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{{Infobox CD|
{{title dab away}}
cd name= Cryptobiosis |
{{real world}}
image=[[Image:Cryptobiosis_cover.jpg|250px]] Cover Artist - [[Stuart Manning]]|
{{Infobox Story SMW
series=[[Doctor Who]] -<br/>[[Big Finish - Doctor Who Audio Dramas#Special Releases|Specially Released Audio Dramas]] |
|image             = Cryptobiosis cover.jpg
number= 3 (spine number IV) |
|range            = Bonus Releases
doctor= [[Sixth Doctor]]|
|number in range  = IV
companions= [[Peri]] |
|series           = ''[[Bonus Releases]]''
enemy= |
|number           = IV
year= [[Earth]], [[20th October]], [[1901]]|
|doctor           = Sixth Doctor
writer= [[Elliot Thorpe]] |
|companions       = [[Peri Brown|Peri]]
director= [[Gary Russell]] |
|enemy             = [[Jacques De Requin]]
producer= [[David Darlington]]|
|setting          = The ''[[Lankester]]'', [[Earth]], [[20 October]] [[1901]]
publisher= [[Big Finish Productions]] |
|writer           = Elliot Thorpe
release date= [[December]] [[2005]] |
|director         = [[Gary Russell]]
format= 1 CD - 1 Episode |
|music            = [[David Darlington]]
production code= BFPDWCD6WB |
|sound            = [[David Darlington]]
isbn= ISBN 1-84435-164-5 |
|cover            = [[Stuart Manning]]
previous story= [[Her Final Flight]]|
|publisher         = Big Finish Productions
next story= [[Return of the Daleks]]}}
|release date     = 13 December 2005 (subscribers exclusive)
|release date2    = December 2006 (commercial)
|format           = 1 CD<br/>Download
|production code   = BFPDWCD6WB
|isbn             = ISBN 978-1-84435-164-0
|prev              = Her Final Flight (audio story)
|next              = Return of the Daleks (audio story)
|series2          = ''[[The Sixth Doctor Adventures]]''
|prev2            = Her Final Flight (audio story)
|next2            = Return of the Krotons (audio story)
|soundcloudtrailer = https://soundcloud.com/big-finish/doctor-who-cryptobiosis-trailer
|producer          = [[Gary Russell]] and [[Jason Haigh-Ellery]]
|epcount          = 1
}}
'''''Cryptobiosis''''' was the third ''[[Doctor Who]]'' bonus story released by [[Big Finish Productions]]. It was written by [[Elliot Thorpe]] and featured [[Colin Baker]] as the [[Sixth Doctor]] and [[Nicola Bryant]] as [[Peri Brown]].


==Publisher's summary==
== Publisher's summary ==
There’s a ship out there, on the ocean.
There's a ship out there, on the ocean.


She’s called Lankester and every year she sails from Madagascar to New Orleans and back again. Every year. Without exception. Regular as clockwork.
She's called ''[[Lankester]]'' and every year she sails from [[Madagascar]] to [[New Orleans]] and back again. Every year. Without exception. Regular as [[clock]]work.


Her schedule is never behind. Her cargo is always fresh.
Her schedule is never behind. Her cargo is always fresh.
Line 28: Line 42:
This trip, she has passengers. The passengers have baggage.
This trip, she has passengers. The passengers have baggage.


And the baggage might just be enough to sink her...  
And the baggage might just be enough to sink her...


==Cast==
== Plot ==
*[[Sixth Doctor|The Doctor]] - [[Colin Baker]]
[[Sixth Doctor|The Doctor]] and [[Peri Brown|Peri]] are sailing to [[New Orleans]] aboard the ''[[Lankester]]'' in [[1901]] and express their concern for [[Amphitrite|Amy]], a [[wheelchair]]-using passenger who has not left her room, but [[Callany|Captain Callany]] assures them that he was given her [[medication]] by [[Blackwell|Dr Blackwell]] prior to his [[death]]. [[Crawford (Cryptobiosis)|Crawford]] is found dead, stabbed several times, and Captain Callany has the Doctor taken to the brig by [[Jacques De Requin|Chief Mate De Requin]] on account of him holding the [[blood]]y [[knife]] found by the body. Peri and De Requin argue against him being [[court martial]]led on account of him not belonging to the [[Merchant Navy]] and Captain Callany subsequently drafts him, intending to have him court martialled once they arrive in New Orleans.
*[[Peri]] - [[Nicola Bryant]]
*Chief Mate De Requin - [[Tony Beck]]
*Captain Callany - [[Michael Cuckson]]
*Nereus - [[Billy Miller]]
*Amy - [[Naomi Paxton]]


==References==
De Requin takes the Doctor and Peri to see to the bedbound Amy, whom the Doctor suspects is being [[poison]]ed with [[Mercury (element)|mercury]]. Examining her, he finds that she has inner [[eyelid]]s and questions her about her legs, which she always had hidden, but he is interrupted when something screams from outside the [[porthole]]. Captain Callany confides in the Doctor that he is certain that De Requin is somehow connected to the deaths, although he does not think that he is directly responsible, and that he only accused him so that they could speak without De Requin's knowledge. Whilst the Doctor and Captain Callany are talking, De Requin attempts to murder Peri with mercury.
''to be added''


==Notes==
The ''Lankester'''s hull is breached and the impact results in Peri seeing that Amy is a [[mermaid]] and has been hiding her [[tail]] in a tank of [[water]]. De Requin's phial of mercury smashes and he reveals that he intends to sell her to [[the Forge|a group]] for a fortune so that he can start a new life, after which he locks Peri and Amy, whose real name is Amphitrite, inside. Amphitrite explains to Peri how she and her infant daughter, [[Galatea]], were captured in nets and, struggling to breathe, directs her to the hidden tank where De Requin has put Galatea. Peri promises to save her and swears vengeance upon De Requin when Amphitrite dies of [[suffocation]].
*This was originally a special release given away to Big Finish subscribers who had [[Other Lives]] as part of their subscription, but is now available for purchase.


==Continuity==
The Doctor and Captain Callany inspect the breach in the hull, which seems to have been done with superhuman strength and through which [[the Doctor's TARDIS|the TARDIS]] has apparently fallen. The engines give out and the Doctor is pulled down to an air pocket in an underwater [[cave]] by mermen where [[Nereus]], Amphitrite's father, tasks him with saving the two mermaids aboard the ''Lankester'', in return for which the TARDIS will be returned. The Doctor agrees, although he realises that Nereus killed Crawford to cover up a visit to the ship and admonishes him for it. Nereus gives himself legs and returns the TARDIS.
''to be added''


==Timeline==
De Requin holds Peri and Galatea hostage so that Callany will allow him to take a [[lifeboat]], but the crew have already taken them all. The Doctor returns in the TARDIS with Nereus, who returns to his merman form and has his mermen pull De Requin under the [[sea]] when he learns of Amphitrite's death. The Doctor and Peri take Galatea to the underwater cave in the TARDIS and hand her over to Nereus, whom they persuade to rescue the crew of the ''Lankester'' from drowning.
*Cryptobiosis occurs after [[BFA]]: ''[[Davros (audio story)|Davros]]''
*Cryptobiosis occurs before [[ST]]: ''[[The Reproductive Cycle]]''


==External links==
== Cast ==
*{{bigfinish|Doctor-Who-Cryptobiosis|Cryptobiosis}}
* [[Sixth Doctor|The Doctor]] - [[Colin Baker]]
*{{dwrefguide|who_bf77a.htm|Cryptobiosis}}
* [[Peri Brown|Peri]] - [[Nicola Bryant]]
[[Category:Sixth Doctor audio plays]]
* [[Jacques De Requin|Chief Mate De Requin]] - [[Tony Beck]]
[[Category:Big Finish Doctor Who Audio Dramas]]
* [[Callany|Captain Callany]] - [[Michael Cuckson]]
[[Category:2004 audio plays]]
* [[Nereus]] - [[Billy Miller]]
* [[Amphitrite|Amy]] - [[Naomi Paxton]]
 
== Worldbuilding ==
* De Requin sends [[McTighe (Cryptobiosis)|McTighe]] to check on the cargo.
* The Doctor tells a story about a meeting he had with [[David Livingstone|Livingstone]].
* The Doctor compares the ''Lankester'' to the ''[[Queen Elizabeth 2|QE2]]''.
* The Doctor states that his knowledge of [[marine biology]] is lacking.
* [[Blackwell|Dr Blackwell]] is the first crew member to die.
* [[Merman|Mermen]] live in the seas of [[Earth]].
 
== Notes ==
* This was originally a special release given away to Big Finish subscribers who had ''[[Other Lives (audio story)|Other Lives]]'' as part of their subscription, but is now available for purchase.
* This audio drama was recorded on [[19 August (production)|19 August]] [[2005 (production)|2005]] at [[the Moat Studios]].
* After the 2019 redesign of the [[Big Finish Productions|Big Finish]] website, this release was added to ''[[The Sixth Doctor Adventures]]''.
* This story was originally released on CD, with a download version released subsequently.
 
== Continuity ==
* The Doctor claims that the smelling salts "could wake a sleeping [[Vortisaur]]". Vortisaurs first appeared in [[AUDIO]]: {{cs|Storm Warning (audio story)}}.
* De Requin uses the code phrase "For King and Country" when addressing his mystery buyers. The phrase was first used in [[AUDIO]]: {{cs|Project Twilight (audio story)}}, and is associated with [[The Forge]].
 
== External links ==
{{bigfinish|releases/v/doctor-who-cryptobiosis-454|Cryptobiosis}}
{{dwrefguide|who_bf77a.htm|Cryptobiosis}}
{{tetrap|6/cryptobiosis.html|Cryptobiosis}}
 
{{BF 6DA}}
{{BFA monthly}}
{{TitleSort}}
 
[[Category:The Sixth Doctor Adventures audio stories]]
[[Category:2005 audio stories]]
[[Category:Stories set in 1901]]
[[Category:Stories set in 1901]]
[[Category:Bonus Releases audio stories]]
[[Category:Audio stories that use the Peter Howell theme]]
[[Category:Audio stories set on Earth]]
[[Category:Sixth Doctor audio stories]]
[[Category:One part audio stories]]

Latest revision as of 23:14, 17 November 2024

RealWorld.png

Cryptobiosis was the third Doctor Who bonus story released by Big Finish Productions. It was written by Elliot Thorpe and featured Colin Baker as the Sixth Doctor and Nicola Bryant as Peri Brown.

Publisher's summary[[edit] | [edit source]]

There's a ship out there, on the ocean.

She's called Lankester and every year she sails from Madagascar to New Orleans and back again. Every year. Without exception. Regular as clockwork.

Her schedule is never behind. Her cargo is always fresh.

This trip, she has passengers. The passengers have baggage.

And the baggage might just be enough to sink her...

Plot[[edit] | [edit source]]

The Doctor and Peri are sailing to New Orleans aboard the Lankester in 1901 and express their concern for Amy, a wheelchair-using passenger who has not left her room, but Captain Callany assures them that he was given her medication by Dr Blackwell prior to his death. Crawford is found dead, stabbed several times, and Captain Callany has the Doctor taken to the brig by Chief Mate De Requin on account of him holding the bloody knife found by the body. Peri and De Requin argue against him being court martialled on account of him not belonging to the Merchant Navy and Captain Callany subsequently drafts him, intending to have him court martialled once they arrive in New Orleans.

De Requin takes the Doctor and Peri to see to the bedbound Amy, whom the Doctor suspects is being poisoned with mercury. Examining her, he finds that she has inner eyelids and questions her about her legs, which she always had hidden, but he is interrupted when something screams from outside the porthole. Captain Callany confides in the Doctor that he is certain that De Requin is somehow connected to the deaths, although he does not think that he is directly responsible, and that he only accused him so that they could speak without De Requin's knowledge. Whilst the Doctor and Captain Callany are talking, De Requin attempts to murder Peri with mercury.

The Lankester's hull is breached and the impact results in Peri seeing that Amy is a mermaid and has been hiding her tail in a tank of water. De Requin's phial of mercury smashes and he reveals that he intends to sell her to a group for a fortune so that he can start a new life, after which he locks Peri and Amy, whose real name is Amphitrite, inside. Amphitrite explains to Peri how she and her infant daughter, Galatea, were captured in nets and, struggling to breathe, directs her to the hidden tank where De Requin has put Galatea. Peri promises to save her and swears vengeance upon De Requin when Amphitrite dies of suffocation.

The Doctor and Captain Callany inspect the breach in the hull, which seems to have been done with superhuman strength and through which the TARDIS has apparently fallen. The engines give out and the Doctor is pulled down to an air pocket in an underwater cave by mermen where Nereus, Amphitrite's father, tasks him with saving the two mermaids aboard the Lankester, in return for which the TARDIS will be returned. The Doctor agrees, although he realises that Nereus killed Crawford to cover up a visit to the ship and admonishes him for it. Nereus gives himself legs and returns the TARDIS.

De Requin holds Peri and Galatea hostage so that Callany will allow him to take a lifeboat, but the crew have already taken them all. The Doctor returns in the TARDIS with Nereus, who returns to his merman form and has his mermen pull De Requin under the sea when he learns of Amphitrite's death. The Doctor and Peri take Galatea to the underwater cave in the TARDIS and hand her over to Nereus, whom they persuade to rescue the crew of the Lankester from drowning.

Cast[[edit] | [edit source]]

Worldbuilding[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • De Requin sends McTighe to check on the cargo.
  • The Doctor tells a story about a meeting he had with Livingstone.
  • The Doctor compares the Lankester to the QE2.
  • The Doctor states that his knowledge of marine biology is lacking.
  • Dr Blackwell is the first crew member to die.
  • Mermen live in the seas of Earth.

Notes[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • This was originally a special release given away to Big Finish subscribers who had Other Lives as part of their subscription, but is now available for purchase.
  • This audio drama was recorded on 19 August 2005 at the Moat Studios.
  • After the 2019 redesign of the Big Finish website, this release was added to The Sixth Doctor Adventures.
  • This story was originally released on CD, with a download version released subsequently.

Continuity[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • The Doctor claims that the smelling salts "could wake a sleeping Vortisaur". Vortisaurs first appeared in AUDIO: Storm Warning [+]Loading...["Storm Warning (audio story)"].
  • De Requin uses the code phrase "For King and Country" when addressing his mystery buyers. The phrase was first used in AUDIO: Project Twilight [+]Loading...["Project Twilight (audio story)"], and is associated with The Forge.

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