Mawdryn Undead (TV story): Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox Story | {{Infobox Story SMW | ||
|image=FiveBrigOverShoulder.jpg | |image = FiveBrigOverShoulder.jpg | ||
|series=[[Doctor Who television stories|''Doctor Who'' television stories]] | |novelisation = Mawdryn Undead (novelisation) | ||
|season number= Season 20 | |series = [[Doctor Who television stories|''Doctor Who'' television stories]] | ||
|season serial number = 3 | |season number = Season 20 (Doctor Who 1963)| | ||
|story number=125 | |season serial number = 3 | ||
|doctor=Fifth Doctor | |story number = 125 | ||
|companions= | |doctor = Fifth Doctor | ||
|featuring = The Brigadier | |companions = [[Tegan Jovanka|Tegan]], [[Nyssa]] | ||
|enemy= [[ | |featuring = Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart{{!}}The Brigadier | ||
|setting= [[Mawdryn | |featuring2 = Vislor Turlough | ||
|writer= | |enemy = [[Mawdryn]], the [[Black Guardian]], [[Mutant (Mawdryn Undead)|Mutants]] | ||
|director= [[Peter Moffatt]] | |setting = [[Mawdryn's ship]], [[1983]]<br />[[Brendon Public School]], [[1977]] and [[1983]] | ||
|producer= [[John Nathan-Turner]] | |writer = Peter Grimwade | ||
|director = [[Peter Moffatt]] | |||
|epcount=4 | |producer = [[John Nathan-Turner]] | ||
|broadcast date= | |epcount = 4 | ||
|network= | |broadcast date = 1 February - 9 February 1983 | ||
|format= 4x25-minute episodes | |network = BBC1 | ||
|serial production code= [[List of production codes|6F]] | |format = 4x25-minute episodes | ||
|prev= Snakedance (TV story) | |serial production code = [[List of production codes|6F]] | ||
|next= Terminus (TV story) | |prev = Snakedance (TV story) | ||
|made prev= Arc of Infinity (TV story) | |next = Terminus (TV story) | ||
|made next= Terminus (TV story) | |made prev = Arc of Infinity (TV story) | ||
|clip = An offer from the Black Guardian - Doctor Who - Mawdryn Undead - BBC | |made next = Terminus (TV story) | ||
|clip = An offer from the Black Guardian - Doctor Who - Mawdryn Undead - BBC | |||
|thwr = 209 | |||
}} | }} | ||
'''''{{StoryTitle}}''''' was the third | '''''{{StoryTitle}}''''' was the third serial of [[Season 20 (Doctor Who 1963)|season 20]] of ''[[Doctor Who]]''. It saw the return of [[Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart|the Brigadier]], and was the first story in the "[[Black Guardian]] trilogy". It also marked the first appearance of [[Vislor Turlough]] as both a companion and a villain. | ||
Due to its use of very specific date, such as placing the Brigadier's [[retirement]] during [[1976]], this story attempted to address the so-called [[UNIT dating controversy]]. However, in so doing, it became a major part of that very controversy. | Due to its use of very specific date, such as placing the Brigadier's [[retirement]] during [[1976]], this story attempted to address the so-called [[UNIT dating controversy]]. However, in so doing, it became a major part of that very controversy. | ||
== Synopsis == | == Synopsis == | ||
A [[warp ellipse]] draws [[the Doctor's TARDIS|the TARDIS]] off course. The [[Fifth Doctor]]'s [[companion]]s are separated from him not in [[space]], but in [[time]], and he has to deal with a treacherous schoolboy named [[Turlough]]. But why does the Doctor's old friend, [[Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart|the Brigadier]], not remember him at all? | A [[warp ellipse]] draws [[the Doctor's TARDIS|the TARDIS]] off course. The [[Fifth Doctor]]'s [[companion]]s are separated from him not in [[space]], but in [[time]], and he has to deal with a treacherous schoolboy named [[Vislor Turlough|Turlough]]. But why does the Doctor's old friend, [[Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart|the Brigadier]], not remember him at all? | ||
== Plot == | == Plot == | ||
=== Part one === | === Part one === | ||
In [[1983]], the former [[ | In [[1983]], the former [[UNIT]] [[Brigadier]] [[Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart]] teaches mathematics at [[Brendon Public School]] for Boys. A mischievous student, [[Vislor Turlough|Turlough]], convinces his classmate [[Hippo Ibbotson|Ibbotson]] to join him in a joyride in the Brigadier's priceless antique [[car]], which they accidentally veer off the road and [[Car crash|crash]]. While unconscious, Turlough is contacted by the sinister [[Black Guardian]]. The Black Guardian knows Turlough is actually from another planet. He offers Turlough transportation off [[Earth]] if he will kill the Guardian's greatest enemy: the Doctor. | ||
At the same time, the [[Fifth Doctor]], [[Tegan Jovanka|Tegan]] and [[Nyssa]] have problems of their own. [[The Doctor's TARDIS]] is caught in a [[warp ellipse]] and materialises on board an apparently empty | At the same time, the [[Fifth Doctor]], [[Tegan Jovanka|Tegan]] and [[Nyssa]] have problems of their own. As Tegan attempts to get reassurance from the Doctor that she is free from the [[Mara]], [[The Doctor's TARDIS|the TARDIS]] is caught in a [[warp ellipse]] and materialises on board [[Mawdryn's ship|an apparently empty starliner]] locked in a perpetual orbit in [[time]] and [[space]]. Turlough, on the Black Guardian's instructions, transports himself onto the liner by means of a [[transmat]] capsule and encounters the TARDIS crew. The Doctor travels to Earth via transmat, taking Turlough with him, to get rid of the transmat interference trapping the TARDIS on the liner. The source of the interference is not far from the school grounds. As the Doctor is sorting out the device, Turlough, responding to the Black Guardian's exhortations, picks up a large rock and prepares to bring it down on the back of the Doctor's head... | ||
=== Part two === | === Part two === | ||
The interference device explodes, knocking [[the Doctor]] backwards and forcing the rock out of [[Turlough]]'s hands. | [[File:Mawdryn regenerating.jpg|thumb|"The Doctor" [[regenerating]].]] | ||
The interference device explodes, knocking [[the Doctor]] backwards and forcing the rock out of [[Turlough]]'s hands. [[The Doctor's TARDIS|The TARDIS]] materialises nearby, but vanishes shortly after, seemingly leaving the Doctor stranded. The Doctor meets [[Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart|the Brigadier]] at the school, but is puzzled when his old comrade-in-arms does not remember him. He eventually works around the apparent gap in the Brigadier's memory by mentioning [[Jo Grant]], [[Liz Shaw]] and other past adventures. To the Doctor's surprise, the Brigadier claims to remember Tegan, having met her shortly before his nervous breakdown in [[1977]]. The Doctor realises that the TARDIS hasn't disappeared; the destruction of the device knocked the TARDIS off a time track and sent it back six years. | |||
In 1977, [[Tegan]] and [[Nyssa]] encounter the [[transmat]] capsule. Inside is an [[alien]]-looking [[humanoid]] whom they initially believe is the Doctor, horribly injured. | In 1977, [[Tegan]] and [[Nyssa]] encounter the [[transmat]] capsule. Inside is an [[alien]]-looking [[humanoid]] whom they initially believe is the Doctor, horribly injured; they bring the figure back to the TARDIS and make him comfortable on the control room floor with blankets and the burgundy greatcoat worn by [[Fourth Doctor|the previous Doctor]]. Tegan goes to the school for help, where she meets the younger Brigadier, who accompanies her back to the TARDIS, where Nyssa tells them "the Doctor" is regenerating. The three enter the TARDIS control room. The figure, who is a scientist called [[Mawdryn]], now wearing the Doctor's coat, turns to face them. The top of his skull is missing, revealing his pulsing brain. Nyssa screams in horror. | ||
=== Part three === | === Part three === | ||
Under the pretence of being [[the Doctor]], suffering a failed regeneration, [[Mawdryn]] convinces the others to bring [[The Doctor's TARDIS|the TARDIS]] to the ship, claiming it has restorative capabilities. Meanwhile, the Doctor, [[Turlough]] and the present-day [[Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart| | [[File:Black Guardian on Mawdryn's ship.jpg|thumb|"''There is nothing to fear. Reach out your hand.''"]] | ||
Under the pretence of being [[the Doctor]], suffering a failed regeneration, [[Mawdryn]] convinces the others to bring [[The Doctor's TARDIS|the TARDIS]] to the ship, claiming it has restorative capabilities. Meanwhile, the Doctor, [[Turlough]] and the present-day [[Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart|Brigadier]] use a TARDIS homing device on the damaged [[transmat]] to bring themselves to the ship, splitting up soon after to search for [[Tegan]] and [[Nyssa]]. Under the Black Guardian's instruction, Turlough opens a secret room, revealing several humanoids suffering from the same malady as Mawdryn. Mawdryn fools the present-day Brigadier into using a stolen [[Time Lord]] device to stabilise his condition. Finding the TARDIS, the Doctor reunites with Tegan and Nyssa. When he learns there are two Brigadiers aboard, he has to try to keep them apart lest the resulting energy discharge prove catastrophic. | |||
The Doctor and Nyssa meet with the present-day Brigadier and Mawdryn. Mawdryn reveals his fellow | The Doctor and Nyssa meet with the present-day Brigadier and Mawdryn. Mawdryn reveals that he and his his fellow scientist tried to steal the secret of regeneration from the Time Lords, but caused perpetual mutations, leaving them practically immortal but in horrible agony. Tegan is chased into the room by [[Mutant (Mawdryn Undead)|Mawdryn's mutated crewmates]]. The mutants take their places in the regeneration room and Mawdryn pleads with the Doctor to help them die by giving them his [[regeneration energy]]. The Doctor refuses, explaining to Tegan that if he did so it would mean the end of him as a Time Lord... | ||
=== Part four === | === Part four === | ||
[[The Doctor]] explains that he can only regenerate twelve times, and that, as he has already done so four times, helping the mutants die would consume all eight of his remaining regenerations. Although Mawdryn proclaims that the only thing they desire is their deaths rather than the Doctor's 'murder' | [[File:Black Guardian on the TARDIS screen.jpg|thumb|left|"''They are harmless, except to the Doctor.''"]] | ||
[[The Doctor]] explains that he can only regenerate twelve times, and that, as he has already done so four times, helping the mutants die would consume all eight of his remaining regenerations. Although Mawdryn proclaims that the only thing they desire is their deaths rather than the Doctor's 'murder,' the Doctor refuses, unwilling to sacrifice his remaining lives to save them from their own mistake. | |||
Under the [[Black Guardian]]'s orders, [[Turlough]] locates the [[Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart|Brigadier]] of [[1977]] and locks him in a side room to keep the two Brigadiers from touching. | |||
Trying to leave in [[The Doctor's TARDIS|the TARDIS]], the Doctor discovers that [[Tegan]] and [[Nyssa]] have been infected by the same malady as [[Mawdryn]] and his compatriots. Attempted time travel accelerates their conditions and reversing out of the warp ellipse only regresses Tegan and Nyssa into children. The only cure, it seems, is to do what Mawdryn demands; the Doctor must give up his remaining regenerations. Meanwhile, the past Brigadier escapes the room and encounters Mawdryn and his crew. Fearing the time imbalance, they send him into the transmat. Unbeknownst to them, the transmat cannot make the trip while the TARDIS is on the vessel and the capsule returns to its station seconds later. | Trying to leave in [[The Doctor's TARDIS|the TARDIS]], the Doctor discovers that [[Tegan]] and [[Nyssa]] have been infected by the same malady as [[Mawdryn]] and his compatriots. Attempted time travel accelerates their conditions and reversing out of the warp ellipse only regresses Tegan and Nyssa into children. The only cure, it seems, is to do what Mawdryn demands; the Doctor must give up his remaining regenerations. Meanwhile, the past Brigadier escapes the room and encounters Mawdryn and his crew. Fearing the time imbalance, they send him into the transmat. Unbeknownst to them, the transmat cannot make the trip while the TARDIS is on the vessel and the capsule returns to its station seconds later. | ||
Hooking himself up to Mawdryn's apparatus, the Doctor is about to sacrifice himself when the two Brigadiers meet and touch hands, causing a discharge of temporal energy at precisely the right instant to act as a substitute power source. Tegan and Nyssa are cured, the alien scientists end their undead existence and the Doctor remains a Time Lord. The younger Brigadier, however, will not remember his time with the Doctor until they meet again in 1983. The Doctor, Nyssa and Tegan deliver the 1977 and 1983 versions of the Brigadier back to their respective times. Turlough is in the TARDIS control room when they return. He asks if he can join them and the Doctor comments that he already has. In space, Mawdryn's ship self-destructs. | [[File:Mawdryn's ship explodes.jpg|thumb|[[Mawdryn's ship]] explodes.]] | ||
Hooking himself up to Mawdryn's apparatus, the Doctor is about to sacrifice himself when the two Brigadiers meet and touch hands, causing a discharge of temporal energy at precisely the right instant to act as a substitute power source. Tegan and Nyssa are cured, [[Mutant (Mawdryn Undead)|the alien scientists]] end their undead existence and the Doctor remains a Time Lord. The younger Brigadier, however, will not remember his time with the Doctor until they meet again in 1983. The Doctor, Nyssa and Tegan deliver the 1977 and 1983 versions of the Brigadier back to their respective times. Turlough is in the TARDIS control room when they return. He asks if he can join them and the Doctor comments that he already has. In space, Mawdryn's ship self-destructs. | |||
== Cast == | == Cast == | ||
| Line 66: | Line 72: | ||
* [[Vislor Turlough]] – [[Mark Strickson]] | * [[Vislor Turlough]] – [[Mark Strickson]] | ||
* [[Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart|Brigadier Alistair Lethbridge-Stewart]] – [[Nicholas Courtney]] | * [[Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart|Brigadier Alistair Lethbridge-Stewart]] – [[Nicholas Courtney]] | ||
* [[ | * The [[Black Guardian]] – [[Valentine Dyall]] | ||
* | * [[Sellick|Headmaster]] – [[Angus MacKay]] | ||
* [[Ibbotson]] - [[Stephen Garlick]] | * [[Hippo Ibbotson|Ibbotson]] - [[Stephen Garlick]] | ||
* [[Runciman|Dr Runciman]] - [[Roger Hammond]] | * [[Runciman|Dr Runciman]] - [[Roger Hammond]] | ||
* [[Matron (Mawdryn Undead)|Matron]] - [[Sheila Gill]] | * [[Matron (Mawdryn Undead)|Matron]] - [[Sheila Gill]] | ||
* [[Mawdryn]] – [[David Collings]] | * [[Mawdryn]] – [[David Collings]] | ||
* [[Mutant]] | * [[Mutant (Mawdryn Undead)|Mutants]] – [[Peter Walmsley]], [[Brian Darnley]] | ||
=== Uncredited cast === | |||
* Young Nyssa – [[Lucy Baker]] | |||
* Young Tegan – [[Sian Pattenden]] | |||
== Crew == | == Crew == | ||
* [[ | * [[Assistant Floor Manager]] - [[Ian Tootle]] | ||
* [[ | * [[Costumes]] - [[Amy Roberts]] | ||
* [[Costumes]] - [[Richard Croft]] | * [[Costumes]] - [[Richard Croft]] | ||
* [[ | * [[Designer (crew)|Designer]] - [[Stephen Scott]] | ||
* [[Film Cameraman]] - [[Godfrey Johnson]] | * [[Film Cameraman]] - [[Godfrey Johnson]] | ||
* [[Film Editor]] - [[Chris Woolley]] | |||
* [[Film sound|Film Sound]] - [[Ron Brown]] | |||
* [[Incidental Music]] - [[Paddy Kingsland]] | * [[Incidental Music]] - [[Paddy Kingsland]] | ||
* [[Make-Up]] - [[Carolyn Perry]], [[Sheelagh Wells]] | |||
* [[Production Assistant]] - [[Valerie Letley]] | * [[Production Assistant]] - [[Valerie Letley]] | ||
* [[Production Associate]] - [[June Collins]] | |||
* [[Production Manager]] - [[Ann Aronsohn]] | |||
* [[Senior cameraman|Senior Cameraman]] - [[Robin Barnes]] | |||
* [[Studio Lighting]] - [[Don Babbage]] | |||
* [[Studio Sound]] - [[Martin Ridout]] | |||
* [[Special Sounds]] - [[Dick Mills]] | * [[Special Sounds]] - [[Dick Mills]] | ||
* [[ | * [[Technical manager|Technical Manager]] - [[Alan Arbuthnott]] | ||
* [[ | * [[Doctor Who theme|Title Music]] - [[Ron Grainer]] and the [[BBC Radiophonic Workshop]] | ||
* [[ | * [[Title Sequence]] - [[Sid Sutton]] | ||
* [[ | * [[Theme arrangement]] - [[Peter Howell]] | ||
* [[ | * [[Vision Mixer]] - [[Carol Johnson]] | ||
* [[ | * [[Video effects|Video Effects]] - [[Robin Lobb]] | ||
* [[Videotape editor|Videotape Editor]] - [[Rod Waldron]] | |||
* [[Visual effects|Visual Effects Designer]] - [[Stuart Brisdon]] | |||
* [[Writer]] - [[Peter Grimwade]] | * [[Writer]] - [[Peter Grimwade]] | ||
* [[Script Editor]] - [[Eric Saward]] | * [[Script Editor]] - [[Eric Saward]] | ||
* [[Director]] - [[Peter Moffatt]] | * [[Director (crew)|Director]] - [[Peter Moffatt]] | ||
* [[Producer]] - [[John Nathan-Turner]] | * [[Producer]] - [[John Nathan-Turner]] | ||
== | == Worldbuilding == | ||
=== Anatomy and physiology === | === Anatomy and physiology === | ||
* Tegan, Nyssa, and the Brigadier refer to having seen the Doctor [[ | * Tegan, Nyssa, and the Brigadier refer to having seen the Doctor [[regenerate]]. | ||
=== Cultural references from the real world === | === Cultural references from the real world === | ||
* In 1977, the [[Elizabeth II|Queen]]'s [[Silver jubilee]] is to be celebrated. | |||
* In 1977, the [[Elizabeth II|Queen]]'s Silver | |||
=== Individuals === | === Individuals === | ||
* The Doctor mentions several people and things to try to jog the Brigadier's memory, including [[Harry Sullivan]], [[Jo Grant]], [[Sarah Jane Smith]], [[Liz Shaw]], [[Robot Yeti|Yeti]] and [[ | * The Doctor mentions several people and things to try to jog the Brigadier's memory, including [[Harry Sullivan]], [[Jo Grant]], [[Sarah Jane Smith]], [[Liz Shaw]], [[Robot Yeti|Yeti]] and [[UNIT]]. | ||
* [[John Benton|Sergeant Benton]] left the army in the [[1970s]] and is now a used car salesman. | * [[John Benton|Sergeant Benton]] left the army in the [[1970s]] and is now a used car salesman. | ||
* [[Harry Sullivan]] went to work with NATO on a top-secret project in [[Porton Down]]. | * [[Harry Sullivan]] went to work with NATO on a top-secret project in [[Porton Down]]. | ||
* The Brigadier teaches A-level [[mathematics]]. | * The Brigadier teaches A-level [[mathematics]]. | ||
* [[Powell (Mawdryn Undead)|Powell]] is a student at Brendon Public School. | |||
* [[Solicitor (Mawdryn Undead)|An eccentric solicitor]] is responsible for Turlough. | |||
=== Species === | === Species === | ||
* Tegan is still wondering if she'll be free of the [[Mara]]. | * Tegan is still wondering if she'll be free of the [[Mara]]. | ||
* During the series of flashbacks the Brigadier sees the [[First Doctor]], [[Second Doctor]], [[Third Doctor]], [[Fourth Doctor]], a [[Robot Yeti|Yeti]], a [[ | * During the series of flashbacks the Brigadier sees the [[First Doctor]], the [[Second Doctor]], the [[Third Doctor]], the [[Fourth Doctor]], a [[Robot Yeti|Yeti]], a [[Cyberman]], an [[Axon]], a [[Dalek]], the [[K1|K1 Robot]] and a [[Zygon]]. | ||
=== TARDIS === | === TARDIS === | ||
| Line 123: | Line 137: | ||
=== Technology === | === Technology === | ||
* Mawdryn stole a [[metamorphic symbiosis regenerator]], used by [[Time Lord]]s in cases of acute [[ | * Mawdryn and [[Mutant (Mawdryn Undead)|his followers]] stole a [[metamorphic symbiosis regenerator]], used by [[Time Lord]]s in cases of acute [[regenerative]] crisis, but it induced a perpetual, deathless [[mutation]]. | ||
=== Theories and concepts === | === Theories and concepts === | ||
| Line 133: | Line 147: | ||
=== Transport technology === | === Transport technology === | ||
* Tegan knows a great deal about [[transmat]]s. | * Tegan knows a great deal about [[transmat]]s. | ||
* Tegan compares the spacecraft to the ships ''[[RMS Queen Mary|Queen Mary]]'', about its luxury | * Mawdryn and his people make use of [[transmat capsule]]s. | ||
* Tegan compares the spacecraft to the ships ''[[RMS Queen Mary|Queen Mary]]'', about its luxury and ''[[Mary Celeste]]'', about its desolation. | |||
* The Brigadier's car is a blue [[1929]] Humber 16/50 open tourer, Imperial model. | * The Brigadier's car is a blue [[1929]] Humber 16/50 open tourer, Imperial model. | ||
=== UNIT === | === UNIT === | ||
* The Brigadier, oblivious of the Doctor, asks him if he had signed an [[Official Secrets Act]] to keep secret his involvement with [[ | * The Brigadier, oblivious of the Doctor, asks him if he had signed an [[Official Secrets Act]] to keep secret his involvement with [[UNIT]]. | ||
== Story notes == | == Story notes == | ||
* Every story during [[Season 20]] included a story element from the Doctor's past. For this four-part story, one such element was the [[Black Guardian]], who last faced the [[ | * Every story during [[Season 20 (Doctor Who 1963)|Season 20]] included a story element from the Doctor's past. For this four-part story, one such element was the [[Black Guardian]], who last faced the [[fourth incarnation]] of the Doctor at the conclusion of the [[Key to Time]] saga in 1979. Another, of course, was the Brigadier. | ||
* The original intent of the production team was for the character of [[Ian Chesterton]], one of the original regulars from the series' first two seasons from 1963-65, to return for a guest appearance in this story, hence the school setting; Chesterton was a science teacher. However, actor [[William Russell]] proved to be unavailable due to a stage commitment. Some consideration was given to using [[Harry Sullivan]], who was a regular in the programme for a season in the mid-1970s, before the return of Lethbridge-Stewart was eventually decided upon.{{Fact}} | |||
* The original intent of the production team was for the character of [[Ian Chesterton]], one of the original regulars from the series' first two seasons from 1963-65, to return for a guest appearance in this story, hence the school setting; Chesterton was a science teacher. However, actor [[William Russell]] proved to be unavailable. Some consideration was given to using | * The ''[[Radio Times]]'' programme listing for part one was accompanied by a black-and-white photograph of the Doctor seated in the Brigadier's school quarters with the accompanying caption "More time travel problems for the Doctor (Peter Davison) result in a reunion with old 'friends': 6.50". ''(original published text)'' | ||
* The ''Radio Times'' programme listing for part one was accompanied by a black and white photograph of the Doctor seated in the Brigadier's school quarters with the accompanying caption "More time travel problems for the Doctor (Peter Davison) result in a reunion with old 'friends': 6.50". | * ''Radio Times'' credits [[Nicholas Courtney]] as "Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart" in the combined cast for parts one/two, and as "Brigadier" in the combined cast for parts three/four. All on-screen credits read "The Brigadier". | ||
* ''Radio Times'' credits Nicholas Courtney as | * During the scene in part four where the Doctor's companions are regressed to children, the young Nyssa and Tegan were played by [[Lucy Baker]] and [[Sian Pattenden]] respectively — both of whom were uncredited on-screen and in ''Radio Times'' despite having the respective dialogue "It's no good, Doctor!" and "Stop! Stop!" | ||
* During the scene in part four where the Doctor's companions are regressed to children, the young Nyssa and Tegan | * Former producer [[Graham Williams]], the creator of the Guardians, did not know about their return in this season and learned about it only years later during an on-stage interview at a ''Doctor Who'' convention.{{Fact}} | ||
* Former producer [[Graham Williams]], the creator of the Guardians, did not know about their return in this season and learned about it only years later during an on-stage interview at a ''Doctor Who'' convention. | * Originally the slot that this story occupies was to have been given to the long-delayed "[[The Song of Megaptera|The Song of the Space Whale]]" (or ''Space Whale''), in which Turlough would have been one of a group of colonists. However, this was again cancelled and this story took its place. Since it would now serve to introduce Turlough rather than include him as an established character, his role was merged with one of the schoolboys.{{Fact}} | ||
* Originally the slot that this story occupies was to have been given to the long-delayed "[[The Song of Megaptera|The Song of the Space Whale]]" (or ''Space Whale''), in which Turlough would have been one of a group of colonists. However this was again cancelled and this story took its place. | * [[Peter Grimwade]]'s previous story, ''[[Time-Flight (TV story)|Time-Flight]]'', also takes place in two different time zones. | ||
* Peter Grimwade's previous story, | * Grimwade based the public school setting on his own upbringing. He was an alumnus of Truro School, an all-boys private establishment in Cornwall and he "knew the background of a dreadful minor public school very well".{{Fact}} | ||
* The script suggests that the Doctor takes Turlough on because he misses [[Adric]]. | |||
* Nicholas Courtney later revealed that he was baffled by the script.{{Fact}} | |||
* Turlough's headmaster was originally called Mr Sellick.{{Fact}} | |||
* [[Ian Levine]] pointed out that setting part of the story in 1977 would now break with the continuity of the Brigadier's original serials, but was overruled.{{Fact}} | |||
* [[Peter Davison]] thought there were an awful lot of holes in the plot and was amazed that the audience didn't notice. He claimed that it taught him a lesson about plots in general.{{Fact}} | |||
* [[Mark Strickson]] claimed that the communication crystal was attached to a car battery to make it bright enough to be seen on camera and each scene with it had to be fourteen seconds long otherwise it got too hot to hold.{{Fact}} | |||
* Peter Davison and Nicholas Courtney previously appeared in the ''[[All Creatures Great and Small]]'' episode "Matters of Life and Death". | |||
* Peter Grimwade originally wanted the events of the story to take place several centuries apart, but he was encouraged to bring them closer together so that one character could be present in both time periods.{{Fact}} | |||
* The title was derived from the [[Wales|Welsh]] words ''marw'' (“dead”) and ''dyn'' (“man”).{{Fact}} | |||
* [[David Collings]] was cast as Mawdryn due to his resemblance to [[Peter Davison]].{{Fact}} | |||
* Peter Grimwade included the flashback scene based on the success of similar scenes in ''[[Logopolis (TV story)|Logopolis]]'' and ''[[Earthshock (TV story)|Earthshock]],'' both of which he directed.{{Fact}} | |||
* Make-up designer [[Sheelagh Wells]] had been disappointed with the way Mawdryn's brain protuberance blended with his skin and so, during the intervening fortnight, costume designer [[Amy Roberts]] hid the join by adding a metal headband to the mutants' outfits.{{Fact}} | |||
=== Ratings === | === Ratings === | ||
| Line 162: | Line 189: | ||
=== Production errors === | === Production errors === | ||
{{discontinuity}} | {{discontinuity}} | ||
* In the scene in which Turlough crashes the Brigadier's car, when he closes in on the other car, the next shot shows the car on the other side of the road, then the next shot shows the car on the right side of the road. | |||
* In the same scene, both sides of the road are covered in thick bush, but as the car is about to crash, an open gate suddenly appears. | |||
* While both aspects of the Brigadier are walking the same stretch of corridor in Mawdryn's ship, a split-screen effect is used to have them both present, then faded out so that one of them can cross the full length of the set. Unfortunately, the fade is obvious in the finished programme as one half of the scene clearly shifts in tone. | |||
=== Myths === | |||
* The flashback montage when the Brigadier recovers his memory commits a continuity error by including a [[Krynoid]], an enemy the Brigadier never encountered. ''The montage actually depicts an [[Axos|Axon]], which the Brigadier ''did'' encounter. This confusion is likely the result of the first-stage Krynoid re-using an Axon costume that was sprayed green, and the montage using a sepia tint which makes the Axon look darker and more like a Krynoid''. | |||
== Continuity == | == Continuity == | ||
* The Black Guardian swore revenge on the Doctor during his [[ | * The Black Guardian swore revenge on the Doctor during his [[fourth incarnation]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Armageddon Factor (TV story)|The Armageddon Factor]]'') | ||
** He continues to use Turlough in pursuit of this revenge. ([[TV]]: ''[[Terminus (TV story)|Terminus]]'', ''[[Enlightenment (TV story)|Enlightenment]]'') | ** He continues to use Turlough in pursuit of this revenge. ([[TV]]: ''[[Terminus (TV story)|Terminus]]'', ''[[Enlightenment (TV story)|Enlightenment]]'') | ||
* Tegan is still unsure if she is finally free of the Mara. ([[TV]]: ''[[Kinda (TV story)|Kinda]]'', ''[[Snakedance (TV story)|Snakedance]]'') | * Tegan is still unsure if she is finally free of the Mara. ([[TV]]: ''[[Kinda (TV story)|Kinda]]'', ''[[Snakedance (TV story)|Snakedance]]'') | ||
* It is explicitly stated that the Doctor is currently in his fifth incarnation. | * It is explicitly stated that the Doctor is currently in his fifth incarnation. | ||
* Another example of Time Lord technology being used to create perpetual regeneration was used by the [[Minyan]]s. ([[TV]]: ''[[Underworld (TV story)|Underworld]]'') | * Another example of Time Lord technology being used to create perpetual regeneration was used by the [[Minyan]]s. ([[TV]]: ''[[Underworld (TV story)|Underworld]]'') | ||
* Turlough's origins are finally explained in his final adventure aboard the TARDIS. ([[TV]]: ''[[Planet of Fire (TV story)|Planet of Fire]]'') | * Turlough's origins are finally explained in his final adventure aboard the TARDIS. ([[TV]]: ''[[Planet of Fire (TV story)|Planet of Fire]]'') | ||
* When Nyssa | * When Nyssa and Tegan are caring for a decrepit Mawdryn, he is given the red greatcoat that the Doctor wore near the end of his fourth incarnation ([[TV]]: ''[[The Leisure Hive (TV story)|The Leisure Hive]]'' through [[TV]]: ''[[Castrovalva (TV story)|Castrovalva]]''); Mawdryn later proceeds to wear this coat for some time. | ||
* The Doctor says, "If I reverse the polarity of the neutron flow...", as sometimes said by the [[Third Doctor]]. | * The Doctor says, "If I reverse the polarity of the neutron flow...", as sometimes said by the [[Third Doctor]]. | ||
* When remembering his with the Doctor, the older Brigadier recalls: | * When remembering his time with the Doctor, the older Brigadier recalls: | ||
** a [[Robot Yeti|Yeti]] ([[TV]]: ''[[The Web of Fear (TV story)|The Web of Fear]]'') | ** a [[Robot Yeti|Yeti]] ([[TV]]: ''[[The Web of Fear (TV story)|The Web of Fear]]'') | ||
** a [[ | ** a [[Cyberman]] and the [[Second Doctor]] ([[TV]]: ''[[The Invasion (TV story)|The Invasion]]'') | ||
** the [[Third Doctor]] ([[TV]]: ''[[Spearhead from Space (TV story)|Spearhead from Space]]'') | ** the [[Third Doctor]] ([[TV]]: ''[[Spearhead from Space (TV story)|Spearhead from Space]]'') | ||
** an [[Axon]] ([[TV]]: ''[[The Claws of Axos (TV story)|The Claws of Axos]]'') | ** a [[Silurian]] ([[TV]]: ''[[Doctor Who and the Silurians (TV story)|Doctor Who and the Silurians]]'') | ||
** a [[Dalek]] ([[TV]]: ''[[Day of the Daleks (TV story)|Day of the Daleks]]'') | ** an [[Axon]] ([[TV]]: ''[[The Claws of Axos (TV story)|The Claws of Axos]]'') | ||
** witnessing the Doctor's third regeneration ([[TV]]: ''[[Planet of the Spiders]])'' | ** a [[Dalek]] ([[TV]]: ''[[Day of the Daleks (TV story)|Day of the Daleks]]'') | ||
** {{Delgado}} ([[TV]]: ''[[Terror of the Autons (TV story)|Terror of the Autons]]'') | |||
** witnessing the Doctor's third regeneration ([[TV]]: ''[[Planet of the Spiders (TV story)|Planet of the Spiders]])'' | |||
** seeing the interior of [[the Doctor's TARDIS]] and the [[First Doctor]] ([[TV]]: ''[[The Three Doctors (TV story)|The Three Doctors]]'') | ** seeing the interior of [[the Doctor's TARDIS]] and the [[First Doctor]] ([[TV]]: ''[[The Three Doctors (TV story)|The Three Doctors]]'') | ||
** the [[K1]] robot ([[TV]]: ''[[Robot (TV story)|Robot]]'') | ** the [[K1]] robot ([[TV]]: ''[[Robot (TV story)|Robot]]'') | ||
** a [[Zygon]] and the [[Fourth Doctor]] ([[TV]]: ''[[Terror of the Zygons (TV story)|Terror of the Zygons]]'') | ** a [[Zygon]] and the [[Fourth Doctor]] ([[TV]]: ''[[Terror of the Zygons (TV story)|Terror of the Zygons]]'') | ||
* When [[Tegan]] is suspicious about [[Turlough]], saying that "Humans just don't walk into transmat capsules", [[Nyssa]] then disproves her by saying "Like you did, walking into the TARDIS on the [[Barnet Bypass]]?" ([[TV]]: ''[[Logopolis (TV story)|Logopolis]]'') | |||
* When [[Tegan]] is suspicious about [[Turlough]], saying that "Humans just don't walk into transmat capsules", [[Nyssa]] then disproves her by saying " | |||
* Tegan mentions the ''[[Mary Celeste]]''. The [[First Doctor]] had a hand in its mysterious fate. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Chase (TV story)|The Chase]]'') | * Tegan mentions the ''[[Mary Celeste]]''. The [[First Doctor]] had a hand in its mysterious fate. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Chase (TV story)|The Chase]]'') | ||
* Tegan also mentions the ''[[RMS Queen Mary|Queen Mary]]''. The Doctor landed aboard during his [[Fourth Doctor|fourth incarnation]]. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Ghost Ship (novel)|Ghost Ship]]'') | |||
* Nyssa wishes that the previously-jettisoned [[Zero Room]] was still in the TARDIS. ([[TV]]: ''[[Castrovalva (TV story)|Castrovalva]]'') | * Nyssa wishes that the previously-jettisoned [[Zero Room]] was still in the TARDIS. ([[TV]]: ''[[Castrovalva (TV story)|Castrovalva]]'') | ||
* The TARDIS' [[homing device]] is used again. ([[TV]]: ''[[Full Circle (TV story)|Full Circle]]'', ''[[The Keeper of Traken (TV story)|The Keeper of Traken]]'') | * The TARDIS's [[homing device]] is used again. ([[TV]]: ''[[Full Circle (TV story)|Full Circle]]'', ''[[The Keeper of Traken (TV story)|The Keeper of Traken]]'') | ||
* [[Charlie Gibbs]] was another of Turlough's classmates. However, Turlough did not learn until [[2013]] that Gibbs was also from Trion and that his family supported the opposing faction in the [[civil war]]. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Eldrad Must Die! (audio story)|Eldrad Must Die!]]'') | * [[Charlie Gibbs]] was another of Turlough's classmates. However, Turlough did not learn until [[2013]] that Gibbs was also from Trion and that his family supported the opposing faction in the [[civil war]]. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Eldrad Must Die! (audio story)|Eldrad Must Die!]]'') | ||
* In his [[1996]] book ''[[Who Killed Kennedy]]'', the journalist [[James Stevens]] described Brendon Public School as "a minor public school for boys." ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Who Killed Kennedy (novel)|Who Killed Kennedy]]'') | * In his [[1996]] book ''[[Who Killed Kennedy (novel)|Who Killed Kennedy]]'', the journalist [[James Stevens]] described Brendon Public School as "a minor public school for boys." ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Who Killed Kennedy (novel)|Who Killed Kennedy]]'') | ||
* Turlough enjoyed studying [[history]] while at Brendon Public School. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Phantasmagoria (audio story)|Phantasmagoria]]'') However, he hated [[William Shakespeare]]'s works. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Emerald Tiger (audio story)|The Emerald Tiger]]'') | * Turlough enjoyed studying [[history]] while at Brendon Public School. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Phantasmagoria (audio story)|Phantasmagoria]]'') However, he hated [[William Shakespeare]]'s works. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Emerald Tiger (audio story)|The Emerald Tiger]]'') | ||
* As a Time Lord, the Doctor can only [[ | * As a Time Lord, the Doctor can only [[regenerate]] twelve times. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Deadly Assassin (TV story)|The Deadly Assassin]]'') | ||
* When the Brigadier is being returned to 1983, he notes that the Doctor's "been making some changes around here, | * When the Brigadier is being returned to 1983, he notes that the Doctor's "been making some changes around here". Similarly, the [[Second Doctor]] previously critiqued his immediate successor's choice of interior decorating, ([[TV]]: ''[[The Three Doctors (TV story)|The Three Doctors]]'') and the [[Fifth Doctor]] disliked the [[Tenth Doctor]]'s "desktop theme". ([[TV]]: ''[[Time Crash (TV story)|Time Crash]]'') The Tenth Doctor himself expressed an immediate dislike to [[Eleventh Doctor|his successor]]'s TARDIS interior design. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Day of the Doctor (TV story)|The Day of the Doctor]]'') | ||
== Home video and audio releases == | == Home video and audio releases == | ||
=== DVD releases === | === DVD releases === | ||
This story was released as ''Doctor Who: Mawdryn Undead''. | This story was released as ''Doctor Who: Mawdryn Undead''. | ||
Released: | Released: | ||
* [[10 August (releases)|10 August]] [[2009 (releases)|2009]] - Region 2 | * [[10 August (releases)|10 August]] [[2009 (releases)|2009]] - Region 2 | ||
* [[5 November (releases)|5 November]] 2009 - Region 4 | * [[5 November (releases)|5 November]] 2009 - Region 4 | ||
* [[3 November (releases)|3 November]] 2009 - Region 1 | * [[3 November (releases)|3 November]] 2009 - Region 1 | ||
Special Features: | |||
* | ==== Special Features: ==== | ||
* ''[[Who Wants to Live Forever?]]'' - | * Commentary by [[Peter Davison]] ([[Fifth Doctor|the Doctor]]), [[Mark Strickson]] ([[Turlough]]), [[Nicholas Courtney]] ([[Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart|The Brigadier]]), and Script Editor [[Eric Saward]]. | ||
* ''[[Liberty Hall (home video)|Liberty Hall]]'' - interview | * ''[[Who Wants to Live Forever? (documentary)|Who Wants to Live Forever?]]'' - Cast and crew look back at the making of this story | ||
* ''[[Liberty Hall (home video)|Liberty Hall]]'' - A new drama in which a journalist travels to Brendon School to interview Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart | |||
* Deleted and Extended Scenes | * Deleted and Extended Scenes | ||
* Film Trims - from location filming | * Film Trims - Taken from the location filming, including clapperboards and cast and crew setting up and performing various scenes | ||
* | * Out-takes | ||
* CGI effects | * New CGI effects - The option to watch the story with many of the original video effects sequences replaced by new CGI | ||
* Continuity | * Continuity - Original BBC-1 continuity announcements | ||
* Studio floorplans (DVD-ROM - PC/Mac) | |||
* CGI Storyboards (DVD-ROM - PC/Mac) | |||
* ''[[Radio Times]]'' Listings (DVD-ROM - PC/Mac) | |||
* Isolated Music Score | * Isolated Music Score | ||
* Photo Gallery | * Production Information Subtitles | ||
* | * Photo Gallery | ||
* Easter Eggs | * Coming Soon Trailer - ''[[The Twin Dilemma (TV story)|The Twin Dilemma]]'' | ||
** | * Easter Eggs: | ||
** | ** TARDIS Information File. To access this hidden feature, press left at Deleted and Extended Scenes on the Special Features menu to reveal a hidden ''Doctor Who'' logo. | ||
** Studio floorplans. To access this hidden feature, press left at Set Photo Gallery on the Special Features menu to reveal a hidden ''Doctor Who'' logo. | |||
Notes: | Notes: | ||
* Editing for the DVD release was completed by the [[Doctor Who Restoration Team]]. | * Editing for the DVD release was completed by the [[Doctor Who Restoration Team]]. | ||
* It is available only in ''The Black Guardian Trilogy'' | * It is available only in ''The Black Guardian Trilogy'' box set. | ||
<gallery position=center captionalign=center hideaddbutton="true" | <gallery position="center" captionalign="center" hideaddbutton="true" widths="150"> | ||
Mawdryn undead region4.jpg|R4 DVD cover | Mawdryn undead region4.jpg|R4 DVD cover | ||
Mawdryn_undead_us_dvd.jpg|R1 DVD cover | Mawdryn_undead_us_dvd.jpg|R1 DVD cover | ||
| Line 236: | Line 268: | ||
==== Box set ==== | ==== Box set ==== | ||
<gallery position=center captionalign=center hideaddbutton="true" | <gallery position="center" captionalign="center" hideaddbutton="true"> | ||
Bbcdvd87-us.jpg|Region 1 cover | Bbcdvd87-us.jpg|Region 1 cover | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
| Line 242: | Line 274: | ||
=== Video releases === | === Video releases === | ||
This story was released on VHS in November 1992 in the UK markets, 1993 in Australian markets and 1994 in US markets. | This story was released on VHS in November 1992 in the UK markets, 1993 in Australian markets and 1994 in US markets. | ||
<gallery position=center captionalign=center hideaddbutton="true" | <gallery position="center" captionalign="center" hideaddbutton="true" widths="180"> | ||
File:Mawdryn Undead VHS UK cover.jpg|VHS UK cover | File:Mawdryn Undead VHS UK cover.jpg|VHS UK cover | ||
File:Mawdryn Undead VHS Australian cover.jpg|VHS Australian cover | File:Mawdryn Undead VHS Australian cover.jpg|VHS Australian cover | ||
| Line 250: | Line 282: | ||
== External links == | == External links == | ||
* {{bbcepguideclassic|mawdrynundead/|Mawdryn Undead}} | * {{bbcepguideclassic|mawdrynundead/|Mawdryn Undead}} | ||
* {{radiotimes|2012-01-24/mawdryn-undead}} | |||
{{dwcast}} | {{dwcast}} | ||
{{dwrefguide|who_6f.htm|Mawdryn Undead}} | {{dwrefguide|who_6f.htm|Mawdryn Undead}} | ||
* {{briefhistory|serials/6f.html|Mawdryn Undead}} | * {{briefhistory|serials/6f.html|Mawdryn Undead}} | ||
* {{locguide|mawdrynundead|Mawdryn Undead}} | * {{locguide|mawdrynundead|Mawdryn Undead}} | ||
{{DWTV}} | {{DWTV}} | ||
{{Regeneration stories}} | {{Regeneration stories}} | ||
| Line 260: | Line 292: | ||
{{UNIT stories}} | {{UNIT stories}} | ||
{{TitleSort}} | {{TitleSort}} | ||
[[de:126 - Mawdryn Undead]] | [[de:126 - Mawdryn Undead]] | ||
[[es:Mawdryn Undead]] | [[es:Mawdryn Undead]] | ||
[[fr:Mawdryn Undead (TV)]] | [[fr:Mawdryn Undead (TV)]] | ||
[[ru:Мертвец Модрин]] | [[ru:Мертвец Модрин]] | ||
[[Category:Doctor Who (1963) television stories]] | [[Category:Doctor Who (1963) television stories]] | ||
[[Category:Stories set in 1977]] | [[Category:Stories set in 1977]] | ||
[[Category:Stories set in 1983]] | [[Category:Stories set in 1983]] | ||
| Line 275: | Line 304: | ||
[[Category:Regeneration television stories]] | [[Category:Regeneration television stories]] | ||
[[Category:Season 20 stories]] | [[Category:Season 20 stories]] | ||
[[Category:Four part serials]] | [[Category:Four part serials]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:The Doctors and Monsters, Aliens, Robot stories]] | ||
Latest revision as of 20:09, 3 November 2024
Mawdryn Undead was the third serial of season 20 of Doctor Who. It saw the return of the Brigadier, and was the first story in the "Black Guardian trilogy". It also marked the first appearance of Vislor Turlough as both a companion and a villain.
Due to its use of very specific date, such as placing the Brigadier's retirement during 1976, this story attempted to address the so-called UNIT dating controversy. However, in so doing, it became a major part of that very controversy.
Synopsis[[edit] | [edit source]]
A warp ellipse draws the TARDIS off course. The Fifth Doctor's companions are separated from him not in space, but in time, and he has to deal with a treacherous schoolboy named Turlough. But why does the Doctor's old friend, the Brigadier, not remember him at all?
Plot[[edit] | [edit source]]
Part one[[edit] | [edit source]]
In 1983, the former UNIT Brigadier Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart teaches mathematics at Brendon Public School for Boys. A mischievous student, Turlough, convinces his classmate Ibbotson to join him in a joyride in the Brigadier's priceless antique car, which they accidentally veer off the road and crash. While unconscious, Turlough is contacted by the sinister Black Guardian. The Black Guardian knows Turlough is actually from another planet. He offers Turlough transportation off Earth if he will kill the Guardian's greatest enemy: the Doctor.
At the same time, the Fifth Doctor, Tegan and Nyssa have problems of their own. As Tegan attempts to get reassurance from the Doctor that she is free from the Mara, the TARDIS is caught in a warp ellipse and materialises on board an apparently empty starliner locked in a perpetual orbit in time and space. Turlough, on the Black Guardian's instructions, transports himself onto the liner by means of a transmat capsule and encounters the TARDIS crew. The Doctor travels to Earth via transmat, taking Turlough with him, to get rid of the transmat interference trapping the TARDIS on the liner. The source of the interference is not far from the school grounds. As the Doctor is sorting out the device, Turlough, responding to the Black Guardian's exhortations, picks up a large rock and prepares to bring it down on the back of the Doctor's head...
Part two[[edit] | [edit source]]
"The Doctor" regenerating.
The interference device explodes, knocking the Doctor backwards and forcing the rock out of Turlough's hands. The TARDIS materialises nearby, but vanishes shortly after, seemingly leaving the Doctor stranded. The Doctor meets the Brigadier at the school, but is puzzled when his old comrade-in-arms does not remember him. He eventually works around the apparent gap in the Brigadier's memory by mentioning Jo Grant, Liz Shaw and other past adventures. To the Doctor's surprise, the Brigadier claims to remember Tegan, having met her shortly before his nervous breakdown in 1977. The Doctor realises that the TARDIS hasn't disappeared; the destruction of the device knocked the TARDIS off a time track and sent it back six years.
In 1977, Tegan and Nyssa encounter the transmat capsule. Inside is an alien-looking humanoid whom they initially believe is the Doctor, horribly injured; they bring the figure back to the TARDIS and make him comfortable on the control room floor with blankets and the burgundy greatcoat worn by the previous Doctor. Tegan goes to the school for help, where she meets the younger Brigadier, who accompanies her back to the TARDIS, where Nyssa tells them "the Doctor" is regenerating. The three enter the TARDIS control room. The figure, who is a scientist called Mawdryn, now wearing the Doctor's coat, turns to face them. The top of his skull is missing, revealing his pulsing brain. Nyssa screams in horror.
Part three[[edit] | [edit source]]
Under the pretence of being the Doctor, suffering a failed regeneration, Mawdryn convinces the others to bring the TARDIS to the ship, claiming it has restorative capabilities. Meanwhile, the Doctor, Turlough and the present-day Brigadier use a TARDIS homing device on the damaged transmat to bring themselves to the ship, splitting up soon after to search for Tegan and Nyssa. Under the Black Guardian's instruction, Turlough opens a secret room, revealing several humanoids suffering from the same malady as Mawdryn. Mawdryn fools the present-day Brigadier into using a stolen Time Lord device to stabilise his condition. Finding the TARDIS, the Doctor reunites with Tegan and Nyssa. When he learns there are two Brigadiers aboard, he has to try to keep them apart lest the resulting energy discharge prove catastrophic.
The Doctor and Nyssa meet with the present-day Brigadier and Mawdryn. Mawdryn reveals that he and his his fellow scientist tried to steal the secret of regeneration from the Time Lords, but caused perpetual mutations, leaving them practically immortal but in horrible agony. Tegan is chased into the room by Mawdryn's mutated crewmates. The mutants take their places in the regeneration room and Mawdryn pleads with the Doctor to help them die by giving them his regeneration energy. The Doctor refuses, explaining to Tegan that if he did so it would mean the end of him as a Time Lord...
Part four[[edit] | [edit source]]
The Doctor explains that he can only regenerate twelve times, and that, as he has already done so four times, helping the mutants die would consume all eight of his remaining regenerations. Although Mawdryn proclaims that the only thing they desire is their deaths rather than the Doctor's 'murder,' the Doctor refuses, unwilling to sacrifice his remaining lives to save them from their own mistake.
Under the Black Guardian's orders, Turlough locates the Brigadier of 1977 and locks him in a side room to keep the two Brigadiers from touching.
Trying to leave in the TARDIS, the Doctor discovers that Tegan and Nyssa have been infected by the same malady as Mawdryn and his compatriots. Attempted time travel accelerates their conditions and reversing out of the warp ellipse only regresses Tegan and Nyssa into children. The only cure, it seems, is to do what Mawdryn demands; the Doctor must give up his remaining regenerations. Meanwhile, the past Brigadier escapes the room and encounters Mawdryn and his crew. Fearing the time imbalance, they send him into the transmat. Unbeknownst to them, the transmat cannot make the trip while the TARDIS is on the vessel and the capsule returns to its station seconds later.
Mawdryn's ship explodes.
Hooking himself up to Mawdryn's apparatus, the Doctor is about to sacrifice himself when the two Brigadiers meet and touch hands, causing a discharge of temporal energy at precisely the right instant to act as a substitute power source. Tegan and Nyssa are cured, the alien scientists end their undead existence and the Doctor remains a Time Lord. The younger Brigadier, however, will not remember his time with the Doctor until they meet again in 1983. The Doctor, Nyssa and Tegan deliver the 1977 and 1983 versions of the Brigadier back to their respective times. Turlough is in the TARDIS control room when they return. He asks if he can join them and the Doctor comments that he already has. In space, Mawdryn's ship self-destructs.
Cast[[edit] | [edit source]]
- The Doctor - Peter Davison
- Tegan Jovanka - Janet Fielding
- Nyssa - Sarah Sutton
- Vislor Turlough – Mark Strickson
- Brigadier Alistair Lethbridge-Stewart – Nicholas Courtney
- The Black Guardian – Valentine Dyall
- Headmaster – Angus MacKay
- Ibbotson - Stephen Garlick
- Dr Runciman - Roger Hammond
- Matron - Sheila Gill
- Mawdryn – David Collings
- Mutants – Peter Walmsley, Brian Darnley
Uncredited cast[[edit] | [edit source]]
- Young Nyssa – Lucy Baker
- Young Tegan – Sian Pattenden
Crew[[edit] | [edit source]]
- Assistant Floor Manager - Ian Tootle
- Costumes - Amy Roberts
- Costumes - Richard Croft
- Designer - Stephen Scott
- Film Cameraman - Godfrey Johnson
- Film Editor - Chris Woolley
- Film Sound - Ron Brown
- Incidental Music - Paddy Kingsland
- Make-Up - Carolyn Perry, Sheelagh Wells
- Production Assistant - Valerie Letley
- Production Associate - June Collins
- Production Manager - Ann Aronsohn
- Senior Cameraman - Robin Barnes
- Studio Lighting - Don Babbage
- Studio Sound - Martin Ridout
- Special Sounds - Dick Mills
- Technical Manager - Alan Arbuthnott
- Title Music - Ron Grainer and the BBC Radiophonic Workshop
- Title Sequence - Sid Sutton
- Theme arrangement - Peter Howell
- Vision Mixer - Carol Johnson
- Video Effects - Robin Lobb
- Videotape Editor - Rod Waldron
- Visual Effects Designer - Stuart Brisdon
- Writer - Peter Grimwade
- Script Editor - Eric Saward
- Director - Peter Moffatt
- Producer - John Nathan-Turner
Worldbuilding[[edit] | [edit source]]
Anatomy and physiology[[edit] | [edit source]]
- Tegan, Nyssa, and the Brigadier refer to having seen the Doctor regenerate.
Cultural references from the real world[[edit] | [edit source]]
- In 1977, the Queen's Silver jubilee is to be celebrated.
Individuals[[edit] | [edit source]]
- The Doctor mentions several people and things to try to jog the Brigadier's memory, including Harry Sullivan, Jo Grant, Sarah Jane Smith, Liz Shaw, Yeti and UNIT.
- Sergeant Benton left the army in the 1970s and is now a used car salesman.
- Harry Sullivan went to work with NATO on a top-secret project in Porton Down.
- The Brigadier teaches A-level mathematics.
- Powell is a student at Brendon Public School.
- An eccentric solicitor is responsible for Turlough.
Species[[edit] | [edit source]]
- Tegan is still wondering if she'll be free of the Mara.
- During the series of flashbacks the Brigadier sees the First Doctor, the Second Doctor, the Third Doctor, the Fourth Doctor, a Yeti, a Cyberman, an Axon, a Dalek, the K1 Robot and a Zygon.
TARDIS[[edit] | [edit source]]
- The Zero Room is mentioned.
Technology[[edit] | [edit source]]
- Mawdryn and his followers stole a metamorphic symbiosis regenerator, used by Time Lords in cases of acute regenerative crisis, but it induced a perpetual, deathless mutation.
Theories and concepts[[edit] | [edit source]]
- The Doctor cites the Blinovitch Limitation Effect.
- The two Brigadiers short out the time differential between themselves.
- The Doctor talks about reversing the polarity of the neutron flow, a catchphrase of his third incarnation.
- Mawdryn's spacecraft is caught in a warp ellipse.
Transport technology[[edit] | [edit source]]
- Tegan knows a great deal about transmats.
- Mawdryn and his people make use of transmat capsules.
- Tegan compares the spacecraft to the ships Queen Mary, about its luxury and Mary Celeste, about its desolation.
- The Brigadier's car is a blue 1929 Humber 16/50 open tourer, Imperial model.
UNIT[[edit] | [edit source]]
- The Brigadier, oblivious of the Doctor, asks him if he had signed an Official Secrets Act to keep secret his involvement with UNIT.
Story notes[[edit] | [edit source]]
- Every story during Season 20 included a story element from the Doctor's past. For this four-part story, one such element was the Black Guardian, who last faced the fourth incarnation of the Doctor at the conclusion of the Key to Time saga in 1979. Another, of course, was the Brigadier.
- The original intent of the production team was for the character of Ian Chesterton, one of the original regulars from the series' first two seasons from 1963-65, to return for a guest appearance in this story, hence the school setting; Chesterton was a science teacher. However, actor William Russell proved to be unavailable due to a stage commitment. Some consideration was given to using Harry Sullivan, who was a regular in the programme for a season in the mid-1970s, before the return of Lethbridge-Stewart was eventually decided upon.[source needed]
- The Radio Times programme listing for part one was accompanied by a black-and-white photograph of the Doctor seated in the Brigadier's school quarters with the accompanying caption "More time travel problems for the Doctor (Peter Davison) result in a reunion with old 'friends': 6.50". (original published text)
- Radio Times credits Nicholas Courtney as "Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart" in the combined cast for parts one/two, and as "Brigadier" in the combined cast for parts three/four. All on-screen credits read "The Brigadier".
- During the scene in part four where the Doctor's companions are regressed to children, the young Nyssa and Tegan were played by Lucy Baker and Sian Pattenden respectively — both of whom were uncredited on-screen and in Radio Times despite having the respective dialogue "It's no good, Doctor!" and "Stop! Stop!"
- Former producer Graham Williams, the creator of the Guardians, did not know about their return in this season and learned about it only years later during an on-stage interview at a Doctor Who convention.[source needed]
- Originally the slot that this story occupies was to have been given to the long-delayed "The Song of the Space Whale" (or Space Whale), in which Turlough would have been one of a group of colonists. However, this was again cancelled and this story took its place. Since it would now serve to introduce Turlough rather than include him as an established character, his role was merged with one of the schoolboys.[source needed]
- Peter Grimwade's previous story, Time-Flight, also takes place in two different time zones.
- Grimwade based the public school setting on his own upbringing. He was an alumnus of Truro School, an all-boys private establishment in Cornwall and he "knew the background of a dreadful minor public school very well".[source needed]
- The script suggests that the Doctor takes Turlough on because he misses Adric.
- Nicholas Courtney later revealed that he was baffled by the script.[source needed]
- Turlough's headmaster was originally called Mr Sellick.[source needed]
- Ian Levine pointed out that setting part of the story in 1977 would now break with the continuity of the Brigadier's original serials, but was overruled.[source needed]
- Peter Davison thought there were an awful lot of holes in the plot and was amazed that the audience didn't notice. He claimed that it taught him a lesson about plots in general.[source needed]
- Mark Strickson claimed that the communication crystal was attached to a car battery to make it bright enough to be seen on camera and each scene with it had to be fourteen seconds long otherwise it got too hot to hold.[source needed]
- Peter Davison and Nicholas Courtney previously appeared in the All Creatures Great and Small episode "Matters of Life and Death".
- Peter Grimwade originally wanted the events of the story to take place several centuries apart, but he was encouraged to bring them closer together so that one character could be present in both time periods.[source needed]
- The title was derived from the Welsh words marw (“dead”) and dyn (“man”).[source needed]
- David Collings was cast as Mawdryn due to his resemblance to Peter Davison.[source needed]
- Peter Grimwade included the flashback scene based on the success of similar scenes in Logopolis and Earthshock, both of which he directed.[source needed]
- Make-up designer Sheelagh Wells had been disappointed with the way Mawdryn's brain protuberance blended with his skin and so, during the intervening fortnight, costume designer Amy Roberts hid the join by adding a metal headband to the mutants' outfits.[source needed]
Ratings[[edit] | [edit source]]
- Part one - 6.5 million viewers
- Part two - 7.5 million viewers
- Part three - 7.4 million viewers
- Part four - 7.7 million viewers
Filming locations[[edit] | [edit source]]
- Trent Park campus of Middlesex Polytechnic, Cockfosters, Enfield, Greater London
- BBC Television Centre (Studio 6), Shepherd's Bush, London
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 scene in which Turlough crashes the Brigadier's car, when he closes in on the other car, the next shot shows the car on the other side of the road, then the next shot shows the car on the right side of the road.
- In the same scene, both sides of the road are covered in thick bush, but as the car is about to crash, an open gate suddenly appears.
- While both aspects of the Brigadier are walking the same stretch of corridor in Mawdryn's ship, a split-screen effect is used to have them both present, then faded out so that one of them can cross the full length of the set. Unfortunately, the fade is obvious in the finished programme as one half of the scene clearly shifts in tone.
Myths[[edit] | [edit source]]
- The flashback montage when the Brigadier recovers his memory commits a continuity error by including a Krynoid, an enemy the Brigadier never encountered. The montage actually depicts an Axon, which the Brigadier did encounter. This confusion is likely the result of the first-stage Krynoid re-using an Axon costume that was sprayed green, and the montage using a sepia tint which makes the Axon look darker and more like a Krynoid.
Continuity[[edit] | [edit source]]
- The Black Guardian swore revenge on the Doctor during his fourth incarnation. (TV: The Armageddon Factor)
- He continues to use Turlough in pursuit of this revenge. (TV: Terminus, Enlightenment)
- Tegan is still unsure if she is finally free of the Mara. (TV: Kinda, Snakedance)
- It is explicitly stated that the Doctor is currently in his fifth incarnation.
- Another example of Time Lord technology being used to create perpetual regeneration was used by the Minyans. (TV: Underworld)
- Turlough's origins are finally explained in his final adventure aboard the TARDIS. (TV: Planet of Fire)
- When Nyssa and Tegan are caring for a decrepit Mawdryn, he is given the red greatcoat that the Doctor wore near the end of his fourth incarnation (TV: The Leisure Hive through TV: Castrovalva); Mawdryn later proceeds to wear this coat for some time.
- The Doctor says, "If I reverse the polarity of the neutron flow...", as sometimes said by the Third Doctor.
- When remembering his time with the Doctor, the older Brigadier recalls:
- a Yeti (TV: The Web of Fear)
- a Cyberman and the Second Doctor (TV: The Invasion)
- the Third Doctor (TV: Spearhead from Space)
- a Silurian (TV: Doctor Who and the Silurians)
- an Axon (TV: The Claws of Axos)
- a Dalek (TV: Day of the Daleks)
- the Master (TV: Terror of the Autons)
- witnessing the Doctor's third regeneration (TV: Planet of the Spiders)
- seeing the interior of the Doctor's TARDIS and the First Doctor (TV: The Three Doctors)
- the K1 robot (TV: Robot)
- a Zygon and the Fourth Doctor (TV: Terror of the Zygons)
- When Tegan is suspicious about Turlough, saying that "Humans just don't walk into transmat capsules", Nyssa then disproves her by saying "Like you did, walking into the TARDIS on the Barnet Bypass?" (TV: Logopolis)
- Tegan mentions the Mary Celeste. The First Doctor had a hand in its mysterious fate. (TV: The Chase)
- Tegan also mentions the Queen Mary. The Doctor landed aboard during his fourth incarnation. (PROSE: Ghost Ship)
- Nyssa wishes that the previously-jettisoned Zero Room was still in the TARDIS. (TV: Castrovalva)
- The TARDIS's homing device is used again. (TV: Full Circle, The Keeper of Traken)
- Charlie Gibbs was another of Turlough's classmates. However, Turlough did not learn until 2013 that Gibbs was also from Trion and that his family supported the opposing faction in the civil war. (AUDIO: Eldrad Must Die!)
- In his 1996 book Who Killed Kennedy, the journalist James Stevens described Brendon Public School as "a minor public school for boys." (PROSE: Who Killed Kennedy)
- Turlough enjoyed studying history while at Brendon Public School. (AUDIO: Phantasmagoria) However, he hated William Shakespeare's works. (AUDIO: The Emerald Tiger)
- As a Time Lord, the Doctor can only regenerate twelve times. (TV: The Deadly Assassin)
- When the Brigadier is being returned to 1983, he notes that the Doctor's "been making some changes around here". Similarly, the Second Doctor previously critiqued his immediate successor's choice of interior decorating, (TV: The Three Doctors) and the Fifth Doctor disliked the Tenth Doctor's "desktop theme". (TV: Time Crash) The Tenth Doctor himself expressed an immediate dislike to his successor's TARDIS interior design. (TV: The Day of the Doctor)
Home video and audio releases[[edit] | [edit source]]
DVD releases[[edit] | [edit source]]
This story was released as Doctor Who: Mawdryn Undead.
Released:
- 10 August 2009 - Region 2
- 5 November 2009 - Region 4
- 3 November 2009 - Region 1
Special Features:[[edit] | [edit source]]
- Commentary by Peter Davison (the Doctor), Mark Strickson (Turlough), Nicholas Courtney (The Brigadier), and Script Editor Eric Saward.
- Who Wants to Live Forever? - Cast and crew look back at the making of this story
- Liberty Hall - A new drama in which a journalist travels to Brendon School to interview Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart
- Deleted and Extended Scenes
- Film Trims - Taken from the location filming, including clapperboards and cast and crew setting up and performing various scenes
- Out-takes
- New CGI effects - The option to watch the story with many of the original video effects sequences replaced by new CGI
- Continuity - Original BBC-1 continuity announcements
- Studio floorplans (DVD-ROM - PC/Mac)
- CGI Storyboards (DVD-ROM - PC/Mac)
- Radio Times Listings (DVD-ROM - PC/Mac)
- Isolated Music Score
- Production Information Subtitles
- Photo Gallery
- Coming Soon Trailer - The Twin Dilemma
- Easter Eggs:
- TARDIS Information File. To access this hidden feature, press left at Deleted and Extended Scenes on the Special Features menu to reveal a hidden Doctor Who logo.
- Studio floorplans. To access this hidden feature, press left at Set Photo Gallery on the Special Features menu to reveal a hidden Doctor Who logo.
Notes:
- Editing for the DVD release was completed by the Doctor Who Restoration Team.
- It is available only in The Black Guardian Trilogy box set.
R4 DVD cover
R1 DVD cover
Region 2 DVD cover
Box set[[edit] | [edit source]]
Region 1 cover
Video releases[[edit] | [edit source]]
This story was released on VHS in November 1992 in the UK markets, 1993 in Australian markets and 1994 in US markets.
VHS UK cover
VHS Australian cover
VHS US cover
External links[[edit] | [edit source]]
- Mawdryn Undead at the BBC's official site
- Mawdryn Undead at RadioTimes
- Mawdryn Undead at BroaDWcast
- Mawdryn Undead at the Doctor Who Reference Guide
- Mawdryn Undead at Shannon Sullivan's A Brief History of Time (Travel)
- Mawdryn Undead at The Locations Guide
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