This Away to Impress Your Friends: This is the first time Doctor Who shows the destruction of Atlantis...but not the last. In future episodes, two other explanations are given for its destruction!
Next Up: "The Moonbase"