Friday 8 December 2023

M is for... Mogarians


In the year 2986, the peoples of the planet Mogar were unhappy with the way in which the Earth Empire was exploiting their natural resources. Minerals such as vionesium were being shipped out to Earth on a regular basis, sometimes making use of scheduled services such as the liner Hyperion III.
The Doctor and his companion Mel encountered a trio of Mogarians on this vessel, just after it had set out on its home voyage. Mogarians are unable to breath oxygen rich atmospheres, and so have to wear special masks in such environments. Their language also had to be translated via an electronic device worn around the neck. Beneath their masks, their skin had a metallic gold sheen and they had grille-like mouths.
When one of the beings, Enzu, was murdered after being given a poisoned drink, it transpired that an investigator from Earth had assumed his protective coveralls and mask as a disguise.
It later transpired that the other two Mogarians - Atza and Ortezu - were in league with security officer Rudge to steal the vionesium load. They belonged to an anti-Earth group who wanted to bring their exploitation to an end.
When a hijacker took over the vessel and attempted to steer it into a Black Hole, plant-like creatures called Vervoids killed him using their methane-rich breath. The Mogarians were able to enter the bridge to place the Hyperion III back on course - but were killed when a murderer Doland threw water into their masks.


Played by: Sam Howard (Atza), Leon Davis (Ortezu). Appearances: Trial of a Time Lord Parts 9 - 12 AKA Terror of the Vervoids (1986).
  • Enzu is played by Tony Scoggo, who was playing the investigator Hallett.
  • The real Enzu's whereabouts are never explained - or even if he actually existed. Hallett only adopts the disguise when identified by a fellow passenger - so where did he get the outfit from? He must have spoken Mogarian fluently to pass amongst the others.
  • A Vervoid appeared amongst the aliens in the Rani's menagerie in the CiN mini-adventure Dimensions in Time.

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