Exploration Earth (audio story): Difference between revisions
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{{Rename|Shouldn't this be moved to [[The Time Machine (EE audio story)]] (the name of the episode), with [[Exploration Earth]] created to cover the series? It should also be acknowledged that later releases have referred to the episode as ''Exploration Earth'', of course.}} | |||
{{title dab away}} | {{title dab away}} | ||
{{real world}} | {{real world}} | ||
{{Infobox Story | {{Infobox Story SMW | ||
|image = Exploration Earth.jpg | |image = <gallery> | ||
| | Bbcaudio28.jpg|2001 | ||
Exploration Earth.jpg|2010 | |||
Doctor Who Exploration Earth & Whatever Happened to Susan? 2011 CD cover.jpg|2011 | |||
</gallery> | |||
|series = [[BBC Audio Dramas]] | |series = [[BBC Audio Dramas]] | ||
|number = | |number = | ||
| Line 10: | Line 14: | ||
|enemy = [[Megron]] | |enemy = [[Megron]] | ||
|setting = [[Earth]], the [[distant past]] | |setting = [[Earth]], the [[distant past]] | ||
|writer = | |writer = Bernard Venables | ||
|director = | |director = | ||
|producer = [[David Little]] | |producer = [[David Little]] | ||
|network = | |network = BBC Radio | ||
|broadcast date = | |broadcast date = 4 October 1976 | ||
|format = 1xCD | |format = 1xCD | ||
|production code = | |production code = | ||
| Line 26: | Line 30: | ||
== Publisher's summary == | == Publisher's summary == | ||
[[ | [[The Doctor's TARDIS|The TARDIS]] takes the [[Fourth Doctor]] and [[Sarah Jane Smith|Sarah]] [[time travel|back in Time]] to witness stages of the [[Earth]]'s development. However, as the [[planet]] evolves from a mass of heat and gas, [[Megron]] the High Lord of Chaos has his own designs on our homeworld. If his threats to endanger the stability of Earth have any substance, the existence of [[human|mankind]] itself is in question! | ||
== Plot == | == Plot == | ||
The [[Fourth Doctor]] notices a fault with [[the Doctor's TARDIS|the TARDIS]] controls. After mumbling some [[technobabble]] | The [[Fourth Doctor]] notices a fault with [[the Doctor's TARDIS|the TARDIS]] controls. After mumbling some [[technobabble]], he simplifies things for [[Sarah Jane Smith|Sarah]]: the steering's gone out. A force has gripped the TARDIS and thrown it back forty-five hundred million years into [[Earth]]'s past. Once they arrive, they get into a two-person space capsule and explore the nascent Earth, which is currently an [[oxygen]]-less ball of gas. The Doctor points out that at the centre of all that gas is a molten core which will form the [[planet]] Sarah knows as Earth. | ||
The two return to the orbiting TARDIS and are controlled again by the mysterious force. This time it drags them millions of years in the future. They return to the capsule to view what has become of the Earth since they last looked upon it. Now, the planet is much smaller, closer to the size Sarah knows. It is considerably more solid, the Doctor notes - its crust rapidly forming. While they are examining the planet's geologic fury, they hear a disembodied voice. It's Lord [[Megron]], "High Lord of Chaos, Chief of the [[Carion]]s, Lords of Chaos", claiming he has taken control of Earth. The Megron have been attracted to Earth at this point in its history because they believe the planet's geologic formation is an expression of chaos and disharmony. When the Doctor points out that it's actually a sign of progress and coming order, the Megron disappears, blowing the duo back into the TARDIS and further down the [[time vortex]]. | The two return to the orbiting TARDIS and are controlled again by the mysterious force. This time it drags them millions of years in the future. They return to the capsule to view what has become of the Earth since they last looked upon it. Now, the planet is much smaller, closer to the size Sarah knows. It is considerably more solid, the Doctor notes - its crust rapidly forming. While they are examining the planet's geologic fury, they hear a disembodied voice. It's Lord [[Megron]], "High Lord of Chaos, Chief of the [[Carion]]s, Lords of Chaos", claiming he has taken control of Earth. The Megron have been attracted to Earth at this point in its history because they believe the planet's geologic formation is an expression of chaos and disharmony. When the Doctor points out that it's actually a sign of progress and coming order, the Megron disappears, blowing the duo back into the TARDIS and further down the [[time vortex]]. | ||
| Line 35: | Line 39: | ||
The Doctor and Sarah are thrown yet more millions of years forward. Sarah now can't help but notice the many [[volcano]]es dotting the surface of the planet. She is profoundly disturbed by the violence they seem to be meting out on the surface of the Earth, but the Doctor finds it beautiful. He lets her look through a device that shows the history of the planet passing before her eyes, to show her the cause and effect of volcanic activity and [[plate tectonics]]. She's physically sickened by it all, but the Doctor continues to enthuse about the creative spectacle. Finally, when she sees a mountain range form before her eyes, Sarah begins to get excited by the process as well. The Doctor points out that this is the beginning of true order on the planet. The Megron returns, but he's still not buying the Doctor's claims that the planet is emerging from chaos. The Doctor counters that the planet is no longer exclusively using space gases: a little oxygen is sustained on the planet itself. The Megron still tries to deny things. | The Doctor and Sarah are thrown yet more millions of years forward. Sarah now can't help but notice the many [[volcano]]es dotting the surface of the planet. She is profoundly disturbed by the violence they seem to be meting out on the surface of the Earth, but the Doctor finds it beautiful. He lets her look through a device that shows the history of the planet passing before her eyes, to show her the cause and effect of volcanic activity and [[plate tectonics]]. She's physically sickened by it all, but the Doctor continues to enthuse about the creative spectacle. Finally, when she sees a mountain range form before her eyes, Sarah begins to get excited by the process as well. The Doctor points out that this is the beginning of true order on the planet. The Megron returns, but he's still not buying the Doctor's claims that the planet is emerging from chaos. The Doctor counters that the planet is no longer exclusively using space gases: a little oxygen is sustained on the planet itself. The Megron still tries to deny things. | ||
Back in the TARDIS, the duo have moved on to a point when the Earth has an atmosphere and life. Oxygen is in abundance on the Earth. Yet the Megron is still there. The Doctor challenges him to a telepathic duel. The Megron loses and the Doctor banishes him from Earth. The Doctor and Sarah | Back in the TARDIS, the duo have moved on to a point when the Earth has an atmosphere and life. Oxygen is in abundance on the Earth. Yet the Megron is still there. The Doctor challenges him to a telepathic duel. The Megron loses and the Doctor banishes him from Earth. The Doctor and Sarah bid farewell to the Megron, as well as to chaos itself. | ||
== Cast == | == Cast == | ||
| Line 49: | Line 53: | ||
::''No other individuals were actually credited on-air at broadcast.'' | ::''No other individuals were actually credited on-air at broadcast.'' | ||
== | == Worldbuilding == | ||
* The Doctor mentions the [[relative dimensional computer]] and the [[chronometric astrometer]]. | * The Doctor mentions the [[relative dimensional computer]] and the [[chronometric astrometer]]. | ||
*The Doctor | * The Doctor mentions his [[Jelly baby|jelly babies]]. | ||
== Notes == | == Notes == | ||
* | * ''Exploration Earth'' was the first ''Doctor Who'' original radio drama, and the second appearance of Sarah Jane Smith in an audio drama after [[AUDIO]]: ''[[Glorious Goodwood (audio story)|Glorious Goodwood]]''. | ||
* ''Exploration Earth'' was recorded on [[27 April (production)|27 April]] [[1976 (production)|1976]]. ([[REF]]: [[The Collection]]: [[Season 14 (Doctor Who 1963)|Season 14]]) | |||
* Opening and closing announcements were provided. The opening announcement ran as follows: | * Opening and closing announcements were provided. The opening announcement ran as follows: | ||
:: (''Doctor Who'' theme plays) | :: (''Doctor Who'' theme plays) | ||
:: ''Yes, in this week's ''Exploration Earth'' we join the Doctor and Sarah as they journey through time in the TARDIS.'' | :: ''Yes, in this week's ''Exploration Earth'' we join the Doctor and Sarah as they journey through time in the TARDIS.'' | ||
:: The closing announcement was: | :: The closing announcement was: | ||
:: (Closing theme plays) | :: (Closing theme plays) | ||
:: ''That programme was written by Bernard Venables. Those taking part were Tom Baker, Elisabeth Sladen and John Westbrook. The Special Sounds were by Dick Mills of the BBC Radiophonic Workshop. The production was by David Little.'' | :: ''That programme was written by Bernard Venables. Those taking part were Tom Baker, Elisabeth Sladen and John Westbrook. The Special Sounds were by Dick Mills of the BBC Radiophonic Workshop. The production was by David Little.'' | ||
== Continuity == | == Continuity == | ||
''to be added'' | |||
== Releases == | == Releases == | ||
| Line 78: | Line 77: | ||
== External links == | == External links == | ||
{{dwrefguide|explorat.htm|Exploration Earth}} | {{dwrefguide|explorat.htm|Exploration Earth}} | ||
{{tetrap|other/exploration.html|Exploration Earth}} | |||
{{chakoteya|Extras/ExplorationEarth.html|Exploration Earth - The Time Machine}} | {{chakoteya|Extras/ExplorationEarth.html|Exploration Earth - The Time Machine}} | ||
{{BBCDWA}} | {{BBCDWA}} | ||
{{AudioGO}} | {{AudioGO}} | ||
{{TitleSort}} | {{TitleSort}} | ||
[[Category:Fourth Doctor audio stories]] | [[Category:Fourth Doctor audio stories]] | ||
[[Category:BBC Radio audio stories]] | [[Category:BBC Radio audio stories]] | ||
Latest revision as of 23:33, 17 November 2024
Shouldn't this be moved to The Time Machine (EE audio story) (the name of the episode), with Exploration Earth created to cover the series? It should also be acknowledged that later releases have referred to the episode as Exploration Earth, of course.
Talk about it here.
Exploration Earth: The Time Machine was the first broadcast radio drama in the Doctor Who franchise. Along with Doctor Who and the Pescatons, it was one of only two occasions on which Elisabeth Sladen appeared alongside Tom Baker in a Doctor Who audio play.
As the third episode of the BBC Schools radio series Exploration Earth, it formed part of a study module about geography. It used the Doctor Who format and elements to explore the processes of the creation of the Earth. The subtitle The Time Machine was never spoken on-air nor used on packaging from the BBC Audio release. However, it was almost certainly used in Radio Times listings, teacher's guides and other contemporary internal documents as a way to distinguish this episode of Exploration Earth from others.
Publisher's summary[[edit] | [edit source]]
The TARDIS takes the Fourth Doctor and Sarah back in Time to witness stages of the Earth's development. However, as the planet evolves from a mass of heat and gas, Megron the High Lord of Chaos has his own designs on our homeworld. If his threats to endanger the stability of Earth have any substance, the existence of mankind itself is in question!
Plot[[edit] | [edit source]]
The Fourth Doctor notices a fault with the TARDIS controls. After mumbling some technobabble, he simplifies things for Sarah: the steering's gone out. A force has gripped the TARDIS and thrown it back forty-five hundred million years into Earth's past. Once they arrive, they get into a two-person space capsule and explore the nascent Earth, which is currently an oxygen-less ball of gas. The Doctor points out that at the centre of all that gas is a molten core which will form the planet Sarah knows as Earth.
The two return to the orbiting TARDIS and are controlled again by the mysterious force. This time it drags them millions of years in the future. They return to the capsule to view what has become of the Earth since they last looked upon it. Now, the planet is much smaller, closer to the size Sarah knows. It is considerably more solid, the Doctor notes - its crust rapidly forming. While they are examining the planet's geologic fury, they hear a disembodied voice. It's Lord Megron, "High Lord of Chaos, Chief of the Carions, Lords of Chaos", claiming he has taken control of Earth. The Megron have been attracted to Earth at this point in its history because they believe the planet's geologic formation is an expression of chaos and disharmony. When the Doctor points out that it's actually a sign of progress and coming order, the Megron disappears, blowing the duo back into the TARDIS and further down the time vortex.
The Doctor and Sarah are thrown yet more millions of years forward. Sarah now can't help but notice the many volcanoes dotting the surface of the planet. She is profoundly disturbed by the violence they seem to be meting out on the surface of the Earth, but the Doctor finds it beautiful. He lets her look through a device that shows the history of the planet passing before her eyes, to show her the cause and effect of volcanic activity and plate tectonics. She's physically sickened by it all, but the Doctor continues to enthuse about the creative spectacle. Finally, when she sees a mountain range form before her eyes, Sarah begins to get excited by the process as well. The Doctor points out that this is the beginning of true order on the planet. The Megron returns, but he's still not buying the Doctor's claims that the planet is emerging from chaos. The Doctor counters that the planet is no longer exclusively using space gases: a little oxygen is sustained on the planet itself. The Megron still tries to deny things.
Back in the TARDIS, the duo have moved on to a point when the Earth has an atmosphere and life. Oxygen is in abundance on the Earth. Yet the Megron is still there. The Doctor challenges him to a telepathic duel. The Megron loses and the Doctor banishes him from Earth. The Doctor and Sarah bid farewell to the Megron, as well as to chaos itself.
Cast[[edit] | [edit source]]
Crew[[edit] | [edit source]]
- Writer - Bernard Venables
- Producer - David Little
- Special Sounds - Dick Mills and the BBC Radiophonic Workshop
- No other individuals were actually credited on-air at broadcast.
Worldbuilding[[edit] | [edit source]]
- The Doctor mentions the relative dimensional computer and the chronometric astrometer.
- The Doctor mentions his jelly babies.
Notes[[edit] | [edit source]]
- Exploration Earth was the first Doctor Who original radio drama, and the second appearance of Sarah Jane Smith in an audio drama after AUDIO: Glorious Goodwood.
- Exploration Earth was recorded on 27 April 1976. (REF: The Collection: Season 14)
- Opening and closing announcements were provided. The opening announcement ran as follows:
- (Doctor Who theme plays)
- Yes, in this week's Exploration Earth we join the Doctor and Sarah as they journey through time in the TARDIS.
- The closing announcement was:
- (Closing theme plays)
- That programme was written by Bernard Venables. Those taking part were Tom Baker, Elisabeth Sladen and John Westbrook. The Special Sounds were by Dick Mills of the BBC Radiophonic Workshop. The production was by David Little.
Continuity[[edit] | [edit source]]
to be added
Releases[[edit] | [edit source]]
- Exploration Earth was released as a cassette and CD from the BBC Radio Collection, paired with the audio adaptation of Genesis of the Daleks on 2 July 2001.
- One scene from this play was included on Doctor Who at the BBC, released on 1 September 2003.
- A voucher to redeem a free copy of this story from branches of W H Smith or by post, was given away with The Daily Telegraph newspaper on 28 April 2010.
External links[[edit] | [edit source]]
- Exploration Earth at the Doctor Who Reference Guide
- DisContinuity for Exploration Earth at Tetrapyriarbus - The DisContinuity Guide
- Exploration Earth - The Time Machine at Chrissie's Transcripts Site
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