Under the Lake (TV story): Difference between revisions

From Tardis Wiki, the free Doctor Who reference
(don't change image sizes)
 
(91 intermediate revisions by 51 users not shown)
Line 2: Line 2:
{{real world}}
{{real world}}
{{ImageLinkTV}}
{{ImageLinkTV}}
{{Infobox Story
{{Infobox Story SMW
|image          = Moran.jpg
|image          = Moran.jpg
|series          = [[Doctor Who television stories|''Doctor Who'' television stories]]
|series          = [[Doctor Who television stories|''Doctor Who'' television stories]]
|season number  = Series 9 (Doctor Who)
|season number  = Series 9 (Doctor Who 2005)
|series episode number = 3
|series episode number = 3
|story number    = 255a
|story number    = 255a
|scripturl      = https://downloads.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/scripts/DW9-EP3-Under-the-Lake.pdf
|scripturl2      = https://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/documents/doctor-who-9-episode-3-under-the-lake-picture-lock-script-130515.pdf
|doctor          = Twelfth Doctor
|doctor          = Twelfth Doctor
|companions      = [[Clara Oswald|Clara]]
|companions      = [[Clara Oswald|Clara]]
|enemy          = [[Ghost]]s
|enemy          = [[Ghost]]s
|setting        = [[The Drum]], [[Caithness]], [[Scotland]], [[2119]]
|setting        = [[The Drum]], [[2119]]
|writer          = [[Toby Whithouse]]
|writer          = Toby Whithouse
|director        = [[Daniel O'Hara]]
|director        = [[Daniel O'Hara]]
|producer        = [[Derek Ritchie]]
|producer        = [[Derek Ritchie]]
|broadcast date  = [[3 October (releases)|3 October]] [[2015 (releases)|2015]]
|confidential    =
|network        = [[BBC One]]
|confidential2  =
|format          = 1x45 minute episode
|confidential3  =
|confidential4  =
|broadcast date  = 3 October 2015
|network        = BBC One
|format          = 1x45 minute episode;<br/>Part 1 of 2
|prev            = The Witch's Familiar (TV story)
|prev            = The Witch's Familiar (TV story)
|next            = Before the Flood (TV story)
|next            = Before the Flood (TV story)
Line 28: Line 34:
|clip3          = The Doctor's Ghost - Under The Lake - Doctor Who - BBC
|clip3          = The Doctor's Ghost - Under The Lake - Doctor Who - BBC
|bts            = Introduction to Under The Lake - Doctor Who Series 9 - BBC
|bts            = Introduction to Under The Lake - Doctor Who Series 9 - BBC
|bts2            = Steven Moffat's teaser to Under the Lake - Doctor Who Series 9 Episode 3 (2015) - BBC One
|bts2            = Peter On Ghosts With A Twist - Under The Lake - Doctor Who Series 9
|bts2            = Peter On Ghosts With A Twist - Under The Lake - Doctor Who Series 9
}}
|epcount =
'''''{{StoryTitle}}''''' was the third episode of the [[series 9 (Doctor Who)|ninth series]] of ''[[Doctor Who]]'' produced by [[BBC Wales]].
}}{{you may|Under the Lake (in-universe)|n1=the episode of Doctor Who that exists within the DWU}}
'''''Under the Lake''''' was the third episode of [[Series 9 (Doctor Who 2005)|series 9]] of ''[[Doctor Who]]''.


It saw the series revisit the concept of ghosts and hauntings, last explored in the television story ''[[Hide (TV story)|Hide]]''. The episode poses another explanation for the apparitions, in this case as resurrected transmitters of an alien presence's signal.
It saw the series revisit the concept of ghosts and hauntings, last explored in the television story ''[[Hide (TV story)|Hide]]'' in [[2013 (releases)|2013]]. The episode poses another explanation for the apparitions, in this case as resurrected transmitters of an alien presence's signal. It also continued the thematic concept of [[the Doctor]] apparently facing death, with the end of the episode setting up yet another opportunity for the Doctor to reflect on his mortality.
 
It also continued the thematic concept of [[the Doctor]] apparently facing death, with the end of the episode setting up yet another opportunity for the Doctor to reflect on his mortality.


== Synopsis ==
== Synopsis ==
Arriving on an underwater base under attack, it's up to the Doctor and Clara to save the frightened crew. But also onboard is an alien spaceship, and the base is being haunted by the most impossible of things.
Arriving on an [[The Drum|underwater base]] under attack, it's up to the [[Twelfth Doctor]] and [[Clara Oswald|Clara]] to save the frightened crew. But also onboard is an [[alien]] [[spaceship]], and the [[base]] is being haunted by the most impossible of things.


The Doctor's deepest beliefs are challenged when he encounters something he cannot explain. Can it really be possible? Can ghosts be real?
The Doctor's deepest [[belief]]s are challenged when he encounters something he cannot explain. Can it really be possible? Can [[ghost]]s be real?


== Plot ==
== Plot ==
In an underwater mining facility based in [[Scotland]], [[2119]] designated [[The Drum]], the captain, [[Jonathan Moran|Moran]], is recording a log in his journal. Moran states that the team has discovered a small craft located on the bank, and, as they are unable to analyse it from within the base, they have brought it inside, where he and the crew will investigate.
In an underwater mining facility based in [[Scotland]], [[2119]], designated [[the Drum]], the [[captain]], [[Jonathan Moran|Moran]], is recording a log in his journal. Moran states that the team has discovered a small craft located on the bank, and, as they are unable to analyse it from within the base, they have brought it inside, where he and the crew will investigate.
 
A crew member named [[Tim Lunn|Lunn]] interprets the sign language of another crew member, [[Cass (Under the Lake)|Cass]], saying that the reason for its sudden appearance is due to underwater movement and shifts on the floor of the lake. Another crew member named [[Richard Pritchard|Pritchard]] recommends they discuss ownership of the spaceship, prompting Moran to tell everybody to stop calling it a spaceship, as they don't know what it is. Bennett, another of the crew, is adamant that it's not technology that could have existed back in the 1980s.
 
The crew enter, and Moran notices something inside the craft, asking Lunn to hand him a torch. Lunn does so, but glimpses [[Albar Prentis|a ghostly figure]] reflected in the glass. He reluctantly hands Moran the torch. Moran investigates four strange markings on the wall, whilst Lunn asks Cass why he shouldn't go inside. Whilst they bicker, Pritchard cries out as he glimpses the ghost, accidentally starting the engines. Moran pushes Cass out of the way of the boosters' range but is struck by the blast, forcing the crew to retreat, leaving him behind.
 
[[Alice O'Donnell|O'Donnell]], another crew member, bangs on the sealed door, demanding they go back for Moran, but is told it is impossible by the rest of the crew. She yells at Pritchard for messing with the controls but is interrupted as Cass screams. She turns, startled to see a ghostly Moran, with gaping back holes for eyes hovering in front of her. The same figure named [[Albar Prentis]] appears, and the pair reaches out to the crew...
 
Three days later, the facility is a wreck, being seemingly empty. The [[The Doctor's TARDIS|TARDIS]] appears, with [[Twelfth Doctor|the Doctor]] stepping out, realising that they are in the [[22nd century]]. The Doctor notes that the TARDIS is in a foul mood as if something nearby is upsetting her. Laughing, Clara pops her head out of the TARDIS, asking if they can go back to the planet where people with long necks have been celebrating New Year's for two centuries; she left her [[sunglasses]] and most of her dignity there. Still amused, Clara accuses the Doctor of "itching" to save a planet. He smiles back, deciding to check out the area.
 
They investigate the mess hall, which has evidence of a really bad fight with utensils and furniture throw about. Finding a knife lodged in a wall, the Doctor tells Clara that she got her wish for a mystery. She wonders how long the place has been empty since many supplies are missing from the mess hall stock. The Doctor sticks his finger in a mug of coffee, explaining that the fight happened right hours ago.
 
They resume searching for a crew, finding the two ghosts kneeling in the corridors. The Doctor calls out to them and the two ghosts approach, startling the duo. Clara is calmed by the Doctor, who thinks that the ghosts are only curious about them; the ghosts walk down the corridor and through a wall. The Doctor and Clara follow, finding themselves in the hanger; Clara wonders about the strange vessel the crew found, thinking it could be a government project from this era. However, the Doctor confirms that it's alien in nature. They go inside, finding it undisturbed since the crew first investigated; they find the strange writing on the wall. The Doctor is shocked by this, as it isn't being translated by the [[TARDIS translation circuit]].
 
However, before he can ponder this further, Clara draws his attention to the outside of the ship, where the ghosts have reappeared. The Doctor greets them warmly, wondering if they wanted them to see this strange writing. The ghosts do not respond, only walking over to a wall to grab weapons. Clara notes that this is not going well. The Doctor wonders if Clara said anything to offend them, as she once even got into a fight with [[Gandhi]]. Moran fires a harpoon gun at them but misses. The Doctor and Clara run out of the hanger; the ghosts follow them through the walls but are forced to leave their armaments behind as they are not intangible like them.
 
Now back in the corridors, they run away from the ghosts. At the end of the corridor, O'Donnell opens a door, yelling for them to enter. They comply and the door is slammed behind them. The room is filled with living supplies and the remaining six members of the crew. A smug man by the name of [[Richard Pritchard|Pritchard]] tells them that if they don't work for [[Vector Petroleum]], they are in big trouble. The Doctor brandishes the [[psychic paper]] and introduces himself and Clara. Shocked by what he sees on the psychic paper, Pritchard yelps that they're from [[UNIT United Kingdom|UNIT]]; "Well, if that's what it says." the Doctor passively says. O'Donnell shakes his hand, happy to meet a Doctor. The Doctor asks what the ghosts are, dismissing the idea they are ghosts; he asks to know who's in charge, so he can ignore them. Lunn explains that Cass is, but Pritchard claims to be as he's from management.
 
The Doctor ignores Pritchard, asking what happened; Lunn begins translating for Cass, but the Doctor tells him that he can understand [[sign language]]. Cass begins explaining, but the Doctor asks her to stop; he thinks he deleted sign language from the TARDIS for [[Semaphore]]. Lunn resumes translating; the mole alien killed Moran as soon as the ship got brought on board and the ghosts have pretty much been trying to kill them since. The crew hide out here in the [[Faraday cage]] as the ghosts cannot enter it for some reason. The Doctor notes how odd it is for the alien ghost to be aggressive as [[Tivolian]]s are so cowardly, "They wouldn't even say boo to a goose." A recorded voice announces that day mode is on. Everyone starts leaving the room, confusing the Doctor; O'Donnell explains that the ghosts only come out at night.
 
Everyone returns to the hanger, with the Doctor curious as to why they haven't abandoned the base. Pritchard takes credit for that, explaining Vector Petroleum would lose tons of money if they abandoned the base. The Doctor calls Pritchard an idiot for not valuing human life over money; he recaps the entire ridiculous situation, sarcastically asking if anyone has a peanut allergy. The Doctor goes back into the ship, asking where the missing parts are; this confuses the crew as they haven't touched the ship since they brought it on board. The Doctor explains that a power cell is missing and so is the suspended animation chamber for the pilot. He begins to ramble on what he's observed about the ghosts, grinning more and more as he comes to a conclusion. Clara, having caught on to his train of thought, wonders if he's actually thinking...
 
''"They're ghosts!"'' the Doctor exclaims back in the control room. Clara points out that he completely shot down the idea of ghosts. However, the Doctor counters Clara, telling her that there were no such things as socks, [[Mobile phone|smartphones]] or [[badger]]s until they suddenly did exist. He further explains these things are not [[Auton]]s, [[Ganger|Flesh avatars]] or [[Nethersphere]] copies; these people are actually, truly dead beings. Met with silence, the Doctor wonders why everyone is staring at him; they explain Moran was their friend. Clara tells him to bring out his cards. Realising Clara is right, the Doctor pulls out a stack of cards with kind and apologetic things written on them.
 
Annoyed the Doctor is taking too long, Clara takes the right one out and the Doctor reads it off, promising to solve Moran's murder. With that done, the Doctor resumes being excited at the idea of wrestling down a ghost and asking it questions about what it's state of existence is like. He does note he subconsciously noticed the ghost can only handle metal objects. Suddenly, the base announces that it's going back into night mode.
 
As the others prepare to return to the Faraday cage, [[Alice O'Donnell|O'Donnell]] notices Pritchard is missing and yells over the speakers for him to get to safety. However, Pritchard was out searching for the missing power cell; greedy, he wanted to find it to gain favour with his employers, along with the rest of the alien tech. Taking off his diving helmet in the decompression chamber, Pritchard notices a figure outside and assumes it's Bennett. However, to his horror, it's Moran and the Tivolian. Before Pritchard has a chance to put his helmet back on, Moran opens the gate and water starts rushing in.
 
In the galley, Clara and Bennett, while gathering supplies, notice Pritchard is in the room with them, with his back turned to them. They then notice a corpse floating outside the window; Bennett begins shouting there was a man overboard, but Clara stops him as the corpse rotates to reveal it as Pritchard. Right as Pritchard picks up a chair to attack them with, the base suddenly goes back into day mode; O'Donnell managed to fix the problem and restore the system to normal. Back in the control room, everyone watches footage of Pritchard's death. The Doctor notes the ghosts got smarter; they've figured out how to use the base to kill since the Faraday cage keeps them out. Since they can only come out at night, they reprogrammed the base's timer to trick everyone into a false sense of security.
 
The [[Cloister Bell]] begins ringing from the TARDIS. The Doctor and Clara race back inside, where the lights in the control room are flashing red in rhythm of the ringing of the bell. Clara is confused; the Doctor explains "you live and you die; those ghosts are a contradiction." This is why the TARDIS was upset when they got here; she wants to get away from the ghosts. Clara asks him what they should do. The Doctor calmly turns a crank, shutting off the ringing; he just put the parking brake on to keep the TARDIS still. Clare discards her jacket, ready to head back out. However, the Doctor stops her, explaining that despite the infinite space there is inside the TARDIS, she shouldn't "go native" and start acting like him. Clara thanks him for the words.
 
[[File:Cass (Under the Lake).jpg|thumb|190x190px|Cass with Clara.]]
They return to the control room, where the Doctor is eager is go ghost hunting. However, Cass now has command without Pritchard in the way; she orders the base abandoned, so they can send down someone to take care of the ghosts. She then adds that the Doctor can stay and do his investigation at his own peril. O'Donnell contacts [[Topside]], only to learn a [[Morse code]] SOS was sent for a full medical team. The Doctor takes the phone and states his UNIT security visa; he tells Topside the Drum will be under quarantine.
 
When asked why he did that, the Doctor tells everyone that the ghosts made that call and ''"I'm pretty sure it's not so they can make a [[boy band]]."'' The ghosts want people here to kill, but the reason why is still unknown. Remembering the brilliance O'Donnell showed in returning the base to day mode, the Doctor tells her to change it back; they need to capture the ghosts and question them about their motives. He offers everyone the chance to leave, as it will be less of a burden to him; however, he adds that this could be a rare chance to understand something out of the norm. Everyone agrees to help; though Bennett sarcastically adds that they know he will come back to haunt them if he dies.
 
The plan is simple, use Lunn, Bennett and Clara as bait to lure the ghosts to the Faraday cage; the Doctor, Cass and O'Donnell will monitor things from the control room (being deaf, Cass cannot help with being bait as she cannot be prompted over the radio). Bennett finds the ghosts in the galley, yelling for their attention; they give chase as the Doctor tells him where to go over the radio. As soon as Bennett turns a corner opposite of Lunn, Lunn runs out and becomes the ghost's target. However, when it comes time to pass the ghosts off to Clara, only Moran and the Tivolian follow her; Pritchard is still following Lunn.
 
[[File:Pritchard Ghost.jpg|left|thumb|190x190px|Pritchard's ghost.]]
The Doctor attempts to get Lunn away to an area he can seal off, but Pritchard catches sight of him just as the door seals. The ghosts enter much to Lunn's horror; he cowers in a corner as the ghost leans in. However, it senses something off and leaves. Lunn tells the Doctor the oddity over the radio. Pritchard rejoins the other ghosts chasing Clara, as she passes them off to Bennett. Bennett makes it to the Faraday cage, where Clara is inside; however, when the ghosts go to attack, they pass right through her. It's a hologram of Clara, not the real thing.
 
The cage is sealed behind the ghosts by the Doctor, who tells them they need to talk. He sends what he's seeing through the [[sonic sunglasses]] back to the monitor in the control room; however, Cass cannot read the lips of the ghosts because of the glare of the window. Despite the protests of everyone, the Doctor enters the cage to give Cass a better look at the ghosts. Moran sticks his hand through the Doctor, who says it's cold before jovially asking if the ghost agrees. Without access to the controls or anything metal, the ghosts are no longer a threat. Cass now has a good view of the ghosts and finds they are repeating the same four words: the dark, the sword, the forsaken, the temple. The Doctor is confused for a moment but then has an epiphany.


A crew member named [[Tim Lunn|Lunn]] interprets the sign language of another crew member, [[Cass (Under the Lake)|Cass]], saying that the reason for its sudden appearance is due to underwater movement and shifts on the floor of the lake. Another crew member named [[Richard Pritchard|Pritchard]] recommends they discuss ownership the spaceship, prompting Moran to tell everybody to stop calling it a spaceship, as they don't know what it is.
[[File:Device underwater.jpg|thumb|200x200px|Bennett searches the flooded town.]]
Back in the control room, the Doctor explains that these words are coordinates that are leading to the flooded town outside the base. The meaning of the message is something he hasn't figured out; is it a call for help or an invasion signal. The Doctor then asks everyone if something is still bothering them; after a moment, Cass says it's the temple part of the message. The Doctor uses a map to reveal this message is pointing to an old church, where something commanding the ghosts is in waiting.


The crew enter, and Moran notices something inside the craft, asking Lunn to hand him a torch. Lunn does so, but glimpses [[Albar Prentis|a ghostly figure]] reflected in the glass. He reluctantly hands Moran the torch. Moran investigates four strange markings on the wall, whilst Lunn asks Cass why he shouldn't go inside. Whilst they bicker, Pritchard cries out as he glimpses the ghost, accidentally starting the engines. Moran pushes Cass out of the way of the boosters' range, but is struck by the blast, forcing the crew to retreat, leaving him behind.  
Bennett uses a remote-controlled exploration device to go through the flooded town to find the church. Inside the basement of the church lies the missing suspended stasis chamber.


[[Alice O'Donnell|O'Donnell]], another crew member, bangs on the sealed door, demanding they go back for Moran, but is told it is impossible by the rest of the crew. She yells at Pritchard for messing with the controls, but is interrupted as Cass screams. She turns, startled to see a ghostly Moran, with gaping back holes for eyes hovering in front of her. The same figure, named [[Albar Prentis]] appears, and the pair reach out to the crew...
The chamber is brought on-board, with everyone curious. To the annoyance of the Doctor, the chamber has a [[deadlock seal]], which means he can't open it with the [[sonic]]; whoever is inside is snoozing away, waiting to be rescued. With no answers, the Doctor decides to think back to when he first arrived to come to a conclusion. When he and Clara first arrived, the ghosts made no attempt to kill them; instead, they lead them to the ship and ''then'' attempted to kill them. It's at that moment, the Doctor has a realisation. He runs back into the ship and scans the symbols with the [[Sonic sunglasses]], muttering about how the TARDIS can't translate the writing.


3 days later, the facility is a wreck, being seemingly empty. The [[The Doctor's TARDIS|TARDIS]] appears, with [[Clara]], and [[Twelfth Doctor|the Doctor]] stepping out, with him realizing that they are in the [[22nd century]]. Going to the mess hall, they see that it has evidence of a fight with a knife stuck in a wall. The Doctor realizes that that took place very recently. In a corridor, they see the figures who simply examine them and leave.  
[[File:Under the Lake stasis chamber.jpg|left|thumb|190x190px|The Doctor ponders about all the mysteries the Drum has presented him with.]]
The Doctor walks out of the ship, asking Cass (the next smartest person in the room) if she feels something is still off. She tells him the writing in the ship; he explains they act like magnets, creating a localised magnetic field. The Doctor then asks Clara why he doesn't have a radio in the TARDIS; she explains he turned it into a clockwork squirrel. The Doctor says it's because he once got ''[[Mysterious Girl (song)|Mysterious Girl]]'' stuck in his head for two weeks; ''"I was begging for the brush of death's merciful hand."'' The Doctor calls the words an ear-worm, that quite literally rewrites the synapses in a person's brain. They were not surprised by the message, as it was already in their heads; it's also how the ghosts are getting created. They are not a natural occurrence.


In the hangar the Doctor and Clara find the spaceship and see the markings, which the TARDIS is unable to translate. The ghosts pick up axes and harpoons and attack them. They flee but the ghost follow them, albeit having to leave their weapons behind.  
Suddenly, the base starts acting up. O'Donnell explains that messing with the day mode of the base so much has caused the system to malfunction and assume the reactor is in danger of going critical. It's being flooded, which means unless they get to the TARDIS, they are stuck here with the ghosts. The Doctor, Bennett and O'Donnell are the only ones who make it to the other side of the base before the doors seal. He promises to come back for Clara. Back in the TARDIS, the Doctor says that he needs to go back [[Before the Flood (TV story)|before the flood]] to find out how all this started. Bennet and O'Donnell are stunned at being inside the TARDIS and it dematerialises.
 
{{video|The Doctor's Ghost - Under The Lake - Doctor Who - BBC|thumb|180x180px|A sign of impending doom...}}
In the galley, Clara tells Lunn that they need to wait for the Doctor. He always comes through, she usually has to put up with listening to how he did it. Lunn freaks out at something outside the window; its a ghost. However, all three are still in the cage. Clara takes a good look at it, instantly becoming horrified; It's the Doctor, only now a ghost himself...


== Cast ==
== Cast ==
Line 70: Line 121:
|1stAD=Scott Bates
|1stAD=Scott Bates
|2ndAD=Danielle Richards
|2ndAD=Danielle Richards
|3rdAD=Gareth Jones
|3rdAD=Gareth Jones (assistant director)
|AD=Chris Thomas
|AD=Chris Thomas (assistant director)
|AD2=Nick Goolding
|AD2=Nick Goolding
|Runner=
|Runner=
Line 100: Line 151:
|Driver=
|Driver=
|Driver2=
|Driver2=
|AssistantAccountant=Justine Weoff
|AssistantAccountant=Justine Wooff
|AssistantAccountant2=
|AssistantAccountant2=
|AssistantnAccountant3=
|AssistantnAccountant3=
Line 133: Line 184:
|Gaffer=Mark Hutchings
|Gaffer=Mark Hutchings
|BestBoy=Andrew Gardiner
|BestBoy=Andrew Gardiner
|Electrician=Andrew Williams
|Electrician=Andrew Williams (electrician)
|Electrician2=Bob Milton
|Electrician2=Bob Milton
|Electrician3=Gareth Sheldon
|Electrician3=Gareth Sheldon
Line 195: Line 246:
|Storeman=Jamie Southcott
|Storeman=Jamie Southcott
|ChiefPropMaster=
|ChiefPropMaster=
|PropMaster=
|PropMaster=Paul Smith (prop master)
|PropMaster=Paul Smith (prop master)
|PropertyMaster=
|PropertyMaster=
Line 234: Line 284:
|Carpenter6=George Rees
|Carpenter6=George Rees
|Carpenter7=Dan Berrow
|Carpenter7=Dan Berrow
|Carpenter8=Keith Richards
|Carpenter8=Keith Richards (carpenter)
|Carpenter9=Campbell Fraser
|Carpenter9=Campbell Fraser
|ConstructionDriver=Jonathan Tylke
|ConstructionDriver=Jonathan Tylke
Line 255: Line 305:
|CostumeAsst3=Jenny Tindle
|CostumeAsst3=Jenny Tindle
|CostumeTrainee=
|CostumeTrainee=
|Make-upSupervisor=Sara Anghard
|Make-upSupervisor=Sara Angharad
|Make-upArtist=Megan Bowes
|Make-upArtist=Megan Bowes
|Make-upArtist2=James Spinks
|Make-upArtist2=James Spinks
Line 381: Line 431:
|SeniorProductionAccountant=
|SeniorProductionAccountant=
|ProductionAccountant=Ceredig Parry
|ProductionAccountant=Ceredig Parry
|AssistantAccountant=Justine Wooff
|SoundRecordist=Deian Llŷr Humphreys
|SoundRecordist=Deian Llŷr Humphreys
|CostumeDesigner=Ray Holman
|CostumeDesigner=Ray Holman
Line 427: Line 476:
}}
}}


== References ==
=== Uncredited crew ===
{{uncred list
|MilkVFX cite = <ref name="Milk VFX">{{cite web|url=http://www.milk-vfx.com/project/dr-who-series-9-episode-4-before-the-flood/|title=Dr Who Series 9, Episode 3 & 4: Under The Lake & Before The Flood|website name=Milk VFX|accessdate=18 October 2018}}</ref>


|VFXProducer=Louise Hastings
|VFXSupervisor=Salvador Zalvidea
|2DSupervisor=Pedro Andrade
|CGSupervisor=Darren Byford
|VFXCoOrdinator=Sarah Williamson
|VFXEditor=Mark Bright
|VFXShootSupervisor=David Jones (visual effects)
|ModellingSupervisor=Sam Lucas
|RiggingSupervisor=Neil Roche
|MatchmoveSupervisor=Amy Felce
|AnimationLead=Rachel Ward
|FXSupervisor=James Reid
|DMPSupervisor=Simon Wicker
|Modeller=Jason Brown
|JuniorModeller=Gavin Platt
|FXTD=Dominic Carus
|FXTD2=Luca Zappala
|LightingTD=Bastien Mortelecque
|MattePainter=Doug Winder
|Compositor=Frederic Heymans
|Compositor2=Luciano Lopes
|Compositor3=Myfanwy Harris
|Compositor4=Rebecca Clay
|Compositor5=Tamsie Thomas
|Compositor6=Theajo Nagarajan
|JuniorCompositor=Alex Balmer
|JuniorCompositor2=Jay Murray
|JuniorCompositor3=Ross Allen
|JuniorCompositor4=Sarah Iduwe
|JuniorCompositor5=Daniel Long
|JuniorCompositor6=Marco Pileri
|JuniorCompositor7=Matteo Inchingolo
|JuniorCompositor8=Tomi George
|JuniorCompositor9=Vasco Cerqueira
}}
== Worldbuilding ==
=== Astronomy ===
=== Astronomy ===
* The ghosts refer to [[Orion's sword]].
* The ghosts refer to [[Orion's sword]].
* The [[Orion Nebula]], [[Orion]], [[Rigel (star)|Rigel]] and [[Betelgeuse]] are mentioned on a map of [[constellation]]s.
* The [[Orion Nebula]], [[Orion]], [[Rigel (star)|Rigel]], and [[Betelgeuse (star)|Betelgeuse]] are mentioned on a map of [[constellation]]s.


=== The Doctor ===
=== The Doctor ===
* The Doctor uses [[Apology cue cards|cue cards]] to give apologies.
* The Doctor uses [[Apology cue cards|cue cards]] to give apologies.
* The Doctor once converted his radio into a [[clockwork]] [[squirrel]].
* The Doctor once converted his radio into a [[clockwork]] [[squirrel]].
* The conversion occurred because he could not stand hearing the song "[[Mysterious Girl (song)|Mysterious Girl]]" by [[Peter Andre]] any longer. Apparently each morning his radio was tuned to an Earth broadcaster that played the song daily for two weeks, which caused the song to replay itself in his mind for the rest of the day.
* O'Donnell is familiar enough with the Doctor to call herself a fan (why this is so is not explained in this episode)


=== Technology ===
=== Technology ===
Line 447: Line 537:


=== Organisations ===
=== Organisations ===
* The [[Ministry of Defence]] and the [[British Army]] are mentioned, and stated to have had a facility where the [[Arcateenian hearse|spaceship]] found.
* The [[Ministry of Defence]] and the [[British Army]] are mentioned, and stated to have had a facility where the [[Arcateenian hearse|spaceship]] is found.
* [[Vector Petroleum]] is the company in charge of [[the Drum]].
* [[Vector Petroleum]] is the company in charge of [[the Drum]].
* [[UNIT]] is still operational.
* [[UNIT United Kingdom|UNIT]] is still operational. The Doctor states that his [[UNIT security visa]] is 7-1-0-Apple-0-0, which is enough for him to be recognised, implying UNIT still acknowledges the Doctor's authority. UNIT is also known enough for the Drum crew to recognize the name.
** The Doctor states that his [[UNIT security visa]] is 7-1-0-Apple-0-0, which is enough for him to be recognised despite it being more than a century into the future from when he is normally associated with UNIT.
* The Drum crew refer to their colleagues above the surface as "[[Topside]]."
* The Drum crew refer to their colleagues above the surface as "[[Topside]]."
* [[Drum Control]] is where the rest of the base is controlled.
* [[Drum Control]] is where the rest of the base is controlled.
Line 464: Line 553:


=== Languages ===
=== Languages ===
* The Doctor can no longer understand [[British Sign Language]]. He believes it has been deleted from the TARDIS language bank, along with [[semaphore]]. Despite this, he nonetheless correctly signs "you're beautiful" to Cass when he attempts to communicate with her and partially, and apparently unconsciously, partially signs the [[American Sign Language]] sign for "I love you" when speaking to Clara in the TARDIS about his "duty of care".
* The Doctor can no longer understand [[British Sign Language]]. He believes it has been deleted from the TARDIS language bank, and replaced by [[semaphore]]. Despite this, he nonetheless correctly signs "you're beautiful" to Cass when he attempts to communicate with her (although he thinks he's signing "go ahead").


=== Popular culture ===
=== Popular culture ===
* The Doctor states that he once had [[Peter Andre]]'s song "[[Mysterious Girl (song)|Mysterious Girl]]" stuck in his head for two weeks, and that it drove him mad.
* The Doctor states that he once had [[Peter Andre]]'s song "[[Mysterious Girl (song)|Mysterious Girl]]" stuck in his head for two weeks and that it drove him mad.
* Cass refers to the Doctor doing "the [[Cabin in the Woods]]" thing.
* Cass refers to the Doctor doing "the [[Cabin in the Woods]]" thing.


== Story notes ==
== Story notes ==
* The ''Radio Times'' programme listing was accompanied by a small colour head-and-shoulders shot of Morven Christie as O'Donnell, with the accompanying caption "Doctor Who / 8.25 p.m. / Could O'Donnell and her colleagues have fallen victim to undead beings?"
* The ''Radio Times'' programme listing was accompanied by a small colour head-and-shoulders shot of Morven Christie as O'Donnell, with the accompanying caption "Doctor Who / 8.25 p.m. / Could O'Donnell and her colleagues have fallen victim to undead beings?"
* The [[List of working titles|working title]] of the story (and the following episode) was ''Ghost in the Machine''. ([[DWM 492]])
* The [[List of working titles|working title]] of the story and the following episode was ''Ghost in the Machine''. ([[DWM 492]])
* This was the first episode since ''[[The Unicorn and the Wasp (TV story)|The Unicorn and the Wasp]]'' not to feature the [[sonic screwdriver]].
* This was the first episode since ''[[The Unicorn and the Wasp (TV story)|The Unicorn and the Wasp]]'' not to feature the [[the Doctor's sonic screwdriver|sonic screwdriver]].


=== Ratings ===
=== Ratings ===
* [[BBC One]] overnight: 3.74 million
* [[BBC One]] overnight: 3.74 million
* [[BBC America]] overnight: ''to be added''
* [[BBC America]] overnight: ''to be added''
* [[UK]] final ratings: 5.63 million
* [[UK]] final ratings: 5.63 million<ref>[http://guide.doctorwhonews.net/info.php?detail=ratings&type=date Ratings DW]</ref>
 
=== Filming locations ===


=== Production errors ===
=== Production errors ===
{{Discontinuity}}
{{Discontinuity}}
* Recordings of Prichard's drowning portray his words and movement slightly differently.
* Recordings of Prichard's drowning portray his words and movement slightly differently.
* When Clara and the Doctor run from the "ghosts" and are directed to run towards the Faraday cage (down a straight corridor), Jenna Coleman ducks below the camera.
* When Clara and the Doctor run from the "ghosts" and are directed to run towards the Faraday cage down a straight corridor, Jenna Coleman ducks below the camera.
* When the Doctor, Clara and the rest of the crew are in the Faraday cage, speech often doesn't match lip movements between shots.
* O'Donnell tells the Doctor the TARDIS is on the other side of the flood doors, yet the Doctor nor Clara have told her about it.
** It is shown that O'Donnell knows about the doctor and had previously used the Drums security cameras. It can be assumed she saw and recognised it.
* In the scene in which the crew watch Prichard's death, if you pause just before the water floods into the airlock, there is a single frame of a green screen replacing the water.
* In the second last shot in the episode, with Clara, Cass and Lunn looking outside, there is a boom microphone shadow right across Clara's face.
* As the Doctor is explaining to the crew about ghosts, between shots, his body position and the lighting change.


== Continuity ==
== Continuity ==
* The Doctor uses his [[sonic sunglasses]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Witch's Familiar (TV story)|The Witch's Familiar]]'')
* One of the ghosts was previously a [[Tivolian]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The God Complex (TV story)|The God Complex]]'')
* One of the ghosts was previously a [[Tivolian]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The God Complex (TV story)|The God Complex]]'')
* The Doctor has previously landed in an underwater base, in which he met with a crew that were tackling a threat that would re-animate the dead crew. ([[GAME]]: ''[[Shadows of the Vashta Nerada (video game)|Shadows of the Vashta Nerada]]'')
* The Doctor has previously landed in an underwater base, in which he met with a crew that were tackling a threat that would re-animate the dead crew. ([[GAME]]: ''[[Shadows of the Vashta Nerada (video game)|Shadows of the Vashta Nerada]]'')
* The Doctor uses his [[psychic paper]] as proof of ID. ([[TV]]: ''[[The End of the World (TV story)|The End of the World]]'' et al)
* One of the Doctor's apology cue cards says: "It was my fault, I should have known you didn't live in [[Aberdeen]]". The [[Fourth Doctor]] dropped [[Sarah Jane Smith]] off there rather than in [[South Croydon]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Hand of Fear (TV story)|The Hand of Fear]]'', ''[[School Reunion (TV story)|School Reunion]]'')
** The psychic paper tells the crew that the Doctor works for [[UNIT]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Spearhead from Space (TV story)|Spearhead from Space]]'' et al)
* When the Doctor goes back on his insistence that the phantoms of the dead aren't ghosts, he notes that they aren't [[Ganger|flesh avatars]], ([[TV]]: ''[[The Rebel Flesh (TV story)|The Rebel Flesh]]'') [[Auton]]s, ([[TV]]: ''[[Spearhead from Space (TV story)|Spearhead from Space]]'') or "digital copies bouncing around the [[Nethersphere]]". ([[TV]]: ''[[Dark Water (TV story)|Dark Water]]'')
* One of the Doctor's apology cue cards says: "It was my fault, I should have known you didn't live in [[Aberdeen]]". The [[Fourth Doctor]] dropped [[Sarah Jane Smith]] off there rather than in [[South Croydon]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Hand of Fear (TV story)|The Hand of Fear]]'', ''[[School Reunion (TV story)|School Reunion]]'')
* Clara tries to "[[high five|high-five]]" the Doctor. ([[TV]]: ''[[Hide (TV story)|Hide]]'')
* Another of the cue cards says: "No one is going to be eaten / vapourised / exterminated / upgraded / possessed / mortally wounded / turned to jelly. We'll all get out of this unharmed." "Exterminated" is a reference to the [[Dalek]]s, ([[TV]]: ''[[The Daleks (TV story)|The Daleks]]'' et.al.) "upgraded" is a reference to the [[Cybermen]], ([[TV]]: ''[[Rise of the Cybermen (TV story)|Rise of the Cybermen]]'' et.al.) and "possessed" is a reference to various races and beings. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Impossible Planet (TV story)|The Impossible Planet]]''/''[[The Satan Pit (TV story)|The Satan Pit]]'' et al)
* The Doctor claims to no longer understand British Sign Language. He could previously understand sign language in his [[Seventh Doctor|seventh incarnation]]. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[SLEEPY (novel)|SLEEPY]]'')
* When the Doctor goes back on his insistence that the phantoms of the dead aren't ghosts, he notes that they aren't [[Ganger|flesh avatars]], ([[TV]]: ''[[The Rebel Flesh (TV story)|The Rebel Flesh]]''/''[[The Almost People (TV story)|The Almost People]]'') [[Auton]]s, ([[TV]]: ''[[Spearhead from Space (TV story)|Spearhead from Space]]'' et.al.) or "digital copies bouncing around the [[Nethersphere]]". ([[TV]]: ''[[Dark Water (TV story)|Dark Water]]''/''[[Death in Heaven (TV story)|Death in Heaven]]'')
* At some point the Doctor knew sign language, but deleted his knowledge of it from his mind. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Timewyrm: Genesys (novel)|Timewyrm: Genesys]]'')
* The [[Cloister Bell]] alerts the Doctor to a threat to the TARDIS. ([[TV]]: ''[[Logopolis (TV story)|Logopolis]]'', ''[[Resurrection of the Daleks (TV story)|Resurrection of the Daleks]]'' et al)
* The Doctor indirectly refers to [[Danny Pink]] ([[TV]]: ''[[Into the Dalek (TV story)|Into the Dalek]]'', et al) when suggesting Clara begin a new relationship.
* Clara has previously stated that she doesn't believe in ghosts ([[TV]]: ''[[The Snowmen (TV story)|The Snowmen]]''), and she and the [[Eleventh Doctor]] once investigated another "haunting" that turned out to be non-ghost in nature ([[TV]]: ''[[Hide (TV story)|Hide]]'').
* Clara tries to "high-five" the Doctor. ([[TV]]: ''[[Hide (TV story)|Hide]]'')


== Home video releases ==
== Home video releases ==


=== DVD releases ===
=== DVD & Blu-ray releases ===
''Under the Lake'' was released on DVD as part of "Doctor Who: Series 9, Part 1" on [[November (releases)|November 2]] in region 2 and November 3 in region 1.
<gallery position="center" captionalign="center" hideaddbutton="true">
File:Complete 9th Series UK Cover.jpg|The Complete Series 9
File:Series 9 Part 1 UK DVD Cover.jpg|Series 9 Part 1 DVD Cover
</gallery>


=== Blu-ray releases ===
* ''Under the Lake'' was released as part of the Series 9, Part One DVD and Blu-ray boxsets in region 1/A on [[3 November (releases)|3 November]] [[2015 (releases)|2015]], in region 2/B on [[2 November (releases)|2 November]] 2015 and in region 4/B on [[4 November (releases)|4 November]] 2015.
''Under the Lake'' was released on Blu-ray as part of "Doctor Who: Series 9, Part 1" on [[November (releases)|November 2]] in region 2 and November 3 in region 1.
* It was later released as part of the Complete Ninth Series DVD and Blu-ray boxsets in region 1/A on [[5 April (releases)|5 April]] [[2016 (releases)|2016]], in region 2/B on [[7 March (releases)|7 March]] 2016 and in region 4/B on [[9 March (releases)|9 March]] 2016.


===Digital releases===
* In the United Kingdom, this story is available on [[BBC iPlayer]].
== External links ==
== External links ==
Transcript of ''[http://www.chakoteya.net/DoctorWho/35-3.html Under the Lake]'' at [http://www.chakoteya.net Chrissie's Transcripts Site]{{DWTV}}
Transcript of ''[http://www.chakoteya.net/DoctorWho/35-3.html Under the Lake]'' at [http://www.chakoteya.net Chrissie's Transcripts Site]
 
== Footnotes ==
{{reflist}}
 
{{DWTV}}
{{TitleSort}}
{{TitleSort}}
{{cat|Doctor Who (2005) television stories}}
{{cat|Doctor Who (2005) television stories}}
{{cat|2015 television stories}}
{{cat|Twelfth Doctor television stories}}
[[cy:Under the Lake (stori deledu)]]
[[it:Under the Lake (TV)]]


[[Category:Series 9 (Doctor Who) stories]]
[[Category:Stories set in Scotland]]
[[Category:Stories set in 2119]]
[[Category:2015 television stories]]


[[cy:Under the Lake (stori deledu)]]
[[de:279 - Under the Lake]]
[[de:279 - Under the Lake]]
[[es:Under the Lake]]
[[es:Under the Lake]]
[[fr:Under the Lake (TV)]]
[[fr:Under the Lake (TV)]]
[[he:מתחת לאגם (סיפור טלוויזיה)]]
[[it:Under the Lake (TV)]]
[[ru:На дне озера]]
[[ru:На дне озера]]
[[Category:Series 9 (Doctor Who) stories]]
[[Category:Stories set in Scotland]]
[[Category:Stories set in 2119]]
[[Category:Television stories that use Murray Gold's 5th main theme]]

Latest revision as of 01:07, 22 October 2024

RealWorld.png

You may be looking for the episode of Doctor Who that exists within the DWU.

Under the Lake was the third episode of series 9 of Doctor Who.

It saw the series revisit the concept of ghosts and hauntings, last explored in the television story Hide in 2013. The episode poses another explanation for the apparitions, in this case as resurrected transmitters of an alien presence's signal. It also continued the thematic concept of the Doctor apparently facing death, with the end of the episode setting up yet another opportunity for the Doctor to reflect on his mortality.

Synopsis[[edit] | [edit source]]

Arriving on an underwater base under attack, it's up to the Twelfth Doctor and Clara to save the frightened crew. But also onboard is an alien spaceship, and the base is being haunted by the most impossible of things.

The Doctor's deepest beliefs are challenged when he encounters something he cannot explain. Can it really be possible? Can ghosts be real?

Plot[[edit] | [edit source]]

In an underwater mining facility based in Scotland, 2119, designated the Drum, the captain, Moran, is recording a log in his journal. Moran states that the team has discovered a small craft located on the bank, and, as they are unable to analyse it from within the base, they have brought it inside, where he and the crew will investigate.

A crew member named Lunn interprets the sign language of another crew member, Cass, saying that the reason for its sudden appearance is due to underwater movement and shifts on the floor of the lake. Another crew member named Pritchard recommends they discuss ownership of the spaceship, prompting Moran to tell everybody to stop calling it a spaceship, as they don't know what it is. Bennett, another of the crew, is adamant that it's not technology that could have existed back in the 1980s.

The crew enter, and Moran notices something inside the craft, asking Lunn to hand him a torch. Lunn does so, but glimpses a ghostly figure reflected in the glass. He reluctantly hands Moran the torch. Moran investigates four strange markings on the wall, whilst Lunn asks Cass why he shouldn't go inside. Whilst they bicker, Pritchard cries out as he glimpses the ghost, accidentally starting the engines. Moran pushes Cass out of the way of the boosters' range but is struck by the blast, forcing the crew to retreat, leaving him behind.

O'Donnell, another crew member, bangs on the sealed door, demanding they go back for Moran, but is told it is impossible by the rest of the crew. She yells at Pritchard for messing with the controls but is interrupted as Cass screams. She turns, startled to see a ghostly Moran, with gaping back holes for eyes hovering in front of her. The same figure named Albar Prentis appears, and the pair reaches out to the crew...

Three days later, the facility is a wreck, being seemingly empty. The TARDIS appears, with the Doctor stepping out, realising that they are in the 22nd century. The Doctor notes that the TARDIS is in a foul mood as if something nearby is upsetting her. Laughing, Clara pops her head out of the TARDIS, asking if they can go back to the planet where people with long necks have been celebrating New Year's for two centuries; she left her sunglasses and most of her dignity there. Still amused, Clara accuses the Doctor of "itching" to save a planet. He smiles back, deciding to check out the area.

They investigate the mess hall, which has evidence of a really bad fight with utensils and furniture throw about. Finding a knife lodged in a wall, the Doctor tells Clara that she got her wish for a mystery. She wonders how long the place has been empty since many supplies are missing from the mess hall stock. The Doctor sticks his finger in a mug of coffee, explaining that the fight happened right hours ago.

They resume searching for a crew, finding the two ghosts kneeling in the corridors. The Doctor calls out to them and the two ghosts approach, startling the duo. Clara is calmed by the Doctor, who thinks that the ghosts are only curious about them; the ghosts walk down the corridor and through a wall. The Doctor and Clara follow, finding themselves in the hanger; Clara wonders about the strange vessel the crew found, thinking it could be a government project from this era. However, the Doctor confirms that it's alien in nature. They go inside, finding it undisturbed since the crew first investigated; they find the strange writing on the wall. The Doctor is shocked by this, as it isn't being translated by the TARDIS translation circuit.

However, before he can ponder this further, Clara draws his attention to the outside of the ship, where the ghosts have reappeared. The Doctor greets them warmly, wondering if they wanted them to see this strange writing. The ghosts do not respond, only walking over to a wall to grab weapons. Clara notes that this is not going well. The Doctor wonders if Clara said anything to offend them, as she once even got into a fight with Gandhi. Moran fires a harpoon gun at them but misses. The Doctor and Clara run out of the hanger; the ghosts follow them through the walls but are forced to leave their armaments behind as they are not intangible like them.

Now back in the corridors, they run away from the ghosts. At the end of the corridor, O'Donnell opens a door, yelling for them to enter. They comply and the door is slammed behind them. The room is filled with living supplies and the remaining six members of the crew. A smug man by the name of Pritchard tells them that if they don't work for Vector Petroleum, they are in big trouble. The Doctor brandishes the psychic paper and introduces himself and Clara. Shocked by what he sees on the psychic paper, Pritchard yelps that they're from UNIT; "Well, if that's what it says." the Doctor passively says. O'Donnell shakes his hand, happy to meet a Doctor. The Doctor asks what the ghosts are, dismissing the idea they are ghosts; he asks to know who's in charge, so he can ignore them. Lunn explains that Cass is, but Pritchard claims to be as he's from management.

The Doctor ignores Pritchard, asking what happened; Lunn begins translating for Cass, but the Doctor tells him that he can understand sign language. Cass begins explaining, but the Doctor asks her to stop; he thinks he deleted sign language from the TARDIS for Semaphore. Lunn resumes translating; the mole alien killed Moran as soon as the ship got brought on board and the ghosts have pretty much been trying to kill them since. The crew hide out here in the Faraday cage as the ghosts cannot enter it for some reason. The Doctor notes how odd it is for the alien ghost to be aggressive as Tivolians are so cowardly, "They wouldn't even say boo to a goose." A recorded voice announces that day mode is on. Everyone starts leaving the room, confusing the Doctor; O'Donnell explains that the ghosts only come out at night.

Everyone returns to the hanger, with the Doctor curious as to why they haven't abandoned the base. Pritchard takes credit for that, explaining Vector Petroleum would lose tons of money if they abandoned the base. The Doctor calls Pritchard an idiot for not valuing human life over money; he recaps the entire ridiculous situation, sarcastically asking if anyone has a peanut allergy. The Doctor goes back into the ship, asking where the missing parts are; this confuses the crew as they haven't touched the ship since they brought it on board. The Doctor explains that a power cell is missing and so is the suspended animation chamber for the pilot. He begins to ramble on what he's observed about the ghosts, grinning more and more as he comes to a conclusion. Clara, having caught on to his train of thought, wonders if he's actually thinking...

"They're ghosts!" the Doctor exclaims back in the control room. Clara points out that he completely shot down the idea of ghosts. However, the Doctor counters Clara, telling her that there were no such things as socks, smartphones or badgers until they suddenly did exist. He further explains these things are not Autons, Flesh avatars or Nethersphere copies; these people are actually, truly dead beings. Met with silence, the Doctor wonders why everyone is staring at him; they explain Moran was their friend. Clara tells him to bring out his cards. Realising Clara is right, the Doctor pulls out a stack of cards with kind and apologetic things written on them.

Annoyed the Doctor is taking too long, Clara takes the right one out and the Doctor reads it off, promising to solve Moran's murder. With that done, the Doctor resumes being excited at the idea of wrestling down a ghost and asking it questions about what it's state of existence is like. He does note he subconsciously noticed the ghost can only handle metal objects. Suddenly, the base announces that it's going back into night mode.

As the others prepare to return to the Faraday cage, O'Donnell notices Pritchard is missing and yells over the speakers for him to get to safety. However, Pritchard was out searching for the missing power cell; greedy, he wanted to find it to gain favour with his employers, along with the rest of the alien tech. Taking off his diving helmet in the decompression chamber, Pritchard notices a figure outside and assumes it's Bennett. However, to his horror, it's Moran and the Tivolian. Before Pritchard has a chance to put his helmet back on, Moran opens the gate and water starts rushing in.

In the galley, Clara and Bennett, while gathering supplies, notice Pritchard is in the room with them, with his back turned to them. They then notice a corpse floating outside the window; Bennett begins shouting there was a man overboard, but Clara stops him as the corpse rotates to reveal it as Pritchard. Right as Pritchard picks up a chair to attack them with, the base suddenly goes back into day mode; O'Donnell managed to fix the problem and restore the system to normal. Back in the control room, everyone watches footage of Pritchard's death. The Doctor notes the ghosts got smarter; they've figured out how to use the base to kill since the Faraday cage keeps them out. Since they can only come out at night, they reprogrammed the base's timer to trick everyone into a false sense of security.

The Cloister Bell begins ringing from the TARDIS. The Doctor and Clara race back inside, where the lights in the control room are flashing red in rhythm of the ringing of the bell. Clara is confused; the Doctor explains "you live and you die; those ghosts are a contradiction." This is why the TARDIS was upset when they got here; she wants to get away from the ghosts. Clara asks him what they should do. The Doctor calmly turns a crank, shutting off the ringing; he just put the parking brake on to keep the TARDIS still. Clare discards her jacket, ready to head back out. However, the Doctor stops her, explaining that despite the infinite space there is inside the TARDIS, she shouldn't "go native" and start acting like him. Clara thanks him for the words.

Cass with Clara.

They return to the control room, where the Doctor is eager is go ghost hunting. However, Cass now has command without Pritchard in the way; she orders the base abandoned, so they can send down someone to take care of the ghosts. She then adds that the Doctor can stay and do his investigation at his own peril. O'Donnell contacts Topside, only to learn a Morse code SOS was sent for a full medical team. The Doctor takes the phone and states his UNIT security visa; he tells Topside the Drum will be under quarantine.

When asked why he did that, the Doctor tells everyone that the ghosts made that call and "I'm pretty sure it's not so they can make a boy band." The ghosts want people here to kill, but the reason why is still unknown. Remembering the brilliance O'Donnell showed in returning the base to day mode, the Doctor tells her to change it back; they need to capture the ghosts and question them about their motives. He offers everyone the chance to leave, as it will be less of a burden to him; however, he adds that this could be a rare chance to understand something out of the norm. Everyone agrees to help; though Bennett sarcastically adds that they know he will come back to haunt them if he dies.

The plan is simple, use Lunn, Bennett and Clara as bait to lure the ghosts to the Faraday cage; the Doctor, Cass and O'Donnell will monitor things from the control room (being deaf, Cass cannot help with being bait as she cannot be prompted over the radio). Bennett finds the ghosts in the galley, yelling for their attention; they give chase as the Doctor tells him where to go over the radio. As soon as Bennett turns a corner opposite of Lunn, Lunn runs out and becomes the ghost's target. However, when it comes time to pass the ghosts off to Clara, only Moran and the Tivolian follow her; Pritchard is still following Lunn.

Pritchard's ghost.

The Doctor attempts to get Lunn away to an area he can seal off, but Pritchard catches sight of him just as the door seals. The ghosts enter much to Lunn's horror; he cowers in a corner as the ghost leans in. However, it senses something off and leaves. Lunn tells the Doctor the oddity over the radio. Pritchard rejoins the other ghosts chasing Clara, as she passes them off to Bennett. Bennett makes it to the Faraday cage, where Clara is inside; however, when the ghosts go to attack, they pass right through her. It's a hologram of Clara, not the real thing.

The cage is sealed behind the ghosts by the Doctor, who tells them they need to talk. He sends what he's seeing through the sonic sunglasses back to the monitor in the control room; however, Cass cannot read the lips of the ghosts because of the glare of the window. Despite the protests of everyone, the Doctor enters the cage to give Cass a better look at the ghosts. Moran sticks his hand through the Doctor, who says it's cold before jovially asking if the ghost agrees. Without access to the controls or anything metal, the ghosts are no longer a threat. Cass now has a good view of the ghosts and finds they are repeating the same four words: the dark, the sword, the forsaken, the temple. The Doctor is confused for a moment but then has an epiphany.

Bennett searches the flooded town.

Back in the control room, the Doctor explains that these words are coordinates that are leading to the flooded town outside the base. The meaning of the message is something he hasn't figured out; is it a call for help or an invasion signal. The Doctor then asks everyone if something is still bothering them; after a moment, Cass says it's the temple part of the message. The Doctor uses a map to reveal this message is pointing to an old church, where something commanding the ghosts is in waiting.

Bennett uses a remote-controlled exploration device to go through the flooded town to find the church. Inside the basement of the church lies the missing suspended stasis chamber.

The chamber is brought on-board, with everyone curious. To the annoyance of the Doctor, the chamber has a deadlock seal, which means he can't open it with the sonic; whoever is inside is snoozing away, waiting to be rescued. With no answers, the Doctor decides to think back to when he first arrived to come to a conclusion. When he and Clara first arrived, the ghosts made no attempt to kill them; instead, they lead them to the ship and then attempted to kill them. It's at that moment, the Doctor has a realisation. He runs back into the ship and scans the symbols with the Sonic sunglasses, muttering about how the TARDIS can't translate the writing.

The Doctor ponders about all the mysteries the Drum has presented him with.

The Doctor walks out of the ship, asking Cass (the next smartest person in the room) if she feels something is still off. She tells him the writing in the ship; he explains they act like magnets, creating a localised magnetic field. The Doctor then asks Clara why he doesn't have a radio in the TARDIS; she explains he turned it into a clockwork squirrel. The Doctor says it's because he once got Mysterious Girl stuck in his head for two weeks; "I was begging for the brush of death's merciful hand." The Doctor calls the words an ear-worm, that quite literally rewrites the synapses in a person's brain. They were not surprised by the message, as it was already in their heads; it's also how the ghosts are getting created. They are not a natural occurrence.

Suddenly, the base starts acting up. O'Donnell explains that messing with the day mode of the base so much has caused the system to malfunction and assume the reactor is in danger of going critical. It's being flooded, which means unless they get to the TARDIS, they are stuck here with the ghosts. The Doctor, Bennett and O'Donnell are the only ones who make it to the other side of the base before the doors seal. He promises to come back for Clara. Back in the TARDIS, the Doctor says that he needs to go back before the flood to find out how all this started. Bennet and O'Donnell are stunned at being inside the TARDIS and it dematerialises.

▶︎
YouTube
180x180px

In the galley, Clara tells Lunn that they need to wait for the Doctor. He always comes through, she usually has to put up with listening to how he did it. Lunn freaks out at something outside the window; its a ghost. However, all three are still in the cage. Clara takes a good look at it, instantly becoming horrified; It's the Doctor, only now a ghost himself...

Cast[[edit] | [edit source]]

Crew[[edit] | [edit source]]

General production staff

Script department

Camera and lighting department

Art department

Costume department

Make-up and prosthetics

Movement

Casting

General post-production staff

Special and visual effects

Sound



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


Uncredited crew[[edit] | [edit source]]

Worldbuilding[[edit] | [edit source]]

Astronomy[[edit] | [edit source]]

The Doctor[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • The Doctor uses cue cards to give apologies.
  • The Doctor once converted his radio into a clockwork squirrel.
  • The conversion occurred because he could not stand hearing the song "Mysterious Girl" by Peter Andre any longer. Apparently each morning his radio was tuned to an Earth broadcaster that played the song daily for two weeks, which caused the song to replay itself in his mind for the rest of the day.
  • O'Donnell is familiar enough with the Doctor to call herself a fan (why this is so is not explained in this episode)

Technology[[edit] | [edit source]]

Organisations[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • The Ministry of Defence and the British Army are mentioned, and stated to have had a facility where the spaceship is found.
  • Vector Petroleum is the company in charge of the Drum.
  • UNIT is still operational. The Doctor states that his UNIT security visa is 7-1-0-Apple-0-0, which is enough for him to be recognised, implying UNIT still acknowledges the Doctor's authority. UNIT is also known enough for the Drum crew to recognize the name.
  • The Drum crew refer to their colleagues above the surface as "Topside."
  • Drum Control is where the rest of the base is controlled.

Individuals[[edit] | [edit source]]

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

  • A cup of coffee is seen on a table; the Doctor is able to work out how long it's been there by tasting it.
  • Clara states that the Doctor raved about ghosts "like a kid who has had too much sherbet."

Languages[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • The Doctor can no longer understand British Sign Language. He believes it has been deleted from the TARDIS language bank, and replaced by semaphore. Despite this, he nonetheless correctly signs "you're beautiful" to Cass when he attempts to communicate with her (although he thinks he's signing "go ahead").

Popular culture[[edit] | [edit source]]

Story notes[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • The Radio Times programme listing was accompanied by a small colour head-and-shoulders shot of Morven Christie as O'Donnell, with the accompanying caption "Doctor Who / 8.25 p.m. / Could O'Donnell and her colleagues have fallen victim to undead beings?"
  • The working title of the story and the following episode was Ghost in the Machine. (DWM 492)
  • This was the first episode since The Unicorn and the Wasp not to feature the sonic screwdriver.

Ratings[[edit] | [edit source]]

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

If you'd like to talk about narrative problems with this story — like plot holes and things that seem to contradict other stories — please go to this episode's discontinuity discussion.
  • Recordings of Prichard's drowning portray his words and movement slightly differently.
  • When Clara and the Doctor run from the "ghosts" and are directed to run towards the Faraday cage down a straight corridor, Jenna Coleman ducks below the camera.
  • When the Doctor, Clara and the rest of the crew are in the Faraday cage, speech often doesn't match lip movements between shots.
  • O'Donnell tells the Doctor the TARDIS is on the other side of the flood doors, yet the Doctor nor Clara have told her about it.
    • It is shown that O'Donnell knows about the doctor and had previously used the Drums security cameras. It can be assumed she saw and recognised it.
  • In the scene in which the crew watch Prichard's death, if you pause just before the water floods into the airlock, there is a single frame of a green screen replacing the water.
  • In the second last shot in the episode, with Clara, Cass and Lunn looking outside, there is a boom microphone shadow right across Clara's face.
  • As the Doctor is explaining to the crew about ghosts, between shots, his body position and the lighting change.

Continuity[[edit] | [edit source]]

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

DVD & Blu-ray releases[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • The Complete Series 9

    The Complete Series 9

  • Series 9 Part 1 DVD Cover

    Series 9 Part 1 DVD Cover

  • Under the Lake was released as part of the Series 9, Part One DVD and Blu-ray boxsets in region 1/A on 3 November 2015, in region 2/B on 2 November 2015 and in region 4/B on 4 November 2015.
  • It was later released as part of the Complete Ninth Series DVD and Blu-ray boxsets in region 1/A on 5 April 2016, in region 2/B on 7 March 2016 and in region 4/B on 9 March 2016.

Digital releases[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • In the United Kingdom, this story is available on BBC iPlayer.

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

Transcript of Under the Lake at Chrissie's Transcripts Site

Footnotes[[edit] | [edit source]]

  1. ↑ Dr Who Series 9, Episode 3 & 4: Under The Lake & Before The Flood. Milk VFX. Retrieved on 18 October 2018.
  2. ↑ Ratings DW
v • e
Doctor Who television stories
 
Seasons 1-4: William Hartnell
Season 1: 1963-1964
Season 2: 1964-1965
Season 3: 1965-1966
Season 4: 1966
 
Seasons 4-6: Patrick Troughton
Season 4: 1966-1967
Season 5: 1967-1968
Season 6: 1968-1969
 
Seasons 7-11: Jon Pertwee
Season 7: 1970
Season 8: 1971
Season 9: 1972
Season 10: 1972-1973
Season 11: 1973-1974
 
Seasons 12-18: Tom Baker
Season 12: 1974-1975
Season 13: 1975-1976
Season 14: 1976-1977
Season 15: 1977-1978
Season 16: 1978-1979
Season 17: 1979-1980
Season 18: 1980-1981
 
Seasons 19-21: Peter Davison
Season 19: 1982
Season 20: 1983
Children in Need 1983
Season 21: 1984
 
Seasons 21-23: Colin Baker
Season 21: 1984
Season 22: 1985
Season 23: 1986
 
Seasons 24-26: Sylvester McCoy
Season 24: 1987
Season 25: 1988-1989
Season 26: 1989
 
TV Movie & 2013 specials: Paul McGann
TV Movie: 1996
Specials: 2013
Minisodes
 
Series 1: Christopher Eccleston
Series 1: 2005
Regular episodes
 
Series 2-4: David Tennant
Series 2: 2005-2006
Minisode
Christmas Special
Regular episodes
Series 3: 2006-2007
Christmas Special
Regular episodes
Animated special
Series 4: 2007-2010
Minisode
Christmas Special
Regular episodes
Minisodes
Animated special
Seasonal specials
 
Series 5-2013 specials: Matt Smith
Series 5: 2010
Regular episodes
Series 6: 2010-2011
Christmas Special
Minisodes
Regular episodes
(Part 1: Apr 2011)
Regular episodes
(Part 2: Aug 2011)
Minisode
Series 7: 2011-2013
Christmas Special
Minisodes
Regular episodes
(Part 1: 2012)
Minisode
Christmas Special
Regular episodes
(Part 2: 2013)
Specials: 2013
 
Series 8-10: Peter Capaldi
Series 8: 2014
Regular episodes
Series 9: 2014-2015
Christmas Special
Minisode
Regular episodes
Christmas Special
Series 10: 2016-2017
Christmas Special
Regular episodes
Christmas Special
 
Series 11-13: Jodie Whittaker
Series 11: 2018-2019
Regular episodes
New Year Special
Series 12: 2020-2021
Regular episodes
New Year Special
Series 13: 2021
Minisodes
Regular episodes
Seasonal specials
 
60th Anniversary Specials: David Tennant
Specials: 2023
Minisodes
60th Anniversary Specials
 
Season 1 (2023)-present: Ncuti Gatwa
Season 1: 2023-2024
Christmas Special
Regular episodes
Retrieved from "https://tardis.wiki/w/index.php?title=Under_the_Lake_(TV_story)&oldid=3877611"