P.R.O.B.E.: The Zero Imperative

"The Zero Imperative" is a stand-alone television film in the P.R.O.B.E. series of telemovies produced by. The series is a spin-off of the science fiction TV program Doctor Who. This one hour movie was directed by Bill Baggs with a teleplay written by Mark Gatiss. It premiered in January, 1994.

Plot
Former UNIT luminary Liz Shaw and her assistant Lou Bayliss are investigating a series of bizarre murders, all committed near a soon-to-be-closed psychiatric hospital.

When the hospital is unexpectedly reprieved by rich Industrialist Peter Russell events seem to move out of Liz's control. Are the incumbent director of the clinic, Doctor Dove and his predecessor Doctor O'Kane harbouring the killer? What is the centuries-old horror hidden in the grounds?

And what exactly is the secret of room zero?

Notes & Trivia

 * This is the first of four television movies in the P.R.O.B.E. series.


 * The title of the franchise is the name of the main organization of the series. It is an acronym which stands for Preternatural Research Bureau (who knows where the O comes from).


 * There are sixteen credited cast members in this film.


 * Writer Mark Gatiss also plays the role of Doctor William Bruffin in this film.


 * The movie is known for casting former Doctor portrayers in different roles including 3rd Doctor Jon Pertwee as Doctor Jeremiah O'Kane, 7th Doctor Sylvester McCoy as Doctor Colin Dove, and 6th Doctor Colin Baker as Doctor Peter Russell.


 * This is the first science fiction writing credit for Mark Gatiss.


 * Fifth Doctor portrayer Peter Davison makes an uncredited appearance in the film as a mental patient.

Recommendations

 * 1) Doctor Who
 * 2) P.R.O.B.E.: The Devil of Winterborne
 * 3) P.R.O.B.E.: Unnatural Selection
 * 4) P.R.O.B.E.: Ghosts of Winterborne