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{{Infobox Species
{{Infobox Species
|Species name = Vespiform
|image      = Vespiform Unicorn and the Wasp.jpg
|image = [[Image:vesp.PNG]]
|type        = Insectoid
|type = Insectoid
|aka        = [[Giant Wasp]]s
|origin = [[Silfrax Galaxy]]
|affiliation  =  
|appearances = [[DW]]: ''[[The Unicorn and the Wasp]]''
|origin     = [[Silfrax Galaxy]]
|individuals = [[Arnold Golightly]]<br>[[Christopher]] (Surname possibly [[Golightly]])
|first        = The Unicorn and the Wasp (TV story)
}}
|appearances = [[WC]]: ''[[Monster File: Vespiform (webcast)|Monster File: Vespiform]]''
|individuals = {{csl|[[Arnold Golightly]]|[[Christopher (The Unicorn and the Wasp)|Christopher]]|}}
|clip        = Deadly Wasp Car Chase! (HQ) - Doctor Who - The Unicorn and the Wasp - BBC
}}{{ImageLink}}
'''Vespiforms''', also called '''Giant Wasps''', were an ancient and wise [[insectoid]] species, physically described as [[giant wasp]]s by [[Donna Noble]]. They had hives in the [[Silfrax Galaxy]].


'''Vespiforms''' were an [[insectoid]] race which had hives in the [[Silfrax Galaxy]]. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Unicorn and the Wasp]]'')
== Biology ==
Vespiforms were a species of insectoids which resembled oversized [[wasp]]s. Adults were about three [[metre]]s tall. They were powerful creatures, with large [[stinger]]s which could be regrown within hours of use.


==Biology==
Vespiforms could change into other species. The transformations were accompanied by a glowing, purple-pink haze and left behind [[morphic residue]].
[[Image:VespiformPerspective.jpg|thumb|left|A vespiform's "eyes view" of the world]]
[[Image:Telepathic recorder.jpg|thumb|left|The link between a Vespiform and its telepathic recorder]]
Vespiforms were a species of insectoids which resembled oversized (nearly three metres long) [[wasp]]s. They had the ability to transform into the guise of other species, even to the extent of [[near-Human]]s. The tranformations were accompanied by a glowing, purple-pink haze and left behind [[morphic residue]]. When in another form, Vespiforms were genetically compatable with the mimicked species - they were even able to breed with members of the species. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Unicorn and the Wasp]]'')


Vespiforms also had [[telepathic recorder]]s, an essential part of their mind which could record motivations for them. One such recorder, the [[Firestone]], ended up in the hands of [[Clemency Eddison]] in [[1885]]. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Unicorn and the Wasp]]'')
When in another form, Vespiforms were genetically compatible with the mimicked species. They could interbreed with members of any other species. Any offspring would be locked in one form until put under stress, when they would turn into their Vespiform shape. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Unicorn and the Wasp (TV story)|The Unicorn and the Wasp]]'')


==History==
== Technology ==
At some point in their history in the [[19th century]] or prior, the Vespiforms developed space travel.
Vespiforms had [[telepathic recorder]]s. These devices held the essence of the Vespiform cultural heritage, and served as a sort of "instant school". The entirety of what it meant to be a Vespiform could be transferred from the recorder to the mind in a matter of seconds. The device also transferred the thoughts of any being in very close proximity to it as well. Were the thoughts of a non-Vespiform to blend with the information contained in the recorder, the results could be unpredictable. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Unicorn and the Wasp (TV story)|The Unicorn and the Wasp]]'')


In [[1885]], a Vespiform (simply known as [[Christopher]]) arrived on [[Earth]] and had a child with Clemency Eddison. He drowned in the monsoon of that year. The child was sent to be adopted and eventually became a reverend, [[Arnold Golightly]]. At the age of 40 in [[1926]], he had discovered his Vespiform nature. Because of the influence of [[Agatha Christie]]'s novels and the Firestone, Golightly started commiting various murders before Agatha Christie controlled him to end up near a lake. [[Donna Noble]] arrived with [[Tenth Doctor|the Doctor]] and threw the Firestone into the lake. Golightly (in Vespiform form) followed and drowned, but relieved Agatha of his connection with her in his dying moment. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Unicorn and the Wasp]]'')
== History ==
Some time prior to [[Earth]]'s [[19th century]], the Vespiforms developed intergalactic space travel. This allowed at least one of the species to travel from the Silfrax Galaxy to [[Mutter's Spiral]]. At least one Vespiform went to [[Earth]]. ([[WC]]: ''[[Monster File: Vespiform (webcast)|Monster File: Vespiform]]'')


According to the [[Torchwood Institute]], the Vespiforms may have gone to war with [[Quark]] rebels, though they themselves doubted the accuracy of that information. (''[[Captain Jack's Monster Files]]'': Vespiform)
In [[1885]], a Vespiform (simply known as [[Christopher (The Unicorn and the Wasp)|Christopher]]) came to [[Earth]] to study [[human]]kind, then he met [[Clemency Eddison]] in [[India]] and had an illegitimate child with her. He gave her a large, [[purple]] [[crystal]] set in a [[necklace]], which she called "the [[Firestone]]". When he soon thereafter drowned during a monsoon, the Firestone became her only memory of him, and she wore it often.
==Technology==
Vespiforms had their own [[galaxy|intergalactic]] travel capabilities, allowing them to travel from their home galaxy to [[Mutter's Spiral]].


==Behind the Scenes==
Some months later, Clemency gave up their baby for adoption; the mores of the time frowned on unwed parents who conceived out of wedlock. The child became a reverend, [[Arnold Golightly]], a vicar in the parish that included the Eddison's estate. At the age of forty in [[1926]], he discovered his Vespiform nature. Because of his proximity to the Firestone — in reality a Vespiform telepathic recorder — his Vespiform cultural heritage was transferred to him from the device. The transfer also included some of its wearer's thoughts. Lady Eddison was reading an [[Agatha Christie]] [[novel]] at the time of the transfer, so Golightly absorbed some of the aspects of the characters in the novel. Golightly started committing various murders in the style of an Agatha Christie novel. The [[Tenth Doctor]], [[Donna Noble]] and Agatha Christie herself investigated his crimes, and forced Golightly to publicly reveal his Vespiform nature. Ultimately, Donna killed him by throwing the Firestone into the lake. Golightly followed and drowned, but relieved Agatha of his connection with her in his dying moment. This caused the confusion and amnesia that marked the author's famous disappearance . ([[TV]]: ''[[The Unicorn and the Wasp (TV story)|The Unicorn and the Wasp]]'')
Torchwood's belief that the Vespiforms may have gone to war with the Quarks is probably a reference to a comic strip where Giant Wasps are working with the Quarks but then turn against them. This is in [[TVC]]: ''[[The Killer Wasps]]''


Long after the events at [[Eddison Manor]], the Firestone was dredged up from the lake and sold at auction to [[Jack Harkness]]. In the [[21st century]], he claimed to be in possession of the only Vespiform telepathic recorder known to exist on Earth.


{{Series 4 aliens}}
Jack Harkness had heard whispers of a [[Quark-Vespiform War|war between Quark rebels and Vespiforms]], but he could not confirm these stories. ([[WC]]: ''[[Monster File: Vespiform (webcast)|Monster File: Vespiform]]'') Notably, the Quarks once attempted to use [[Giant Wasp]]s to attack the [[Second Doctor]] and [[Jamie McCrimmon]] on [[Gano]], but the creatures attacked the Quarks instead. However, according to that account, the wasps employed by the Quarks were the size of average [[Earth]] wasps, and were [[mutant|mutated]] by the Quarks. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[The Killer Wasps (comic story)|The Killer Wasps]]'')


[[Category:Insectoid species]]
== References ==
[[Category:Tenth Doctor enemies]]
When Donna started to remember her adventures with the Doctor, one of the many creatures she saw was the Vespiform. She asked her [[Wilfred Mott|grandfather]] why she could she see a "giant wasp". ([[TV]]: ''[[The End of Time (TV story)|The End of Time]]'')
[[Category:Metamorphic species]]
 
[[Category:CGI monsters]]
[[River Song]] once spent a [[weekend]] with a Vespiform named [[Roderick (Suspicious Minds)|Roderick]]. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Suspicious Minds (short story)|Suspicious Minds]]'')
[[Category:Aliens which disguise as humans]]
 
The [[Thirteenth Doctor]] recalled her meeting with the Vespiform when [[Yasmin Khan]] mentioned "poking a stick in the wasps' nest", remarking, "Did I ever tell you about me and [[Agatha Christie]]?" ([[TV]]: ''[[Kerblam! (TV story)|Kerblam!]]'')
 
== Behind the scenes ==
* According to ''[[The Brilliant Book 2012]]'', a book that contains [[Tardis:Valid sources|non-narrative]] based information, [[Amy Pond]] and [[Rory Williams]] might have encountered some Vespiform in the [[Gardens of Zul-Thep]] in the year [[3104]]. ([[REF]]: ''[[The Brilliant Book 2012]]'')
* [[Russell T Davies]]' original concept for the [[Shadow Proclamation]] scene in ''[[The Stolen Earth (TV story)|The Stolen Earth]]'' included an appearance by several buzzing Vespiform, but his plans to feature a "rogues gallery" of alien races in the scene fell through; ultimately the [[Judoon]] were the only returning race featured.
* The Vespiforms were not the first species of giant alien wasps introduced in the [[DWU]]: the [[Second Doctor]] story ''[[The Killer Wasps (comic story)|The Killer Wasps]]'' had previously introduced the somewhat different-looking [[Giant Wasp]]s. [[WC]]: ''[[Monster File: Vespiform (webcast)|Monster File: Vespiform]]'' noted the existence of rumours about the Vespiforms' history that matched that which was depicted in ''The Killer Wasps'', although this was merely an in-joke and should not be taken too seriously, as said comic story actually depicted normal wasps grown to enormous size by the Quarks, rather than naturally giant wasps. If an in-universe explanation for this must be sought, it could simply be said that the rumour was mistaken.
 
{{NameSort}}
 
[[Category:Sapient insect species]]
[[Category:Shapeshifters]]
[[Category:Psychic species]]
[[Category:Winged species]]
[[Category:Species with yellow skin]]
[[Category:Sexual species]]

Latest revision as of 16:37, 23 November 2024

Vespiforms, also called Giant Wasps, were an ancient and wise insectoid species, physically described as giant wasps by Donna Noble. They had hives in the Silfrax Galaxy.

Biology[[edit] | [edit source]]

Vespiforms were a species of insectoids which resembled oversized wasps. Adults were about three metres tall. They were powerful creatures, with large stingers which could be regrown within hours of use.

Vespiforms could change into other species. The transformations were accompanied by a glowing, purple-pink haze and left behind morphic residue.

When in another form, Vespiforms were genetically compatible with the mimicked species. They could interbreed with members of any other species. Any offspring would be locked in one form until put under stress, when they would turn into their Vespiform shape. (TV: The Unicorn and the Wasp)

Technology[[edit] | [edit source]]

Vespiforms had telepathic recorders. These devices held the essence of the Vespiform cultural heritage, and served as a sort of "instant school". The entirety of what it meant to be a Vespiform could be transferred from the recorder to the mind in a matter of seconds. The device also transferred the thoughts of any being in very close proximity to it as well. Were the thoughts of a non-Vespiform to blend with the information contained in the recorder, the results could be unpredictable. (TV: The Unicorn and the Wasp)

History[[edit] | [edit source]]

Some time prior to Earth's 19th century, the Vespiforms developed intergalactic space travel. This allowed at least one of the species to travel from the Silfrax Galaxy to Mutter's Spiral. At least one Vespiform went to Earth. (WC: Monster File: Vespiform)

In 1885, a Vespiform (simply known as Christopher) came to Earth to study humankind, then he met Clemency Eddison in India and had an illegitimate child with her. He gave her a large, purple crystal set in a necklace, which she called "the Firestone". When he soon thereafter drowned during a monsoon, the Firestone became her only memory of him, and she wore it often.

Some months later, Clemency gave up their baby for adoption; the mores of the time frowned on unwed parents who conceived out of wedlock. The child became a reverend, Arnold Golightly, a vicar in the parish that included the Eddison's estate. At the age of forty in 1926, he discovered his Vespiform nature. Because of his proximity to the Firestone — in reality a Vespiform telepathic recorder — his Vespiform cultural heritage was transferred to him from the device. The transfer also included some of its wearer's thoughts. Lady Eddison was reading an Agatha Christie novel at the time of the transfer, so Golightly absorbed some of the aspects of the characters in the novel. Golightly started committing various murders in the style of an Agatha Christie novel. The Tenth Doctor, Donna Noble and Agatha Christie herself investigated his crimes, and forced Golightly to publicly reveal his Vespiform nature. Ultimately, Donna killed him by throwing the Firestone into the lake. Golightly followed and drowned, but relieved Agatha of his connection with her in his dying moment. This caused the confusion and amnesia that marked the author's famous disappearance . (TV: The Unicorn and the Wasp)

Long after the events at Eddison Manor, the Firestone was dredged up from the lake and sold at auction to Jack Harkness. In the 21st century, he claimed to be in possession of the only Vespiform telepathic recorder known to exist on Earth.

Jack Harkness had heard whispers of a war between Quark rebels and Vespiforms, but he could not confirm these stories. (WC: Monster File: Vespiform) Notably, the Quarks once attempted to use Giant Wasps to attack the Second Doctor and Jamie McCrimmon on Gano, but the creatures attacked the Quarks instead. However, according to that account, the wasps employed by the Quarks were the size of average Earth wasps, and were mutated by the Quarks. (COMIC: The Killer Wasps)

References[[edit] | [edit source]]

When Donna started to remember her adventures with the Doctor, one of the many creatures she saw was the Vespiform. She asked her grandfather why she could she see a "giant wasp". (TV: The End of Time)

River Song once spent a weekend with a Vespiform named Roderick. (PROSE: Suspicious Minds)

The Thirteenth Doctor recalled her meeting with the Vespiform when Yasmin Khan mentioned "poking a stick in the wasps' nest", remarking, "Did I ever tell you about me and Agatha Christie?" (TV: Kerblam!)

Behind the scenes[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • According to The Brilliant Book 2012, a book that contains non-narrative based information, Amy Pond and Rory Williams might have encountered some Vespiform in the Gardens of Zul-Thep in the year 3104. (REF: The Brilliant Book 2012)
  • Russell T Davies' original concept for the Shadow Proclamation scene in The Stolen Earth included an appearance by several buzzing Vespiform, but his plans to feature a "rogues gallery" of alien races in the scene fell through; ultimately the Judoon were the only returning race featured.
  • The Vespiforms were not the first species of giant alien wasps introduced in the DWU: the Second Doctor story The Killer Wasps had previously introduced the somewhat different-looking Giant Wasps. WC: Monster File: Vespiform noted the existence of rumours about the Vespiforms' history that matched that which was depicted in The Killer Wasps, although this was merely an in-joke and should not be taken too seriously, as said comic story actually depicted normal wasps grown to enormous size by the Quarks, rather than naturally giant wasps. If an in-universe explanation for this must be sought, it could simply be said that the rumour was mistaken.