IF THERE’S ONE THING YOU CAN’T ACCUSE THE Slitheen of, it’s subtlety. They announce their presence with a giant spaceship cruising over London and careering into the Palace of Westminster. What’s more, it’s piloted by a walking pig.
While their antics are grabbing international headlines and inspiring Blue Peter ‘makes’, it becomes clear that the last thing the Slitheen are interested in is anything so mundane as a straightforward invasion. Posing as key figures in the military and government – by stealing their skins and wearing them as suits – they plan to use the chaos to get all troublesome dignitaries and experts in one place and out of their way.
Then, spreading propaganda about a non-existent alien threat which could launch an attack on Earth in just 45 seconds, they aim to get their hands on all of the planet’s nuclear codes. With Earth reduced to nuclear waste, it can be sold off piece by piece as fuel to a recession-hit interplanetary trade. Indeed, their real spaceship is underneath the River Thames, sending out an advert to potential customers.
“Funny way to invade, putting the world on red alert.”
Mickey Smith,Aliens of London
With everyone else either distracted or compromised, the Doctor and Rose Tyler have to rely on the aid of a handful of friends and family – and an MP who was in the wrong place at the wrong time – if they’re to stand any chance of stopping the Slitheen from making a quick profit from nuclear annihilation…