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:''For the conflict of the same name, see [[World War III]].''
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{{real world}}
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{{Infobox Story SMW
|image          = Destroyed.jpg
|series          = [[Doctor Who television stories|''Doctor Who'' television stories]]
|season number  = Series 1 (Doctor Who 2005)
|series episode number = 5
|story number    = 160b
|doctor          = Ninth Doctor
|companions      = [[Rose Tyler|Rose]]
|featuring      = Harriet Jones
|featuring2      = Mickey Smith
|featuring3      = Jackie Tyler
|featuring4      = Trinity Wells
|enemy          = [[Jocrassa Fel-Fotch Passameer-Day Slitheen]]
|setting        = [[London]], [[March]] [[2006]]
|writer          = Russell T Davies
|director        = [[Keith Boak]]
|producer        = [[Phil Collinson]]
|confidential    = Why on Earth? (CON episode)
|broadcast date  = 23 April 2005
|network        = BBC One
|format          = 1x45 minute episode
|production code = 1.5
|prev            = Aliens of London (TV story)
|next            = Dalek (TV story)
|made prev      = Aliens of London (TV story)
|made next      = The End of the World (TV story)
|script          = The Shooting Scripts
|clip            = How to Blow Up a Slitheen (HD) World War Three Doctor Who
|clip2          = Mickey Fires a Missile at Downing Street! (HD) World War Three Doctor Who
|thwr            = 50
}}{{you may|World War III|n1=the armed conflict}}
'''''World War Three''''' was the fifth episode of [[Series 1 (Doctor Who 2005)|series one]] of ''[[Doctor Who (TV series)|Doctor Who]]''.


{{Infobox TV|
The episode concluded the story begun in ''[[Aliens of London (TV story)|Aliens of London]]''. It was notable for featuring the first instance of [[Mickey Smith]] actively assisting the Doctor, and therefore behaving like a [[companion]], something that he would eventually become in [[School Reunion (TV story)|due time]]. It suggested a bright political future for [[Harriet Jones]], something that the [[Tenth Doctor]] would later actively change about the timeline in ''[[The Christmas Invasion (TV story)|The Christmas Invasion]]''. It was also the first time in the history of ''Doctor Who'' that [[the Doctor's TARDIS]] was shown to have a working telephone — something that would feature much more prominently throughout the [[Steven Moffat]] era — the first [[Russell T Davies]] era of the show (2005-2010) preferring to use the mobile phone [[Martha Jones]] gave to the Tenth Doctor in ''[[Last of the Time Lords (TV story)|Last of the Time Lords]]''.
story name= World War Three|
image= [[Image:Destroyed.jpg|300px]] |
series=[[Doctor Who]] -<br/>[[TV stories|TV Stories]] |
number= 5 |
doctor=[[Ninth Doctor]] |
companions= [[Rose Tyler]]<br>[[Mickey Smith]]<br>[[Jackie Tyler]]|
enemy= [[Slitheen]]|
year= [[London]], [[March]] [[2006]] |
writer= [[Russell T. Davies]] |
director= [[Keith Boak]] |
producer= [[Phil Collinson]] |
broadcast date= [[16th April]] [[2005]] |
format= 1 45-minute Episode |
production code= Series 1, Episode 5 |
previous story= [[Aliens of London]]|
next story= [[Dalek (TV story)|Dalek]] }}


'''''World War Three''''' is an [[List of television stories|episode]] that was first broadcast on [[April 23]], [[2005]]. It is the second of a two-part story. The first part, ''[[Aliens of London]]'' was broadcast on [[April 16]].
To coincide with this television story, the short stories ''[[Number Ten Pays Tribute to UNIT (short story)|Number Ten Pays Tribute to UNIT]]'' and ''[[Number Ten (short story)|Number Ten]]'' were released on the [[U.N.I.T. (tie-in website)|''U.N.I.T.'' tie-in website]], giving further details on the destruction of 10 Downing Street from UNIT's perspective.


==Synopsis==
== Synopsis ==
The [[Ninth Doctor]], [[Rose Tyler]] and [[Harriet Jones]] are trapped in [[10 Downing Street]]. The world stands poised on the brink of interplanetary war, and the missiles can only be stopped if the [[Slitheen]] can be unmasked in time.
With the threat of interplanetary war looming, the [[human]] race prepare for the end, little knowing their enemies lie at the heart of the [[British]] government. As the [[Ninth Doctor]], [[Rose Tyler]] and new friend [[Harriet Jones]] battle for their lives in [[10 Downing Street]], the [[Slitheen family]] set their plans for the destruction of [[Earth]] into motion. With the world changing around him, the Doctor is powerless, and it seems only [[Mickey Smith]] can save the world...


==Plot==
== Plot ==
Following on from the end of ''[[Aliens of London]]'', the deadly electricity courses through all of the alien experts in the room, killing them, but [[the Doctor]], not being human, is not as affected as the rest. The Doctor grabs his own electrified identity badge and attaches it to the collar of the [[Slitheen]] that was masquerading as Asquith. Somehow, as the electricity courses through Asquith, it affects Green, Blaine and the police inspector threatening [[Jackie Tyler|Jackie]] as well. The Doctor makes good his escape, running down and attracting the attention of the [[Metropolitan Police]] squad below. [[Mickey Smith|Mickey]] comes into Jackie's flat and sees the police inspector alien paralysed by electricity. He knocks it aside with a chair and grabs Jackie's hand, pulling her out of there &mdash; but not before taking a photograph of the alien with his [[mobile phone]]. [[Harriet Jones|Harriet]] and [[Rose Tyler|Rose]] rush past the writhing [[Margaret Blaine]] alien, running down the corridors of [[10 Downing Street]].
Deadly [[electricity]] courses through all of the [[alien]] experts in the room, killing them, but the [[Ninth Doctor]], not being [[human]], is not as affected as the rest. The Doctor grabs his own electrified identity badge and attaches it to the collar of the [[Slitheen family|Slitheen]] that was masquerading as [[R. Asquith|Asquith]]. Somehow, as the electricity courses through [[Asquith Slitheen|Asquith]], it affects [[Jocrassa Fel-Fotch Passameer-Day Slitheen|Green]], [[Blon Fel-Fotch Passameer-Day Slitheen|Blaine]] and the [[Sip Fel-Fotch Passameer-Day Slitheen|police inspector]] threatening [[Jackie Tyler|Jackie]] as well. The Doctor makes his escape, running down and attracting the attention of the [[Metropolitan Police Service|Metropolitan Police]] squad below. [[Mickey Smith|Mickey]] comes into Jackie's flat and sees the police inspector alien paralysed by electricity. He knocks it aside with a chair and grabs Jackie's hand, pulling her out of there but not before taking a [[photograph]] of the alien with his [[mobile phone]]. [[Harriet Jones|Harriet]] and [[Rose Tyler|Rose]] rush past the writhing Margaret Blaine alien, running down the corridors of [[10 Downing Street]] with her in hot pursuit.


Green struggles and manages to remove the badge from Asquith's neck, and they hurriedly scramble into their skins just as the Doctor returns with the police squad. The Doctor tells the squad that the Acting [[Prime Minister]] is an alien, but is met with obvious disbelief. Green accuses the Doctor of having killed all the experts, and Asquith orders the police, under authority of the Emergency Protocols, to execute the Doctor. The Doctor, however, has his back to the lift, and ducks into it before they can do so. He rides it up to the top floor.
Green struggles and manages to remove the badge from Asquith's neck, and they hurriedly scramble into their skins just as the Doctor returns with the police squad. The Doctor tells the squad that the Acting [[Prime Minister]] is an alien, but is met with obvious disbelief. Green accuses the Doctor of having killed all the experts, and Asquith orders the police, under the authority of the [[Emergency Protocols]], to execute the Doctor. The Doctor, apparently backed against a wall, says, "If I was you, if I was going to execute someone by backing them up against the wall, between you and me, a little word of advice — don't stand them against the lift!" and ducks into the lift before they can shoot him. He rides it up to the top floor.


Blaine continues to chase Harriet and Rose through No. 10, and the two seek refuge in one of the offices on the upper floor. In the meantime, Asquith tells the police to isolate the upper floors, and rides upstairs in the lift together with Green, removing their skins. They join Blaine, who is enjoying the hunt, and they sniff out Harriet and Rose's hiding places. They are about to strike when the Doctor comes in, spraying the Slitheen with a [[fire extinguisher]], causing enough of a distraction for Harriet and Rose to duck around the aliens. They run towards the Cabinet Rooms to get the Emergency Protocols to see what procedures they have for fighting aliens.
Blaine continues to chase Harriet and Rose through No. 10, and the two seek refuge in one of the offices on the upper floor. In the meantime, Asquith tells the police to isolate the upper floors, and he and Green ride upstairs in the lift, removing their skins. They join Blaine, who is enjoying the hunt, and they sniff out Harriet and Rose's hiding places. They are about to strike when the Doctor comes in, spraying the Slitheen with a [[fire extinguisher]], causing enough of a distraction for Harriet and Rose to duck around the aliens. They run towards the [[Cabinet Room]] to get the Emergency Protocols to see what procedures they have for fighting aliens.


The Slitheen are just about to follow them in, when the Doctor grabs a bottle of port from a side table, threatening to use his [[sonic screwdriver]] to "triplicate the flammability" of the alcohol. He asks them who they are and why they are invading. The Slitheen, held at bay for the moment, say that they are not invading, and the Slitheen is not the name of their species, but their family. They are here for business reasons, but before the Doctor can get them to tell what that is, the Slitheen realise that the Doctor's threat is a bluff. They prepare to end the hunt, but the Doctor observes that the Cabinet Rooms have a special feature &mdash; three-inch thick steel walls that can seal off the room, making it the safest place in [[Great Britain]]. He does just that, shutting the Slitheen out... but also cutting off any avenue of escape.
The Slitheen are just about to follow them in, when the Doctor grabs a bottle of port from a side [[table]], threatening to use [[The Doctor's sonic screwdriver|his sonic screwdriver]] to "triplicate the flammability" of the [[alcohol]]. He asks them who they are and why they are invading. The Slitheen, held at bay for the moment, say that they are not invading, and the Slitheen is not the name of their species, but their family; Green formally introduces himself as Jocrassa Fel-Foth Passameer-Day Slitheen. They are here for business reasons, but before the Doctor can get them to tell what that is, the Slitheen realise that the Doctor's threat is a bluff. They prepare to end the hunt, but the Doctor observes that the Cabinet Room has a special feature three-inch thick steel walls that can seal off the room, making it the safest place in [[Great Britain]]. He does just that, shutting the Slitheen out... but also cutting off any avenue of escape.


The Slitheen summon the rest of their family, all disguised as various government and military officials, who start arriving at Downing Street. Meanwhile, Mickey and Jackie have managed to make their way back to his flat, but the Slitheen police inspector is still in pursuit, using his sense of smell to track Jackie. In the Cabinet Rooms, the Doctor puts the Prime Minister and Ganesh's body in the cupboard, and then checks for possible escape routes. Rose wonders how the Slitheen can fit inside smaller human skins. The Doctor explains that it is a function of the collar they wear &mdash; its compression field shrinks them down, leading to the gas exchange that causes their [[flatulence]]. The Prime Minister's skin was too small, even for them, which is why they did not use him as a disguise. The Doctor wonders why he finds Harriet Jones's name so familiar.
[[File:Slitheen_changing_room.jpg|thumb|The rest of the family arrive.]]
Satisfied that the Doctor no longer poses a threat, the Slitheen summon the rest of the family to Downing Street, and Asquith orders Price to keep the ground floor secure and await an emergency address from the Acting PM to the people of the world. Outside, [[Andrew Marr (in-universe)|Andrew Marr]] tries to make sense of the variety of people who are showing up: Group Captain [[Tennant James]] of the RAF; [[Ewan McAllister]], Deputy Secretary for the Scottish Parliament; even [[Sylvia Dillane]], Chairman of the North Sea Boating Club. All they seem to have in common is their remarkable [[girth]] and the fact that they've been invited to the upper levels of 10 Downing Street. They are all Slitheen in disguise, and when they get upstairs, they strip off their skin suits. Meanwhile, Mickey and Jackie have managed to make their way back to his flat, but the Slitheen who was Police Commissioner Strickland is still in pursuit, using his sense of smell to track Jackie.


Harriet says she is not famous, just a lifelong [[backbencher]]. The Emergency Protocols list all the people who could help, but they are all dead downstairs. Rose wonders if the Protocols have defence codes that they can use to launch [[nuclear weapon]]s at the Slitheen. Harriet explains that due to the United Kingdom's past record, the release codes for a nuclear strike are in the hands of the [[United Nations]], and a resolution has to be passed before the authorisations can be released. As they wonder what the Slitheen could be after, Rose's mobile phone beeps. It is Mickey, and he has sent a picture of the Slitheen in Jackie's kitchen.
In the Cabinet Room, the Doctor puts the [[Prime Minister (Aliens of London)|Prime Minister]] and [[Indra Ganesh]]'s bodies in the cupboard, and then checks for possible escape routes. Rose wonders how the Slitheen can fit inside smaller human skins. The Doctor explains that it is a function of the collars they wear — a compression field shrinks them down, leading to the gas exchange that causes their [[flatulence]]. The Prime Minister's skin was too small, even for them, which is why they did not use him as a disguise. The Doctor wonders why he finds Harriet Jones's name so familiar.


Despite his dislike of Mickey, the Doctor admits that he needs him. He asks Mickey to go to the computer and log on to the [[United Nations Intelligence Taskforce|UNIT]] website, using the password "buffalo" to gain access. As he does so, Jackie takes over the phone, pointedly telling the Doctor how dangerous his life is, and asking him if he can promise her that Rose will be safe. The Doctor does not answer. Once in, Mickey finds the signal that the Slitheen ship in the [[North Sea]] is pulsing out into space. The Doctor puts Mickey on the speakerphone and tries to decipher the signal. The doorbell to Mickey's flat rings and Jackie goes to answers it. It is the Slitheen inspector, who unmasks and starts to break through the door.  
Harriet says she is not famous, but just a lifelong [[backbencher]]. The Emergency Protocols list all the people who could help, but they are all dead downstairs. Rose wonders if the Protocols have defence codes that they can use to launch [[nuclear weapon]]s at the Slitheen. Harriet explains that due to the [[United Kingdom]]'s past record, the release codes for a nuclear strike are in the hands of the [[United Nations]], and a resolution has to be passed before the authorisations can be released. As they wonder what the Slitheen could be after, Rose's mobile phone beeps. It is Mickey, and he has sent a picture of the Slitheen in Jackie's kitchen.


Desperately, the Doctor and the others try to gather the information they know about the Slitheen so he can identify their race and hopefully their weakness. The various characteristics they have exhibited, including the fact that their gas smells like halitosis &mdash; [[calcium]] decay &mdash; helps the Doctor narrow it down to one planet &mdash; [[Raxacoricofallapatorius]] &mdash; and identify them as creatures of living calcium, which will be weakened by the compression. As the Slitheen crashes into the flat, the Doctor tells them through the phone to get into the kitchen and find anything with [[vinegar]] in it. Jackie dumps as many pickled foods into a measuring cup as she can and hurls the mixture at the Slitheen as it comes through. The [[acetic acid]] reacts with the creature, and it explodes.
Despite his dislike of Mickey, the Doctor admits that he needs him. He asks Mickey to go to the computer and log on to the [[UNIT website]], using the password "buffalo" to gain access. As he does so, Jackie takes over the phone, pointedly telling the Doctor how dangerous his life is, and asking him if he can promise her that Rose will be safe. The Doctor does not answer. Once in, Mickey finds the signal that the Slitheen ship in the [[North Sea]] is pulsing out into space. The Doctor puts Mickey on the speakerphone and tries to decipher the signal. The doorbell to Mickey's flat rings and Jackie goes to answers it. It is Slitheen inspector Strickland, who unmasks and starts to break through the door. Mickey offers to fend off the alien with his bat.


In Downing Street, Green and Asquith sense the death of their brother. Green steps out onto the street and speaks to the media as Acting Prime Minister. He informs them of the death of the experts at the hands of aliens and that there are "massive weapons of destruction" capable of being deployed within 45 seconds above their heads. He urges the UN to pass a resolution and release the access codes that will allow the UK to launch a pre-emptive strike against the alien mothership. The Doctor, listening to the broadcast over Rose's phone, knows that Green is lying. He realises that is why the Slitheen made such a spectacle out of the crash; not just to attract the experts but to panic the world and make it more likely for the United Nations to acquiesce to Green's request.
[[File:Jackie mickey slimed.jpg|thumb|left|Jackie and Mickey are covered in Slitheen.]]
Desperately, the Doctor and the others try to gather the information they know about the Slitheen so he can identify their race and hopefully their weakness. The various characteristics they have exhibited, including the fact that their gas smells like halitosis — [[calcium]] decay — helps the Doctor narrow it down to one planet — [[Raxacoricofallapatorius]] — and identify them as creatures of living calcium, which will be weakened by the compression. As the Slitheen crashes into the flat, the Doctor tells them through the phone to get into the kitchen and find anything with [[vinegar]] in it. Jackie dumps as many pickled foods into a measuring cup as she can and hurls the mixture at the Slitheen as it comes through. The [[acetic acid]] reacts with the creature, and it explodes.


He unseals the room long enough to confront the Slitheen outside. They will launch the missiles not into space but against other nations, triggering [[World War III]]. The Slitheen will then sell off the radioactive remains of [[Earth]] to the rest of the Galaxy as a fuel source. The signal from their ship is an advertisement that the planet is for sale. The Doctor tells the Slitheen he will stop them. Blaine sneers, expressing disbelief that he could do anything whilst sealed inside the room. The Doctor says grimly, "Yes. Me." He seals the room again, as uncertainty flickers across Blaine's face, her confidence shaken by the Doctor's demeanour.
In Downing Street, Green and Asquith sense the death of their brother. Green steps out onto the street and speaks to the media as Acting Prime Minister. He informs them of the death of the experts at the hands of aliens and that there are "massive weapons of destruction" capable of being deployed within 45 seconds above their heads. He urges the UN to pass a resolution and release the access codes that will allow the UK to launch a pre-emptive strike against the alien mothership. The Doctor, listening to the broadcast over Rose's phone, knows that Green is lying. He realises that is why the Slitheen made such a spectacle out of the crash — not just to attract the experts but to panic the world and make it more likely for the United Nations to acquiesce to Green's request.


As morning breaks over [[London]], the streets are deserted. The Slitheen gather, unmasked, in the Prime Minister's office to await the call from the UN Security Council. Jackie calls the Doctor, and says there must be something he can do. The Doctor reluctantly admits there is an option, but he cannot guarantee Rose's safety. He could save the world, but he could lose Rose. Jackie protests, but without even hearing what the option is, Rose bravely tells the Doctor to just go ahead and do it. Harriet steps in at this point and, as the only elected representative in the room, orders the Doctor to take action.  
He unseals the room long enough to confront the Slitheen outside. He correctly predicts that they plan to launch the missiles not into space but against other nations, triggering [[World War III]]. The Slitheen will ride out the nuclear holocaust in ther ship (which is parked, not crashed, in the Thames) and then sell off the radioactive remains of [[Earth]] to the rest of the galaxy as a fuel source; the signal from the ship is an advertisement that the planet is for sale. The Doctor tells the Slitheen he will stop them. Blaine sneers, expressing disbelief that he could do anything whilst sealed inside the room. The Doctor says grimly, "Yes. Me." He seals the room again, as uncertainty flickers across Blaine's face, her confidence shaken by the Doctor's demeanour.


The Doctor tells Mickey to use the "buffalo" password to access the [[Royal Navy]]'s systems. Mickey locates the HMS ''Taurean'', a Trafalgar class submarine off the coast of [[Plymouth]], and under the Doctor's instructions, remotely selects and launches a [[Harpoon missile]]. The missile streaks inland, on a direct course for 10 Downing Street, as the UN concludes their debate. Persuaded by the "proof" that the UK has provided, they agree to release the nuclear missile codes.  
As morning breaks over [[London]], the streets are deserted. The Slitheen gather, unmasked, in the Prime Minister's office to await the call from the UN Security Council in [[New York City|New York]]. Jackie calls the Doctor, and says there must be something he can do. The Doctor reluctantly admits there is an option, but he cannot guarantee Rose's safety. He could save the world, but he could lose Rose. Jackie protests, but without even hearing what the option is, Rose tells the Doctor to just go ahead and do it. Harriet steps in at this point and, as the only elected representative in the room, orders the Doctor to take action.


The missile is picked up on [[radar]], but Mickey stops the counter measures taking effect. The Doctor, Harriet and Rose take refuge in the cupboard, hoping to ride out the explosion. The police squad sergeant orders the evacuation of 10 Downing Street, and goes upstairs to warn Green. When he sees the Slitheen in their true forms, he makes a hasty retreat. The surrounding streets are cleared as the missile starts its final descent, and as the Slitheen still scramble around trying to get into their skins, 10 Downing Street is reduced to rubble. Thanks to the steel walls, however, the Cabinet Rooms survive, as do Harriet, Rose and the Doctor. The Slitheen are not so lucky.
The Doctor tells Mickey to use the "buffalo" password to access the [[Royal Navy]]'s systems. Mickey locates the HMS ''Taurean'', a Trafalgar class submarine off the coast of [[Plymouth]], and under the Doctor's instructions, remotely selects and launches a [[harpoon missile]]. The missile streaks inland, on a direct course for 10 Downing Street, as the UN concludes their debate. Persuaded by the "proof" that the UK has provided, they agree to release the nuclear missile codes.


Harriet wonders how they will rebuild from this, and the Doctor suggests that she become Prime Minister. She goes off to speak to the press and emergency services, announcing proudly that the crisis has passed; mankind stands tall, proud and undefeated. As he and Rose leave quietly, the Doctor remembers now why Harriet's name was familiar. Harriet Jones will be a future Prime Minister, elected for three successive terms and the architect of Britain's Golden Age.
The missile is picked up on radar, but Mickey stops the counter measures taking effect. The Doctor, Harriet and Rose take refuge in the cupboard, hoping to ride out the explosion. The police squad sergeant orders the evacuation of 10 Downing Street and goes upstairs to warn Green. When he sees the Slitheen in their true forms, he makes a hasty retreat. The surrounding streets are cleared as the missile starts its final descent, and as the Slitheen still scramble around trying to get into their skins, 10 Downing Street is reduced to rubble. Thanks to the small and sturdy walls of a cupboard, Harriet, Rose and the Doctor "ride out" the blast and survive. The Slitheen are not so lucky.


Rose goes back to Jackie's flat and watches the aftermath on television. Jackie grudgingly admits that she can't get rid of the Doctor now since Rose is so infatuated with him, something which Rose denies. Jackie offers to cook for the three of them and get to know the Doctor better. The Doctor calls Rose on her mobile phone from the [[TARDIS]], where he is cancelling the Slitheen "advertisement". When Rose tells him of her mother's offer, he refuses &mdash; Rose can stay there if she likes, but he has a universe to see. Jackie sees Rose packing and asks her not to go, but Rose just hugs her.
Harriet wonders how they will rebuild from this, and the Doctor suggests that she become Prime Minister. She goes off to speak to the press and emergency services, announcing proudly that the crisis has passed; mankind stands tall, proud and undefeated. As he and Rose leave quietly, the Doctor remembers now why Harriet's name was familiar. Harriet Jones will be a future Prime Minister, elected for three successive terms, and the architect of [[Britain's Golden Age]].


Mickey speaks to the Doctor by the TARDIS. He cannot believe that the papers are already saying the whole incident was a hoax. The Doctor gives Mickey a [[compact disc]] containing a [[computer virus]] that will wipe all trace of the Doctor's presence on the Internet and asks him to use it. He also offers Mickey a place in the TARDIS, but Mickey says that the Doctor's world is not for him. He asks the Doctor not to tell Rose he said this, however. Rose arrives with a backpack full of her belongings, tossing it to the Doctor and playfully telling him that he is now stuck with her. Rose says goodbye to Mickey and Jackie, assuring her mother that the TARDIS is a time machine &mdash; she can travel all over the universe and be back within ten seconds. Rose asks Mickey to come along with them but the Doctor, following Mickey's wishes, pretends that Mickey is not welcome.
Rose goes back to Jackie's flat and watches the aftermath on [[television]]. Jackie grudgingly admits that she can't get rid of the Doctor now since Rose is so infatuated with him, something which Rose denies. Jackie offers to cook for the three of them and get to know the Doctor better. The Doctor calls Rose on her mobile phone from [[The Doctor's TARDIS|the TARDIS]], where he is cancelling the Slitheen "advertisement" before any potential buyers arrive. When Rose tells him of her mother's offer, he refuses — Rose can stay there if she likes, but he has a [[universe]] to see. Jackie sees Rose packing and asks her not to go, but Rose doesn't answer.


Rose and the Doctor enter the TARDIS and it dematerialises. Jackie waits ten seconds, but it does not return, and she walks back towards her flat. Mickey stays in the street, and continues to wait.
The Doctor has caught the hooligan boy that defaced his police box with the words "[[Bad Wolf meme|BAD WOLF]]" and made him clean off the spray-paint. As the boy scampers away, Mickey stops by and speaks to the Doctor by the TARDIS. Mickey cannot believe that the papers, such as the ''[[Evening Standard]]'', are already saying the whole incident was a hoax. The Doctor gives Mickey a compact disc containing [[Computer virus (World War Three)|a computer virus]] that will wipe all trace of the Doctor's presence on the Internet and asks him to use it. He also offers Mickey a place in the TARDIS, but Mickey says that the Doctor's world is not for him. He asks the Doctor not to tell Rose he said this, however. Rose arrives with a backpack full of her belongings, tossing it to the Doctor and playfully telling him that he is now stuck with her. Rose says goodbye to Mickey and Jackie, assuring her mother that the TARDIS is a time machine — she can travel all over the universe and be back within ten seconds. Rose asks Mickey to come along with them but the Doctor, following Mickey's wishes, pretends that Mickey is not welcome.


==Cast==
Rose and the Doctor enter the TARDIS and it dematerialises. Jackie waits ten seconds, but it does not return, and she walks back towards her flat. Mickey unfurls his newspaper about the aftermath of the recent crises, planting himself on a rubbish bin. He stays in the street and continues to wait.
*[[Ninth Doctor|The Doctor]] — [[Christopher Eccleston]]
*[[Rose Tyler]] — [[Billie Piper]]
*[[Joseph Green]] — [[David Verrey]]
*[[Jackie Tyler]] — [[Camille Coduri]]
*[[Harriet Jones]] — [[Penelope Wilton]]
*[[Mickey Smith]] — [[Noel Clarke]]
*General [[Asquith]] — [[Rupert Vansittart]]
*[[Sergeant Price]] — [[Morgan Hopkins]]
*[[Andrew Marr]] — As himself
*[[Margaret Blaine]] — [[Annette Badland]]
*Assistant Commissioner [[Strickland]] — [[Steve Spiers]]
*Reporter — Jack Tarlton
*Reporter [[Mal Loup]] — [[Lachele Carl]]
*[[Spray Painter]] — Corey Doabe
*[[Slitheen]] — [[Elizabeth Fost]], [[Paul Kasey]], [[Alan Ruscoe]]


==Crew==
== Cast ==
''to be added''
* [[Ninth Doctor|The Doctor]] — [[Christopher Eccleston]]
* [[Rose Tyler]] — [[Billie Piper]]
* [[Jocrassa Fel-Fotch Passameer-Day Slitheen|Joseph Green]] — [[David Verrey]]
* [[Jackie Tyler]] — [[Camille Coduri]]
* [[Harriet Jones]] — [[Penelope Wilton]]
* [[Mickey Smith]] — [[Noel Clarke]]
* [[Asquith Slitheen|General Asquith]] — [[Rupert Vansittart]]
* [[Price (World War Three)|Sergeant Price]] — [[Morgan Hopkins]]
* [[Andrew Marr (in-universe)|Andrew Marr]] — As [[Andrew Marr|himself]]
* [[Blon Fel-Fotch Passameer-Day Slitheen|Margaret Blaine]] — [[Annette Badland]]
* [[Sip Fel-Fotch Passameer-Day Slitheen|Strickland]] — [[Steve Spiers]]<!--The actor uses both spellings and is credited as Speirs in the first episode and as Spiers in this one-->
* [[Tom Hitchinson|Reporter]] — [[Jack Tarlton]]
* [[Trinity Wells|Reporter]] — [[Lachele Carl]]
* [[Spray painter|Spray Painter]] — [[Corey Doabe]]
* [[Slitheen family|Slitheen]] — [[Elizabeth Fost]], [[Paul Kasey]], [[Alan Ruscoe]]


==References==
== Crew ==
*Using the date of the crash as given on the UNIT website and from the passage of time seen on-screen, the main events of this two-part story take place on [[June 28]] and [[June 29]], [[2006]]. This means that both the UNIT website and Mickey's website are one year in the future.
{{wales crew
*The Slitheen bear a resemblance to the [[Foamasi]]; the Foamasi were also bulky alien monsters who disguised themselves as humans as part of a plan to gain control of a planet.
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*Mickey has [[Pickled onions]] in his fridge.
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==Story Notes==
== Worldbuilding ==
*[[Andrew Marr]] appears  playing himself as a television news reporter.
* The use of [[vinegar]] on [[calcium]] is "just like [[Hannibal]]".
*According to Russell T. Davies (among others), this episode was called ''Aliens of London Part Two'' until the last minute, when the name was changed to ''World War 3'', soon amended to ''World War Three''. The [[Telos Publishing]] book ''Back to the Vortex'' cites ''10 Downing Street'' as another working title.  
* Mickey refers to the Slitheen as a "[[bog monster]]".
*Elements of the story parody the 2003 invasion of Iraq and the actions of the Prime Minister, [[Tony Blair]]. This includes a pre-emptive strike based on incorrect information, namely the presence of "massive weapons of destruction" which could be deployed in 45 seconds (as opposed to Blair's "weapons of mass destruction" that could be deployed in "45 minutes").
* The Doctor calls Mickey an [[idiot]].
*The use of vinegar on calcium "just like [[Hannibal]]" references the story of how Hannibal's engineers, while crossing the Alps, heated boulders that blocked their way with wood fires, then poured vinegar over them. The rocks, weakened by the heat, were broken up by the vinegar into smaller pieces, which were then easily moved to clear a path.
=== Food and beverages ===
*The Doctor mentions that the Slitheen scheme to make a profit will cost "5 billion lives". The human population of the Earth in reality, as of January [[2005]], is estimated at approximately 6.4 billion.
* Mickey has [[pickled onion]]s, [[pickled egg]]s, and [[gherkin]]s in his cupboard.
*The submarine HMS ''Taurean'' is completely fictional. Also, aside from the unlikelihood of being able to launch a missile over the Internet, the Harpoon missile is primarily an anti-ship missile and not launched against targets inland (a variant, the AGM-84E, is meant for coastal targets and ships in port). The ''Trafalgar''-class submarines do carry Tomahawk missiles, which would have been a more appropriate weapon.
* Jackie offers to make the Doctor [[shepherd's pie]].
*When a Slitheen disguised as a policeman appears outside Mickey's flat, the word "Salford" appears as graffiti on the wall near the elevator. [[Salford]] is Christopher Eccleston's hometown.
* Jackie takes out a bottle of [[Amaretto]] and asks if the Doctor drinks. The Doctor spits out the [[wine]] he sips in [[10 Downing Street]].
*Continuing the "bad wolf" theme begun in, the American newsreader announcing the UN's decision is named "[[Mal Loup]]", French for "Bad Wolf". The name appears not in the televised clip, but the version on Mickey's website.  


===Ratings===
=== Bad Wolf arc ===
*7.6 million viewers
* The Doctor has found and scolded the child who spray-painted "[[Bad Wolf meme|BAD WOLF]]" on his TARDIS by having him scrub the TARDIS as punishment.


====Broadcast Differences====
=== Influences ===
*The episode's initial [[Canada|Canadian]] broadcast on [[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|CBC]] had a programming error. The action before the [[title sequence]] which was supposed to resolve the previous episode's cliffhanger &mdash; by showing the Doctor turning the tables with the electrified ID badge &mdash; was omitted. This led to understandable confusion from Canadian viewers. The error was corrected on the repeat broadcast, although the sequence appeared after the opening titles.


===Myths===
* [[Russell T Davies]] said that the Downing Street setting was inspired by the music video for "[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jump_(For_My_Love)#Girls_Aloud_version Jump]" by [[Girls Aloud]].
''to be added''


===Location Filming===
== Notes ==
''to be added''
* [[Andrew Marr]] appears playing himself as a television news reporter.
* This episode had a working title of ''Aliens of London Part Two'' until the last minute.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20070702113947/http://www.gallifreyone.com/episode.php?id=2005-04</ref>
* Elements of the story parody the 2003 invasion of Iraq and the actions of the Prime Minister, [[Tony Blair]]. This includes a pre-emptive strike based on incorrect information, namely the presence of "massive weapons of destruction" which could be deployed in forty-five seconds, as opposed to Blair's "weapons of mass destruction" that could be deployed in "forty-five minutes".
* When a Slitheen disguised as a policeman appears outside Mickey's flat, the word "[[Salford]]" appears as graffiti on the wall near the elevator. This would appear to be an in-joke, as Salford is [[Christopher Eccleston]]'s hometown.
* Unusually, the repetition of the last episode's cliffhanger before the opening title sequence contains the cliffhanger's resolution: the Doctor removes the ID badge from his clothing and applies it to a Slitheen. The use of the "cold open" of the second half of a two-parter to resolve the first episode's cliffhanger would also be utilised in the later episode ''[[The Doctor Dances (TV story)|The Doctor Dances]]'', after which cold opens for second parts (other than the recap of part one) would be almost totally abandoned for the remainder of the first [[Russell T Davies]] era. They would return under [[Steven Moffat]], but would typically show more than simply the cliffhanger resolution.
* Curiously, whenever the TARDIS's interior is seen from the outside, a normal police box interior, rather than the TARDIS's, is shown. While this was normal pre-2005, the TARDIS's interior is nearly always seen in the revived series.
* The idea of a family of villains was inspired by [[Human Nature (novel)|''Human Nature'']].
* [[Russell T Davies]] added the scene of the boy cleaning the "Bad Wolf" graffiti off the TARDIS in accordance with BBC guidelines.
* At Hensol Castle, the limitations of the Slitheen costumes became apparent, and it was later found that the digital Slitheen matched imperfectly with their live-action counterparts. As a result, the production team agreed to avoid such a hybrid approach in the future.
* [[Russell T Davies]] expanded the ending when the episode underran. Originally, after surviving the destruction of 10 Downing Street, there had been just a short sequence of the Doctor and Rose leaving the Powell Estate to head back to the TARDIS.


===Discontinuity, Plot Holes, Errors===
=== Ratings ===
*In the shot that pans over the central London skyline, St Stephen's Clock tower (Big Ben) appears to have been repaired since the spaceship hit it.
* 7.67 million viewers (UK final)<ref>[http://guide.doctorwhonews.net/info.php?detail=ratings&start=100&type=date&order= Doctor Who - consolidated ratings]</ref>
:* Despite this in [[The Christmas Invasion]] it's still being repaired.
*What happens to the [[Slitheen Craft]] after the end of this episode?
''Possibly taken to study by [[UNIT]] or [[Torchwood]]''
:*How would Rose know where the stuff with vinegar in it be, if it's been a whole year?
''Mickey never cleans out his kitchen/the vinegar rich foods are his favorite?''


==Continuity==
==== Broadcast differences ====
*The Slitheen scheme is also what the Dominators were intending to do to the planet Dulkis in the [[Second Doctor]] serial, [[The Dominators]].
* The episode's initial [[Canada|Canadian]] broadcast on [[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|CBC]] had a programming error. The action before the [[title sequence]] which was supposed to resolve the previous episode's cliffhanger — by showing the Doctor turning the tables with the electrified ID badge — was omitted. This led to understandable confusion among Canadian viewers. The error was corrected on the repeat broadcast, although the sequence appeared after the opening titles. One contributing factor in the error was the original broadcast was originally preceded by a specially recorded introduction by Eccleston, which usually led straight into the opening credits.
*The fact that the UN is the caretaker for the codes to launch a nuclear strike harkens back to the very first [[Fourth Doctor]] serial, [[Robot (TV story)|Robot]], where the UK was the guardian of the "destructor codes" that could launch the world's nuclear arsenals.
*10 Downing Street is also destroyed in the ''[[U.N.I.T. (audio series)]]:'' [[The Longest Night]].
*The "World War Three" of the episode's title is averted by the Doctor's plan.  However, ''a'' World War Three may be presumed to occur at some point in the ''Doctor Who'' universe, since the Doctor has referred to World War Five (in [[The Unquiet Dead]]) and the almost-starting of World War Six (in [[The Talons of Weng-Chiang]]).
*As well as a reappearance in [[Boom Town]], the Slitheen return in the ''[[NDA]]:'' [[The Monsters Inside]] along with another family of the same race, called the [[Blathereen]]. They even return in [[The Sarah Jane Adventures]], the second episode named ''[[Revenge of the Slitheen]]''.
*[[Harriet Jones]] reappears in [[The Christmas Invasion]], by which time she has become Prime Minister. She also appears in the Season 4 episode [[The Stolen Earth]].
*The Doctor tempts Rose to return to the TARDIS by vividly describing a plasma storm in the [[Horsehead Nebula]].  This echoes the method by which the [[Third Doctor]] initially convinced [[Sarah Jane Smith]] to become his companion following the [[Invasion of the Dinosaurs|appearance of dinosaurs in London]].  The [[Tenth Doctor]] would later unsuccessfully attempt a similar thing with [[Martha Jones|Martha]] ([[DW]]: ''[[Last of the Time Lords]]'') and needlessly do so with [[Donna Noble|Donna]] ([[DW]]: ''[[The Sontaran Strategem]]''). 
*Although the Doctor asked Mickey to erase his presence from the Internet, Mickey's website, http://www.whoisdoctorwho.co.uk, indicates that he may not have done so. In [[Love & Monsters]], reference is made to a "Bad Wolf" virus that deleted all mention of Rose Tyler; whether this is somehow related to the Doctor's virus is unclear.


==DVD and Other Releases==
=== Myths ===
*'''World War Three''' together with ''[[Aliens of London]]'' and ''[[Dalek (TV story)|Dalek]]'' were the first released on the ''Universal Media Disc'' format for the ''PlayStation Portable''. [http://www.gallifreyone.com/news-archives.php?id=9-2005 (1)]
* The episode's working title was ''10 Downing Street'', and was changed to ''World War Three'' at a relatively late stage. (''Despite the [[Telos Publishing]] book ''Back to the Vortex'' claiming this to be the case, Russell T Davies has categorically stated this to be a myth, and that ''10 Downing Street'' was never considered as a working or final title at any stage of production'')
* The Doctor was going to kill Harriet Jones to stop her becoming prime minister. (''RTD never considered killing Harriet.'')


==See Also==
=== Filming locations ===
''to be added''
* [[Lower Dock Street]], Newport (Downing Street exterior following the missile strike)
* [[Royal Society of Arts]], John Adam Street, Westminster, London (Downing Street exterior)
* Whitehall / Parliament Street, Westminster, London (News report on deserted streets)
* [[Hensol Castle]], Glamorgan, Wales (Downing Street interior)
* [[Brandon Estate]], Kennington, London (Powell Estate - TARDIS scenes, Mickey and Jackie's flat exteriors)
* [[BBC Broadcasting House]], Cardiff (lift shaft and ocean)
* [[Unit Q2]], Imperial Way, Newport (studio filming)
* [[HTV Wales Studios]] ([[Studio 1]]), Culvershouse Cross, Cardiff (pick-up studio work)
* [[The Model Unit Stage]], Kendal Avenue, Acton (model effect filming) (all [[TCH 49]])


==External Links==
=== Production errors ===
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/episodes/2005/worldwarthree.shtml Official BBC  Website - Episode Guide for '''World War Three''']
{{discontinuity}}
* [http://www.gallifreyone.com/episode.php?id=2005-05 Outpost Gallifrey Episode Guide: '''World War Three''']
* In the shot that pans over the central London skyline, Big Ben appears to have been repaired since the spaceship hit it. However, in the next shot, the hole in it is seen again. Despite this in ''[[The Christmas Invasion (TV story)|The Christmas Invasion]]'' it's still being repaired.
* [http://www.drwhoguide.com/who_tv04.htm The Doctor Who Reference Guide detailed synopsis of '''World War Three''']
* When on the estate, the Doctor opens the TARDIS doors and it is clearly just a normal police box inside, not the usual TARDIS walls.
*[http://www.shannonsullivan.com/drwho/serials/2005de.html A Brief History of Time (Travel): '''World War Three''']
* There is an obvious disparity between CGI Slitheen creatures and the live action during chase scenes — the monsters move at far faster speed than their quarry, yet are repeatedly repositioned a considerable distance behind again in subsequent shots with the full-size (and different-colour) monster costumes.
* [http://www.whoniverse.org/discontinuity/9E.php The Whoniverse Discontinuity Guide to '''World War Three''']
* When the boy is cleaning off the graffiti on the TARDIS, he opens the door and you can clearly see the glass windows from the inside.
* When the Slitheen at Mickey's flat unzips his head, the blue light shining from his forehead fills the frame and seems to cast a shadow BEHIND him. Unless he was standing in front of a mirror, this would simply not be possible.
* In some shots with the costume version of the Slitheen creatures, you can see the shoes of the actors as they walk away (around 13:45 min)
* While Asquith changes to his Slitheen form in front of the experts, he swings his arms around wildly and one of his arms passes through a table behind him.
* When the Doctor first closes the metal cabinet room doors they come down and up yet when he opens them to talk to the Slitheen then closes them again they come from left and right.


===Online Video Links===
== Continuity ==
*''[http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediaselector/check/doctorwho/ram/confidential5?size=16x9&bgc=CC0000&nbram=1&bbram=1&nbwm=1&bbwm=1 Doctor Who Confidential - Episode 5: Why on Earth?]
* The Slitheen scheme is also what the [[Dominator]]s were intending to do to the planet [[Dulkis]] when the [[Second Doctor]] encountered them. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Dominators (TV story)|The Dominators]]'')
*[http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediaselector/check/doctorwho/ram/ep5trail?size=16x9&bgc=CC0000&nbram=1&bbram=1 Official BBC Website Next Time Trailer '''World War Three''']
* The fact that the UN is the caretaker for the codes to launch a nuclear strike hearkens back to when the UK was the guardian of the "destructor codes" that could launch the world's nuclear arsenals. ([[TV]]: ''[[Robot (TV story)|Robot]]'')
* 10 Downing Street is also destroyed in [[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Longest Night (audio story)|The Longest Night]]''.
* Rose's mobile phone is able to pick up a signal through the sealed walls of the Cabinet Room and receive calls from the TARDIS. The Doctor previously upgraded it on [[Platform One]] so she could call her mother from five billion years in the future. ([[TV]]: ''[[The End of the World (TV story)|The End of the World]]'')
* Although "World War Three" is averted by the Doctor's plan, ''a'' [[World War III]] may be presumed to occur at some point, since the Doctor has referred to [[World War V]] ([[TV]]: ''[[The Unquiet Dead (TV story)|The Unquiet Dead]]'') and the almost-starting of [[World War VI]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Talons of Weng-Chiang (TV story)|The Talons of Weng-Chiang]]'')
* The Slitheen family later return to Earth multiple times. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[The Monsters Inside (novel)|The Monsters Inside]]'', [[TV]]: ''[[Revenge of the Slitheen (TV story)|Revenge of the Slitheen]]'', ''[[The Lost Boy (TV story)|The Lost Boy]]'', ''[[The Gift (TV story)|The Gift]]'')
* The Slitheen posing as Margaret Blaine managed to teleport out before Downing Street was destroyed, and is left stranded on Earth. ([[TV]]: ''[[Boom Town (TV story)|Boom Town]]'')
* Harriet Jones does indeed become [[Prime Minister]], ([[TV]]: ''[[The Christmas Invasion (TV story)|The Christmas Invasion]]'') and is then deposed by the Doctor in his [[Tenth Doctor|next incarnation]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Stolen Earth (TV story)|The Stolen Earth]]'')
* The Doctor tempts Rose to return to the TARDIS by vividly describing a plasma storm in the [[Horsehead Nebula]]. This echoes the method by which the [[Third Doctor]] initially convinced [[Sarah Jane Smith]] to travel with him again. ([[TV]]: ''[[Invasion of the Dinosaurs (TV story)|Invasion of the Dinosaurs]]'') The [[Tenth Doctor]] would later unsuccessfully attempt a similar thing with [[Martha Jones]] ([[TV]]: ''[[Last of the Time Lords (TV story)|Last of the Time Lord]]'') and needlessly do so with [[Donna Noble]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Sontaran Stratagem (TV story)|The Sontaran Stratagem]]'')
* The Doctor asks Mickey to erase his presence from the Internet. A year later, a "Bad Wolf" virus has deleted all mention of Rose Tyler. ([[TV]]: ''[[Love & Monsters (TV story)|Love & Monsters]]'')
* The Doctor offers Mickey a chance to travel with him, which he declines; Mickey later invites himself to travel with the Doctor and Rose, and is encouraged to do so by [[Sarah Jane Smith]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[School Reunion (TV story)|School Reunion]]'')
* A group of soldiers aimed their guns at the Doctor in the previous episode. ([[TV]]: ''[[Aliens of London (TV story)|Aliens of London]]'')
* The Doctor takes a sip of [[wine]], then spits it out. His [[Eleventh Doctor|eleventh incarnation]] will later do this on several occasions. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Lodger (TV story)|The Lodger]]'', ''[[The Impossible Astronaut (TV story)|The Impossible Astronaut]]'')
* The Doctor has caught the child who spray-painted "[[Bad Wolf meme|BAD WOLF]]" on the side of his TARDIS, and as punishment, he puts the mischief-maker in line and has him scrub it off. ([[TV]]: ''[[Aliens of London (TV story)|Aliens of London]])''
* The Doctor's UNIT password has been "Buffalo" since at least his [[Sixth Doctor|sixth incarnation]]. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Vampire of the Mind (audio story)|Vampire of the Mind]]'')
* Jackie says that Rose and the Doctor should be knighted for saving the planet. They're later knighted by Queen Victoria for their actions in [[TV]]: ''[[Tooth and Claw (TV story)|Tooth and Claw]]'', though the Doctor is in his [[Tenth Doctor|next incarnation]] at that point.
* Though it takes the Doctor time to recall the Slitheen's planet of origin, he was familiar with [[Raxacoricofallapatorius]] as early as his [[second incarnation]], who fought a [[Hanazeen-Blathereen]]. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[A Comedy of Terrors (short story)|A Comedy of Terrors]]'')
* The Doctor once again makes note of humanity's capacity for self-deception. ([[TV]]: ''[[Remembrance of the Daleks (TV story)|Remembrance of the Daleks]]'')


{{Series 1}}
== Home video releases ==
{{Slitheen stories}}
[[File:Bbcdvd-s1-v2.jpg|thumb|Series 1 Volume 2 DVD Cover]]
* ''World War Three'' together with ''[[Aliens of London (TV story)|Aliens of London]]'' and ''[[Dalek (TV story)|Dalek]]'' were the first released on the ''Universal Media Disc'' format for the ''PlayStation Portable''.[http://www.gallifreyone.com/news-archives.php?id=9-2005 (1)]
* It was also released as part of the [[Series 1 (Doctor Who 2005)|Series 1]] DVD box set.
* This was also released with Issue 3 of the [[Doctor Who DVD Files]].


[[Category:Ninth Doctor episodes]]
== External links ==
[[Category:Stories set in London]]
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/episodes/2005/worldwarthree.shtml BBC Website - Episode Guide for '''World War Three''']
{{dwrefguide|who_tv04.htm|World War Three}}
* {{briefhistory|serials/2005de.html|World War Three}}
* {{whoniverse|s01_05|World War Three}}
* {{locguide|worldwarthree|World War Three}}
 
=== Online video Links ===
* ''[http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediaselector/check/doctorwho/ram/confidential5?size=16x9&bgc=CC0000&nbram=1&bbram=1&nbwm=1&bbwm=1 Doctor Who Confidential - Episode 5: Why on Earth?]''
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediaselector/check/doctorwho/ram/ep5trail?size=16x9&bgc=CC0000&nbram=1&bbram=1 Official BBC Website Next Time Trailer '''World War Three''']
 
== Footnotes ==
{{reflist}}
 
{{DWTV}}
{{UNIT stories}}
{{Raxacoricofallapatorian stories}}
{{TitleSort}}
[[cy:World War Three (stori deledu)]]
[[de:165 - World War Three]]
[[es:World War Three]]
[[fi:Kolmas Maailmansota (TV-jakso)]]
[[fr:World War Three (TV)]]
[[he:מלחמת העולם השלישית (סיפור טלוויזיה)]]
[[it:World War Three (TV)]]
[[pt:World War Three]]
[[ro:World War Three]]
[[ru:Третья мировая война]]
 
[[Category:Doctor Who (2005) television stories]]
[[Category:Stories set in 2006]]
[[Category:Stories set in 2006]]
[[Category:Bad Wolf arc]]
[[Category:Slitheen television stories]]
[[Category:2005 television stories]]
[[Category:Stories set in the London Borough of Southwark]]
[[Category:Slitheen stories]]
[[Category:Stories set in the City of Westminster]]
[[Category:Series 1 (Doctor Who) stories]]
[[Category:The Doctors and Monsters, Aliens, Robots stories]]

Latest revision as of 20:12, 3 November 2024

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You may be looking for the armed conflict.

World War Three was the fifth episode of series one of Doctor Who.

The episode concluded the story begun in Aliens of London. It was notable for featuring the first instance of Mickey Smith actively assisting the Doctor, and therefore behaving like a companion, something that he would eventually become in due time. It suggested a bright political future for Harriet Jones, something that the Tenth Doctor would later actively change about the timeline in The Christmas Invasion. It was also the first time in the history of Doctor Who that the Doctor's TARDIS was shown to have a working telephone — something that would feature much more prominently throughout the Steven Moffat era — the first Russell T Davies era of the show (2005-2010) preferring to use the mobile phone Martha Jones gave to the Tenth Doctor in Last of the Time Lords.

To coincide with this television story, the short stories Number Ten Pays Tribute to UNIT and Number Ten were released on the U.N.I.T. tie-in website, giving further details on the destruction of 10 Downing Street from UNIT's perspective.

Synopsis[[edit] | [edit source]]

With the threat of interplanetary war looming, the human race prepare for the end, little knowing their enemies lie at the heart of the British government. As the Ninth Doctor, Rose Tyler and new friend Harriet Jones battle for their lives in 10 Downing Street, the Slitheen family set their plans for the destruction of Earth into motion. With the world changing around him, the Doctor is powerless, and it seems only Mickey Smith can save the world...

Plot[[edit] | [edit source]]

Deadly electricity courses through all of the alien experts in the room, killing them, but the Ninth Doctor, not being human, is not as affected as the rest. The Doctor grabs his own electrified identity badge and attaches it to the collar of the Slitheen that was masquerading as Asquith. Somehow, as the electricity courses through Asquith, it affects Green, Blaine and the police inspector threatening Jackie as well. The Doctor makes his escape, running down and attracting the attention of the Metropolitan Police squad below. Mickey comes into Jackie's flat and sees the police inspector alien paralysed by electricity. He knocks it aside with a chair and grabs Jackie's hand, pulling her out of there — but not before taking a photograph of the alien with his mobile phone. Harriet and Rose rush past the writhing Margaret Blaine alien, running down the corridors of 10 Downing Street with her in hot pursuit.

Green struggles and manages to remove the badge from Asquith's neck, and they hurriedly scramble into their skins just as the Doctor returns with the police squad. The Doctor tells the squad that the Acting Prime Minister is an alien, but is met with obvious disbelief. Green accuses the Doctor of having killed all the experts, and Asquith orders the police, under the authority of the Emergency Protocols, to execute the Doctor. The Doctor, apparently backed against a wall, says, "If I was you, if I was going to execute someone by backing them up against the wall, between you and me, a little word of advice — don't stand them against the lift!" and ducks into the lift before they can shoot him. He rides it up to the top floor.

Blaine continues to chase Harriet and Rose through No. 10, and the two seek refuge in one of the offices on the upper floor. In the meantime, Asquith tells the police to isolate the upper floors, and he and Green ride upstairs in the lift, removing their skins. They join Blaine, who is enjoying the hunt, and they sniff out Harriet and Rose's hiding places. They are about to strike when the Doctor comes in, spraying the Slitheen with a fire extinguisher, causing enough of a distraction for Harriet and Rose to duck around the aliens. They run towards the Cabinet Room to get the Emergency Protocols to see what procedures they have for fighting aliens.

The Slitheen are just about to follow them in, when the Doctor grabs a bottle of port from a side table, threatening to use his sonic screwdriver to "triplicate the flammability" of the alcohol. He asks them who they are and why they are invading. The Slitheen, held at bay for the moment, say that they are not invading, and the Slitheen is not the name of their species, but their family; Green formally introduces himself as Jocrassa Fel-Foth Passameer-Day Slitheen. They are here for business reasons, but before the Doctor can get them to tell what that is, the Slitheen realise that the Doctor's threat is a bluff. They prepare to end the hunt, but the Doctor observes that the Cabinet Room has a special feature — three-inch thick steel walls that can seal off the room, making it the safest place in Great Britain. He does just that, shutting the Slitheen out... but also cutting off any avenue of escape.

The rest of the family arrive.

Satisfied that the Doctor no longer poses a threat, the Slitheen summon the rest of the family to Downing Street, and Asquith orders Price to keep the ground floor secure and await an emergency address from the Acting PM to the people of the world. Outside, Andrew Marr tries to make sense of the variety of people who are showing up: Group Captain Tennant James of the RAF; Ewan McAllister, Deputy Secretary for the Scottish Parliament; even Sylvia Dillane, Chairman of the North Sea Boating Club. All they seem to have in common is their remarkable girth and the fact that they've been invited to the upper levels of 10 Downing Street. They are all Slitheen in disguise, and when they get upstairs, they strip off their skin suits. Meanwhile, Mickey and Jackie have managed to make their way back to his flat, but the Slitheen who was Police Commissioner Strickland is still in pursuit, using his sense of smell to track Jackie.

In the Cabinet Room, the Doctor puts the Prime Minister and Indra Ganesh's bodies in the cupboard, and then checks for possible escape routes. Rose wonders how the Slitheen can fit inside smaller human skins. The Doctor explains that it is a function of the collars they wear — a compression field shrinks them down, leading to the gas exchange that causes their flatulence. The Prime Minister's skin was too small, even for them, which is why they did not use him as a disguise. The Doctor wonders why he finds Harriet Jones's name so familiar.

Harriet says she is not famous, but just a lifelong backbencher. The Emergency Protocols list all the people who could help, but they are all dead downstairs. Rose wonders if the Protocols have defence codes that they can use to launch nuclear weapons at the Slitheen. Harriet explains that due to the United Kingdom's past record, the release codes for a nuclear strike are in the hands of the United Nations, and a resolution has to be passed before the authorisations can be released. As they wonder what the Slitheen could be after, Rose's mobile phone beeps. It is Mickey, and he has sent a picture of the Slitheen in Jackie's kitchen.

Despite his dislike of Mickey, the Doctor admits that he needs him. He asks Mickey to go to the computer and log on to the UNIT website, using the password "buffalo" to gain access. As he does so, Jackie takes over the phone, pointedly telling the Doctor how dangerous his life is, and asking him if he can promise her that Rose will be safe. The Doctor does not answer. Once in, Mickey finds the signal that the Slitheen ship in the North Sea is pulsing out into space. The Doctor puts Mickey on the speakerphone and tries to decipher the signal. The doorbell to Mickey's flat rings and Jackie goes to answers it. It is Slitheen inspector Strickland, who unmasks and starts to break through the door. Mickey offers to fend off the alien with his bat.

Jackie and Mickey are covered in Slitheen.

Desperately, the Doctor and the others try to gather the information they know about the Slitheen so he can identify their race and hopefully their weakness. The various characteristics they have exhibited, including the fact that their gas smells like halitosis — calcium decay — helps the Doctor narrow it down to one planet — Raxacoricofallapatorius — and identify them as creatures of living calcium, which will be weakened by the compression. As the Slitheen crashes into the flat, the Doctor tells them through the phone to get into the kitchen and find anything with vinegar in it. Jackie dumps as many pickled foods into a measuring cup as she can and hurls the mixture at the Slitheen as it comes through. The acetic acid reacts with the creature, and it explodes.

In Downing Street, Green and Asquith sense the death of their brother. Green steps out onto the street and speaks to the media as Acting Prime Minister. He informs them of the death of the experts at the hands of aliens and that there are "massive weapons of destruction" capable of being deployed within 45 seconds above their heads. He urges the UN to pass a resolution and release the access codes that will allow the UK to launch a pre-emptive strike against the alien mothership. The Doctor, listening to the broadcast over Rose's phone, knows that Green is lying. He realises that is why the Slitheen made such a spectacle out of the crash — not just to attract the experts but to panic the world and make it more likely for the United Nations to acquiesce to Green's request.

He unseals the room long enough to confront the Slitheen outside. He correctly predicts that they plan to launch the missiles not into space but against other nations, triggering World War III. The Slitheen will ride out the nuclear holocaust in ther ship (which is parked, not crashed, in the Thames) and then sell off the radioactive remains of Earth to the rest of the galaxy as a fuel source; the signal from the ship is an advertisement that the planet is for sale. The Doctor tells the Slitheen he will stop them. Blaine sneers, expressing disbelief that he could do anything whilst sealed inside the room. The Doctor says grimly, "Yes. Me." He seals the room again, as uncertainty flickers across Blaine's face, her confidence shaken by the Doctor's demeanour.

As morning breaks over London, the streets are deserted. The Slitheen gather, unmasked, in the Prime Minister's office to await the call from the UN Security Council in New York. Jackie calls the Doctor, and says there must be something he can do. The Doctor reluctantly admits there is an option, but he cannot guarantee Rose's safety. He could save the world, but he could lose Rose. Jackie protests, but without even hearing what the option is, Rose tells the Doctor to just go ahead and do it. Harriet steps in at this point and, as the only elected representative in the room, orders the Doctor to take action.

The Doctor tells Mickey to use the "buffalo" password to access the Royal Navy's systems. Mickey locates the HMS Taurean, a Trafalgar class submarine off the coast of Plymouth, and under the Doctor's instructions, remotely selects and launches a harpoon missile. The missile streaks inland, on a direct course for 10 Downing Street, as the UN concludes their debate. Persuaded by the "proof" that the UK has provided, they agree to release the nuclear missile codes.

The missile is picked up on radar, but Mickey stops the counter measures taking effect. The Doctor, Harriet and Rose take refuge in the cupboard, hoping to ride out the explosion. The police squad sergeant orders the evacuation of 10 Downing Street and goes upstairs to warn Green. When he sees the Slitheen in their true forms, he makes a hasty retreat. The surrounding streets are cleared as the missile starts its final descent, and as the Slitheen still scramble around trying to get into their skins, 10 Downing Street is reduced to rubble. Thanks to the small and sturdy walls of a cupboard, Harriet, Rose and the Doctor "ride out" the blast and survive. The Slitheen are not so lucky.

Harriet wonders how they will rebuild from this, and the Doctor suggests that she become Prime Minister. She goes off to speak to the press and emergency services, announcing proudly that the crisis has passed; mankind stands tall, proud and undefeated. As he and Rose leave quietly, the Doctor remembers now why Harriet's name was familiar. Harriet Jones will be a future Prime Minister, elected for three successive terms, and the architect of Britain's Golden Age.

Rose goes back to Jackie's flat and watches the aftermath on television. Jackie grudgingly admits that she can't get rid of the Doctor now since Rose is so infatuated with him, something which Rose denies. Jackie offers to cook for the three of them and get to know the Doctor better. The Doctor calls Rose on her mobile phone from the TARDIS, where he is cancelling the Slitheen "advertisement" before any potential buyers arrive. When Rose tells him of her mother's offer, he refuses — Rose can stay there if she likes, but he has a universe to see. Jackie sees Rose packing and asks her not to go, but Rose doesn't answer.

The Doctor has caught the hooligan boy that defaced his police box with the words "BAD WOLF" and made him clean off the spray-paint. As the boy scampers away, Mickey stops by and speaks to the Doctor by the TARDIS. Mickey cannot believe that the papers, such as the Evening Standard, are already saying the whole incident was a hoax. The Doctor gives Mickey a compact disc containing a computer virus that will wipe all trace of the Doctor's presence on the Internet and asks him to use it. He also offers Mickey a place in the TARDIS, but Mickey says that the Doctor's world is not for him. He asks the Doctor not to tell Rose he said this, however. Rose arrives with a backpack full of her belongings, tossing it to the Doctor and playfully telling him that he is now stuck with her. Rose says goodbye to Mickey and Jackie, assuring her mother that the TARDIS is a time machine — she can travel all over the universe and be back within ten seconds. Rose asks Mickey to come along with them but the Doctor, following Mickey's wishes, pretends that Mickey is not welcome.

Rose and the Doctor enter the TARDIS and it dematerialises. Jackie waits ten seconds, but it does not return, and she walks back towards her flat. Mickey unfurls his newspaper about the aftermath of the recent crises, planting himself on a rubbish bin. He stays in the street and continues to wait.

Cast[[edit] | [edit source]]

Crew[[edit] | [edit source]]

General production staff

Script department

Camera and lighting department

Art department

Costume department

Make-up and prosthetics

Movement

Casting

General post-production staff

Special and visual effects

Sound



Not every person who worked on this adventure was credited. The absence of a credit for a position doesn't necessarily mean the job wasn't required. The information above is based solely on observations of the actual end credits of the episodes as broadcast, and does not relay information from IMDB or other sources.


Worldbuilding[[edit] | [edit source]]

Food and beverages[[edit] | [edit source]]

Bad Wolf arc[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • The Doctor has found and scolded the child who spray-painted "BAD WOLF" on his TARDIS by having him scrub the TARDIS as punishment.

Influences[[edit] | [edit source]]

Notes[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • Andrew Marr appears playing himself as a television news reporter.
  • This episode had a working title of Aliens of London Part Two until the last minute.[1]
  • Elements of the story parody the 2003 invasion of Iraq and the actions of the Prime Minister, Tony Blair. This includes a pre-emptive strike based on incorrect information, namely the presence of "massive weapons of destruction" which could be deployed in forty-five seconds, as opposed to Blair's "weapons of mass destruction" that could be deployed in "forty-five minutes".
  • When a Slitheen disguised as a policeman appears outside Mickey's flat, the word "Salford" appears as graffiti on the wall near the elevator. This would appear to be an in-joke, as Salford is Christopher Eccleston's hometown.
  • Unusually, the repetition of the last episode's cliffhanger before the opening title sequence contains the cliffhanger's resolution: the Doctor removes the ID badge from his clothing and applies it to a Slitheen. The use of the "cold open" of the second half of a two-parter to resolve the first episode's cliffhanger would also be utilised in the later episode The Doctor Dances, after which cold opens for second parts (other than the recap of part one) would be almost totally abandoned for the remainder of the first Russell T Davies era. They would return under Steven Moffat, but would typically show more than simply the cliffhanger resolution.
  • Curiously, whenever the TARDIS's interior is seen from the outside, a normal police box interior, rather than the TARDIS's, is shown. While this was normal pre-2005, the TARDIS's interior is nearly always seen in the revived series.
  • The idea of a family of villains was inspired by Human Nature.
  • Russell T Davies added the scene of the boy cleaning the "Bad Wolf" graffiti off the TARDIS in accordance with BBC guidelines.
  • At Hensol Castle, the limitations of the Slitheen costumes became apparent, and it was later found that the digital Slitheen matched imperfectly with their live-action counterparts. As a result, the production team agreed to avoid such a hybrid approach in the future.
  • Russell T Davies expanded the ending when the episode underran. Originally, after surviving the destruction of 10 Downing Street, there had been just a short sequence of the Doctor and Rose leaving the Powell Estate to head back to the TARDIS.

Ratings[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • 7.67 million viewers (UK final)[2]

Broadcast differences[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • The episode's initial Canadian broadcast on CBC had a programming error. The action before the title sequence which was supposed to resolve the previous episode's cliffhanger — by showing the Doctor turning the tables with the electrified ID badge — was omitted. This led to understandable confusion among Canadian viewers. The error was corrected on the repeat broadcast, although the sequence appeared after the opening titles. One contributing factor in the error was the original broadcast was originally preceded by a specially recorded introduction by Eccleston, which usually led straight into the opening credits.

Myths[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • The episode's working title was 10 Downing Street, and was changed to World War Three at a relatively late stage. (Despite the Telos Publishing book Back to the Vortex claiming this to be the case, Russell T Davies has categorically stated this to be a myth, and that 10 Downing Street was never considered as a working or final title at any stage of production)
  • The Doctor was going to kill Harriet Jones to stop her becoming prime minister. (RTD never considered killing Harriet.)

Filming locations[[edit] | [edit source]]

Production errors[[edit] | [edit source]]

If you'd like to talk about narrative problems with this story — like plot holes and things that seem to contradict other stories — please go to this episode's discontinuity discussion.
  • In the shot that pans over the central London skyline, Big Ben appears to have been repaired since the spaceship hit it. However, in the next shot, the hole in it is seen again. Despite this in The Christmas Invasion it's still being repaired.
  • When on the estate, the Doctor opens the TARDIS doors and it is clearly just a normal police box inside, not the usual TARDIS walls.
  • There is an obvious disparity between CGI Slitheen creatures and the live action during chase scenes — the monsters move at far faster speed than their quarry, yet are repeatedly repositioned a considerable distance behind again in subsequent shots with the full-size (and different-colour) monster costumes.
  • When the boy is cleaning off the graffiti on the TARDIS, he opens the door and you can clearly see the glass windows from the inside.
  • When the Slitheen at Mickey's flat unzips his head, the blue light shining from his forehead fills the frame and seems to cast a shadow BEHIND him. Unless he was standing in front of a mirror, this would simply not be possible.
  • In some shots with the costume version of the Slitheen creatures, you can see the shoes of the actors as they walk away (around 13:45 min)
  • While Asquith changes to his Slitheen form in front of the experts, he swings his arms around wildly and one of his arms passes through a table behind him.
  • When the Doctor first closes the metal cabinet room doors they come down and up yet when he opens them to talk to the Slitheen then closes them again they come from left and right.

Continuity[[edit] | [edit source]]

Home video releases[[edit] | [edit source]]

Series 1 Volume 2 DVD Cover
  • World War Three together with Aliens of London and Dalek were the first released on the Universal Media Disc format for the PlayStation Portable.(1)
  • It was also released as part of the Series 1 DVD box set.
  • This was also released with Issue 3 of the Doctor Who DVD Files.

External links[[edit] | [edit source]]

Online video Links[[edit] | [edit source]]

Footnotes[[edit] | [edit source]]