In a Victorian Gothic mansion, strange things are afoot. The master of the house, away in Egypt, has been replaced by a sinister Egyptian. Cloth-wrapped Mummies roam the grounds, killing people. Beneath a pyramid, the last of the Osirans — Sutekh the Destroyer — waits to be freed, to at long last bring his gift of death to all who live.
The Fourth Doctor and Sarah Jane Smith travel to Earth in the year 1980, finding themselves in a secluded villa in Egypt. They discover that the mummy of an ancient Egyptian god, Sutekh, is being awakened by the alien Scarman. Sutekh plans to use his advanced alien technology to bring about the end of all life on Earth, and the Doctor must race against time to stop him.
Pyramids of Mars is widely considered one of the greatest and most terrifying Doctor Who stories of all time, particularly from the classic era. It is praised for its genuine scares, effective villain in Sutekh, and the strong performances of Tom Baker and Elisabeth Sladen. The story successfully blends sci-fi concepts with classic horror tropes.
Google audience: Audience reception for Pyramids of Mars is overwhelmingly positive, with many long-time fans and critics alike hailing it as a masterclass in suspense and characterization for the show.
The iconic design of Sutekh's eye was achieved by using a rubber glove with a camera flashbulb inside, creating a simple yet effective visual for the terrifying alien entity.
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