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A creature which resembled a giant fish was imprisonned under the river Thames until 1814. ([[TV]]: ''[[Thin Ice (TV story)|Thin Ice]]'')
{{Infobox Individual
|image = Thames Creature shifts (TI).jpg
|alias = Thames Ice Snake, Tiny, the Lock-Less monster, the Not-So-Little Mermaid
|affiliation  = Sutcliffe
|first mention = Diamond Dogs (novel)
|affiliation2  = Lure fish
|origin = Possibly [[Prehistoric]] [[Earth]]
|only = Thin Ice (TV story)
}}
The '''Ice Lophius''' ([[PROSE]]: {{cs|Whotopia: The Ultimate Guide to the Whoniverse (reference book)|page=202}}) was a sea creature which resembled a giant fish. It was imprisoned under the [[River Thames]] until [[1814]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Thin Ice (TV story)|Thin Ice]]'')


== Biology ==
== Biology ==
The creature was massive in size, easily several times the size of a whale. It shared many similarities with lure fish, namely the overall shape of its body, its fins and its bioluminescent lure on its forehead. The creature was female and could produce several offspring who were the size of regular lure fish.  
The creature was massive in size, easily several times that of a [[whale]]. It shared many similarities with [[lure fish]], namely the overall shape of its body, its fins and its [[bioluminescent]] lure on its forehead. The creature was [[female]] and could produce several offspring who were the size of regular lure fish.


The creature's race were extremely long-lived and could potentially live for centuries, perhaps even millennia.  
The creature's race were extremely [[lifespan|long-lived]] and could potentially live for centuries, perhaps even millennia.


The Twelfth Doctor affirmed they were of terrestrial origin, perhaps from Earth's prehistoric era like the Silurians and the Sea Devils.
The [[Twelfth Doctor]] speculated that they were of terrestrial origin, perhaps from [[Earth]]'s [[distant past|prehistoric era]] like the [[Silurian]]s and the [[Sea Devil]]s. ([[TV]]: ''[[Thin Ice (TV story)|Thin Ice]]'')


== Diet ==
== Diet ==
The creatures were carnivorous and fed on meat, mostly humans.
The creature was [[carnivorous]] and fed on [[meat]], including, if it came to it, [[human]]s. ([[TV]]: ''[[Thin Ice (TV story)|Thin Ice]]'')


== Abilities ==
== Abilities ==
The creature's presence alone seemed to cause intensely cold temperatures, enough to freeze the whole river Thames solid in winter.
The creature's presence alone seemed to cause intensely cold [[temperature]]s, enough to [[freezing|freeze]] the whole [[River Thames]] solid in [[winter]].


The creature's feces made for an ideal fossil fuel. It could burn slower and longer than coal and could even burn underwater.
The creature's [[faeces]] made for an ideal [[fossil fuel]]. It could burn slower and longer than [[coal]], and could even burn [[water|underwater]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Thin Ice (TV story)|Thin Ice]]'')


The smaller offspring hunted in groups and isolated a target before rapidly causing the ice abo to melt before pulling the target under to be fed to their mother. They detected a quarry through sound and vibrations.
== Behaviour ==
Neither the Doctor nor Bill knew what would happen when the creature was freed. Instead of lashing out at her captors, the creature, once freed, swam away to the ocean. Despite her colossal size, she was careful not to harm anyone or collide with the bridges and buildings lining the river at [[South Bank]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Thin Ice (TV story)|Thin Ice]]'')
 
== History ==
For an undetermined amount of time, the creature and her offspring were [[chain]]ed up under the [[River Thames]] by [[Sutcliffe]]'s family. They somehow discovered that its [[faeces]] made for an ideal [[fossil fuel]], which burned longer and hotter than [[coal]], and decided to sell it to amass wealth and power. In order to ensure a constant supply, they would subtly influence the Frost Fairs that took place every year on the river Thames and have the offspring feed humans to their mother. ([[TV]]: ''[[Thin Ice (TV story)|Thin Ice]]'')
 
One account stated that Sutcliffe himself purchased the creature from [[the Master]]. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Dismemberment (short story)|Dismemberment]]'')
 
During the [[Frost Fair]] of [[1814]], the Twelfth Doctor and Bill Potts arrived, the TARDIS having detected the creature's presence. Once they realised what was happening and that the creature was as much a victim as the people she was forced to eat, they freed her and defeated Sutcliffe. Sutcliffe also drowned when they defeated him! After she was freed, the creature and her offspring swam away to some northern location to live in peace. ([[TV]]: ''[[Thin Ice (TV story)|Thin Ice]]'')
 
== Legacy ==
While [[newspaper]]'s reported on the death of Sutcliffe, who apparently "drown[ed] in [a] [[snap thaw]]", [[Bill Potts]] was later unable to find any results via [[search-wise.net]] for "[[London]] [[1814]] sea creature". She also tried "serpent" and "really, really big fish". The Doctor reminded her, "Never underestimate the collective human ability to overlook the inexplicable," though also noted that the Frost Fair involved a lot of day [[drinking]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Thin Ice (TV story)|Thin Ice]]'')
 
While floating in [[Titan]]'s low gravity, Bill mentioned "sea monsters in the Thames". ([[COMIC]]: ''[[The Soul Garden (comic story)|The Soul Garden]]'') When she moved into her [[11 Cardinal Road|new haunted house]], Bill reassured herself that "there's no [[sentient oil|living puddles]] or [[Emojibot|weird robots]], big fish. It's just a new house, and people you don't know. Not scary at all." ([[TV]]: ''[[Knock Knock (TV story)|Knock Knock]]'')
 
== Behind the scenes ==
[[File:Thames river monster concept art.jpg|thumb|Concept artwork by [[Grant Bonser]]]]
* The BBC website refers to the creature as the "Thames river monster"<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0513kq6/p0513kfz Thin Ice: Production Artwork]</ref> and the "Thames Ice Snake".<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/2yFMsgp0wSJ8gJ21MQp8yH9/the-thames-ice-snake The Thames Ice Snake]</ref>


== Behaviour ==
== Footnotes ==
The creatures were clearly intelligent and hunted in groups to track their prey. They would wait until their quarry was isolated before ambushing them.
{{Reflist}}


However, the only reason the offspring killed humans was because their mother was imprisonned and would die of starvation without their help. Otherwise, they were reluctant to take innocent lives but did so because they were forced to. Their true nature was further proven when the mother, once freed, swam away to the ocean. Despite her colossal size, she was careful not to collide with the bridges and risk everyone on them.
[[Category:Individuals of unknown species]]
[[Category:Prisoners]]
[[Category:Biological mothers]]
[[Category:19th century individuals]]
[[Category:Fish]]
[[Category:Aquatic species]]

Latest revision as of 11:22, 9 February 2024

The Ice Lophius (PROSE: Whotopia: The Ultimate Guide to the Whoniverse [+]Loading...{"page":"202","1":"Whotopia: The Ultimate Guide to the Whoniverse (reference book)"}) was a sea creature which resembled a giant fish. It was imprisoned under the River Thames until 1814. (TV: Thin Ice)

Biology[[edit] | [edit source]]

The creature was massive in size, easily several times that of a whale. It shared many similarities with lure fish, namely the overall shape of its body, its fins and its bioluminescent lure on its forehead. The creature was female and could produce several offspring who were the size of regular lure fish.

The creature's race were extremely long-lived and could potentially live for centuries, perhaps even millennia.

The Twelfth Doctor speculated that they were of terrestrial origin, perhaps from Earth's prehistoric era like the Silurians and the Sea Devils. (TV: Thin Ice)

Diet[[edit] | [edit source]]

The creature was carnivorous and fed on meat, including, if it came to it, humans. (TV: Thin Ice)

Abilities[[edit] | [edit source]]

The creature's presence alone seemed to cause intensely cold temperatures, enough to freeze the whole River Thames solid in winter.

The creature's faeces made for an ideal fossil fuel. It could burn slower and longer than coal, and could even burn underwater. (TV: Thin Ice)

Behaviour[[edit] | [edit source]]

Neither the Doctor nor Bill knew what would happen when the creature was freed. Instead of lashing out at her captors, the creature, once freed, swam away to the ocean. Despite her colossal size, she was careful not to harm anyone or collide with the bridges and buildings lining the river at South Bank. (TV: Thin Ice)

History[[edit] | [edit source]]

For an undetermined amount of time, the creature and her offspring were chained up under the River Thames by Sutcliffe's family. They somehow discovered that its faeces made for an ideal fossil fuel, which burned longer and hotter than coal, and decided to sell it to amass wealth and power. In order to ensure a constant supply, they would subtly influence the Frost Fairs that took place every year on the river Thames and have the offspring feed humans to their mother. (TV: Thin Ice)

One account stated that Sutcliffe himself purchased the creature from the Master. (PROSE: Dismemberment)

During the Frost Fair of 1814, the Twelfth Doctor and Bill Potts arrived, the TARDIS having detected the creature's presence. Once they realised what was happening and that the creature was as much a victim as the people she was forced to eat, they freed her and defeated Sutcliffe. Sutcliffe also drowned when they defeated him! After she was freed, the creature and her offspring swam away to some northern location to live in peace. (TV: Thin Ice)

Legacy[[edit] | [edit source]]

While newspaper's reported on the death of Sutcliffe, who apparently "drown[ed] in [a] snap thaw", Bill Potts was later unable to find any results via search-wise.net for "London 1814 sea creature". She also tried "serpent" and "really, really big fish". The Doctor reminded her, "Never underestimate the collective human ability to overlook the inexplicable," though also noted that the Frost Fair involved a lot of day drinking. (TV: Thin Ice)

While floating in Titan's low gravity, Bill mentioned "sea monsters in the Thames". (COMIC: The Soul Garden) When she moved into her new haunted house, Bill reassured herself that "there's no living puddles or weird robots, big fish. It's just a new house, and people you don't know. Not scary at all." (TV: Knock Knock)

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

Concept artwork by Grant Bonser
  • The BBC website refers to the creature as the "Thames river monster"[1] and the "Thames Ice Snake".[2]

Footnotes[[edit] | [edit source]]

  1. ↑ Thin Ice: Production Artwork
  2. ↑ The Thames Ice Snake
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