The Hand of Fear (TV story): Difference between revisions

From Tardis Wiki, the free Doctor Who reference
m (Bot: Cosmetic changes)
 
(56 intermediate revisions by 26 users not shown)
Line 2: Line 2:
{{real world}}
{{real world}}
{{ImageLinkTV}}
{{ImageLinkTV}}
{{Infobox Story
{{Infobox Story SMW
|image=Eldrad's ring.jpg
|image                 = Eldrad's ring.jpg
|series=[[Doctor Who television stories|''Doctor Who'' television stories]]
|series                 = [[Doctor Who television stories|''Doctor Who'' television stories]]
|season number= Season 14  
|season number         = Season 14 (Doctor Who 1963)
|season serial number = 2
|season serial number   = 2
|story number=87
|story number           = 87
|doctor=Fourth Doctor  
|doctor                 = Fourth Doctor  
|companions= [[Sarah Jane Smith|Sarah]]  
|companions             = [[Sarah Jane Smith|Sarah]]  
|enemy= [[Eldrad]]  
|enemy                 = [[Eldrad]]  
|setting= [[England]], [[20th century]]; [[Kastria]]
|setting               = [[England]] and [[Kastria]], [[20th century]]
|writer= {{il|[[Bob Baker]]|[[Dave Martin]]}}
|writer                 = Bob Baker, Dave Martin
|director= [[Lennie Mayne]]  
|director               = [[Lennie Mayne]]  
|producer= [[Philip Hinchcliffe]]  
|producer               = [[Philip Hinchcliffe]]  
|novelisation= Doctor Who and the Hand of Fear
|novelisation           = Doctor Who and the Hand of Fear (novelisation)
|epcount=4
|epcount               = 4
|broadcast date= [[2 October (releases)|2]] - [[23 October (releases)|23 October]] [[1976 (releases)|1976]]
|broadcast date         = 2 October - 23 October 1976  
|network=[[BBC1]]
|network               = BBC1
|format= 4x25-minute episodes  
|format                 = 4x25-minute episodes  
|serial production code= [[List of production codes|4N]]
|serial production code = [[List of production codes|4N]]
|prev= The Masque of Mandragora (TV story)  
|prev                   = The Masque of Mandragora (TV story)  
|next= The Deadly Assassin (TV story)
|next                   = The Deadly Assassin (TV story)
|clip= Until we meet again Sarah - Sarah Jane leaves - The Hand of Fear - Doctor Who - BBC
|clip                   = Until we meet again Sarah - Sarah Jane leaves - The Hand of Fear - Doctor Who - BBC
|thwr                  = 45
|thwr2                  = 191
}}
}}
'''''The Hand of Fear''''' was the second serial of [[season 14]] of ''[[Doctor Who]]''. Significantly, it was the final regular appearance of [[Elisabeth Sladen]] as [[Sarah Jane Smith]], though she would return to the role in a semi-regular capacity in [[School Reunion (TV story)|School Reunion]] in [[2006 (releases)|2006]], and the main cast member of [[The Sarah Jane Adventures|''The Sarah Jane Adventures'']] in [[2007 (releases)|2007]].
'''''The Hand of Fear''''' was the second serial of [[Season 14 (Doctor Who 1963)|season 14]] of ''[[Doctor Who]]''. Significantly, it was the final regular appearance of [[Elisabeth Sladen]] as [[Sarah Jane Smith]], though she would return to the role in a semi-regular capacity in ''[[School Reunion (TV story)|School Reunion]]'' in [[2006 (releases)|2006]], and the main cast member of ''[[The Sarah Jane Adventures]]'' in [[2007 (releases)|2007]].


''The Hand of Fear'' was originally intended for the 1976 six-part slot that was taken by ''[[The Seeds of Doom (TV story)|The Seeds of Doom]]''.<ref name="sullivan">http://www.shannonsullivan.com/drwho/serials/4n.html</ref> It was inspired by the 1946 film {{wi|The Beast with Five Fingers}}. (DCOM: ''The Hand of Fear'') There were several versions of the script. One saw the [[hand]] as an advance guard preparing the way for an alien army. Another fixed upon two "Omegans" — representing the "hawk" and "dove" — working against humanity. There were plans for [[the Brigadier]] and [[Harry Sullivan]] to appear, with the former, much like in early drafts of ''[[Pyramids of Mars (TV story)|Pyramids of Mars]]'', bowing out from ''Who'' in a blaze of glory.
''The Hand of Fear'' was originally intended for the 1976 six-part slot that was taken by ''[[The Seeds of Doom (TV story)|The Seeds of Doom]]''.<ref name="sullivan">http://www.shannonsullivan.com/drwho/serials/4n.html</ref> It was inspired by the 1946 film {{wi|The Beast with Five Fingers}}. (DCOM: ''The Hand of Fear'') There were several versions of the script. One saw the [[hand]] as an advance guard preparing the way for an alien army. Another fixed upon two "Omegans" — representing the "hawk" and "dove" — working against humanity. There were plans for [[Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart|the Brigadier]] and [[Harry Sullivan]] to appear, with the former, much like in early drafts of ''[[Pyramids of Mars (TV story)|Pyramids of Mars]]'', bowing out from ''Who'' in a blaze of glory.


However, [[script editor]] [[Robert Holmes]] took issue with its complexity and commissioned another script to be the final story of [[season 13]], should this remain unresolved. Finally, in [[October (production)|October]] [[1975 (production)|1975]], ''The Hand of Fear'' was officially delayed and ''The Seeds of Doom'' was produced in its place.
However, [[script editor]] [[Robert Holmes]] took issue with its complexity and commissioned another script to be the final story of [[Season 13 (Doctor Who 1963)|season 13]], should this remain unresolved. Finally, in [[October (production)|October]] [[1975 (production)|1975]], ''The Hand of Fear'' was officially delayed and ''The Seeds of Doom'' was produced in its place.


After Elizabeth Sladen told the production team she wanted to leave early in the next season, [[Douglas Camfield]] was commissioned to write ''The Lost Legion'', which would see Sarah killed at its conclusion. However, Holmes was unhappy with the script and, in a turn of fate, decided that ''The Hand of Fear'' might have to be used as a replacement. With [[UNIT]] and degenerating-humans removed from the plot, [[Bob Baker]] and [[Dave Martin]] produced a more linear story. Camfield fell behind on his own script and was discounted. Baker and Martin left the writing of Sarah's farewell scene to Holmes.
After Elizabeth Sladen told the production team she wanted to leave early in the next season, [[Douglas Camfield]] was commissioned to write ''The Lost Legion'', which would see Sarah killed at its conclusion. However, Holmes was unhappy with the script and, in a turn of fate, decided that ''The Hand of Fear'' might have to be used as a replacement. With [[UNIT]] and degenerating-humans removed from the plot, [[Bob Baker]] and [[Dave Martin]] produced a more linear story. Camfield fell behind on his own script and was discounted. Baker and Martin left the writing of Sarah's farewell scene to Holmes.


[[Director]] [[Lennie Mayne]] made his final contribution to ''Doctor Who'' with ''The Hand of Fear''. After finishing production on the serial and an episode of {{wi|Softly, Softly: Taskforce}}, he was drowned after a wave swept him overboard in the [[English Channel]].<ref name="sullivan" />
[[Director (crew)|Director]] [[Lennie Mayne]] made his final contribution to ''Doctor Who'' with ''The Hand of Fear''. After finishing production on the serial and an episode of {{wi|Softly, Softly: Taskforce}}, he was drowned after a wave swept him overboard in the [[English Channel]] in May 1977.<ref name="sullivan" />


Permission to film at Oldbury Nuclear Power Station was obtained before the script was completed, so central was it to the story. Bob Baker found the staff very accommodating on his initial visit, such was their enthusiasm for the project. The [[radiation]] provided health and safety concerns, with [[geiger counter]] checks being performed on the cast and crew and Radiological Clearance Certificates having to be issued before any object could leave the premises. (DCOM/INFO: ''The Hand of Fear'')
Permission to film at Oldbury Nuclear Power Station was obtained before the script was completed, so central was it to the story. Bob Baker found the staff very accommodating on his initial visit, such was their enthusiasm for the project. The [[radiation]] provided health and safety concerns, with [[geiger counter]] checks being performed on the cast and crew and Radiological Clearance Certificates having to be issued before any object could leave the premises. (DCOM/INFO: ''The Hand of Fear'')


== Synopsis ==
== Synopsis ==
When [[The Doctor's TARDIS|the TARDIS]] lands in a [[quarry]] on [[Earth]], the Doctor and [[Sarah Jane Smith|Sarah]] are caught in a mining explosion. Sarah is found clutching what appears to be a fossilised hand, buried in one-hundred-fifty-million-year-old strata. Analysis shows the hand to be silicon-based and inert, but when Sarah begins to act as if possessed, the Doctor suspects that it may still be alive...
When [[The Doctor's TARDIS|the TARDIS]] lands in a [[quarry]] on [[Earth]], the Doctor and [[Sarah Jane Smith|Sarah]] are caught in a quarrying explosion. Sarah is found clutching what appears to be a fossilised hand, buried in one-hundred-fifty-million-year-old strata. Analysis shows the hand to be silicon-based and inert, but when Sarah begins to act as if possessed, the Doctor suspects that it may still be alive...


== Plot ==
== Plot ==
=== Part 1 ===
=== Part one ===
One hundred and fifty million years ago on the planet [[Kastria]], a traitor named [[Eldrad]] is sentenced to death for crimes including the destruction of the barriers that kept the [[solar wind]]s at bay.
One hundred and fifty million years ago on the planet [[Kastria]], a traitor named [[Eldrad]] is sentenced to death for crimes including the destruction of the barriers that kept the [[solar wind]]s at bay.


Line 50: Line 52:
The hand is examined. Based on the strata of the rock in which it was found, it is one hundred fifty million years old. Pathologist Dr [[Carter (The Hand of Fear)|Carter]] dismisses these findings as ridiculous. Examining a sliver of the hand under an [[electron microscope]], the Doctor observes a helix similar to [[DNA]]. The minuscule radiation of the microscope causes the sample to grow. The Doctor realises that this fossil might actually contain vestiges of life.
The hand is examined. Based on the strata of the rock in which it was found, it is one hundred fifty million years old. Pathologist Dr [[Carter (The Hand of Fear)|Carter]] dismisses these findings as ridiculous. Examining a sliver of the hand under an [[electron microscope]], the Doctor observes a helix similar to [[DNA]]. The minuscule radiation of the microscope causes the sample to grow. The Doctor realises that this fossil might actually contain vestiges of life.


Sarah awakens in her hospital bed, holding a crystalline [[ring]] that slipped from the hand. The ring begins to pulse with energy. Sarah hears a voice in her head: "Eldrad must live." She steals the hand and flees the hospital, knocking out Carter with a flash from the ring. She heads for the nearest [[nuclear reactor]], the [[Nunton Experimental Complex|Nunton Complex]]. With the aid of the ring, Sarah overpowers guards and workmen and enters the reactor room. She watches as the hand absorbs radiation, regenerates its missing finger and begins to move.
Sarah awakens in her hospital bed, holding a crystalline [[ring]] that slipped from the hand. The ring begins to pulse with energy. Sarah hears a voice in her head: "Eldrad must live." She steals the hand and flees the hospital, knocking out Carter with a flash from the ring. She heads for the nearest [[nuclear reactor]], the [[Nunton Experimental Complex|Nunton Complex]]. With the aid of the ring, Sarah overpowers guards and workmen and enters the reactor room, sending the complex into red alert. She watches as the hand absorbs radiation, regenerates its missing finger and begins to move...


=== Part 2 ===
=== Part two ===
The head of the complex, [[Owen Watson|Professor Watson]], stays at his post when the reactor goes critical. He offers the Doctor aid and advice in trying to get to Sarah. She sits serenely amidst the chaos and klaxons. The Doctor resolves to enter the chamber through a [[cooling duct]] in [[Cooling systems control]]. His progress is interrupted by Dr Carter, now also under the [[hypnosis|hypnotic]] control of the ring. He tries to strike the Doctor while on a stairwell, but his own momentum carries him over the railing, and he falls to his death.
The head of the complex, [[Owen Watson|Professor Watson]], stays at his post when the reactor goes critical. He offers the Doctor aid and advice in trying to get to Sarah. She sits serenely amidst the chaos and klaxons. The Doctor resolves to enter the chamber through a [[cooling duct]] in [[Cooling systems control]]. His progress is interrupted by Dr Carter, now also under the [[hypnosis|hypnotic]] control of the ring. He tries to strike the Doctor while on a stairwell, but his own momentum carries him over the railing, and he falls to his death.


Line 61: Line 63:
Inside the control room, the panels explode, knocking Professor Watson to the floor...
Inside the control room, the panels explode, knocking Professor Watson to the floor...


=== Part 3 ===
=== Part three ===
[[File:Eldrad and the Doctor.jpg|thumb|left|The Doctor persuades [[Eldrad]] to let [[Owen Watson|Watson]] live.]]
[[File:Eldrad and the Doctor.jpg|thumb|left|The Doctor persuades [[Eldrad]] to let [[Owen Watson|Watson]] live.]]
It seems they are waiting in vain, as nothing happens. The Doctor enters the reactor chamber where the level of radiation is, surprisingly, still normal. He explains that sort of "unexplosion" happened. They close the reactor core and hurry out as Watson has ordered an [[RAF]] strike to destroy the hand and the reactor. The missiles' impact, however, have no effect because the hand absorbed all the energy. The nuclear missiles and the full power of the reactor are enough to complete the regeneration of Eldrad.
It seems they are waiting in vain, as nothing happens. The Doctor enters the reactor chamber where the level of radiation is, surprisingly, still normal. He explains that sort of "unexplosion" happened. They close the reactor core and hurry out as Watson has ordered an [[RAF]] strike to destroy the hand and the reactor. The missiles' impact, however, have no effect because the hand absorbed all the energy. The nuclear missiles and the full power of the reactor are enough to complete the regeneration of Eldrad.


Crystalline, [[silicon]]-based and female, she tells the story of how she created the [[spatial barrier]]s that let Kastria thrive, but in an interstellar war the barriers were destroyed, and she was disgraced and condemned. Eldrad persuades the Doctor to return her to Kastria so she can save her people; he agrees on the condition that they travel to Kastria in the present, a hundred fifty million years after she left.
Crystalline, [[silicon]]-based and [[female]], she tells the story of how she created the [[spatial barrier]]s that let Kastria thrive, but in an interstellar war the barriers were destroyed, and she was disgraced and condemned. Eldrad persuades the Doctor to return her to Kastria so she can save her people; he agrees on the condition that they travel to Kastria in the present, a hundred fifty million years after she left.


Immediately afterwards, Watson arrives and attempts to attack Eldrad, firing a gun at her with no effect. She immediately retaliates and means to kill him, but she is persuaded otherwise by the Doctor. Leaving Watson to work on getting Nunton back to normal, the Doctor, Sarah and Eldrad return to the quarry where the TARDIS landed, and depart for Kastria.
Immediately afterwards, Watson arrives and attempts to attack Eldrad, firing a gun at her with no effect. She immediately retaliates and means to kill him, but she is persuaded otherwise by the Doctor. Leaving Watson to work on getting Nunton back to normal, the Doctor, Sarah and Eldrad return to the quarry where the TARDIS landed, and depart for Kastria.
Line 71: Line 73:
The planet is barren and ruined, but her ring reactivates some instruments. The Kastrian opens the door to the underground thermal caves looking for survivors and triggers a trap. A syringe-like dart hits her in the chest.
The planet is barren and ruined, but her ring reactivates some instruments. The Kastrian opens the door to the underground thermal caves looking for survivors and triggers a trap. A syringe-like dart hits her in the chest.


=== Part 4 ===
=== Part four ===
[[File:Sarah, Eldrad and 4.jpg|right|thumb|Sarah, Eldrad and the Doctor look upon the [[thermal chamber]]s.]]
[[File:Sarah, Eldrad and 4.jpg|right|thumb|Sarah, Eldrad and the Doctor look upon the [[thermal chamber]]s.]]
After she explains that the dart contained [[Eldrad's acid|an acid]] of her own design, the Doctor and Sarah take the dying Eldrad to a [[regenerator chamber]] deep below the surface of Kastria, in the [[thermal chamber]]s. Booby traps have been set along, targeting silicon-based beings. The regenerator chamber is rigged to destroy Eldrad, but a malfunction allows a full regeneration. The new form of Eldrad emerges and reveals he had based his earlier form on Sarah, the first human he encountered. Eldrad is now much taller and male. He boasts that he destroyed the solar barriers in a rivalry with [[Rokon|King Rokon]]. They find Eldrad's ultimate goal, to rule Kastria. He enters the Kastrian [[race bank]], where he intends to revive the dormant Kastrian people. The bank, however, is empty.
After she explains that the dart contained [[Eldrad's acid|an acid]] of her own design, the Doctor and Sarah take the dying Eldrad to a [[regenerator chamber]] deep below the surface of Kastria, in the [[thermal chamber]]s. Booby traps have been set along, targeting silicon-based beings. The regenerator chamber is rigged to destroy Eldrad, but a malfunction allows a full regeneration. The new form of Eldrad emerges and reveals he had based his earlier form on Sarah, the first human he encountered. Eldrad is now much taller and [[male]]. He boasts that he destroyed the solar barriers in a rivalry with [[Rokon|King Rokon]]. They find Eldrad's ultimate goal, to rule Kastria. He enters the Kastrian [[race bank]], where he intends to revive the dormant Kastrian people. The bank, however, is empty.


An image of Rokon appears on a video screen, informing Eldrad that without the barriers, facing perpetual subterranean existence and a small possibility of his return, the Kastrian race elected to destroy themselves and the race bank. It was Rokon who long time ago set the [[booby trap]]s. Rokon mockingly salutes Eldrad from the grave as "King of Nothing". A bitter Eldrad now decides to rule the [[Earth]] instead and demands that the Doctor return him. He refuses, stating that his obligation to Eldrad is now satisfied.
An image of the long dead Rokon appears on a large video screen, informing Eldrad that without the barriers, facing perpetual subterranean existence and a small possibility of his return, the Kastrian race elected to destroy themselves and the race bank. It was Rokon who long time ago set the [[booby trap]]s. Rokon mockingly salutes Eldrad from the grave as "King of Nothing". A bitter Eldrad now decides to rule [[Earth]] instead and demands the Doctor return him there. The Doctor refuses, stating that his obligation to Eldrad is now finished. Eldrad pursues the Doctor and Sarah, but they stretch out [[the Doctor's scarf]] across the passageway. Tripping over it, Eldrad falls into an abyss to his apparent doom. The Doctor drops Eldrad's ring into the depths as well. He notes that Eldrad's fate is uncertain, as silicon-based lifeforms are difficult to kill.
 
Eldrad pursues the Doctor and Sarah, but they stretch out [[the Doctor's scarf]] across the passageway. Tripping over it, Eldrad falls into an abyss to his apparent doom. The Doctor drops Eldrad's ring into the depths as well. He notes that Eldrad's fate is uncertain, as silicon-based lifeforms are difficult to kill.


The Doctor and Sarah depart in the TARDIS, and the Doctor sets about making repairs. Sarah bemoans her life in the TARDIS — bouncing around the universe, fleeing from bug-eyed monsters and needing a [[bath]]. The Doctor is focused on his work on the TARDIS console, which infuriates her. She demands to be returned home and storms off to her room to pack.
The Doctor and Sarah depart in the TARDIS, and the Doctor sets about making repairs. Sarah bemoans her life in the TARDIS — bouncing around the universe, fleeing from bug-eyed monsters and needing a [[bath]]. The Doctor is focused on his work on the TARDIS console, which infuriates her. She demands to be returned home and storms off to her room to pack.


While she is gone, the Doctor receives a telepathic summons to return to [[Gallifrey]] and notes to himself that he cannot take Sarah with him. Sarah returns with her packed things, and the Doctor informs her that he must return her to Earth, as he cannot take her with him to Gallifrey. With her idle threat suddenly becoming reality, Sarah is taken aback, especially at missing the chance to see Gallifrey.
While she is gone, the Doctor receives a telepathic summons to return to [[Gallifrey]] and notes to himself that he cannot take Sarah with him. Sarah returns with her packed belongings (which include a stuffed toy [[owl]]), and the Doctor informs her that he must return her to Earth, as he cannot take her to Gallifrey. With her idle threat suddenly becoming reality, Sarah is taken aback, especially at missing the chance to see Gallifrey.


[[File:SarahJaneAway.JPG|thumb|left|Sarah walks away from [[The Doctor's TARDIS|the TARDIS]].]]
[[File:SarahJaneAway.JPG|thumb|left|Sarah walks away from [[The Doctor's TARDIS|the TARDIS]].]]
The Doctor steers the TARDIS to bring her to [[Hillview Road]], [[South Croydon]] — Sarah's home. She asks him not to forget her; he replies likewise. Once the TARDIS dematerialises, Sarah makes her exit, noting that travel does indeed broaden the mind, and the Doctor promises her that they will meet again.
The Doctor steers the TARDIS to bring her to [[Hillview Road]], [[South Croydon]] — Sarah's home. She asks him not to forget her; he replies likewise. Once the TARDIS materialises, Sarah makes her exit, noting that travel does indeed broaden the mind, and the Doctor promises her that they will meet again. After watching the TARDIS dematerialise to return the Doctor home, Sarah realises that she is ''not'' on Hillview Road and guesses that she is probably not even in South Croydon. She playfully remarks to a nearby dog, "He ''blew'' it!" Whistling, she walks off toward her new life.
 
After watching the TARDIS disappear to return the Doctor home, Sarah realises she hasn't been left on Hillview Road and guesses she's probably not even in South Croydon. She playfully remarks to a nearby dog, "He blew it", and, whistling, walks off toward her new life...


== Cast ==
== Cast ==
Line 93: Line 91:
* Dr. [[Carter (The Hand of Fear)|Carter]] - [[Rex Robinson]]
* Dr. [[Carter (The Hand of Fear)|Carter]] - [[Rex Robinson]]
* [[Intern (The Hand of Fear)|Intern]] - [[Renu Setna]]
* [[Intern (The Hand of Fear)|Intern]] - [[Renu Setna]]
* [[Abbott]] - [[David Purcell]]
* [[Abbott (The Hand of Fear)|Abbott]] - [[David Purcell]]
* [[Zazzka]] - [[Roy Pattison]]
* [[Zazzka]] - [[Roy Pattison]]
* King [[Rokon]] - [[Roy Skelton]]
* King [[Rokon]] - [[Roy Skelton]]
Line 126: Line 124:
* [[Visual Effects]] - [[Colin Mapson]]
* [[Visual Effects]] - [[Colin Mapson]]
* [[Producer]] - [[Philip Hinchcliffe]]
* [[Producer]] - [[Philip Hinchcliffe]]
* [[Director]] - [[Lennie Mayne]]
* [[Director (crew)|Director]] - [[Lennie Mayne]]


=== Uncredited crew ===
=== Uncredited crew ===
Line 147: Line 145:
* [[Grip]]s - [[Stan Swetman]] ([[INFO]]: ''The Hand of Fear'')
* [[Grip]]s - [[Stan Swetman]] ([[INFO]]: ''The Hand of Fear'')


== References ==
== Worldbuilding ==
=== Cultural references from the real world ===
=== Cultural references from the real world ===
* Dr Carter points out that Sarah's clothes make her look "just like [[Andy Pandy]]".
* Dr Carter points out that Sarah's clothes make her look "just like [[Andy Pandy]]".
* In the final scene, Sarah Jane whistles the tune, "[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daddy_Wouldn%27t_Buy_Me_a_Bow_Wow Daddy Wouldn't Buy Me a Bow-Wow]". Since [[Elisabeth Sladen]] was unable to whistle, director [[Lennie Mayne]] provided the whistling while she mimed to it.


=== Individuals ===
=== Individuals ===
Line 166: Line 165:


=== TARDIS ===
=== TARDIS ===
* The extreme cold of Kastria might have affected the TARDIS' [[thermocoupling]]s, which the Doctor tries to repair with an [[astro rectifier]], a [[multi quantiscope]] and a [[Ganymede driver]]. He decides that he doesn't need the [[mergin nut]] or the [[Zeus plug]]s.
* The extreme cold of Kastria might have affected the TARDIS's [[thermocoupling]]s, which the Doctor tries to repair with an [[astro rectifier]], a [[multi quantiscope]] and a [[Ganymede driver]]. He decides that he doesn't need the [[mergin nut]] or the [[Zeus plug]]s.
* The Doctor tells Eldrad that the interior of the TARDIS exists in a state of [[temporal grace]].
* The Doctor tells Eldrad that the interior of the TARDIS exists in a state of [[temporal grace]].
* The Doctor warns Eldrad that if the coordinates to Kastria are mis-set, "[[symbolic resonance]] will occur in the [[trackor time crystal]]", making the travel impossible.
* The Doctor warns Eldrad that if the coordinates to Kastria are mis-set, "[[symbolic resonance]] will occur in the [[trackor time crystal]]", making the travel impossible.
Line 172: Line 171:
=== Time travel ===
=== Time travel ===
* According to the Doctor, bringing Eldrad back to their home time would contravene the [[Laws of Time#First Law of Time|first Law of Time]].
* According to the Doctor, bringing Eldrad back to their home time would contravene the [[Laws of Time#First Law of Time|first Law of Time]].
=== Influences ===
* [[Robert Holmes]] suggested [[Bob Baker]] and [[Dave Martin]] use the novel ''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Les_Mains_d%27Orlac Les mains d'Orlac]'' as inspiration, as well as "crawling hands" films such as ''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Beast_with_Five_Fingers The Beast with Five Fingers]'' (1946).


== Story notes ==
== Story notes ==
* When Sladen expressed her intention to leave the series, Sarah was originally supposed to be killed off in a pseudo-historical story involving aliens and the Foreign Legion. However [[Douglas Camfield]], who was supposed to write the scripts, was unable to do so. This was much to Sladen's relief, as she did not want Sarah to be killed or married off. Sladen also asked that Sarah's departure not be the main focus of the story, as she felt the programme was about the Doctor, not the companion. Baker and Martin intentionally did not write Sarah's departure scene. The script for that scene was rewritten by Sladen and [[Tom Baker]] from Robert Holmes's original version.
* When Elisabeth Sladen expressed her intention to leave the series, Sarah was originally supposed to be killed off in a pseudo-historical story involving aliens and the Foreign Legion. However [[Douglas Camfield]], who was supposed to write the scripts, was unable to do so. This was much to Sladen's relief, as she did not want Sarah to be killed or married off. Sladen also asked that Sarah's departure not be the main focus of the story, as she felt the programme was about the Doctor, not the companion. [[Bob Baker]] and [[Dave Martin]] intentionally did not write Sarah's departure scene. The script for that scene was rewritten by Sladen and [[Tom Baker]] from [[Robert Holmes]]'s original version.
* In the final scene, Sarah Jane whistles the tune, "Daddy Wouldn't Buy Me a Bow-Wow". Since Elisabeth Sladen was unable to whistle, director Lennie Mayne provided the whistling while she mimed to it.
* In terms of "seasons", [[Elisabeth Sladen]] was the longest serving companion with any Doctor, appearing for over three seasons and surpassing [[Katy Manning]]'s record as [[Jo Grant]]. In terms of "years", [[Janet Fielding]] holds the record for playing [[Tegan Jovanka]] for just under three years. [[Frazer Hines]] as companion [[Jamie McCrimmon]] holds the record for the longest serving companion in terms of the number of "episodes" in which he appeared. These records do not take non-televised adventures into account, nor later "guest" reappearances.
* In terms of "seasons", [[Elisabeth Sladen]] was the longest serving companion with any Doctor, appearing for over three seasons and surpassing [[Katy Manning]]'s record as [[Jo Grant]]. In terms of "years", [[Janet Fielding]] holds the record for playing [[Tegan Jovanka]] for just under three years. [[Frazer Hines]] as companion [[Jamie McCrimmon]] holds the record for the longest serving companion in terms of the number of "episodes" in which he appeared. These records do not take non-televised adventures into account, nor later "guest" reappearances.
* The original script for ''The Hand of Fear'' had many differences from the finished version. The nuclear power station was supposed to be the [[Nuton Power Complex]] of ''[[The Claws of Axos]]'' but was renamed the [[Nunton Experimental Complex]] instead. The real-life location was the {{w|Oldbury nuclear power station|Oldbury Nuclear Power Station}} in [[Gloucestershire]]. Miss Jackson was a nameless man. Director [[Lennie Mayne]] built up the part, changed the gender and cast his wife, [[Frances Pidgeon]]. Eldrad's home was originally supposed to be the black hole of Omega 4.6. When [[Robert Holmes]] pointed out to [[Bob Baker]] and [[Dave Martin]] that the name Omega had already appeared in ''Doctor Who'' (in ''[[The Three Doctors]]''; ironically this story was also written by Baker and Martin), they changed the name to [[Kastria]]. The story was to feature an ageing Brigadier Lethbridge Stewart, who had been moved from [[Unified Intelligence Taskforce|UNIT]] to the Extraterrestrial Xenological Intelligence Taskforce — EXIT for short — to study UFO activities. He was to sacrifice his life when he steered a commandeered experimental rocket into an Omegan kamikaze ship to prevent that ship from crashing into Earth. This plan did not go through as [[Nicholas Courtney]] was unavailable for filming. The original script also featured [[Harry Sullivan]].
* The original script for ''The Hand of Fear'' had many differences from the finished version. The nuclear power station was supposed to be the [[Nuton Power Complex]] of ''[[The Claws of Axos]]'' but was renamed the [[Nunton Experimental Complex]] instead. The real-life location was the {{w|Oldbury nuclear power station|Oldbury Nuclear Power Station}} in [[Gloucestershire]]. Miss Jackson was a nameless man. Director [[Lennie Mayne]] built up the part, changed the gender and cast his wife, [[Frances Pidgeon]]. Eldrad's home was originally supposed to be the black hole of Omega 4.6. When [[Robert Holmes]] pointed out to [[Bob Baker]] and [[Dave Martin]] that the name Omega had already appeared in ''Doctor Who'' (in ''[[The Three Doctors (TV story)|The Three Doctors]]''; ironically this story was also written by Baker and Martin), they changed the name to [[Kastria]]. The story was to feature an ageing Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart, who had been transferred from [[UNIT]] to the Extraterrestrial Xenological Intelligence Taskforce — EXIT for short — to study UFO activities. He was to sacrifice his life when he steered a commandeered experimental rocket into an Omegan kamikaze ship to prevent that ship from crashing into Earth. This plan did not go through as [[Nicholas Courtney]] was unavailable for filming.
* Elisabeth Sladen is credited as 'Sarah Jane' in ''Radio Times''. Frances Pidgeon and Roy Boyd are uncredited on-screen for part three, but are credited in ''Radio Times''.
* In a later version, a key character, Lieutenant Hawker, was later replaced by [[Harry Sullivan]]. Along with the calcified hand, an Omegan spaceship (referred to as “the Monolith”) was now discovered at the start of episode one, and became central to the storyline, serving as the location of the adventure's climax. The separate factions of Omegans were excised. Baker and Martin also introduced a new supporting character, in the form of a Time Lord named Drax. An untrustworthy Gallifreyan mechanic who wants to steal the TARDIS, [[Drax]] was conceived as a possible recurring character. He later appeared in ''[[The Armageddon Factor (TV story)|The Armageddon Factor]]''.
* The fly that can be seen walking across [[Glyn Houston]]'s brow in one scene was swallowed by Elisabeth Sladen in an outtake.
* [[Elisabeth Sladen]] is credited as "Sarah Jane" in ''Radio Times''. [[Frances Pidgeon]] (Miss Jackson) and [[Roy Boyd]] (Driscoll) are uncredited on-screen for part three, but are credited in ''Radio Times''. Boyd appears only in the reprise of part three.
* The fly that can be seen walking across [[Glyn Houston]]'s brow in one scene — where Professor Watson is on the telephone — was swallowed by Elisabeth Sladen in an outtake. The insect proved to be a disruption by interfering with the sound recording.
* This story was originally written for the finale of season 13, but there were problems with the scripts.
* This serial was repeated in May 2011 on BBC Four across two days as a tribute to [[Elisabeth Sladen]] after her death from cancer a month previously.
* This serial was repeated in May 2011 on BBC Four across two days as a tribute to [[Elisabeth Sladen]] after her death from cancer a month previously.
* [[Anthony Ainley]], [[Dinsdale Landen]], [[Glyn Owen]], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_Stewart Patrick Stewart] and [[Stephen Yardley]] were considered for Professor Watson.
* Sarah Jane, after being released from Eldrad's influence, says "ELDRAD MUST LIVE — just testing!" This was a prank by [[Elisabeth Sladen]] meant to "corpse" [[Tom Baker]], but it seemed so in-character that [[Lennie Mayne]] kept it in.
* [[Philip Hinchcliffe]] felt that the first two episodes were lacking in incident and failed to give Sarah Jane enough of a role to befit her final adventure.
* The dog in the final scene was handled by [[Lennie Mayne]]'s wife, [[Frances Pidgeon]], whom he had also cast as Miss Jackson (a character originally intended to be male).
* [[Bob Baker]] and [[Dave Martin]] had assisted in securing Oldbury Court Power Station as a filming location, as it was very near to where they lived.
* The freeze-frame shot of Sarah Jane at the very end was added at the request of [[Elisabeth Sladen]]. She considered it her leaving present and [[Lennie Mayne]] was happy to give it to her.
* In the same way that Eldrad's humanoid form was patterned after Sarah, the alien's speaking voice was originally intended to be based on Dr Carter's.


=== Ratings ===
=== Ratings ===
Line 201: Line 212:
=== Production errors ===
=== Production errors ===
{{discontinuity}}
{{discontinuity}}
* In part two, when the Doctor and Dr Carter enter the Nunton complex's Control Centre, Glyn Houston (Professor Watson) accidentally fluffs his scripted line, "We have a full scale emergency here" — delivering it instead as, "We have a full emergency scale here".
* In part two, when the Doctor and Dr Carter enter the Nunton complex's Control Centre, Glyn Houston (Professor Watson) accidentally fluffs his scripted line, "We have a full-scale emergency here" — delivering it instead as, "We have a full emergency scale here".
* In part four, when Eldrad is ranting and raving following King Rokon's message, a camera can be seen in the dark doorway behind Sarah.
* In part four, when Eldrad is ranting and raving following King Rokon's message, a camera can be seen in the dark doorway behind Sarah.
* When Eldrad is telling the Doctor about the race banks, the shadow of a boom mike moves over the wall behind Sarah (and its reflection can be seen in the wall to her left).
* When Eldrad is telling the Doctor about the race banks, the shadow of a boom mike moves over the wall behind Sarah (and its reflection can be seen in the wall to her left).
Line 208: Line 219:
== Continuity ==
== Continuity ==
* Sarah Jane's and the Doctor's parting words were gentle admonishments not to forget one another. When [[K9 Mark III]] revealed that he was a gift from the Doctor, Sarah Jane remarked, "Oh, Doctor, you ''didn't'' forget." ([[TV]]: ''[[A Girl's Best Friend (TV story)|A Girl's Best Friend]]'') Their conversation was repeated nearly verbatim when Sarah and the Tenth Doctor parted after her aborted [[wedding]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Wedding of Sarah Jane Smith (TV story)|The Wedding of Sarah Jane Smith]]'') Following Sarah's departure, the Fourth Doctor did not have another companion from Earth and only one human, [[Leela]], until his final story, [[TV]]: ''[[Logopolis (TV story)|Logopolis]]''.
* Sarah Jane's and the Doctor's parting words were gentle admonishments not to forget one another. When [[K9 Mark III]] revealed that he was a gift from the Doctor, Sarah Jane remarked, "Oh, Doctor, you ''didn't'' forget." ([[TV]]: ''[[A Girl's Best Friend (TV story)|A Girl's Best Friend]]'') Their conversation was repeated nearly verbatim when Sarah and the Tenth Doctor parted after her aborted [[wedding]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Wedding of Sarah Jane Smith (TV story)|The Wedding of Sarah Jane Smith]]'') Following Sarah's departure, the Fourth Doctor did not have another companion from Earth and only one human, [[Leela]], until his final story, [[TV]]: ''[[Logopolis (TV story)|Logopolis]]''.
* The Doctor later discovers that the summons to Gallifrey which he receives was actually sent by [[the Master]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Deadly Assassin (TV story)|The Deadly Assassin]]'')
* The Doctor later discovers that the summons to Gallifrey which he receives was actually sent by {{Pratt}}. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Deadly Assassin (TV story)|The Deadly Assassin]]'')
* The Doctor's quip that Gallifrey is "perhaps" in Ireland is one he repeats in [[TV]]: ''[[The Invisible Enemy (TV story)|The Invisible Enemy]] ''and ''[[Human Nature (TV story)|Human Nature]]''.
* The Doctor's quip that Gallifrey is "perhaps" in Ireland is one he repeats in [[TV]]: ''[[The Invisible Enemy (TV story)|The Invisible Enemy]] ''and ''[[Human Nature (TV story)|Human Nature]]''.
* Sarah expresses a desire to see Gallifrey. Her wish is granted, after a fashion, when she is abducted to the [[Death Zone]]. Here, she is reunited with the Doctor — although initially with his [[Third Doctor|third incarnation]], at a point in his time when he had not yet parted company with her. Before the end of that adventure, she caught glimpses of the first two incarnations of the Doctor, as well as the [[Fifth Doctor]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Five Doctors (TV story)|The Five Doctors]]'')
* Sarah expresses a desire to see Gallifrey. Her wish is granted, after a fashion, when she is abducted to the [[Death Zone]]. Here, she is reunited with the Doctor — although initially with his [[Third Doctor|third incarnation]], at a point in his time when he had not yet parted company with her. Before the end of that adventure, she caught glimpses of the first two incarnations of the Doctor, as well as the [[Fifth Doctor]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Five Doctors (TV story)|The Five Doctors]]'')
* Sarah later met the Doctor in his [[Tenth Doctor|tenth]] and [[Eleventh Doctor|eleventh incarnations]] and revealed to the former that he had actually left her in [[Aberdeen]], not Croydon. ([[TV]]: ''[[School Reunion (TV story)|School Reunion]]'', ''[[Death of the Doctor (TV story)|Death of the Doctor]]'')
* Sarah later met the Doctor in his [[Tenth Doctor|tenth]] and [[Eleventh Doctor|eleventh incarnations]] and revealed to the former that he had actually left her in [[Aberdeen]], not Croydon. ([[TV]]: ''[[School Reunion (TV story)|School Reunion]]'', ''[[Death of the Doctor (TV story)|Death of the Doctor]]'')
* The Doctor had already practised [[hypnosis]] on Sarah Jane Smith before. ([[TV]]: ''[[Terror of the Zygons (TV story)|Terror of the Zygons]]'') The way he does so here — by putting his hands on the sides of her head — is similar to a method he uses in his [[Tenth Doctor|tenth incarnation]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Fear Her]]'', ''[[The Shakespeare Code]]'')
* The Doctor had already practised [[hypnosis]] on Sarah Jane Smith before. ([[TV]]: ''[[Terror of the Zygons (TV story)|Terror of the Zygons]]'') The way he does so here — by putting his hands on the sides of her head — is similar to a method he uses in his [[Tenth Doctor|tenth incarnation]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Fear Her (TV story)|Fear Her]]'', ''[[The Shakespeare Code (TV story)|The Shakespeare Code]]'')
* The Doctor mentions zeus plugs again. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Girl in the Fireplace (TV story)|The Girl in the Fireplace]]'', ''[[Time Crash]]'')
* The Doctor mentions zeus plugs again. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Girl in the Fireplace (TV story)|The Girl in the Fireplace]]'', ''[[Time Crash (TV story)|Time Crash]]'')
* Sarah has pangs about not being able to go to Gallifrey. She previously visited it in [[COMIC]]: ''[[Return of the Daleks (TVC comic story)|Return of the Daleks]]''.


== Home video and audio releases ==
== Home video and audio releases ==
Line 224: Line 236:
* Region 1 - [[7 November (releases)|7 November]] 2006
* Region 1 - [[7 November (releases)|7 November]] 2006


Contents:
==== Special Features ====
* Commentary by [[Tom Baker]], [[Elisabeth Sladen]], [[Judith Paris]], [[Bob Baker]] and [[Philip Hinchcliffe]].
* Commentary by [[Tom Baker]] ([[Fourth Doctor|The Doctor]]), [[Elisabeth Sladen]] ([[Sarah Jane Smith]]), [[Judith Paris]] ([[Eldrad]]), [[Bob Baker]] (co-writer) and [[Philip Hinchcliffe]] (producer)
* [[Changing Time]] - A 50-minute documentary, looking at the making of the story and the special relationship between the Doctor and Sarah.
* ''[[Changing Time: Living and Leaving Doctor Who (documentary)|Changing Time]]'' - A 50-minute documentary, looking at the making of the story and the special relationship between the Doctor and Sarah
* Swap Shop - Tom Baker and Elisabeth Sladen are interviewed by Noel Edmonds and callers on the Saturday morning children's show.
* ''[[Swap Shop]]'' - Tom Baker and Elisabeth Sladen are interviewed by [[Noel Edmonds]] and callers on the Saturday morning children's show
* Continuities - Rare surviving continuity announcements relating to the story.
* Continuities - Rare surviving continuity announcements relating to the story
* Photo Gallery
* Photo Gallery
* [[Doctor Who annual|''Doctor Who'' annual]] 1977 (PDF DVD-ROM)
* ''[[Doctor Who Annual 1977|The Doctor Who Annual 1977]]'' (PDF DVD-ROM)
* Radio Times billings (PDF DVD-ROM)
* ''[[Radio Times]]'' billings (PDF DVD-ROM)
* Production Information Subtitles
* Production Information Subtitles
* [[Easter Egg]] - Clip of an interview with Elisabeth Sladen. To access this hidden feature, press left twice at 'Play All' on the main menu.
* [[Easter Egg]]: Clip of a ''[[Nationwide]]'' interview with Elisabeth Sladen. To access this hidden feature, press left twice at Play All on the Main Menu to illuminate the ''[[Doctor Who]]'' logo.


Notes:
Notes:
Line 241: Line 253:
<gallery position="center" captionalign="center" hideaddbutton="true">
<gallery position="center" captionalign="center" hideaddbutton="true">
File:Handoffear_region2.jpg|DVD Region 2 UK cover
File:Handoffear_region2.jpg|DVD Region 2 UK cover
File:Hand of fear oring uk dvd.jpg|DVD Region 2 UK slip-case cover
File:The Hand of Fear DVD Australian cover.jpg|DVD Region 4 Australian cover
File:The Hand of Fear DVD Australian cover.jpg|DVD Region 4 Australian cover
File:Handoffear_region1.jpg|DVD Region 1 US cover
File:The hand of fear.jpg|DVD Region 1 US cover
</gallery>It was also released as [[DWDVDF 43|issue 43]] of ''[[Doctor Who DVD Files]]''.
</gallery>It was also released as [[DWDVDF 43|issue 43]] of ''[[Doctor Who DVD Files]]''.


=== VHS releases ===
=== VHS releases ===
This story was released on VHS in February 1996, and was the final videocassette to include the diamond logo on the cover artwork in the United Kingdom and the US. It was available for only two weeks, being deleted along with much of the rest of the ''Doctor Who'' video range shortly after. The original videocassette thus became something of a collectors' item.
This story was released on VHS in February 1996, and was the final videocassette to include the diamond logo on the cover artwork in the United Kingdom and the US. It was available for only two weeks, being deleted along with much of the rest of the ''Doctor Who'' video range shortly after. The original videocassette therefore became something of a collector's item.


<gallery position="center" captionalign="center" hideaddbutton="true">
<gallery position="center" captionalign="center" hideaddbutton="true">
Line 269: Line 282:
{{DWTV}}
{{DWTV}}
{{TitleSort}}
{{TitleSort}}
[[es:The Hand of Fear]]
[[ru:Рука страха]]


[[es:The Hand of Fear]]
[[Category:Articles that were originally Wikipedia forks]]
[[Category:Articles that were originally Wikipedia forks]]
[[Category:Doctor Who (1963) television stories]]
[[Category:Doctor Who (1963) television stories]]

Latest revision as of 20:06, 3 November 2024

RealWorld.png

The Hand of Fear was the second serial of season 14 of Doctor Who. Significantly, it was the final regular appearance of Elisabeth Sladen as Sarah Jane Smith, though she would return to the role in a semi-regular capacity in School Reunion in 2006, and the main cast member of The Sarah Jane Adventures in 2007.

The Hand of Fear was originally intended for the 1976 six-part slot that was taken by The Seeds of Doom.[1] It was inspired by the 1946 film The Beast with Five Fingers. (DCOM: The Hand of Fear) There were several versions of the script. One saw the hand as an advance guard preparing the way for an alien army. Another fixed upon two "Omegans" — representing the "hawk" and "dove" — working against humanity. There were plans for the Brigadier and Harry Sullivan to appear, with the former, much like in early drafts of Pyramids of Mars, bowing out from Who in a blaze of glory.

However, script editor Robert Holmes took issue with its complexity and commissioned another script to be the final story of season 13, should this remain unresolved. Finally, in October 1975, The Hand of Fear was officially delayed and The Seeds of Doom was produced in its place.

After Elizabeth Sladen told the production team she wanted to leave early in the next season, Douglas Camfield was commissioned to write The Lost Legion, which would see Sarah killed at its conclusion. However, Holmes was unhappy with the script and, in a turn of fate, decided that The Hand of Fear might have to be used as a replacement. With UNIT and degenerating-humans removed from the plot, Bob Baker and Dave Martin produced a more linear story. Camfield fell behind on his own script and was discounted. Baker and Martin left the writing of Sarah's farewell scene to Holmes.

Director Lennie Mayne made his final contribution to Doctor Who with The Hand of Fear. After finishing production on the serial and an episode of Softly, Softly: Taskforce, he was drowned after a wave swept him overboard in the English Channel in May 1977.[1]

Permission to film at Oldbury Nuclear Power Station was obtained before the script was completed, so central was it to the story. Bob Baker found the staff very accommodating on his initial visit, such was their enthusiasm for the project. The radiation provided health and safety concerns, with geiger counter checks being performed on the cast and crew and Radiological Clearance Certificates having to be issued before any object could leave the premises. (DCOM/INFO: The Hand of Fear)

Synopsis[[edit] | [edit source]]

When the TARDIS lands in a quarry on Earth, the Doctor and Sarah are caught in a quarrying explosion. Sarah is found clutching what appears to be a fossilised hand, buried in one-hundred-fifty-million-year-old strata. Analysis shows the hand to be silicon-based and inert, but when Sarah begins to act as if possessed, the Doctor suspects that it may still be alive...

Plot[[edit] | [edit source]]

Part one[[edit] | [edit source]]

One hundred and fifty million years ago on the planet Kastria, a traitor named Eldrad is sentenced to death for crimes including the destruction of the barriers that kept the solar winds at bay.

Placed into a capsule and shot into space, Eldrad awaits obliteration. The capsule is detonated prematurely, despite the risk of particle survival. Conditions are deteriorating rapidly on Kastria. The remaining Kastrians await their fate on the desolate planet.

The Fourth Doctor and Sarah Jane Smith arrive in the TARDIS in a modern-day quarry on Earth and are caught immediately in a quarrying explosion. The Doctor is slightly injured. Sarah is found unconscious in the rubble, clutching a fossilised hand. She is taken to a local hospital.

The hand is examined. Based on the strata of the rock in which it was found, it is one hundred fifty million years old. Pathologist Dr Carter dismisses these findings as ridiculous. Examining a sliver of the hand under an electron microscope, the Doctor observes a helix similar to DNA. The minuscule radiation of the microscope causes the sample to grow. The Doctor realises that this fossil might actually contain vestiges of life.

Sarah awakens in her hospital bed, holding a crystalline ring that slipped from the hand. The ring begins to pulse with energy. Sarah hears a voice in her head: "Eldrad must live." She steals the hand and flees the hospital, knocking out Carter with a flash from the ring. She heads for the nearest nuclear reactor, the Nunton Complex. With the aid of the ring, Sarah overpowers guards and workmen and enters the reactor room, sending the complex into red alert. She watches as the hand absorbs radiation, regenerates its missing finger and begins to move...

Part two[[edit] | [edit source]]

The head of the complex, Professor Watson, stays at his post when the reactor goes critical. He offers the Doctor aid and advice in trying to get to Sarah. She sits serenely amidst the chaos and klaxons. The Doctor resolves to enter the chamber through a cooling duct in Cooling systems control. His progress is interrupted by Dr Carter, now also under the hypnotic control of the ring. He tries to strike the Doctor while on a stairwell, but his own momentum carries him over the railing, and he falls to his death.

The Doctor enters the chamber and finds there is no radiation whatsoever; the hand is absorbing the entire output of the reactor. Sarah is removed, and the hand placed in a sealed cabinet. The Doctor breaks through Sarah's hypnosis.

The ring, however, is left behind in the chamber. It is found by a technician named Driscoll, who falls under its control. He takes the hand and makes his way to the reactor core. He uses the ring against the security personnel who attempt to stop him. The Doctor pursues him, closely followed by Sarah, and narrowly avoids becoming a victim of the ring. They catch up with Driscoll just as he is about to enter the core and set off a chain reaction. The Doctor pulls Sarah to the ground to await the explosion.

Inside the control room, the panels explode, knocking Professor Watson to the floor...

Part three[[edit] | [edit source]]

The Doctor persuades Eldrad to let Watson live.

It seems they are waiting in vain, as nothing happens. The Doctor enters the reactor chamber where the level of radiation is, surprisingly, still normal. He explains that sort of "unexplosion" happened. They close the reactor core and hurry out as Watson has ordered an RAF strike to destroy the hand and the reactor. The missiles' impact, however, have no effect because the hand absorbed all the energy. The nuclear missiles and the full power of the reactor are enough to complete the regeneration of Eldrad.

Crystalline, silicon-based and female, she tells the story of how she created the spatial barriers that let Kastria thrive, but in an interstellar war the barriers were destroyed, and she was disgraced and condemned. Eldrad persuades the Doctor to return her to Kastria so she can save her people; he agrees on the condition that they travel to Kastria in the present, a hundred fifty million years after she left.

Immediately afterwards, Watson arrives and attempts to attack Eldrad, firing a gun at her with no effect. She immediately retaliates and means to kill him, but she is persuaded otherwise by the Doctor. Leaving Watson to work on getting Nunton back to normal, the Doctor, Sarah and Eldrad return to the quarry where the TARDIS landed, and depart for Kastria.

The planet is barren and ruined, but her ring reactivates some instruments. The Kastrian opens the door to the underground thermal caves looking for survivors and triggers a trap. A syringe-like dart hits her in the chest.

Part four[[edit] | [edit source]]

Sarah, Eldrad and the Doctor look upon the thermal chambers.

After she explains that the dart contained an acid of her own design, the Doctor and Sarah take the dying Eldrad to a regenerator chamber deep below the surface of Kastria, in the thermal chambers. Booby traps have been set along, targeting silicon-based beings. The regenerator chamber is rigged to destroy Eldrad, but a malfunction allows a full regeneration. The new form of Eldrad emerges and reveals he had based his earlier form on Sarah, the first human he encountered. Eldrad is now much taller and male. He boasts that he destroyed the solar barriers in a rivalry with King Rokon. They find Eldrad's ultimate goal, to rule Kastria. He enters the Kastrian race bank, where he intends to revive the dormant Kastrian people. The bank, however, is empty.

An image of the long dead Rokon appears on a large video screen, informing Eldrad that without the barriers, facing perpetual subterranean existence and a small possibility of his return, the Kastrian race elected to destroy themselves and the race bank. It was Rokon who long time ago set the booby traps. Rokon mockingly salutes Eldrad from the grave as "King of Nothing". A bitter Eldrad now decides to rule Earth instead and demands the Doctor return him there. The Doctor refuses, stating that his obligation to Eldrad is now finished. Eldrad pursues the Doctor and Sarah, but they stretch out the Doctor's scarf across the passageway. Tripping over it, Eldrad falls into an abyss to his apparent doom. The Doctor drops Eldrad's ring into the depths as well. He notes that Eldrad's fate is uncertain, as silicon-based lifeforms are difficult to kill.

The Doctor and Sarah depart in the TARDIS, and the Doctor sets about making repairs. Sarah bemoans her life in the TARDIS — bouncing around the universe, fleeing from bug-eyed monsters and needing a bath. The Doctor is focused on his work on the TARDIS console, which infuriates her. She demands to be returned home and storms off to her room to pack.

While she is gone, the Doctor receives a telepathic summons to return to Gallifrey and notes to himself that he cannot take Sarah with him. Sarah returns with her packed belongings (which include a stuffed toy owl), and the Doctor informs her that he must return her to Earth, as he cannot take her to Gallifrey. With her idle threat suddenly becoming reality, Sarah is taken aback, especially at missing the chance to see Gallifrey.

Sarah walks away from the TARDIS.

The Doctor steers the TARDIS to bring her to Hillview Road, South Croydon — Sarah's home. She asks him not to forget her; he replies likewise. Once the TARDIS materialises, Sarah makes her exit, noting that travel does indeed broaden the mind, and the Doctor promises her that they will meet again. After watching the TARDIS dematerialise to return the Doctor home, Sarah realises that she is not on Hillview Road and guesses that she is probably not even in South Croydon. She playfully remarks to a nearby dog, "He blew it!" Whistling, she walks off toward her new life.

Cast[[edit] | [edit source]]

Crew[[edit] | [edit source]]

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

Worldbuilding[[edit] | [edit source]]

Cultural references from the real world[[edit] | [edit source]]

Individuals[[edit] | [edit source]]

Species[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • Eldrad has heard of the Time Lords.
  • Eldrad says he built barriers to keep out the winds and machines to replenish the soil and atmosphere.

Science and technology[[edit] | [edit source]]

TARDIS[[edit] | [edit source]]

Time travel[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • According to the Doctor, bringing Eldrad back to their home time would contravene the first Law of Time.

Influences[[edit] | [edit source]]

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

  • When Elisabeth Sladen expressed her intention to leave the series, Sarah was originally supposed to be killed off in a pseudo-historical story involving aliens and the Foreign Legion. However Douglas Camfield, who was supposed to write the scripts, was unable to do so. This was much to Sladen's relief, as she did not want Sarah to be killed or married off. Sladen also asked that Sarah's departure not be the main focus of the story, as she felt the programme was about the Doctor, not the companion. Bob Baker and Dave Martin intentionally did not write Sarah's departure scene. The script for that scene was rewritten by Sladen and Tom Baker from Robert Holmes's original version.
  • In terms of "seasons", Elisabeth Sladen was the longest serving companion with any Doctor, appearing for over three seasons and surpassing Katy Manning's record as Jo Grant. In terms of "years", Janet Fielding holds the record for playing Tegan Jovanka for just under three years. Frazer Hines as companion Jamie McCrimmon holds the record for the longest serving companion in terms of the number of "episodes" in which he appeared. These records do not take non-televised adventures into account, nor later "guest" reappearances.
  • The original script for The Hand of Fear had many differences from the finished version. The nuclear power station was supposed to be the Nuton Power Complex of The Claws of Axos but was renamed the Nunton Experimental Complex instead. The real-life location was the Oldbury Nuclear Power Station in Gloucestershire. Miss Jackson was a nameless man. Director Lennie Mayne built up the part, changed the gender and cast his wife, Frances Pidgeon. Eldrad's home was originally supposed to be the black hole of Omega 4.6. When Robert Holmes pointed out to Bob Baker and Dave Martin that the name Omega had already appeared in Doctor Who (in The Three Doctors; ironically this story was also written by Baker and Martin), they changed the name to Kastria. The story was to feature an ageing Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart, who had been transferred from UNIT to the Extraterrestrial Xenological Intelligence Taskforce — EXIT for short — to study UFO activities. He was to sacrifice his life when he steered a commandeered experimental rocket into an Omegan kamikaze ship to prevent that ship from crashing into Earth. This plan did not go through as Nicholas Courtney was unavailable for filming.
  • In a later version, a key character, Lieutenant Hawker, was later replaced by Harry Sullivan. Along with the calcified hand, an Omegan spaceship (referred to as “the Monolith”) was now discovered at the start of episode one, and became central to the storyline, serving as the location of the adventure's climax. The separate factions of Omegans were excised. Baker and Martin also introduced a new supporting character, in the form of a Time Lord named Drax. An untrustworthy Gallifreyan mechanic who wants to steal the TARDIS, Drax was conceived as a possible recurring character. He later appeared in The Armageddon Factor.
  • Elisabeth Sladen is credited as "Sarah Jane" in Radio Times. Frances Pidgeon (Miss Jackson) and Roy Boyd (Driscoll) are uncredited on-screen for part three, but are credited in Radio Times. Boyd appears only in the reprise of part three.
  • The fly that can be seen walking across Glyn Houston's brow in one scene — where Professor Watson is on the telephone — was swallowed by Elisabeth Sladen in an outtake. The insect proved to be a disruption by interfering with the sound recording.
  • This story was originally written for the finale of season 13, but there were problems with the scripts.
  • This serial was repeated in May 2011 on BBC Four across two days as a tribute to Elisabeth Sladen after her death from cancer a month previously.
  • Anthony Ainley, Dinsdale Landen, Glyn Owen, Patrick Stewart and Stephen Yardley were considered for Professor Watson.
  • Sarah Jane, after being released from Eldrad's influence, says "ELDRAD MUST LIVE — just testing!" This was a prank by Elisabeth Sladen meant to "corpse" Tom Baker, but it seemed so in-character that Lennie Mayne kept it in.
  • Philip Hinchcliffe felt that the first two episodes were lacking in incident and failed to give Sarah Jane enough of a role to befit her final adventure.
  • The dog in the final scene was handled by Lennie Mayne's wife, Frances Pidgeon, whom he had also cast as Miss Jackson (a character originally intended to be male).
  • Bob Baker and Dave Martin had assisted in securing Oldbury Court Power Station as a filming location, as it was very near to where they lived.
  • The freeze-frame shot of Sarah Jane at the very end was added at the request of Elisabeth Sladen. She considered it her leaving present and Lennie Mayne was happy to give it to her.
  • In the same way that Eldrad's humanoid form was patterned after Sarah, the alien's speaking voice was originally intended to be based on Dr Carter's.

Ratings[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • Part one - 10.5 million viewers
  • Part two - 10.2 million viewers
  • Part three - 11.1 million viewers
  • Part four - 12 million viewers

Myths[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • Supposedly, the working titles for this story were The Hand of Death and The Hand of Time.[1] However, the production notes on the DVD release state that there were no working titles.
  • One myth posited that a real quarry explosion was filmed for the episode and the crew badly underestimated the power of the explosion A rumour persisted for many years that a camera was totally destroyed in the blast. In the DVD commentary, it is made clear that this is just a fan myth. The camera was placed in a blast-proof box and although it was buried in the explosion, it was undamaged.
  • Another contention is that The Hand of Fear establishes the rule that only Time Lords are allowed on Gallifrey. In fact, the Doctor only says to himself, "I can't take Sarah to Gallifrey", and tells her as much.

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

  • Cromhall Quarry, Cromhall, Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire (Quarry where the TARDIS arrives at the start of the story)
  • Oldbury Nuclear Power Station, Oldbury Naite, Thornbury, Gloucestershire (Location of the 'Nunton Experimental Complex')
  • Stokefield Close, Thornbury, Gloucestershire (Where Sarah is dropped off by the Doctor)
  • Rickmansworth Road (A412), Croxley Green, Hertfordshire (This was reused stock footage of an ambulance)

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

If you'd like to talk about narrative problems with this story — like plot holes and things that seem to contradict other stories — please go to this episode's discontinuity discussion.
  • In part two, when the Doctor and Dr Carter enter the Nunton complex's Control Centre, Glyn Houston (Professor Watson) accidentally fluffs his scripted line, "We have a full-scale emergency here" — delivering it instead as, "We have a full emergency scale here".
  • In part four, when Eldrad is ranting and raving following King Rokon's message, a camera can be seen in the dark doorway behind Sarah.
  • When Eldrad is telling the Doctor about the race banks, the shadow of a boom mike moves over the wall behind Sarah (and its reflection can be seen in the wall to her left).
  • When the Doctor and Sarah are setting the trap for Eldrad, the Doctor bumps a large rock to his left, causing it to wobble noticeably.

Continuity[[edit] | [edit source]]

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

DVD releases[[edit] | [edit source]]

This story was released as Doctor Who: The Hand of Fear.

Released:

Special Features[[edit] | [edit source]]

Notes:

  • Editing for the DVD release was completed by the Doctor Who Restoration Team.
  • Mistakenly, the artwork of the Region 4 release states that the Tom Baker era lasted from 1974 to 1979
  • DVD Region 2 UK cover

    DVD Region 2 UK cover

  • DVD Region 2 UK slip-case cover

    DVD Region 2 UK slip-case cover

  • DVD Region 4 Australian cover

    DVD Region 4 Australian cover

  • DVD Region 1 US cover

    DVD Region 1 US cover

It was also released as issue 43 of Doctor Who DVD Files.

VHS releases[[edit] | [edit source]]

This story was released on VHS in February 1996, and was the final videocassette to include the diamond logo on the cover artwork in the United Kingdom and the US. It was available for only two weeks, being deleted along with much of the rest of the Doctor Who video range shortly after. The original videocassette therefore became something of a collector's item.

  • VHS UK cover

    VHS UK cover

  • VHS Australian cover

    VHS Australian cover

  • VHS US cover

    VHS US cover

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

The Hand of Fear is available through both iTunes and, in the UK, Amazon Instant Video. On iTunes, it is included in the Best of Tom Baker bundle, alongside Genesis of the Daleks, The Deadly Assassin and The Talons of Weng-Chiang.

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

Footnotes[[edit] | [edit source]]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 http://www.shannonsullivan.com/drwho/serials/4n.html
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=The_Hand_of_Fear_(TV_story)&oldid=3889707"