Melkur: Difference between revisions

From Tardis Wiki, the free Doctor Who reference
Tags: Visual edit apiedit
No edit summary
Tag: 2017 source edit
 
(22 intermediate revisions by 15 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Infobox Species
{{Infobox Species
|image = Melkur.jpg
|image       = Melkur.jpg
|name = Melkur
|type       = [[Humanoid]]
|aka =
|affiliation = [[Malador]]
|type = [[Humanoid]]
|origin      = [[Traken Union]]
|affiliation =
|first      = The Keeper of Traken (TV story)
|origin = [[Serenity (Cold Fusion)|Serenity]]
|appearances = [[Melkur - list of appearances|'''''see list''''']]
|appearances = {{il|[[PROSE]]: ''[[The Astronomer's Apprentice (short story)|The Astronomer's Apprentice]]''|[[TV]]: ''[[The Keeper of Traken (TV story)|The Keeper of Traken]]''|[[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Guardians of Prophecy (audio story)|The Guardians of Prophecy]]''|[[TV]]: ''[[Time-Flight (TV story)|Time-Flight]]''|[[COMIC]]: ''[[Party Animals]]''}}
|individuals =
|mentions =
}}
}}
'''"Melkur"''' was the name given in [[Trakenite]] culture to corrupted creatures which were attracted to the [[planet]] [[Traken]], the seat of the [[Traken Union]].
The '''Melkurs''' were living, but often dormant, statues, animated to be the army of [[Malador]], a being of "pure [[evil]]."
 
As such, "Melkur" became the name in [[Trakenite]] culture given to corrupted creatures who were attracted to the [[planet]] [[Traken]], immediately being frozen in stone upon their arrival.


== Biology ==
== Biology ==
The word Melkur literally meant "a fly caught by [[honey]]". The peaceful atmosphere of Traken rendered the evil creatures immobile and harmless. Several Melkurs were attracted to Traken. They became like stone through the immobilisation. Most decayed without causing any long-term harm.  
The Melkurs were created by Malador, their minds extensions of his own, allowing him to see and speak through them, though they still possessed their own intelligence and speech. Given the strength of twenty men, they were indestructible. The [[Sixth Doctor]] explained that a Melkur could be thrown into a [[supernova]] and come out unscathed. They generated a [[Psychic field|psychic influence]] called the "lament of the Melkur," calling out to their kind in search of their master and of evil. The influence was strong enough to pull [[the Doctor's TARDIS]] towards them. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Guardians of Prophecy (audio story)|The Guardians of Prophecy]]'')
 
=== In culture ===
The word Melkur literally meant "a [[fly]] caught by [[honey]]". The Melkurs attracted to Traken became stone, the peaceful atmosphere of the world rendering them immobile and harmless. Most decayed without causing any long-term harm. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Keeper of Traken (TV story)|The Keeper of Traken]]'')
 
Traditionally, a feast took place annually, called the Feast of Melkur, at which those attending participated in poetry, music, dance, recitals and performing arts of all varieties and calibres, to ease its passing. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[The Astronomer's Apprentice (short story)|The Astronomer's Apprentice]]'')


=== Impersonation ===
== History ==
The Melkur that seduced [[Kassia]] was more hostile than previous Melkurs and was revealed, shortly after the arrival of the [[Fourth Doctor]] and [[Adric]], to be [[the Master's TARDIS]]. The Master utilised the Melkur form to become [[Keeper]] and take control of [[the Source]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Keeper of Traken]]'')  
The Melkur were created by [[Malador]] in the [[Dark Times]] as his silent army. After Malador's imprisonment they slept throughout the universe in wait of their master's revival, becoming active when he awoke briefly on the planet [[Serenity (Cold Fusion)|Serenity]] in the [[Benign Union]]. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Guardians of Prophecy (audio story)|The Guardians of Prophecy]]'')


On [[Earth]], circa 140,000,000 BC, [[Nyssa]] and [[Tegan]] saw an illusion of the Melkur intended to frighten them away from the Inner Sanctum presided over by [[Kalid]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Time-Flight]]'')
One Melkur was present at [[Bonjaxx's Bar]] for his birthday. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[Party Animals (comic story)|Party Animals]]'')


=== In culture ===
== Impersonations ==
Traditionally, a feast took place annually, called the Feast of Melkur, at which those attending participated in poetry, music, dance, recitals and performing arts of all varieties and calibres, to ease its passing. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[The Astronomer's Apprentice]]'')
The Melkur that seduced [[Kassia]] was more hostile than previous ones and was revealed, shortly after the arrival of the [[Fourth Doctor]] and [[Adric]], to be [[the Master's TARDIS]]. The [[Decayed Master]] utilised the Melkur form to become [[Keeper of Traken|Keeper]] and take control of [[The Source (The Keeper of Traken)|the Source]], but was later disconnected. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Keeper of Traken (TV story)|The Keeper of Traken]]'')


== History ==
On [[Earth]], circa 140,000,000 BC, [[Kalid]] used the [[Xeraphin]] to generate the illusion of a Melkur to frighten [[Nyssa]] and [[Tegan]] away from the Inner Sanctum, but they ignored it. ([[TV]]: ''[[Time-Flight (TV story)|Time-Flight]]'')
The Melkur were created by [[Malador]] in the [[Dark Times]] as his silent army. After Malador's imprisonment they slept throughout the universe in wait of their master's revival. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Guardians of Prophecy (audio story)|The Guardians of Prophecy]]'')


== Behind the scenes ==
== Behind the scenes ==
* The walking Melkur statue seen towards the end of ''The Keeper of Traken'' part one was played by [[Graham Cole]], who also played the Melkur illusion seen in ''Time-Flight'' part two. On both occasions, he remained uncredited both on-screen and in ''Radio Times''.
* The walking Melkur statue seen towards the end of ''The Keeper of Traken'' part one was played by [[Graham Cole]], who also played the Melkur illusion seen in ''Time-Flight'' part two. On both occasions, he remained uncredited both on-screen and in ''Radio Times''.
* In terms of [[pre-production]], the Melkur's name may have been inspired by the character "Melkor", a representation of [[Satan]] from J.R.R. Tolkien's 1977 novel ''The Silmarillon''.{{NameSort}}
* [[Geoffrey Beevers]] was the voice actor for the Melkur in ''The Keeper of Traken'', and also played the [[Decayed Master]]. He was credited on-screen and in ''Radio Times'' only as "Melkur" to keep the villain's identity a surprise until parts three and four.
{{NameSort}}


[[Category:Biologically modified individuals]]
[[Category:Biologically modified individuals]]
[[Category:Jargon, slang and colloquialisms]]
[[Category:Jargon, slang and colloquialisms]]
[[Category:Statues]]
[[ro:Melkur]]

Latest revision as of 21:28, 5 January 2023

The Melkurs were living, but often dormant, statues, animated to be the army of Malador, a being of "pure evil."

As such, "Melkur" became the name in Trakenite culture given to corrupted creatures who were attracted to the planet Traken, immediately being frozen in stone upon their arrival.

Biology[[edit] | [edit source]]

The Melkurs were created by Malador, their minds extensions of his own, allowing him to see and speak through them, though they still possessed their own intelligence and speech. Given the strength of twenty men, they were indestructible. The Sixth Doctor explained that a Melkur could be thrown into a supernova and come out unscathed. They generated a psychic influence called the "lament of the Melkur," calling out to their kind in search of their master and of evil. The influence was strong enough to pull the Doctor's TARDIS towards them. (AUDIO: The Guardians of Prophecy)

In culture[[edit] | [edit source]]

The word Melkur literally meant "a fly caught by honey". The Melkurs attracted to Traken became stone, the peaceful atmosphere of the world rendering them immobile and harmless. Most decayed without causing any long-term harm. (TV: The Keeper of Traken)

Traditionally, a feast took place annually, called the Feast of Melkur, at which those attending participated in poetry, music, dance, recitals and performing arts of all varieties and calibres, to ease its passing. (PROSE: The Astronomer's Apprentice)

History[[edit] | [edit source]]

The Melkur were created by Malador in the Dark Times as his silent army. After Malador's imprisonment they slept throughout the universe in wait of their master's revival, becoming active when he awoke briefly on the planet Serenity in the Benign Union. (AUDIO: The Guardians of Prophecy)

One Melkur was present at Bonjaxx's Bar for his birthday. (COMIC: Party Animals)

Impersonations[[edit] | [edit source]]

The Melkur that seduced Kassia was more hostile than previous ones and was revealed, shortly after the arrival of the Fourth Doctor and Adric, to be the Master's TARDIS. The Decayed Master utilised the Melkur form to become Keeper and take control of the Source, but was later disconnected. (TV: The Keeper of Traken)

On Earth, circa 140,000,000 BC, Kalid used the Xeraphin to generate the illusion of a Melkur to frighten Nyssa and Tegan away from the Inner Sanctum, but they ignored it. (TV: Time-Flight)

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

  • The walking Melkur statue seen towards the end of The Keeper of Traken part one was played by Graham Cole, who also played the Melkur illusion seen in Time-Flight part two. On both occasions, he remained uncredited both on-screen and in Radio Times.
  • Geoffrey Beevers was the voice actor for the Melkur in The Keeper of Traken, and also played the Decayed Master. He was credited on-screen and in Radio Times only as "Melkur" to keep the villain's identity a surprise until parts three and four.