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{{Infobox Individual
{{Infobox Individual
|individual name= Mandragora Helix
|image       = File:MasqueMandrag1-Journeyn into the helix.jpeg
|image= [[file:HeironGetsMandragora.jpg|250px]]
|species    = Helix Intelligence
|race= [[Helix Intelligence]]
|alias       = Demnos, Stranks, Madam Delphi
|alias = <ul><li>[[Demnos]]</li><li>[[Dara Morgan]]</li></ul>
|origin      = [[Pre-universe]]
|home planet= Mandragora Helix
|first      = The Masque of Mandragora (TV story)
|home era= Unknown/[[Dark Times]]
|appearances = [[Mandragora Helix - list of appearances|'''''see list''''']]
|appearances=<ul><li>[[DW]]: ''[[The Masque of Mandragora]]''</li><li>[[DWM]]: ''[[Darkness Falling]]'' / ''[[Distractions]]'' / ''[[The Mark of Mandragora]]''</li><li>[[PDA]]: ''[[The Eleventh Tiger]]'' (implied)</li><li>[[NSA]]: ''[[Beautiful Chaos]]''</li></ul>
|voice actor = Peter Tuddenham
|actor= [[Peter Tuddenham]] (voice)
}}
}}
The '''Mandragora Helix''', also called the '''Mandragora [[constellation]]''', ([[COMIC]]: {{cs|The Mark of Mandragora (comic story)}}) was a [[Helix Intelligence]], a [[helix energy|spiral of energy]] with a controlling intelligence that existed as its own domain in "unchartered regions of the [[Time Vortex]]". ([[PROSE]]: {{cs|Doctor Who and the Masque of Mandragora (novelisation)}})


The '''Mandragora Helix''', also called the '''Mandragora Intelligence''', was a [[Helix Intelligence]], composed of [[helix energy]](specifically called "Mandragora energy") and residing in its domain in [[space]], also called the Mandragora Helix.
== Origins ==
:''The fact that its domain is called the Mandragora Helix and that the force was an intelligence within the Helix may mean that the force is the domain and that it is all the same helix energy composing the same Helix.''
The Mandragora Helix originated in the [[Dark Times]]. The [[Tenth Doctor]] once commented that it should never have been freed from its [[dimension]]. ([[PROSE]]: {{cs|Beautiful Chaos (novel)}}) [[Stranks]], who confirmed he was part of the Helix, said it was old even when the universe was born, and that the sentient races of the universe had only encountered it in its dotage. ([[COMIC]]: {{cs|The Mark of Mandragora (comic story)}})
==Origins==


The Mandragora Helix originated in the [[Dark Times]]. ([[NSA]]: ''[[Beautiful Chaos]]'') It may have been during this time that it gained knowledge of the [[Time Lord]]s. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Masque of Mandragora]]'')
== Physical appearance ==
The Mandragora Helix was a spiral of pure energy that radiated outward, able to draw things into it, even a [[TARDIS]]. The function of the spiralling energy was a complete mystery. Inside the Helix was a black void where sound echoed and a series of five concentric crystal rings were suspended, but there was a "ground" where beings could walk. Balls of helix energy, which looked like sparking, irregularly-shaped red blobs, could fly through the void. ([[TV]]: {{cs|The Masque of Mandragora (TV story)}})


==Physical Appearance==
Although it could be mistaken for a [[star]] in its corner of space, Mandragora was a superheated ball of [[Psychic energy|psionic energy]] which acted as a containment protective field around its malign intelligence, ([[PROSE]]: {{cs|Beautiful Chaos (novel)}}) although one account claimed there were several intelligences within the Mandragora Helix. ([[PROSE]]: {{cs|Doctor Who and the Masque of Mandragora (novelisation)}})


The Mandragora Helix was a spiral of pure energy in [[space]] that radiated outward, able to draw things into it, even a [[TARDIS]]. The function of the spiraling energy was a complete mystery. Inside the Helix was a black void where sound echoed and a series of concentric crystal rings stayed suspended, but there was a "ground" where beings could walk. Balls of helix energy, which looked like sparking, irregularly-shaped red blobs, might bounce around in this void. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Masque of Mandragora]]'')
== Powers ==
[[File:HeironGetsMandragora.jpg|left|thumb|Mandragora contacts [[Hieronymous (The Masque of Mandragora)|Hieronymous]]. ([[TV]]: {{cs|The Masque of Mandragora (TV story)}})]]
The Mandragora Helix was an intelligent astral force capable of speech. It had a powerful [[psychic]] force that could easily infiltrate [[human]] minds, yet might be repelled by the mind concentrating on something. Portions of Mandragora energy might be separated from the Helix and still act independently. Mandragora energy was the "subthermal recombination of ionised [[plasma (physics)|plasma]]" that could float through the air and burn anything it touched. With humans, contact resulted in instant death and a blue crystalline growth on the skin. This energy could be spread out over things like stone (recreating ruined structures) or living beings. In humans, the energy took over their bodies, giving them a white appearance that bleached out their faces but also allowed them to fire bolts of energy from their fingertips. With this energy spread out over stones or humans, it became exhausted more quickly and could only acquire more energy at certain times. When in this exhausted state, it could be grounded through metal wire.


==Powers==
Mandragora based its powers on [[astrology]], using things like the [[Zodiac]] as power. ([[PROSE]]: {{cs|Beautiful Chaos (novel)}}) Bound by the stars, the Mandragora constellation came into alignment with [[Earth]] every 500 years, requiring a bridge to reach the planet. If the mind was willing, the Helix was able to convert a human into a "Child of Mandragora", a [[humanoid]] pale/purple creature with roots that could kill. ([[COMIC]]: {{cs|The Mark of Mandragora (comic story)}})


The Mandragora Helix was an intelligent astral force capable of speech. It had a powerful psychic force that could easily infiltrate [[human]] minds, yet might be repelled by the mind concentrating on something. The Helix seemed to exist as Mandragora energy and portions of this might be separated from the Helix and still act independantly. Mandragora energy was the "subthermal recombination of ionized plasma" that could float through the air and burn anything it touched. With humans, contact resulted in instant death and a blue crystalline growth on the skin. This energy could be spread out over things like stone (recreating ruined structures) or living beings. In humans, the energy took over their bodies, giving them a white appearance that bleached out their faces but also allowed them to fire bolts of energy from their fingertips. With this energy spread out over stones or humans, it became exhausted quicker and could only acquire more energy at certain times. When in this exhausted state, it could be absorbed through wire, with a ground like negative energy in [[magnetism]].
== History ==
=== Pre-history ===
Mandragora had at least heard of the [[Time Lord]]s, and also knew of humans, though the Fourth Doctor claimed Helix Intelligences didn't "need Earth". It was worried that humans, if unchecked, would not be contained in their own galaxy, ultimately entering Mandragora's domain and becoming a rival in the universe. ([[TV]]: {{cs|The Masque of Mandragora (TV story)}})


The Helix could apparently travel through space but, in the case of [[Earth]], could only reach the planet when the stars lined up in a certain order, This opportunity might come in 500 year cycles. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Masque of Mandragora]]'') Mandragora was an astral force that based its powers on astrology, and while some people might not believe in it, this didn't stop Mandragora from using things like the [[Zodiac]] as power. ([[NSA]]: ''[[Beautiful Chaos]]'')
[[File:TARDISMandragora.jpg|right|thumb|Mandragora energy leaves the TARDIS. ([[TV]]: {{cs|The Masque of Mandragora (TV story)}})]]


==History==
=== 15th century ===
===Pre-history===
Having slipped inside [[the Doctor's TARDIS]] from its domain, the Helix travelled to late [[15th century]] [[San Martino]], [[Italy]], where it manipulated the [[Brotherhood of Demnos]] into believing it was the [[god]] they worshipped. It eventually possessed the leader, [[Hieronymous (The Masque of Mandragora)|Hieronymous]], chosen because he was the Duke's astronomer. Mandragora promised him he would be the Earth's supreme ruler. It then took over the cult's members, planning to destroy several scientists who had been gathered. The Helix believed this would prevent humanity from having the [[Renaissance]]. As the helix energy was exhausted, the [[Fourth Doctor]] was able to completely destroy it. ([[TV]]: {{cs|The Masque of Mandragora (TV story)}})
Mandragora  had at least heard of the Time Lords and also knew of humans. It was worried that Man, if unchecked, would not be contained in his own galaxy, and would enter its domain and become a rival in the universe.([[DW]]: ''[[The Masque of Mandragora]]'')


===[[15th century]]===
=== 19th century ===
Having slipped inside [[the Doctor's TARDIS]] from its domain, the Helix traveled to late [[15th century]] [[San Martino]] in [[Italy]]. It manipulated the [[Brotherhood of Demnos]] into believing it was the [[god]] and eventually possessed the leader, [[Hieronymous]], choosen because he was the Duke's astronomer. Mandragora promised him he would be the Earth's supreme ruler. It took over the cult's members and planned to destroy several scientists who had been gathered so that Earth would be prevented from having the [[Renaissance]].  As the helix energy was exhausted, the [[Fourth Doctor]] was able to completely destroy it.([[DW]]: ''[[The Masque of Mandragora]]'')
Using a complex stellar event, a force believed to be the Helix manifested in [[1863]] [[China]], where the [[First Doctor]] confronted it without fully understanding what it was. The Helix attempted to exert influence over China using previously 'recorded' copies of the minds of the first Emperor of China and his army, the information in the recordings edited to make the 'revived' emperor easier to control in his new body, but the Doctor and [[Barbara Wright|Barbara]] were able to convince the Emperor of the truth, giving him the strength to resist the Helix and destroy himself to protect his country. ([[PROSE]]: {{cs|The Eleventh Tiger (novel)}})


===[[19th century]]===
=== 20th century ===
A force believed to be the Helix manifested in [[1863]] [[China]](somehow free of the aforementioned restraints based on star alignments), where [[First Doctor|an earlier Doctor]] confronted it without fully understanding it, as the Helix had encountered him in an earlier point in the [[timeline]] yet a later point in the Doctor's personal timeline. ([[PDA]]: ''[[The Eleventh Tiger]]'')
[[File:Mask2.jpg|left|thumb|A Child of Mandragora. ([[COMIC]]: {{cs|The Mark of Mandragora (comic story)}})]]
As the [[Fourth Doctor]] had earlier predicted, the Mandragora Helix re-appeared in [[1990s]] [[London]], this time exploiting the use of an illegal drug called [[Mandrake]] (another name for Mandragora). The [[Seventh Doctor]] and [[Ace]], with the help of [[UNIT]] and Captain [[Muriel Frost]] in particular, put a stop to it. The Doctor and Ace had two other encounters with the Helix as well. ([[COMIC]]: {{cs|The Mark of Mandragora (comic story)}}, {{cs|Darkness, Falling (comic story)}}, {{cs|Distractions (comic story)}})


===[[20th century]]===
=== 21st century ===
As the [[Fourth Doctor]] had earlier predicted, the Mandragora Helix re-appeared in [[1990s]] [[London]], this time exploiting the use of an illegal drug called [[Mandrake]] (another name for Mandragora). The [[Seventh Doctor]] and [[Ace]], with the help of [[UNIT]] and Captain [[Muriel Frost]] in particular, put a stop to it. The Doctor and Ace had two other encounters with the Helix as well. ([[DWM]]: ''[[The Mark of Mandragora]]'', ''[[Darkness Falling]]'', ''[[Distractions]]'')
Having sent out "sparks" to China and London to test the waters, Mandragora reappeared in London in May [[2009]], using the [[MorganTec]] computer systems company to spread its energy over the [[Internet]]. It decided that it was wrong about humans, and instead of stopping them, it would help them travel to the stars, acting as a leech all the while. The [[Tenth Doctor]] and [[Donna Noble]], with help from [[Wilfred Mott]], were able to disrupt its link to Earth by damaging the computer it was using, subsequently tricking it into possessing Wilf's friend [[Netty Goodheart]]. Taking advantage of Netty's Alzheimer's, the Doctor was able to weaken the Helix by forcing it to expend so much of its energy repairing Netty's damaged synapses, and it soon lost the ability to control her and was forced to retreat back into space, its mental energy already collapsing due to exposure to Netty's damaged mind. ([[PROSE]]: {{cs|Beautiful Chaos (novel)}})


===[[21st century]]===
== Other references ==
In May [[2009]], Mandragora reappeared in London, using the [[MorganTec]] computer systems company to spread its energy over the [[Internet]]. It decided that it had wrong about humans. Instead of stopping them, it would help them travel to the stars, acting as a leech all the while.The [[Tenth Doctor]] and [[Donna Noble]], with help from [[Wilfred Mott]], were able to throw it back into space, confused and with missing memory. ([[NSA]]: ''[[Beautiful Chaos]]'').
Information about the Mandragora Helix was included in the [[ArcHive]] among races invisible to the perceptions of Earth. ([[AUDIO]]: {{cs|Origins of the Cybermen (audio story)}})


==Mysteries==
The [[Twelfth Doctor]] expressed regret for bringing the Mandragora Helix to Italy. ([[AUDIO]]: {{cs|Dead Media (audio story)}})
Some mysteries concerning the Mandragora:


*According to its initial introduction at the beginning of ''[[The Masque of Mandragora]]'', this force ''lives'' within the Mandragora Helix and ''should'' be called the '''Mandragora Intelligence'''. (''See above'')
== Behind the scenes ==
**At the end of ''[[Beautiful Chaos]]'' it didn't know where its home was.
''[[Secrets of the Stars (TV story)|Secrets of the Stars]]'' was originally going to use the Mandragora Helix. However, it was decided that "Mandragora had to change too much, and was too easily defeated, in order to fit this plot" and the [[Ancient Lights]] were created instead. [[Russell T Davies]] has said he likes to think both entities are "distant cousins". ([[DWMSE 23]])
*Mandragora refers to itself as "we". Whether it is simply using the "royal we" or it is in fact a [[gestalt]] organism or a species(the Doctor spoke as if Mandragora belonged to the "Helix" species) is unknown.
*Having manifested on Earth in the 15th century, and having to wait 500 years before manifesting again, there is no explanation for its appearance in 1863.
* Mandragora possesses people, yet it is alluded to having a body of some kind, despite it being called "not ''physical''" repeatedly.
**It may simply exist as an astral force, like the [[Great Intelligence]], or it may have a body that transitions from mental to physical-form, like the [[Mara]].
*The [[Ancient Lights]]' appearance and modus operandi in ''[[Secrets of the Stars]]'' is remarkably similar to that of Mandragora, which leads many to believe they are a further manifestation of Mandragora.


==Behind the sences==
*[[SJA]]: ''[[Secrets of the Stars]]'' was originally going to use the Mandragora Helix. However, it was decided that "Mandragora had to change too much, and was too easily defeated, in order to fit this plot" and the [[Ancient Lights]] were created instead. [[Russell T Davies]] has said he likes to think both entities are "distant cousins". ([[DWM]]: ''[[Special Edition - Sarah Jane Smith]]'')
{{Season 14 aliens}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Helix, Mandragora}}
[[Category:First Doctor enemies]]
[[Category:Fourth Doctor enemies]]
[[Category:Seventh Doctor enemies]]
[[Category:Eighth Doctor enemies]]
[[Category:Tenth Doctor enemies]]
[[Category:Energy beings]]
[[Category:Energy beings]]
[[Category:Individual Time Vortex inhabitants]]
[[Category:Individuals who have been inside the Doctor's TARDIS]]
[[Category:Sentient astronomical objects]]
[[Category:Pre-universe individuals]]

Latest revision as of 06:31, 11 August 2024

The Mandragora Helix, also called the Mandragora constellation, (COMIC: The Mark of Mandragora [+]Loading...["The Mark of Mandragora (comic story)"]) was a Helix Intelligence, a spiral of energy with a controlling intelligence that existed as its own domain in "unchartered regions of the Time Vortex". (PROSE: Doctor Who and the Masque of Mandragora [+]Loading...["Doctor Who and the Masque of Mandragora (novelisation)"])

Origins[[edit] | [edit source]]

The Mandragora Helix originated in the Dark Times. The Tenth Doctor once commented that it should never have been freed from its dimension. (PROSE: Beautiful Chaos [+]Loading...["Beautiful Chaos (novel)"]) Stranks, who confirmed he was part of the Helix, said it was old even when the universe was born, and that the sentient races of the universe had only encountered it in its dotage. (COMIC: The Mark of Mandragora [+]Loading...["The Mark of Mandragora (comic story)"])

Physical appearance[[edit] | [edit source]]

The Mandragora Helix was a spiral of pure energy that radiated outward, able to draw things into it, even a TARDIS. The function of the spiralling energy was a complete mystery. Inside the Helix was a black void where sound echoed and a series of five concentric crystal rings were suspended, but there was a "ground" where beings could walk. Balls of helix energy, which looked like sparking, irregularly-shaped red blobs, could fly through the void. (TV: The Masque of Mandragora [+]Loading...["The Masque of Mandragora (TV story)"])

Although it could be mistaken for a star in its corner of space, Mandragora was a superheated ball of psionic energy which acted as a containment protective field around its malign intelligence, (PROSE: Beautiful Chaos [+]Loading...["Beautiful Chaos (novel)"]) although one account claimed there were several intelligences within the Mandragora Helix. (PROSE: Doctor Who and the Masque of Mandragora [+]Loading...["Doctor Who and the Masque of Mandragora (novelisation)"])

Powers[[edit] | [edit source]]

Mandragora contacts Hieronymous. (TV: The Masque of Mandragora [+]Loading...["The Masque of Mandragora (TV story)"])

The Mandragora Helix was an intelligent astral force capable of speech. It had a powerful psychic force that could easily infiltrate human minds, yet might be repelled by the mind concentrating on something. Portions of Mandragora energy might be separated from the Helix and still act independently. Mandragora energy was the "subthermal recombination of ionised plasma" that could float through the air and burn anything it touched. With humans, contact resulted in instant death and a blue crystalline growth on the skin. This energy could be spread out over things like stone (recreating ruined structures) or living beings. In humans, the energy took over their bodies, giving them a white appearance that bleached out their faces but also allowed them to fire bolts of energy from their fingertips. With this energy spread out over stones or humans, it became exhausted more quickly and could only acquire more energy at certain times. When in this exhausted state, it could be grounded through metal wire.

Mandragora based its powers on astrology, using things like the Zodiac as power. (PROSE: Beautiful Chaos [+]Loading...["Beautiful Chaos (novel)"]) Bound by the stars, the Mandragora constellation came into alignment with Earth every 500 years, requiring a bridge to reach the planet. If the mind was willing, the Helix was able to convert a human into a "Child of Mandragora", a humanoid pale/purple creature with roots that could kill. (COMIC: The Mark of Mandragora [+]Loading...["The Mark of Mandragora (comic story)"])

History[[edit] | [edit source]]

Pre-history[[edit] | [edit source]]

Mandragora had at least heard of the Time Lords, and also knew of humans, though the Fourth Doctor claimed Helix Intelligences didn't "need Earth". It was worried that humans, if unchecked, would not be contained in their own galaxy, ultimately entering Mandragora's domain and becoming a rival in the universe. (TV: The Masque of Mandragora [+]Loading...["The Masque of Mandragora (TV story)"])

Mandragora energy leaves the TARDIS. (TV: The Masque of Mandragora [+]Loading...["The Masque of Mandragora (TV story)"])

15th century[[edit] | [edit source]]

Having slipped inside the Doctor's TARDIS from its domain, the Helix travelled to late 15th century San Martino, Italy, where it manipulated the Brotherhood of Demnos into believing it was the god they worshipped. It eventually possessed the leader, Hieronymous, chosen because he was the Duke's astronomer. Mandragora promised him he would be the Earth's supreme ruler. It then took over the cult's members, planning to destroy several scientists who had been gathered. The Helix believed this would prevent humanity from having the Renaissance. As the helix energy was exhausted, the Fourth Doctor was able to completely destroy it. (TV: The Masque of Mandragora [+]Loading...["The Masque of Mandragora (TV story)"])

19th century[[edit] | [edit source]]

Using a complex stellar event, a force believed to be the Helix manifested in 1863 China, where the First Doctor confronted it without fully understanding what it was. The Helix attempted to exert influence over China using previously 'recorded' copies of the minds of the first Emperor of China and his army, the information in the recordings edited to make the 'revived' emperor easier to control in his new body, but the Doctor and Barbara were able to convince the Emperor of the truth, giving him the strength to resist the Helix and destroy himself to protect his country. (PROSE: The Eleventh Tiger [+]Loading...["The Eleventh Tiger (novel)"])

20th century[[edit] | [edit source]]

A Child of Mandragora. (COMIC: The Mark of Mandragora [+]Loading...["The Mark of Mandragora (comic story)"])

As the Fourth Doctor had earlier predicted, the Mandragora Helix re-appeared in 1990s London, this time exploiting the use of an illegal drug called Mandrake (another name for Mandragora). The Seventh Doctor and Ace, with the help of UNIT and Captain Muriel Frost in particular, put a stop to it. The Doctor and Ace had two other encounters with the Helix as well. (COMIC: The Mark of Mandragora [+]Loading...["The Mark of Mandragora (comic story)"], Darkness, Falling [+]Loading...["Darkness, Falling (comic story)"], Distractions [+]Loading...["Distractions (comic story)"])

21st century[[edit] | [edit source]]

Having sent out "sparks" to China and London to test the waters, Mandragora reappeared in London in May 2009, using the MorganTec computer systems company to spread its energy over the Internet. It decided that it was wrong about humans, and instead of stopping them, it would help them travel to the stars, acting as a leech all the while. The Tenth Doctor and Donna Noble, with help from Wilfred Mott, were able to disrupt its link to Earth by damaging the computer it was using, subsequently tricking it into possessing Wilf's friend Netty Goodheart. Taking advantage of Netty's Alzheimer's, the Doctor was able to weaken the Helix by forcing it to expend so much of its energy repairing Netty's damaged synapses, and it soon lost the ability to control her and was forced to retreat back into space, its mental energy already collapsing due to exposure to Netty's damaged mind. (PROSE: Beautiful Chaos [+]Loading...["Beautiful Chaos (novel)"])

Other references[[edit] | [edit source]]

Information about the Mandragora Helix was included in the ArcHive among races invisible to the perceptions of Earth. (AUDIO: Origins of the Cybermen [+]Loading...["Origins of the Cybermen (audio story)"])

The Twelfth Doctor expressed regret for bringing the Mandragora Helix to Italy. (AUDIO: Dead Media [+]Loading...["Dead Media (audio story)"])

Behind the scenes[[edit] | [edit source]]

Secrets of the Stars was originally going to use the Mandragora Helix. However, it was decided that "Mandragora had to change too much, and was too easily defeated, in order to fit this plot" and the Ancient Lights were created instead. Russell T Davies has said he likes to think both entities are "distant cousins". (DWMSE 23)

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