The Magician's Apprentice (TV story): Difference between revisions

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{{real world}}
{{real world}}
{{ImageLinkTV}}
{{ImageLinkTV}}
{{Infobox Story
{{Infobox Story SMW
|image          = Twelve and Davros.jpg
|image          = Twelve and Davros.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 = 1
|series episode number = 1
|story number    = 254a
|story number    = 254a
|doctor          = Twelfth Doctor
|doctor          = Twelfth Doctor
|companions      = [[Clara Oswald|Clara]]
|companions      = [[Clara Oswald|Clara]]
|featuring      = [[Kate Stewart|Kate]], {{Gomez}}, [[Ohila]]
|featuring      = Missy
|enemy          = [[Colony Sarff]], [[Davros]], [[Dalek]]s
|featuring2      = Kate Stewart
|featuring3      = Jac (The Magician's Apprentice)
|featuring4      = Bors (The Doctor's Meditation)
|featuring5      = Ohila
|featuring6      = Shadow Architect
|enemy          = [[Davros]]
|setting        = {{il|[[London]], [[2010s]]|[[Essex]], [[1138]]|[[Skaro]]}}
|setting        = {{il|[[London]], [[2010s]]|[[Essex]], [[1138]]|[[Skaro]]}}
|writer          = [[Steven Moffat]]
|writer          = Steven Moffat
|director        = [[Hettie MacDonald]]
|director        = [[Hettie MacDonald]]
|producer        = [[Peter Bennett]]
|producer        = [[Peter Bennett]]
|broadcast date  = [[19 September (releases)|19 September]] [[2015 (releases)|2015]]
|confidential    =
|network        = [[BBC One]]
|confidential2  =
|format          = 1x45 minute episode
|confidential3  =
|confidential4  =
|broadcast date  = 19 September 2015
|network        = BBC One
|format          = 1x45 minute episode;<br/>Part 1 of 2
|scripturl      = http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/scripts/DW9-EP1-The-Magicians-Apprentice.pdf
|scripturl      = http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/scripts/DW9-EP1-The-Magicians-Apprentice.pdf
|prev            = Last Christmas (TV story)
|prev            = Last Christmas (TV story)
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|bts2            = Colony Sarff - Doctor Who Extra Series 2 Episode 1 (2015) - BBC
|bts2            = Colony Sarff - Doctor Who Extra Series 2 Episode 1 (2015) - BBC
|bts3            = The Doctor's Guitar - Doctor Who Extra Series 2 Episode 1 (2015) - BBC
|bts3            = The Doctor's Guitar - Doctor Who Extra Series 2 Episode 1 (2015) - BBC
}}{{you may|The Sorcerer's Apprentice (novel)|n1=The Sorcerer's Apprentice}}
}}{{you may|The Magician's Apprentice (in-universe)|n1=the episode as it exists within the DWU|The Sorcerer's Apprentice (novel)|n2=The Sorcerer's Apprentice}}
'''''{{StoryTitle}}''''' was the first episode of [[Series 9 (Doctor Who)|series 9]] of ''[[Doctor Who]]''. It was written by [[Steven Moffat]], directed by [[Hettie MacDonald]] and featured [[Peter Capaldi]] as the [[Twelfth Doctor]] and [[Jenna-Louise Coleman|Jenna Coleman]] as [[Clara Oswald]].
'''''The Magician's Apprentice''''' was the first episode of [[Series 9 (Doctor Who 2005)|series 9]] of ''[[Doctor Who]]''.


It saw the return of [[Kate Stewart]] and {{gomez}}, as well as [[Davros]], who was shown prior to his disfigurement for the first time on television. In the [[Doctor Who Extra]] for this episode, Steven Moffat explained that he liked the logic of how the Master always managed to somehow come back again to fight the Doctor, despite most of their past encounters seemingly ended with the Master succumbing to a fatal accident or facing hostile aliens.
It saw the return of [[Davros]] after [[TV]]: ''[[Journey's End (TV story)|Journey's End]]'' in [[2008 (releases)|2008]], who was shown prior to his disfigurement for the first time on television. However, it was not the first story to depict Davros as a [[child]]. [[Big Finish Productions]]' ''[[I, Davros]]'' chronicled his rise to becoming the leader of the [[Scientific Elite]], starting in his early [[Adolescence|teenage years]]. The episode gives no explanation as to how Davros managed to survive after the events of ''Journey's End'', nor when the Doctor discovered he had done so.


The episode shows the first encounter between Davros and the Twelfth Doctor, as well as the first televised encounter between the two of them since their meeting during the Doctor's [[Tenth Doctor|tenth incarnation]]. The episode gives no explanation as to how Davros managed to survive after the events of ''[[Journey's End (TV story)|Journey's End]]'', nor when the Doctor discovered he had done so.
The episode also placed the Twelfth Doctor in a moral dilemma that he himself had brought up many years ago in his [[Fourth Doctor|fourth incarnation]] in [[TV]]: ''[[Genesis of the Daleks (TV story)|Genesis of the Daleks]]'': ''"If someone who knew the future pointed out a child to you and told you that that child would grow up totally evil, to be a ruthless dictator who would destroy millions of lives, could you then kill that child?"'', with the Doctor coming face to face not only with Davros in the present but also as a child in the past.
 
The episode also placed the Twelfth Doctor in a moral dilemma that he himself had brought up many years ago in his [[Fourth Doctor|fourth incarnation]] in the television story ''[[Genesis of the Daleks (TV story)|Genesis of the Daleks]]'': "If someone who knew the future pointed out a child to you and told you that that child would grow up totally evil, to be a ruthless dictator who would destroy millions of lives, could you then kill that child?", with the Doctor coming face to face not only with Davros in the present, but also as a child in the past.
 
However, it was not the first story to depict Davros as a child. [[Big Finish Productions]]' ''[[I, Davros]]'' chronicled his rise to becoming leader of the [[Scientific Elite]], starting in his early teenage years.


== Synopsis ==
== Synopsis ==
The serpentine [[Colony Sarff]] has searched the entire universe for the Doctor, to give him the final message of [[Davros]]; however, the [[Time Lord-Vampire War|Time Lord]] is nowhere to be found.
The serpentine [[Colony Sarff]] has searched the entire universe for the Doctor, to give him the final message of [[Davros]]; however, the [[Time Lord]] is nowhere to be found.


This is quite serious, as not even the Doctor's closest frenemy, [[The Master|Missy]], is able to find him as well. Adding onto this is the fact she was given his [[Confession dial]], which in human terms is the last will and testament of the Doctor...
This is quite serious, as not even the Doctor's closest [[frenemy]], [[Missy]], is able to find him. Adding onto this is the fact she was given his [[Confession dial]], which in human terms is the last will and testament of the Doctor...


== Plot ==
== Plot ==
On a [[Skaro|misty battlefield]], soldiers flee a bombing run. When the dust settles, [[Kanzo|one of the soldiers]] notices a [[Davros|small figure]] running in the mist. [[Soldier (The Magician's Apprentice)|The soldier's companion]] warns him they need to leave, because [[clam drones]] are going to pass through the area to pick off those whom the bombing run missed.
On a [[Skaro|misty battlefield]], soldiers flee a bombing run. When the dust settles, [[Kanzo|one of the soldiers]] notices a [[Davros|small figure]] running in the mist. [[Soldier (The Magician's Apprentice)|The soldier's companion]] warns him they need to leave, because [[clam drones]] are going to pass through the area to pick off those whom the bombing run missed.


The soldier says he thinks he saw a child and will catch up; he runs off and discovers a boy, whom he tells to stop. The boy, dressed in the same uniform as the soldier, turns fearfully as he is asked if he is lost. The boy nods and the earth below him rumbles; something appears to be tunnelling underneath it. The soldier warns the boy to be still and quiet, and takes out a scanner. The soldier and the boy are standing on a [[Handmine]] field; they will be safe as long as they remain still and quiet.
The soldier says he thinks he saw a child and will catch up; he runs off and discovers a boy, whom he tells to stop. The boy, dressed in the same uniform as the soldier, turns fearfully as he is asked if he is lost. The boy nods and the earth below him rumbles; something appears to be tunnelling underneath it. The soldier warns the boy to be still and quiet and takes out a scanner. The soldier and the boy are standing on a [[Handmine]] field; they will be safe as long as they remain still and quiet.
 
The soldier pulls out some tools and tries to keep the child calm; he asks if the boy has ever seen a Handmine before. The boy nods and points to the man's leg — a muddy hand has clamped onto the soldier's ankle. The soldier looks upon his ankle in fear and then back to the boy, before the Handmine pulls him down into the earth, creating a gaping hole that closes behind him.


The soldier pulls out some tools and tries to keep the child calm; he asks if the boy has ever seen a Handmine before. The boy nods and points to the man's leg — a muddy hand has clamped onto the soldier's ankle. The soldier looks upon his ankle in fear and then back to the boy, before the Handmine pulls him down into the earth, creating a gaping hole that closes behind him.[[File: YoungDavros.jpg|thumb|A young Davros.]]Several muddy hands with a single eye on their palms rise from the ground. Alone and panicked, the boy begins to scream for someone to help him. Suddenly, something lands beside him: a [[sonic screwdriver]]. The boy picks it up, and sees a man through the mist. The Doctor has arrived to help the child. Using the sonic screwdriver to create an audio corridor, they talk. The Doctor tells the boy that he has one chance in a thousand of surviving, but that he should focus on that one chance: one is all he needs. He asks the boy what war this is, not knowing when or where he is. The boy, confused, replies that "it's just [[Thousand Year War|the war]]." He is similarly confused when the Doctor asks him what planet this is. The Doctor tells him not to mind. In an attempt to reassure and comfort the boy, the Doctor asks him what his name is. The boy replies, "Davros. My name is Davros."
[[File: YoungDavros.jpg|thumb|A young Davros.]]
Several muddy hands with a single eye on their palms rise from the ground. Alone and panicked, the boy begins to scream for someone to help him. Suddenly, something lands beside him: a [[sonic screwdriver]]. The boy picks it up and sees a man through the mist. The Doctor has arrived to help the child. Using the sonic screwdriver to create an audio corridor, they talk. The Doctor tells the boy that he has one chance in a thousand of surviving, but that he should focus on that one chance: one is all he needs. He asks the boy what war this is, not knowing when or where he is. The boy, confused, replies that "it's just [[Thousand Year War|the war]]." He is similarly confused when the Doctor asks him what planet this is. The Doctor tells him not to mind. In an attempt to reassure and comfort the boy, the Doctor asks him what his name is. The boy replies, "Davros. My name is Davros."


At [[the Maldovarium]], [[Colony Sarff]], an envoy of Davros, is searching for the Doctor. He demands that the patrons tell him his location. He is met with silence. Later, in the [[Shadow Proclamation]], the [[Shadow Architect]] refuses to tell Sarff where the Doctor is, insisting that she has no idea. Later still on [[Karn]], [[Ohila]] warns Sarff of the dangers hunting the Doctor can bring. Colony Sarff tells Ohila that Davros is dying, but is still anticipating his final meeting with the Doctor. They then leave, giving Ohila a message for the Doctor, unaware that the Time Lord is hiding from behind the rocks.
At [[the Maldovarium]], [[Colony Sarff]], an envoy of Davros, is searching for the Doctor. He demands that the patrons tell him his location. He is met with silence. Later, in the [[Shadow Proclamation]], the [[Shadow Architect]] refuses to tell Sarff where the Doctor is, insisting that she has no idea. Later still on [[Karn]], [[Ohila]] warns Sarff of the dangers hunting the Doctor can bring. Colony Sarff tells Ohila that Davros is dying, but is still anticipating his final meeting with the Doctor. They then leave, giving Ohila a message for the Doctor, unaware that the Time Lord is hiding behind the rocks.


On present day Earth, Clara is teaching in [[Coal Hill School]]. She looks out the window, noticing something amiss; using a marker, she draws a circle around a plane in the sky, realising that it's frozen in the air. After assigning her class to use their mobiles to search about any information, Clara is told by another teacher about a call for her. Knowing it's [[UNIT]], Clara leaves for the Tower of London. She attempts to contact the Doctor, but receives no answer.
On present-day Earth, Clara is teaching in [[Coal Hill School]]. She looks out the window, noticing something amiss; using a marker, she draws a circle around a plane in the sky, realising that it's frozen in the air. After assigning her class to use their mobiles to search for any information, Clara is told by another teacher about a call for her. Knowing it's [[UNIT]], Clara leaves for the Tower of London. She attempts to contact the Doctor but receives no answer.


At UNIT HQ, [[Kate Stewart]] is tracking the frozen planes. Clara [[deduce]]s the planes aren't being weaponized because an invasion involves stealth, not spectacle. At that moment, [[Doctor Channel|the Doctor channel]] is opened, and lyrics appear on the screen, with one repeating word — Missy. {{Gomez}} appears on-screen, explaining that the frozen planes were just a way to get their attention. She proposes a meeting with UNIT.
At UNIT HQ, [[Kate Stewart]] is tracking the frozen planes. Clara [[deduce]]s the planes aren't being weaponised because an invasion involves stealth, not spectacle. At that moment, [[Doctor Channel|the Doctor channel]] is opened, and lyrics appear on the screen, with one repeating word — Missy. [[Missy]] appears on-screen, explaining that the frozen planes were just a way to get their attention. She proposes a meeting with UNIT.


At 16:00, Clara and Missy meet in a cafe, where Missy demonstrates her ability to freeze the planes with a [[Time stop|simple Time Lord trick]]. She also notes that Clara must have tried contacting the Doctor by now; Missy explains that she can't find him either. Clara dismisses it, stating it happens sometimes. Missy then reveals that it's worse than she thinks, showing Clara the Doctor's [[confession dial]] — containing the Doctor's last will and testament. She explains that a confession dial is given to a dying Time Lord's closest friend on their final day. Clara attempts to touch the dial, but is zapped by it; Missy explains that it was given to her, not Clara.
At 16:00, Clara and Missy meet in a cafe, where Missy demonstrates her ability to freeze the planes with a [[Time stop|simple Time Lord trick]]. She also notes that Clara must have tried contacting the Doctor by now; Missy explains that she can't find him either. Clara dismisses it, stating it happens sometimes. Missy then reveals that it's worse than she thinks, showing Clara the Doctor's [[confession dial]] — containing the Doctor's last will and testament. She explains that a confession dial is given to a dying Time Lord's closest friend on their final day. Clara attempts to touch the dial, but is zapped by it; Missy explains that it was given to her, not Clara.


This confuses Clara, as Missy tries killing him; she retorts they both trying killing each other - "it's basically our texting." Missy explains their friendship is more complex than Clara can comprehend. Wondering if Missy has turned over a new leaf, Clara is answered by the mad Time Lady vaporising members of UNIT. Threatening to have the snipers kill her, Clara demands Missy show she cares about the Doctor. Missy releases the planes from the time stop, revealing nothing else could have been done with them; they were just stuck in time.
Clara wonders if Missy has turned over a new leaf, but Missy then vaporises a member of UNIT, stating that she has not "turned good". Threatening to have the snipers kill her, Clara demands Missy show she cares about the Doctor. Missy releases the planes from the time stop, revealing nothing else could have been done with them; they were just stuck in time.


Missy explains the Doctor is facing his final day, and therefore has come to Earth; however, when and where is unknown. Clara asks Missy how a Time Lord would spend his final day, and Missy says that it is supposed to be in meditation. Knowing the Doctor is showboat, Clara tells Kate to track mentions of the Doctor not involving an alien disturbance, and they discover his location: [[Essex]], the [[Middle Ages]]. Using a vortex manipulator, Missy and Clara vanish into the past.
Missy explains the Doctor is facing his final day, and therefore has come to Earth; however, when and where is unknown. Clara asks Missy how a Time Lord would spend his final day, and Missy says that it is supposed to be in meditation. Clara tells Kate to track mentions of the Doctor across history that doesn't involve an alien disturbance, and they discover his location: [[Essex]], the [[Middle Ages]]. Using a [[vortex manipulator]], Missy and Clara vanish into the past.


Clara and Missy arrive in a castle, where Missy explains that the vortex manipulator she put on Clara is slaved to her own; where Missy goes, so does Clara. Wondering how they will find the Doctor, Clara is told to look for anything that stands out. At that moment, they hear an electric guitar playing; the Doctor arrives in a stadium, playing guitar on a tank. His opponent, [[Bors (The Doctor's Meditation)|Bors]] is annoyed; the Doctor laughs that he wanted an "ax fight". The Doctor begins making bad jokes, to which Clara notes is not like him; Missy retorts "you really are new, aren't you."
Clara and Missy arrive in a castle, where Missy explains that the vortex manipulator she put on Clara, is slaved to her own; where Missy goes, so does Clara. Wondering how they will find the Doctor, Clara is told to look for anything that stands out. At that moment, they hear an electric guitar playing; the Doctor arrives in a stadium, playing the guitar on a tank. His opponent, [[Bors (The Doctor's Meditation)|Bors]] is annoyed; the Doctor laughs that he wanted an "axe fight". The Doctor begins making bad jokes, to which Clara notes is not like him; Missy retorts "you really are new, aren't you."


To Clara's surprise, the Doctor looks right at them and starts playing [[Pretty Woman|''Pretty Woman'']]'' ''to clue them in; Clara heads down, wondering how the Doctor picked her out of the crowd. The Doctor says he always sees her, and hugs her; Clara notes this isn't like him. The Doctor states he spent the past days wearing items his last lives did,. stating [[regeneration|all of him]] is welcome to his party. Missy arrives next, wondering what he's up to. The Doctor gets the crowd to boo at her. However, Bors is next heard choking; the Doctor checks his neck, finding a snake, which he tosses off Bors.
To Clara's surprise, the Doctor looks right at them and starts playing ''[[Pretty Woman]]'' to clue them in; Clara heads down, wondering how the Doctor picked her out of the crowd. The Doctor says he always sees her and hugs her; Clara notes this isn't like him. The Doctor states he spent the past days wearing items his last lives did, stating [[regeneration|all of him]] is welcome to his party. Missy arrives next, wondering what he's up to. The Doctor gets the crowd to boo at her. However, Bors is next heard choking; the Doctor checks his neck, finding a snake, which he tosses off Bors.


The crowd flees. as Sarff arrives, revealing his composition: a colony of snakes, bound together to form a humanoid. They demand the Doctor come with them to speak with Davros. The Doctor, recalling an action about which he feels great shame, agrees to go with Sarff. Missy and Clara demand to be taken as well; after voting, Sarff agrees to take them, binding the hands of all three with snakes. The Doctor, Clara and Missy are teleported to Sarff's shuttle. In their absence, Bors — revealed to have been converted into a [[Dalek puppet]] by Sarff — procures the TARDIS and informs [[Dalek High Command]].
The crowd flees. as Sarff arrives, revealing his composition: a colony of snakes, bound together to form a humanoid. They demand the Doctor come with them to speak with Davros. The Doctor, recalling an action about which he feels great shame, agrees to go with Sarff. Missy and Clara demand to be taken as well; after voting, Sarff agrees to take them, binding the hands of all three with snakes. The Doctor, Clara and Missy are teleported to Sarff's shuttle. In their absence, Bors — revealed to have been converted into a [[Dalek puppet]] — procures the TARDIS and informs [[Dalek High Command]].


[[File:DoctorMeetsDavros.jpg|thumb|left|The Doctor encounters a [[Death|dying]] Davros.]]
[[File:DoctorMeetsDavros.jpg|thumb|left|The Doctor encounters a [[Death|dying]] Davros.]]
Travelling to Davros' location — apparently a space hospital - the Doctor tells Clara who Davros is — the creator of the Daleks; a child of war who sealed his species inside tanks to preserve them. In the hospital, the Doctor goes with Sarff to see Davros, leaving Clara with Missy. As he leaves, he mentions the gravity. Both the Doctor and Missy have noticed that the gravity is natural. The hospital cannot be a space station. Missy daringly opens the air lock.
Travelling to Davros' location — apparently a space hospital - the Doctor tells Clara who Davros is — the creator of the Daleks; a child of war who sealed his species inside tanks to preserve them. In the hospital, the Doctor goes with Sarff to see Davros, leaving Clara with Missy. As he leaves, he mentions the gravity. Both the Doctor and Missy have noticed that the gravity is natural. The hospital cannot be a space station. Missy daringly opens the airlock.


The Doctor meets with Davros, and they talk of how their conflicts have been fuelled by a single disagreement — was Davros right to create the Daleks, or was his lack of compassion wrong? Davros plays several recordings of the Doctor's various speeches to him about morality. He ends on the Doctor's reasoning against destroying the Daleks: it would not be right to kill a child who would cause nothing but evil once grown, given he is still innocent; recalling, in a cruel twist of fate, the Doctor seeing Davros as a child. The Doctor tells him that his point has been made.
The Doctor meets with Davros, and they talk of how their conflicts have been fuelled by a single disagreement — was Davros right to create the Daleks, or was his lack of compassion wrong? Davros plays several recordings of the Doctor's various speeches to him about morality.


Clara and Missy walk out, apparently into outer space. However, they are breathing, and apparently walking on solid ground. Missy realises that, once within the planets atmosphere, one begins to synchronise with it. The illusion vanishes, showing a city in the middle of a wasteland; Missy reacts with horror and disbelief, while Clara is left confused. At the same time, the Doctor is shown the truth by Davros; they are on [[Skaro]], the Daleks' home world.
Clara and Missy walk out, apparently into outer space. However, they are breathing, and apparently walking on solid ground. Missy realises that once within the planet's atmosphere, one begins to synchronise with it. The illusion vanishes, showing a city in the middle of a wasteland; Missy reacts with horror and disbelief, while Clara is left confused. At the same time, the Doctor is shown the truth by Davros; they are on [[Skaro]], the Daleks' homeworld.


Sighted by a Dalek, Clara and Missy are taken to see the [[Supreme Dalek]], who has a large weapon aimed at the TARDIS. Missy attempts to reason with the Daleks - if they don't destroy the TARDIS, she can help them fly it, allowing them to conquer the universe. However, the Supreme Dalek demands Missy's total exterminated, and she vanishes in the blast.
Sighted by a Dalek, Clara and Missy are taken to see the [[Supreme Dalek (The Magician's Apprentice)|Supreme Dalek]], who has a large weapon aimed at the TARDIS. Missy attempts to reason with the Daleks - if they don't destroy the TARDIS, she can help them fly it, allowing them to conquer the universe. However, the Supreme Dalek demands Missy's total extermination, and she vanishes in the blast.


The Doctor pleads with Davros to not let Clara come to harm — but Davros tells him that he does not control the Daleks. Davros observes the Daleks' choice to wait for Clara to run. As she runs, they exterminate her, causing her to vanish. The Supreme Dalek then orders the TARDIS to be destroyed and it is seemingly vaporised by the weapon aimed at it. Davros reasons with the Doctor that this happened because the Doctor showed him compassion as a child, despite knowing his destiny — allowing Davros to create the Daleks, who have now killed his friends.
The Doctor pleads with Davros to not let Clara come to harm — but Davros tells him that he does not control the Daleks. Davros observes the Daleks' choice to wait for Clara to run. As she runs, they exterminate her, causing her to vanish. The Supreme Dalek then orders the TARDIS to be destroyed and it is seemingly vaporised by the weapon aimed at it.


[[File:Doctordalekgun.jpg|thumb|right|"Exterminate!"]]
[[File:Doctordalekgun.jpg|thumb|right|"Exterminate!"]]
The child Davros, still pleading with the Doctor not to leave, hears the TARDIS rematerialise behind him, and disbelievingly asks him how he has moved. The Doctor explains he's come from the future, and that he has to save his friend in the only way he can. Brandishing a severed Dalek [[gunstick]], the Doctor glares towards the child, shouting "Exterminate!"
Back on the battlefield, a young Davros, still pleading with the Doctor not to leave, hears the TARDIS rematerialise behind him, and disbelievingly asks him how he has moved. The Doctor explains he's come from the future, and that he has to save his friend the only way he can. Brandishing a severed Dalek [[gunstick]], the Doctor glares towards the child, shouting "Exterminate!"


== Cast ==
== Cast ==
* [[Twelfth Doctor|The Doctor]] - [[Peter Capaldi]]
* [[Twelfth Doctor|The Doctor]] - [[Peter Capaldi]]
* [[Clara Oswald|Clara]] - [[Jenna Coleman]]
* [[Clara Oswald|Clara]] - [[Jenna Coleman]]
* {{Gomez}} - [[Michelle Gomez]]
* [[Missy]] - [[Michelle Gomez]]
* [[Colony Sarff]] - [[Jami Reid-Quarrell]]
* [[Colony Sarff]] - [[Jami Reid-Quarrell]]
* [[Davros]] - [[Julian Bleach]]
* [[Davros]] - [[Julian Bleach]]
Line 107: Line 115:
* Newsreaders - [[Stefan Adegbola]], [[Shin-Fei Chen]], [[Lucy-Newman Williams]]
* Newsreaders - [[Stefan Adegbola]], [[Shin-Fei Chen]], [[Lucy-Newman Williams]]
* [[School girl (The Magician's Apprentice)|School Girl]] - [[Demi Papaminas]]
* [[School girl (The Magician's Apprentice)|School Girl]] - [[Demi Papaminas]]
* [[Dalek operator|Daleks]] - [[Barnaby Edwards (actor)|Barnaby Edwards]], [[Nicholas Pegg]]
* [[Dalek operator|Daleks]] - [[Barnaby Edwards]], [[Nicholas Pegg]]
* [[Soldier (The Magician's Apprentice)|Soldier]] - [[Jonathon Ojinnaka]]
* [[Soldier (The Magician's Apprentice)|Soldier]] - [[Jonathon Ojinnaka]]


=== Uncredited ===
=== Uncredited cast ===
* [[Grey Dalek (The Magician's Apprentice)|Grey Dalek]] - [[David Hobday]] <ref>{{cite web |url=http://thatwasmydalek.blogspot.com/ |title=That was my Dalek|date of source= |website name=That was my Dalek|accessdate=9 October 2015}}</ref>
* [[Grey Dalek (The Magician's Apprentice)|Grey Dalek]] - [[David Hobday]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://thatwasmydalek.blogspot.com/ |title=That was my Dalek|date of source= |website name=That was my Dalek|accessdate=9 October 2015}}</ref>
* [[Blowfish (The Magician's Apprentice)|Blowfish]] - [[Christos Gauci]]<ref>https://www.starnow.com.au/christosgauci/photos/8109717</ref>
* [[Blowfish (The Magician's Apprentice)|Blowfish]] - [[Christos Gauci]]<ref>https://www.starnow.com.au/christosgauci/photos/8109717</ref>


Line 119: Line 127:
|2ndAD=James DeHaviland
|2ndAD=James DeHaviland
|3rdAD=Danielle Richards
|3rdAD=Danielle Richards
|AD=Gareth Jones
|AD=Gareth Jones (assistant director)
|AD2=Chris Thomas (assistant director)
|AD2=Chris Thomas (assistant director)
|Runner=
|Runner=
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|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
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|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 486: Line 494:
}}
}}


== References ==
=== Uncredited crew ===
* The Doctor gets the crowd to complete the title of "[[All the Young Dudes]]".
{{uncred list
* The Doctor can play the [[electric guitar]]. He plays the introductory bars of "[[Pretty Woman]]".
|MilkVFX cite = <ref name="Milk VFX">{{cite web|url=http://www.milk-vfx.com/project/doctor-who-series-9-episode-1-the-magicians-apprentice/|title=Doctor Who Series 9 Episode 1: The Magician’s Apprentice|website name=Milk VFX|accessdate=18 October 2018}}</ref>
* The Doctor claims to have given [[Marble (toy)|marbles]] of his to Bors, and told him not to swallow them.
 
* Clara claims that [[Jane Austen]] was a "phenomenal kisser".
|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
|Animator=Toby Winder
|Animator2=Christian Brown
|Animator3=Will Correia
|FXTD=Dominic Carus
|FXTD2=Nick Webber
|LightingTD=Bastien Mortelecque
|LightingTD2=Adrian Williams
|MattePainter=Turlo Griffin
|MattePainter2=Doug Winder
|Compositor=Luciano Lopes
|Compositor2=Jorge Oliva
|Compositor3=Mario Brioschi
|Compositor4=Myfanwy Harris
|Compositor5=Frederic Heymans
|Compositor6=Neil Alford
|Compositor7=Rebecca Clay
|Compositor8=Tamsie Thomas
|Compositor9=Theajo Nagaraja
|JuniorCompositor=Alex Balmer
|JuniorCompositor2=Daniel Long
|JuniorCompositor3=Marco Pileri
|JuniorCompositor4=Matteo Inchingolo
|JuniorCompositor5=Ross Allen
|JuniorCompositor6=Sarah Iduwe
|JuniorCompositor7=Vasco Cerqueira
}}
 
== Worldbuilding ==
* Missy refers to the [[Cloister Wars]] and the Doctor stealing [[Gallifrey's moon|the moon]] and the [[President's wife (The Magician's Apprentice)|President's wife]].
 
=== Technology ===
 
* Missy uses a [[time stop]] to stop all of the [[plane]]s of Earth in mid-air.
* Missy shows Clara the [[Confession dial]] of the Doctor and explains what it is.
 
=== Species ===
* An [[Ood 2 (The Magician's Apprentice)|Ood]], a [[Hath (The Magician's Apprentice)|Hath]], a [[Sycorax (The Magician's Apprentice)|Sycorax]], another [[Ood 1 (The Magician's Apprentice)|Ood]], a [[Kahler (The Magician's Apprentice)|Kahler]], and a [[Blowfish (The Magician's Apprentice)|Blowfish]] are at the Maldovarium.
* A [[Judoon (The Magician's Apprentice)|Judoon]] is present at the [[Shadow Architect]]'s side when [[Colony Sarff]] visits the [[Shadow Proclamation]].
* Missy claims that three bullets to each of a [[Time Lord]]'s hearts and two bullets to their brain stem simultaneously could prevent [[regeneration]].
 
=== Culture from the real world ===
* A picture of [[Edgar Allan Poe]] is visible in Clara's classroom.
* Clara tells her [[Coal Hill School|Coal Hill]] students to turn on their [[phone]]s and go to news, websites and [[Twitter]], and search for hashtags such as #[[ThePlanesHaveStopped]].
* Clara tells her [[Coal Hill School|Coal Hill]] students to turn on their [[phone]]s and go to news, websites and [[Twitter]], and search for hashtags such as #[[ThePlanesHaveStopped]].
* Missy uses a [[time stop]] to stop all of the [[plane]]s of the Earth in mid-air.
* Missy refers to the [[Cloister Wars]] and the [[President's wife]].
* Missy refers to [[selfie]]s when threatening to kill a UNIT guard.
* Missy refers to [[selfie]]s when threatening to kill a UNIT guard.
* Missy references British television series {{wi|Play School (UK TV series)|Play School}} when she talks to UNIT "out of [the] square window".
* Clara quotes the [[Dylan Thomas]] poem "[[Do not go gentle into that good night]]".
* Missy claims that three bullets to each of a Time Lord's hearts and two bullets to their brain stem simultaneously could prevent [[regeneration]].
* The Doctor can play the [[electric guitar]]. He plays the introductory bars of "[[Pretty Woman]]".
* [[Dunlop|Mr. Dunlop]] mentions the [[prime minister]] and Kate Stewart mentions a [[President]].
* The Doctor gets the crowd to complete the title of "[[All the Young Dudes]]".
* UNIT have a "[[Doctor Channel]]".
 
* A [[Judoon (The Magician's Apprentice)|Judoon]] is present.
=== Individuals ===
* [[Dunlop|Mr Dunlop]] mentions the [[prime minister]] and Kate Stewart mentions a [[President]].
* The Doctor claims to have given [[Marble (toy)|marbles]] of his to Bors and told him not to swallow them.
* Missy refers to Clara as a "[[nano-brain]]".
 
=== Numbers ===
* Jac mentions the numbers [[4165 (number)|4165]] and [[439 (number)|439]].
 
=== Unified Intelligence Taskforce ===
* UNIT has a "[[Doctor Channel]]".
 
=== Locations ===
* Jac mentions [[San Martino]], [[Troy]], [[New York City|New York]], and [[Atlantis]].
 
=== The TARDIS ===
* [[Roundel]]s have been added to the lower section of the [[TARDIS control room#Neon console|TARDIS control room]].


== Story notes ==
== Story notes ==
* To keep Davros' return a surprise, [[Julian Bleach]] was not credited prior to airing. The young Davros, played by Joey Price, is not credited as Davros, but rather as "Boy".
* To keep Davros' return a surprise, [[Julian Bleach]] was not credited prior to airing. The young Davros, played by Joey Price, is credited as "Boy".
* This was the first series opener in the [[BBC Wales]] series, and the first Dalek story, to be directed by a woman.
* This is the first televised story to be set on Skaro since ''[[Destiny of the Daleks (TV story)|Destiny of the Daleks]]''.
* The ''Radio Times'' programme listing was accompanied by a head-and-shoulders shot of Missy operating her control device, with the accompanying caption "Doctor Who / 7.40 p.m. Missy is one of many searching for the missing Time Lord as the series returns".
* The ''Radio Times'' programme listing was accompanied by a head-and-shoulders shot of Missy operating her control device, with the accompanying caption "Doctor Who / 7.40 p.m. Missy is one of many searching for the missing Time Lord as the series returns".
* This was the first series opener in the [[BBC Wales]] series to be directed by a woman.
* On 27 September, the day after the broadcast of ''[[The Witch's Familiar (TV story)|The Witch's Familiar]]'', the two-part opener was broadcast on [[BBC One]] and [[BBC One|BBC One HD]] as one single feature-length episode.<ref>https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06h9y66</ref>
* On 27th September, the day after the broadcast of [[TV]] ''[[The Witch's Familiar (TV story)|The Witch's Familiar]]'', the two-part opener was broadcast on [[BBC One]] and [[BBC One|BBC One HD]] as one single feature-length episode.
* The title sequence was slightly modified starting with this episode; the clock gears, gas and the first Roman numeral clock face tunnel now have a blue hue.
* This is the first story in which both Davros and the Master appear.
* The episode's credits list the creators of the [[Kahler (species)|Kahler]], [[Skullion]]s, [[Hath]], [[Blowfish]], [[Ood]], and [[Sycorax]], all of whom were present when [[Colony Sarff]] was searching for the Doctor. This is the Skullions' first appearance on ''Doctor Who'', having previously appeared in ''[[The Sarah Jane Adventures]]''. This is the first time in which creator credits are included for creatures introduced during Steven Moffat's tenure as showrunner, and for creatures introduced in a spin-off series.
* The episode's credits list the creators of the [[Kahler (species)|Kahler]], [[Skullion]]s, [[Hath]], [[Blowfish]], [[Ood]], and [[Sycorax]], all of whom were present when [[Colony Sarff]] was searching for the Doctor. This is the Skullions' first appearance on ''Doctor Who'', having previously appeared in ''[[The Sarah Jane Adventures]]''.
* This is the first time a [[Special Weapons Dalek]] has been shown to apparently talk on-screen and also features the gold oblong windows encircling its dome lighting up. These traits were subject to debate and speculation ever since the Special Weapons Dalek model first appeared in ''[[Remembrance of the Daleks (TV story)|Remembrance of the Daleks]]'', as the model featured was never shown speaking either in that serial, or in ''[[Asylum of the Daleks (TV story)|Asylum of the Daleks]]''. A new model was used in the story, completely separate from the prop used in the first two stories. As a result, if one pays close attention to details, it can actually be seen that it looks slightly different in some places.
* This is the first time a [[Special Weapons Dalek]] has been shown to apparently talk on-screen, and also features the gold oblong windows encircling its dome lighting up. These traits were subject to debate and speculation ever since the Special Weapons Dalek model first appeared in ''[[Remembrance of the Daleks (TV story)|Remembrance of the Daleks]]'', as the model featured was never shown speaking either in that serial, or in ''[[Asylum of the Daleks (TV story)|Asylum of the Daleks]]''. A new model was used in the story, completely separate from the prop used in the first two stories.
* The congregation of Daleks that Clara and Missy meet on Skaro includes the original silver and blue model used from [[TV]]: ''[[The Daleks (TV story)|The Daleks]]'' to [[TV]]: ''[[The Space Museum (TV story)|The Space Museum]]'', the second silver and blue model used from [[TV]]: ''[[The Space Museum (TV story)|The Space Museum]]'' to [[TV]]: ''[[The War Games (TV story)|The War Games]]'', the [[Emperor Dalek]]'s [[Emperor's Personal Guard|personal guard]] from [[TV]]: ''[[The Evil of the Daleks (TV story)|The Evil of the Daleks]]'', the grey and black model used from [[TV]]: ''[[Day of the Daleks (TV story)|Day of the Daleks]]'' to [[TV]]: ''[[Remembrance of the Daleks (TV story)|Remembrance of the Daleks]]'', the [[Special Weapons Dalek]] from [[TV]]: ''[[Remembrance of the Daleks (TV story)|Remembrance of the Daleks]]'', a black Dalek resembling [[Dalek Sec]], the [[Supreme Dalek]] model from [[TV]]: ''[[The Stolen Earth (TV story)|The Stolen Earth]]'' and ''[[Journey's End (TV story)|Journey's End]]'', and the incumbent bronze model that has been in use since [[TV]]: ''[[Dalek (TV story)|Dalek]]''.
* The title sequence was slightly modified starting with this episode; the clock gears, gas and the first Roman numeral clock face tunnel now have a purple hue.
* Peter Capaldi actually played the guitar in this story, and for the rest of the season, having been a musician in real life.
* This episode begins with a flashback, following on from its beginnings in ''[[The Doctor's Meditation (TV story)|The Doctor's Meditation]]''.
* Michelle Gomez confirmed on Twitter that her tickling a nearby Dalek's [[sensor globe|bumps]] when referring to the TARDIS as "the dog's unmentionables" was improvised.<ref>https://twitter.com/bbcdoctorwho/status/648186904089919489</ref>
* The read-through for the story took place on [[9 February (production)|9 February]]<ref>http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3JZDF14smXfkQNdlcbsGXM5/the-magician-s-apprentice-the-fact-file</ref>, and production began on the [[12 February (production)|12th]].<ref>https://www.facebook.com/DoctorWho/photos/a.182096918471010.52777.127031120644257/1065351840145509/?type=1&permPage=1</ref>.
* The words Missy uses to announce that she is alive are similar to the words Sherlock uses to tell Watson he is alive in BBC's ''Sherlock''.
* This is the first story in which the Master is shown to be frightened of the same thing as the Doctor.
* Missy refers to the [[Cloister Wars]], the night the Doctor stole the moon and the president's wife, and also implies he was once a girl. She explains one was a lie, but doesn't specify which. (The last one is believed to be false; as the Doctor did steal the moon, but [[Susan Foreman|the President's daughter]] was with him instead.)
* Missy refers to the vortex manipulator as "cheap and nasty time travel" as the 11th Doctor once did. [[The Big Bang (TV story)]]
* The congregation of Daleks that Clara and Missy meet on Skaro include:
** The original silver and blue model used from [[TV]]: ''[[The Daleks (TV story)|The Daleks]]'' to [[TV]]: ''[[The Space Museum (TV story)|The Space Museum]]''.
*** This story marks this model's first colour appearance in the series proper.
** The second silver and blue model used from [[TV]]: ''[[The Space Museum (TV story)|The Space Museum]]'' to [[TV]]: ''[[The War Games (TV story)|The War Games]]''.
*** This story also marks this model's first colour appearance in the series proper.
** The [[Emperor Dalek]]'s [[Emperor's Personal Guard|personal guard]] from [[TV]]: ''[[The Evil of the Daleks (TV story)|The Evil of the Daleks]]''.
*** This story again marks this model's first colour appearance in the series proper.
** The grey and black model used from [[TV]]: ''[[Day of the Daleks (TV story)|Day of the Daleks]]'' to [[TV]]: ''[[Remembrance of the Daleks (TV story)|Remembrance of the Daleks]]''.
** The [[Special Weapons Dalek]] from [[TV]]: ''[[Remembrance of the Daleks (TV story)|Remembrance of the Daleks]]''.
*** This story reveals that the cage-like structure at the top of its dome functions identically to a standard Dalek's dome lights, illuminating with each spoken syllable. A new model, not used in its previous two TV stories, was used for filming.
** A black Dalek resembling [[Dalek Sec]], who maintained a presence in the series from [[TV]]: ''[[Army of Ghosts (TV story)|Army of Ghosts]]'' / ''[[Doomsday (TV story)|Doomsday]]'' to [[TV]]: ''[[Daleks in Manhattan (TV story)|Daleks in Manhattan]]'' / ''[[Evolution of the Daleks (TV story)|Evolution of the Daleks]]''.
** The [[Supreme Dalek]] model from [[TV]]: ''[[The Stolen Earth (TV story)|The Stolen Earth]]'' / ''[[Journey's End (TV story)|Journey's End]]''.
*** This model's appearance as a commanding authority for the Daleks seems to designate it as the Supreme Dalek within the New Paradigm.
** The incumbent bronze model that has been in use since [[TV]]: ''[[Dalek (TV story)|Dalek]]''.
* Peter Capaldi actually played the guitar in this story and the rest of the season, having been a musician in real life.
* Michelle Gomez confirmed on Twitter that her tickling a nearby Dalek's bumps when referring to the TARDIS as "the dog's unmentionables" was improvised<ref>https://twitter.com/bbcdoctorwho/status/648186904089919489</ref>.
* This story is the first time [[Ohila]] has been featured in a full-length episode of ''Doctor Who'' as opposed to mini-episodes.
* This story is the first time [[Ohila]] has been featured in a full-length episode of ''Doctor Who'' as opposed to mini-episodes.
* It appears the tank the Doctor rode in on is a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Challenger_2 Challenger 2] currently used by the British Army.
* The design of the Dalek city and the sliding doors in it pays homage to the set of the first Dalek story, [[TV]]: ''[[The Daleks (TV story)|The Daleks]]''.
* The design of the Dalek city and the sliding doors in it pays homage to the set of the first Dalek story, TV: ''The Daleks''.
* The title (which formed an interesting dichotomy with ''[[The Witch's Familiar (TV story)|The Witch's Familiar]]'') was not the first time the Doctor's companion was compared to a "magician's apprentice", as this had already been the object of a sequence in the novel ''[[Vampire Science (novel)|Vampire Science]]'', between the [[Eighth Doctor]] and [[Sam Jones]]. Referring to the [[Twelfth Doctor]] as a magician, as the title does, may also be an allusion to the common wisdom that this Doctor's outfit resembles a classic stage magician's.
* [[Roundel|Roundels]] have been added to the lower section of the [[TARDIS control room#Neon console|TARDIS control room]].
* In the "[[Showrunner Showdown]]" interview for [[DWM 551]], Steven Moffat revealed he had wanted his predecessor as showrunner [[Russell T Davies]] to write this episode and sent him an early draft of the pitch. The story behind this original pitch was "almost unrecognisable" from the final episode, focusing on Davros on trial. Moffat suggested the plot would have given the Doctor and Davros' conversations an audience, with the Doctor winning over the Dalek crowd but in the process sympathising with his longtime enemy. Ultimately, Davies was not interested, and Moffat wrote the episode himself.
 
=== Ratings ===
=== Ratings ===
* [[BBC One]] Overnight: 4.58 million<ref>http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-34307519</ref>
* [[BBC One]] Overnight: 4.58 million<ref>http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-34307519</ref>
* [[BBC America]] Overnight: 2 million<ref>http://doctorwhowatch.com/2015/09/22/doctor-who-the-magicians-apprentice-smashes-ratings-record-in-the-us/</ref>
* [[BBC America]] Overnight: 2 million<ref>http://doctorwhowatch.com/2015/09/22/doctor-who-the-magicians-apprentice-smashes-ratings-record-in-the-us/</ref>
* UK final ratings: 6.54 million
* UK final ratings: 6.54 million<ref>[http://guide.doctorwhonews.net/info.php?detail=ratings&type=date Doctor Who Ratings - UK final]</ref>


=== Filming locations ===
=== Filming locations ===
Line 549: Line 604:
=== Production errors ===
=== Production errors ===
{{Discontinuity}}
{{Discontinuity}}
* When [[Colony Sarff]] is leaving [[Karn]], the glow of a hoverboard, used to make him appear to slither along the ground, can be see under his robes.
* When [[Colony Sarff]] is leaving [[Karn]], the glow of a hoverboard, used to make him appear to slither along the ground, can be seen under his robes.
* After Missy opens the door to the cell she and Clara are in, the snake binding Clara's hands disappears without an explanation.
* After Missy opens the door to the cell she and Clara are in, the snake binding Clara's hands disappears without an explanation.


== Continuity ==
== Continuity ==
* This is not the first time that the Doctor has been called to Skaro by a sinister [[Hooded figure (Asylum of the Daleks Prequel)|hooded messenger]]. (WC: ''[[Asylum of the Daleks Prequel (webcast)|Asylum of the Daleks Prequel]]'')
* Clara mentions that it has been "ages" since she last saw [[Missy]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Death in Heaven (TV story)|Death in Heaven]]'')
* The Doctor is hidden while [[Colony Sarff]] looks for him on Karn. He later has a conversation with [[Ohila]] about the message they are given. ([[WC]]: ''[[Prologue (webcast)|Prologue]]'') He goes from there to meditate in 1138, ([[TV]]: ''[[The Doctor's Meditation (TV story)|The Doctor's Meditation]]'') where Clara and Missy find him
* Clara mentions that it has been "ages" since they last saw {{Gomez}}. ([[TV]]: ''[[Death in Heaven (TV story)|Death in Heaven]]'')
* Missy insults Clara, calling her [[nano-brain]]. The [[Twelfth Doctor]] previously insulted [[human]]s, calling them [[pudding-brain]]s. ([[TV]]: ''[[Deep Breath (TV story)|Deep Breath]]'' et al.)
* The Doctor previously mentioned he is running from an old familiarity. ([[WC]]: ''[[Prologue (webcast)|Prologue]]'', [[TV]]: ''[[The Doctor's Meditation (TV story)|The Doctor's Meditation]]'') It turns out to be [[Davros]].
* The Doctor previously gave [[Ohila]] a [[confession dial]], telling her she knows who to give it to. ([[WC]]: ''[[Prologue (webcast)|Prologue]]'') This turns out to be Missy.
* Clara says the Doctor will "go Scottish" if UNIT doesn't have a reason for calling him. ([[TV]]: ''[[Deep Breath (TV story)|Deep Breath]]'')
* Clara says the Doctor will "go Scottish" if UNIT doesn't have a reason for calling him. ([[TV]]: ''[[Deep Breath (TV story)|Deep Breath]]'')
* Missy reintroduces herself to [[Unified Intelligence Taskforce|UNIT]] on their computer screens with her song "Hey Missy". ([[TV]]: ''[[Death in Heaven (TV story)|Death in Heaven]]'')
* Missy reintroduces herself to [[UNIT]] on their computer screens with her song "Hey Missy". ([[TV]]: ''[[Death in Heaven (TV story)|Death in Heaven]]'')
* Missy treats her apparent resurrection as no big deal, having been shot by a [[Cyberman]] in full view of Clara and the Doctor on [[Earth]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Death in Heaven (TV story)|Death in Heaven]]'') This is the latest of several instances where the Master has escaped from certain death with no explanation as to how he survived. ([[TV]]: ''[[Castrovalva (TV story)|Castrovalva]]'', ''[[Planet of Fire]]'', ''[[Survival]]'', et al.)
* Missy treats her apparent resurrection as no big deal, having been shot by a [[Cyberman]] in full view of Clara and the Doctor on [[Earth]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Death in Heaven (TV story)|Death in Heaven]]'') There have been several instances where {{Ainley}} has escaped from certain death with no explanation as to how they survived. ([[TV]]: ''[[Castrovalva (TV story)|Castrovalva]]'', ''[[Planet of Fire (TV story)|Planet of Fire]]'', ''[[Survival (TV story)|Survival]]'')
* Clara considers herself the Doctor's best friend. ([[TV]]: ''[[Death in Heaven (TV story)|Death in Heaven]]'')
* Clara considers herself the Doctor's best friend. ([[TV]]: ''[[Death in Heaven (TV story)|Death in Heaven]]'')
* Missy has a new version of her [[Missy's device|device]]. She kills several people with it. ([[TV]]: ''[[Dark Water (TV story)|Dark Water]] ''/ ''[[Death in Heaven (TV story)|Death in Heaven]]'')
* [[Jac (The Magician's Apprentice)|Jac]] tells [[Kate Stewart|Kate]] that they are scanning for key words such as "Doctor" and "Blue box"; both were key words used in attempts at finding the [[Ninth Doctor]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Aliens of London (TV story)|Aliens of London]]'', ''[[The Christmas Invasion (TV story)|The Christmas Invasion]]'')
* Missy tells Clara to "say something nice", or else she kills all of the UNIT personnel accompanying her. ([[TV]]: ''[[Dark Water (TV story)|Dark Water]] ''/ ''[[Death in Heaven (TV story)|Death in Heaven]]'')
* [[Jac (The Magician's Apprentice)|Jac]] tells [[Kate Stewart|Kate]] that they are scanning for key words such as "Doctor" and "Blue box"; both were key words used in attempts at finding the [[Ninth Doctor]]. ([[TV]]: [[Rose (TV story)|''Rose'']], ''[[Aliens of London (TV story)|Aliens of London]], [[The Christmas Invasion (TV story)|The Christmas Invasion]]'')
* Missy says a [[Time Lord]] is supposed to die after meditation, in which they show their acceptance of it. ([[WC]]: ''[[Prologue (webcast)|Prologue]]'', [[TV]]: ''[[The Doctor's Meditation (TV story)|The Doctor's Meditation]]'')
* Missy says a [[Time Lord]] is supposed to die after meditation, in which they show their acceptance of it. ([[WC]]: ''[[Prologue (webcast)|Prologue]]'', [[TV]]: ''[[The Doctor's Meditation (TV story)|The Doctor's Meditation]]'')
* Clara refers to the fact that Missy constantly tries to kill the Doctor. ([[TV]]: ''[[Terror of the Autons (TV story)|Terror of the Autons]]'' et al.)
* The Doctor reminds Clara he and Missy have known each other a long time. ([[TV]]: ''[[Utopia (TV story)|Utopia]]''; [[PROSE]]: ''[[The Dark Path (novel)|The Dark Path]]'')
* Missy uses a [[Vortex manipulator]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Empty Child (TV story)|The Empty Child]]'' et al.)
* Missy describes vortex manipulator time travel as "cheap and nasty". ([[TV]]: ''[[The Big Bang (TV story)|The Big Bang]]'')
* The Doctor reminds Clara he and Missy have known each other a long time. ([[TV]]: ''[[Terror of the Autons]]'', ''[[Utopia (TV story)|Utopia]]'', et al.; [[PROSE]]: ''[[The Eight Doctors]]'', ''[[The Dark Path]]'')
* Missy asks Clara if [[Danny Pink]] is still dead. ([[TV]]: ''[[Dark Water (TV story)|Dark Water]]'', ''[[Death in Heaven (TV story)|Death in Heaven]]'')
* Missy describes vortex manipulator time travel as "cheap and nasty". ([[TV]]: ''[[The Big Bang (TV story)|The Big Bang]]'', [[COMIC]]: ''[[Space in Dimension Relative and Time (comic story)|Space in Dimension Relative and Time]]'')
* Clara is surprised by the Doctor's hug, knowing he doesn't like them. ([[TV]]: ''[[Deep Breath (TV story)|Deep Breath]]'', ''[[Listen (TV story)|Listen]]'') He reminds her that it's a way to hide one's face. ([[TV]]: ''[[Death in Heaven (TV story)|Death in Heaven]]'')
* Missy asks Clara if [[Danny Pink]] is still dead. ([[TV]]: ''[[Dark Water (TV story)|Dark Water]]''/''[[Death in Heaven (TV story)|Death in Heaven]]'')
* Clara mentions that the Doctor is not the person to party. ([[TV]]: ''[[Deep Breath (TV story)|Deep Breath]]'' etc.)
* Clara is surprised by the Doctor's hug, knowing he doesn't like it. ([[TV]]: ''[[Deep Breath (TV story)|Deep Breath]]'', ''[[Listen (TV story)|Listen]]'') He reminds her that it's a way to hide one's face. ([[TV]]: ''[[Death in Heaven (TV story)|Death in Heaven]]'')
* The Doctor mentions that he helped Bors and his men to dig a well. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Doctor's Meditation (TV story)|The Doctor's Meditation]]'')
* The Doctor mentions that he helped Bors and his men to dig a well. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Doctor's Meditation (TV story)|The Doctor's Meditation]]'')
* [[Bors (The Doctor's Meditation)|Bors]] calls the Doctor a magician. ([[TV]]: ''[[Time Heist (TV story)|Time Heist]]'', ''[[Last Christmas (TV story)|Last Christmas]]'', ''[[The Doctor's Meditation (TV story)|The Doctor's Meditation]]'')
* [[Bors (The Doctor's Meditation)|Bors]] calls the Doctor a magician. ([[TV]]: ''[[Time Heist (TV story)|Time Heist]]'', ''[[Last Christmas (TV story)|Last Christmas]]'', ''[[The Doctor's Meditation (TV story)|The Doctor's Meditation]]'')
* When the Doctor says he's been in Essex all day, Bors reminds him that he's been there for three weeks. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Doctor's Meditation (TV story)|The Doctor's Meditation]]'')
* When the Doctor says he's been in Essex all day, Bors reminds him that he's been there for three weeks. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Doctor's Meditation (TV story)|The Doctor's Meditation]]'')
* The Doctor refers to spending a day in a bowtie, à la his [[Eleventh Doctor|previous incarnation]], ([[TV]]: ''[[The Eleventh Hour (TV story)|The Eleventh Hour]] ''et al.) and the day before that in a long scarf, à la his [[Fourth Doctor|fourth incarnation]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Robot (TV story)|Robot]] ''et al.)
* The [[Sisterhood of Karn]] appears. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Brain of Morbius (TV story)|The Brain of Morbius]]'', ''[[The Night of the Doctor (TV story)|The Night of the Doctor]]'')
* The [[Shadow Proclamation]] and the [[Shadow Architect]] both reappear. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Stolen Earth (TV story)|The Stolen Earth]]'')
** [[Judoon]] are also present. ([[TV]]: ''[[Smith and Jones (TV story)|Smith and Jones]]'' etc.)
* Colony Sarff visits [[The Maldovarium]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Pandorica Opens (TV story)|The Pandorica Opens]]'', ''[[A Good Man Goes to War (TV story)|A Good Man Goes to War]]'')
* Colony Sarff visits [[The Maldovarium]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Pandorica Opens (TV story)|The Pandorica Opens]]'', ''[[A Good Man Goes to War (TV story)|A Good Man Goes to War]]'')
** Several species appear in the Maldovarium:
* The Doctor says he no longer has a screwdriver. He had earlier stopped using his screwdriver when it was destroyed by the Terrileptils during his [[Fifth Doctor|fifth incarnation]], ([[TV]]: ''[[The Visitation (TV story)|The Visitation]]'') and would not reuse it until his [[seventh incarnation]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Doctor Who (TV story)|Doctor Who]]'')
*** [[Sycorax]] ([[TV]]:''[[The Christmas Invasion (TV story)|The Christmas Invasion]]'')
*** [[Ood]] ([[TV]]: ''[[The Impossible Planet (TV story)|The Impossible Planet]]'', etc.)
*** Weevils (TV: Everything Changes)
*** [[Skullion]]s ([[TV]]: ''[[The Man Who Never Was (TV story)|The Man Who Never Was]]'')
*** [[Hath]]s ([[TV]]: ''[[The Doctor's Daughter (TV story)|The Doctor's Daughter]]'')
*** [[Kahler (species)|Kahlers]] ([[TV]]: ''[[A Town Called Mercy (TV story)|A Town Called Mercy]]'')
* The Doctor says he no longer has a screwdriver. He had earlier stopped using his screwdriver when it was destroyed by the Terrileptils during his [[Fifth Doctor|fifth incarnation]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Visitation (TV story)|The Visitation]]'' et al.)  
* Bors becomes a [[Dalek puppet]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Asylum of the Daleks (TV story)|Asylum of the Daleks]]'', ''[[The Time of the Doctor (TV story)|The Time of the Doctor]]'')
* Bors becomes a [[Dalek puppet]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Asylum of the Daleks (TV story)|Asylum of the Daleks]]'', ''[[The Time of the Doctor (TV story)|The Time of the Doctor]]'')
* The Doctor says Davros is a child of the [[Thousand Year War]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Genesis of the Daleks]]''; [[AUDIO]]: ''[[Innocence (audio story)|Innocence]]'')
* The Doctor says Davros is a child of the [[Thousand Year War]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Genesis of the Daleks (TV story)|Genesis of the Daleks]]''; [[AUDIO]]: ''[[Innocence (audio story)|Innocence]]'')
* Davros replays footage to the Doctor of some of their earlier confrontations featuring his previous incarnations:
* Davros replays footage to the Doctor of some of their earlier confrontations featuring his previous incarnations. ([[TV]]: ''[[Genesis of the Daleks (TV story)|Genesis of the Daleks]]'', ''[[Resurrection of the Daleks (TV story)|Resurrection of the Daleks]]'', ''[[Revelation of the Daleks (TV story)|Revelation of the Daleks]]'', ''[[Remembrance of the Daleks (TV story)|Remembrance of the Daleks]]'', ''[[The Stolen Earth (TV story)|The Stolen Earth]]'')
** The [[Fourth Doctor]] ([[TV]]: ''[[Genesis of the Daleks (TV story)|Genesis of the Daleks]]'')
* Clara is still teaching classes about [[Jane Austen]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Caretaker (TV story)|The Caretaker]]'')
** The [[Fifth Doctor]] ([[TV]]: ''[[Resurrection of the Daleks (TV story)|Resurrection of the Daleks]]'')
** The [[Sixth Doctor]] ([[TV]]: ''[[Revelation of the Daleks (TV story)|Revelation of the Daleks]]'')
** The [[Seventh Doctor]] ([[TV]]: ''[[Remembrance of the Daleks (TV story)|Remembrance of the Daleks]]'')
** The [[Tenth Doctor]] ([[TV]]: ''[[The Stolen Earth (TV story)|The Stolen Earth]]'')
* During the aforementioned series of clips, highlighted due to its particular relevance to the situation, Davros plays the Fourth Doctor's question to his [[companion]]s: "If someone who knew the future pointed out a child to you and told you that that child would grow up totally evil, to be a ruthless dictator who would destroy millions of lives, could you then kill that child?" ([[TV]]: ''[[Genesis of the Daleks (TV story)|Genesis of the Daleks]]'') Davros has previously used another part of that speech against the [[Eighth Doctor]] when he created the virus that could destroy all living things. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Terror Firma (audio story)|Terror Firma]]'')
* The Doctor and Davros talk about the [[Last Great Time War]] ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Engines of War (novel)|Engines of War]]'', [[TV]]: ''[[The Day of the Doctor (TV story)|The Day of the Doctor]]'') and the arguments they have had about the [[Dalek]]s since their first meeting. ([[TV]]: ''[[Genesis of the Daleks (TV story)|Genesis of the Daleks]]'' etc.) The Doctor claims that their argument ended in the War, but Davros believes it survived the War. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Stolen Earth (TV story)|The Stolen Earth]]''/''[[Journey's End (TV story)|Journey's End]]'')
* Davros reminds the Doctor that he doesn't control the Daleks. ([[TV]]: ''[[Genesis of the Daleks (TV story)|Genesis of the Daleks]]'' et al.)
* Clara is still teaching classes about [[Jane Austen]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Caretaker (TV story)|The Caretaker]]'') However, it appears that at some point since the previous discussion she has actually met (and possibly even kissed) the author.
* The Doctor had previously contemplated his death on a battlefield, at [[Trenzalore]] ([[TV]]: ''[[The Time of the Doctor (TV story)|The Time of the Doctor]]'')
* The Doctor had previously contemplated his death on a battlefield, at [[Trenzalore]] ([[TV]]: ''[[The Time of the Doctor (TV story)|The Time of the Doctor]]'')
* As UNIT tracks locations that the Doctor has visited in the past across the globe in an attempt to [[deduce]] where he could have gone for his last destination, Jac notes [[San Martino]], ([[TV]]: ''[[The Masque of Mandragora (TV story)|The Masque of Mandragora]]''), [[Troy]] ([[TV]]: ''[[The Myth Makers (TV story)|The Myth Makers]]''), multiple visits to [[New York (state)|New York]] ([[TV]]: ''[[The Chase (TV story)|The Chase]]'', et al.) and three possible versions of [[Atlantis]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Underwater Menace (TV story)|The Underwater Menace]]'', ''[[The Dæmons (TV story)|The Dæmons]]'', ''[[The Time Monster (TV story)|The Time Monster]]'')
* As UNIT tracks locations that the Doctor has visited in the past across the globe in an attempt to [[deduce]] where he could have gone for his last destination, Jac notes [[San Martino]], ([[TV]]: ''[[The Masque of Mandragora (TV story)|The Masque of Mandragora]]'') [[Troy]], ([[TV]]: ''[[The Myth Makers (TV story)|The Myth Makers]]'') multiple visits to [[New York (state)|New York]] ([[TV]]: ''[[The Chase (TV story)|The Chase]]'', ''[[Daleks in Manhattan (TV story)|Daleks in Manhattan]]'') and three possible versions of [[Atlantis]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Underwater Menace (TV story)|The Underwater Menace]]'', ''[[The Dæmons (TV story)|The Dæmons]]'', ''[[The Time Monster (TV story)|The Time Monster]]'')
* The Doctor concludes that the war must be very old going by the mix of technology. He previously made the same observation later on in the same war. ([[TV]]: ''[[Genesis of the Daleks (TV story)|Genesis of the Daleks]]'')
* The Doctor concludes that the war must have been going on for a long time, judging by the mix of technology. The [[Fourth Doctor]] made the same observation on the war when he arrived at the [[creation of the Daleks]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Genesis of the Daleks (TV story)|Genesis of the Daleks]]'')
* Missy makes a similar bargain with the Daleks as the Doctor did when first meeting them ([[TV]]: ''[[The Daleks (TV story)|The Daleks]]''), offering to teach them how to operate the TARDIS in exchange for her life.
* Missy offers to teach the Daleks how to operate the TARDIS in exchange for her life. The [[First Doctor]] made a similar bargain with them when first meeting them, though he bargained for [[Susan Foreman]]'s life as well. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Daleks (TV story)|The Daleks]]'')
* Davros believes the Doctor's greatest weakness is his compassion. The Daleks have previously made the same observation. ([[TV]]: ''[[Victory of the Daleks (TV story)|Victory of the Daleks]]'')
* Davros believes the Doctor's greatest weakness is his compassion. The Daleks have previously made the same observation. ([[TV]]: ''[[Victory of the Daleks (TV story)|Victory of the Daleks]]'')
* The life forms which became the Daleks were humanoids. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Daleks (TV story)|The Daleks]]'', ''[[Genesis of the Daleks (TV story)|Genesis of the Daleks]]'')
* The life forms which became the Daleks were humanoids. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Daleks (TV story)|The Daleks]]'', ''[[Genesis of the Daleks (TV story)|Genesis of the Daleks]]'')
* The Master and the Daleks worked together on one previous occasion. ([[TV]]: ''[[Frontier in Space (TV story)|Frontier in Space]]'')
* The Master and the Daleks have previously worked together. ([[TV]]: ''[[Frontier in Space (TV story)|Frontier in Space]]'')
* Clara combines her computer skills and talent for understanding behaviour to find the Doctor. She previously did the same to find Miss [[Kizlet]]'s uploaded victims. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Bells of Saint John (TV story)|The Bells of Saint John]]'')
* Clara combines her computer skills and talent for understanding behaviour to find the Doctor. She previously did the same to find [[Rosemary Kizlet]]'s uploaded victims. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Bells of Saint John (TV story)|The Bells of Saint John]]'')
* The Master was previously seemingly exterminated by the Daleks. ([[TV]]: ''[[Doctor Who (TV story)|Doctor Who]]'')
* The Doctor uses a [[Magpie Electricals]] amplifier with his guitar. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Idiot's Lantern (TV story)|The Idiot's Lantern]]'')
* Colony Sarff tells Ohila that "the Doctor is required." This echoes [[WOTAN]]'s line "Doctor Who is required" ([[TV]]: ''[[The War Machines (TV story)|The War Machines]]''), as well as the Daleks' "The Doctor is required." ([[TV]]: ''[[The Time of the Doctor (TV story)|The Time of the Doctor]]'')
* When Clara states her anger to the Doctor for having sent his Confession Dial to Missy, she pointed out that he sent it because he thought (or hoped, which she calls worse) that Missy was still alive since they both saw her "death". When the Doctor revealed the truth about them being on the [[Orient Express (spacecraft)|Orient Express]], he countered her accusing him of knowing that something was going on by stating that he hoped this was so. ([[TV]]: ''[[Mummy on the Orient Express (TV story)|Mummy on the Orient Express]]'')
* The Doctor's newly revealed musical proclivities are nothing new; according to [[Madame Vastra]], he even once put a musical band together involving at least one famous philosopher ([[TV]]: ''[[Deep Breath (TV story)|Deep Breath]]'').
* The Daleks previously encountered numerous planets hidden from sight by their inhabitants. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[The Archives of Phryne (comic story)|The Archives of Phryne]]'') The Daleks themselves later did the same to Skaro to hide from the [[Collector]]<nowiki/>s. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Heart of TARDIS (novel)|Heart of TARDIS]]'')
* Several past versions of the Doctor have been shown to have musical talents with various instruments, including the recorder ([[Second Doctor]]) and the spoons ([[Seventh Doctor]]). The [[Ninth Doctor]] easily handled a delicate alien instrument in [[Henry Van Statten]]'s possession, ([[TV]]: ''[[Dalek (TV story)|Dalek]]'') the [[Tenth Doctor]] claimed to have played [[tuba]] at an early Proms concert ([[TV]]: ''[[Music of the Spheres (TV story)|Music of the Spheres]]''), while the [[Eleventh Doctor]] believed the recording of the aria "[[L'amour est un oiseau rebelle]]" listened to by [[Oswin Oswald]] was one on which he played the triangle. ([[TV]]: ''[[Asylum of the Daleks (TV story)|Asylum of the Daleks]]'')
* The Doctor uses a [[Magpie Electricals]] amplifier with his guitar ([[TV]]: ''[[The Idiot's Lantern (TV story)|The Idiot's Lantern]]'').


== Home video releases ==
== Home video releases ==
=== DVD releases ===
=== DVD & Blu-ray releases ===
''The Magician's Apprentice'' 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>
* ''The Magician's Apprentice'' 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.
* 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===


=== Blu-ray releases ===
* In the United Kingdom, this story is available on [[BBC iPlayer]].
''to be added''
== External links ==
 
* Transcript of [http://www.chakoteya.net/DoctorWho/35-1.html ''The Magicians Apprentice''] at ''[http://www.chakoteya.net Chrissie's Transcripts Site]''
=== Digital releases ===
* {{locguide|themagiciansapprentice|The Magician's Apprentice}}
''to be added''


== Footnotes ==
== Footnotes ==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


== External links ==
* Transcript of [http://www.chakoteya.net/DoctorWho/35-1.html ''The Magicians Apprentice''] at ''[http://www.chakoteya.net Chrissie's Transcripts Site]''
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Latest revision as of 01:01, 22 October 2024

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The Magician's Apprentice was the first episode of series 9 of Doctor Who.

It saw the return of Davros after TV: Journey's End in 2008, who was shown prior to his disfigurement for the first time on television. However, it was not the first story to depict Davros as a child. Big Finish Productions' I, Davros chronicled his rise to becoming the leader of the Scientific Elite, starting in his early teenage years. The episode gives no explanation as to how Davros managed to survive after the events of Journey's End, nor when the Doctor discovered he had done so.

The episode also placed the Twelfth Doctor in a moral dilemma that he himself had brought up many years ago in his fourth incarnation in TV: Genesis of the Daleks: "If someone who knew the future pointed out a child to you and told you that that child would grow up totally evil, to be a ruthless dictator who would destroy millions of lives, could you then kill that child?", with the Doctor coming face to face not only with Davros in the present but also as a child in the past.

Synopsis[[edit] | [edit source]]

The serpentine Colony Sarff has searched the entire universe for the Doctor, to give him the final message of Davros; however, the Time Lord is nowhere to be found.

This is quite serious, as not even the Doctor's closest frenemy, Missy, is able to find him. Adding onto this is the fact she was given his Confession dial, which in human terms is the last will and testament of the Doctor...

Plot[[edit] | [edit source]]

On a misty battlefield, soldiers flee a bombing run. When the dust settles, one of the soldiers notices a small figure running in the mist. The soldier's companion warns him they need to leave, because clam drones are going to pass through the area to pick off those whom the bombing run missed.

The soldier says he thinks he saw a child and will catch up; he runs off and discovers a boy, whom he tells to stop. The boy, dressed in the same uniform as the soldier, turns fearfully as he is asked if he is lost. The boy nods and the earth below him rumbles; something appears to be tunnelling underneath it. The soldier warns the boy to be still and quiet and takes out a scanner. The soldier and the boy are standing on a Handmine field; they will be safe as long as they remain still and quiet.

The soldier pulls out some tools and tries to keep the child calm; he asks if the boy has ever seen a Handmine before. The boy nods and points to the man's leg — a muddy hand has clamped onto the soldier's ankle. The soldier looks upon his ankle in fear and then back to the boy, before the Handmine pulls him down into the earth, creating a gaping hole that closes behind him.

A young Davros.

Several muddy hands with a single eye on their palms rise from the ground. Alone and panicked, the boy begins to scream for someone to help him. Suddenly, something lands beside him: a sonic screwdriver. The boy picks it up and sees a man through the mist. The Doctor has arrived to help the child. Using the sonic screwdriver to create an audio corridor, they talk. The Doctor tells the boy that he has one chance in a thousand of surviving, but that he should focus on that one chance: one is all he needs. He asks the boy what war this is, not knowing when or where he is. The boy, confused, replies that "it's just the war." He is similarly confused when the Doctor asks him what planet this is. The Doctor tells him not to mind. In an attempt to reassure and comfort the boy, the Doctor asks him what his name is. The boy replies, "Davros. My name is Davros."

At the Maldovarium, Colony Sarff, an envoy of Davros, is searching for the Doctor. He demands that the patrons tell him his location. He is met with silence. Later, in the Shadow Proclamation, the Shadow Architect refuses to tell Sarff where the Doctor is, insisting that she has no idea. Later still on Karn, Ohila warns Sarff of the dangers hunting the Doctor can bring. Colony Sarff tells Ohila that Davros is dying, but is still anticipating his final meeting with the Doctor. They then leave, giving Ohila a message for the Doctor, unaware that the Time Lord is hiding behind the rocks.

On present-day Earth, Clara is teaching in Coal Hill School. She looks out the window, noticing something amiss; using a marker, she draws a circle around a plane in the sky, realising that it's frozen in the air. After assigning her class to use their mobiles to search for any information, Clara is told by another teacher about a call for her. Knowing it's UNIT, Clara leaves for the Tower of London. She attempts to contact the Doctor but receives no answer.

At UNIT HQ, Kate Stewart is tracking the frozen planes. Clara deduces the planes aren't being weaponised because an invasion involves stealth, not spectacle. At that moment, the Doctor channel is opened, and lyrics appear on the screen, with one repeating word — Missy. Missy appears on-screen, explaining that the frozen planes were just a way to get their attention. She proposes a meeting with UNIT.

At 16:00, Clara and Missy meet in a cafe, where Missy demonstrates her ability to freeze the planes with a simple Time Lord trick. She also notes that Clara must have tried contacting the Doctor by now; Missy explains that she can't find him either. Clara dismisses it, stating it happens sometimes. Missy then reveals that it's worse than she thinks, showing Clara the Doctor's confession dial — containing the Doctor's last will and testament. She explains that a confession dial is given to a dying Time Lord's closest friend on their final day. Clara attempts to touch the dial, but is zapped by it; Missy explains that it was given to her, not Clara.

Clara wonders if Missy has turned over a new leaf, but Missy then vaporises a member of UNIT, stating that she has not "turned good". Threatening to have the snipers kill her, Clara demands Missy show she cares about the Doctor. Missy releases the planes from the time stop, revealing nothing else could have been done with them; they were just stuck in time.

Missy explains the Doctor is facing his final day, and therefore has come to Earth; however, when and where is unknown. Clara asks Missy how a Time Lord would spend his final day, and Missy says that it is supposed to be in meditation. Clara tells Kate to track mentions of the Doctor across history that doesn't involve an alien disturbance, and they discover his location: Essex, the Middle Ages. Using a vortex manipulator, Missy and Clara vanish into the past.

Clara and Missy arrive in a castle, where Missy explains that the vortex manipulator she put on Clara, is slaved to her own; where Missy goes, so does Clara. Wondering how they will find the Doctor, Clara is told to look for anything that stands out. At that moment, they hear an electric guitar playing; the Doctor arrives in a stadium, playing the guitar on a tank. His opponent, Bors is annoyed; the Doctor laughs that he wanted an "axe fight". The Doctor begins making bad jokes, to which Clara notes is not like him; Missy retorts "you really are new, aren't you."

To Clara's surprise, the Doctor looks right at them and starts playing Pretty Woman to clue them in; Clara heads down, wondering how the Doctor picked her out of the crowd. The Doctor says he always sees her and hugs her; Clara notes this isn't like him. The Doctor states he spent the past days wearing items his last lives did, stating all of him is welcome to his party. Missy arrives next, wondering what he's up to. The Doctor gets the crowd to boo at her. However, Bors is next heard choking; the Doctor checks his neck, finding a snake, which he tosses off Bors.

The crowd flees. as Sarff arrives, revealing his composition: a colony of snakes, bound together to form a humanoid. They demand the Doctor come with them to speak with Davros. The Doctor, recalling an action about which he feels great shame, agrees to go with Sarff. Missy and Clara demand to be taken as well; after voting, Sarff agrees to take them, binding the hands of all three with snakes. The Doctor, Clara and Missy are teleported to Sarff's shuttle. In their absence, Bors — revealed to have been converted into a Dalek puppet — procures the TARDIS and informs Dalek High Command.

The Doctor encounters a dying Davros.

Travelling to Davros' location — apparently a space hospital - the Doctor tells Clara who Davros is — the creator of the Daleks; a child of war who sealed his species inside tanks to preserve them. In the hospital, the Doctor goes with Sarff to see Davros, leaving Clara with Missy. As he leaves, he mentions the gravity. Both the Doctor and Missy have noticed that the gravity is natural. The hospital cannot be a space station. Missy daringly opens the airlock.

The Doctor meets with Davros, and they talk of how their conflicts have been fuelled by a single disagreement — was Davros right to create the Daleks, or was his lack of compassion wrong? Davros plays several recordings of the Doctor's various speeches to him about morality.

Clara and Missy walk out, apparently into outer space. However, they are breathing, and apparently walking on solid ground. Missy realises that once within the planet's atmosphere, one begins to synchronise with it. The illusion vanishes, showing a city in the middle of a wasteland; Missy reacts with horror and disbelief, while Clara is left confused. At the same time, the Doctor is shown the truth by Davros; they are on Skaro, the Daleks' homeworld.

Sighted by a Dalek, Clara and Missy are taken to see the Supreme Dalek, who has a large weapon aimed at the TARDIS. Missy attempts to reason with the Daleks - if they don't destroy the TARDIS, she can help them fly it, allowing them to conquer the universe. However, the Supreme Dalek demands Missy's total extermination, and she vanishes in the blast.

The Doctor pleads with Davros to not let Clara come to harm — but Davros tells him that he does not control the Daleks. Davros observes the Daleks' choice to wait for Clara to run. As she runs, they exterminate her, causing her to vanish. The Supreme Dalek then orders the TARDIS to be destroyed and it is seemingly vaporised by the weapon aimed at it.

"Exterminate!"

Back on the battlefield, a young Davros, still pleading with the Doctor not to leave, hears the TARDIS rematerialise behind him, and disbelievingly asks him how he has moved. The Doctor explains he's come from the future, and that he has to save his friend the only way he can. Brandishing a severed Dalek gunstick, the Doctor glares towards the child, shouting "Exterminate!"

Cast[[edit] | [edit source]]

Uncredited 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]]

Technology[[edit] | [edit source]]

Species[[edit] | [edit source]]

Culture from the real world[[edit] | [edit source]]

Individuals[[edit] | [edit source]]

Numbers[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • Jac mentions the numbers 4165 and 439.

Unified Intelligence Taskforce[[edit] | [edit source]]

Locations[[edit] | [edit source]]

The TARDIS[[edit] | [edit source]]

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

  • To keep Davros' return a surprise, Julian Bleach was not credited prior to airing. The young Davros, played by Joey Price, is credited as "Boy".
  • This was the first series opener in the BBC Wales series, and the first Dalek story, to be directed by a woman.
  • This is the first televised story to be set on Skaro since Destiny of the Daleks.
  • The Radio Times programme listing was accompanied by a head-and-shoulders shot of Missy operating her control device, with the accompanying caption "Doctor Who / 7.40 p.m. Missy is one of many searching for the missing Time Lord as the series returns".
  • On 27 September, the day after the broadcast of The Witch's Familiar, the two-part opener was broadcast on BBC One and BBC One HD as one single feature-length episode.[4]
  • The title sequence was slightly modified starting with this episode; the clock gears, gas and the first Roman numeral clock face tunnel now have a blue hue.
  • The episode's credits list the creators of the Kahler, Skullions, Hath, Blowfish, Ood, and Sycorax, all of whom were present when Colony Sarff was searching for the Doctor. This is the Skullions' first appearance on Doctor Who, having previously appeared in The Sarah Jane Adventures. This is the first time in which creator credits are included for creatures introduced during Steven Moffat's tenure as showrunner, and for creatures introduced in a spin-off series.
  • This is the first time a Special Weapons Dalek has been shown to apparently talk on-screen and also features the gold oblong windows encircling its dome lighting up. These traits were subject to debate and speculation ever since the Special Weapons Dalek model first appeared in Remembrance of the Daleks, as the model featured was never shown speaking either in that serial, or in Asylum of the Daleks. A new model was used in the story, completely separate from the prop used in the first two stories. As a result, if one pays close attention to details, it can actually be seen that it looks slightly different in some places.
  • The congregation of Daleks that Clara and Missy meet on Skaro includes the original silver and blue model used from TV: The Daleks to TV: The Space Museum, the second silver and blue model used from TV: The Space Museum to TV: The War Games, the Emperor Dalek's personal guard from TV: The Evil of the Daleks, the grey and black model used from TV: Day of the Daleks to TV: Remembrance of the Daleks, the Special Weapons Dalek from TV: Remembrance of the Daleks, a black Dalek resembling Dalek Sec, the Supreme Dalek model from TV: The Stolen Earth and Journey's End, and the incumbent bronze model that has been in use since TV: Dalek.
  • Peter Capaldi actually played the guitar in this story, and for the rest of the season, having been a musician in real life.
  • Michelle Gomez confirmed on Twitter that her tickling a nearby Dalek's bumps when referring to the TARDIS as "the dog's unmentionables" was improvised.[5]
  • This story is the first time Ohila has been featured in a full-length episode of Doctor Who as opposed to mini-episodes.
  • The design of the Dalek city and the sliding doors in it pays homage to the set of the first Dalek story, TV: The Daleks.
  • The title (which formed an interesting dichotomy with The Witch's Familiar) was not the first time the Doctor's companion was compared to a "magician's apprentice", as this had already been the object of a sequence in the novel Vampire Science, between the Eighth Doctor and Sam Jones. Referring to the Twelfth Doctor as a magician, as the title does, may also be an allusion to the common wisdom that this Doctor's outfit resembles a classic stage magician's.
  • In the "Showrunner Showdown" interview for DWM 551, Steven Moffat revealed he had wanted his predecessor as showrunner Russell T Davies to write this episode and sent him an early draft of the pitch. The story behind this original pitch was "almost unrecognisable" from the final episode, focusing on Davros on trial. Moffat suggested the plot would have given the Doctor and Davros' conversations an audience, with the Doctor winning over the Dalek crowd but in the process sympathising with his longtime enemy. Ultimately, Davies was not interested, and Moffat wrote the episode himself.

Ratings[[edit] | [edit source]]

Filming locations[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • Fuerteventura, Canary Islands[9]
  • Convento de San Francisco, Garachico, Tenerife, Canary Islands
  • Parque Nacional del Teide, Tenerife, Canary Islands

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.
  • When Colony Sarff is leaving Karn, the glow of a hoverboard, used to make him appear to slither along the ground, can be seen under his robes.
  • After Missy opens the door to the cell she and Clara are in, the snake binding Clara's hands disappears without an explanation.

Continuity[[edit] | [edit source]]

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

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

  • The Magician's Apprentice 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]]

Footnotes[[edit] | [edit source]]