Episode Guide

Story One...
The Wrong End Of Time

Part One Part Two

Part Three Part Four

Part Five Part Six

Story Two...
The Time of the Ice Box

Part One Part Two

Part Three Part Four

Part Five Part Six

Story Three...
The Year of the Burn Up

Part One Part Two

Part Three Part Four

Part Five Part Six

Part Seven Part Eight

Story Four...
The Day of the Clone

Part One Part Two

Part Three Part Four

Part Five Part Six

The Year of the Burn Up - Part Five

Written by Bruce Stewart

In the computer room, Alpha 4 is still watching the record tape. Commander Traynor apparently betrayed the Master Plan by holding up the progress of the diversion of the northern British rivers. Before the tape can conclude, Simon who is still listening from the secret room accidentally causes the door to open alerting Alpha 4 to his presence. Alpha 14 goes in to investigate and sees Simon. Simon shines his torch in 14's face. 14 staggers and collapses. Breathless, Simon escapes from the secret room.

In the jungle, Liz is alone. Suddenly, she is grabbed by Traynor who holds her at knifepoint. He wants some explanations and warns her against making a noise. He releases her and asks her why they didn't go back through the time barrier. Traynor is impressed when he discovers that Simon didn't betray his word not to reveal Traynor's existence to anyone, especially Liz. At this, Traynor becomes more friendly towards Liz and asks her what she is doing in the jungle. Traynor surmises that Liz and Simon had been to visit 2957. He asks Liz what they think of Simon's future self. Liz explains that 2957 is a coward and won't lift a finger to help her. She stops short of telling Traynor about Beth. Traynor babbles about the struggle between light and darkness and that "...each of us must choose his side!"

Traynor reveals that he once made a great mistake but that he sees now that it was a mistake on the side of the light. He explains his reasons for NOT diverting certain rivers as part of the Master Plan that he originally created. He tampered with the Master Plan and as a result, became (according to Liz) a Misfit. Liz admits that she thought Commander Traynor would have been a technocrat. Traynor is amused as he says he's seen the error of his ways. He comments on the rising heat adding that they are all in the grip of the Master Plan. He changes the subject back to the mysterious person that 2957 likes so much.

In the Ministry computer room, the Alpha secretaries are helping a groggy Alpha 4 to his feet. He remembers nothing of Simon or the secret door. He dismisses their concerns and asks if there is anything new to report. He is told that the temperature has risen another two degrees. Much to the Alpha secretaries consternation, he is still convinced it has something to do with Controller 2957. He surmises that 2957 has other things on his mind and is working for the Master Plan. He reminds Alphas 16 & 17 that it is the duty of all Alphas to protect the Master Plan. He adds that he will shortly have proof that 2957 is acting as a protector to a group of Misfits.

In 2957's office, the Controller is learning from Simon that Alpha 4 knows about Beth's community as Simon tells him of the agents that 4 has in the jungle. 2957 wants Simon to leave immediately but Simon reminds 2957 about Beth... 2957 reflects on how everything seems to be happening at once. He tells Simon about the strange mist that has formed over the Atlantic that no one has any explanation of. Remembering an incident from the past when he was present at the cutting of the original canals with Traynor, 2957 studies a report. He passes it quickly to Simon asking him to help him check the figures. The canals were originally designed to take away the excess water after the melting of the polar ice caps. The water would be pumped into the Atlantic at a specific rate. Simon notices that the rate does not tally with what is in the report. 2957 is aghast. As he points to the error, Alpha 4 enters the office unannounced stating that there has certainly been an error. He asks if it is true that Simon is a Misfit. 2957 angrily tries to dismiss Alpha 4. But Alpha 4 invokes Section D of the service code and accuses 2957 of both harbouring a Misfit and tempering with the Master Plan. Simon moves to leave the office but finds his way blocked by two clones.

At the community, Beth is dishing out rations of water to her Misfits. Vera wants a little more... for her cabbages. She is upset when none can be spared.
At the edge of the community, Liz arrives with Traynor. The two stop as Traynor is seen by Beth who immediately recognises him. Liz, to Beth's horror, tells her that she has told Traynor all about her and the community. A calm Traynor wants somewhere more private to talk with Beth. As Paul ekes out the last of the water rations, Beth leads Traynor and Liz into one of the huts.

Later, after Traynor has told her his story, Beth doesn't now whether to believe him or not. She is still doubtful that Traynor has changed. He says he has heard of communities like Beth's and that maybe they could form a league to fight back. He continues with ideas about drilling for water and that nature always seems to come up trumps in the end. Skilfully shifting the subject matter, he returns to his fall from grace and his betrayal by 2957. As he describes what happened (including his initial meeting with Simon at his office back in 1970), he becomes more and more angry. Suddenly aware of how he must be appearing to Beth and Liz, he calms down and dismisses the events as being in the past, adding that "Controller 2957 has finally paid the price for his treachery!" Beth asks what he means by that. Traynor calls it merely poetic justice. He will never fight against the light again and that he is now languishing in the darkness...

Alpha 16 (regretfully) shows 2957 and Simon into a bare cell. They sit on small chairs on opposite sides of the room. Alpha 16 flicks a switch and the two are each locked immobile in a pulsating field of light that 2957 describes as an "electronic lock." Alpha 16 leaves. Simon asks what next to which 2957 replies that they wait to see how far Alpha 4 gets. Simon points out that it wasn't 2957's fault that the rate of water was wrong. 2957 counters that it was his responsibility. He finally mentions about the tapes that had been crudely edited that seemed to implicate him also. Simon remembers the incident involving Commander Traynor in the computer room when 2957 first brought him to the headquarters. Although he gave the Commander his word not to tell anyone, Simon knows that things have now changed. 2957 is astounded to hear of Traynor implication in his downfall. As the pieces begin to fit, he tells Simon it was he who originally denounced Traynor.

In 2957's office, Delta 22 reporting to Alpha 4 from the jungle. He still cannot find the quarry that 4 is seeking and is starting to suspect it does not exist at all. Alpha 4 needs the evidence as soon as possible whilst Delta 22 can only complain about the heat and the apparent futility of the search.

In the hut, Beth, Liz and Traynor are watching the Delta hunters on the video screen. Traynor wants to mount an attack on them whilst Beth points out that the important thing is that they don't find the community. She leaves the hut followed by Liz.
Outside, Liz asks Beth what the matter is. She thinks it's 2957. Beth denies this but still wonders what is happening to him. She still doubts Traynor. Liz is worried that Simon hasn't returned.

It is nighttime in the city and a thin mist has descended over the capital.
2957 and Simon are still imprisoned by their electronic locks when their cell door opens. A Delta guard enters and proceeds to check the locks' mechanism behind a wall panel. He appears slightly disturbed by a bright light fitting before closing the panel and leaving. Simon wishes he knew a little more about clones. 2957 tells him it's all been top secret since the start when Traynor began the programme. He also explains their almost robotic nature and loyalty. Simon asks about their weaknesses. His gaze turns to the light fitting. 2957 knows of none save their devotion to duty.

Beth and Liz have found their way into the Ministry and into 2957's office. Liz tries to uses the video screen to find Simon. Flipping between locations she eventually brings up an image of Simon and 2957 in their cell. They are being served food by one of the Alpha secretaries and a Delta guard. Whilst Liz and Beth discuss ways of finding their actual whereabouts, they fail to notice Alpha 4 enter the office.
In the cell, Simon is fiddling with the light fitting unbeknown to the two clones as 2957 engages in conversation about the current climate situation.
In the office, Alpha 4 sees Beth and Liz watching the two prisoners on the screen.
Simon is angling the light fitting to get a better grip on it.
As Beth and Liz turn from the screen, Alpha 4 orders them not to move.
Simon swings the light fitting to shine directly in the face of the Delta guard, who staggers and falls to the floor. He does the same to Alpha 16 who screams and topples over the dinner trolley. He grabs 2957 and both make their escape.
In the office, Beth and Liz find their way blocked by a manic looking Alpha 4 and Alpha 17, who has appeared at the door...

Complete cast list for part five

Denis Quilley (Commander Traynor), Cheryl Burfield (Liz Skinner), Spencer Banks (Simon Randall), Mary Preston (Beth Skinner), David Graham (2957), Brian Pettifer (Paul), Merdel Jordine (Vera), Ian Fairbairn (Alpha 4), Teresa Scoble (Alpha 16), Lisa Scoble (Alpha 17), Patrick Durkin (Delta 22)

Script editor Ruth Boswell
Scientific Advisor Geoffrey Hoyle
Designer Michael Eve
Director Peter Jefferies
Producer John Cooper

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