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{{real world}} | {{real world}} | ||
{{ImageLinkTV}} | {{ImageLinkTV}} | ||
{{Infobox Story | {{Infobox Story SMW | ||
|image = TimeAndRani.jpg | |image = TimeAndRani.jpg | ||
|novelisation = Time and the Rani (novelisation) | |novelisation = Time and the Rani (novelisation) | ||
|series = [[Doctor Who television stories|''Doctor Who'' television stories]] | |series = [[Doctor Who television stories|''Doctor Who'' television stories]] | ||
|season number = Season 24 | |season number = Season 24 (Doctor Who 1963)| | ||
|season serial number = 1 | |season serial number = 1 | ||
|story number = 144 | |story number = 144 | ||
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|enemy = The [[First Rani]] | |enemy = The [[First Rani]] | ||
|setting = [[Lakertya]] | |setting = [[Lakertya]] | ||
|writer = | |writer = Pip & Jane Baker | ||
|director = [[Andrew Morgan]] | |director = [[Andrew Morgan]] | ||
|producer = [[John Nathan-Turner]] | |producer = [[John Nathan-Turner]] | ||
|epcount = 4 | |epcount = 4 | ||
|broadcast date = | |broadcast date = 7 - 28 September 1987 | ||
|network = | |network = BBC1 | ||
|format = 4x25-minute episodes | |format = 4x25-minute episodes | ||
|thwr = 1 | |thwr = 1 | ||
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|clip3 = The Doctor and Mel re-unite - Doctor Who Classic - Time & The Rani - BBC | |clip3 = The Doctor and Mel re-unite - Doctor Who Classic - Time & The Rani - BBC | ||
}}{{you may|Time and the Rani (novelisation)|n1=this story's novelisation|Time and the Rani|n2=or the episode as it exists within the DWU}} | }}{{you may|Time and the Rani (novelisation)|n1=this story's novelisation|Time and the Rani|n2=or the episode as it exists within the DWU}} | ||
'''''Time and the Rani''''' was the first serial of [[season 24]] of ''[[Doctor Who]]''. It marked the debut of [[Sylvester McCoy]] as the [[Seventh Doctor]]. [[Kate O'Mara]] made her second and final televised appearance as {{O'Mara}} (not including the charity special ''[[Dimensions in Time (TV story)|Dimensions in Time]]''). | '''''Time and the Rani''''' was the first serial of [[Season 24 (Doctor Who 1963)|season 24]] of ''[[Doctor Who]]''. It marked the debut of [[Sylvester McCoy]] as the [[Seventh Doctor]]. [[Kate O'Mara]] made her second and final televised appearance as {{O'Mara}} (not including the charity special ''[[Dimensions in Time (TV story)|Dimensions in Time]]''). | ||
It was also the series' | It was also the series' first exploits with computer-generated imagery, a relatively limited technology at the time. An all-computer animated opening titles sequence was introduced with this story, along with a new arrangement of the theme tune by [[Keff McCulloch]], an appropriately electronic rendition composed entirely on a Prophet 5 Synthesiser. The [[Doctor Who logo|logo]] of the series was also changed into a three-dimensionally animated part of the title sequence and became the series logo that would stay in use until the early 1990s. | ||
Following the circumstances of [[Colin Baker]]'s exit from the role, the Sixth Doctor was made to immediately regenerate into the Seventh Doctor at the start of this story, | Following the circumstances of [[Colin Baker]]'s exit from the role, the [[Sixth Doctor]] was made to immediately regenerate into the Seventh Doctor at the start of this story, as the ''[[The Ultimate Foe (TV story)|The Ultimate Foe]]'' was the last story to feature Colin Baker in the title role, but not the last story to feature the Sixth Doctor himself, and because of the story immediately beginning with the Doctor's regeneration into the Seventh Doctor, this would make ''Time and the Rani ''the final chronological appearance of the Sixth Doctor properly in universe, though not played by Colin Baker himself. Baker ''was'' offered the chance to reprise the role of the Sixth Doctor in a proposed regeneration story, but he declined; he instead asked to be given a full season for his departure, but the denial of this request prompted him to turn down the reprisal. As a result, a pre-credits sequence was added into ''Time and the Rani'' featuring the Doctor's regeneration, with McCoy portraying both the Sixth and Seventh Doctors (to hide this, his face remained hidden until the end of the regeneration sequence). | ||
The cause of the Sixth Doctor's regeneration is not explicitly shown on-screen, although he is seen being thrown across the console room as the TARDIS is pulled down during flight by the Rani. ''[[Spiral Scratch (novel)|Spiral Scratch]]'' and ''[[The Brink of Death (audio story)|The Brink of Death]]'' both provide narratives for the Sixth Doctor's regeneration, with both retroactively leading into the events of this serial. | The cause of the Sixth Doctor's regeneration is not explicitly shown on-screen, although he is seen being thrown across the console room as the TARDIS is pulled down during flight by the Rani. ''[[Spiral Scratch (novel)|Spiral Scratch]]'' and ''[[The Brink of Death (audio story)|The Brink of Death]]'' both provide narratives for the Sixth Doctor's regeneration, with both retroactively leading into the events of this serial. | ||
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In the Rani's lab, it is revealed that she has used the [[Tetrap]]s to force the Lakertyans into helping kidnap an array of genius scientists throughout time, including [[Albert Einstein]], [[Louis Pasteur]], and [[Hypatia]]. She now also requires the Doctor. Angered by the incompetence of her workers, the Rani scares away a female Lakertyan. | In the Rani's lab, it is revealed that she has used the [[Tetrap]]s to force the Lakertyans into helping kidnap an array of genius scientists throughout time, including [[Albert Einstein]], [[Louis Pasteur]], and [[Hypatia]]. She now also requires the Doctor. Angered by the incompetence of her workers, the Rani scares away a female Lakertyan. | ||
[[File:The Doctor and Rani fake Mel TandtheR.jpg|thumb|left|The new Doctor and "Mel" (the Rani).]] | [[File:The Doctor and Rani fake Mel TandtheR.jpg|thumb|left|The new Doctor and "Mel" (the Rani).]] | ||
The Doctor recovers from the crash and seemingly is continuing a conversation his previous incarnation was having with Mel. He then notices that he is no longer in the TARDIS, has just regenerated and recognises the Rani. Angered by her presence, he wonders what kind of monstrous experiment she is up to now. He takes up his umbrella to strike her. The Rani knocks him out with a laser gun and injects him with an [[amnesia]]-inducing drug. She disguises herself as Mel. Once the Doctor recovers, she attempts to convince him to repair some broken machinery in "his" lab. Beyond the lab is a closed-off chamber. | The Doctor recovers from the crash and seemingly is continuing a conversation his previous incarnation was having with Mel. He then notices that he is no longer in the TARDIS, has just regenerated and recognises the Rani. Angered by her presence, he wonders what kind of monstrous experiment she is up to now. He takes up his umbrella to strike her. The Rani knocks him out with a laser gun and injects him with an [[amnesia]]-inducing drug. She disguises herself as Mel. Once the Doctor recovers, she attempts to convince him to repair some broken machinery in "his" lab. Beyond the lab is a closed-off chamber. | ||
[[File:7th shows off new outfit Time and the Rani.jpg|thumb|left|The Doctor reveals his new outfit.]] | [[File:7th shows off new outfit Time and the Rani.jpg|thumb|left|The Doctor reveals his new outfit.]] | ||
Mel has meanwhile been left behind in the TARDIS. She encounters and eventually wins the trust of, the young hot-headed Lakertyan [[Ikona]], who is eager to dispatch the evil Rani and liberate his people. | Mel has meanwhile been left behind in the TARDIS. She encounters, and eventually wins the trust of, the young hot-headed Lakertyan [[Ikona]], who is eager to dispatch the evil Rani and liberate his people. | ||
In the meantime, the Doctor has returned to the TARDIS to change his clothes as he finds the clownish outfit of the Sixth not a fitting match for his new persona. After trying several outfits including those of his previous incarnations, the Doctor walks out from behind a clothes rack wearing the [[Second Doctor]]'s [[The Doctor's fur coat|fur coat]], but opens it to reveal his new outfit, which the Rani finds befitting of a Time Lord. | In the meantime, the Doctor has returned to the TARDIS to change his clothes as he finds the clownish outfit of the Sixth not a fitting match for his new persona. After trying several outfits including those of his previous incarnations, the Doctor walks out from behind a clothes rack wearing the [[Second Doctor]]'s [[The Doctor's fur coat|fur coat]], but opens it to reveal his new outfit, which the Rani finds befitting of a Time Lord. | ||
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Meanwhile, Urak captures Mel, paralysing her with his venom. The Doctor meets Ikona and narrowly escapes from one of the Rani's traps. A Tetrap is caught in it instead. | Meanwhile, Urak captures Mel, paralysing her with his venom. The Doctor meets Ikona and narrowly escapes from one of the Rani's traps. A Tetrap is caught in it instead. | ||
{{video|The Doctor is captured - Time and the Rani - BBC|thumb|left|Mel and [[Beyus]] try to free the Doctor}} | |||
Ikona shows the Doctor the [[Centre of Leisure]] and explains that his people have become indolent. The Rani, angry at Beyus' lack of cooperation, turns on the globe in the Centre of Leisure, releasing killer insects. Faroon tells the Doctor that the Rani has Mel. The Rani offers a trade — the part he stole for Mel. However, when he makes the trade, Mel is revealed to be a hologram. | Ikona shows the Doctor the [[Centre of Leisure]] and explains that his people have become indolent. The Rani, angry at Beyus' lack of cooperation, turns on the globe in the Centre of Leisure, releasing killer insects. Faroon tells the Doctor that the Rani has Mel. The Rani offers a trade — the part he stole for Mel. However, when he makes the trade, Mel is revealed to be a hologram. | ||
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Upon impact, the strange matter would form a shell of [[chronon]]s around Lakertya, causing the brain to expand to fill the entire surface of the planet, converting it into a [[Time Manipulator]]. With this, the Rani can change the course of history and control the randomness of [[evolution]] throughout the universe. The Rani also casually mentions that she intends to leave the Doctor, Mel, the Lakertyans and the Tetraps to die on the planet during this process, but Urak overhears this, alarming him. | Upon impact, the strange matter would form a shell of [[chronon]]s around Lakertya, causing the brain to expand to fill the entire surface of the planet, converting it into a [[Time Manipulator]]. With this, the Rani can change the course of history and control the randomness of [[evolution]] throughout the universe. The Rani also casually mentions that she intends to leave the Doctor, Mel, the Lakertyans and the Tetraps to die on the planet during this process, but Urak overhears this, alarming him. | ||
{{video|The giant brain - will Rani succeed? - Time and the Rani - BBC|thumb|The Rani's plan is foiled.}} | |||
The Lakertyan leader [[Beyus]] sacrifices his life to destroy the brain and delay the launch long enough for the rocket to miss the asteroid. The Rani escapes in her TARDIS but finds it overrun with Tetraps who "invite" the Rani to accompany them to her homeworld. | The Lakertyan leader [[Beyus]] sacrifices his life to destroy the brain and delay the launch long enough for the rocket to miss the asteroid. The Rani escapes in her TARDIS but finds it overrun with Tetraps who "invite" the Rani to accompany them to her homeworld. | ||
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* [[Visual Effects Designer]] - [[Colin Mapson]] | * [[Visual Effects Designer]] - [[Colin Mapson]] | ||
== | == Worldbuilding == | ||
=== Cultural references from real world === | === Cultural references from real world === | ||
* The Rani has abducted [[Hypatia]], [[Louis Pasteur]], and [[Albert Einstein]]. | * The Rani has abducted [[Hypatia]], [[Louis Pasteur]], and [[Albert Einstein]]. | ||
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* This serial was originally written with the Sixth Doctor in mind. Originally, he was to have regenerated at the end of this story instead of at the start; the script had the Doctor staying behind at the Rani's headquarters to ensure nothing went wrong with the missile strike, but the ensuing explosion causes him to regenerate. However, [[Colin Baker]] refused to come back for anything less than a full season, but the BBC executives responsible for his sacking would only permit one serial. Neither party could come to an agreement, hence the Sixth Doctor's unceremonious demise; following Baker's departure, it was hastily rewritten to accommodate the Seventh Doctor. | * This serial was originally written with the Sixth Doctor in mind. Originally, he was to have regenerated at the end of this story instead of at the start; the script had the Doctor staying behind at the Rani's headquarters to ensure nothing went wrong with the missile strike, but the ensuing explosion causes him to regenerate. However, [[Colin Baker]] refused to come back for anything less than a full season, but the BBC executives responsible for his sacking would only permit one serial. Neither party could come to an agreement, hence the Sixth Doctor's unceremonious demise; following Baker's departure, it was hastily rewritten to accommodate the Seventh Doctor. | ||
* The original pre-title scene had [[Albert Einstein]] kidnapped by the Rani. | * The original pre-title scene had [[Albert Einstein]] kidnapped by the Rani. | ||
* [[Pip and Jane Baker]] drew upon their [[1986]] ''[[Find Your Fate]]'' book ''[[Race Against Time]]'', in which the Rani tries to build a Time Destabiliser in order to reshape the universe to her design. This, in turn, was based upon rejected ideas submitted to the production office in [[1984]]. | * [[Pip and Jane Baker]] drew upon their [[1986]] ''[[Find Your Fate]]'' book ''[[Race Against Time]]'', in which the Rani tries to build a Time Destabiliser in order to reshape the universe to her design. This, in turn, was based upon rejected ideas submitted to the production office in [[1984]]. | ||
* [[Andrew Cartmel]] didn't get along at all with writers [[Pip and Jane Baker]], who repeatedly told him that as a novice with no prior TV experience he had no business trying to advise them on anything other than what was or wasn't feasible on the show's budget — which was actually the thing he was least qualified to advise them on — and didn't even always take his advice on that front. In particular, they refused to remove a scripted scene where [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solomon King Solomon] is abducted in the midst of the argument over who is the rightful mother of a baby just as his guard prepares to split it in two with an axe so as to give one half to each "mother"; the Bakers refused to back down on this until [[John Nathan-Turner]] pointed out that if neither he nor Cartmel were familiar with that parable, odds are most viewers at home wouldn't be either. | * [[Andrew Cartmel]] didn't get along at all with writers [[Pip and Jane Baker]], who repeatedly told him that as a novice with no prior TV experience he had no business trying to advise them on anything other than what was or wasn't feasible on the show's budget — which was actually the thing he was least qualified to advise them on — and didn't even always take his advice on that front. In particular, they refused to remove a scripted scene where [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solomon King Solomon] is abducted in the midst of the argument over who is the rightful mother of a baby just as his guard prepares to split it in two with an axe so as to give one half to each "mother"; the Bakers refused to back down on this until [[John Nathan-Turner]] pointed out that if neither he nor Cartmel were familiar with that parable, odds are most viewers at home wouldn't be either. | ||
* [[John Nathan-Turner]] originally preferred not to include the regeneration. Urak would turn over the unconscious Doctor to reveal his new face, the Doctor having already regenerated. However, Nathan-Turner later changed his mind. [[Andrew Morgan]] wanted to use a clip of [[Colin Baker]], but Nathan-Turner refused. | * [[John Nathan-Turner]] originally preferred not to include the regeneration. Urak would turn over the unconscious Doctor to reveal his new face, the Doctor having already regenerated. However, Nathan-Turner later changed his mind. [[Andrew Morgan]] wanted to use a clip of [[Colin Baker]], but Nathan-Turner refused. | ||
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* After location filming had been completed, the cast and crew threw a party where people did their pieces - [[Sylvester McCoy]] played the spoons and [[Bonnie Langford]] sang. [[Jonathan Powell]] suggested that McCoy's Doctor should play the spoons, something that [[Pip and Jane Baker]] were against. McCoy recalled that [[John Nathan-Turner]] told him at said party that his Doctor should play the spoons, prompting McCoy to laugh, thinking he was either joking or drunk. | * After location filming had been completed, the cast and crew threw a party where people did their pieces - [[Sylvester McCoy]] played the spoons and [[Bonnie Langford]] sang. [[Jonathan Powell]] suggested that McCoy's Doctor should play the spoons, something that [[Pip and Jane Baker]] were against. McCoy recalled that [[John Nathan-Turner]] told him at said party that his Doctor should play the spoons, prompting McCoy to laugh, thinking he was either joking or drunk. | ||
* [[Wanda Ventham]]'s son [[Benedict Cumberbatch]] (then eleven years old) accompanied her to the set. | * [[Wanda Ventham]]'s son [[Benedict Cumberbatch]] (then eleven years old) accompanied her to the set. | ||
* Although the set for the Rani's console room had been retained for future use after ''[[The Mark of the Rani (TV story)|The Mark of the Rani]]'', it had been damaged during its two years in storage. Instead, a model was constructed into which actors could be inserted via [[CSO|chroma key]]. | * Although the set for the Rani's console room had been retained for future use after ''[[The Mark of the Rani (TV story)|The Mark of the Rani]]'', it had been damaged during its two years in storage. Instead, a model was constructed into which actors could be inserted via [[CSO|chroma key]]. | ||
* The title was inspired by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._B._Priestley JB Priestley]'s [[1937]] play ''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_and_the_Conways Time and the Conways].'' | * The title was inspired by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._B._Priestley JB Priestley]'s [[1937]] play ''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_and_the_Conways Time and the Conways].'' | ||
* This story has the dubious distinction of being ranked as ''[[Doctor Who Magazine]]'' readers' least favourite [[Seventh Doctor]] story in all four of their major polls, in [[1998]], [[2009]], [[2014]], and [[2023]]. ([[DWM 592]]) | * This story has the dubious distinction of being ranked as ''[[Doctor Who Magazine]]'' readers' least favourite [[Seventh Doctor]] story in all four of their major polls, in [[1998]], [[2009]], [[2014]], and [[2023]]. ([[DWM 592]]) | ||
* The events of this story and the regeneration were going to be referenced by Mel as a brief monologue during ''[[The Giggle (TV story)|The Giggle]]'', but it was cut. | |||
* [[Wanda Ventham]] and [[Donald Pickering]] previously appeared in ''[[The Faceless Ones (TV story)|The Faceless Ones]].'' | |||
* This is the only season opener written by a woman, as [[Attack of the Cybermen (TV story)|''Attack of the Cybermen'']]'s [[Paula Moore]] pseudonym is largely agreed to mostly be [[Eric Saward]], with no real contributions by any female writers. | |||
=== Ratings === | === Ratings === | ||
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* ''[[Hot Gossip (documentary)|Hot Gossip]]'' - [[Kate O'Mara]] ([[First Rani|The Rani]]) recalls the fun of working with friends | * ''[[Hot Gossip (documentary)|Hot Gossip]]'' - [[Kate O'Mara]] ([[First Rani|The Rani]]) recalls the fun of working with friends | ||
* On Location - Guy Michelmore from ''BBC Breakfast Time'' interviews Sylvester McCoy, Bonnie Langford and Kate O'Mara | * On Location - Guy Michelmore from ''BBC Breakfast Time'' interviews Sylvester McCoy, Bonnie Langford and Kate O'Mara | ||
* ''[[Blue Peter]]'' - [[Janet Ellis]] introduces Sylvester McCoy | * ''[[Blue Peter (series)|Blue Peter]]'' - [[Janet Ellis]] introduces Sylvester McCoy | ||
* ''[[Radio Times]]'' Billings (PDF DVD-ROM - PC/Mac) | * ''[[Radio Times]]'' Billings (PDF DVD-ROM - PC/Mac) | ||
* Production Information Subtitles | * Production Information Subtitles | ||
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* Easter Eggs: [[File:Baker_to_Mccoy2.jpg|thumb|The CGI version of the regeneration, with Colin Baker added in. Available on the ''Time and the Rani'' DVD as an Easter Egg.]] | * Easter Eggs: [[File:Baker_to_Mccoy2.jpg|thumb|The CGI version of the regeneration, with Colin Baker added in. Available on the ''Time and the Rani'' DVD as an Easter Egg.]] | ||
** CGI Regeneration sequence, with Colin Baker's face digitally added in place of McCoy's to make it authentic. To access this hidden feature, press left at ''7D FX'' on the Special Features menu to reveal a hidden ''Doctor Who'' logo. | ** CGI Regeneration sequence, with Colin Baker's face digitally added in place of McCoy's to make it authentic. To access this hidden feature, press left at ''7D FX'' on the Special Features menu to reveal a hidden ''Doctor Who'' logo. | ||
** Eye-Sore. To access this hidden feature, press right at ''Blue Peter'' on the Special Features menu to reveal a hidden ''Doctor Who'' logo. | ** ''[[Eye-Sore (documentary)|Eye-Sore]]''. To access this hidden feature, press right at ''Blue Peter'' on the Special Features menu to reveal a hidden ''Doctor Who'' logo. | ||
** The Name'sh McCoy, Shylveshter McCoy. To access this hidden feature, press left at | ** ''[[The Name'sh McCoy Shylveshter McCoy (documentary)|The Name'sh McCoy, Shylveshter McCoy]]''. To access this hidden feature, press left at PDF Materials on the Special Features menu to reveal a hidden ''Doctor Who'' logo. | ||
Editing for the DVD release was completed by the [[Doctor Who Restoration Team]]. | Editing for the DVD release was completed by the [[Doctor Who Restoration Team]]. | ||
<gallery position="center" captionalign="center" hideaddbutton="true"> | <gallery position="center" captionalign="center" hideaddbutton="true"> | ||
File:Bbcdvd-timeandtherani.jpg|Region 2 UK cover | File:Bbcdvd-timeandtherani.jpg|Region 2 UK cover | ||
File:Time and the rani.jpg|Region 1 US cover | |||
File:Rani australia.jpg|Region 4 AUS cover | |||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
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[[Category:Tetrap stories]] | [[Category:Tetrap stories]] | ||
[[Category:The Rani television stories]] | [[Category:The Rani television stories]] | ||
[[Category:Post-regeneration stories]] | |||
[[Category:An Introduction To The Seventh Doctor television stories]] | |||
[[es:Time and the Rani]] | [[es:Time and the Rani]] | ||
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