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{{real world}} | {{real world}} | ||
{{ImageLinkTV}} | {{ImageLinkTV}} | ||
{{Infobox Story | {{Infobox Story SMW | ||
|novelisation= The Ambassadors of Death (novelisation) | |novelisation= The Ambassadors of Death (novelisation) | ||
|image= AmbassadorAtTheGate.jpg | |image= AmbassadorAtTheGate.jpg | ||
|series=[[Doctor Who television stories|''Doctor Who'' television stories]] | |series=[[Doctor Who television stories|''Doctor Who'' television stories]] | ||
|season number= Season 7 | |season number= Season 7 (Doctor Who 1963)| | ||
|season serial number = 3 | |season serial number = 3 | ||
|story number= 53 | |story number= 53 | ||
| Line 13: | Line 13: | ||
|featuring = [[John Benton|Benton]] | |featuring = [[John Benton|Benton]] | ||
|enemy= [[George Carrington]] | |enemy= [[George Carrington]] | ||
|setting= [[England]], [[Dating protocol|1973 or 1979]] [https://www.lethbridge-stewart.co.uk/timeline/] | |setting= [[England]], [[Dating protocol|1973 or 1979]] <ref>[https://www.lethbridge-stewart.co.uk/timeline/ Lethbridge-Stewart TIMELINE]</ref> | ||
|writer= | |writer= David Whitaker | ||
|director= [[Michael Ferguson]] | |director= [[Michael Ferguson]] | ||
|producer= [[Barry Letts]] | |producer= [[Barry Letts]] | ||
|epcount = 7 | |epcount = 7 | ||
|broadcast date= | |broadcast date= 21 March - 2 May 1970 | ||
|network = | |network = BBC1 | ||
|format= 7x25-minute episodes | |format= 7x25-minute episodes | ||
|serial production code= [[List of production codes|CCC]] | |serial production code= [[List of production codes|CCC]] | ||
| Line 26: | Line 26: | ||
|thwr = 19 | |thwr = 19 | ||
|thwr2 = 22|thwr3=40 | |thwr2 = 22|thwr3=40 | ||
}} | |thwr4=151}} | ||
'''''The Ambassadors of Death''''' was the third and penultimate serial of [[season 7]] of ''[[Doctor Who]]''. It was the final story to be written by former [[script editor]] [[David Whitaker]], and was the [[Third Doctor]]'s first adventure into space without the use of [[The Doctor's TARDIS|his TARDIS]]. A [[Doctor Who and the Ambassadors of Death (trailer)|specially filmed scene]] featuring Pertwee as the Third Doctor was filmed to advertise this story. | '''''The Ambassadors of Death''''' was the third and penultimate serial of [[Season 7 (Doctor Who 1963)|season 7]] of ''[[Doctor Who]]''. It was the final story to be written by former [[script editor]] [[David Whitaker]], and was the [[Third Doctor]]'s first adventure into space without the use of [[The Doctor's TARDIS|his TARDIS]]. A [[Doctor Who and the Ambassadors of Death (trailer)|specially filmed scene]] featuring Pertwee as the Third Doctor was filmed to advertise this story. | ||
It also featured the first instance the [[TARDIS console]] was shown in colour | It also featured the first instance the [[TARDIS console]] was shown on-screen in full colour, and for that matter, removed from the TARDIS entirely. The Doctor had disconnected it and moved it to a study room inside [[UNIT]] headquarters now that his TARDIS was rendered inoperative, needing to utilise it in his experiments. | ||
== Synopsis == | == Synopsis == | ||
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An astronaut is bearing down on ''Mars Probe 7''. There has been no contact between the probe and Earth for seven months when it took off from Mars. The Brigadier, who is overlooking the proceedings in the Space Centre, asks Professor Cornish, who is running the recovery mission, if he considers them to be dead. Cornish says he suspects so. The whole recovery mission is being televised live. | An astronaut is bearing down on ''Mars Probe 7''. There has been no contact between the probe and Earth for seven months when it took off from Mars. The Brigadier, who is overlooking the proceedings in the Space Centre, asks Professor Cornish, who is running the recovery mission, if he considers them to be dead. Cornish says he suspects so. The whole recovery mission is being televised live. | ||
The Doctor is trying to reactivate the [[Time Vector Generator]] using his TARDIS control. He inadvertently sends Liz fifteen seconds into the future before doing so to himself — much to her confusion. The Doctor notices the Brigadier on television. He is still bitter about the Brigadier's decision to destroy the Silurians. The recovery vessel is about to link up with the probe. | The Doctor is trying to reactivate the [[Time Vector Generator]] using his TARDIS control. He inadvertently sends Liz fifteen seconds into the future before doing so to himself — much to her confusion. Liz says she hasn't been anywhere and it was the Doctor who vanished. The Doctor explains that Liz vanished first, and he only seemed to have done so because she went into the future and he wasn't there yet. The Doctor notices the Brigadier on television. He is still bitter about the Brigadier's decision to destroy the Silurians. The recovery vessel is about to link up with the probe. | ||
The Brigadier asks the astronaut if he is sure the probe is ''Mars Probe 7''. He says it is. He tries for radio communication one last time and then begins the process of linking up. | The Brigadier asks the astronaut if he is sure the probe is ''Mars Probe 7''. He says it is. He tries for radio communication one last time and then begins the process of linking up. | ||
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[[File:VanLyden.jpg|left|thumb|[[Charles Van Lyden|Van Lyden]] is captured after linking up ''[[Recovery 7]]'' and ''[[Mars Probe 7]]''.]] | [[File:VanLyden.jpg|left|thumb|[[Charles Van Lyden|Van Lyden]] is captured after linking up ''[[Recovery 7]]'' and ''[[Mars Probe 7]]''.]] | ||
Back at UNIT | Back at UNIT Headquarters, the Doctor recognises the sound but can't place from where, which frustrates him. He and Liz set off for the Space Centre. | ||
Cornish is told there are no issues with any of the equipment at the Space Centre, so it must be an issue on the vessels. One of the other doctors, by the name of Taltalian, is being interviewed but gets frustrated with the journalist and walks off. | Cornish is told there are no issues with any of the equipment at the Space Centre, so it must be an issue on the vessels. One of the other doctors, by the name of Taltalian, is being interviewed but gets frustrated with the journalist and walks off. | ||
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The Doctor drives into the Space Centre directly after another vehicle, much to the concern of the guards. | The Doctor drives into the Space Centre directly after another vehicle, much to the concern of the guards. | ||
The probe is holding its position. One of the scientists wonders if it was an excess of [[electricity]] built up in the probe that may have fried the communications but not killed the astronauts. The Doctor arrives, pursued by soldiers that are called off by the Brigadier. The Doctor says that the sound is a message. Cornish is dismissive of the Doctor, but the sound returns. The Doctor identifies it as a series of high frequency accelerated impulses. He demands unlimited computer time and multiple copies of the recording so as to analyse it. Cornish's back is still up. The Doctor becomes more consolatory to him, and he calms down. The sound appears again — but this time it is slightly different. The Doctor states it is a reply from Earth. He sets about coordinating a worldwide triangulation in expectation of a replay. | The probe is holding its position. One of the scientists wonders if it was an excess of [[electricity]] built up in the probe that may have fried the communications but not killed the astronauts. The Doctor arrives, pursued by soldiers that are called off by the Brigadier. The Doctor says that the sound is a message. Cornish is dismissive of the Doctor, but the sound returns. The Doctor identifies it as a series of high frequency accelerated impulses. He demands unlimited computer time and multiple copies of the recording so as to analyse it. Cornish's back is still up. The Doctor becomes more consolatory to him, and he calms down. The sound appears again — but this time it is slightly different. The Doctor states it is a reply from Earth. He sets about coordinating a worldwide [[triangulation]] in expectation of a replay. | ||
The broadcasters suggest that the noise is some kind of distress signal. | The broadcasters suggest that the noise is some kind of distress signal. | ||
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[[George Carrington|General Carrington]] has ensured the capsule's crew — three spacesuited astronauts — are detained elsewhere, feeding them radiation to keep them alive. Carrington is introduced to the Doctor by Quinlan who explains that he is head of the newly formed Space Security Department and that his actions were to protect the astronauts as they had been infected with contagious radiation. Quinlan states that they did not want the public to become panic-stricken, so Carrington had been acting with authority in his actions. By the time Carrington takes the Doctor and his friends to meet the astronauts, the situation has changed again. | [[George Carrington|General Carrington]] has ensured the capsule's crew — three spacesuited astronauts — are detained elsewhere, feeding them radiation to keep them alive. Carrington is introduced to the Doctor by Quinlan who explains that he is head of the newly formed Space Security Department and that his actions were to protect the astronauts as they had been infected with contagious radiation. Quinlan states that they did not want the public to become panic-stricken, so Carrington had been acting with authority in his actions. By the time Carrington takes the Doctor and his friends to meet the astronauts, the situation has changed again. | ||
[[File:BodiesInAGravelPitTAOD.jpg|thumb|[[Reegan]] dumps the dead bodies in a local gravel [[quarry]].]] | [[File:BodiesInAGravelPitTAOD.jpg|thumb|[[Reegan]] dumps the dead bodies in a local gravel [[quarry]].]] | ||
A criminal named [[Reegan]] has organised their abduction, killing the soldiers and scientists protecting them. Two of his henchmen are ordered to protect the astronauts, but the radiation they emit later kills them. Reegan, suited in protective clothes, disposes of their irradiated bodies in a Hertfordshire gravel pit, burying them under the rocks. He then returns to his | A criminal named [[Reegan]] has organised their abduction, killing the soldiers and scientists protecting them. Two of his henchmen are ordered to protect the astronauts, but the radiation they emit later kills them. Reegan, suited in protective clothes, disposes of their irradiated bodies in a Hertfordshire gravel pit, burying them under the rocks. He then returns to his tradesman's van. Covering his tracks with camouflage tactics, Reegan pushes a dashboard button that flips over the van's number plate so it reads another registration. At the same time, the <small>HAYHOE LAUNDERERS LTD.</small> signage on the van changes to read <small>SILCOCK BAKERIES</small>. Later on, the worker manning the industrial shovel uncovers the bodies when sifting the gravel. | ||
When the Doctor and Liz examine the situation, they work out that human tissue could not have withstood the degree of radiation emitted to the astronauts, who are still in orbit, meaning the three space suits contain alien beings instead. Reegan and his own scientist, [[Lennox]], a disgraced [[Cambridge]] professor, are keeping the aliens alive, thinking the radiation needs to disperse, but they are weakening. Reegan enters their locked chamber to check up on one that collapses, but the alien recovers, thrusts him into a wall, and attempts to escape. Lennox flees, running up to find the laboratory exit locked, nearly getting him killed by the advancing alien. It runs out of strength again and falls down the stairs before laying a hand on him. Reegan recovers from the attack, disregarding Lennox's anger about locking the door. They realise the aliens need radiation to survive and begin dosing them with isotopes. | When the Doctor and Liz examine the situation, they work out that human tissue could not have withstood the degree of radiation emitted to the astronauts, who are still in orbit, meaning the three space suits contain alien beings instead. Reegan and his own scientist, [[Lennox]], a disgraced [[Cambridge]] professor, are keeping the aliens alive, thinking the radiation needs to disperse, but they are weakening. Reegan enters their locked chamber to check up on one that collapses, but the alien recovers, thrusts him into a wall, and attempts to escape. Lennox flees, running up to find the laboratory exit locked, nearly getting him killed by the advancing alien. It runs out of strength again and falls down the stairs before laying a hand on him. Reegan recovers from the attack, disregarding Lennox's anger about locking the door. They realise the aliens need radiation to survive and begin dosing them with isotopes. | ||
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=== Episode 5 === | === Episode 5 === | ||
As the astronaut bears down on the Doctor, the Brigadier enters and shoots at it. The astronaut turns and rounds on the Brigadier before escaping, killing a UNIT soldier as it leaves. It radiates the lock behind it as it goes, sealing the door and trapping the Doctor and the Brigadier | As the astronaut bears down on the Doctor, the Brigadier enters and shoots at it. The astronaut turns and rounds on the Brigadier before escaping, killing a UNIT soldier as it leaves. It radiates the lock behind it as it goes, sealing the door and trapping the Doctor and the Brigadier in the office. | ||
Liz speculates that the astronauts are not human and questions Lennox as to whether Reegan is in charge. Lennox tells her that Reegan answers to someone higher up. Liz tells Lennox she has a plan for him to escape. | Liz speculates that the astronauts are not human and questions Lennox as to whether Reegan is in charge. Lennox tells her that Reegan answers to someone higher up. Liz tells Lennox she has a plan for him to escape. | ||
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A fuel injection malfunction registers in the Space Centre. Cornish is concerned, but it soon self rectifies. | A fuel injection malfunction registers in the Space Centre. Cornish is concerned, but it soon self rectifies. | ||
The man is still making his way around the launch pad, knocking out any workers that he comes across. He turns a large valve on a cylinder marked | The man is still making his way around the launch pad, knocking out any workers that he comes across. He turns a large valve on a cylinder marked <small>M3 FUEL</small>. He climbs higher and higher, turning valves as he goes, and then makes his escape. | ||
Food is brought to Lennox. As the guard leaves, he implores for the door to be locked. He takes the lid off his food and finds an isotope. Horrified, he presses the panic button, but there is no response. | Food is brought to Lennox. As the guard leaves, he implores for the door to be locked. He takes the lid off his food and finds an isotope. Horrified, he presses the panic button, but there is no response. | ||
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The red disc is a spaceship. The Doctor tries to evade it, but he doesn't have enough speed as he is still linked to ''Mars Probe Seven''. The Space Centre loses communication with him. It has collided with the ship. The capsule must be smashed to fragments. | The red disc is a spaceship. The Doctor tries to evade it, but he doesn't have enough speed as he is still linked to ''Mars Probe Seven''. The Space Centre loses communication with him. It has collided with the ship. The capsule must be smashed to fragments. | ||
The Doctor awakes inside his capsule. A voice tells him he is not in danger and that he can leave his capsule. The Doctor reaches for his space helmet, but | The Doctor awakes inside his capsule. A voice tells him he is not in danger and that he can leave his capsule. The Doctor reaches for his space helmet, but the voice says he won't need life-support systems as an environment has been prepared for him. He asks where the astronauts are, and is told they are unharmed. | ||
The Doctor walks out into a large red tunnel and is told by the voice to walk into the light. There, the Doctor finds himself in what appears to be the Space Centre's quarantine area, where the astronauts watching a game on a video screen and are in good spirits. The men are under the assumption that they are in extended quarantine on Earth. The Doctor tells them the truth, but they don't believe him. Suddenly, a strange noise hypnotises the astronauts, and they no longer respond to the Doctor. An alien figure appears on a giant video screen, explaining that the astronauts have had their minds conditioned to stop their minds deteriorating. The figure wants to know why their ambassadors have not been returned and warns that unless this happens, Earth will be destroyed. | The Doctor walks out into a large red tunnel and is told by the voice to walk into the light. There, the Doctor finds himself in what appears to be the Space Centre's quarantine area, where the astronauts watching a game on a video screen and are in good spirits. The men are under the assumption that they are in extended quarantine on Earth. The Doctor tells them the truth, but they don't believe him. Suddenly, a strange noise hypnotises the astronauts, and they no longer respond to the Doctor. An alien figure appears on a giant video screen, explaining that the astronauts have had their minds conditioned to stop their minds deteriorating. The figure wants to know why their ambassadors have not been returned and warns that unless this happens, Earth will be destroyed. | ||
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The Doctor is four and a half minutes from touchdown. The Brigadier wants to go and meet him, but Cornish tells him it will take him an hour to get through decontamination. | The Doctor is four and a half minutes from touchdown. The Brigadier wants to go and meet him, but Cornish tells him it will take him an hour to get through decontamination. | ||
Reegan's van approaches the Space Centre. He produces some papers and is waved through by the sentry. | |||
The Doctor has landed. | The Doctor has landed. | ||
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Inside, Reegan is trying to convince the Doctor to work alongside him. They hear the gun shots and the Brigadier enters, shooting the guard and injuring Reegan. He explains Carrington's plan to the Doctor. Reegan suggests they could use the ambassadors as a way of getting back into the Space Centre. The Doctor explains the plan to the ambassadors. | Inside, Reegan is trying to convince the Doctor to work alongside him. They hear the gun shots and the Brigadier enters, shooting the guard and injuring Reegan. He explains Carrington's plan to the Doctor. Reegan suggests they could use the ambassadors as a way of getting back into the Space Centre. The Doctor explains the plan to the ambassadors. | ||
Bessie and the van draw up to the entrance of the Space Centre. The Brigadier orders the men to open the gates, but they refuse. The ambassadors are let out of the van. The Doctor asks them to open the gates and to try not to harm anyone. The soldiers shoot at the ambassadors, to no avail. The Doctor tells the soldiers using a megaphone that the aliens are invulnerable to bullets, and warns "They will not harm you, but you will die if you touch them." The soldiers fall back, the ambassadors open the gates and Bessie and the van drive in. | Bessie and the van draw up to the entrance of the Space Centre. The Brigadier orders the men to open the gates, but they refuse. The ambassadors are let out of the van. The Doctor asks them to open the gates and to try not to harm anyone. The soldiers shoot at the ambassadors, to no avail. The Doctor tells the soldiers using a megaphone that the aliens are invulnerable to bullets, and warns "They will not harm you, but you will die if you touch them. For your own safety, fall back. I repeat: fall back!" The soldiers fall back, the ambassadors open the gates and Bessie and the van drive in. | ||
Carrington and Wakefield are still going through the dress rehearsal for the broadcast. Cornish implores with Carrington again, and Carrington has Cornish taken away by security. They are five seconds from broadcast. As Wakefield introduces Carrington, a banging is heard and then screams from a female technician; Wakefield hastily signals for the transmission to be cut. The ambassadors enter, followed by the Doctor, the Brigadier and the UNIT soldiers. Carrington shouts the aliens are invading, and the Brigadier puts him under arrest. As Carrington is led away by Benton, he tells the Doctor that he had to do what he did; it was his "moral duty". The Doctor tells Carrington he understands, and a satisfied Carrington leaves with Benton. The Doctor releases the captive ambassador and says a message needs to be sent to the UFO. Cornish asks after his astronauts, and the Doctor says that they are safe. All that needs to be done now is to send the ambassadors up in ''Mars Probe Seven'' and the aliens will send down the human astronauts. Even the issue of fuel isn't a problem; the ambassadors are immune to G-force so they can use the M3 variant. The Doctor bids Cornish farewell, as Liz will stay and help with the exchange. As the Doctor leaves, he goes to shake the ambassadors' hands before thinking better of it and instead wishing them a nice trip. | Carrington and Wakefield are still going through the dress rehearsal for the broadcast. Cornish implores with Carrington again, and Carrington has Cornish taken away by security. They are five seconds from broadcast. As Wakefield introduces Carrington, a banging is heard and then screams from a female technician; Wakefield hastily signals for the transmission to be cut. The ambassadors enter, followed by the Doctor, the Brigadier and the UNIT soldiers. Carrington shouts the aliens are invading, and the Brigadier puts him under arrest. As Carrington is led away by Benton, he tells the Doctor that he had to do what he did; it was his "moral duty". The Doctor tells Carrington he understands, and a satisfied Carrington leaves with Benton. The Doctor releases the captive ambassador and says a message needs to be sent to the UFO. Cornish asks after his astronauts, and the Doctor says that they are safe. All that needs to be done now is to send the ambassadors up in ''Mars Probe Seven'' and the aliens will send down the human astronauts. Even the issue of fuel isn't a problem; the ambassadors are immune to G-force so they can use the M3 variant. The Doctor bids Cornish farewell, as Liz will stay and help with the exchange. As the Doctor leaves, he goes to shake the ambassadors' hands before thinking better of it and instead wishing them a nice trip. | ||
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* [[Writer]] - [[David Whitaker]] | * [[Writer]] - [[David Whitaker]] | ||
* [[Script Editor]] - [[Terrance Dicks]] | * [[Script Editor]] - [[Terrance Dicks]] | ||
* [[Director]] - [[Michael Ferguson]] | * [[Director (crew)|Director]] - [[Michael Ferguson]] | ||
* [[Producer]] - [[Barry Letts]] | * [[Producer]] - [[Barry Letts]] | ||
| Line 507: | Line 507: | ||
<gallery position="center" captionalign="center" hideaddbutton="true"> | <gallery position="center" captionalign="center" hideaddbutton="true"> | ||
File:TheAmbassadorsOfDeathDVDRegion2.jpg|Region 2 DVD cover | File:TheAmbassadorsOfDeathDVDRegion2.jpg|Region 2 DVD cover | ||
File:The ambassadors of death.png|Region 1 DVD cover | |||
File:Ambassadors of death australia dvd.jpg|Region 4 DVD cover | File:Ambassadors of death australia dvd.jpg|Region 4 DVD cover | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||