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{{real world}} | {{real world}} | ||
{{ImageLinkTV}} | {{ImageLinkTV}} | ||
{{Infobox Story | {{Infobox Story SMW | ||
| image | |image = Black Spot.jpg | ||
| series | |series = [[Doctor Who television stories|''Doctor Who'' television stories]] | ||
| season number | |season number = Series 6 (Doctor Who 2005) | ||
|series episode number = 3 | |series episode number = 3 | ||
| story number | |story number = 215 | ||
| doctor | |doctor = Eleventh Doctor | ||
| companions | |companions = [[Amy Pond|Amy]], [[Rory Williams|Rory]] | ||
| featuring | |featuring = [[Henry Avery|Avery]] | ||
| enemy | |enemy = [[Siren (The Curse of the Black Spot)|Siren]] | ||
| setting | |setting = The ''[[Fancy]]'', [[1699]] | ||
| writer | |writer = Steve Thompson | ||
| director | |director = [[Jeremy Webb]] | ||
| producer | |producer = [[Marcus Wilson]] | ||
| confidential | |confidential = Ship Ahoy! (CON episode) | ||
| broadcast date | |broadcast date = 7 May 2011 | ||
| network | |network = BBC One | ||
| format | |format = 1x45 minute episode | ||
| production code = 2.9 | |production code = 2.9 | ||
| prev | |prev = Day of the Moon (TV story) | ||
| next | |next = The Doctor's Wife (TV story) | ||
| made prev | |made prev = A Good Man Goes to War (TV story) | ||
| made next | |made next = The Girl Who Waited (TV story) | ||
| trailer | |trailer = Doctor Who The Curse of the Black Spot - Series 6, Episode 3 Trailer - BBC One | ||
|clip = Amy Pond the Pirate - Doctor Who - The Curse of the Black Spot - Series 6 - BBC | |||
| clip | |clip3 = Amy saves Rory's life...again - Doctor Who - The Curse of the Black Spot - Series 6 - BBC | ||
| clip3 | |||
}} | }} | ||
'''''The Curse of the Black Spot''''' was the third episode of [[Series 6 (Doctor Who 2005)|series 6]] of ''[[Doctor Who]]''. | |||
It featured the long-forgotten character [[Henry Avery]], mentioned in the [[First Doctor]] story ''[[The Smugglers (TV story)|The Smugglers]]'', and gave an explanation as to what happened to him and his crew. The "[[Kovarian|Eye Patch Lady]]" also appeared again, in the second of what would become a series of brief, foreboding check-ups on Amy Pond as she travelled with the Doctor. | |||
== Synopsis == | == Synopsis == | ||
[[The Doctor's TARDIS|The TARDIS]] is marooned onboard a [[17th century]] [[pirate]] ship whose crew is being attacked by a mysterious and beautiful sea creature. Becalmed and beset by cabin fever, the pirates have numerous [[superstition|superstitious]] explanations for the [[Siren]]'s appearance. The [[Eleventh Doctor]] has other ideas, but as his theories are disproved and every plan of escape is thwarted, he must work to win the trust of the implacable Captain [[Henry Avery]] and uncover the truth behind the pirates' supernatural fears — and he must work quickly, for some of his friends have already fallen under the | [[The Doctor's TARDIS|The TARDIS]] is marooned onboard a [[17th century]] [[pirate]] ship whose crew is being attacked by a mysterious and beautiful sea creature. Becalmed and beset by cabin fever, the pirates have numerous [[superstition|superstitious]] explanations for the [[Siren (The Curse of the Black Spot)|Siren]]'s appearance. The [[Eleventh Doctor]] has other ideas, but as his theories are disproved and every plan of escape is thwarted, he must work to win the trust of the implacable Captain [[Henry Avery]] and uncover the truth behind the pirates' supernatural fears — and he must work quickly, for some of his friends have already fallen under the Siren's spell. | ||
== Plot == | == Plot == | ||
On a becalmed ship called the ''[[Fancy]]'', a man with a minor cut is brought to the captain, [[Henry Avery]] | On a becalmed ship called the ''[[Fancy]]'', a man with a minor cut is brought to the captain, [[Henry Avery]]. Avery declares that he's a "dead man" after discovering a black spot on the man's palm. The man grabs a gun and flees outside as a woman can be heard singing on the deck. A few minutes later, he can be heard screaming as the song cuts to a stop. The crew departs the cabin to investigate, with Avery remarking that the disappearance is the same as all the others. As a banging is heard below deck, a wooden grille is pushed open to reveal the [[Eleventh Doctor]], [[Amy Pond|Amy]], and [[Rory Williams|Rory]]. | ||
[[File:Amy-pirate.jpg|thumb|left|Amy challenges the pirates.]] | [[File:Amy-pirate.jpg|thumb|left|Amy challenges the pirates.]] | ||
The trio is brought to Avery's cabin, where the Doctor reveals that they picked up the ship's distress calls; the crew, however, insists that they made no such calls. When the Doctor compares the [[time travel]]lers to | The trio is brought to Avery's cabin, where the Doctor reveals that they picked up the ship's distress calls; the crew, however, insists that they made no such calls. When the Doctor compares the [[time travel]]lers to sailors, they are held at gunpoint by Avery and accused of being stowaways. The captain, knowing there is too little [[water]] to sustain all of them until the wind picks up, orders the Doctor and Rory to walk the plank while commanding Amy to the scullery. She is shoved below deck, where she discovers trunks of pirate garb and weaponry. As the Doctor is prepared to jump into the water, Amy reappears, brandishing a sword, frightening the crew, who do not wish to be injured. One crew member advances on her to get the sword away from her, but she puts up a fight, accidentally cutting his hand. He explains that she has killed him, prompting her to call him a "baby" for overreacting. A second fight ensues and Amy drops the sword, accidentally cutting Rory as well. Black spots appear on both of the men's palms, prompting Rory to ask the Doctor what's happening. | ||
The woman's voice is heard yet again, charming Rory and the wounded pirate and turning them into babbling fools. A ghostly woman bubbles up from the becalmed water and slowly advances on the crew, extending her hand to Rory and the pirate. The pirate steps forward and is instantly vaporised upon touching her. Rory also approaches her, but Amy steps between them, threatening the woman — who turns an angry red, hisses, and throws Amy across the deck. The crew hurries below deck, followed by the time travellers. Avery refers to the woman as a [[Siren]] | The woman's voice is heard yet again, charming Rory and the wounded pirate and turning them into babbling fools. A ghostly woman bubbles up from the becalmed water and slowly advances on the crew, extending her hand to Rory and the pirate. The pirate steps forward and is instantly vaporised upon touching her. Rory also approaches her, but Amy steps between them, threatening the woman — who turns an angry red, hisses, and throws Amy across the deck. The crew hurries below deck, followed by the time travellers. Avery refers to the woman as a [[Siren (The Curse of the Black Spot)|Siren]] and says she has been taking every injured crew member, whether the wound is large or small. They all believe that the ship is cursed, which the Doctor responds to with some derision. | ||
Avery does not believe that [[The Doctor's TARDIS|the TARDIS]] is truly the Doctor's "ship", and levels his pistol at him, demanding that he make it "sail". The Doctor, however, feels that they're merely fighting over who's in charge. Another crewmember realises that a [[leech]] has bitten him on the leg, and they all scramble to remove themselves from the still water as the black spot appears on the man's hand. All of a sudden, the Siren appears and takes the man, allowing the Doctor to [[deduce]] that she is using water as a portal; therefore, they must make for the driest room on the ship — the armoury. Arriving there, they discover [[Toby Avery|Toby]], a young boy who is revealed to be Avery's son. The boy stowed away on his father's ship, wanting to meet the man his mother described as an "honourable Navy captain" before she died the previous year. However, he is very ill, and soon reveals a black spot on the palm of his hand. Because he possesses no injuries, the Doctor realises that the Siren is coming for the sick as well as the wounded. | |||
[[File:The_TARDIS_gets_"towed".jpg|thumb|200px|The TARDIS gets "towed".]] | [[File:The_TARDIS_gets_"towed".jpg|thumb|200px|The TARDIS gets "towed".]] | ||
Avery and the Doctor go to the TARDIS, where Avery quickly adapts to the machine's extraterrestrial equipment by comparing them to the functions of his own ship. Meanwhile, the [[boatswain (The Curse of the Black Spot)|boatswain]] and [[Mulligan (The Curse of the Black Spot)|Mulligan]] — the only remaining crew members — reveal their plan to leave the ship with Avery's treasure, thus informing Toby that his father is a pirate. Still loyal, Toby grabs a sword and cuts the boatswain's hand, stranding him in the armoury with the others. Mulligan, however, leaves anyway. Back in the TARDIS, the Doctor realises that the TARDIS cannot leave because it can't sense the plane it's supposed to be flying on. Abruptly, it begins to dematerialise, and with no clue as to its destination, the Doctor and Avery are forced to flee. | Avery and the Doctor go to the TARDIS, where Avery quickly adapts to the machine's extraterrestrial equipment by comparing them to the functions of his own ship. Meanwhile, the [[boatswain (The Curse of the Black Spot)|boatswain]] and [[Mulligan (The Curse of the Black Spot)|Mulligan]] — the only remaining crew members — reveal their plan to leave the ship with Avery's treasure, thus informing Toby that his father is a pirate. Still loyal, Toby grabs a sword and cuts the boatswain's hand, stranding him in the armoury with the others. Mulligan, however, leaves anyway. Back in the TARDIS, the Doctor realises that the TARDIS cannot leave because it can't sense the plane it's supposed to be flying on. Abruptly, it begins to dematerialise, and with no clue as to its destination, the Doctor and Avery are forced to flee. | ||
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On their way back to the armoury, the Doctor and Avery run into Mulligan, who has stolen all of Avery's treasure and is preparing to leave the ship. The two give chase, but Mulligan manages to lock himself in a small cabin room, where he burns his hand upon lighting a match. The Doctor and Avery listen as he is taken by the Siren. Entering the room, the Doctor and Avery realise that there is no water present, thus, the Siren doesn't only use water as a portal, but all reflective surfaces. Remembering that Avery gave Toby his medallion, they rush back to the armoury, where the Doctor blows air on the medallion to fog the surface. With no TARDIS, they realise they have no other option but to sit and wait for the seas to kick up again. | On their way back to the armoury, the Doctor and Avery run into Mulligan, who has stolen all of Avery's treasure and is preparing to leave the ship. The two give chase, but Mulligan manages to lock himself in a small cabin room, where he burns his hand upon lighting a match. The Doctor and Avery listen as he is taken by the Siren. Entering the room, the Doctor and Avery realise that there is no water present, thus, the Siren doesn't only use water as a portal, but all reflective surfaces. Remembering that Avery gave Toby his medallion, they rush back to the armoury, where the Doctor blows air on the medallion to fog the surface. With no TARDIS, they realise they have no other option but to sit and wait for the seas to kick up again. | ||
[[File:Eyepatch4.jpg|thumb|left|The Patch Lady looks at Amy through the hatch.]] | [[File:Eyepatch4.jpg|thumb|left|The Eye Patch Lady looks at Amy through the hatch.]] | ||
As everyone sleeps, Amy sees the [[Madame Kovarian|woman with the eyepatch]] staring at her through a hatch in the side of the ship, however, the hatch disappears. She goes to Avery's cabin, where the Doctor stands staring out the window | As everyone sleeps, Amy sees the [[Madame Kovarian|woman with the eyepatch]] staring at her through a hatch in the side of the ship, however, the hatch disappears. She goes to Avery's cabin, where the Doctor stands staring out the window and is prepared to tell him of the woman when he interrupts her, questioning whether or not she feels as though she is being watched. Suddenly, a storm breaks, and everyone heads to the deck to lift the sail. In the chaos, a crown falls out of Avery's jacket, even though the Doctor had previously ordered Avery to rid the ship of all the treasure so that they might limit the Siren's means of reaching them. The Siren appears, taking Toby, but the Doctor is able to throw the crown overboard before she can go after Rory. Nevertheless, Rory is knocked overboard and begins to drown. Though Amy prepares to jump in after him, the Doctor explains that Rory will die unless they let the Siren take him. He pulls the lid off a bucket of still water and orders the woman to go save him. The Doctor realises that their only means of reuniting with their loved ones is to prick their fingers and let the Siren take them as well. They do so, and the Siren reappears. They all touch her hand, instantly blacking out. | ||
They wake on the floor of an invisible [[Alien ship (The Curse of the Black Spot)|alien spaceship]], which the Doctor quickly | They wake on the floor of an invisible [[Alien ship (The Curse of the Black Spot)|alien spaceship]], which the Doctor quickly deduces is taking up the same space as the ''Fancy'', lending credence to his previous belief that they were all being watched; every window on the spaceship is a portal that leads to the ''Fancy''. Amy realises that the distress signal they answered was coming from the spaceship, not the ''Fancy''. As they explore, they discover the skeletons of the alien ship's original crew members (who wear uniforms bearing the lettering "D.I.H.S."), with the Doctor ascertaining that they all died years ago from an airborne disease from [[Earth]]. | ||
[[File:Siren-angry.jpg|thumb|The Siren prepares to " | [[File:Siren-angry.jpg|thumb|The Siren prepares to "sterilise" germs.]] | ||
Eventually, they discover the | Eventually, they discover the [[medical bay|sickbay]], where Avery's crew — plus Rory, Toby, and the TARDIS — are being kept, hooked up to life support machines. When Amy tries to unhook Rory, the Siren appears and puts him back to sleep. The Doctor realises that the Siren is not a demon, but a virtual [[doctor]] who has been caring for the injured crew. However, she has no means of treating them and can only put them on life support to save them. Amy again tries to help Rory, but the Siren won't let her near him; it is not until Amy proclaims that he is her husband that the Siren extends her hand, with a glowing yellow ring forming around it. The Doctor orders Amy to take her hand, thus signing the contract and accepting all responsibility for Rory's further well-being. She does so, but they quickly realise that Rory cannot be taken off life support. In doing so, he will drown, as he would have done earlier when he fell overboard. | ||
Rory is sure that Amy can save him and instructs her on how to perform [[CPR]]. Meanwhile, the Doctor reveals to Avery that Toby has typhoid fever, and if he were to be removed from the ship, he would only have a few months left to live. Remembering that the alien spaceship needs a captain, Avery volunteers for the position so that he may continue to look after his son. Bidding Avery goodbye, the Doctor and Amy bring a choking Rory back to the TARDIS, where Amy begins to perform CPR. Though it appears futile at first, Rory eventually recovers and lovingly embraces his wife. | Rory is sure that Amy can save him and instructs her on how to perform [[CPR]]. Meanwhile, the Doctor reveals to Avery that Toby has typhoid fever, and if he were to be removed from the ship, he would only have a few months left to live. Remembering that the alien spaceship needs a captain, Avery volunteers for the position so that he may continue to look after his son. Bidding Avery goodbye, the Doctor and Amy bring a choking Rory back to the TARDIS, where Amy begins to perform CPR. Though it appears futile at first, Rory eventually recovers and lovingly embraces his wife. | ||
[[File:Avery_and_his_crew_acquire_the_spaceship.jpg|thumb|200px|Captain Avery and his crew in their newly acquired ship.]] | [[File:Avery_and_his_crew_acquire_the_spaceship.jpg|thumb|200px|Captain Avery and his crew in their newly acquired ship.]] | ||
The alien spaceship soars off into space, with Avery in the captain's seat and Toby and his crew at his side. | The alien spaceship soars off into space, with Avery in the captain's seat and Toby and his crew at his side headed for the Dog Star. | ||
In the TARDIS, Amy and Rory say | In the TARDIS, Amy and Rory say goodnight to the Doctor, who responds by referring to Amy as "Amelia". Amy notes that he only does this when he's worried about her. The Doctor retorts that he always worries about her, leading Amy to remember his impending death and admit that the feeling is mutual. As they depart the console room, Rory reminds her that she cannot tell the Doctor about what happens at [[Lake Silencio]] in the future. The Doctor scans Amy for pregnancy again, with the readings still flickering between positive and negative. | ||
== Cast == | == Cast == | ||
| Line 78: | Line 77: | ||
* [[Dancer (The Curse of the Black Spot)|Dancer]] - [[Chris Jarman]] | * [[Dancer (The Curse of the Black Spot)|Dancer]] - [[Chris Jarman]] | ||
* [[McGrath]] - [[Carl McCrystal]] | * [[McGrath]] - [[Carl McCrystal]] | ||
* [[Siren|The Siren]] - [[Lily Cole]] | * [[Siren (The Curse of the Black Spot)|The Siren]] - [[Lily Cole]] | ||
== Crew == | == Crew == | ||
| Line 88: | Line 84: | ||
|2ndAD=James DeHaviland | |2ndAD=James DeHaviland | ||
|3rdAD=Heddi-Joy Taylor-Welch | |3rdAD=Heddi-Joy Taylor-Welch | ||
|AD=Janine H Jones | |AD=Jay Harley{{!}}Janine H Jones <nowiki>[Jay Harley]</nowiki> | ||
|AD2=Michael Curtis | |AD2=Michael Curtis | ||
|Runner= | |Runner= | ||
| Line 247: | Line 243: | ||
|AsstEditor=Becky Trotman | |AsstEditor=Becky Trotman | ||
|AsstEditor2= | |AsstEditor2= | ||
|VFXProducer=Beewan Athwal | |||
|VFXEditor=Cat Gregory | |VFXEditor=Cat Gregory | ||
|VFXCoOrdinator= | |VFXCoOrdinator= | ||
| Line 324: | Line 321: | ||
|RightsExecutive= | |RightsExecutive= | ||
|FinanceManager= | |FinanceManager= | ||
|Thanks= | |Thanks= | ||
|Thanks2= | |Thanks2= | ||
| Line 380: | Line 373: | ||
|DedicatedTo=<!--This exact credit never actually used as of April 2010; left for future use--> | |DedicatedTo=<!--This exact credit never actually used as of April 2010; left for future use--> | ||
|InMemoryOf= | |InMemoryOf= | ||
|Note= | |Note=[[Jay Harley]] was credited under their [[T:ACTOR#Crediting trans people|deadname]] as [[assistant director]]. | ||
<!--There are note variables from Note2 to Note20, but these are probably only necessary for the odd case of "The End of Time". This set of variables are the only ones which aren't automatically linked; it's just a freeform note field. All Notes mass together in a single paragraph at the end of the table created by this template. Thus, each individual note should be a full sentence ending with a period, and should have any links enclosed in [[brackets]]. | <!--There are note variables from Note2 to Note20, but these are probably only necessary for the odd case of "The End of Time". This set of variables are the only ones which aren't automatically linked; it's just a freeform note field. All Notes mass together in a single paragraph at the end of the table created by this template. Thus, each individual note should be a full sentence ending with a period, and should have any links enclosed in [[brackets]]. | ||
--> | --> | ||
}} | }} | ||
== | == Worldbuilding == | ||
* The Siren is wearing [[evening dress]]. | === Fashion and clothing === | ||
=== | * The Siren is wearing an [[evening dress]]. | ||
* [[Henry Avery]] | |||
=== History === | |||
* [[Henry Avery]] robbed the [[Mughal]] of [[India]]. | |||
=== Individuals === | === Individuals === | ||
| Line 395: | Line 390: | ||
=== Technology === | === Technology === | ||
* The Doctor tries to use the [[sonic screwdriver]] to open wooden doors and barrels multiple times. | * The Doctor tries to use the [[the Doctor's sonic screwdriver|sonic screwdriver]] to open wooden doors and barrels multiple times. | ||
* Avery compares the TARDIS' [[atom accelerator]] to the wheel on his vessel, the ''Fancy''. | * Avery compares the TARDIS' [[atom accelerator]] to the wheel on his vessel, the ''Fancy''. | ||
=== Influences === | |||
* [[Steve Thompson]] was inspired by a popular Cornish legend about "the Mermaid of Zennor", which apparently dated from the fifteenth century. The story concerned a mermaid with a beautiful singing voice who tempted a human man to come live with her in the sea. It is associated with an ancient chair bearing a carving of a mermaid, which can still be found at St Senara's Church in Zennor. | |||
* The episode was made in light of the success of ''[[Pirates of the Caribbean]]''. Funnily enough, the fourth film, ''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pirates_of_the_Caribbean:_On_Stranger_Tides Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides],'' came out the same year. | |||
* The Black Spot being a pirate's death sentence comes from ''[[Treasure Island]].'' | |||
== Story notes == | == Story notes == | ||
* This episode was supposed to air in the autumn half of the series, but was | * This episode was supposed to air in the autumn half of the series, but was reordered, along with [[TV]]: ''[[The Doctor's Wife (TV story)|The Doctor's Wife]]'' being fourth instead of third and [[Mark Gatiss]]' episode being ninth instead of fourth. This was because [[Steven Moffat]] felt Gatiss' episode was too dark.<ref>[http://doctorwhospoilers.com/2011/summaries/s6ep4/]</ref> | ||
* This episode's original title was ''Siren'' and was the ninth episode of series six. In the first draft, the story was set on dry land ([[Cornwall]]) in case the show couldn't get a boat. ([[REF]]: ''[[The Brilliant Book 2012]]'')<ref>[[DWMSE 29]]</ref> | * This episode's original title was ''Siren'' and was the ninth episode of series six. In the first draft, the story was set on dry land ([[Cornwall]]) in case the show couldn't get a boat. ([[REF]]: ''[[The Brilliant Book 2012]]'')<ref>[[DWMSE 29]]</ref> | ||
* Writer [[Steve Thompson]] was unaware of Avery's mention in ''[[The Smugglers]]''. He'd simply looked through his | * Writer [[Steve Thompson]] was unaware of Avery's mention in ''[[The Smugglers (TV story)|The Smugglers]]''. He'd simply looked through his son's book about pirates and picked Avery because of his mysterious disappearance. ([[REF]]: ''[[The Brilliant Book 2012]]'') | ||
* The DVD commentary for the later episode ''[[A Good Man Goes to War]]'' indicates that the decision to reorder the episodes was made before production ended on ''Black Spot'', as according to the commentary the brief sequence featuring Avery and Toby that appears in the mid-season finale was shot during production of this episode. | * The DVD commentary for the later episode ''[[A Good Man Goes to War (TV story)|A Good Man Goes to War]]'' indicates that the decision to reorder the episodes was made before production ended on ''Black Spot'', as according to the commentary the brief sequence featuring Avery and Toby that appears in the mid-season finale was shot during production of this episode. | ||
* A [[Prequel (The Curse of the Black Spot)|prequel]] for this story was released online. <ref>http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/dw/videos/p00gmybn</ref> | * A [[Prequel (The Curse of the Black Spot)|prequel]] for this story was released online.<ref>http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/dw/videos/p00gmybn</ref> | ||
* Lily Cole is credited as "The Siren" on-screen, and as "Sea Siren" in ''Radio Times''. | * [[Lily Cole]] is credited as "The Siren" on-screen, and as "Sea Siren" in ''Radio Times''. | ||
* This episode is notable both in that none of the guest cast die and there is no villain of the piece. Excluding minisodes, Comic Relief specials, etc., the only other episode of the revived series to have both these feats is ''[[Hide (TV story)|Hide]]''. | * This episode is notable both in that none of the guest cast die and there is no villain of the piece. Excluding minisodes, Comic Relief specials, etc., the only other episode of the revived series to have both these feats is ''[[Hide (TV story)|Hide]]'' and ''[[Twice Upon a Time (TV story)|Twice Upon a Time]]'' which, like ''The Curse of the Black Spot'', had a supposed villain, turn out to be a harmless misunderstanding. | ||
* As with this story, Earth-born diseases were the bane of the aliens in ''[[The War of the Worlds]]''. | * As with this story, Earth-born diseases were the bane of the aliens in ''[[The War of the Worlds]]''. | ||
* The unique [[incidental music]] for this episode, "Deadly Siren" is reused thrice after this episode; the adventurous swashbuckling-themed section of the track plays when Captain Avery and his son | * The unique [[incidental music]] for this episode, "Deadly Siren" is reused thrice after this episode; the adventurous swashbuckling-themed section of the track plays when Captain Avery and his son make a brief cameo in ''[[A Good Man Goes to War (TV story)|A Good Man Goes to War]]'', and the part of the track where the Siren vocally sings is played during [[WC]]: ''[[The Making of the Gunslinger (webcast)|The Making of the Gunslinger]]'' as well as in [[TV]]: ''[[The Night of the Doctor (TV story)|The Night of the Doctor]]''. | ||
* The exterior of the pirate ship was filmed at a dock in [[Cornwall]], while the lower decks were built from a set at the studio. The principal challenge to film at the dock was to ensure the audience would not see it. The crew set up smoke machines to simulate fog. To create the storm the crew used wind and rain machines, the latter of which went through 15,000 litres of water. | |||
* The episode was also made to allow the Doctor and his companions to "kick back and have some fun." | |||
* Anticipating they would get soaked, the cast present on the deck wore dry suits underneath their clothes. | |||
* A significant continuity error was introduced in editing, when the removal of scenes involving the Boatswain. He was manacled to the ship's bulkhead after being wounded, where he spitefully revealed the truth about Captain Avery's pirate ways to Toby. The Boatswain later used a sword to break the rusty chains which bound him but, in doing so, he created a reflective surface through which he was snared by the Siren. However, this material was removed in editing, which meant that the character abruptly vanished from the narrative, only to reappear as a patient on the spaceship at the end of the story. | |||
* The sickbay set was built in a studio. Because the beds were attached to strings, they were prone to swaying. | |||
* [[Lee Ross]] had previously starred in [[Steven Moffat]]'s series ''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Press_Gang Press Gang]''. | |||
* The cast members who were asked to lie on the beds were instructed to stay still and not breathe heavily to limit movement. | |||
* [[Karen Gillan]] was allowed to perform several of her own stunts in the episode. She was excited to learn that her character would fight pirates with swords, and was taught how to handle one with basic moves. She was also allowed to swing across the ship. However, a stunt double was required to film the sequence where Amy is thrown across the deck by the Siren. | |||
* One late deletion from the script was the idea that the Siren would appear to Toby Avery as a young girl. This would have given the Doctor a clue as to the entity's true nature. | |||
* The scenes in which [[Lily Cole]] appeared on the ship were done by using a harness as if she was flying. Because she wore green dress and makeup, the normal greenscreen was replaced by bluescreens in the studio. Cole felt it was fun to fly on the harness, but found it painful after a few hours. | |||
* Before filming began on the storm sequences, [[Arthur Darvill]] heard that he would perform the stunt where he is thrown into the sea, and was willing to perform it. The stunt would later be performed by a double. | |||
* In [[2019]], it was rumoured that [[Karen Gillan]] would replace [[Johnny Depp]] in a reboot of ''[[Pirates of the Caribbean]].'' | |||
* [[Steve Thompson]] was working with [[Steven Moffat]] on ''[[Sherlock (series)|Sherlock]]'' and expressed interest in writing for the series. | |||
* [[Matt Smith]] and [[Karen Gillan]] felt that working with [[Hugh Bonneville]] was "great fun." | |||
* For the Siren, the producers were looking for an actress who is "beautiful," "striking," and yet somewhat "spooky." [[Lily Cole]] came early into the casting suggestions, and accepted the role when she was approached. | |||
* The producers wished to develop an episode set on "the high seas." It was also made to allow the Doctor and his companions to "kick back and have some fun." | |||
* As the episode was pirate-themed, the producers wanted to fit in as many elements as possible from pirate fiction, including treasure, mutinies, a stowaway boy, walking the plank, storms, swords, and a pirate with a "good heart" who "isn't really evil." | |||
* [[Steve Thompson]] initially took a budget-conscious approach, with the action set around the Cornish coast. In this version, Captain Avery was searching for his missing wife, who had been kidnapped by the Siren. The Doctor eventually helped track the creature to a mine, where it was killed. When it was realised that there were sufficient funds available to set much of the story at sea, the Cornish setting was dropped in favour of the ''Fancy''. Thompson now introduced a militia which boarded the ship, only for its corrupt lieutenant to force the crew to help him seek buried treasure on a nearby island. These characters were omitted when it was found that they over-complicated the storyline. It was only at this stage that the Siren became a medical interface, while early drafts also positioned Amy as her target, rather than Rory. | |||
* The episode comprised Block Five of season six, officially labelled “Block Four-B”. | |||
* Madame Kovarian's cameo was the first scene shot for the episode. | |||
* To avoid giving the impression that the was a pastiche, care was taken to ensure that [[Hugh Bonneville]] would not resemble [https://pirates.fandom.com/wiki/Jack_Sparrow Captain Jack Sparrow]. | |||
* [[Lily Cole]]'s performance was filmed against a bluescreen across two days. | |||
* The real Henry Avery's fate was unknown. This appealed to [[Steve Thompson]], as it gave him carte blanche to tell the rest of his story. | |||
* The Eleventh Doctor was originally going to wear a pirate outfit. | |||
=== Ratings === | === Ratings === | ||
* 7.85 million (35.5% market share) | * 7.85 million (35.5% market share; UK final)<ref>[http://guide.doctorwhonews.net/info.php?detail=ratings&type=date Doctor Who Ratings - UK final]</ref> | ||
=== Filming locations === | === Filming locations === | ||
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=== Production errors === | === Production errors === | ||
{{discontinuity}} | {{discontinuity}} | ||
* At the beginning of this story Amy has manicured her fingernails in a mauve colour. When she, the Doctor and Avery are about to be taken by the Siren, her nail varnish appears chipped. And then when the three arrive on the alien ship, her nails are completely manicured again. | * At the beginning of this story Amy has manicured her fingernails in a mauve colour. When she, the Doctor and Avery are about to be taken by the Siren, her nail varnish appears chipped. And then when the three arrive on the alien ship, her nails are completely manicured again. | ||
* When the Doctor takes the hat from the disappeared pirate | * When the Doctor takes the hat from the disappeared pirate and puts it on, the camera cuts away, but when the camera cuts back, he's putting it on again. A similar occurrence happens when the Doctor takes the hat off. | ||
* When Amy is swinging on the rope, the clips of her protective stunt harness, secured to its braids, are visible. | * When Amy is swinging on the rope, the clips of her protective stunt harness, secured to its braids, are visible. | ||
* When | * When Toby is lying in the [[medical bay|sickbay]], his eyes are seen moving although he is supposed to be in stasis. | ||
* Right after Captain Avery surprises the Doctor by figuring out the TARDIS controls, it's obvious the screen freezes, right before the next scene starts. | |||
== Continuity == | == Continuity == | ||
* Amy references the Doctor's death that she, Rory and River witnessed in [[TV]]: ''[[The Impossible Astronaut]]''. | * Amy references the Doctor's death that she, Rory and River witnessed in [[TV]]: ''[[The Impossible Astronaut (TV story)|The Impossible Astronaut]]''. | ||
* The [[Eye Patch Lady]] | * The [[Kovarian|Eye Patch Lady]] appears to Amy for the second time. She first appeared in [[TV]]: ''[[Day of the Moon (TV story)|Day of the Moon]]''. | ||
* The marking of the hand is akin to the green mark individuals experienced before [[mutation|mutating]] into a [[Primord]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Inferno (TV story)|Inferno]]'') | * The marking of the hand is akin to the green mark individuals experienced before [[mutation|mutating]] into a [[Primord]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Inferno (TV story)|Inferno]]'') | ||
* Prior to this occasion, the TARDIS had landed in the hold of another sailing vessel: the ''[[Shadow (spaceship)|Shadow]]''. ([[TV]]: ''[[Enlightenment (TV story)|Enlightenment]]'') | * Prior to this occasion, the TARDIS had landed in the hold of another sailing vessel: the ''[[Shadow (spaceship)|Shadow]]''. ([[TV]]: ''[[Enlightenment (TV story)|Enlightenment]]'') | ||
* | * [[Henry Avery|Captain Avery]] was previously mentioned in [[TV]]: ''[[The Smugglers (TV story)|The Smugglers]]''. | ||
* The TARDIS again seems confused as to whether [[Amy Pond]] is pregnant or not. ([[TV]]: ''[[Day of the Moon]]'') | * The TARDIS again seems confused as to whether [[Amy Pond]] is pregnant or not. ([[TV]]: ''[[Day of the Moon (TV story)|Day of the Moon]]'') | ||
* The Doctor was previously forced to walk the plank in [[TV]]: ''[[The Pirate Planet]]''. | * The Doctor was previously forced to walk the plank in [[TV]]: ''[[The Pirate Planet (TV story)|The Pirate Planet]]''. | ||
* The idea that two objects can inhabit the same location, but not have direct travel between them happened during the [[Fourth Doctor]]'s quest for the [[Key to Time]], where a judicial | * The idea that two objects can inhabit the same location, but not have direct travel between them happened during the [[Fourth Doctor]]'s quest for the [[Key to Time]], where a judicial spaceship containing [[Cessair of Diplos]] ran aground on top of the [[Nine Travellers]] in [[Cornwall]]. The Stones were in [[N-Space|N-space]] but the ship was located in [[hyperspace]], with travel being available via use of the [[Great Seal of Diplos]] or a machine made by the Doctor and [[K9 Mark II|K9]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Stones of Blood (TV story)|The Stones of Blood]]'') | ||
== Home video releases == | == Home video releases == | ||
[[File:Series-6-part-1-dvd-cover.jpg|thumb|Series 6, part 1 DVD cover]] | [[File:Series-6-part-1-dvd-cover.jpg|thumb|Series 6, part 1 DVD cover]] | ||
The | === DVD & Blu-ray releases === | ||
* ''The Curse of the Black Spot'' was released in Series 6 Part One on DVD and Blu-Ray in region 1/A on [[19 July (releases)|19 July]] [[2011 (releases)|2011]], in region 2/B on [[11 July (releases)|11 July]] 2011 and in region 4/B on [[4 August (releases)|4 August]] 2011. It is a collection of the first seven episodes. | |||
* The episode was later released in the Complete Sixth Series boxset on both DVD and Blu-ray, in region 1/A on [[22 November (releases)|22 November]] 2011, in region 2/B on [[21 November (releases)|21 November]] 2011 and in region 4/B on [[1 December (releases)|1 December]] 2011. | |||
=== Digital releases === | |||
* In the United Kingdom, this story is available on [[BBC iPlayer]]. | |||
== External links == | == External links == | ||
*{{locguide|curseoftheblackspot|The Curse of the Black Spot}} | * {{locguide|curseoftheblackspot|The Curse of the Black Spot}} | ||
{{dwrefguide|who_tv59.htm|The Curse of the Black Spot}} | {{dwrefguide|who_tv59.htm|The Curse of the Black Spot}} | ||
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{{TitleSort}} | {{TitleSort}} | ||
[[Category:Doctor Who (2005) television stories]] | |||
[[Category:2011 television stories]] | |||
[[Category:Television stories set on Earth]] | |||
[[Category:Stories set in 1699]] | |||
[[Category:Series 6 (Doctor Who) stories]] | |||
[[Category:An Introduction To The Eleventh Doctor television stories]] | |||
[[es:The Curse of the Black Spot]] | [[es:The Curse of the Black Spot]] | ||
[[fr:The Curse of the Black Spot]] | [[fr:The Curse of the Black Spot]] | ||
[[ro:The Curse of the Black Spot]] | [[ro:The Curse of the Black Spot]] | ||
[[ru:Проклятие Чёрной метки]] | [[ru:Проклятие Чёрной метки]] | ||