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{{real world}} | {{real world}} | ||
{{ImageLinkTV}} | {{ImageLinkTV}} | ||
{{Infobox Story | {{Infobox Story SMW | ||
|image = ClaraLeafAkhaten.jpg | |image = ClaraLeafAkhaten.jpg | ||
|series = [[Doctor Who television stories|''Doctor Who'' television stories]] | |series = [[Doctor Who television stories|''Doctor Who'' television stories]] | ||
|season number = Series 7 (Doctor Who) | |season number = Series 7 (Doctor Who 2005) | ||
|series episode number = 7 | |series episode number = 7 | ||
|story number = 233 | |story number = 233 | ||
|doctor = Eleventh Doctor | |doctor = Eleventh Doctor | ||
|companions = [[Clara Oswald | |companions = [[Clara Oswald|Clara]] | ||
|featuring = Dave Oswald | |||
|featuring2 = Ellie Oswald | |||
|enemy = [[Akhaten]] | |enemy = [[Akhaten]] | ||
|setting = [[Tiaanamat]], [[Sun-singers of Akhet]] | |setting = [[Tiaanamat]], [[Sun-singers of Akhet]] | ||
|writer = | |writer = Neil Cross | ||
|director = [[Farren Blackburn]] | |director = [[Farren Blackburn]] | ||
|producer = [[Denise Paul]] | |producer = [[Denise Paul]] | ||
|broadcast date = | |broadcast date = 6 April 2013 | ||
|network = | |network = BBC One | ||
|format = 1x45 minute episode | |format = 1x45 minute episode | ||
|prev = The Bells of Saint John (TV story) | |prev = The Bells of Saint John (TV story) | ||
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|clip3 = Time War Memories - Doctor Who - The Rings of Akhaten - Series 7 - BBC | |clip3 = Time War Memories - Doctor Who - The Rings of Akhaten - Series 7 - BBC | ||
|bts = Behind the Scenes of The Rings Of Akhaten - Doctor Who - Episode 2 Series 7 2013 - BBC One | |bts = Behind the Scenes of The Rings Of Akhaten - Doctor Who - Episode 2 Series 7 2013 - BBC One | ||
}}{{you may|The Rings of Akhaten (reference book)|n1=the reference book of | }}{{you may|The Rings of Akhaten (reference book)|n1=the reference book of the same name}} | ||
'''''The Rings of Akhaten''''' was the seventh episode of [[Series 7 (Doctor Who 2005)|series seven]] of ''[[Doctor Who (TV series)|Doctor Who]]''. | |||
In it, the Eleventh Doctor's new [[companion]], Clara, took her first trip in [[The Doctor's TARDIS|the TARDIS]] to an [[alien]] [[planet]]. Clara's mother, [[Ellie Oswald]], previously seen in ''[[The Bells of Saint John: A Prequel (webcast)|The Bells of Saint John: A Prequel]]'', was also shown to have passed away [[5 March|eight years]] [[2005|before]] Clara met the Doctor properly. | |||
In it, the Eleventh Doctor's new [[companion]], Clara, took her first trip in [[the TARDIS]] to an [[alien]] [[planet]]. Clara's mother, [[Ellie Oswald]], previously seen in ''[[The Bells of Saint John: A Prequel]]'', was also shown to have passed away [[5 March|eight years]] [[2005|before]] Clara met the Doctor properly | |||
This marks the first time that the [[TARDIS translation circuit]] hasn't worked properly for the Doctor's companion on their first trip to a place where their native language isn't spoken; the Doctor could understand [[Dor'een]] perfectly, but all Clara could hear was aggressive barking. However, Clara could understand Merry's humanoid species and when everyone sang. This could have been one of the TARDIS's signs that it didn't like Clara ([[The Hybrid|for a ''very'' good reason]]), along with refusing to open the door for her; not being able to understand aliens would scare Clara into never staying on as a companion. | This marks the first time that the [[TARDIS translation circuit]] hasn't worked properly for the Doctor's companion on their first trip to a place where their native language isn't spoken; the Doctor could understand [[Dor'een]] perfectly, but all Clara could hear was aggressive barking. However, Clara could understand Merry's humanoid species and when everyone sang. This could have been one of the TARDIS's signs that it didn't like Clara ([[The Hybrid|for a ''very'' good reason]]), along with refusing to open the door for her; not being able to understand aliens would scare Clara into never staying on as a companion. | ||
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== Plot == | == Plot == | ||
The wind blows autumn leaves and a wooden gate closes. One large, reddish-orange [[Clara's leaf|leaf]] rattles on the [[tree]]. [[Dave Oswald|A young man]] dressed in a suit, fumbles with an unfolded map as he walks down a pavement. The Doctor peers out from behind a copy of ''[[The Beano]] Summer Special [[1981]]''. The young man looks around in confusion when suddenly a leaf falls from the tree into his face. He stumbles into the street and the path of an oncoming car, but is pulled aside by [[Ellie Oswald|a young woman]]. She asks if he is all right and he smiles. | The wind blows autumn leaves and a wooden gate closes. One large, reddish-orange [[Clara's leaf|leaf]] rattles on the [[tree]]. [[Dave Oswald|A young man]] dressed in a suit, fumbles with an unfolded map as he walks down a pavement. The Doctor peers out from behind a copy of ''[[The Beano]] [[The Beano Summer Special 1981|Summer Special]] [[1981]]''. The young man looks around in confusion when suddenly a leaf falls from the tree into his face. He stumbles into the street and the path of an oncoming car, but is pulled aside by [[Ellie Oswald|a young woman]]. She asks if he is all right and he smiles. | ||
[[File:Ellie_Oswald_young.jpg|thumb|Ellie first meets Clara's father.]] | [[File:Ellie_Oswald_young.jpg|thumb|left|Ellie first meets Clara's father.]] | ||
Sometime later, the two are sharing an [[umbrella]] and stumble up to a doorway in laughter. He pulls out the leaf and she asks why he kept it. He explains that "this precise leaf had to grow in that precise way, in that precise place, so that precise wind could tear it from that precise branch, and make it fly into this precise face at that exact moment. And if just one of those tiny little things had never happened, I'd never have met you. Which makes this the most important leaf in human history." They kiss; the Doctor frowns and walks away in the rain. | Sometime later, the two are sharing an [[umbrella]] and stumble up to a doorway in laughter. He pulls out the leaf and she asks why he kept it. He explains that "this precise leaf had to grow in that precise way, in that precise place, so that precise wind could tear it from that precise branch, and make it fly into this precise face at that exact moment. And if just one of those tiny little things had never happened, I'd never have met you. Which makes this the most important leaf in human history." They kiss; the Doctor frowns and walks away in the rain. | ||
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A teenage Clara, holding her mother's book, stands with her father in mourning over the [[gravestone]] for "Ellie Oswald, beloved wife and mother, born [[11 September]] [[1960]], died [[5 March]] [[2005]]." Hiding behind a tree, the Doctor watches as neither Oswald can find the words to comfort each other. He returns to the TARDIS, which shows an image of Clara graduating high school on the monitor; he's been investigating her past to make sure she's just a human girl. Information on Oswin, Victorian Clara and the present day version appear rapidly on the screen, much to his increasing disbelief. Frustrated, he pushes the screen away and declares, "She's not possible." | A teenage Clara, holding her mother's book, stands with her father in mourning over the [[gravestone]] for "Ellie Oswald, beloved wife and mother, born [[11 September]] [[1960]], died [[5 March]] [[2005]]." Hiding behind a tree, the Doctor watches as neither Oswald can find the words to comfort each other. He returns to the TARDIS, which shows an image of Clara graduating high school on the monitor; he's been investigating her past to make sure she's just a human girl. Information on Oswin, Victorian Clara and the present day version appear rapidly on the screen, much to his increasing disbelief. Frustrated, he pushes the screen away and declares, "She's not possible." | ||
[[2013]]. Clara is sitting on the stairway outside [[30 Oak Street|her home]] with her book; she seems impatient, waiting for the Doctor to arrive. She hears the TARDIS land, the door open, and she smiles and jumps up as the doorbell rings. | [[2013]]. Clara is sitting on the stairway outside [[30 Oak Street|her home]] with her book; she seems impatient, waiting for the Doctor to arrive. She hears the TARDIS land, the door open, and she smiles and jumps up as the doorbell rings. | ||
In the [[TARDIS console room]], she asks about the nature of [[time]] ("not made of [[Strawberry|strawberries]]"), and if the TARDIS can go anywhere ("within reason"). The Doctor asks her where she wants to go and see. Clara freezes, saying she doesn't know; it's like forgetting what your favourite book when someone asks you. The Doctor patiently waits by the controls, as Clara thinks to herself about where to go. She smiles and says she wants to see "something awesome". The Doctor complies and begins working at the controls. | In the [[TARDIS console room]], she asks about the nature of [[time]] ("not made of [[Strawberry|strawberries]]"), and if the TARDIS can go anywhere ("within reason"). The Doctor asks her where she wants to go and see. Clara freezes, saying she doesn't know; it's like forgetting what your favourite book when someone asks you. The Doctor patiently waits by the controls, as Clara thinks to herself about where to go. She smiles and says she wants to see "something awesome". The Doctor complies and begins working at the controls. | ||
The Doctor walks her out of the TARDIS, with her eyes closed, into the light of an alien sun. He bids her open her eyes so he can welcome her to the [[Rings of Akhaten]]. A golden [[pyramid]] comes into view. It is the [[Pyramid of the Rings of Akhaten]], a holy site for the [[Sun-singers of Akhet]]. This is a [[star system|system]] of seven [[planet|worlds]], orbiting the same [[star]], and they believe that all life in the [[universe]] originated on [[Akhaten]]. Clara asks if it's true; the Doctor shrugs off the questions, saying that it's a nice story they believe. | {{video|Welcome to The Rings of Akhaten - Doctor Who The Rings of Akhaten preview - Series 7 2013 - BBC One|thumb|align=left|"Welcome to the [[Rings of Akhaten]]."}}The Doctor walks her out of the TARDIS, with her eyes closed, into the light of an alien sun. He bids her open her eyes so he can welcome her to the [[Rings of Akhaten]]. A golden [[pyramid]] comes into view. It is the [[Pyramid of the Rings of Akhaten]], a holy site for the [[Sun-singers of Akhet]]. This is a [[star system|system]] of seven [[planet|worlds]], orbiting the same [[star]], and they believe that all life in the [[universe]] originated on [[Akhaten]]. Clara asks if it's true; the Doctor shrugs off the questions, saying that it's a nice story they believe. | ||
Clara asks to go see it, and the Doctor complies parking the TARDIS in an [[alien]] market. | Clara asks to go see it, and the Doctor complies parking the TARDIS in an [[alien]] market. | ||
[[File: | [[File:Doctor and Clara explore Akhaten.jpg|thumb|right|The Doctor points out species in the market.]] | ||
The Doctor says that most of the people around are local [[species]], and points out some: some [[Pan-Babylonian]]s, a [[Lugalirakush]], some [[Eukanian]]s, a [[Hooloovoo]] and an [[Ultramanta]]. He does a ritual greeting with a [[Terraberserker]] of the [[Cadonian Belt]], mentioning that they're not common. He says he forgot how much he liked it there — he'd been there a long time ago with [[Susan Foreman|his granddaughter]]. Clara's a bit shocked at this confession, but the Doctor's moving fast. She runs after him and he presents her with [[Exotic fruit (The Rings of Akhaten)|a glowing blue fruit]]. She takes a bite as he scans it with his screwdriver. She shakes her head at the taste. | The Doctor says that most of the people around are local [[species]], and points out some: some [[Pan-Babylonian]]s, a [[Lugalirakush]], some [[Eukanian]]s, a [[Hooloovoo]] and an [[Ultramanta]]. He does a ritual greeting with a [[Terraberserker]] of the [[Cadonian Belt]], mentioning that they're not common. He says he forgot how much he liked it there — he'd been there a long time ago with [[Susan Foreman|his granddaughter]]. Clara's a bit shocked at this confession, but the Doctor's moving fast. She runs after him and he presents her with [[Exotic fruit (The Rings of Akhaten)|a glowing blue fruit]]. She takes a bite as he scans it with his screwdriver. She shakes her head at the taste. | ||
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[[File:Dor'een.jpg|thumb|left|Dor'een in the market.]] | [[File:Dor'een.jpg|thumb|left|Dor'een in the market.]] | ||
Clara turns her back for a moment, finding that the Doctor has walked off again. She goes looking for him. [[Merry Galel|A little girl]], wearing crimson robes, bumps into her and runs off. Shortly afterwards, two men wearing similar robes, presumably monks of the religious order of that system, ask Clara if she'd seen the [[Queen of Years]]. Clara is confused, asking who they mean; seeing that has no clue, they search on. | Clara turns her back for a moment, finding that the Doctor has walked off again. She goes looking for him. [[Merry Galel|A little girl]], wearing crimson robes, bumps into her and runs off. Shortly afterwards, two men wearing similar robes, presumably monks of the religious order of that system, ask Clara if she'd seen the [[Queen of Years]]. Clara is confused, asking who they mean; seeing that she has no clue, they search on. | ||
Worried about the girl, Clara heads for where she ran. This leads her to a messy area filled with junk. The girl runs, and Clara slowly follows. They startle each other and laugh. The girl says she's hiding and is confused and sceptical that Clara doesn't know her. The girl says she needs help to hide, and Clara knows the perfect box. [[Vigil|Three figures wearing black uniforms with brass buttons and facial masks]] appear and start whispering, calling out for the girl. Clara takes the little girl to the TARDIS and tries to open the doors, but they are locked. She rattles the doors a bit, then states that the blue box just doesn't like her. Clara gets a little angry, but she forgets it when the little girl ducks behind the TARDIS. She tells Clara that her name is [[Merry Galel]], and she's the Queen of Years. She was chosen to become this as a baby when the previous Queen died. She knows every story, poem, legend, and song of their culture. She's scared because she has to sing a special song to their god to keep him from waking. | Worried about the girl, Clara heads for where she ran. This leads her to a messy area filled with junk. The girl runs, and Clara slowly follows. They startle each other and laugh. The girl says she's hiding and is confused and sceptical that Clara doesn't know her. The girl says she needs help to hide, and Clara knows the perfect box. [[Vigil|Three figures wearing black uniforms with brass buttons and facial masks]] appear and start whispering, calling out for the girl. Clara takes the little girl to the TARDIS and tries to open the doors, but they are locked. She rattles the doors a bit, then states that the blue box just doesn't like her. Clara gets a little angry, but she forgets it when the little girl ducks behind the TARDIS. She tells Clara that her name is [[Merry Galel]], and she's the Queen of Years. She was chosen to become this as a baby when the previous Queen died. She knows every story, poem, legend, and song of their culture. She's scared because she has to sing a special song to their god to keep him from waking. | ||
Clara tells Merry that everyone's scared when they're little. She had been scared of being lost until she'd gotten lost once. Her | Clara tells Merry that everyone's scared when they're little. She had been scared of being lost until she'd gotten lost once. Her mum found her and took her home, and told her that no matter how lost she was, her mum would always find her. Afterwards, Clara was afraid many times, but never of being lost. Merry believes Clara when she tells her she'll get the song right, and Clara takes her back to the men in red robes who were looking for her. The Doctor comes up, eating the glowing blue fruit. He's curious as to what she's been up to, to which Clara tells him that she's been blending in. | ||
In a room in the pyramid, a man in red robes sings to a [[Mummy (The Rings of Akhaten)|mummy]]. He switches out with [[The Chorister (The Rings of Akhaten)|the Chorister]]. | In a room in the pyramid, a man in red robes sings to a [[Mummy (The Rings of Akhaten)|mummy]]. He switches out with [[The Chorister (The Rings of Akhaten)|the Chorister]]. | ||
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The Doctor explains that they're gone because Grandfather is awake and they're no longer needed. He declares that he's made a tactical mistake. He thought the Old God and Grandfather were the same thing, the [[Mummy (The Rings of Akhaten)|Mummy]], but "it was just Grandfather's [[alarm clock]]". ''[[Akhaten]]'' itself is the Old God; an evil grinning face appears on the star. Merry states Akhaten will eat everyone in the system and then continue across the stars. Clara and the Doctor talk about going somewhere else but she knows he's going to stay to fight it. He sends Clara off to save Merry and turns to confront the star. Clara returns Merry to the viewing platform. Merry wants to help, so she stands and begins singing a new song. Their resolve to fight back against him shocks Akhaten. | The Doctor explains that they're gone because Grandfather is awake and they're no longer needed. He declares that he's made a tactical mistake. He thought the Old God and Grandfather were the same thing, the [[Mummy (The Rings of Akhaten)|Mummy]], but "it was just Grandfather's [[alarm clock]]". ''[[Akhaten]]'' itself is the Old God; an evil grinning face appears on the star. Merry states Akhaten will eat everyone in the system and then continue across the stars. Clara and the Doctor talk about going somewhere else but she knows he's going to stay to fight it. He sends Clara off to save Merry and turns to confront the star. Clara returns Merry to the viewing platform. Merry wants to help, so she stands and begins singing a new song. Their resolve to fight back against him shocks Akhaten. | ||
The Doctor smiles and begins to tell a story to Akhaten, a story about the people singing to him, and about the things that the Doctor is and knows. Akhaten sends tendrils of energy out of its mouth, which pierce the Doctor and begin sucking out his experiences. ''"I walked away from the | The Doctor smiles and begins to tell a story to Akhaten, a story about the people singing to him, and about the things that the Doctor is and knows. Akhaten sends tendrils of energy out of its mouth, which pierce the Doctor and begin sucking out his experiences. ''"I walked away from the Last Great Time War. I marked the passing of the Time Lords. I saw the birth of the Universe and I watched as time ran out. Moment by moment until nothing remained, no time, no space, just me! I walked in universes where the laws of physics were devised by the mind of a mad man! And I watched universes freeze and creations burn! I have seen things you wouldn't believe! I have lost things you will never understand! And I know things, secrets that must never be told, knowledge that must never be spoken! Knowledge that will make parasite Gods blaze! SO COME ON THEN! TAKE IT! TAKE IT ALL, BABY! HAVE IT! '''YOU HAVE IT ALL!'''"'' the Doctor roars. The Doctor slumps to the ground, hurt and exhausted from having his precious memories fed on. Akhaten begins going back to sleep. | ||
However, much to the Doctor's horror, Akhaten isn't full; it's waking back up. Clara remembers her mother's words and heads back to the Doctor. She asks if it's still hungry, offering it the most important leaf in [[human]] history, which is full of her mother's lost life, a whole future that never happened. The entity feeds on the infinite possibilities represented by the leaf. The Doctor, reviving, declares that he must be full, as infinity is too much, even for his appetite. The star recedes again, this time seemingly asleep for good. | However, much to the Doctor's horror, Akhaten isn't full; it's waking back up. Clara remembers her mother's words and heads back to the Doctor. She asks if it's still hungry, offering it the most important leaf in [[human]] history, which is full of her mother's lost life, a whole future that never happened. The entity feeds on the infinite possibilities represented by the leaf. The Doctor, reviving, declares that he must be full, as infinity is too much, even for his appetite. The star recedes again, this time seemingly asleep for good. | ||
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* [[Ellie Oswald|Ellie]] - [[Nicola Sian]] | * [[Ellie Oswald|Ellie]] - [[Nicola Sian]] | ||
* [[Merry Gejelh|Merry]] - [[Emilia Jones]] | * [[Merry Gejelh|Merry]] - [[Emilia Jones]] | ||
* [[ | * [[Rezh Baphix|The Chorister]] - [[Chris Anderson]] | ||
* [[Mummy (The Rings of Akhaten)|The Mummy]] - [[Aidan Cook]] | * [[Mummy (The Rings of Akhaten)|The Mummy]] - [[Aidan Cook]] | ||
* [[Dor'een]] - [[Karl Greenwood]] | * [[Dor'een]] - [[Karl Greenwood]] | ||
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* [[Vigil]] - [[Jon Davey]], [[Claudio Laurini]], [[Matthew Doman]]<ref>http://guide.doctorwhonews.net/role.php?code=4314&detail=listing&pg=dwm</ref> | * [[Vigil]] - [[Jon Davey]], [[Claudio Laurini]], [[Matthew Doman]]<ref>http://guide.doctorwhonews.net/role.php?code=4314&detail=listing&pg=dwm</ref> | ||
* Millennium Alien - [[Mickey Lewis]]<ref>http://guide.doctorwhonews.net/person.php?code=5312&detail=listing&pg=rnd</ref> | * Millennium Alien - [[Mickey Lewis]]<ref>http://guide.doctorwhonews.net/person.php?code=5312&detail=listing&pg=rnd</ref> | ||
* [[Clara Oswald|Newborn Clara]] - [[Franklyn Lewis]]<ref name="TCH73">[[REF]]: [[TCH 73]], p. 33.</ref> | |||
* [[Clara Oswald|One-year-old Clara]] - [[Poppie Grace Goldup]]<ref name="TCH73"/> | |||
* [[Clara Oswald|18-month-old Clara]] - [[Amira Roucliffe]]<ref name="TCH73"/> | |||
* [[Clara Oswald|Four-year-old Clara]] - [[Cerys Anne Selby]]<ref name="TCH73"/> | |||
* [[Clara Oswald|Ten-year-old Clara]] - [[Emily Cooke]]<ref name="TCH73"/> | |||
== Crew == | == Crew == | ||
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}} | }} | ||
== | == Worldbuilding == | ||
=== Alien species === | === Alien species === | ||
* At the market, the Doctor recognises some alien species: [[Pan-Babylonian]]s, a [[Lugaleracush]], [[Lucanian]]s, a [[Hooloovoo]], a [[Terraberserker]] of the [[Cadonian Belt]], an [[Ultramancer]] and a [[Citizen from the City State of Binding Light]]. An [[Energy-based species (The Rings of Akhaten)|energy-based species]] and a [[Four-eyed species (The Rings of Akhaten)|four-eyed species]] are present. | * At the market, the Doctor recognises some alien species: [[Pan-Babylonian]]s, a [[Lugaleracush]], [[Lucanian]]s, a [[Eukanian]], a [[Hooloovoo]], a [[Terraberserker]] of the [[Cadonian Belt]], an [[Ultramancer]] and a [[Citizen from the City State of Binding Light]] as well as a white skinned variant of the [[Hop Pyleen]] brothers species. An [[Energy-based species (The Rings of Akhaten)|energy-based species]], a [[Tentacled species (The Rings of Akhaten)|tentacled species]] and a [[Four-eyed species (The Rings of Akhaten)|four-eyed species]] are also present. | ||
** There is also [[Ice Warrior (The Rings of Akhaten)|an Ice Warrior]] present without its [[survival armour|armour]], but the Doctor doesn't notice it. | |||
=== Food === | === Food === | ||
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=== Cultural references from the real world === | === Cultural references from the real world === | ||
* The Doctor references "[[The Walrus and the Carpenter]]". | * The Doctor references "[[The Walrus and the Carpenter]]". | ||
* The Doctor reads ''[[The Beano Summer Special 1981]]'' while observing Clara's parents. Due to popular demand, DC Thompson, the publishers of ''[[The Beano]]'' issued a special reprint shortly after the episode aired. | |||
=== The Doctor === | === The Doctor === | ||
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* The Doctor mentions the [[Last Great Time War|Time War]] during his speech to Ahkaten. | * The Doctor mentions the [[Last Great Time War|Time War]] during his speech to Ahkaten. | ||
=== Influences === | |||
* ''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]] -'' Tiaanamaat was based on the Mos Eisley Cantina from ''[[Star Wars (film)|A New Hope]],'' while the space mopeds were inspired by the speeder bikes from ''[[Return of the Jedi]],'' though [[Neil Cross]] felt that they had more in common with ''[[Flash Gordon]].'' | |||
* The lines "I've seen things you wouldn't believe" and "Home again, jiggity-jig" are from ''[[Blade Runner]].'' | |||
* The living planet was an homage to both the unknowable alien gods depicted in the stories of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H._P._Lovecraft HP Lovecraft], and the anthropomorphised moon in ''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Trip_to_the_Moon A Trip to the Moon].'' | |||
== Story notes == | == Story notes == | ||
* Early on, Neil Cross' script (a first draft of which was completed in early October) bore the functional title ''Alien Planet''. This reflected [[Neil Cross]]' process of first conceiving the sentient planet Akhaten with its two concentric ring systems (where the pyramid-like Apex Temple lay in the inner ring, and the market asteroid of Tiaanamaat lay in the outer), and developing its people and their religion, before building the plot around this setting. | |||
* Unlike the previous episodes of Series 7, this episode does not introduce a new variation of the Doctor Who logo. | * Unlike the previous episodes of Series 7, this episode does not introduce a new variation of the Doctor Who logo. | ||
* This is the first regular television story featuring no significant [[Human]] characters or link to [[Earth]] other than the companion(s) since either [[TV]]: ''[[The Girl Who Waited (TV story)|The Girl Who Waited]]'' or [[TV]]: ''[[Asylum of the Daleks (TV story)|Asylum of the Daleks]]'', depending on whether converted [[Dalek | * This is the first regular television story featuring no significant [[Human]] characters or link to [[Earth]] other than the companion(s) since either [[TV]]: ''[[The Girl Who Waited (TV story)|The Girl Who Waited]]'' or [[TV]]: ''[[Asylum of the Daleks (TV story)|Asylum of the Daleks]]'', depending on whether converted [[Dalek puppet]]s are considered "human", and the first of such with an actually significantly-sized guest cast since either [[TV]]: ''[[Planet of Fire (TV story)|Planet of Fire]]'' or [[TV]]: ''[[Dragonfire (TV story)|Dragonfire]]'', the latter featuring a supporting cast largely of [[Humanoid]]s of unidentified species. | ||
* This is the first episode since her [[The Angels Take Manhattan (TV story)|departure]] that does not have [[Amy Pond]] referenced and inadvertently affecting the plot or story. The word "Pond" was what got the Doctor to come out of [[retirement]] in the television story ''[[The Snowmen (TV story)|The Snowmen]]'' and an image on the cover of the book she wrote, [[Summer Falls]], became a manifestation for a [[Spoonhead]] in the television story ''[[The Bells of Saint John (TV story)|The Bells of Saint John]]'' | * This is the first episode since her [[The Angels Take Manhattan (TV story)|departure]] that does not have [[Amy Pond]] referenced and inadvertently affecting the plot or story. The word "Pond" was what got the Doctor to come out of [[retirement]] in the television story ''[[The Snowmen (TV story)|The Snowmen]]'' and an image on the cover of the book she wrote, [[Summer Falls]], became a manifestation for a [[Spoonhead]] in the television story ''[[The Bells of Saint John (TV story)|The Bells of Saint John]]'' | ||
* The basic plot has commonality with the ''[[Doctor Who Magazine]]'' comic story, ''[[Thinktwice (comic story)|Thinktwice]]''. As in this story, the [[Tenth Doctor]] in ''Thinktwice'' fights an enemy that takes memories, and he proposes to defeat that enemy, the [[Memeovax]], by "overloading it" with his own memories. | * The basic plot has commonality with the ''[[Doctor Who Magazine]]'' comic story, ''[[Thinktwice (comic story)|Thinktwice]]''. As in this story, the [[Tenth Doctor]] in ''Thinktwice'' fights an enemy that takes memories, and he proposes to defeat that enemy, the [[Memeovax]], by "overloading it" with his own memories. | ||
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* Ellie Oswald is shown to have died on March 5, 2005, the same date as the events of the television story ''[[Rose (TV story)|Rose]]''. | * Ellie Oswald is shown to have died on March 5, 2005, the same date as the events of the television story ''[[Rose (TV story)|Rose]]''. | ||
* The scene where pilgrims join [[Merry Gejelh]] in singing was intended to be similar to the scene from the classic movie ''[[Casablanca (film)|Casablanca]]'' where people join in singing of "La Marseillaise" to drown out a [[Nazi]] song.<ref>[[DWMSE 37]]</ref> | * The scene where pilgrims join [[Merry Gejelh]] in singing was intended to be similar to the scene from the classic movie ''[[Casablanca (film)|Casablanca]]'' where people join in singing of "La Marseillaise" to drown out a [[Nazi]] song.<ref>[[DWMSE 37]]</ref> | ||
* This episode was ranked as ''[[Doctor Who Magazine]]'' readers' least favourite [[Eleventh Doctor]] story in their 50th anniversary poll of [[2014]]. In [[2023]], it was replaced by ''[[The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe (TV story)|The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe]]''. ([[DWM 593]]) | |||
* [[Neil Cross]] had already written ''[[Hide (TV story)|Hide]]'' and was initially doubtful that he had the time to accommodate write another script, but he was finally won over when he learned of the production team's ambition for the story. As such, his new script would actually air first. | |||
* [[Marcus Wilson]] suggested the space mopeds. | |||
* The concept behind having the episode based around an alien planet occurred to [[Steven Moffat]], [[Caroline Skinner]], and [[Marcus Wilson]] when realising they had done big location pieces in the first half of the season with [[A Town Called Mercy|''A Town Called Mercy'']] and [[The Angels Take Manhattan|''The Angels Take Manhattan'']], but had none for the second half. They decided to do a story set in "a world created in our studios to make you really feel you're out there", rather than having the Doctor "promise unearthly wonders to his companions, and then get them trapped in an underground tunnel". As such, the episode was designed to allow the Doctor to actually show his new companion the wonders he had promised. | |||
* The episode replaced a slot that was going to be a script by [[Chris Chibnall]], but he was unable to write it due to his commitment to ''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broadchurch Broadchurch].'' | |||
* [[Jenna-Louise Coleman]] named this one of her favourites episodes of the second half of the seventh series, as it was the first adventure for Clara which allowed the audience to watch the story "[begin] again". | |||
* The episode originally had a different pre-credits sequence, which consisted of a long scene in the kitchen of the Maitland house in which Clara informs the Doctor she cannot come and travel with the Doctor because she has responsibilities to her job, and [[Artie Maitland]] asks if the Doctor is her boyfriend. [[Neil Cross]]' intent was to juxtapose this "mundane" scene with the vast scale of the planet. However, [[Steven Moffat]] thought that at the time in the series the Doctor should be investigating Clara through her parents and Cross revised to include the leaf, an idea Moffat approved of. | |||
* The living planet was originally referred to as Akhet, a name which survived in references to the Sun Singers of Akhet. | |||
* The episode comprised Block Nine of season seven. | |||
* This was the second of four episodes produced by [[Denise Paul]], while [[Marcus Wilson]] turned his attention to ''[[The Day of the Doctor (TV story)|The Day of the Doctor]]''; he would instead be credited as series producer. | |||
* The production team aimed to show "the best alien planet" in the show. | |||
* The flashbacks were the first material to be filmed. | |||
* The shot of the TARDIS materialising at the Maitland residence was filmed on Beatty Avenue in Cardiff during the making of ''[[The Name of the Doctor (TV story)|The Name of the Doctor]].'' | |||
* Originally the resolution was to be the Doctor defeating the planet with his speech, which [[Neil Cross]] likened to "facing down one of [[H. P. Lovecraft|Lovecraft]]'s Old Gods: an alien so alien that it's practically a supernatural being." [[Steven Moffat]] pointed out that the Doctor had given similar speeches before and was more interested in Clara saving the day. After thinking about it for a while, Cross realised he could incorporate the leaf into the solution. | |||
* According to [[Matt Smith]], there were "between 50 and 60 prosthetic aliens" in a scene set in an alien market. | |||
* The Doctor features minimally in the first act because [[Matt Smith]] was busy filming pick-ups or reshoots for [[Nightmare in Silver|''Nightmare in Silver'']]. | |||
* [[Millennium FX]]'s [[Neill Gorton]] remarked that he had "always wanted to do a scene like the ''[[Star Wars (film)|Star Wars]]'' cantina" and had worked on different moulds in his spare time in case they could be used in the future, as making thirty different aliens at one time would be out of the budget. | |||
* Most of the aliens in the bazaar are made of bits of props left over from previous aliens or ones from other BBC shows. | |||
=== Rumours === | === Rumours === | ||
* The Doctor would [[regenerate]] or give away his regenerations. ''This turned out to be false. The golden light that the Doctor was connected with was his memories, not regeneration energy.'' | * The Doctor would [[regenerate]] or give away his regenerations. ''This turned out to be false. The golden light that the Doctor was connected with was his memories, not regeneration energy.'' | ||
* Clara's mother was killed in the Auton attack shown in ''TV'': ''[[Rose (TV story)|Rose]]''. ''This was neither proven nor disproven.'' | * Clara's mother was killed in the Auton attack shown in ''TV'': ''[[Rose (TV story)|Rose]]''. ''This was neither proven nor disproven.'' | ||
* Whilst the Doctor is watching Clara at her mother's grave, a [[Time Beetle]] can be seen on the tree. ''It is simply the way that the vines and ivy intertwine with each other that creates this illusion.'' | |||
=== Ratings === | === Ratings === | ||
The episode was first broadcast in the United Kingdom on [[BBC One]] on 6 April 2013. Overnight ratings showed that it was watched by 5.5 million viewers live, a 28.8% audience share. When time-shifted viewers were factored in, the final rating rose to 7.45 million, making it the sixth most-watched programme of the week on BBC One.<ref>[http://guide.doctorwhonews.net/info.php?detail=ratings&type=date Doctor Who Ratings - UK final]</ref> In addition, ''The Rings of Akhaten'' received over two million requests on the online [[BBC iPlayer]] in April, coming in first for the month on the service. The episode also received an [[Appreciation Index]] of 84. | |||
=== Filming locations === | === Filming locations === | ||
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* The Doctor mentions bringing "his granddaughter" to Akhaten at some point in time. Other accounts show that the [[First Doctor]] travelled, at various points, with his granddaughters [[Susan Foreman]] ([[TV]]: ''[[An Unearthly Child (TV story)|An Unearthly Child]]'') and [[Gillian Who]] ([[COMIC]]: ''[[The Klepton Parasites (comic story)|The Klepton Parasites]]'') as [[companion]]s. | * The Doctor mentions bringing "his granddaughter" to Akhaten at some point in time. Other accounts show that the [[First Doctor]] travelled, at various points, with his granddaughters [[Susan Foreman]] ([[TV]]: ''[[An Unearthly Child (TV story)|An Unearthly Child]]'') and [[Gillian Who]] ([[COMIC]]: ''[[The Klepton Parasites (comic story)|The Klepton Parasites]]'') as [[companion]]s. | ||
* Clara tries to open the TARDIS without a key. When it won't open, she says that the TARDIS doesn't seem to like her, an issue that former companions [[Jack Harkness]] and [[Charlotte Pollard]] had. ([[TV]]: ''[[Utopia (TV story)|Utopia]]'', [[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Condemned (audio story)|The Condemned]]'') | * Clara tries to open the TARDIS without a key. When it won't open, she says that the TARDIS doesn't seem to like her, an issue that former companions [[Jack Harkness]] and [[Charlotte Pollard]] had. ([[TV]]: ''[[Utopia (TV story)|Utopia]]'', [[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Condemned (audio story)|The Condemned]]'') | ||
* The Doctor mentions seeing the birth of the universe, ([[TV]]: ''[[Castrovalva (TV story)|Castrovalva]]'') living to see time run out, ([[TV]]: ''[[Utopia (TV story)|Utopia]]'', ''[[The Big Bang (TV story)|The Big Bang]]'') seeing universes freeze ([[TV]]: ''[[ | * The Doctor mentions seeing the birth of the universe, ([[TV]]: ''[[Castrovalva (TV story)|Castrovalva]]'') living to see time run out, ([[TV]]: ''[[Utopia (TV story)|Utopia]]'', ''[[The Big Bang (TV story)|The Big Bang]]'') seeing universes freeze ([[TV]]: ''[[The Armageddon Factor (TV story)|The Armageddon Factor]]'') and creations burn, ([[TV]]: ''[[Inferno (TV story)|Inferno]]'') and being in universes where the laws of physics were devised by a madman. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Celestial Toymaker (TV story)|The Celestial Toymaker]]'', ''[[The Mind Robber (TV story)|The Mind Robber]]'', ''[[The Three Doctors (TV story)|The Three Doctors]]'', [[AUDIO]]: ''[[Gods and Monsters (audio story)|Gods and Monsters]]'', ''[[The Next Life (audio story)|The Next Life]]'') He also mentions knowing [[War Doctor|secrets that must never be told]] ([[TV]]: ''[[The Name of the Doctor (TV story)|The Name of the Doctor]]'') and [[The Question|knowledge that must never be spoken]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Silver Nemesis (TV story)|Silver Nemesis]]'', ''[[The Wedding of River Song (TV story)|The Wedding of River Song]]'') | ||
* [[Ambassadors from the City State of Binding Light|A native of the City State of Binding Light]] is seen among the crowd at the [[Festival of Offerings]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The End of the World (TV story)|The End of the World]]'') | * [[Ambassadors from the City State of Binding Light|A native of the City State of Binding Light]] is seen among the crowd at the [[Festival of Offerings]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The End of the World (TV story)|The End of the World]]'') | ||
* Clara jokingly refers to the [[the Doctor's sonic screwdriver|sonic screwdriver]] as a "spanner". [[Martha Jones]] previously asked the [[Tenth Doctor]] whether he had a "[[laser spanner]]", and he claimed it had been stolen from him by [[Emmeline Pankhurst]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Smith and Jones (TV story)|Smith and Jones]])''. | * Clara jokingly refers to the [[the Doctor's sonic screwdriver|sonic screwdriver]] as a "spanner". [[Martha Jones]] previously asked the [[Tenth Doctor]] whether he had a "[[laser spanner]]", and he claimed it had been stolen from him by [[Emmeline Pankhurst]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Smith and Jones (TV story)|Smith and Jones]])''. | ||
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== Home video releases == | == Home video releases == | ||
[[File:Series 7b UK DVD Cover.jpg|thumb|Series 7, Part 2 DVD cover.]] | [[File:Series 7b UK DVD Cover.jpg|thumb|Series 7, Part 2 DVD cover.]] | ||
=== DVD & Blu- | ===DVD & Blu-ray releases=== | ||
* ''The Rings of Akhaten'' was released as part of Doctor Who Series 7 Part 2 on May 22 | |||
* ''The Rings of Akhaten'' was released on DVD and Blu-ray as part of Doctor Who Series 7 Part Two in region 1/A on [[28 May (releases)|28 May]] [[2013 (releases)|2013]], region 2/B on [[27 May (releases)|27 May]] 2013, and region 4/B on [[22 May (releases)|22 May]] 2013. | |||
* Also, this episode was released as part of the Complete Seventh Series boxset on DVD and Blu-ray in region 1/A on [[24 September (releases)|24 September]] [[2013 (releases)|2013]], in region 2/B on [[28 October (releases)|28 October]] 2013 and in region 4/B on [[30 October (releases)|30 October]] 2013. | |||
=== Digital releases === | === Digital releases === | ||
* This story is available for streaming | * This story is available for streaming via Amazon Prime Video. | ||
* It can also be purchased on iTunes and Amazon Instant Video. The digital Series 7 boxset also features prequel episodes and ''[[Pond Life (webcast)|Pond Life]]''. | * It can also be purchased on iTunes and Amazon Instant Video. The digital Series 7 boxset also features prequel episodes and ''[[Pond Life (webcast)|Pond Life]]''. | ||
* In 2015, it was released by BBC Worldwide on BitTorrent and iTunes, | * In 2015, it was released by BBC Worldwide on BitTorrent and iTunes, in ''A Decade of the Doctor'' bundle to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the new series. It included introductions by [[Peter Capaldi]], ''Earth Conquest: The World Tour'' and an episode guide. | ||
* In the United Kingdom, this story is available on [[BBC iPlayer]]. | |||
== External links == | == External links == | ||