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{{Infobox Story SMW
|image                  = FiveStrugglesOnAndrozani.jpg
|novelisation          = The Caves of Androzani (novelisation)
|series                = [[Doctor Who television stories|''Doctor Who'' television stories]]
|season number          = Season 21 (Doctor Who 1963)|
|season serial number  = 6
|story number          = 135
|doctor                = Fifth Doctor
|companions            = [[Peri Brown|Peri]]
|featuring              = Tegan Jovanka
|featuring2            = Vislor Turlough
|featuring3            = Kamelion
|featuring4            = Nyssa
|featuring5            = Adric
|featuring6            = Sixth Doctor
|enemy                  = [[Morgus]]
|setting                = [[Androzani Minor]] and [[Androzani Major|Major]], [[51st century]]
|writer                = Robert Holmes
|director              = [[Graeme Harper]]
|producer              = [[John Nathan-Turner]]
|epcount                = 4
|broadcast date        = 8 March - 16 March 1984
|network                = BBC1
|format                = 4x25-minute episodes
|serial production code = [[List of production codes|6R]]
|prev                  = Planet of Fire (TV story)
|next                  = The Twin Dilemma (TV story)
|clip                  = Doctor android attack - The Caves of Androzani - BBC
|clip2                  = Crash landing - Doctor Who - The Caves of Androzani - BBC
|clip3                  = Fifth Doctor regenerates - Peter Davison to Colin Baker - BBC
|bts                    = Doctor Who The Caves of Androzani Event
|bts2                  = Peter Davison on his Regeneration - Regenerations Panel - Doctor Who 50th Celebration
|thwr = 7
|thwr2 = 48
}}
'''''The Caves of Androzani''''' was the sixth and penultimate serial of [[Season 21 (Doctor Who 1963)|season 21]] of ''[[Doctor Who]]''. It was the final regular appearance of [[Peter Davison]] as the [[Fifth Doctor]] and introduced [[Colin Baker]] as the [[Sixth Doctor]] in the closing moments of part four.
It was also [[Graeme Harper]]'s first credited ''Doctor Who'' [[Director (crew)|directorial]] job. Widely praised by fans, ''Caves'' was voted the single best televised ''Doctor Who'' story in a 2009 poll conducted by ''[[Doctor Who Magazine]]'' ([[DWM 413]]) and has also been consistently voted as the best Fifth Doctor story in polls from 1998, 2014, and 2023. ([[DWM 591]])
As a [[regeneration]] story, it offered many unusual elements. Perhaps the most obvious was that it was written by [[Robert Holmes]]. Although the most prolific writer of the 1963 version of the programme, this was his only regeneration story. ''Caves'' was also the first regeneration story to allow for a brief scene with the incoming Doctor. Unlike any of his predecessors, [[Sixth Doctor|the new Doctor]] was given the final words of the story — something that would happen in regeneration stories of the revived series. It was also the first time the Doctor willingly and explicitly underwent a regeneration solely to save a [[companion]], which would later be repeated by the [[Ninth Doctor|Ninth]] ([[TV]]: ''[[The Parting of the Ways (TV story)|The Parting of the Ways]]'') and [[Tenth Doctor]]s. ([[TV]]: ''[[The End of Time (TV story)|The End of Time]]'') Furthermore, it was the first time since 1966's ''[[The Tenth Planet (TV story)|The Tenth Planet]]'' that the Doctor regenerated before the end of the then-current series, and the first since ''The Tenth Planet'' that occurred inside of the TARDIS. It was also the final time in the classic series that a Doctor would regenerate at the conclusion of their own story, rather than at the beginning of the new Doctor's introductory story. The practice of giving the departing Doctor a swansong was also revived by the modern series, following particularly in the template set by this and ''[[Logopolis (TV story)|Logopolis]]'' where the entire story will be building up to the regeneration at the end of it.
From a behind-the-scenes perspective, Harper's direction was hailed by those involved with the production as highly innovative. Particularly noteworthy were Harper's more free use of camera movement than usual at the time and his direction from the studio floor. Harper's energetic and more personal directorial style sharply contrasted most who preceded him. Unlike Harper, most directors of the 1963 version of ''[[Doctor Who]]'' generally preferred to work in the booth and relay their messages to the actors and crew through the [[production assistant]] stationed on the floor. Peter Davison, in particular, found Harper's more direct style much to his liking. He lamented he had waited until his last story to receive this bolder style of direction, and that he would've stayed on the series longer if this directorial style was present during more of his tenure. ([[DCOM]]: ''The Caves of Androzani'')
Another unique aspect of the production was its use of [[William Shakespeare|Shakespearian]] {{w|soliloquy}}. [[Morgus]], the principal villain of the piece, sometimes turned away from the characters and spoke his thoughts aloud, often appearing to break the fourth wall in the process by gazing into the camera. Though apparently the result of a mistaken impression about the script by actor [[John Normington]], Harper kept the asides in, feeling they effectively ramped up the dramatic tension. ([[DCOM]]: ''The Caves of Androzani'')
== Synopsis ==
Arriving on the barren world of Androzani Minor, the Doctor and Peri find themselves embroiled in a long running war, fought between the ruthless General Chellak and the sinister Sharaz Jek. At the heart of the conflict is a substance called Spectrox - both valuable and deadly! The Doctor and Peri end up being poisoned by the material, which is killing them slowly and painfully, and there is no cure.
As the conflict heats up and the situation gets more desperate, and with death just hours away, how far must the Doctor go in order to save his friend's life?
== Plot ==
=== Part one ===
[[The Doctor's TARDIS|The TARDIS]] lands on [[Androzani Minor]], one of the twin planets in the [[Sirius]] star system. The Doctor and Peri find a [[spaceship]] has arrived, carrying a strange cargo. They decide to explore a set of tracks that lead into some nearby [[cave]]s.
Deep in the caves, a soldier is killed by a [[Magma Beast]]. In another part of the caves, Peri catches her foot in an unknown, sticky and stringy substance. As the Doctor pulls her leg free, he gets some of the substance on his hand. Despite noticing that the substance has a strange stinging sensation to it, something Peri also complains about, he is unconcerned. As they keep exploring deeper into the cave system, Peri asks why the Doctor wears a stick of [[celery]]. He explains that it is a safety precaution. He is allergic to certain gases in the [[Praxis gas|praxis range]] of the spectrum; in their presence, celery turns purple. They discover a hoard of weapons and hear several footsteps. Soldiers capture them and take them to their leader, General [[Chellak]]. As the two explain their innocence to Chellak and Major [[Salateen]], there is a call from Trau [[Morgus]], a business conglomerate leader on Androzani Major and CEO of the [[Sirius Conglomerate]]. Believing the two to be working for gunrunners [[Stotz]] and [[Krelper]], he loses all interest in them and orders their deaths after seeing that Chellak's "gunrunners" are not his own men over holographic communication.
Deep in the caves, the masked madman [[Sharaz Jek]] has monitored the broadcast between Morgus and Chellak. He is delighted at Peri's beauty. Meanwhile, Chellak tries to reason with Morgus in an attempt to get him to relent on his decision to execute the prisoners, telling him that Peri and the Doctor have been fully cooperative and might give them more information if they are kept alive. But Morgus refuses, telling Chellak that there can be no negotiations with traitors.
In their cell, the Doctor and Peri await their deaths. The Doctor ponders what they have stepped into, noticing how Morgus lost all interest in them once he had had his look at them and his talk of fighting against android rebels. Peri comments that it hardly matters; the authorities seem hell bent on making the two of them scapegoats for whatever is going on. The Doctor apologises to Peri for getting them into this mess, telling her that curiosity has always seemed to be his downfall. Their conversation then turns to the strange fungus Peri stepped in; Peri complains that the rash on her leg is starting to develop into blisters, and the Doctor tells her that the same is happening to his hand, noticing that the substance must have some highly toxic properties. Peri grimly points out that whatever it was, it probably will not manage to kill them before the executioners can.
Meanwhile, in his lair, Sharaz Jek keeps the military base under close surveillance through hidden cameras. Looking at the Doctor and Peri in their cell and the soldiers preparing for the execution outside, he starts issuing orders to his androids.
In the cell, the Doctor's thoughts turn to the "[[spectrox]]," which both Chellak and Morgus were discussing during their interrogation of them. He wonders what it is and why Morgus named it the "most valuable substance in the universe". Peri asks him if he really does not know, and the Doctor answers that even his knowledge is not limitless. As they talk, a secret door in the back of the cell opens and a figure steps inside...
A business conversation between Morgus and the President of [[Androzani Major]] reveals the full picture of the Spectrox crisis. Spectrox is a powerful drug produced by bats in Androzani Minor's caves, which is the only known source of the drug. Spectrox is highly valued by the people of nearby Androzani Major for its ability to extend life and keep one's youthful looks somewhat intact.
[[File:Peri_and_5_shot.JPG|thumb|left|The impending execution.]]
The spectrox mines are controlled by Morgus, but the operation is threatened by the masked Sharaz Jek and his army of [[android]]s, causing public tension on Androzani Major over limited supplies. Morgus has funded a military operation by Androzani Major's government against Jek's androids.
As Morgus and the President watch on a monitor, the Doctor and Peri are brought to the [[execution]] squad, dressed in red to hide the blood of their impending wounds. General Chellak asks if they have any last words; the Doctor tells him the whole thing is a mockery of justice, while Peri tells him just to get it over with. The soldiers step forward and take aim. On command, they blast bullets into the Doctor and Peri.


{{Infobox ClassicTV|
=== Part two ===
story name= The Caves of Androzani |
Chellak has the soldiers check their weapons. As the bodies are cut free of the execution posts, Morgus switches off the monitor. The President tells him that the people are not going to want to wait for their spectrox, especially considering most of them are unemployed. Morgus tells him that anyone without a valid work permit should be been sent to Eastern labour camps to reduce crime. The President points out to Morgus he has been closing plants in the West, which is why so many people are unemployed, and opening them again in the East. Meaning, if he accepts that suggestion, the same people will be working for Morgus again; this time without pay. Morgus innocently claims that he had never thought of that and the President sternly replies "No of course you hadn't" and leaves.
image= [[Image:Peri And 5.JPG|275px]]|
 
series=[[Doctor Who]] -<br/>[[TV stories|TV Stories]]|
It turns out that the Doctor and Peri have been rescued by Sharaz Jek, who was watching them and had prepared android duplicates to take their place in the execution. They are taken to his base to become his companions in exile. Chellak and Salateen go to look at the bodies. When they turn out to be androids, Chellak realises his career is at risk. He decides to not let anyone know about it. Meanwhile, the Doctor asks Jek if he could show him and Peri the way to the surface, but Jek explains that he intends to make them stay with him and keep him company. He assures them, with a hint of threat in his voice, that he will take care of their every need. Meanwhile, Stotz is having trouble. Krelper is getting fed up with the lack of pay and their recent string of failures and wants to leave the gunrunning enterprise. But when Stotz threatens with killing him, Krelper relents and Stotz decides to let him live for the time being.
number= [[Season 21]]|
 
story number=136|
At Jek's base, the Doctor and Peri complain of rashes and cramps where they touched the sticky substance in the caves. Jek returns, and Peri asks him why he wants to keep them prisoners here. Jek answers that he is attracted to her beauty and that he likes the idea of having the Doctor as an intellectual sparring partner. He then tells the Doctor that he sees him as the most expendable person in this arrangement and he, therefore, expects him to be obedient towards him, warning him if he does not submit, then he will kill him. Peri, on the other hand, he intends to keep alive forever.
doctor=[[Fifth Doctor]] (regenerates)<br> [[Sixth Doctor]] (introduction) |
 
companions= [[Peri]] |
When Peri answers that eternal life is impossible, Jek explains that refined spectrox can extend someone's life, forever if need be, and he now owns all of it. "Until the army takes it away from you," comments the Doctor dryly, but Jek angrily retorts it will not happen. Thanks to his monitoring equipment, he knows the army's every move, and so far their fight against his androids have been slow and very costly in manpower for them; at the current rate it will take five years for the army to actually threaten his operations and by that time he expects the people of Androzani Major to have already risen up and forced the Presidium to agree to his terms: they can have all the spectrox they want once the head of Morgus lies at his feet.
enemy= <ul><li>[[Sharaz Jek]]</li><li>[[Morgus]]</li><li>[[Stotz]]</li></ul> |
 
year= <ul><li>[[Androzani Minor]]</li><li>[[Androzani Major]]</li></ul> |
Meanwhile, at Morgus' headquarters, Morgus is surprised to hear from [[Timmin]] that the [[copper]] mine has exploded. This takes care of overproduction and makes the price of copper rise. Morgus wants every employee to leave their place and stand in silence for a minute but then changes his mind and says half a minute.
writer= [[Robert Holmes]]|
 
director= [[Graeme Harper]]|
Back at Jek's base, the Doctor meets Salateen. He has been a prisoner here, too. Jek captured him months ago and replaced him with an android that looks like him. The real Salateen resignedly realises Jek will probably kill him now he has them for company. When the Doctor suddenly gets another cramp and Peri remarks that she is having more as well, Salateen asks them if they touched a spectrox nest. Unsure, they describe the sticky substance and Salateen realises they did to which he breaks into a bitter laugh. He tells them that they are in the early stages of [[spectrox toxaemia]], a very serious form of poisoning contracted from exposure to unrefined spectrox. He explains that cramps is the second stage (a rash being the first) and next their thoracic spinal nerves will slowly paralyse until they reach thermal death point, giving them only a matter of hours left to live. He also confirms there is an antitoxin, which was discovered by [[Jackij|Professor Jackij]]: the milk of the [[queen bat]]. However, due to the mining activity, all the bats have fled to deeper levels of the caves, where there is no oxygen, making it next to impossible to acquire the milk. Worse still, Salateen tells them there is a carnivorous creature down there which has brutally killed and devoured several of Chellak's soldiers. He remarks that it probably lives in the deeper levels and comes up to the surface to hunt; adding that all anyone has ever found of it are "its table leavings".
producer= [[John Nathan-Turner]]|
 
broadcast date= [[8th March]] - [[16th March]] [[1984]] |
[[File:MorgusAndTimmin.jpg|thumb|[[Timmin]] labours in [[Morgus]]' shadow.]]
format= 4 25-minute episodes|
Stotz contacts Jek and tells him his ship is in good shape and it wasn't his fault that the androids didn't show up. Before Jek leaves to meet with Stotz and the gunrunners, Peri asks why he wears a mask. Jek flies into a rage. Shaking with anger, he explains that he was once Morgus' business partner in the spectrox business. One day when he was working on Androzani Minor, a mud burst erupted, but Morgus had betrayed him by giving him faulty detection instruments, so he had no warning of the burst. Though Morgus left him to die, Jek managed to survive but was horribly scalded and disfigured. Ever since, he has tried to exact revenge on Morgus. Done with his explanation, he leaves them under the watch of his androids as he ventures out to meet up with Stotz.
production code= [[List of production codes|6R]] |
 
previous story= [[Planet of Fire]] |
In the lower levels of the caves, Jek meets up with Stotz and the gun-runners and announces that he will only hand over half of the promised spectrox, as they have failed to deliver the shipment. This greatly angers Stotz who demands all of the payment he was promised, but Jek refuses, telling him that it is their own fault they lost the weapon shipment. Fuming, Stotz threatens to stop doing business with Jek for good, but Jek says he fully well knows the value of spectrox and can very easily find himself another weapon supplier.
next story= [[The Twin Dilemma]]
 
}}
In Jek's HQ, the Doctor manages to get close to and reprogram the android guarding the entrance to the lair. Him, Peri, and Salateen then use this opportunity to make their escape. Meanwhile, Stotz pretends to relent to Jek's offer, but as Jek leaves to get the spectrox, he points out to his fellow gun runners that they can just follow Jek back to his base, walk past his androids, kill him and steal his spectrox. The Doctor, Peri and Salateen head into the lower levels of the caves to find the queen bat. Unfortunately, they encounter one of Jek's android guards who opens fire at them. One shot grazes the Doctor on the temple which knocks him unconscious. Salateen, using Peri as a human shield, fires back at the android and destroys it, he then forcibly drags her away from the Doctor despite her protests. The Doctor regains consciousness and discovers Peri has vanished. He goes to find her. Jek returns to his base but flies into a rage when he discovers that Peri has gone. The Doctor takes cover behind a rock as Stotz and the gun runners enter. The Magma Beast (the creature Salateen described) then appears and kills one of the gun runners. The other gun runners open fire on the beast. It ignores the bullets and approaches the rock where the Doctor is crouching.
 
=== Part three ===
The beast is distracted by the gun runners and turns on them again, killing another one of them. The Doctor escapes as the gun runners retreat. Meanwhile, Peri is taken by Salateen to General Chellak. They both explain to him what has happened, making Chellak realise the Salateen who has been at his side for months was an android, explaining how Jek was able to outwit the army so easily. Stotz and the gun runners encounter Jek who again offers half of the agreed amount of spectrox and this time they agree. The Doctor arrives back at Jek's base. He asks where Peri is but the Doctor tells him that he doesn't know. Jek does not believe him and gets the androids to torture him until he finally tells him that Peri is with Salateen, making Jek realise that Chellak will now know about the Salateen android. Stotz then arrives to collect the spectrox and wants to take the Doctor to Androzani Major, believing him to be a government spy. Jek allows them to but clearly isn't bothered. The Doctor is in the third stage of spectrox toxaemia and is feeling unwell, but Stotz doesn't care; the Doctor will live long enough to be questioned. In the army base, Peri also isn't feeling well, but General Chellak is also uninterested; she and the Doctor have been working with Jek which is a punishable offence. Chellak orders an assault on Jek's base. Salateen agrees to tell Morgus about the assault and to throw Jek off guard when he broadcasts a message.
 
Jek discovers the real Salateen is free to walk around the caves, leaving Peri unguarded. Meanwhile, Stotz chains the Doctor in the bridge of his spaceship and calls Morgus. As Stotz discusses the situation with Morgus, the [[businessman]] sees the Doctor still alive. He tells Stotz that Chellak faked the attack on Jek's base. Morgus is worried the President will see his double dealings. He tells Stotz to remain in orbit and Stotz, furious, leaves the Doctor on his own. When Stotz is gone, the Doctor tries to escape. He pulls himself free of the wall and uses the power core in the centre of the ship's bridge to sear the chains from his hands. He is still very weary from the Spectrox but programs the spaceship to land or "crash" on Androzani Minor.
 
Meanwhile, Morgus, fearing deception, invites the President into his office and opens his private lift so the President can leave. The President doesn't realise it's just an empty shaft. Morgus pushes the President into the lift and he falls to his death. Morgus then swiftly calls Timmin about the "terrible accident", telling her that he will assume command, and makes his own plans to travel to Androzani Minor to put the situation right himself. As Timmin is walking out, Morgus tells her to have the lift maintenance engineer shot.
 
Meanwhile, Jek kidnaps Peri and takes her back to his headquarters, where he finds the Doctor has gone. He is now insane and needs Peri's beauty to forget the trouble that Morgus has put him in. Peri tells him the army will attack soon, but Jek already knows that - he has changed the recognition code for the belt buckle. General Chellak and his men are in for a shock...


==Synopsis==
The Doctor is in the centre of the ship's bridge. Suddenly an extreme tiredness overtakes him, and his vision becomes distorted. However, he manages to shake it off and return to clarity as he hears shouting at the door. It is Stotz, who has been alerted by the loud, rumbling noise from the landing procedure. He demands the Doctor unlocks the door, but the Doctor refuses. Stotz shouts for something to cut the door open with and tries to coax the Doctor into opening the door willingly, but the Doctor rebuffs him, warning him that they'll be touching down shortly, or more likely crashing due to the fact that he's "a bit out of practice with manual landings" and advises Stotz to find something firm to hang onto. Stotz's men proceed to cut a hole in the door with a blowtorch, but the edges of the cutout is too hot for Stotz to reach the door controls, so instead, he points his weapon at the Doctor and threatens to shoot him. The Doctor notices that it is hardly a persuasive argument since he will die soon anyway unless he can cure his toxaemia. Stotz gives him to the count of three to surrender, but the Doctor is unmoved by this, and he tells Stotz that he owes it to Peri to find the antidote as he got her into danger in the first place. "So you see," shouts the Doctor defiantly as Stotz finishes his countdown, "I'm not gonna let you stop me now!"
The Doctor and Peri are caught in the midst of a power struggle between gun runners, a fiendish masked madman called Sharaz Jek, government troops and crooked politicians over the precious mineral Spectrox.


==Plot==
=== Part four ===
===Part One===
The ship's rocket pods fire at the last moment, throwing Stotz's aim off and allowing the Doctor to violently land the ship on the surface of Androzani Minor. Still experiencing the effects of the Spectrox poisoning, the Doctor escapes from the spaceship. Krelper and another gun runner chase after him. Meanwhile, General Chellak plans the real assault on Jek's base, making him believe an attack lies elsewhere. As the assault force, guided by Salateen, heads towards the base, they come to a hold as they run into an android. Salateen assures them that there is nothing to fear, as the belt buckles will protect them, but as he moves towards the android to prove this, he is immediately gunned down. Panic erupts in the ranks as the soldiers realise that the signal is not working, and they frantically return fire. They eventually manage to disable all of Jek's androids, but at a very high cost of lives. Meanwhile, Krelper and his cohort are still chasing the Doctor. He approaches a cliff and falls from it. Rendered helpless for a moment, he is unable to get up as Krepler and the other gunrunner approach him, but just as they are about to kill him, a mudburst begins and they decide to leave the Doctor be and retreat to the safety of the ship. The Doctor gets to his feet and makes his way into the caves to save Peri.
[[File:Peri_and_5_shot.JPG|thumb|left|150px|The Doctor and Peri before they get shot]]The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TARDIS TARDIS] lands on Androzani Minor, and the Doctor and Peri decide to explore a set of tracks that lead into a nearby cave. As they explore, they are briefly caught in a ball of an unknown sticky substance, but they easily break free. Further into the caves, they discover a hoard of weapons, but are then captured by General Chellak's forces, believing the two to be working for gunrunners Stotz and Krepler. Morgus orders their assassination after seeing that Chellak's "gunrunners" are not his own men over holographic communication. The dangerous, desert planet Androzani Minor is the only source for a powerful drug called spectrox created by bats that inhabits the planet's caves. Spectrox is highly-valued by the population of nearby Androzani Major due to its capacity to extend one's life. The spectrox mining interests are controlled by Trau Morgus, a business conglomerate leader on Androzani Major, but the operation has been threatened by the masked Sharaz Jek and his army of androids, causing public tension on Androzani Major due to limited supplies. Morgus has publicly funded a military operation by the Androzani Major's government against Jek's androids, but at the same time has secretly backed a gunrunning group to deliver weapons to Jek to profit from the war. When the two are brought to the execution squad, they are dressed in a red cloth. The soldiers step foward and take aim. General Chellak gives the order to fire, and the soldiers pump bullets into them...


===Part Two===
{{video|Jek and Morgus' Showdown - Doctor Who - The Caves of Androzani - BBC|thumb|left|Jek and Morgus fight.}}
General Chellak asks the soldiers to check their weapons and Morgus switches the screen off. When the soldiers go over to look at the bodies, they discover they are&nbsp;androids. The Doctor and Peri are rescued by Sharaz Jek who had been watching the two enter the caves and was able to prepare duplicate androids with help of his personal android Salateen. They complain about rashes and cramps in their bodies where they touched the sticky substances.
Chellak and the few remaining soldiers have no choice but to push against the mudburst. Chellak sees Jek and chases him to his base. Once there, he struggles with Jek until he pulls his mask off. He is so horrified at Jek's scalded face that Jek is able to push him outside into the path of the mudburst. Jek goes to Peri. She screams at the sight of Jek's face and Jek himself lets out a cry of agony.


Jek realises the two have been subjected to the first stages of spectrox [[Wikipedia:Toxemia|toxemia]] from exposure to unrefined spectrox, and that while there is an anti-toxin, it requires the milk of the queen bat. Unfortunately, due to the mining activity, all the bats have migrated to deeper levels of the caves where there is no oxygen.
Morgus arrives on the planet. He finds Timmin has betrayed him and taken his dirty dealings to the government, which means he is now deposed from power and isolated from his wealth. Morgus declares that he is not beaten yet, and quickly works out a deal with Stotz. Krelper and his friend, however, have decided to cut their losses and want no part in it. Stotz pretends to accept this only to shoot and kill them as soon as their guard is down. Morgus and Stotz continue on ahead, plotting to secure Jek's private stash of spectrox so they may disappear quietly to another planet.


The Doctor enters the caves and takes cover as Stotz and his band of gun runners are attacked by a ferocious magma beast. The beast suddenly smells the Doctor nearby and approaches the rock behind which he is crouching...
The Doctor arrives at Jek's base, struggling to hold off the effects of the Spectrox poisoning, and the regeneration that would rid him of the infection. When the Doctor explains that he can hold his breath much longer than a human and therefore has a better chance to survive in the lower parts of the caves, Jek provides him with an oxygen tank and directions, so he can find the queen bat and milk it. The Doctor then departs to get the milk. While wandering through the caves he comes across the Magma Beast lying dead. He briefly squats down to inspect the creature and remarks "It's not your lucky day either" and carries on.


===Part Three===
Morgus and Stotz make their way to Jek's base, lured by extractor fans that Jek is using to keep the base temperature cool for Peri. Morgus orders Jek to give him the Spectrox. Jek sees Morgus and, consumed by rage, forgets all about Peri and everything else. He pulls off his mask, showing Morgus his scalded face. As Morgus looks at Jek in shock, Jek throttles him. Stotz opens fire on Jek, but the Salateen android returns and kills him. With his last ounce of life, Jek pushes Morgus' head into his extractor fans. Morgus dies in seconds and the extractor fans short circuit and burst into flames. Jek dies in the arms of the Salateen android, giving it his last orders to hold him. The Doctor arrives just after the battle and escapes, but the Salateen android stays where it is as the fire destroys Jek's base.
The gun runners distract the beast, so it turns on them again. Before leaving to meet with the gunrunners while leaving the two under his androids' guard, Jek explains that he is seeking revenge against Morgus as it was his actions that left his face disfigured.


After Jek leaves, the Doctor is able to reprogram the androids and allow him and Peri to escape, but they quickly encounter Chellak's forces; Peri is recaptured while the Doctor is caught by Stotz. Stotz decides to take the Doctor back to Androzani Major to see Morgus directly.
{{video|Fifth Doctor regenerates - Peter Davison to Colin Baker - Doctor Who - The Caves of Androzani - BBC|thumb|The Doctor sees visions of his former [[companion]]s as his body attempts to [[regenerate]].}}
The Doctor takes the unconscious Peri back to the surface and the TARDIS, but a mud burst is on its way. While he unlocks the TARDIS, the Doctor spills some the bat's milk in the sand. He manages to open the door, get himself and Peri inside the TARDIS and dematerialise as the planet's surface explodes in boiling mud.


As Stotz discusses the situation with Morgus via holographic communication ''en route'', Morgus sees the Doctor still alive, and fearing deception, kills the President of Androzani Major and makes his own plans to travel to Androzani Minor to put the situation right himself.
Inside the TARDIS, the Doctor feeds Peri all of the remaining bat's milk, then collapses on the floor of the TARDIS, now so close to death that he is starting to doubt that regeneration is possible, saying aloud "Is this death?". Peri recovers to find the Doctor lying in pain on the floor. The Doctor quickly explains he cured her with the bat's milk, but he only had enough for her. He tells Peri that there's nothing she can do, that he will be going soon, and it's time to say goodbye. Peri encourages him not to give up and pleads that he can't leave her now. He then says that he "might regenerate", but he doesn't know for certain that he will be able to, because the process "feels different this time".


The Doctor is able to gain control of the ship from Stotz. Stotz and his men try to regain access to the bridge by cutting through the door. The Doctor refuses to give up until he rescues Peri. Stotz gets ready to aim as the Doctor tells him: 'I'm not going to let you stop me now!' The planet looms large on the ship's view screen and the Doctor closes his eyes as the ship prepares for a crash landing...
A bright glow surrounds the Doctor as his image distorts; he begins hallucinating his previous companions urging him to live, telling him the universe still needs him. He is particularly affected by the vision of someone who died, and his final word is, "[[Adric]]?" A vision of {{Ainley}} appears, laughing at the Doctor and telling him to die. The visions of his companions begin to swirl, all their voices overlapping together and drowning out the taunts of his foe. The glow grows brighter and covers the Doctor. As the visions subside all at once, it fades to reveal the Doctor's [[Sixth Doctor|new incarnation]], a man with a sharp gaze and curly blond hair atop his head. Peri moves toward the regenerated Doctor and addresses him by name. The Doctor, now sitting up and fully alert, challenges his now-detoxified assistant with the words, "You were expecting someone else?" Speechless, she trips up, "I, I, I..."


===Part Four===
He ironically scolds her, "That's three I's in one breath. Makes you sound a rather egotistical young lady." Peri asks, "What's happened?" He grandly declares, "Change, my dear, and it seems not a moment too soon," staring forward with a proud grin and a glint in his eye.
[[File:Regeneration.jpg|thumb|left|150px|The Doctor regenerates]]The Doctor lands the ship&nbsp;back on the surface of Androzani Minor. Weary from the spectrox poisoning, he makes his way into the caves to save Peri. Meanwhile, Chellak plans an assault on Jek's base, luring him to believe an attack lies elsewhere. The battle kills nearly all of the military forces including Chellak, the gunrunners, and Jek's androids; Jek is able to rescue the unconscious Peri from the military base and return her to his base amid the chaos. The Doctor arrives, struggling to hold off his body's attempt to regenerate to rid itself of the spectrox. Jek provides him with a limited air supply and equipment and directions to find and milk the queen bat. As the Doctor departs to get the milk, Morgus arrives on the planet, finding that his shrewd secretary has deposed him from power.


Morgus quickly deals with Stotz to kill all the remaining gunrunners, including Krepler, and then plot to secure Jek's private stash of spectrox so they may disappear quietly to another planet. The two make their way to Jek's base, lured by fans that Jek is using to try to keep the base temperature cool for Peri. A brief fight breaks out, and Jek, Morgus, and Stotz are killed. The Doctor arrives just after the battle, and after feeding her all of the bat's milk, takes the recovering Peri back to the surface and to the TARDIS as the planet erupts around them.
== Cast ==
* [[Fifth Doctor|The Doctor]] - [[Peter Davison]]
* [[Peri Brown]] - [[Nicola Bryant]]
* [[Sharaz Jek]] - [[Christopher Gable]]
* [[Morgus]] - [[John Normington]]
* [[Salateen]] - [[Robert Glenister]]
* [[Stotz]] - [[Maurice Roëves]]
* [[Chellak]] - [[Martin Cochrane]]
* [[Krelper]] - [[Roy Holder]]
* [[Krau Timmin|Timmin]] - [[Barbara Kinghorn]]
* [[President (The Caves of Androzani)|President]] - [[David Neal]]
* [[Soldier 1 (The Caves of Androzani)|Soldier]] - [[Ian Staples]]
* [[Tremas Master|The Master]] - [[Anthony Ainley]]
* [[Adric]] - [[Matthew Waterhouse]]
* [[Nyssa]] - [[Sarah Sutton]]
* [[Tegan Jovanka]] - [[Janet Fielding]]
* [[Vislor Turlough|Turlough]] - [[Mark Strickson]]
* Voice of [[Kamelion]] - [[Gerald Flood]]
* [[Sixth Doctor|The Doctor]] - [[Colin Baker]]


Inside the TARDIS, Peri recovers to find the Doctor lying in pain on the floor. The Doctor quickly explains he only got enough bat's milk to cure Peri, but his body will shortly regenerate, though it feels different from his previous regenerations. The Doctor begins to hallucinate images of his past companions urging him to continue to fight for his life, followed by the Master laughing at his state. The regeneration completes, with the Doctor suddenly alert and active though with a new face. When Peri asks what has happened, the Doctor replies, ''"Change, my dear, and it seems not a moment too soon."''
=== Uncredited cast ===
* [[Salateen (android)|Salateen android]] - [[Robert Glenister]]
* Gun-runners - [[Les Conrad]], [[Robert Smythe]], [[Gerry O'Brien]] ([[DWM 279]])
* Soldiers - [[Ray Martin]], [[Pat Gorman]], [[Brian Jacobs]], [[Harry Payne]], [[Sean McCabe]], [[Steve Rockson]], [[Darrell Brooks]], [[Jerry Judge]], [[Steven Wickham|Steve Wickham]], [[Douglas Stark]], [[Bob Tarff]], [[Derek Briggs]] ([[DWM 279]])


==Cast==
== Crew ==
*[[Fifth Doctor|The Doctor]] - [[Peter Davison]]
* [[Assistant Floor Manager]] - [[Sue Hedden]]
*[[Sixth Doctor|The Doctor]]- [[Colin Baker]]
* [[Camera Supervisor]] - [[Alec Wheal]]
*[[Peri Brown]] - [[Nicola Bryant]]
* [[Costumes]] - [[Andrew Rose]]
*[[Sharaz Jek]] - [[Christopher Gable]]
* [[Design Effects]] - [[Jean Peyre|John Peyre]]
*[[Morgus]] - [[John Normington]]
* [[Designer (crew)|Designer]] - [[John Hurst]]
*[[Salateen]] - [[Robert Glenister]]
* [[Film Cameraman]] - [[John Walker]]
*[[Stotz]] - [[Maurice Roëves]]
* [[Film Editor]] - [[Roger Guertin]]
*[[Chellak]] - [[Martin Cochrane]]
* [[Film sound|Film Sound]] - [[Malcolm Campbell]]
*[[Krelper]] - [[Roy Holder]]
* [[Incidental Music]] - [[Roger Limb]]
*[[Timmin]] - [[Barbara Kinghorn]]
* [[Make-Up]] - [[John Nethercot]], [[Shirley Stallard]]
*The President - [[David Neal]]
* [[Producer]] - [[John Nathan-Turner]]
*Soldier - [[Ian Staples]]
* [[Production Assistant]] - [[Juley Harding]]
*[[The Master]] - [[Anthony Ainley]]
* [[Production Associate]] - [[June Collins]]
*[[Adric]] - [[Matthew Waterhouse]]
* [[Production Manager]]s - [[Elizabeth Trubridge]], [[Corinne Hollingworth]]
*[[Nyssa]] - [[Sarah Sutton]]
* [[Script Editor]] - [[Eric Saward]]
*[[Tegan Jovanka]] - [[Janet Fielding]]
* [[Special Sounds]] - [[Dick Mills]]
*[[Vislor Turlough]] - [[Mark Strickson]]
* [[Studio Lighting]] - [[Don Babbage]]
*Voice of [[Kamelion]] - [[Gerald Flood]]
* [[Studio Sound]] - [[Scott Talbott]]
* [[Technical Co-ordinator]] - [[Alan Arbuthnott]]
* [[Theme Arrangement]] - [[Peter Howell]]
* [[Doctor Who theme|Title Music]] - [[Ron Grainer]]
* [[Videotape editor|Videotape Editor]] - [[Steve Newnham]]
* [[Video effects|Video Effects]] - [[Dave Chapman]]
* [[Vision Mixer]] - [[Dinah Long]]
* [[Visual Effects]] - [[Jim Francis]], [[Stuart Brisdon]]


==Crew==
== Worldbuilding ==
*[[Assistant Floor Manager]] - [[Sue Hedden]]
=== Planets ===
*[[Costumes]] - [[Andrew Rose]]
* [[Androzani Major]] and [[Androzani Minor]] are "twin planets."
*[[Designer]] - [[John Hurst]]
* Androzani Major and Androzani Minor are located in the star system of [[Sirius]].
*[[Film Cameraman]] - [[John Walker]]
*[[Film Editor]] - [[Roger Guertin]]
*[[Incidental Music]] - [[Roger Limb]]
*[[Make-Up]] - [[John Nethercot]], [[Shirley Stallard]]
*[[Producer]] - [[John Nathan-Turner]]
*[[Production Assistant]] - [[Juley Harding]]
*[[Production Associate]] - [[June Collins]]
*[[Script Editor]] - [[Eric Saward]]
*[[Special Sounds]] - [[Dick Mills]]
*[[Studio Lighting]] - [[Don Babbage]]
*[[Studio Sound]] - [[Scott Talbott]]
*[[Theme Arrangement]] - [[Peter Howell]]
*[[Title Music]] - [[Ron Grainer]]
*[[Visual Effects]] - [[Jim Francis]], [[Stuart Brisdon]]


==References==
=== Individuals ===
*Peri asks why the Doctor wears a stick of [[celery]]; it is a safety precaution. He is allergic to certain gases in the [[praxis range]] of the spectrum. ''"If the gas is present, the celery turns purple."''
* [[Morgus]] is or was, rather, before being deposed by [[Timmin]], "the richest man in the Five Planets," chairman of the [[Sirius Conglomerate]] and a descendant of the first colonists.
*[[Spectrox toxaemia]] causes rash, cramp, spasms, slow paralysis of the thoracic spinal nerve and finally [[thermal death]].
* The Doctor claims to be able to store [[oxygen]] for several minutes.
*Morgus is (or was, before being deposed by Timmin) ''"the richest man in the Five Planets"'', chairman of the [[Sirius Conglomerate]] and a descendant of the first colonists.
* The Doctor confesses to Peri he tried to keep a [[Five Hundred Year Diary|diary]], but he never finds the time to update it.
*During the regeneration sequence; [[Adric]], [[Tegan Jovanka]], [[Nyssa]], [[Turlough]], [[Kamelion]] and [[The Master]] are seen and heard. This is similar to the regeneration of the Fourth Doctor, who also saw images (in that case, flashbacks) of the previous companions and several enemies of that incarnation.
* [[Salateen]] explains that the cure for [[Spectrox toxaemia]] was discovered by [[Jackij|Professor Jackij]].
* [[Boze]] is one of the people killed by the Magma Beast. [[Rones]] was killed in a gas attack.
* The Doctor's last word before regenerating is "[[Adric]]?"


==Story Notes==
=== Technology ===
*Despite the title, the Doctor notes that the caves are in fact blowholes.
* Peri mentions a [[reticular vector gauge]].
*The maps of the caves shown on screen bear an uncanny resemblance to the video game Dig Dug.
* In the smugglers' cave, the Doctor and Peri find [[gas carbine]]s, [[bomb]]s and [[poison volatiser]]s.
*This story had the working title of; '''Chain Reaction'''.
* Analysing traces of fused [[silica]] on the ground of Androzani Minor, the Doctor [[deduce]]s a small spaceship had recently landed.
*This is Peter Davison's final TV story, however he reprised the role on screen in [[Dimensions in Time]] and [[Time Crash]].
* The Doctor also demonstrates tracking skills by studying [[monoskid]] tracks and deducing it had departed with a heavy load and returned unloaded.
*The regeneration sequence features specially recorded cameos by [[Matthew Waterhouse]], [[Janet Fielding]], [[Sarah Sutton]], [[Mark Strickson]], [[Gerald Flood]] and [[Anthony Ainley]].
* [[Android rebel|Sharaz Jek's androids]] come in various models; some of them are simple soldiers that can follow orders but are programmed to shoot humans on sight. More specialist models include the duplicates of [[Fifth Doctor (android)|the Doctor]], [[Peri Brown (android)|Peri]] and [[Salateen (android)|Salateen]].
*The closing credits to Part Four feature the face of new Doctor Colin Baker, and list him before Peter Davison.
* [[Belt plates]] are used by Jek and the gun runners to protect themselves from the androids. Salateen gets hold of one and they're mass-produced by the army. Jek changes the frequency code before the army attacks so the androids attack them.
*Christopher Gable was not the first choice to play Sharaz Jek; among the actors offered the role were Tim Curry and David Bowie.
*Colin Baker previously appeared (as [[Maxil|Commander Maxil]]) in ''[[Arc of Infinity (TV story)|Arc of Infinity]]''.
*The Doctor has been ''"this way before"'' and says that [[Androzani Minor]] ''"hasn't changed"''.
*If the pre-companion appearance of [[Nyssa]] in ''[[The Keeper of Traken]]'' is discounted, this story marks the first occasion since 1977's ''[[Horror of Fang Rock]]'' that the Doctor has spent a complete adventure with only a single companion.
*In [[DWM]] , [[The Caves of Androzani]] was voted the readers favourite episode.
*The only characters who do not die during this story are Peri and Timmin, both female. Every male character dies apart from the Sixth Doctor (the Fifth Doctor, however, does).


===Influences===
=== Substances ===
* Frank Herbert's [[Wikipedia:Dune (novel)|Dune]] (people being killed over a drug that extends life; the unstable "tripod of power" between the rulers of Androzani; the "mud blows" and Androzani Minor's generally arid climate)
* The Doctor wears a stick of [[celery]] because he is allergic to certain gases in the [[praxis range]] of the spectrum, the presence of which causes the celery to turn purple.
* [[Wikipedia:The Phantom of the Opera (disambiguation)|The Phantom of the Opera]] (mentally unbalanced but brilliant recluse wears a mask to conceal facial disfigurement; develops obsessive fascination with an attractive young woman and eventually abducts her)
* When refined, [[Spectrox]] can slow the ageing process of the taker. When unrefined, it causes [[Spectrox toxaemia]] on contact.


===Ratings===
=== Illnesses ===
*Part 1 - 6.9 million viewers
* [[Spectrox toxaemia]] causes a rash, cramp, spasms, slow paralysis of the thoracic spinal nerve and finally [[thermal death]]. Milk from a Queen Bat is the only known cure besides regeneration (though the latter is unique to Time Lords).
*Part 2 - 6.6 million viewers
*Part 3 - 7.8 million viewers
*Part 4 - 7.8 million viewers


===Myths===
== Story notes ==
''to be added''
* Despite the title, the Doctor notes that the caves are in fact blowholes.
* The maps of the caves shown on screen bear an superficial resemblance to the video game ''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dig_Dug Dig Dug]''.
* This story had the working title of ''Chain Reaction''.
* The regeneration sequence features specially recorded cameos by [[Matthew Waterhouse]], [[Janet Fielding]], [[Sarah Sutton]], [[Mark Strickson]], [[Gerald Flood]] and [[Anthony Ainley]]. Because Waterhouse and Sutton had left the show in previous seasons, special contracts had to be written for their cameos. Furthermore, Nyssa's appearance in the episode required the producers to pay her creator, [[Johnny Byrne]], royalty fees.
* The closing credits for part four were altered specially for the incoming Doctor. As the credits started rolling, it fades directly from the close-up of [[Colin Baker]] having just delivered his line, to a multi-coloured image of him with a similar expression superimposed over the regular credit sequence before his credit as the Doctor appears, followed by [[Peter Davison]]'s credit. The face moves back along the screen and fades out as soon as Davison's face in the regular credit sequence disappears and it then continues as normal.
* This was the second instance where [[Peter Davison]] is credited second in a regeneration story. The first being the ending of [[TV]]: ''[[Logopolis (TV story)|Logopolis]], ''which was [[Tom Baker]]'s final appearance in the lead role.
* This is the first time an explanation has been given for the Doctor wearing celery on his lapel.
* This story marks the first occasion since 1980's [[TV]]: ''[[The Keeper of Traken (TV story)|The Keeper of Traken]]'' or 1977's [[TV]]: ''[[Horror of Fang Rock (TV story)|Horror of Fang Rock]]'' if Nyssa's pre-companion role in [[Season 18 (Doctor Who 1963)|Season 18]] is discounted that the Doctor has spent a complete adventure with only a single incumbent companion, and the first time since 1977's TV: ''[[The Invisible Enemy (TV story)|The Invisible Enemy]]'' or, again, ''Horror of Fang Rock'' if [[K9 Mark I]]'s pre-companion role is discounted, that the Doctor has travelled without any non-human companions.
* In [[DWM 400]], ''The Caves of Androzani'' was voted the readers' favourite televised story. Conversely, ''[[The Twin Dilemma (TV story)|The Twin Dilemma]]'', the very next serial, bottomed out at #200 as the least favourite, effectively bookending the charts.
* The only characters who do not die during this story are Peri and Timmin, who are also the only female characters: counting the Doctor's regeneration as the death of his fifth incarnation, every male character dies. The Salateen android is not destroyed on-screen, but it is not definitely shown as surviving the story's events and it's debatable whether an android would count as being "alive" in the first place.
* This story was rife with on-screen mishaps that ended up causing minor injuries to [[Peter Davison]], who would later jokingly claim that the staff were actually attempting to kill him. Among these accidents are two notable instances:
** During a scene in which Sharaz Jek backhands the Doctor, the mask Christopher Gable was wearing impaired his vision enough to make him legitimately strike Davison by mistake.
** As the Doctor carries Peri back into the TARDIS at the end of the story, he flinches at a nearby mud burst. This is because the explosion was prematurely triggered by the technicians, shooting sand into Davison's eyes and forcing him to recoil in pain.
* The effect used for the Doctor's distorted vision near the end of part three is the same effect used for his regeneration at the end of the serial. It was also used in ''[[Resurrection of the Daleks (TV story)|Resurrection of the Daleks]]'' for the destruction of the space station.
* This story is notably one of few where the eventual outcome negates the importance of the plot. The Doctor's role provided no historical accomplishments and instead caused an inadvertent massacre, a gigantic power collapse, and even his own "death", all of which could've been prevented had the Doctor never been involved or even ''went'' to Androzani Minor, for that matter.
* This story was chosen by fans to represent the [[Peter Davison]] era by fans to be rebroadcast for [[Doctor Who @40]].
* This is the first regeneration story to include the new Doctor's first words, rather than waiting until their first full story. This practice would become the standard in the revived series.
* [[Graeme Harper]] recalls in the DVD commentary that he and [[Christopher Gable]] had worked together on numerous occasions in the past but never with Harper as a director. Over the years they knew each other, Gable affectionately called Harper 'Twinkle' and had even embarrassed him by calling him it at a public event. Harper made Gable promise not to call him the name on the set of this story for fear of what it might do to his reputation. [[Peter Davison]] admitted he would have found it very hard to take Harper seriously if he had heard Gable use the name.
* A concrete date was finally made in ''[[Diamond Dogs (novel)|Diamond Dogs]]'', which takes place in the [[51st century]] and refers to Sharaz Jek as being an active criminal.
* [[Peter Davison]] has since stated that he felt that his performance during the regeneration sequence was overshadowed at the time by the obvious visibility of [[Nicola Bryant]]'s cleavage during the shot. ([[DOC]]: ''[[The Ultimate Guide (2013 documentary)|The Ultimate Guide]]'')
* The story was the last of three consecutive serials, along with ''[[Resurrection of the Daleks (TV story)|Resurrection of the Daleks]]'' and ''[[Planet of Fire (TV story)|Planet of Fire]]'', that saw the departure of one of the season's regular cast members. In this serial, [[Peter Davison]] departs as the [[Fifth Doctor]].
* [[Christopher Gable]] was originally offered the role of Salateen. [[Graeme Harper]] wanted him for Jek but didn't think he would accept, as he'd be hidden behind a mask for the whole story, but Gable wanted the challenge and the larger role.
* [[Peter Davison]] named this as his favourite serial (claiming that if he'd gotten more stories of this quality earlier in his run he would have wanted to stay on longer), [[Nicola Bryant]] named it as her favourite from her first series and [[John Nathan-Turner]] named it as one of the highlights of his tenure.
* [[Eric Saward]] wrote two scenes: the Doctor's explanation as to why he wears celery (which was suggested by [[Peter Davison]]); and the Sixth Doctor's scene.
* Recording was interrupted by a strike, which caused a serious delay in the filming of the serial. As a result, two sequences had to be cut. The first scene would have featured the Doctor and Peri at the opening of the story in the TARDIS. The Doctor was to explain to Peri the reason for their visit to Androzani Minor. Apparently, as a boy, the Doctor had started a "blown glass bottle collection", which was made from the sand of different planets. He had lost his Androzani bottle and decided to return there to retrieve some more sand. It was in this scene Peri was to say "You're such a pain, Doctor." However, when the final cut of the serial was made, it had been discovered that certain lines of dialogue (like the Doctor professing that "I am not a pain" and Peri's comments about needing sand to "make some glass") alluded to the cut sequence. To rectify this, [[Peter Davison]] and [[Nicola Bryant]] voiced over part of their conversation while the TARDIS materialises from outer space to the planet. The second scene to be cut would have featured the Doctor battling with the magma beast in part four.
* [[Peter Davison]] and [[Robert Glenister]] previously co-starred as brothers in the sitcom ''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sink_or_Swim_(TV_series) Sink or Swim].''
* [[Robert Glenister]] is best known for his role in ''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hustle_(TV_series) Hustle].'' [[Colin Baker]] guest-starred in the episode "Tiger Troubles".
* The scene where Morgus faces the camera directly and speaks out his inner thoughts came about from [[John Normington]] misunderstanding the stage directions he was given. However, everyone liked the theatrical feel of it and that take was left in the episode.
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Curry Tim Curry], [[David Bowie]] and [[Mick Jagger]] were offered the role of Sharaz Jek. Also considered were [[Derek Jacobi]] and [[John Hurt]]. Of these five, Bowie is the only one whose refusal we actually know the reason for: the scheduled taping dates conflicted with his ''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serious_Moonlight_Tour Serious Moonlight]'' tour. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_Allen Patrick Allen], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicholas_Ball_(actor) Nicholas Ball], [[Steven Berkoff]], [[Brian Cox]], [[Michael Gambon]], [[Julian Glover]], [[Martin Jarvis]], [[Michael Jayston]] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oliver_Tobias Oliver Tobias] were also considered.
* [[Steven Berkoff]], [[Michael Gambon]] and [[Julian Glover]] were considered for the role of General Chellak.
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joss_Ackland Joss Ackland], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_Allen Patrick Allen], [[George Baker]], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ian_Bannen Ian Bannen], [[Julian Glover]], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ian_Holm Ian Holm], [[Martin Jarvis]] and [[Michael Jayston]] were considered for the role of Morgus.
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicholas_Ball_(actor) Nicholas Ball], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ralph_Bates Ralph Bates], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_Cazenove Christopher Cazenove], [[Tom Chadbon]], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicholas_Clay Nicholas Clay], [[Brian Cox]] and [[Donald Sumpter]] were considered for the role of Salateen.
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_Allen Patrick Allen], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alun_Armstrong Alun Armstrong], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicholas_Ball_(actor) Nicholas Ball], [[Steven Berkoff]], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Clarke Warren Clarke], [[Kenneth Cope]] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Elphick Michel Elphick] were considered for the role of Stoltz.
* [[Kenneth Cope]] was considered for Krelper.
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Steedman Tony Steedman] was offered the role of the President.
* [[Graeme Harper]] hoped to bring [[Michael Craze]] back to play Krelper, only to be vetoed by [[John Nathan-Turner]], as the casting of [[Jacqueline Hill]] in [[Meglos (TV story)|''Meglos'']] hadn't worked out.
* In the original script, the Doctor did not regenerate after succumbing to spectrox toxaemia, but simply because of the damage his body sustained in combating Stotz and his gunrunners.
* [[Eric Saward]] thought it was an above average script that was elevated by [[Graeme Harper]]'s direction.
* The Praxis range reference to the allergic gasses came from [[Eric Saward]]'s Praxis 35 typewriter.
* [[Eric Saward]] came up with the magma beast, which displeased [[John Nathan-Turner]].
* The fan press reported that [[Robert Holmes]] was writing a serial called “[[The Doctor's Wife (TV story)|The Doctor's Wife]]”. This was how [[John Nathan-Turner]] had listed the adventure on his planning board, in order to substantiate his long-held suspicion that somebody in the production office was leaking information about upcoming stories.
* The regeneration sequence initially didn't feature Nyssa or the Master, as it was feared that [[Sarah Sutton]]'s theatrical commitment would make her unavailable and there were concerns about [[Anthony Ainley]]'s salary demands.
* [[John Nathan-Turner]] wanted a repeat of the regeneration from [[Logopolis (TV story)|''Logopolis'']], albeit this time with specially recorded scenes instead of stock footage.
* [[John Nathan-Turner]] agreed to hire Harper to direct after encountering him at a [[Christmas]] party in late [[1982]].
* [[Graeme Harper]] was eager to invest the serial with a realistic edge, which suggested the use of actual machine guns (which fired blanks) rather than futuristic props.
* The Masters Pit at Stokeford in Dorset was popular for pheasant hunting, and so locals were paid to refrain from firing their guns for the duration of filming.
* [[Nicola Bryant]] developed mild frostbite on the first day at Stokeford as a result of having her lower legs bare to reflect the allegedly arid climate of Androzani Minor.
* There were concerns that [[Maurice Roëves]] wouldn't be able to make the filming dates, as he lived in [[New York City|New York]] at the time. It was feared that a new actor would have to be cast, with the location filming remounted, but the money was eventually secured to keep him in the UK for the duration of the shoot.
* Sharaz Jek's mask was painted in the manner of a [[Zulu]] warrior, based upon [[Graeme Harper]]'s suggestion of using Masai face painting as a reference.
* Much like the [[Myrka]] in ''[[Warriors of the Deep (TV story)|Warriors of the Deep]]'' at the start of the season, the Magma Beast costume was barely finished before it was needed in the studio. This left Colin Taylor, the performer inside the suit, very little time to become accustomed to it.
* [[Sarah Sutton]] had [[chicken pox]] when she filmed her cameo.
* [[Colin Baker]] was unable to fit into [[Peter Davison]]'s spare costume, and so he gave his performance with the trousers undone, affording him the opportunity to moon Davison's wife, [[Sandra Dickinson]].


===Filming Locations===
=== Influences ===
*Masters Pit, Hansons Aggregates, Stokeford Heath, Dorset
* [https://dune.fandom.com/wiki/Frank_Herbert Frank Herbert's] [https://dune.fandom.com/wiki/Dune_(novel) ''Dune'']: people fighting a war over a drug that extends life; the unstable "tripod of power" between the rulers of Androzani; the "mud bursts" and Androzani Minor's generally arid climate.
*[[BBC Television Centre]] ([[List of stories recorded at BBC Television Centre|TC6]]), Shepherd's Bush, [[London]]
* [https://poto.fandom.com/wiki/Gaston_Leroux Gaston Leroux's] [https://poto.fandom.com/wiki/The_Phantom_of_the_Opera ''Le Fantôme de l'Opéra'']: a mentally unbalanced but brilliant recluse wears a mask to conceal his facial disfigurement; develops an obsessive fascination with an attractive young woman and eventually abducts her.
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Testament The New Testament]: The Doctor uses up his supply of life-giving fluid to save someone else, and his fresh corpse is attended by a loyal female disciple. He is soon restored to life by the intervention of a higher power, and rises up in perfect health. Oddly enough, the name [[Peter Davison]] has connections to the New Testament story: Davison means Son of David, a title often applied to [[Jesus Christ]], and Peter was one of Jesus' primary travelling companions.
* ''[[I, Claudius]]'': the Doctor seeing his former companions as he regenerates is similar to Claudius seeing the people in his life before he dies.
* [[The Beatles]]: the sound effect used during the regeneration was inspired by [https://beatles.fandom.com/wiki/A_Day_in_the_Life "A Day in the Life"].


===Production errors===
=== Ratings ===
{{discontinuity}}
* Part one - 6.9 million viewers
* Nicola Bryant, or her stunt double, bounces after slipping down the cliff-face in episode one, obviously hitting a safety cushion of some kind.
* Part two - 6.6 million viewers
* Part three - 7.8 million viewers
* Part four - 7.8 million viewers


==Continuity==
=== Filming locations ===
* This leads straight into [[DW]]: ''[[The Twin Dilemma]]''.
* Masters Pit, Hansons Aggregates, Stokeford Heath, [[Dorset]]
* The Doctors last word is: "Adric?"
* [[BBC Television Centre]] ([[List of stories recorded at BBC Television Centre|TC6]]), Shepherd's Bush, [[London]]
* Part of [[BFA]]: ''[[Circular Time]]'' takes place during/in the lead up to the Doctor's regeneration.
*Following this story, the Sixth Doctor goes through a brief period where he subconsciously blames Peri for his previous self's death, and tries to distance himself from her while telling himself he's working towards a greater good, until he finally realizes this in [[MA]]: ''[[Burning Heart]]''.
*In [[NA]]: ''[[Timewyrm: Revelation]]'' it is revealed that after the Fifth Doctor dies he becomes the Doctor's conscience, but is buried by the Seventh Doctor following his regeneration.


==Timeline==
=== Production errors ===
*This story occurs after [[PDA]]: ''[[Warmonger]]''
* [[Nicola Bryant]], or her stunt double, visibly pushes herself off the ledge in order to fall from the ledge in part one. She then bounces, obviously having landed on a safety cushion of some kind.
*This story occurs before [[DW]]: ''[[The Twin Dilemma]]''
* In part one, Nicola Bryant accidentally lets slip her natural English accent, particularly when she says the word 'glass'.
*[[BFA]]: ''[[Circular Time]]'' occurs during episode 4 of this story
* The electronic device that Morgus uses in his office during his first scene in part one is obviously a TV/teletext remote control, with John Normington's thumb conveniently placed to hide the manufacturer's logo.
* When Stotz cuts through the door of his ship, the polystyrene is visible on the fake door.
* Androzani Minor is supposed to be barren, deserted and uninhabited. Yet in part four, shots of the Doctor being chased by the gunrunners show a house and tree-lined hills.
* During the end of the scene in part four where Stotz shoots Krelper, a tiny sliver of the studio lights and the actual studio floor can be seen.
* The background changes position as the TARDIS dematerialises.
* The skin around Jek's right eye is shown to be normal colour throughout the serial but when he finally removes his mask in part four, his whole face is grey.


==DVD, Video, and Other Releases==
== Continuity ==
'''DVD Releases'''
* Speaking about the mud in the Androzanian landscape, Peri says it's "a change from [[lava]]". ([[TV]]: ''[[Planet of Fire (TV story)|Planet of Fire]]'')
[[Image:6r-dvd.jpg|right|76px]]
* Peri and the newly-regenerated [[Sixth Doctor]] quickly become immersed in another adventure. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Twin Dilemma (TV story)|The Twin Dilemma]]'')
[[Image:6r-dvd2.jpg|right|76px]]
* [[AUDIO]]: ''[[Winter (audio story)|Winter]]'' takes place during the Doctor's regeneration, which reveals that the Master's appearance as the Doctor dies is the result of him using his and the Doctor's old telepathic link to [[Kamelion]] to try and 'block' the Doctor's regeneration, requiring indirect support from the Fifth Doctor's other companions to keep him alive.
* The Doctor survives in the vacuums of Androzani Minor's caverns through use of an oxygen cylinder, and later his [[respiratory bypass system]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Pyramids of Mars (TV story)|Pyramids of Mars]]'')
* Following this story, the Sixth Doctor goes through a brief period where he subconsciously blames Peri for his previous self's death. He tries to distance himself from her while telling himself that he is working towards a greater good, until he finally realises this in [[PROSE]]: ''[[Burning Heart (novel)|Burning Heart]]''.
* In [[PROSE]]: ''[[Timewyrm: Revelation (novel)|Timewyrm: Revelation]]'', it is revealed that after the Fifth Doctor dies, he becomes the mental personification of the Doctor's conscience, but is buried by the [[Seventh Doctor]] following his regeneration.
* An [[alternate timeline|alternative version]] of the Doctor never visited Androzani Minor. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[So Vile a Sin (novel)|So Vile a Sin]]'')
* In [[PROSE]]: ''[[Matrix (novel)|Matrix]]'', an [[alternative timeline]] is referenced where the influence of the [[Dark Matrix]], wielded by [[the Valeyard]], the Doctor's dark future self, provokes the Fifth Doctor to take the bat's milk himself while leaving Peri to die, turning the Fifth Doctor into a wraith loyal to the Valeyard until this is undone by the [[Seventh Doctor]].
* Trees, technology, and soldiers from Androzani Major all play a major factor in a [[Christmas]] adventure for the [[Eleventh Doctor]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe (TV story)|The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe]]'')
* The Doctor was stated to have died on [[Androzani Minor]] after the [[Great Intelligence]] had entered the Doctor's time stream. He was, presumably, saved by a version of [[Clara Oswald]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Name of the Doctor (TV story)|The Name of the Doctor]]'')
* Due to her infection with spectrox toxaemia, Peri was rendered infertile. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Widow's Assassin (audio story)|The Widow's Assassin]]'')


Released as ''Doctor Who: The Caves of Androzani'', this release was the third of [[2001]].
== DVD, VHS and audio releases ==
=== DVD releases ===
Released as ''Doctor Who: The Caves of Androzani'', this release was the third of 2001 and the second to feature the Fifth Doctor. It features a different image of Peter Davison on the cover to later releases (in common with ''[[The Robots of Death (TV story)|The Robots of Death]]'', ''[[Vengeance on Varos (TV story)|Vengeance on Varos]]'' and ''[[Remembrance of the Daleks (TV story)|Remembrance of the Daleks]]'', the first stories released for the Fourth, Sixth and Seventh Doctors).


Released:
Released:
*Region 2 [[18th June]] [[2001]]
* Region 2 - [[18 June (releases)|18 June]] [[2001 (releases)|2001]]
 
::PAL - [[BBC DVD]] BBCDVD1042
::PAL - [[BBC DVD]] BBCDVD1042
*Region 4 [[7th January]] [[2002]]
* Region 4 - [[7 January (releases)|7 January]] [[2002 (releases)|2002]]
*Region 1 [[2nd April]] [[2002]]
* Region 1 - [[2 April (releases)|2 April]] 2002
 
::NTSC - [[Warner Video]] E1606
::NTSC - [[Warner Video]] E1606


Contents:
Contents:
*Behind the Scenes: The Regeneration - Footage of final studio session, with commentary.
* Audio Commentary by actors [[Peter Davison]] ([[Fifth Doctor|the Doctor]]), [[Nicola Bryant]] ([[Peri Brown|Peri]]) and director [[Graeme Harper]]
*Behind the Scenes: Creating Sharaz Jek - Interview with [[Christopher Gable]].
* Original Opening Scene
*[[BBC News]] - Report of [[Peter Davison]]'s departure ([[28th July]] [[1983]]).
* ''[[Behind the Scenes - The Regeneration]]'' - Footage of final studio session, with commentary.
*[[South East at Six News]] - [[Peter Davison]] and [[John Nathan-Turner]] talk about the future of the series.
* ''[[Creating Sharaz Jek|Behind the Scenes - Creating Sharaz Jek]]'' - Interview with [[Christopher Gable]].
*Extended Scene
* [[BBC One|BBC1]] Trailer
*Music-only Option
* [[BBC News]] - Report of Peter Davison's departure (28 July 1983).
*Trailer
* [[South East at Six News]] - Peter Davison and [[John Nathan-Turner]] talk about the future of the series.
*Photo Gallery
* Extended Scene
*Production Subtitles
* Music-only Option
*Commentary: [[Peter Davison]], [[Nicola Bryant]] and [[Graeme Harper]]
* Photo Gallery
* Production Subtitles


Rear Credits:
Rear Credits:
*Starring [[Peter Davison]]
* Starring [[Peter Davison]]
*By [[Robert Holmes]]
* By [[Robert Holmes]]
*Produced by [[John Nathan-Turner]]
* Produced by [[John Nathan-Turner]]
*Directed by [[Graeme Harper]]
* Directed by [[Graeme Harper]]
*Incidental Music by [[Roger Limb]]
* Incidental Music by [[Roger Limb]]


Notes:
Notes:
*Editing for DVD release completed by [[Doctor Who Restoration Team]].
* Editing for the DVD release was completed by the [[Doctor Who Restoration Team]].
<gallery position="center" captionalign="center" hideaddbutton="true" widths="150">
The Caves of Androzanius.jpg|Region 1 cover
The Caves of Androzani.jpg|Region 4 cover
6r-dvd.jpg|Region 2 cover
</gallery>


2|entertain has announced that a new edition of the DVD, with additional special features and restoration, will be included in a box set entitled Revisitations scheduled for release in 2010.<ref>[http://twitter.com/classicdw/statuses/9245676802 2|entertain Classic Doctor Who Twitter feed]<small>Accessed 25th February 2010</small></ref> Confirmed extras include a chat show appearance from Peter Davison and Colin Baker from 1984, along with Directing Who feature on Graeme Harper and it will be a 2 disc set <ref>[http://twitter.com/classicdw/statuses/9640419636 2|entertain Classic Doctor Who Twitter feed]<small>Accessed 25th February 2010</small></ref>
=== Special Edition release ===
 
This story was released as ''Doctor Who: The Caves of Androzani: Special Edition''.
'''Video Releases'''
[[Image:6r-video.jpg|right|76px]]
 
Released as ''Doctor Who: The Caves of Androzani''.


Released:
Released:
*[[UK]] [[January]] [[1992]]
* [[UK]] [[4 October (releases)|4 October]] [[2011 (releases)|2011]] Region 2
* [[Australia]] [[2 December (releases)|2 December]] [[2010 (releases)|2010]] Region 4
* [[US]] [[14 February (releases)|14 February]] [[2012 (releases)|2012]] Region 1


::PAL - [[BBC Video]] BBCV4713
==== Special Features ====
*[[Australia]]/[[NZ]] [[February]] [[1992]]
* Commentary by Peter Davison (The Doctor), Nicola Bryant (Peri) and Graeme Harper (Director)
*[[US]] [[October]] [[1992]]
* ''[[Chain Reaction (documentary)|Chain Reaction]]'' - Cast and crew look back on the making of this story
* ''[[Directing Who: Then & Now with Graeme Harper (documentary)|Directing Who: Then and Now]]'' - Graeme Harper examines the experience of directing ''[[Doctor Who]]'' in two very different eras
* ''Behind the Scenes - The Regeneration'' - Featuring optional commentary track
* ''Behind the Scenes - Making Sharaz Jek''
* Extended Scenes - Featuring optional commentary track
* Trailer - A BBC-1 trailer previewing the first episode
* ''Russell Harty'' - Peter Davison and [[Colin Baker]] meet on this chat show to discuss the transition
* News Reports - Contemporaneous reports regarding Davison's departure
* Isolated Score - Listen to [[Roger Limb]]'s incidental music on a separate audio track
* ''[[Radio Times]]'' Billings (PDF DVD-ROM - PC/Mac)
* Production Information Subtitles
* Photo Gallery (different from initial release)
* Coming Soon Trailer - ''[[The Seeds of Doom (TV story)|The Seeds of Doom]]''
* [[Easter Egg]]: Original un-restored opening scene. To access this hidden feature, press left at Part One on Disc One's Episode Selection menu to illuminate the ''Doctor Who'' logo.


::NTSC - [[Warner Video]] E1183
Notes:
* It is only available in Australia as part of the Revisitations 1 box set, out in Region 2 on 4 October 2010. It was released with special editions of ''[[The Talons of Weng-Chiang (TV story)|The Talons of Weng-Chiang]]'' and ''[[Doctor Who (TV story)|Doctor Who]]''. It is additionally available in the UK, rather bizarrely, as part of the HMV-exclusive ''[[An Introduction to the Fifth Doctor]]'' box set, along with ''[[Castrovalva (TV story)|Castrovalva]]'' and ''[[Earthshock (TV story)|Earthshock]]''.


==Novelisation==
<gallery position="center" captionalign="center" hideaddbutton="true" widths="150">
[[Image:Caves of Androzani novel.jpg|right|75px]]
The Caves of Androzani2.jpg|Region 2 cover
:''Main article: [[The Caves of Androzani (novelisation)]]''
The Caves of Androzani Special Editiom.jpg|Region 4 cover
The caves of androzani.jpg|Region 1 cover
Revisitations 1.jpg|Region 2 box set cover
Revisitations 1 region4.jpg|Region 4 box set cover
</gallery>


*Novelised as ''[[The Caves of Androzani (novelisation)|The Caves of Androzani]]'' in [[1985]] by [[Terrance Dicks]].
'''VHS releases'''
This story was released as ''Doctor Who: The Caves of Androzani''.


==External Links==
Released:
*{{bbcepguideclassic|cavesandrozani/|The Caves of Androzani}}
* [[UK]] February 1992
*{{dwrefguide|who_6r.htm|The Caves of Androzani}}
::PAL - [[BBC Video]] BBCV4713
*{{briefhistory|serials/6r.html|The Caves of Androzani}}
* [[Australia]]/[[NZ]] February 1992
*{{locguide|cavesofandrozani|The Caves of Androzani}}
* [[US]] October 1992
:NTSC - [[Warner Video]] E1183
::<gallery position="center" captionalign="center" hideaddbutton="true">
6r-video.jpg|UK VHS cover
The Caves of Androzanivhs.jpg|AUS VHS cover
The Caves of Androzanivhsd.jpg|US VHS cover
</gallery>


==Footnotes==
== External links ==
{{reflist}}
* {{bbcepguideclassic|cavesandrozani/|The Caves of Androzani}}
* {{radiotimes|2012-04-04/the-caves-of-androzani}}
{{dwcast}}
{{dwrefguide|who_6r.htm|The Caves of Androzani}}
* {{briefhistory|serials/6r.html|The Caves of Androzani}}
* {{locguide|cavesofandrozani|The Caves of Androzani}}
{{DWTV}}
{{regeneration stories}}
{{TitleSort}}
[[es:The Caves of Androzani]]


{{season 21}}
[[Category:Doctor Who (1963) television stories]]
{{regeneration stories}}
[[Category:Fifth Doctor television stories]]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Caves of Androzani}}
[[Category:Regeneration television stories]]
[[Category:Fifth Doctor episodes|Caves of Androzani, The]]
[[Category:Season 21 stories]]
[[Category:1984 television stories|Caves of Androzani, The]]
[[Category:Sixth Doctor television stories]]
[[Category:Four part serials]]
[[Category:Stories set in the 51st century]]
[[Category:Television stories set in Mutter's Spiral]]
[[Category:BFI-exhibited television stories]]
[[Category:New Beginnings television stories]]
[[Category:An Introduction To The Fifth Doctor television stories]]

Latest revision as of 20:10, 3 November 2024

RealWorld.png

The Caves of Androzani was the sixth and penultimate serial of season 21 of Doctor Who. It was the final regular appearance of Peter Davison as the Fifth Doctor and introduced Colin Baker as the Sixth Doctor in the closing moments of part four.

It was also Graeme Harper's first credited Doctor Who directorial job. Widely praised by fans, Caves was voted the single best televised Doctor Who story in a 2009 poll conducted by Doctor Who Magazine (DWM 413) and has also been consistently voted as the best Fifth Doctor story in polls from 1998, 2014, and 2023. (DWM 591)

As a regeneration story, it offered many unusual elements. Perhaps the most obvious was that it was written by Robert Holmes. Although the most prolific writer of the 1963 version of the programme, this was his only regeneration story. Caves was also the first regeneration story to allow for a brief scene with the incoming Doctor. Unlike any of his predecessors, the new Doctor was given the final words of the story — something that would happen in regeneration stories of the revived series. It was also the first time the Doctor willingly and explicitly underwent a regeneration solely to save a companion, which would later be repeated by the Ninth (TV: The Parting of the Ways) and Tenth Doctors. (TV: The End of Time) Furthermore, it was the first time since 1966's The Tenth Planet that the Doctor regenerated before the end of the then-current series, and the first since The Tenth Planet that occurred inside of the TARDIS. It was also the final time in the classic series that a Doctor would regenerate at the conclusion of their own story, rather than at the beginning of the new Doctor's introductory story. The practice of giving the departing Doctor a swansong was also revived by the modern series, following particularly in the template set by this and Logopolis where the entire story will be building up to the regeneration at the end of it.

From a behind-the-scenes perspective, Harper's direction was hailed by those involved with the production as highly innovative. Particularly noteworthy were Harper's more free use of camera movement than usual at the time and his direction from the studio floor. Harper's energetic and more personal directorial style sharply contrasted most who preceded him. Unlike Harper, most directors of the 1963 version of Doctor Who generally preferred to work in the booth and relay their messages to the actors and crew through the production assistant stationed on the floor. Peter Davison, in particular, found Harper's more direct style much to his liking. He lamented he had waited until his last story to receive this bolder style of direction, and that he would've stayed on the series longer if this directorial style was present during more of his tenure. (DCOM: The Caves of Androzani)

Another unique aspect of the production was its use of Shakespearian soliloquy. Morgus, the principal villain of the piece, sometimes turned away from the characters and spoke his thoughts aloud, often appearing to break the fourth wall in the process by gazing into the camera. Though apparently the result of a mistaken impression about the script by actor John Normington, Harper kept the asides in, feeling they effectively ramped up the dramatic tension. (DCOM: The Caves of Androzani)

Synopsis[[edit] | [edit source]]

Arriving on the barren world of Androzani Minor, the Doctor and Peri find themselves embroiled in a long running war, fought between the ruthless General Chellak and the sinister Sharaz Jek. At the heart of the conflict is a substance called Spectrox - both valuable and deadly! The Doctor and Peri end up being poisoned by the material, which is killing them slowly and painfully, and there is no cure.

As the conflict heats up and the situation gets more desperate, and with death just hours away, how far must the Doctor go in order to save his friend's life?

Plot[[edit] | [edit source]]

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

The TARDIS lands on Androzani Minor, one of the twin planets in the Sirius star system. The Doctor and Peri find a spaceship has arrived, carrying a strange cargo. They decide to explore a set of tracks that lead into some nearby caves.

Deep in the caves, a soldier is killed by a Magma Beast. In another part of the caves, Peri catches her foot in an unknown, sticky and stringy substance. As the Doctor pulls her leg free, he gets some of the substance on his hand. Despite noticing that the substance has a strange stinging sensation to it, something Peri also complains about, he is unconcerned. As they keep exploring deeper into the cave system, Peri asks why the Doctor wears a stick of celery. He explains that it is a safety precaution. He is allergic to certain gases in the praxis range of the spectrum; in their presence, celery turns purple. They discover a hoard of weapons and hear several footsteps. Soldiers capture them and take them to their leader, General Chellak. As the two explain their innocence to Chellak and Major Salateen, there is a call from Trau Morgus, a business conglomerate leader on Androzani Major and CEO of the Sirius Conglomerate. Believing the two to be working for gunrunners Stotz and Krelper, he loses all interest in them and orders their deaths after seeing that Chellak's "gunrunners" are not his own men over holographic communication.

Deep in the caves, the masked madman Sharaz Jek has monitored the broadcast between Morgus and Chellak. He is delighted at Peri's beauty. Meanwhile, Chellak tries to reason with Morgus in an attempt to get him to relent on his decision to execute the prisoners, telling him that Peri and the Doctor have been fully cooperative and might give them more information if they are kept alive. But Morgus refuses, telling Chellak that there can be no negotiations with traitors.

In their cell, the Doctor and Peri await their deaths. The Doctor ponders what they have stepped into, noticing how Morgus lost all interest in them once he had had his look at them and his talk of fighting against android rebels. Peri comments that it hardly matters; the authorities seem hell bent on making the two of them scapegoats for whatever is going on. The Doctor apologises to Peri for getting them into this mess, telling her that curiosity has always seemed to be his downfall. Their conversation then turns to the strange fungus Peri stepped in; Peri complains that the rash on her leg is starting to develop into blisters, and the Doctor tells her that the same is happening to his hand, noticing that the substance must have some highly toxic properties. Peri grimly points out that whatever it was, it probably will not manage to kill them before the executioners can.

Meanwhile, in his lair, Sharaz Jek keeps the military base under close surveillance through hidden cameras. Looking at the Doctor and Peri in their cell and the soldiers preparing for the execution outside, he starts issuing orders to his androids.

In the cell, the Doctor's thoughts turn to the "spectrox," which both Chellak and Morgus were discussing during their interrogation of them. He wonders what it is and why Morgus named it the "most valuable substance in the universe". Peri asks him if he really does not know, and the Doctor answers that even his knowledge is not limitless. As they talk, a secret door in the back of the cell opens and a figure steps inside...

A business conversation between Morgus and the President of Androzani Major reveals the full picture of the Spectrox crisis. Spectrox is a powerful drug produced by bats in Androzani Minor's caves, which is the only known source of the drug. Spectrox is highly valued by the people of nearby Androzani Major for its ability to extend life and keep one's youthful looks somewhat intact.

The impending execution.

The spectrox mines are controlled by Morgus, but the operation is threatened by the masked Sharaz Jek and his army of androids, causing public tension on Androzani Major over limited supplies. Morgus has funded a military operation by Androzani Major's government against Jek's androids.

As Morgus and the President watch on a monitor, the Doctor and Peri are brought to the execution squad, dressed in red to hide the blood of their impending wounds. General Chellak asks if they have any last words; the Doctor tells him the whole thing is a mockery of justice, while Peri tells him just to get it over with. The soldiers step forward and take aim. On command, they blast bullets into the Doctor and Peri.

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

Chellak has the soldiers check their weapons. As the bodies are cut free of the execution posts, Morgus switches off the monitor. The President tells him that the people are not going to want to wait for their spectrox, especially considering most of them are unemployed. Morgus tells him that anyone without a valid work permit should be been sent to Eastern labour camps to reduce crime. The President points out to Morgus he has been closing plants in the West, which is why so many people are unemployed, and opening them again in the East. Meaning, if he accepts that suggestion, the same people will be working for Morgus again; this time without pay. Morgus innocently claims that he had never thought of that and the President sternly replies "No of course you hadn't" and leaves.

It turns out that the Doctor and Peri have been rescued by Sharaz Jek, who was watching them and had prepared android duplicates to take their place in the execution. They are taken to his base to become his companions in exile. Chellak and Salateen go to look at the bodies. When they turn out to be androids, Chellak realises his career is at risk. He decides to not let anyone know about it. Meanwhile, the Doctor asks Jek if he could show him and Peri the way to the surface, but Jek explains that he intends to make them stay with him and keep him company. He assures them, with a hint of threat in his voice, that he will take care of their every need. Meanwhile, Stotz is having trouble. Krelper is getting fed up with the lack of pay and their recent string of failures and wants to leave the gunrunning enterprise. But when Stotz threatens with killing him, Krelper relents and Stotz decides to let him live for the time being.

At Jek's base, the Doctor and Peri complain of rashes and cramps where they touched the sticky substance in the caves. Jek returns, and Peri asks him why he wants to keep them prisoners here. Jek answers that he is attracted to her beauty and that he likes the idea of having the Doctor as an intellectual sparring partner. He then tells the Doctor that he sees him as the most expendable person in this arrangement and he, therefore, expects him to be obedient towards him, warning him if he does not submit, then he will kill him. Peri, on the other hand, he intends to keep alive forever.

When Peri answers that eternal life is impossible, Jek explains that refined spectrox can extend someone's life, forever if need be, and he now owns all of it. "Until the army takes it away from you," comments the Doctor dryly, but Jek angrily retorts it will not happen. Thanks to his monitoring equipment, he knows the army's every move, and so far their fight against his androids have been slow and very costly in manpower for them; at the current rate it will take five years for the army to actually threaten his operations and by that time he expects the people of Androzani Major to have already risen up and forced the Presidium to agree to his terms: they can have all the spectrox they want once the head of Morgus lies at his feet.

Meanwhile, at Morgus' headquarters, Morgus is surprised to hear from Timmin that the copper mine has exploded. This takes care of overproduction and makes the price of copper rise. Morgus wants every employee to leave their place and stand in silence for a minute but then changes his mind and says half a minute.

Back at Jek's base, the Doctor meets Salateen. He has been a prisoner here, too. Jek captured him months ago and replaced him with an android that looks like him. The real Salateen resignedly realises Jek will probably kill him now he has them for company. When the Doctor suddenly gets another cramp and Peri remarks that she is having more as well, Salateen asks them if they touched a spectrox nest. Unsure, they describe the sticky substance and Salateen realises they did to which he breaks into a bitter laugh. He tells them that they are in the early stages of spectrox toxaemia, a very serious form of poisoning contracted from exposure to unrefined spectrox. He explains that cramps is the second stage (a rash being the first) and next their thoracic spinal nerves will slowly paralyse until they reach thermal death point, giving them only a matter of hours left to live. He also confirms there is an antitoxin, which was discovered by Professor Jackij: the milk of the queen bat. However, due to the mining activity, all the bats have fled to deeper levels of the caves, where there is no oxygen, making it next to impossible to acquire the milk. Worse still, Salateen tells them there is a carnivorous creature down there which has brutally killed and devoured several of Chellak's soldiers. He remarks that it probably lives in the deeper levels and comes up to the surface to hunt; adding that all anyone has ever found of it are "its table leavings".

Timmin labours in Morgus' shadow.

Stotz contacts Jek and tells him his ship is in good shape and it wasn't his fault that the androids didn't show up. Before Jek leaves to meet with Stotz and the gunrunners, Peri asks why he wears a mask. Jek flies into a rage. Shaking with anger, he explains that he was once Morgus' business partner in the spectrox business. One day when he was working on Androzani Minor, a mud burst erupted, but Morgus had betrayed him by giving him faulty detection instruments, so he had no warning of the burst. Though Morgus left him to die, Jek managed to survive but was horribly scalded and disfigured. Ever since, he has tried to exact revenge on Morgus. Done with his explanation, he leaves them under the watch of his androids as he ventures out to meet up with Stotz.

In the lower levels of the caves, Jek meets up with Stotz and the gun-runners and announces that he will only hand over half of the promised spectrox, as they have failed to deliver the shipment. This greatly angers Stotz who demands all of the payment he was promised, but Jek refuses, telling him that it is their own fault they lost the weapon shipment. Fuming, Stotz threatens to stop doing business with Jek for good, but Jek says he fully well knows the value of spectrox and can very easily find himself another weapon supplier.

In Jek's HQ, the Doctor manages to get close to and reprogram the android guarding the entrance to the lair. Him, Peri, and Salateen then use this opportunity to make their escape. Meanwhile, Stotz pretends to relent to Jek's offer, but as Jek leaves to get the spectrox, he points out to his fellow gun runners that they can just follow Jek back to his base, walk past his androids, kill him and steal his spectrox. The Doctor, Peri and Salateen head into the lower levels of the caves to find the queen bat. Unfortunately, they encounter one of Jek's android guards who opens fire at them. One shot grazes the Doctor on the temple which knocks him unconscious. Salateen, using Peri as a human shield, fires back at the android and destroys it, he then forcibly drags her away from the Doctor despite her protests. The Doctor regains consciousness and discovers Peri has vanished. He goes to find her. Jek returns to his base but flies into a rage when he discovers that Peri has gone. The Doctor takes cover behind a rock as Stotz and the gun runners enter. The Magma Beast (the creature Salateen described) then appears and kills one of the gun runners. The other gun runners open fire on the beast. It ignores the bullets and approaches the rock where the Doctor is crouching.

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

The beast is distracted by the gun runners and turns on them again, killing another one of them. The Doctor escapes as the gun runners retreat. Meanwhile, Peri is taken by Salateen to General Chellak. They both explain to him what has happened, making Chellak realise the Salateen who has been at his side for months was an android, explaining how Jek was able to outwit the army so easily. Stotz and the gun runners encounter Jek who again offers half of the agreed amount of spectrox and this time they agree. The Doctor arrives back at Jek's base. He asks where Peri is but the Doctor tells him that he doesn't know. Jek does not believe him and gets the androids to torture him until he finally tells him that Peri is with Salateen, making Jek realise that Chellak will now know about the Salateen android. Stotz then arrives to collect the spectrox and wants to take the Doctor to Androzani Major, believing him to be a government spy. Jek allows them to but clearly isn't bothered. The Doctor is in the third stage of spectrox toxaemia and is feeling unwell, but Stotz doesn't care; the Doctor will live long enough to be questioned. In the army base, Peri also isn't feeling well, but General Chellak is also uninterested; she and the Doctor have been working with Jek which is a punishable offence. Chellak orders an assault on Jek's base. Salateen agrees to tell Morgus about the assault and to throw Jek off guard when he broadcasts a message.

Jek discovers the real Salateen is free to walk around the caves, leaving Peri unguarded. Meanwhile, Stotz chains the Doctor in the bridge of his spaceship and calls Morgus. As Stotz discusses the situation with Morgus, the businessman sees the Doctor still alive. He tells Stotz that Chellak faked the attack on Jek's base. Morgus is worried the President will see his double dealings. He tells Stotz to remain in orbit and Stotz, furious, leaves the Doctor on his own. When Stotz is gone, the Doctor tries to escape. He pulls himself free of the wall and uses the power core in the centre of the ship's bridge to sear the chains from his hands. He is still very weary from the Spectrox but programs the spaceship to land or "crash" on Androzani Minor.

Meanwhile, Morgus, fearing deception, invites the President into his office and opens his private lift so the President can leave. The President doesn't realise it's just an empty shaft. Morgus pushes the President into the lift and he falls to his death. Morgus then swiftly calls Timmin about the "terrible accident", telling her that he will assume command, and makes his own plans to travel to Androzani Minor to put the situation right himself. As Timmin is walking out, Morgus tells her to have the lift maintenance engineer shot.

Meanwhile, Jek kidnaps Peri and takes her back to his headquarters, where he finds the Doctor has gone. He is now insane and needs Peri's beauty to forget the trouble that Morgus has put him in. Peri tells him the army will attack soon, but Jek already knows that - he has changed the recognition code for the belt buckle. General Chellak and his men are in for a shock...

The Doctor is in the centre of the ship's bridge. Suddenly an extreme tiredness overtakes him, and his vision becomes distorted. However, he manages to shake it off and return to clarity as he hears shouting at the door. It is Stotz, who has been alerted by the loud, rumbling noise from the landing procedure. He demands the Doctor unlocks the door, but the Doctor refuses. Stotz shouts for something to cut the door open with and tries to coax the Doctor into opening the door willingly, but the Doctor rebuffs him, warning him that they'll be touching down shortly, or more likely crashing due to the fact that he's "a bit out of practice with manual landings" and advises Stotz to find something firm to hang onto. Stotz's men proceed to cut a hole in the door with a blowtorch, but the edges of the cutout is too hot for Stotz to reach the door controls, so instead, he points his weapon at the Doctor and threatens to shoot him. The Doctor notices that it is hardly a persuasive argument since he will die soon anyway unless he can cure his toxaemia. Stotz gives him to the count of three to surrender, but the Doctor is unmoved by this, and he tells Stotz that he owes it to Peri to find the antidote as he got her into danger in the first place. "So you see," shouts the Doctor defiantly as Stotz finishes his countdown, "I'm not gonna let you stop me now!"

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

The ship's rocket pods fire at the last moment, throwing Stotz's aim off and allowing the Doctor to violently land the ship on the surface of Androzani Minor. Still experiencing the effects of the Spectrox poisoning, the Doctor escapes from the spaceship. Krelper and another gun runner chase after him. Meanwhile, General Chellak plans the real assault on Jek's base, making him believe an attack lies elsewhere. As the assault force, guided by Salateen, heads towards the base, they come to a hold as they run into an android. Salateen assures them that there is nothing to fear, as the belt buckles will protect them, but as he moves towards the android to prove this, he is immediately gunned down. Panic erupts in the ranks as the soldiers realise that the signal is not working, and they frantically return fire. They eventually manage to disable all of Jek's androids, but at a very high cost of lives. Meanwhile, Krelper and his cohort are still chasing the Doctor. He approaches a cliff and falls from it. Rendered helpless for a moment, he is unable to get up as Krepler and the other gunrunner approach him, but just as they are about to kill him, a mudburst begins and they decide to leave the Doctor be and retreat to the safety of the ship. The Doctor gets to his feet and makes his way into the caves to save Peri.

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Chellak and the few remaining soldiers have no choice but to push against the mudburst. Chellak sees Jek and chases him to his base. Once there, he struggles with Jek until he pulls his mask off. He is so horrified at Jek's scalded face that Jek is able to push him outside into the path of the mudburst. Jek goes to Peri. She screams at the sight of Jek's face and Jek himself lets out a cry of agony.

Morgus arrives on the planet. He finds Timmin has betrayed him and taken his dirty dealings to the government, which means he is now deposed from power and isolated from his wealth. Morgus declares that he is not beaten yet, and quickly works out a deal with Stotz. Krelper and his friend, however, have decided to cut their losses and want no part in it. Stotz pretends to accept this only to shoot and kill them as soon as their guard is down. Morgus and Stotz continue on ahead, plotting to secure Jek's private stash of spectrox so they may disappear quietly to another planet.

The Doctor arrives at Jek's base, struggling to hold off the effects of the Spectrox poisoning, and the regeneration that would rid him of the infection. When the Doctor explains that he can hold his breath much longer than a human and therefore has a better chance to survive in the lower parts of the caves, Jek provides him with an oxygen tank and directions, so he can find the queen bat and milk it. The Doctor then departs to get the milk. While wandering through the caves he comes across the Magma Beast lying dead. He briefly squats down to inspect the creature and remarks "It's not your lucky day either" and carries on.

Morgus and Stotz make their way to Jek's base, lured by extractor fans that Jek is using to keep the base temperature cool for Peri. Morgus orders Jek to give him the Spectrox. Jek sees Morgus and, consumed by rage, forgets all about Peri and everything else. He pulls off his mask, showing Morgus his scalded face. As Morgus looks at Jek in shock, Jek throttles him. Stotz opens fire on Jek, but the Salateen android returns and kills him. With his last ounce of life, Jek pushes Morgus' head into his extractor fans. Morgus dies in seconds and the extractor fans short circuit and burst into flames. Jek dies in the arms of the Salateen android, giving it his last orders to hold him. The Doctor arrives just after the battle and escapes, but the Salateen android stays where it is as the fire destroys Jek's base.

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The Doctor sees visions of his former companions as his body attempts to regenerate.

The Doctor takes the unconscious Peri back to the surface and the TARDIS, but a mud burst is on its way. While he unlocks the TARDIS, the Doctor spills some the bat's milk in the sand. He manages to open the door, get himself and Peri inside the TARDIS and dematerialise as the planet's surface explodes in boiling mud.

Inside the TARDIS, the Doctor feeds Peri all of the remaining bat's milk, then collapses on the floor of the TARDIS, now so close to death that he is starting to doubt that regeneration is possible, saying aloud "Is this death?". Peri recovers to find the Doctor lying in pain on the floor. The Doctor quickly explains he cured her with the bat's milk, but he only had enough for her. He tells Peri that there's nothing she can do, that he will be going soon, and it's time to say goodbye. Peri encourages him not to give up and pleads that he can't leave her now. He then says that he "might regenerate", but he doesn't know for certain that he will be able to, because the process "feels different this time".

A bright glow surrounds the Doctor as his image distorts; he begins hallucinating his previous companions urging him to live, telling him the universe still needs him. He is particularly affected by the vision of someone who died, and his final word is, "Adric?" A vision of the Tremas Master appears, laughing at the Doctor and telling him to die. The visions of his companions begin to swirl, all their voices overlapping together and drowning out the taunts of his foe. The glow grows brighter and covers the Doctor. As the visions subside all at once, it fades to reveal the Doctor's new incarnation, a man with a sharp gaze and curly blond hair atop his head. Peri moves toward the regenerated Doctor and addresses him by name. The Doctor, now sitting up and fully alert, challenges his now-detoxified assistant with the words, "You were expecting someone else?" Speechless, she trips up, "I, I, I..."

He ironically scolds her, "That's three I's in one breath. Makes you sound a rather egotistical young lady." Peri asks, "What's happened?" He grandly declares, "Change, my dear, and it seems not a moment too soon," staring forward with a proud grin and a glint in his eye.

Cast[[edit] | [edit source]]

Uncredited cast[[edit] | [edit source]]

Crew[[edit] | [edit source]]

Worldbuilding[[edit] | [edit source]]

Planets[[edit] | [edit source]]

Individuals[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • Morgus is or was, rather, before being deposed by Timmin, "the richest man in the Five Planets," chairman of the Sirius Conglomerate and a descendant of the first colonists.
  • The Doctor claims to be able to store oxygen for several minutes.
  • The Doctor confesses to Peri he tried to keep a diary, but he never finds the time to update it.
  • Salateen explains that the cure for Spectrox toxaemia was discovered by Professor Jackij.
  • Boze is one of the people killed by the Magma Beast. Rones was killed in a gas attack.
  • The Doctor's last word before regenerating is "Adric?"

Technology[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • Peri mentions a reticular vector gauge.
  • In the smugglers' cave, the Doctor and Peri find gas carbines, bombs and poison volatisers.
  • Analysing traces of fused silica on the ground of Androzani Minor, the Doctor deduces a small spaceship had recently landed.
  • The Doctor also demonstrates tracking skills by studying monoskid tracks and deducing it had departed with a heavy load and returned unloaded.
  • Sharaz Jek's androids come in various models; some of them are simple soldiers that can follow orders but are programmed to shoot humans on sight. More specialist models include the duplicates of the Doctor, Peri and Salateen.
  • Belt plates are used by Jek and the gun runners to protect themselves from the androids. Salateen gets hold of one and they're mass-produced by the army. Jek changes the frequency code before the army attacks so the androids attack them.

Substances[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • The Doctor wears a stick of celery because he is allergic to certain gases in the praxis range of the spectrum, the presence of which causes the celery to turn purple.
  • When refined, Spectrox can slow the ageing process of the taker. When unrefined, it causes Spectrox toxaemia on contact.

Illnesses[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • Spectrox toxaemia causes a rash, cramp, spasms, slow paralysis of the thoracic spinal nerve and finally thermal death. Milk from a Queen Bat is the only known cure besides regeneration (though the latter is unique to Time Lords).

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

  • Despite the title, the Doctor notes that the caves are in fact blowholes.
  • The maps of the caves shown on screen bear an superficial resemblance to the video game Dig Dug.
  • This story had the working title of Chain Reaction.
  • The regeneration sequence features specially recorded cameos by Matthew Waterhouse, Janet Fielding, Sarah Sutton, Mark Strickson, Gerald Flood and Anthony Ainley. Because Waterhouse and Sutton had left the show in previous seasons, special contracts had to be written for their cameos. Furthermore, Nyssa's appearance in the episode required the producers to pay her creator, Johnny Byrne, royalty fees.
  • The closing credits for part four were altered specially for the incoming Doctor. As the credits started rolling, it fades directly from the close-up of Colin Baker having just delivered his line, to a multi-coloured image of him with a similar expression superimposed over the regular credit sequence before his credit as the Doctor appears, followed by Peter Davison's credit. The face moves back along the screen and fades out as soon as Davison's face in the regular credit sequence disappears and it then continues as normal.
  • This was the second instance where Peter Davison is credited second in a regeneration story. The first being the ending of TV: Logopolis, which was Tom Baker's final appearance in the lead role.
  • This is the first time an explanation has been given for the Doctor wearing celery on his lapel.
  • This story marks the first occasion since 1980's TV: The Keeper of Traken or 1977's TV: Horror of Fang Rock if Nyssa's pre-companion role in Season 18 is discounted that the Doctor has spent a complete adventure with only a single incumbent companion, and the first time since 1977's TV: The Invisible Enemy or, again, Horror of Fang Rock if K9 Mark I's pre-companion role is discounted, that the Doctor has travelled without any non-human companions.
  • In DWM 400, The Caves of Androzani was voted the readers' favourite televised story. Conversely, The Twin Dilemma, the very next serial, bottomed out at #200 as the least favourite, effectively bookending the charts.
  • The only characters who do not die during this story are Peri and Timmin, who are also the only female characters: counting the Doctor's regeneration as the death of his fifth incarnation, every male character dies. The Salateen android is not destroyed on-screen, but it is not definitely shown as surviving the story's events and it's debatable whether an android would count as being "alive" in the first place.
  • This story was rife with on-screen mishaps that ended up causing minor injuries to Peter Davison, who would later jokingly claim that the staff were actually attempting to kill him. Among these accidents are two notable instances:
    • During a scene in which Sharaz Jek backhands the Doctor, the mask Christopher Gable was wearing impaired his vision enough to make him legitimately strike Davison by mistake.
    • As the Doctor carries Peri back into the TARDIS at the end of the story, he flinches at a nearby mud burst. This is because the explosion was prematurely triggered by the technicians, shooting sand into Davison's eyes and forcing him to recoil in pain.
  • The effect used for the Doctor's distorted vision near the end of part three is the same effect used for his regeneration at the end of the serial. It was also used in Resurrection of the Daleks for the destruction of the space station.
  • This story is notably one of few where the eventual outcome negates the importance of the plot. The Doctor's role provided no historical accomplishments and instead caused an inadvertent massacre, a gigantic power collapse, and even his own "death", all of which could've been prevented had the Doctor never been involved or even went to Androzani Minor, for that matter.
  • This story was chosen by fans to represent the Peter Davison era by fans to be rebroadcast for Doctor Who @40.
  • This is the first regeneration story to include the new Doctor's first words, rather than waiting until their first full story. This practice would become the standard in the revived series.
  • Graeme Harper recalls in the DVD commentary that he and Christopher Gable had worked together on numerous occasions in the past but never with Harper as a director. Over the years they knew each other, Gable affectionately called Harper 'Twinkle' and had even embarrassed him by calling him it at a public event. Harper made Gable promise not to call him the name on the set of this story for fear of what it might do to his reputation. Peter Davison admitted he would have found it very hard to take Harper seriously if he had heard Gable use the name.
  • A concrete date was finally made in Diamond Dogs, which takes place in the 51st century and refers to Sharaz Jek as being an active criminal.
  • Peter Davison has since stated that he felt that his performance during the regeneration sequence was overshadowed at the time by the obvious visibility of Nicola Bryant's cleavage during the shot. (DOC: The Ultimate Guide)
  • The story was the last of three consecutive serials, along with Resurrection of the Daleks and Planet of Fire, that saw the departure of one of the season's regular cast members. In this serial, Peter Davison departs as the Fifth Doctor.
  • Christopher Gable was originally offered the role of Salateen. Graeme Harper wanted him for Jek but didn't think he would accept, as he'd be hidden behind a mask for the whole story, but Gable wanted the challenge and the larger role.
  • Peter Davison named this as his favourite serial (claiming that if he'd gotten more stories of this quality earlier in his run he would have wanted to stay on longer), Nicola Bryant named it as her favourite from her first series and John Nathan-Turner named it as one of the highlights of his tenure.
  • Eric Saward wrote two scenes: the Doctor's explanation as to why he wears celery (which was suggested by Peter Davison); and the Sixth Doctor's scene.
  • Recording was interrupted by a strike, which caused a serious delay in the filming of the serial. As a result, two sequences had to be cut. The first scene would have featured the Doctor and Peri at the opening of the story in the TARDIS. The Doctor was to explain to Peri the reason for their visit to Androzani Minor. Apparently, as a boy, the Doctor had started a "blown glass bottle collection", which was made from the sand of different planets. He had lost his Androzani bottle and decided to return there to retrieve some more sand. It was in this scene Peri was to say "You're such a pain, Doctor." However, when the final cut of the serial was made, it had been discovered that certain lines of dialogue (like the Doctor professing that "I am not a pain" and Peri's comments about needing sand to "make some glass") alluded to the cut sequence. To rectify this, Peter Davison and Nicola Bryant voiced over part of their conversation while the TARDIS materialises from outer space to the planet. The second scene to be cut would have featured the Doctor battling with the magma beast in part four.
  • Peter Davison and Robert Glenister previously co-starred as brothers in the sitcom Sink or Swim.
  • Robert Glenister is best known for his role in Hustle. Colin Baker guest-starred in the episode "Tiger Troubles".
  • The scene where Morgus faces the camera directly and speaks out his inner thoughts came about from John Normington misunderstanding the stage directions he was given. However, everyone liked the theatrical feel of it and that take was left in the episode.
  • Tim Curry, David Bowie and Mick Jagger were offered the role of Sharaz Jek. Also considered were Derek Jacobi and John Hurt. Of these five, Bowie is the only one whose refusal we actually know the reason for: the scheduled taping dates conflicted with his Serious Moonlight tour. Patrick Allen, Nicholas Ball, Steven Berkoff, Brian Cox, Michael Gambon, Julian Glover, Martin Jarvis, Michael Jayston and Oliver Tobias were also considered.
  • Steven Berkoff, Michael Gambon and Julian Glover were considered for the role of General Chellak.
  • Joss Ackland, Patrick Allen, George Baker, Ian Bannen, Julian Glover, Ian Holm, Martin Jarvis and Michael Jayston were considered for the role of Morgus.
  • Nicholas Ball, Ralph Bates, Christopher Cazenove, Tom Chadbon, Nicholas Clay, Brian Cox and Donald Sumpter were considered for the role of Salateen.
  • Patrick Allen, Alun Armstrong, Nicholas Ball, Steven Berkoff, Warren Clarke, Kenneth Cope and Michel Elphick were considered for the role of Stoltz.
  • Kenneth Cope was considered for Krelper.
  • Tony Steedman was offered the role of the President.
  • Graeme Harper hoped to bring Michael Craze back to play Krelper, only to be vetoed by John Nathan-Turner, as the casting of Jacqueline Hill in Meglos hadn't worked out.
  • In the original script, the Doctor did not regenerate after succumbing to spectrox toxaemia, but simply because of the damage his body sustained in combating Stotz and his gunrunners.
  • Eric Saward thought it was an above average script that was elevated by Graeme Harper's direction.
  • The Praxis range reference to the allergic gasses came from Eric Saward's Praxis 35 typewriter.
  • Eric Saward came up with the magma beast, which displeased John Nathan-Turner.
  • The fan press reported that Robert Holmes was writing a serial called “The Doctor's Wife”. This was how John Nathan-Turner had listed the adventure on his planning board, in order to substantiate his long-held suspicion that somebody in the production office was leaking information about upcoming stories.
  • The regeneration sequence initially didn't feature Nyssa or the Master, as it was feared that Sarah Sutton's theatrical commitment would make her unavailable and there were concerns about Anthony Ainley's salary demands.
  • John Nathan-Turner wanted a repeat of the regeneration from Logopolis, albeit this time with specially recorded scenes instead of stock footage.
  • John Nathan-Turner agreed to hire Harper to direct after encountering him at a Christmas party in late 1982.
  • Graeme Harper was eager to invest the serial with a realistic edge, which suggested the use of actual machine guns (which fired blanks) rather than futuristic props.
  • The Masters Pit at Stokeford in Dorset was popular for pheasant hunting, and so locals were paid to refrain from firing their guns for the duration of filming.
  • Nicola Bryant developed mild frostbite on the first day at Stokeford as a result of having her lower legs bare to reflect the allegedly arid climate of Androzani Minor.
  • There were concerns that Maurice Roëves wouldn't be able to make the filming dates, as he lived in New York at the time. It was feared that a new actor would have to be cast, with the location filming remounted, but the money was eventually secured to keep him in the UK for the duration of the shoot.
  • Sharaz Jek's mask was painted in the manner of a Zulu warrior, based upon Graeme Harper's suggestion of using Masai face painting as a reference.
  • Much like the Myrka in Warriors of the Deep at the start of the season, the Magma Beast costume was barely finished before it was needed in the studio. This left Colin Taylor, the performer inside the suit, very little time to become accustomed to it.
  • Sarah Sutton had chicken pox when she filmed her cameo.
  • Colin Baker was unable to fit into Peter Davison's spare costume, and so he gave his performance with the trousers undone, affording him the opportunity to moon Davison's wife, Sandra Dickinson.

Influences[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • Frank Herbert's Dune: people fighting a war over a drug that extends life; the unstable "tripod of power" between the rulers of Androzani; the "mud bursts" and Androzani Minor's generally arid climate.
  • Gaston Leroux's Le Fantôme de l'Opéra: a mentally unbalanced but brilliant recluse wears a mask to conceal his facial disfigurement; develops an obsessive fascination with an attractive young woman and eventually abducts her.
  • The New Testament: The Doctor uses up his supply of life-giving fluid to save someone else, and his fresh corpse is attended by a loyal female disciple. He is soon restored to life by the intervention of a higher power, and rises up in perfect health. Oddly enough, the name Peter Davison has connections to the New Testament story: Davison means Son of David, a title often applied to Jesus Christ, and Peter was one of Jesus' primary travelling companions.
  • I, Claudius: the Doctor seeing his former companions as he regenerates is similar to Claudius seeing the people in his life before he dies.
  • The Beatles: the sound effect used during the regeneration was inspired by "A Day in the Life".

Ratings[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • Part one - 6.9 million viewers
  • Part two - 6.6 million viewers
  • Part three - 7.8 million viewers
  • Part four - 7.8 million viewers

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

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

  • Nicola Bryant, or her stunt double, visibly pushes herself off the ledge in order to fall from the ledge in part one. She then bounces, obviously having landed on a safety cushion of some kind.
  • In part one, Nicola Bryant accidentally lets slip her natural English accent, particularly when she says the word 'glass'.
  • The electronic device that Morgus uses in his office during his first scene in part one is obviously a TV/teletext remote control, with John Normington's thumb conveniently placed to hide the manufacturer's logo.
  • When Stotz cuts through the door of his ship, the polystyrene is visible on the fake door.
  • Androzani Minor is supposed to be barren, deserted and uninhabited. Yet in part four, shots of the Doctor being chased by the gunrunners show a house and tree-lined hills.
  • During the end of the scene in part four where Stotz shoots Krelper, a tiny sliver of the studio lights and the actual studio floor can be seen.
  • The background changes position as the TARDIS dematerialises.
  • The skin around Jek's right eye is shown to be normal colour throughout the serial but when he finally removes his mask in part four, his whole face is grey.

Continuity[[edit] | [edit source]]

DVD, VHS and audio releases[[edit] | [edit source]]

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

Released as Doctor Who: The Caves of Androzani, this release was the third of 2001 and the second to feature the Fifth Doctor. It features a different image of Peter Davison on the cover to later releases (in common with The Robots of Death, Vengeance on Varos and Remembrance of the Daleks, the first stories released for the Fourth, Sixth and Seventh Doctors).

Released:

PAL - BBC DVD BBCDVD1042
NTSC - Warner Video E1606

Contents:

Rear Credits:

Notes:

  • Region 1 cover

    Region 1 cover

  • Region 4 cover

    Region 4 cover

  • Region 2 cover

    Region 2 cover

Special Edition release[[edit] | [edit source]]

This story was released as Doctor Who: The Caves of Androzani: Special Edition.

Released:

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

  • Commentary by Peter Davison (The Doctor), Nicola Bryant (Peri) and Graeme Harper (Director)
  • Chain Reaction - Cast and crew look back on the making of this story
  • Directing Who: Then and Now - Graeme Harper examines the experience of directing Doctor Who in two very different eras
  • Behind the Scenes - The Regeneration - Featuring optional commentary track
  • Behind the Scenes - Making Sharaz Jek
  • Extended Scenes - Featuring optional commentary track
  • Trailer - A BBC-1 trailer previewing the first episode
  • Russell Harty - Peter Davison and Colin Baker meet on this chat show to discuss the transition
  • News Reports - Contemporaneous reports regarding Davison's departure
  • Isolated Score - Listen to Roger Limb's incidental music on a separate audio track
  • Radio Times Billings (PDF DVD-ROM - PC/Mac)
  • Production Information Subtitles
  • Photo Gallery (different from initial release)
  • Coming Soon Trailer - The Seeds of Doom
  • Easter Egg: Original un-restored opening scene. To access this hidden feature, press left at Part One on Disc One's Episode Selection menu to illuminate the Doctor Who logo.

Notes:

  • Region 2 cover

    Region 2 cover

  • Region 4 cover

    Region 4 cover

  • Region 1 cover

    Region 1 cover

  • Region 2 box set cover

    Region 2 box set cover

  • Region 4 box set cover

    Region 4 box set cover

VHS releases This story was released as Doctor Who: The Caves of Androzani.

Released:

  • UK February 1992
PAL - BBC Video BBCV4713
NTSC - Warner Video E1183
  • UK VHS cover

    UK VHS cover

  • AUS VHS cover

    AUS VHS cover

  • US VHS cover

    US VHS cover

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

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    Regeneration stories
    The Doctor
    TV series
    Comic Relief
    Comics
    Prose
    Audio
    Home video
    Webcast
    The Master
    Television
    Prose
    Comics
    Audio
    Alternate universe
    Romana
    Television
    Prose
    Audio
    Other
    Time Lords
    Television
    Prose
    Audio
    Comics
    Non-Time Lord Gallifreyans
    Prose
    Shobogans
    Television
    Proto-
    Time Lords
    Television
    Audio
    Others
    Television
    Prose
    Comics
    Audio
    For the purposes of this list, a "regeneration story" is one in which a regeneration is actually and initially depicted. For this reason The War Games is not included below, even though it is commonly thought of as a "regeneration story". It doesn't actually include a clear scene of regeneration, and the preponderance of stories in other media confirms that the Second Doctor did not regenerate at the end of it.
    Additionally, immediate post-regeneration stories, like the 2005 Children in Need Special Born Again — and ones like Castrovalva, where the regeneration sequence was replayed — are not included.
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