The Dæmons (TV story): Difference between revisions

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{{Infobox Story SMW
story name= The Dæmons |
|image= BentonCapturesMasterDaemons.jpg
image= [[file:Daemons_title.jpg|250px]]|
|series=[[Doctor Who television stories|''Doctor Who'' television stories]]
series=[[Doctor Who]] -<br/>[[List of television stories|TV Stories]] |
|season number= Season 8 (Doctor Who 1963)|
number= [[Season 8]]|
|season serial number = 5
story number= 59|
|story number= 59
doctor=[[Third Doctor]] |
|doctor = Third Doctor  
companions= [[Jo Grant]] <br/>[[Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart]]<br/>[[Mike Yates|Captain Mike Yates]] <br/>[[Sergeant Benton]]|
|companions = [[Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart|The Brigadier]], [[John Benton|Benton]], [[Mike Yates|Yates]], [[Jo Grant|Jo]]
enemy= [[The Master]] |
|featuring = Olive Hawthorne{{!}}Hawthorne
year= [[Devil's End]], [[Earth]], circa [[1970s]] |
|featuring2 = Tom Osgood
writer= [[Guy Leopold]] |
|enemy= {{Delgado|c}}
director= [[Christopher Barry]] |
|setting= [[Devil's End]], [[30 April]]-[[1 May]], [[20th century]]
producer= [[Barry Letts]] |
|writer= Guy Leopold{{!}}"Guy Leopold"
broadcast date= [[22nd May]] - [[19th June]] [[1971]] |
|director= [[Christopher Barry]]
format= 5 25-minute Episodes |
|producer= [[Barry Letts]]
production code= [[List of production codes|JJJ]]|
|novelisation= Doctor Who and the Dæmons (novelisation)
previous story= [[Colony in Space]]|
|epcount = 5
next story= [[Day of the Daleks]] }}
|broadcast date= 22 May - 19 June 1971
: ''For the [[Big Finish Productions]] audio drama, see [[The Demons]].''
|network = BBC1
'''''The Dæmons''''' was the fifth and final story of [[Season 8]]. It concluded a series-long succession of stories featuring [[The Master]] (though the character would continue to appear on an occasional basis for the next year or so).
|format= 5x25-minute episodes
|serial production code= [[List of production codes|JJJ]]
|prev= Colony in Space (TV story)
|next= Day of the Daleks (TV story)
|script = The Daemons (script)
|clip=Five rounds, rapid! - The Daemons - Doctor Who - BBC
|clip2 = Bessie - The car that drives itself - The Daemons - Doctor Who - BBC
|bts=Exclusive First Look - Aldbourne - Doctor Who The Daemons - BBC
|bts2 = Exclusive First Look A stormy nights sky - Doctor Who The Daemons - BBC
|audio commentary=https://soundcloud.com/fantompublishing/who-talk-the-daemons-extract-episode-three
|thwr = 191
}}{{you may|The Demons (audio story)|n1=the audio story|The Dæmons (reference book)|n2 = the reference book of the same name}}
'''''The Dæmons''''' was the fifth and final serial of [[Season 8 (Doctor Who 1963)|season 8]] of ''[[Doctor Who]]''. It concluded a series-long succession of stories featuring {{Delgado}}, ending with his incarceration. However, the character continued to appear on an occasional basis during [[Season 9 (Doctor Who 1963)|season 9]] and [[season 10 (Doctor Who 1963)|season 10]].


==Synopsis==
As of 2023, this was the last ever five-part ''Doctor Who'' television story, following only ''[[The Dominators (TV story)|The Dominators]]'' and ''[[The Mind Robber (TV story)|The Mind Robber]]'' from [[Season 6 (Doctor Who 1963)|Season 6]].
The Master, posing as a rural vicar, summons a cloven-hoofed demon in a church basement.


==Plot==
== Synopsis ==
===Episode one===
{{Delgado|c}}, posing as a rural vicar, summons a cloven-hoofed demon-like [[Dæmon|creature]] named [[Azal]] in a church crypt. Seeking to gain the ancient titan's demonic power, he gathers a cult and then corrupts or controls the residents of [[Devil's End]] to bow to his will. Dark elemental forces begin to disturb the village on the eve of [[May Day]]: unexplained [[murder]]s, a [[Bok|stone gargoyle]] come to life, and a nigh-impenetrable infernal energy dome. With the Master fully prepared to destroy the [[Earth]], [[the Doctor]] and [[UNIT]] — aided by a benevolent practitioner of witchcraft — battle the wicked rites of a secret science wielded by an alien from another world.
During a storm that whips through the village of Devil's End in Wiltshire, a dog gets away from its owner. He pursues it into a graveyard, only to encounter something unseen and die. The local doctor says that it was a heart attack, but Olive Hawthorne, the local witch, insists that the man died of fright. She casts her runes to find that there is evil afoot.


Near the village, an archaeological dig is excavating the infamous Devil's Hump, a Bronze Age burial mound. The dig is being covered by BBC Three. The interviewer, Alistair Fergus, speaks to the cantankerous Professor Horner, who claims that the Hump holds the treasure and tomb of a warrior chieftain, and that he plans to open the tomb at the stroke of midnight on April 30, the pagan festival of [[Beltane]].
== Plot ==
=== Episode one ===
During a stormy night in a sleepy village, a [[Jim (The Dæmons)|man]] leaves a pub with his dog. His dog runs away into a graveyard, where he sees something that causes him to fall to the ground, dead.


The television coverage is being watched by the Third Doctor and Jo at UNIT. While the Doctor scoffs at Jo's notions of the coming of the Age of Aquarius and the supernatural, he feels that something is wrong with the dig. On the television, they see Olive go to the dig to protest, warning of great evil and the coming of the horned one, but she is dismissed as a crank. The Doctor tells Jo that Olive Hawthorne is right — the dig must be stopped, and they start off to Devil's End.
Early the next morning, Miss [[Olive Hawthorne]] tries to convince the village GP, Dr. [[Reeves]], that the man died of fright but Reeves is having none of it; saying it was a simple [[heart attack]]. Hawthorne says she cast the runes this morning and knew that something bad was going to happen. As Reeves drives off she implores him not to open the barrow.
[[file:HawthorneControlsWeather.jpg|left|thumb|[[Olive Hawthorne|Hawthorne]] calms the weather]]
Olive returns to the village, and a strong wind whips up out of nowhere. She raises her hands to dismiss it, not knowing that the local constable, PC Groom, has gone into a trance behind her and is about to strike her with a stone. The wind dies down as she chants, and PC Groom regains his senses before he lands the blow. Olive then goes to see the vicar, but he has been mysteriously replaced with a new one, Mr Magister. Magister — actually the Master — tries to assure her that her fears are unfounded, but his hypnosis fails to overcome Olive's will, and she says she will find someone who will believe her.


The Doctor and Jo, driving to Devil's End, get lost when a wind spins a signpost and points them in the wrong direction. Over at the Hump, tempers start to flare for no reason. When the Doctor and Jo stop by the village pub to get directions, one of the villagers goes and informs the Master of the Doctor's presence. The Master tells him to get dressed for the ceremony.
Outside a large hill, a TV crew is setting up a live broadcast, fronted by [[Alastair Fergus]], where Professor [[Gilbert Horner]] is going to open the barrow.


On the way to the Hump, the Doctor's car, Bessie, is blocked by a fallen tree. Unable to budge it, the Doctor and Jo rush to the mound on foot. The Master, dressed in ceremonial robes and with a coven of thirteen acolytes, starts a summoning ritual in the church catacombs. As his chanting grows more frenzied, the Doctor and Jo reach the mound and the Doctor rushes inside to stop Horner, but it is too late. The tomb door opens and icy gusts of wind rush out and the ground begins to shake, toppling the camera crew and even the coven in the catacombs. The Master laughs triumphantly and calls the entity's name — Azal, and the eyes of a gargoyle, Bok, flare with a reddish glow. Jo enters the mound to find Horner and the Doctor motionless, covered with frost...
In a [[UNIT]] garage, Jo talks to the Doctor about the occult whilst he tampers with [[Bessie]]. The Doctor is exasperated saying that anything that seems magic or occult can be explained by science. As he talks to her, Jo is surprised to see Bessie seemingly drive off around the yard by itself and even honk in communication with the Doctor. [[Mike Yates]] emerges and says that it must be magic, but the Doctor shows a remote control he had in his pocket. Yates has come to pick Jo up so they can watch the broadcast of the opening of the barrow together. When Yates mentions it is in a village called [[Devil's End]], the name sparks curiosity in the Doctor's mind and he agrees to watch the programme with them.


===Episode two===
In a piece to camera, Fergus talks about the cavern under the church which is shrouded in stories of curses, pagans and witches and led to the barrow's name — the Devil's Hump. Yates, [[John Benton|Benton]], the Doctor and Jo watch. Horner begins to show the camera the site of the excavation. He explains that he believes there to be Anglo-Saxon treasure on the other side and that the viewers will find out at midnight. When questioned as to why midnight; Horner explains that midnight is the start of the occult festival of [[Beltane]]. When further pushed he explains it is a publicity stunt to advertise his new book, which is coming out tomorrow.
[[file:YatesBentonFlyingTheDaemons.jpg|left|thumb|[[Mike Yates|Yates]] and [[John Benton|Benton]] fly to [[Devil's End]] in the [[UNIT]] [[helicopter]]]]
Horner is dead, and the Doctor seems dead as well. The Master uses a knife to indicate a stone covered in ritual markings as the "appointed place", dismissing the coven. Back at UNIT, Captain Mike Yates and Sergeant Benton were watching the end of the broadcast as it went dead. They try to find out what's going on while attempting to contact the Brigadier, who had earlier gone for a night at the opera. Meanwhile, the village doctor discovers that the Doctor may not be entirely dead after all, but is puzzled when he hears the beating of two hearts. Jo telephones Yates, who tells her he will be there by helicopter in the morning, just as the line is cut off from the outside. The Master prays in the church as Jo watches over the still unconscious Doctor in the pub. At the dig, the ground shakes and the constable on duty sees something gigantic with heavy footsteps, and falls.
[[file:The Daemons Hoof prints.png|thumb|Hoof prints seen by Yates and Benton from helicopter.]]
In the morning, Yates and Benton fly by helicopter to Devil's End, and see burn marks on the fields before the village that resemble enormous footprints. Once in Devil's End, Benton decides to look around the village while Yates finally manages to contact the Brigadier, who is not pleased that Yates has commandeered his helicopter, and calls for a car. Benton, looking around in the church, finds Olive trapped in a cupboard, where the Master's verger, Garvin, had locked her. Down in the cellar to hide from Garvin, she tells Benton about Magister. Garvin comes down with a rifle, and Benton tries to disarm him. In the ensuing fight, Benton falls on the marked stone and seizes up. Garvin holds both of them at gunpoint and moves them outside, just as the ground starts to shake. Garvin fires up at something gigantic, but is engulfed in a fireball. The heat wave extends even into the village, knocking Jo and Yates down, just as the Doctor awakens with a start. Olive and Benton make their way back to the pub, and the Doctor discusses the incident with Olive, who says that she saw the devil, 30 feet high and with horns. The Doctor is told of the new vicar, and realises who is behind this, as "Magister" is Latin for "Master".


The Brigadier finds himself unable to enter the village, as there is a barrier surrounding it that causes anything trying to enter to heat up and burst into flame. He contacts Yates and is briefed on the situation while the Doctor and Jo return to the dig, an act the Master seems to be able to sense. They find the constable dead and a small spaceship in the mound the same shape as the Hump. Jo tries to lift it but cannot, as the Doctor explains that it weighs 750 tons. Suddenly, Bok leaps into the tent covering the entrance to the tomb, about to attack...
The Doctor is very concerned and thinks there must be a link to all this. Outside the site of the excavation, Horner is confronted, on air, by Hawthorne. She says that they are dealing with forces they don't understand and that they will bring about death and disaster. When asked how she knows this she says it is because she is a witch. Both Horner and Fergus laugh and dismiss her message. As they move off she warns that [[the Devil]] is coming. The Doctor heads off. When asked where he is going he says he is going to Devil's End as he believes that Hawthorne is right. Fergus signs off his live broadcast.


===Episode three===
In the pub, [[Bert (The Dæmons)|Bert]] the landlord, [[Tom Girton]] and Reeves are scornful of Hawthorne. The village squire, [[Winstanley]], does speak up and say that there have been some very odd occurrences since the barrow started to be excavated. He cites that the weather has been extreme and that the cows have dried up. They all laugh him off. The village constable, [[Groom (The Dæmons)|Groom]], congratulates Hawthorne on her TV appearance. As she walks off a huge gust of wind stops her in her tracks. She begins to chant a spell. Unseen behind her the policeman, in a trance, picks up a large [[rock]] and goes to strike her. The spell seems to stop the wind and the policeman comes to, not understanding why he has a rock in his hand.
The Doctor wards him off with some words in a strange language and an iron trowel. The Doctor explains to Jo that it was actually the words of a Venusian lullaby — it was the gargoyle's own superstition that drove it back.
[[file:MasterAndBok.jpg|thumb|left|The Master sends Bok on a mission of death]]
The Master, in the meantime, hypnotises the squire, Winstanley, as Olive and the Doctor debate about whether it is magic or science that is at work here. The Brigadier discovers that the heat shield is dome shaped, centred on the church, with a radius of ten miles out and one mile high. The Doctor shows the others pictures of various horned gods and demons from Olive's occult and history book collection, and explains that the creature Olive saw was an extraterrestrial, one of the Dæmons from the planet Dæmos, 60,000 light years away, who came to Earth one hundred thousand years before. The small spaceship's actual size is 200 feet long and 30 feet across, and the heat and cold waves they have been experiencing are the result of the energy displaced when the ship shrinks or grows. The Doctor further explains that the Dæmons have influenced Earth throughout its history, becoming part of human myth, and see the planet as a giant experiment. The Master has called the Dæmon up once, and right now, it is so small as to be invisible. The third summoning, however, could signal the end of the experiment, and the world.
[[file:The Daemons Doctor and Brig Heat barrier.png|thumb|The Doctor and the Brigadier with the heat barrier between them.]]
The Brigadier contacts Yates and says he is about to try attacking the heat shield from the air. The Doctor warns him not to, saying that it would only strengthen it, and suggests they use a diathermic energy exchanger. When UNIT technician Osgood fails to understand what the Doctor is getting at, he says he will come out and explain. When he does so, Tom Girton, one the villagers working with Master, hijacks the UNIT helicopter and uses it to attack the Doctor. The Doctor manages to swerve Bessie out of the way and the helicopter explodes against the heat shield. As the Doctor relates his instructions to Osgood, who protests that it goes against the laws of physics, the Master summons Azal again. A heat wave and an earth tremor once again sweeps through the village as Azal curses the Master for daring to summon him again.


===Episode four===
The Doctor and Jo approach Devil's End, but a gust of wind turns a signpost up ahead and sends them in the wrong direction. Hawthorne goes to the church and encounters [[Garvin]], the verger, in the cemetery. She says she wishes to see the vicar, but Garvin says that Mr Magister is busy. Hawthorne says she wishes to see the old vicar, Canon [[Smallwood (The Dæmons)|Smallwood]], but Garvin says that he was taken ill and had to retire. Hawthorne does not believe that, as Smallwood left overnight without saying goodbye to anyone, and says she will see the new vicar, but Garvin will not let her pass. There is an argument that is stopped by the new vicar — who is revealed to be {{Delgado}}.
The Master tries to dismiss Azal with an iron candlestick holder, but it does not seem to work. He demands that Azal give him the power that is his right, but Azal warns him that he is not the Master's servant. Azal also senses the presence of another like the Master, and wants to speak to the Doctor to see if he is worthy to take over the world. Azal says on his third appearance, he will decide if Earth deserves to continue existing. If so, he will give it to the Master. Azal then vanishes in another heat wave.


[[file:AzalBearsFangs.jpg|thumb|[[Azal]] reveals his horrible countenance to everyone in the church]]After explaining the process of creating the exchanger to Osgood, the Doctor returns to the village. However, the Master's agents are at work, and he is soon captured by a mob of villagers and tied up to a maypole, about to be burned alive. Olive goes to the mob and tells them that the Doctor is a mighty wizard, and with some help from Benton's silenced Pistol and a remote controlled Bessie, convinces the mob that the Doctor does indeed have magical powers. Jo and Mike, meanwhile, have returned to the church cellar and watch, hidden, as the Master gathers his coven to summon Azal one last time. Jo tries to interrupt the ritual, but it is too late.
The Brigadier is heading out to a function, leaving Yates and Benton stuck at base. Hawthorne asks for Magister's help. He tries to placate her and says she has nothing to be worried about. When this fails, he tries to hypnotise her, but to no avail. When she leaves, the Master sends Garvin after her. Night approaches and the Doctor and Jo are lost. The production team are putting the final touches to the live broadcast. Horner is keen to ensure that Hawthorne is not around.


===Episode five===
Yates and Benton are meanwhile distracted from the dig by the rugby highlights. The Doctor and Jo enter the pub to ask for directions to the Devil's Hump. Bert says to them there's no need to go up there, as the excavation is on television; he has set up a black-and-white TV set on the bar so the customers can watch. The Doctor is questioned by the locals who think that he is in league with Hawthorne. Eventually, Jo manages to get directions from Winstanley and they move on. One of the customers in the pub, Girton, finishes his drink and exits the pub soon after the Doctor and Jo. Girton has gone to the Master and tells him of the Doctor's arrival. The Master tells him to prepare for a ceremony. The Master puts on a red robe and goes into the cavern with other robed minions.
With another rush of heat, Azal manifests himself and Jo and Yates are taken prisoner. Outside, the Doctor explains that to the now calmer villagers that his "magic" was due to science, and so is the Master's trickery. The rituals are merely used to focus the psychokinetic energy of humans that the Master needs to summon the Dæmons. As Jo is prepared as a sacrifice to Azal, the exchanger finally works and UNIT forces go through the gap created in the heat shield, but the gap only lasts a few minutes and the exchanger soon overloads. Mike manages to escape and tell the Doctor about Jo, but Bok is guarding the entrance to the catacombs. The use of the exchanger momentarily weakens Bok and Azal, and the Doctor manages to rush by the gargoyle. He makes it down to the cellar, where the Master is expecting him.
[[file:Azal defeated.png|thumb|left|Azal wracked in agony.]]
Outside, UNIT troops start firing at Bok, who can disintegrate objects and people with a wave of his hand, but he is also bulletproof. Even a bazooka does not work, as the pieces of the gargoyle reform almost instantly. Inside the church, the Master makes his case to the Dæmon that he will rule the Earth experiment's people for their own good. The Doctor argues that Man should be given a chance to grow up. Azal finally decides to give his power to the Master, and fires electricity at the Doctor to kill him. However, Jo, steps in front of the Doctor, asking Azal to kill her instead. [[file:BentonCapturesMasterDaemons.jpg|thumb|Benton captures the Master]]This act of self-sacrifice does not make sense to Azal, and the confusion sends him into an agony. He shouts for all of them to leave as he is dying. Bok reverts to his stone form, and as everyone runs out of the church, it blows up. The Master tries to escape in Bessie, but the Doctor's remote control brings the car back, and the Master is taken into custody, to be put in maximum security.


Olive Hawthorne hears the sound of bird songs and the smell of flowers once again, as the Earth is reborn each May Day. Olive takes Benton to dance around the maypole with the rest of the townsfolk, while Yates and the Brigadier go off to the pub for a drink. The Doctor and Jo join the dance, as the May Day celebrations continue and the Doctor remarks to Jo that perhaps there is magic in the world after all.
The live broadcast begins as the Doctor and Jo approach in Bessie. The Master begins a ceremony summoning "the Dark One". A [[tree]] falls on the road, stopping the Doctor and Jo. Unable to move it, they leave Bessie and continue on foot. Horner begins the excavation. The robed minions begin to chant as the Master casts a spell. Horner gets deeper into the barrow. As the Doctor runs towards the barrow he shouts for the dig to stop. The Master reaches the end of his spell.


==Cast==
Horner pulls a stone. There is a roaring noise and the ground starts to tremble as icy wind and ash rushes from the barrow. People are forced to the ground by the power of the wind. The Master laughs as the church begins to shake. The gargoyles come alive. Jo watches as the Doctor and Horner fall to the ground as the excavation site caves in.
*[[Third Doctor|Doctor Who]] - [[Jon Pertwee]]
*[[Jo Grant]] - [[Katy Manning]]
*[[The Master]] - [[Roger Delgado]]
*[[Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart]] - [[Nicholas Courtney]]
*Captain [[Mike Yates]] - [[Richard Franklin]]
*[[Sergeant Benton]] - [[John Levene]]
*[[Olive Hawthorne]] - [[Damaris Hayman]]
*[[Bert the Landlord]] - [[Don McKillop]]
*[[Winstanley]] - [[Rollo Gamble]]
*[[Gilbert Horner|Professor Horner]] - [[Robin Wentworth]]
*[[Alastair Fergus]] - [[David Simeon]]
*[[Harry (The Dæmons)|Harry]] - [[James Snell]]
*[[Garvin]] - [[John Joyce]]
*[[Reeves|Dr. Reeves]] - [[Eric Hillyard]]
*[[Tom Girton]] - [[Jon Croft]]
*[[Groom|PC Groom]] - [[Christopher Wray]]
*[[Baker's Man]] - [[Gerald Taylor]]
*[[Bok]] - [[Stanley Mason]]
*[[Osgood (The Dæmons)|Sgt. Osgood]] - [[Alec Linstead]]
*[[Thorpe]] - [[John Owens]]
*[[Azal]] - [[Stephen Thorne]]
*[[Morris dancing|Morris Dancers]] - [[The Headington Quarry Men]]
*[[Jones (The Dæmons)|Jones]] - [[Matthew Corbett]]


==Crew==
=== Episode two ===
*[[Assistant Floor Manager]] - [[Sue Hedden]]
Yates and Benton have finished watching the rugby and turn over to see how the dig went. They see Jo weeping over the body of the Doctor before the transmission breaks down. A hastily assembled caption slide reading <small>DEVIL'S END / TEMPORARY FAULT / BBC-3 TV</small> is displayed and a continuity announcer says all contact has been lost with Devil's End, but transmission will be resumed as soon as possible: "In the meantime, here is some music..."
*[[Costumes]] - [[Barbara Lane]]
*[[Designer (crew)|Designer]] - [[Roger Ford]]
*[[Fight Arranger]] - [[Peter Diamond]]
*[[Film Cameraman]] - [[Fred Hamilton]]
*[[Film Editor]] - [[Chris Wimble]]
*[[Incidental Music]] - [[Dudley Simpson]]
*[[Make-Up]] - [[Jan Harrison]]
*[[Producer]] - [[Barry Letts]]
*[[Production Assistant]] - [[Peter Grimwade]]
*[[Script Editor]] - [[Terrance Dicks]]
*[[Special Sounds]] - [[Brian Hodgson]]
*[[Studio Lighting]] - [[Tony Millier]]
*[[Studio Sound]] - [[Ralph Walton]]
*[[Theme Arrangement]] - [[Delia Derbyshire]]
*[[Doctor Who theme|Title Music]] - [[Ron Grainer]]
*[[Visual Effects]] - [[Peter Day]]


==References==
Yates and Benton go to find out what happened and try to make contact with the Brigadier. Jo and the TV crew at the dig try to unearth the Doctor and Horner.
===[[:Category:Broadcasters|Broadcasters]]===
*The dig is broadcast on [[BBC3]]. This revelation will be taken differently by different audiences. At the time ''The Dæmons'' was broadcast, there was no such thing as BBC3. Consequently, to the contemporaneous audience, this was an indication that the story was not set in the present day, but a few years in the future. The writer and producers perhaps felt that BBC3 was no more than a few years off, therefore allowing them to sneakily set the story in the ''late'' [[1970s]]. It made sense, at the time, to include these little nods to the future, as it was the general intent of [[Derrick Sherwin|Sherwin]]/[[Barry Letts|Letts]]/[[Philip Hinchcliffe|Hinchcliffe]]-era [[UNIT]] stories that they be set in the slight future. However, in this case, the trick falls flat on a modern audience. In real life, BBC3 wasn't launched until [[2003]], which only adds to the broader [[UNIT dating controversy]], since the story is otherwise quite evidently not set in the same time period as, say, ''[[Rose (TV story)|Rose]]''. Very young audience members won't be troubled by the remark at all, since, for them, BBC3 has ''always'' been around. Likewise, non-Britons will likely not understand the gag at all, regardless of their age.
*To add to/confuse matters still further, the most recent broadcast of this story on the BBC was on 21 and 22 October 2007 - not on BBC 3, but on BBC FOUR. (The broadcast compiled episodes 1. 2 and 3 into one broadcast on October 21 2007, and episodes 4 and 5 the following evening)


===[[:Category:The Doctor's items|The Doctor's items]]===
The Master talks to "the Devil", whom he calls [[Azal]]. He agrees to meet him later at the site of a stone in the cavern. He sends the hooded disciples away. [[Harry (The Dæmons)|Harry]], one of the TV crew, says that the Doctor has been frozen through and is dead. Jo is distraught and begs someone to find a doctor. Harry sends another of the crew to find one.
* The Doctor has fitted [[Bessie]] with a remote control.


===[[:Category:The Master|The Master]]===
Benton and Yates can get no information from the [[BBC (in-universe)|BBC]] and can't contact the Brigadier, who went on somewhere else after the dinner. The continuity announcer says they still can't get through to the outside broadcast unit and the dig. Yates says he has a good mind to go down to Devil's End himself and find out what's going on. Benton points out that the Brigadier would go spare, and they might get news at any minute. Yates says that might be the case, and asks what's happening to Jo and the Doctor.
* [[The Master]] has taken over as vicar in [[Devil's End]].


===[[:Category:Races and species|Races and species]]===
The Doctor and Horner are both pronounced dead by Dr. Reeves. Jo is distraught, but Reeves says he is a solid block of [[ice]]. As Jo weeps, Reeves is astounded to hear a pulse and sends Bert for blankets and hot [[water]] bottles. Reeves is confused when he thinks he hears [[Binary vascular system|two hearts]]. Jo ask Bert if she can use his phone. She rings Yates, asking him to come and help; he says he and Benton will come in the morning in the [[helicopter]]. Suddenly, the line goes dead as the cable is cut by an unseen someone using wire-cutters.
* [[Azal]] is one of the [[Dæmon]]s from the planet [[Dæmos]].
*It is implied that Azal (or his race) destroyed [[Atlantis]] (which makes it the second explanation of how Atlantis fell).
*Bok is a stone automaton animated by Azal and mind-controlled by the Master. It has a fear of [[iron]] and is repelled by the Doctor's use of a [[Venusian lullaby]].
*When coming to grips with the idea that the [[Dæmon]]s might be [[alien]], [[Sergeant Benton]] compares them to other alien species he's met, namely the [[Axon]]s ([[DW]]: ''[[The Claws of Axos]]'') and [[Cyberman (Mondas)|Cybermen]] ([[DW]]: ''[[The Invasion]]'')  The latter is one of the only references to the Cybermen in the whole of [[Jon Pertwee]]'s time as the regular lead of the programme.


==Story notes==
The Devil's Hump is evacuated, leaving PC Groom to guard the site. Unbeknownst to him, red eyes glow behind him. The next day, Jo watches over the Doctor as he rests. The Master begins an incantation at the altar. The ground shakes at the Devil's Hump and a huge figure emerges from the barrow. Groom turns around and sees the figure.
* The shot of the exploding helicopter is actually a scene taken from James Bond film ''From Russia With Love''.
* The Master's summoning phrases for Azal is 'Mary had a little lamb' backwards.
* 'Guy Leopold' (the writer), is a pen name for [[Robert Sloman]] and [[Barry Letts]].
*This story had the working title; '''The Demons'''.
*The area under the church is always referred to as 'the cavern' and never 'the crypt'. This was a BBC requirement to avoid the risk of causing offence to viewers with religious sensibilities. Similarly, much to director Christopher Barry's amazement, no mention of God was permitted to be made in the story's dialogue, in case this was considered to be blasphemeous &ndash; although references to the Devil were acceptable.
*The Doctor calls himself "the Great Wizard Quiquaeqoud". Qui, quae and quod are, respectively, the masculine, feminine and neuter forms of the Latin word for "who".
*Despite a request made by Barry Letts whilst he was still producer for the 625 line PAL Colour Videotapes of the story to be preserved in the BBC Archives as an example of 1970s ''Doctor Who'', for some unknown reason only Episode Four was kept. The 625 line PAL Colour Videotapes of Episodes One, Two, Three and Five were either erased for reuse, junked or lost, with only 16mm Black & White Film telerecordings made for overseas sale being retained.
*In the DVD featurette ''Terrance Dicks: Fact & Fiction'' (included on the DVD of ''[[Horror of Fang Rock]]''), Dicks confesses that he originally cut out the famous "Chap with the wings, five rounds rapid" line, but it was reinstated at Letts' request.
*It was believed by a number of viewers that the model of the church blown up for the final episode (a replica of an actual church) was in fact real. Calls were received by the BBC deploring the destruction of the church.


===Ratings===
[[File:YatesBentonFlyingTheDaemons.jpg|left|thumb|[[Mike Yates|Yates]] and [[John Benton|Benton]] fly to [[Devil's End]] in the [[UNIT]] [[helicopter]].]]
*Episode 1 - 9.2 million viewers
Yates and Benton approach Devil's End by helicopter. As they approach, they see a line of huge hoofprints. The pair land to investigate and estimate that the creature must have been thirty feet high. They head off in the helicopter to the village to find Jo and the Doctor.
*Episode 2 - 8.0 million viewers
*Episode 3 - 8.1 million viewers
*Episode 4 - 8.1 million viewers
*Episode 5 - 8.3 million viewers


===Myths===
[[File:The Daemons Hoof prints.png|thumb|Huge hoofprints seen by Yates and Benton from the helicopter.]]
*There was a sixth episode planned, where the Master escaped UNIT. ''(This was an [[April Fool's Day|April Fool's joke]] in the fanzine [[Dream Watch Bulletin|DWB]].)''
Jo hears the helicopter approaching and rushes out to meet Yates and Benton. She says that something devilish is going on. Benton heads off to look at the tracks whilst Yates is reminded that the Brigadier is yet to have been told about the events. The Brigadier, however, has already found out about the disappearance of Yates, Benton and his helicopter. He calls for a staff car to take him to Devil's End.


===Influences===
While walking in the churchyard, Benton hears cries for help from within the church, where he finds Hawthorne who was tied up and put in a chest by Garvin. As they go to leave, they see Garvin approach and head down into the cavern to elude him. As they hide, Garvin comes in and looks around, before leaving again. Hawthorne tells Benton of her suspicions regarding Mr Magister. She sees the altar and says that this is the scene of a black magic cult. Garvin enters with a shotgun. Benton tries to disarm him and a long fight ensues. Benton ends up standing on a strangely carved stone and is attacked by a force which renders him unconscious. Hawthorne helps him up.
* This story makes a few nods towards ''Quatermass and the Pit'', and not just for the idea that stories of devils and demons may be a race memory of horned [[alien]]s who conducted a [[eugenics]] experiment on early [[human]]s. ''[[Devil's End]]'' is essentially the same as ''Hobb's Lane'', the fictitious London setting of the earlier story, Hob being an old name for the Devil. The use of [[iron]] to hold both [[Azal]] and [[Bok]] at bay is an old folk superstition that is also referred to in the [[Quatermass]] story. (See also [[DW]]: ''[[Image of the Fendahl]]''.)
* The large hoof prints left by Azal as he walks around the village of Devil's End and encircles the community with a heat barrier brings to mind a famous and well-documented case. On the morning of [[9th February]], 1855fa the inhabitants of several villages and towns in [[Devon]] awoke to find what appeared to be the tracks of a hooved, two-legged creature in the snow, traversing a total distance of one hundred miles, going over rooftops, a 14-foot wall, and even apparently leaping across a two mile wide estuary. Many believed that the Devil himself had walked through Devon the previous night.


===Filming locations===
Yates tries to wake the Doctor. Garvin, Hawthorne and Benton leave the church and discover huge gusts of wind and blindingly bright lights. Hawthorne and Benton escape whilst the creature bears down on Garvin. Garvin tries to shoot the creature and is killed in a fireball. The whole village shakes and succumbs to the bright light. The creature walks to the stone in the cavern.
*Aldbourne, Wiltshire
*Ramsbury Airfield, Ramsbury, Wiltshire
*[[BBC Television Centre]] (Studio 4), Shepherd's Bush, [[London]]


===Production errors===
The Doctor awakens with a shout of "Eureka!" The Master welcomes Azal. A roaring noise forces the driver of a baker's van out of his vehicle eight miles away from Devil's End; the van then bursts into flames. The Doctor assures Jo and Yates that everything is alright. He says he knows what is causing the issues. Hawthorne enters with Benton who is suffering from the effects of the fight. The Master is told of the survival of Hawthorne and Benton by a source in the pub.
 
Hawthorne blames the elementals — creatures of the devil. She also says that she saw the devil. When pressed she says it was thirty feet high and horned. The Doctor says she must have been mistaken but Hawthorne is insistent. She says that an occult ceremony held by the new vicar Mr Magister caused this event. The Doctor notes to Jo that Magister is [[Latin]] for Master.
 
The baker's man stops the Brigadier's staff car and tells him of the explosion of his van. As the Brigadier and his driver are investigating, he asks the baker's man if the village they are heading for is Devil's End, using his swagger stick to indicate the way; as he does so, the end of the stick suddenly catches fire. The Brigadier pulls the stick back, and then brings it up again, whereupon it once more ignites. The Brigadier says they will try and approach from a different direction, the south, leaving the baker's man at the scene. The Doctor and Jo clear the tree away and drive up to the Devil's Hump.
 
The Brigadier approaches Devil's End and hears the roaring noise again. He stops the car and throws a branch ahead of him, where it bursts into flames. He contacts Yates to tell him about the heat barrier. Yates tells him all that has happened in the village and the Brigadier is very sceptical with regards to the protestations of the occult. Yates also tells the Brigadier about the Master's involvement.
 
The Master begins an incantation. There is a noise above and the Master goes to the window and looks. The Doctor and Jo return to the Devil's Hump and find Groom’s lifeless corpse. They head into the excavation site. Unknown to them, one of the [[Bok|gargoyles]] from the church has come alive and is watching them. The Doctor looks around the excavation site and the gargoyle approaches.
 
The Doctor finds a metal model of a spaceship in the ground that is the exact same dimensions as the tomb that they are in. He begins to explain his theory when the gargoyle enters. Jo screams as it advances on them.
 
=== Episode three ===
The Doctor brandishes something at the gargoyle and mutters some incomprehensible words: "Klokeda partha mennin klatch!" The gargoyle is repelled.
 
The Master senses the issue and urges the gargoyle on before bidding it to return. The Doctor explains that he brandished the iron trowel and muttered the first line to a [[Venusian lullaby]] to trick the gargoyle into thinking he was doing magic. The gargoyle believes in magic even if the Doctor doesn't.
 
The Master has gone to Winstanley and urges him to call a meeting of the villagers. When he refuses, the Master hypnotizes him into agreeing. The Master says he has power which will conserve the world and says he can control the forces raised. He admits to Winstanley that it was he who caused what happened at Devil's Hump. Winstanley rubbishes the Master's claims and the Master summons up a furious wind which rushes through the house as proof. Winstanley begs him to stop and then agrees.
 
Hawthorne presents the Doctor with books on the occult saying that she believes the situation to have been caused by the supernatural and magic. The Doctor thinks this is rubbish and says it is science. The Doctor begins a briefing where he will lay out his plan when he is interrupted by the Brigadier who is radioing for Yates. The Brigadier informs them that the heat barrier is 10 miles around the village with its centre being the church. The Doctor asks if they can go over it. As he says this the [[Royal Air Force|RAF]], having performed tests, report that the barrier goes a mile above the village too. The Doctor hangs up and begins his briefing. He shows the people assembled slides of [[Egypt]]ian gods, [[Hindu]] demons and the Devil, and points out that they are all similar in appearance. He says that these are all the same creatures which came from another world that are far older and more dangerous than any other alien life form that UNIT have ever dealt with. He says they are called Dæmons and they come from Dæmos 60,000 light years away on the other side of the galaxy. He explains that they first came to Earth 100,000 years ago.
 
At the town hall, the villagers are assembled. Winstanley brings the meeting to order and introduces the Master.
 
The Doctor explains that the ship and the Dæmons diminish and expand in size which explains the severe heat and cold that the village keeps experiencing. He goes on to say that the first time the Dæmons helped humans was when they helped the Homo sapiens kick out Neanderthal man, and that they returned to help the [[Greek]]s start their civilisation and contributed to the Renaissance and the Industrial Revolution. Hawthorne is confused as to why the Dæmons are dangerous if they have helped humankind for so long. The Doctor explains that, whilst they are not evil, they are amoral and that they see the Earth as a scientific experiment. As they have been called here by the Master, their experiment may fail which could lead to the total annihilation of the Earth or domination by the Master.
 
The Master exposes all the secrets he knows about the people at the meeting. Once he shows that he has this control over them he says that if they do what he says they can have whatever they want.
 
The Doctor explains that the Dæmon that has been summoned will appear three times - the third time they will learn their fate. He says that the Dæmon must be in the cavern with the Master but, at the moment, it is so small it is practically invisible. While they talk Bert busies himself nearby. The Brigadier contacts Yates and tells him they intend to blast their way in and that they should evacuate to the cellar. The Doctor blocks this and says that the energy release will strengthen the heat barrier and will cause huge reprisals. He says he has a better idea. He asks if they have a Condenser Unit in the Mobile HQ. They do. The Doctor advises them to build a [[Dyothermic Energy Exchanger|dyothermic energy exchanger]]. He tells them how to build it but Sergeant [[Tom Osgood|Osgood]], the UNIT technical officer, doesn't know where to begin. The Doctor says he will come to the edge of the heat barrier and explain it himself. Bert, having overheard all this, sneaks out. Jo complains about the Brigadier and the Doctor tells her that he is her superior.
 
The Master is still persuading the villagers when Bert comes in and whispers something to him. The Master summons Girton from the crowd and whispers orders to him. Finished with Girton, the Master tells the villagers that they must submit to him and show obedience. Winstanley interrupts, objecting, but the Master says he doesn't need them and says they are like dust beneath his feet and that they should obey or be destroyed. Winstanley says the villagers will hear no more of this and begins to lead them out. The Master summons the gargoyle which kills Winstanley. The villagers coil back and, promising to do what the Master says, leave.
[[File:MasterAndBok.jpg|thumb|left|The Master sends Bok on a mission of death.]]
In the pub, Yates sees Girton getting into the helicopter. Yates runs out and tries to stop him, but Girton is too strong and knocks him out. As it flies off, Yates recovers and shoots at the helicopter but to no avail. He takes off in pursuit on a motorbike.
 
As the Doctor and Jo make their way to the edge of the heat shield they see the helicopter which tries to force them into driving into the heat barrier. They see Yates approach on the motorbike, who says he will draw Girton off, but the Doctor tells him to keep back. The Doctor drives Bessie directly towards the heat barrier but, just at the last moment, turns off and skids to a halt. The helicopter crashes into the heat shield and explodes but Jo is thrown from the car and knocked out. Yates helps Jo up and takes her back to the village whilst the Doctor heads off to meet the Brigadier on the motorbike.
 
The Master and the gargoyle make their way into the cavern.
 
The Doctor stops just short of the heat barrier, where the Brigadier is waiting for him. Disregarding the Brigadier’s madness at the loss of the helicopter, the Doctor says they will need to harness the electricity from some nearby [[pylon]]s to create 10,000 volts to kick-start the dyothermic energy exchanger. He begins to explain to Osgood what to do.
 
The Master begins to summon Azal.
 
Jo is feverish and mumbles about something going on in the cavern. Yates tries to calm her and Dr Reeves gives her an injection which sends her to sleep.
 
Azal arrives and towers hugely above the Master. Tremors are felt throughout the village. The Master begs Azal to stop before he destroys him.
 
=== Episode four ===
After the tremors have subsided, the Doctor continues to explain to Osgood how to set up the exchanger.
 
The Master implores Azal back.
 
Jo awakes and says she must go to the cavern. She hears people outside her door but finds a ladder at her window and climbs down.
 
Yates wants to investigate the village but Benton stops him.
 
The Doctor orders Sergeant Osgood to reverse the polarity on the exchanger. The Brigadier tells Osgood to hurry and says he has absolute trust in the Doctor.
 
Azal asks the Master why he was called. The Master says he has knowledge and power to rule over the Primitives due to the fact that he is superior to them but needs Azal's help. Azal says that there is another of the Master's race on the planet and wishes to speak to him. The Master blocks this but Azal gets cross and says that he is not the Master's slave and notes that the Master is not immortal. The Master apologises. Azal notes that the Master's will is strong and his mind great and he will consider an alliance with him. He says he will call once more but warns the Master that his race detests failure and implores him to remember [[Atlantis]]. He adds that he is the last of the Dæmons and it is his responsibility to destroy any failure. The Master still says he wishes Azal to return. Azal orders the Master to leave. The Master runs, laughing as tremors rush through the village.
 
Jo approaches the cavern as the tremors take hold.
 
The Doctor sees the village shaking and rushes Osgood saying he wants to leave. Osgood still doesn't understand what is being asked of him so the Doctor runs through it one last time.
 
Yates pulls himself together after the tremors and goes to look for Jo and finds her gone with the window open. He tells Benton and leaves to go after her.
 
The Master is giving orders to Bert to deal with the Doctor. He also tells him that next time he summons Azal he will need the power of the whole coven to control him. Bert leaves and Yates, who has been outside, rushes to hide. As the man drives off, Yates enters the church. Unbeknownst to him Jo falls out of a hedge unconscious.
 
The Doctor finishes his explanation to Osgood and rushes off.
 
Jo awakes and enters the church - going straight into the cavern. She is scared by a gargoyle and her scream brings her to the attention of Yates who berates her for leaving the pub. He warns her that the cavern is filled with booby traps, spells, elementals and force-fields. To prove his point, he throws a book onto the same carved stone that Benton inadvertently stood on earlier, and the book is torn to pieces. They head off to leave but have to hide as a member of the coven enters, putting a [[dagger]] down on the altar.
 
Bert takes potshots at the Doctor with a [[rifle]]. The Doctor falls off his motorbike and runs into the woods.
 
The Master begins the ceremony.
 
Benton tries to get in touch with the Brigadier but can't.
 
Osgood tells the Brigadier that the exchanger is blocking the radio signals but Osgood explains it should do its job in a couple of minutes. As he says this, the machine explodes and Osgood says he will need at least another half an hour.
 
Bert reports to the Master that the Doctor got away. The Master says he will need to be welcomed back to the village. Bert smiles and departs.
 
Benton and the Brigadier take advantage of the exchanger not working to talk. They are worried about the whereabouts of the Doctor. The Brigadier tells Benton to let the Doctor know that they are having issues with the exchanger when he returns. Benton goes to look out the window and sees the arrival of Morris Dancers. The Doctor arrives during their display and the dancers integrate him into their dance. Soon enough they have captured him and their leader, Bert, pulls out a gun. The Doctors is tied to the [[maypole]].
 
Benton wants to go out an help but as soon as he opens the door he is attacked by a Morris dancer. They fight and it looks like the dancer has the better of Benton when Hawthorne knocks him out using her crystal ball. Before Benton goes steaming out Hawthorne gives him some advice on how they could go forward more effectively.
 
The Doctor tries to turn the villagers against the Master but Bert tells the assembled villagers that he is a black witch and should be burned.
 
The Master begins his ceremony and the eyes of the gargoyle light up.
 
The villagers are preparing the pyre but Hawthorne stops them just before they set it alight. She tells the villagers that the Doctor is a Great Wizard and offers salvation. The Doctor plays along. Hawthorne implores the Doctor to show a sign of great power and suggests he shatters the lamp in a nearby lamppost. The Doctor orders the lamp to shatter - and it does. He then shouts "Now!" to a [[weathercock]] on the church steeple, and it spins round, Unbeknownst to the villagers, it is Benton shooting these things with a pellet gun. Bert doesn't believe it and again threatens the Doctor with his gun. Benton cannot get a clear shot on the man. The Doctor, in his last spell of wizardry moves Bessie of her own volition. Bert refuses to turn around and gets knocked over by the car. Benton comes out and disarms Bert whilst Hawthorne unties the Doctor.
 
The Master intends to summon Azal with the sacrifice of a [[chicken]] but Jo stops him - however it is too late. Jo looks on as the Dæmon grows large before her eyes.
 
[[File:AzalBearsFangs.jpg|thumb|[[Azal]] reveals his horrible countenance to everyone in the church.]]
 
=== Episode five ===
The Brigadier observes the tremors and orders Osgood to hurry up.
 
The villagers pick themselves up. Benton wants to go straight to the church to investigate but the Doctor blocks him. Bert says that this proves the Doctor is afraid, but the Doctor says everyone should be afraid.
 
The Master welcomes Azal. Jo runs but the gargoyle stops her. Yates tries to shoot it but the gargoyle blasts the gun out of his hand, disarming him. Yates is tied up and Jo is dragged away.
 
The Doctor admits he is not a wizard. Bert begins to gloat but the villagers have turned against him. He shows the villagers how he moved Bessie through his remote control and says that it is science and not magic that is explaining the goings on in the village. He goes on to say that the Master is using Time Lord and Daemon science. The man asks how the Master could have called Azal without the use of magic and the Doctor explains that it is through the channelling of negative emotions to create a psychokinetic energy. Benton is still itching to get to the church but the Doctor says they should wait for the energy exchanger.
 
The Master demands power from Azal, who says he will listen to the Master’s demands. The Master says that everyone in the universe is subservient to him with the exception of Azal. Jo is brought in, wearing a white robe. The Master says that he will offer Jo to him as a sacrifice. Yates manages to escape and reports to the Doctor. The Doctor radios the Brigadier and orders the machine to come through now. The Brigadier orders Osgood to operate the machine. As he does the machine starts to smoke. The Brigadier orders Osgood to keep trying.
 
The Doctor marshals the villagers to surround the church.
 
[[Jones (The Dæmons)|One of the coven]] warns the Master that the villagers are approaching and he orders the gargoyle to guard the door of the church.
 
Seeing the gargoyle, the villagers run. Bert tries to approach the gargoyle but he is vaporised by a blast from Bok's claw.
 
The exchanger is at maximum. The Doctor tells the Brigadier to use the booster. The Brigadier orders Osgood to use it, but he is reluctant so the Brigadier activates it himself.
 
The Master begins the sacrificial ceremony. Some of his coven begin to question his orders.
 
The exchanger starts to work. It creates a tunnel in the heat barrier which is still warm but passable. The UNIT vehicles begin to drive through.
 
Azal is in pain, affected by the energy exchanger.
 
The Brigadier tells the Doctor that everything is through bar the machine. The Doctor says he needs it. The Brigadier orders Osgood through. As soon as the machine makes it through it explodes. The Doctor hears the explosion and the Brigadier confirms the news. The Doctor says he is going to go in when the creature is weak. He dodges the gargoyle and runs in. He enters the cavern and is shocked to see the size of Azal. The Master welcomes him.
 
The UNIT vehicles arrive outside the church. The Brigadier wants to go after the Doctor but Yates shows him the gargoyle and his ability. The Brigadier orders [[Jenkins (The Dæmons)|one of his men]] to shoot it, but to no avail.
 
The Doctor tells the Master that he knows he is going to die now he is in the cavern. The Master tells Azal to kill the Doctor. Azal refuses as he senses that the Doctor is not of this planet. The Master says he is a meddler and a fool. Azal disagrees and says he has just done a foolish thing by coming into the cavern. The Doctor explains that he came in to talk but will only do so if Azal frees Jo. He does so. The Doctor warns Azal that he should leave while he still can - telling him of the energy exchanger. Azal says he knows that it is destroyed. The Doctor says he has two but Azal knows this is a lie. The Master says Azal should kill him for lying. Azal agrees. The Doctor says that if Azal kills him he'll wander through eternity wishing he'd listened.
 
The whole of the UNIT force fire at the gargoyle. One soldier tries to sneak into the church but is vaporised by Bok. Yates orders Benton to fetch the [[bazooka]].
 
Azal hesitates. The Master tells him to kill the Doctor. Azal says that he does not obey the Master's orders and goes on to say that it is time for completion of the Dæmons' experiment on Earth. The Master says that the experiment will be completed when he hands power to him. The Doctor says that this level of power is similar to [[Adolf Hitler]] or [[Genghis Khan]]. Azal is not convinced. The Doctor says that he should leave humanity alone. Azal is reluctant to do so as he says that the Dæmons imbued knowledge to man. The Doctor rebuts this and says that man has used that knowledge to create weapons, poisons and pollution. Azal says that if humanity is such a failure, then they should be destroyed. The Master says that all Earth needs is a strong leader to force them to learn. Azal agrees and says he intends to hand his power over.... to the Doctor. The Doctor says he doesn't want it.
 
The gargoyle runs towards the UNIT forces. Yates uses the bazooka on him which destroys him but he soon re-forms.
 
The Doctor begs Azal to leave but he says he can't; he must either bequeath his power or destroy the Earth. The Master says he can bequeath it to him and Azal agrees. The Master asks what will happen to the Doctor. Azal says he is not rational and should be eliminated. He fires bolts of energy at the Doctor. Jo stands in the way and says that the Doctor is a good man and that she would rather die than him. This affects Azal and the bolts fire back off Jo into him. Azal is in pain and says that the actions Jo has carried out do not relate. He stumbles backwards.
 
[[File:Azal defeated.png|thumb|left|Azal wracked in agony.]]
 
Outside the church, the gargoyle stops and turns into stone. The Doctor and Jo emerge form the church and tell the UNIT soldiers to run. The Master emerges with his coven just as the church explodes. The villagers all come out and watch. Benton captures the Master and holds a gun to his head.
 
The Brigadier asks the Doctor what happened, and he explains that Jo saved everyone. Azal didn't understand the irrational and illogical act of Jo trying to save the Doctor and all his power turned against himself. They hear a distant explosion. The Doctor says it was the spaceship at Devil's Hump triggering its automatic self-destruct. This is confirmed when [[Chalmers|a soldier]] stationed at the barrow says it has exploded.
 
The Master uses this distraction to throw his cloak over Benton and try to escape in Bessie. The Doctor tells UNIT not to fire and uses the remote control to return a resigned Master back to them. The Brigadier orders that the Master is to be kept under maximum security guard. The Doctor tells them to look after him, as he wants to deal with him later. As the Master is driven away in a UNIT [[Land Rover]], the villagers boo him. As everyone celebrates, they all begin to dance around the maypole - except the Brigadier and Yates, who decide to go to the pub for a pint.
 
== Cast ==
* [[Third Doctor|Doctor Who]] - [[Jon Pertwee]]
* [[Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart|Brigadier Lethbridge Stewart]] - [[Nicholas Courtney]]
* {{Delgado|c}} - [[Roger Delgado]]
* [[Jo Grant]] - [[Katy Manning]]
* [[Mike Yates|Captain Mike Yates]] - [[Richard Franklin]]
* [[John Benton|Sergeant Benton]] - [[John Levene]]
* [[Olive Hawthorne|Miss Hawthorne]] - [[Damaris Hayman]]
* [[Bert (The Dæmons)|Bert the Landlord]] - [[Don McKillop]]
* [[Winstanley]] - [[Rollo Gamble]]
* [[Gilbert Horner|Prof. Horner]] - [[Robin Wentworth]]
* [[Alastair Fergus]] - [[David Simeon]]
* [[Harry (The Dæmons)|Harry]] - [[James Snell]]
* [[Garvin]] - [[John Joyce]]
* [[Reeves|Dr. Reeves]] - [[Eric Hillyard]]
* [[Tom Girton]] - [[Jon Croft]]
* [[Groom (The Dæmons)|PC Groom]] - [[Christopher Wray]]
* [[Baker's man|Baker's Man]] - [[Gerald Taylor]]
* [[Bok]] - [[Stanley Mason]]
* [[Tom Osgood|Sgt. Osgood]] - [[Alec Linstead]]
* [[Ron Thorpe|Thorpe]] - [[John Owens]]
* [[Azal]] - [[Stephen Thorne]]
* [[Morris dancing|Morris Dancers]] - [[The Headington Quarry Men]]
* [[Jones (The Dæmons)|Jones]] - [[Matthew Corbett]]
 
=== Uncredited Cast ===
 
* [[Jim (The Dæmons)|Jim]] - [[John Holmes (actor)|John Holmes]] ([[DWM 241]])
* [[UNIT corporal (The Dæmons)|UNIT Corporal]] - [[Patrick Milner]] ([[DWM 241]])
* [[BBC3]] cameraman - [[Robin Squire]] ([[DWM 241]])
* [[BBC3]] Crewmembers - [[Sonnie Willis]], Roy Oliver, Bruce Humble, Simon Malloy ([[DWM 241]])
* [[Charlie (The Dæmons)|Charlie]] - [[John Scott Martin]] ([[DWM 241]])
* Voice of RAF pilot Red Zero-Four - [[Christopher Barry]]
 
== Crew ==
* [[Writer]] - [[Guy Leopold]]
* [[Doctor Who theme|Title Music]] - [[Ron Grainer]] and [[BBC Radiophonic Workshop]]
* [[Incidental Music]] - [[Dudley Simpson]]
* [[Special sounds|Special Sound]] - [[Brian Hodgson]] and [[BBC Radiophonic Workshop]]
* [[Film Cameraman]] - [[Fred Hamilton]]
* [[Film sound|Film Sound]] - [[Dick Manton]]
* [[Film Editor]] - [[Chris Wimble]]
* [[Visual Effects]] - [[Peter Day]]
* [[Costumes]] - [[Barbara Lane]]
* [[Make-up|Makeup]] - [[Jan Harrison]]
* [[Studio lighting|Studio Lighting]] - [[Ralph Walton]]
* [[Studio sound|Studio Sound]] - [[Tony Millier]]
* [[Script Editor]] - [[Terrance Dicks]]
* [[Designer (crew)|Designer]] - [[Roger Ford]]
* [[Producer]] - [[Barry Letts]]
* [[Director (crew)|Director]] - [[Christopher Barry]]
* [[Fight Arranger]] - [[Peter Diamond]]
 
=== Uncredited crew ===
* [[Film sound assistant|Film Sound Assistants]] - [[Frank Brown]], [[Dick Boulter]], [[Graham Morris]] ([[INFO]]: ''The Dæmons'')
* [[Film camera assistant|Film Camera Assistants]] - [[Jim Black]], [[Tony Bragg]], [[Ian Dabbs]], [[David South]], [[Pat Turley]], [[Paul Wheeler]] ([[INFO]]: ''The Dæmons'')
* [[Costume assistant|Costume Assistants]] - [[Mel Freedman]], [[Doris Stretch]] ([[INFO]]: ''The Dæmons'')
* [[Grip]]s - [[Stan Swetman]] ([[INFO]]: ''The Dæmons'')
* [[Location scene chargehand|Location Scene Chargehand]] - [[Joe Bates]] ([[INFO]]: ''The Dæmons'')
* [[Production Assistant]] - [[Peter Grimwade]] ([[INFO]]: ''The Dæmons'')
* [[Floor assistant|Floor Assistants]] - [[John Norton]], [[Alex Young]] ([[INFO]]: ''The Dæmons'')
* [[Armourer]] - [[Alf Trustum|Alf Trustrum]] ([[INFO]]: ''The Dæmons'')
* [[Visual effects assistant|Effects Assistants]] - [[Ricky Grosser]], [[Tony Harding]], [[Len Hutton]] ([[INFO]]: ''The Dæmons'')
* [[Design assistant|Design Assistant]] - [[Chrissie Lightfoot]] ([[INFO]]: ''The Dæmons'')
* [[Production secretary|Production Secretary]] - [[Sarah Newman]] ([[INFO]]: ''The Dæmons'')
* [[Director's assistant|Director's Assistant]] - [[Sue Upton]] ([[INFO]]: ''The Dæmons'')
* [[Make-up assistant|Make-Up Assistants]] - [[Cheryl Thornton]], [[Irena Walls]] ([[INFO]]: ''The Dæmons'')
* [[Grams operator|Grams]] - [[Gordon Phillipson]] ([[INFO]]: ''The Dæmons'')
* [[Vision mixer|Vision Mixer]] - [[John Gorman]] ([[INFO]]: ''The Dæmons'')
* [[Props buyer|Props Buyer]] - [[Geoff Burford]] ([[INFO]]: ''The Dæmons'')
 
== Worldbuilding ==
=== Individuals ===
* The Doctor says the Master reminds him of either [[Adolf Hitler]] or [[Genghis Khan]].
 
=== Species ===
* Sergeant Benton compares the Dæmons to the [[Axon]]s and the [[Cybermen]].
 
=== Languages ===
* The Doctor states that "[[Magister]]" is the [[Latin]] word for "Master".
 
=== Influences ===
 
* The story came about from [[Barry Letts]]'s interest in black magic after reading ''[[The Devil Rides Out]].'' As such, when he needed an audition piece for the roles of Jo Grant and Mike Yates, he devised a scene in which they were confronted by the Devil in a church.
* [[Barry Letts]] and [[Robert Sloman]] were inspired by ''[[Chariots of the Gods]],'' as well as a BBC-sponsored dig at Silbury Hill, a mound near Avebury, [[Wiltshire]] with strong folkloric associations.
 
== Story notes ==
* This story had the working title ''The Demons''. It was [[Christopher Barry]] who suggested ''The Daemons,'' arguing that the archaic spelling lent additional atmosphere.
* "Guy Leopold" (the writer) is a pen name for [[Robert Sloman]] and [[Barry Letts]].
* The ''[[Radio Times]]'' programme listing for episode one was accompanied by a black-and-white illustration by [[Frank Bellamy]] depicting Miss Hawthorne, along with the Doctor and Jo driving towards Devil's End in Bessie, with the accompanying caption "Dr. Who drives into a new adventure: 6.15". That for the omnibus rerun of the story on 28 December 1971 was accompanied by another black-and-white illustration by Bellamy depicting the Doctor with the Master in the background, with the accompanying caption "Dr. Who meets The Master in the Daemons: 6.20". ''(original published text)''
* Although the filming location, the village of Aldbourne, is in the county of Wiltshire, there is no indication in the on-screen dialogue as to which county Devil's End is situated in. However, there is an in-joke reference in episode one to "the third Lord Aldbourne", during Alastair Fergus's television news report about the archaeological dig being conducted in the village by Professor Horner.
* The shot of the exploding helicopter is actually an unused shot from the [[James Bond]] film ''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/From_Russia_with_Love_(film) From Russia With Love] ''(1963). The same shot was earlier used, in black-and-white, in ''[[The Enemy of the World (TV story)|The Enemy of the World]].'' The sequence looked so convincing on-screen that a popular myth persists that a helicopter was actually destroyed during the filming.
* The area under the church is always referred to as "the cavern", never "the crypt". This was a BBC directive given to producer [[Barry Letts]], to avoid potentially offending religious sensibilities. Similarly, much to director [[Christopher Barry]]'s amazement, no mention of God was permitted to be made in the story's dialogue, in case this was considered to be blasphemous (blasphemy was still a criminal offence at the time) — although references to the Devil were acceptable.
* The incantation used by the Master to summon Azal is the nursery rhyme "[[Mary Had a Little Lamb]]" spoken backwards. It was originally going to be either [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lord%27s_Prayer the Lord's Prayer] or [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ballad_of_Eskimo_Nell ''The Ballad of Eskimo Nell''] spoken backwards, but BBC bosses objected.
* In the DVD featurette ''Terrance Dicks: Fact & Fiction'' (included on the DVD of ''[[Horror of Fang Rock (TV story)|Horror of Fang Rock]]''), Dicks confesses that in the script he originally cut the Brigadier's famous "Chap with wings there. Five rounds rapid!" line, but it was reinstated at writer [[Barry Letts]]'s request.
* It was believed by many viewers that the model of the church blown up in the final episode – a replica of the actual church in Aldbourne – was real, because the sequence looked so convincing on-screen. Complaints were received by the BBC deploring its destruction.
* When the signpost pointing to Devil's End is shown in episode two, another part of the sign is seen pointing to a village named "Satanhall".
* This is the only story to end an episode on a cliffhanger – namely episode three – showing the Master in peril.
* The archaeological dig is broadcast on [[BBC3]]. In the real-world at the time there was much discussion over whether the fourth UK UHF television network would be awarded to the BBC or the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA), ultimately resulting in the establishment of [[Channel 4]] in [[1982]]. At the time ''The Dæmons'' was made it was plausible that there could be a third BBC channel in existence by the end of the decade, fitting with the intention that the [[UNIT]] stories were set in [[UNIT dating controversy|the near future]].
* The symbols on the collar of the Master's ceremonial robe are from the sixteenth century occult alphabet known as Theban, and from left to right they translate to "Master".
* [[Barry Letts]]'s brief from the BBC's head of serials was to produce a 26-episode season for broadcast during 1971. To meet this requirement, ''The Dæmons'' should have been a six-part serial; but because of production difficulties it was shortened to five.
* This is the only televised story of ''Doctor Who'' to contain a typographic ligature in its title: æ.
* Episode two of the story marks the 300th episode of ''Doctor Who''.
* In the DVD featurette ''Directing Who with Barry Letts'' (included on the DVD of ''[[Planet of the Spiders (TV story)|Planet of the Spiders]]''),'' ''Letts confessed that he would have very much liked to have directed ''The Dæmons'','' ''due to his ambition to direct a story that he had written. He later achieved this with ''Planet of the Spiders''.
* Although [[Barry Letts]] requested during his time as producer that ''The Dæmons'' be retained complete in the BBC Archives as an example of 1970s ''Doctor Who'', the 625 line PAL colour videotapes of episodes one, two, three and five were either erased for reuse or junked, with only episode four surviving in this format. 16mm black-and-white film telerecordings of the story, made for overseas sales to countries not yet broadcasting in colour, were retained for the other episodes.
* This story was chosen by fans to represent the [[Jon Pertwee]] era, to be rebroadcast for ''[[Doctor Who @40]]''.
* Miss Hawthorne calls the Doctor "the great wizard Quiquaequod." Qui, quae, and quod are all versions of the Latin for "who."
* This is one of only eleven televised stories in the history of ''Doctor Who'' not to feature the TARDIS at all, along with ''[[Mission to the Unknown (TV story)|Mission to the Unknown]]'', ''[[Doctor Who and the Silurians (TV story)|Doctor Who and the Silurians]]'', ''[[The Mind of Evil (TV story)|The Mind of Evil]]'', ''[[The Sea Devils (TV story)|The Sea Devils]]'', ''[[The Sontaran Experiment (TV story)|The Sontaran Experiment]]'', ''[[Genesis of the Daleks (TV story)|Genesis of the Daleks]]'', ''[[Midnight (TV story)|Midnight]]'', ''[[The Lie of the Land (TV story)|The Lie of the Land]],'' ''[[The Woman Who Fell to Earth (TV story)|The Woman Who Fell to Earth]]'' and ''[[Ascension of the Cybermen (TV story)|Ascension of the Cybermen]]''. This is also the only season finale not to feature the TARDIS.
* [[Damaris Hayman]] had an interest in the supernatural and helped out during production as an unofficial adviser. A friend of hers was a practising witch, who had commended the scripts for their accuracy.
* [[Jon Pertwee]] named this as his favourite serial, while [[Nicholas Courtney]] named it his second favourite after ''[[Inferno (TV story)|Inferno]]''.
* [[Christopher Barry]] wasn't particularly keen to return, as he preferred to concentrate on less genre-specific productions. However, he liked the script due to the rural setting and his interest in archaeology. He would go on to direct for the show a number of times again, but still listed this as his favourite, saying it was "a damn good script".
* [[Christopher Barry]] was trying to shoot a sequence where an invisible heat barrier singes the ground, an effect hindered by the location being hit by a freak snowstorm in early May. After a series of delays, Barry announced it might not be possible to get the scenes in the can after all, at which point [[Jon Pertwee]] fired up the Doctor's motorbike and drove off in a huff. Pertwee recalled, "I hit the roof, using the most colourful language at my disposal, and generally behaved in the most unprofessional manner."
* Relations between [[Jon Pertwee]] and [[Christopher Barry]] were already strained, after plans to film one Sunday had to be shelved as Pertwee was performing one of his regular cabaret engagements in [[Portsmouth]] on the Saturday night, and wanted the Sunday off to rest — despite Barry having missed his sister's wedding to be on the set. Barry sent a telegram, which was read out at the wedding reception by the best man, wishing his sister and brother-in-law best wishes; and explaining (a message with a double-meaning) "''Doctor Who has prevented me from coming!''"
* Yates and the Brigadier's dialogue at the end, where the former cheekily asks his superior if he wants to dance and the Brig replies that he'd rather have a pint, was ad-libbed by [[Richard Franklin]] and [[Nicholas Courtney]].
* [[Nicholas Courtney]] suggested including the Brigadier's wife, whom he proposed might be called [[Fiona Lethbridge-Stewart|Fiona]]. [[Terrance Dicks]] was not in favour of this, however, and it was not included in the scripts. The character would eventually debut in the ''[[Past Doctor Adventures]]'' as the Brigadier's first wife, and the mother of [[Kate Stewart]].
* The scene in which Jo gets herself and the Doctor lost by holding a road map upside-down was inspired by a real-life incident when [[Jon Pertwee]] and [[Katy Manning]] were driving to a location shoot.
* Olive Hawthorne had been called Olivia Featherstone at one stage.
* Future television presenter and Sooty puppeteer [[Matthew Corbett]] had a brief role in the final episode as [[Jones (The Dæmons)|Jones]], a hooded coven member who objects to the sacrifice of Jo Grant, and was suggested to the production team by friend [[Katy Manning]].
* [[David Simeon]] was from Wiltshire where the story was being filmed.
* Filming for the serial caused great excitement in Aldbourne, with a lot of the village residents appearing as extras, as well as the Headington Quarry Morris dancers performing a routine in episode four.
* The first week of filming saw pleasant, sunny weather for the first week, leading to sudden overnight snow in the second week – causing filming to be delayed. Some episode one scenes were filmed at night – a rarity for the show, although some of these scenes were filmed during daylight with a dark filter put over the camera lens.
* The music that begins to play at the beginning of episode two, over BBC3's <small>TEMPORARY FAULT</small> notice, is "Off Broadway" by Werner Tautz, commonly heard in the hit U.S. sitcom ''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It%27s_Always_Sunny_in_Philadelphia It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia]''.
* [[Barry Letts]] originally asked his friend Owen Holder to co-write the script, having worked together on episodes of ''Skyport.'' When he proved unavailable, Letts' wife suggested [[Robert Sloman]], who was a friend's husband.
* Devil's End was originally called Devil's Dyke, then Devil's Hump.
* [[Barry Letts]] originally planned to direct the serial himself.
* [[Nicholas Courtney]] also provided the voice of the BBC3 announcer, who apologizes for the breakdown in transmission from Devil's End.
* [[Christopher Barry]] voiced the RAF pilot Red Zero-Four.
* [[Stephen Thorne]] was originally supposed to just play Azal's physical form while mouthing to dialogue performed by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Jackson_(actor) Anthony Jackson]. This was deemed unsuccessful in rehearsals, so Thorne played and voiced Azal himself.
* [[Roger Delgado]] paid tribute to [[Damaris Hayman]] by saying her name backwards during one of the Master's chants.
* The wind blowing the signpost around was achieved by tying a rope, which was attached to a drum, thus allowing the signpost to spin around. The production crew had slight difficulties when the rope broke.
* Aldourne was scouted out by Production Assistant [[Peter Grimwade]]. The village had everything the script required, such as a village green, a churchyard and even a Bronze Age mound.
* To capture some technical scenes, [[Barry Letts]] was allowed to take three cameras on location, which were set up in a multi-camera set-up, reducing the number of takes for any given scene.
* The ivy which surrounded the church wall was provided by the special effects department, whilst the bush which ignited, which was timed to do so, was provided by the visual effects department.
* Jim was originally going to be played by Sonnic Willis, an extra who had appeared in the series before. However, animal trained [[John Holmes (actor)|John Holmes]] was booked instead. He worked with Formakin Animal Centre, which supplied both the dog and the cat that appeared in the opening scene.
* The opening scene was partially realised through the help of assistant floor manager [[Sue Hedden]], who poured the [[water]] down the drain which was part of the gargoyle. It was also her personal black hat which played the part of the unknown creature that's seen scuttling in the churchyard. The rest of the water was supplied by a fire brigade from Ramsbury.
* Bok was inspired by the gargoyles on [[Notre Dame de Paris]].
* The Bok costume was fitted with a firework mechanism for scenes recquiring Bok to fire energy bolts.
* Production was hit by various delays, which angered [[Jon Pertwee]], who was eventually calmed down by [[Nicholas Courtney]]. After cooling down, Pertwee became excessively bored and went for rides on a motorbike he was required to drive for several scenes.
* Location filming provided happy memories for the citizens of Aldourne. Many villagers appeared as themselves in short scenes and [[Jon Pertwee]] took children for rides in Bessie.
* For the scenes where Bok is blasted to pieces and re-assembles himself, a plaster model was blown up and the footage was reversed to create the illusion that Bok put himself together again.
* Towards the end of location filming, [[Damaris Hayman]] developed a sore throat. Some feared that she had contracted mumps, which had broken out at the local school, but she was fine.
* The seated Bok statue was a large polystyrene creation. The statue had fully operational red lights fitted into the head, which was fully flexible, allowing it to move. After production, [[Jon Pertwee]] kept the model in his garden.
* Anthony Jackson originally provided the voice of Azal. He recorded his lines at Maida Vale. However, since [[Stephen Thorne]] worked extensively in radio, his deep, booming, distinctive voice meant that he wound up voicing Azal.
* The costume and make-up for Azal was achievd with face and dental moulds. The mask had horns and a wig attached, whilst the teeth were supplied by an outside dental practice. Overall, the costume was very uncomfortable to wear.
* After production wrapped on location, the Cloven Hoof sign constructed for the pub was presented to the real landlord of the pub, who kept it on display. When ownership of the pub changed, the sign was sold to a group of fans.[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Jackson_(actor)]
 
=== Other publications ===
* In March 1971, the'' [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daily_Express Daily Express]'' newspaper reported on the location filming for this story as part of a feature article on [[Jon Pertwee]], which included black-and-white photographs. This was one of a series of features they ran that month about well-known TV personalities.
* The ''Countdown Annual 1972'', published in October 1971, contains an article – with photographs in black-and-white – about the location filming in Aldbourne for this story. The article is listed on the contents page as "Filming Dr Who", but is actually entitled "A Day with Dr Who". The author was ''Countdown'' editor Dennis Hooper, who misspelled "[[Bessie]]" as "Betsy".
 
=== Ratings ===
* Episode one - 9.2 million viewers
* Episode two - 8.0 million viewers
* Episode three - 8.1 million viewers
* Episode four - 8.1 million viewers
* Episode five - 8.3 million viewers
 
=== Myths ===
* There was a sixth episode planned, where the Master escaped UNIT. ''(This was an [[April Fools' Day|April Fools' joke]] in the fanzine [[Dream Watch Bulletin|DWB]]. The [[The Daemons (script)|script release]] also featured a misprint in which it mentioned a sixth episode.)''
 
=== Filming locations ===
* Aldbourne, Wiltshire (Village)
* Four Barrows, Wiltshire (Devils Hump)
* Ady Godwin Car Repairs, Wiltshire (Bessie being fixed)
* Membury Crossroads, Wiltshire (Doctor and Jo driving to the dig)
* Oaken Coppice (Lane), Wiltshire (Tree falls in front of Bessie)
* Ramsbury Airfield, Ramsbury, Wiltshire (Heat barrier stops UNIT)
* [[BBC Television Centre]] (Studio 4), Shepherd's Bush, [[London]]
 
=== Production errors ===
{{discontinuity}}
{{discontinuity}}
* Various pronunciations of 'Dæmons', 'Dæmos' (and all other permutations) are used throughout the story.
* During the struggle between Benton and Garvin in episode two, Garvin's shotgun breaks in two — forcing actor John Joyce (Garvin) to hold the two pieces together.
*A signpost next to the heat barrier says: 'Devil's End 1'. However, in episode two, the barrier has a five mile radius, centered on the church.
* In episode two, when the baker's van strikes the heat barrier and explodes in flames, a road sign identifies the village as being ''one'' mile away. But in episode three, the Brigadier says the energy barrier is circular and ten miles in diameter, centred on the village church.
*In episode three, the energy exchanger interferes with radio communication, but by episode five it has lost this side effect.
* When the Doctor runs into the church in episode five, he slams the door behind him, causing the wall to shake noticeably.
*If the "breached" heat barrier is still hot enough to make the Brigadier's swagger stick smoulder so profusely, it ought to have some fairly unpleasant effects on human flesh (but the troops pass through entirely unscathed).
 
== BBC holiday repeat ==
On 28 December 1971, ''The Dæmons'' became the very first serial to be repeated by the BBC in omnibus form (as an edited 90 minute repeat, shown between 4:20pm and 5:50pm). Bearing the on-screen title'' Doctor Who and the Daemons'', this was the first time a "complete adventure in one programme" — to quote the ''Radio Times'' programme listing — had been shown. Open to misinterpretation, it did ''not'' mean the serial was being shown complete, only that this was ''not'' part of a multi-episode broadcast. (In the 1960s, when ''Doctor Who'' was being broadcast 48 weeks a year, there had usually been no opportunity, or imperative, to show repeats between one season and the next.)
 
The repeat broadcast attracted 10.5 million viewers, the show's highest rating since 1965. This was such a huge audience that the experiment was adjudged a great success, and it led to a policy of showing at least one omnibus repeat from every subsequent season for many years afterwards, until well into the Tom Baker era.


==BBC holiday rebroadcast==
The omnibus edition of ''The Dæmons'' was not retained by the BBC Archives, with the 625 line PAL colour videotape being erased for reuse around late May/early June 1974.
On 28 December 1971, The Daemons became the very first serial to be rebroadcast by the BBC complete, in omnibus form. The broadcast attracted 10.5 million viewers, the show's highest rating since 1965.[http://www.radiotimes.com/shows/doctor-who/day-of-the-daleks/]
==Continuity==
* The Doctor uses a few lines of a Venusian lullaby which is heard in full during ''[[The Curse of Peladon]]''.
*The Master sends his [[The Master's TARDIS|TARDIS]] to the Devil's End crypt at the close of [[PDA]]: ''[[The Face of the Enemy]]''.
* After being featured in every story of Season 8, the Master is captured by UNIT forces at the conclusion of this story and is next seen in prison in [[DW]]: ''[[The Sea Devils]]''.
*The Master retrieves his TARDIS from the debris of the church in [[EDA]]: ''[[The Eight Doctors]]''.
*A Daemon carcass is used by the [[Faction Paradox]] as a spaceship in [[EDA]]: ''[[Interference - Book Two]].''
*The planet Daemos is mentioned in [[DW]]: ''[[The Satan Pit]]''.
*Some events of this episode are referred to in [[DW]]: ''[[Last of the Time Lords]]''.


==Timeline==
== Continuity ==
*This story occurs after [[ST]]: ''[[The Tip of the Mind]]''
* The destruction of Atlantis is alluded to. The [[Second Doctor]] had visited submerged modern day [[Atlantis]], in the company of [[Ben Jackson]], [[Polly Wright]] and [[Jamie McCrimmon]], ([[TV]]: ''[[The Underwater Menace (TV story)|The Underwater Menace]]'') while the Third Doctor visited ancient Atlantis where he witnessed its destruction by a [[Chronovore]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Time Monster (TV story)|The Time Monster]]'')
*This story occurs before [[ST]]: ''[[Degrees of Truth]]''
* The Doctor recites a few lines from a Venusian lullaby, which is heard in full the following season during [[TV]]: ''[[The Curse of Peladon (TV story)|The Curse of Peladon]]''.
* The Master is captured by UNIT forces at the conclusion of this story and is next seen in prison in [[TV]]: ''[[The Sea Devils (TV story)|The Sea Devils]]''.
* Winstanley tells Jo, "While there's life there's hope, right?", when the faintly alive Doctor is being thawed out in episode two. These would turn out to be the Third Doctor's last words to [[Sarah Jane Smith]] before his regeneration: "A tear, Sarah Jane? No, don't cry. While there's life, there's... (hope)." ([[TV]]: ''[[Planet of the Spiders (TV story)|Planet of the Spiders]]'')
* The investigative journalist [[James Stevens]] and his girlfriend [[Dodo Chaplet]], one of the [[First Doctor]]'s former companions, watched the opening of the Devil's Hump live on television in the broadcast of ''The Passing Parade''. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Who Killed Kennedy (novel)|Who Killed Kennedy]]'')
* A [[Liverpool|Liverpudlian]] UNIT soldier named [[Francis Cleary]] was driven mad after seeing Satan himself in Devil's End. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Who Killed Kennedy (novel)|Who Killed Kennedy]]'')
* After being captured at Devil's End, the Master was charged (under the pseudonym "Victor Magister") with having caused the attack on [[Black Thursday]], the [[Silurian virus|Silurian plague outbreak]], and the failure of the [[World Peace Conference]], among other incidents. Stevens notes that his terrorist activities were little remembered by most British people in [[1996]]. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Who Killed Kennedy (novel)|Who Killed Kennedy]]'')
* The Master retrieves his TARDIS, which is disguised as the Stone of Sacrifice, from the debris of the church in [[PROSE]]: ''[[The Eight Doctors (novel)|The Eight Doctors]]''.
* A Daemon carcass is used by the [[Faction Paradox]] as a spaceship in [[PROSE]]: ''[[Interference - Book Two (novel)|Interference - Book Two]]''.
* The planet Dæmos is mentioned in [[TV]]: ''[[The Satan Pit (TV story)|The Satan Pit]]''.


==Home video and audio releases==
== Home video and audio releases ==
===VHS releases===
=== DVD releases ===
'''The Dæmons''' was released on VHS in the UK and Australia in [[1993]]. This was a color restored version of the story completed by the [[Doctor Who Restoration Team]].
The story was released on DVD on [[19 March (releases)|19 March]] [[2012 (releases)|2012]].


<gallery captionalign="left">
==== Special features ====
The Daemons.jpg|AUS VHS cover
* Audio commentary with actors [[Katy Manning]] (Jo Grant), [[Richard Franklin]] (Captain Mike Yates) and [[Damaris Hayman]] (Miss Hawthorne) and director [[Christopher Barry]]
Bbcvideo-795-us.jpg|US VHS cover
* ''[[The Devil Rides Out (documentary)|The Devil Rides Out]]'' - Cast and crew talk about the making of this story. With actors Katy Manning, Richard Franklin and Damaris Hayman, director Christopher Barry, producer and co-writer [[Barry Letts]], script editor [[Terrance Dicks]] and assistant floor manager [[Sue Hedden]]. Narrated by Hannah Lucas
Bbcvideo daemons.jpg|UK VHS cover
* ''[[Remembering Barry Letts (documentary)|Remembering Barry Letts]]'' - A look at the life and work of Barry Letts
* Location Film - A mute amateur 8mm film shot in [[Aldbourne (village)|Aldbourne]] during the location filming
* Colourisation Test - Original colourisation version of episode one
* ''Tomorrow's World'' - Footage from a 1992 edition of ''[[Tomorrow's World]]'' in which the restoration of colour footage from this serial is discussed
* Photo Gallery
* Production Information Subtitles
* ''[[Radio Times]]'' Listings (DVD-ROM only)
* Coming Soon Trailer - ''[[Nightmare of Eden (TV story)|Nightmare of Eden]]''
 
<gallery position="center" captionalign="center" hideaddbutton="true">
File:Dvd-thedemons1.jpg|The Dæmons DVD<br />Region 2 UK cover
File:The-daemons-1.jpg|The Dæmons DVD<br />Region 4 Australian cover
File:The daemons.jpg|The Dæmons DVD<br />Region 1 US cover
</gallery>
</gallery>


=== Digital releases ===
This story is available
* for streaming through [[BritBox]] (Canada and US) as part of Season 8 of ''Classic Doctor Who''.


=== VHS releases ===
Episode five was included in black-and-white on the video ''[[The Pertwee Years]]'' in [[1992 (releases)|1992]], as no broadcastable colour copy existed at the time of release.


===DVD Releases===
''The Dæmons'' was released on VHS in the UK and Australia in March and July [[1993 (releases)|1993]] respectively. This was an electronically restored colour version of the story completed by the [[Doctor Who Restoration Team]].


The DVD release has been commisioned and is expected in 2012. <ref>http://twitter.com/classicdw/status/32728037283860481#</ref>
<gallery position="center" captionalign="center" hideaddbutton="true">
The Daemons.jpg|AUS VHS cover
Bbcvideo-795-us.jpg|US VHS cover
Bbcvideo daemons.jpg|UK VHS cover
The pertwee years (2).jpg|The Pertwee Years
</gallery>


==Novelisation and its audiobook==
== Script book ==
[[file:Daemons novel.jpg|right|75px]]
* ''The Dæmons'' was released by [[Titan Books]] as a script book in [[November (releases)|November]] 1992.
: ''Main article: [[Doctor Who and the Dæmons]]''
*Novelised as ''[[Doctor Who and the Dæmons]]'' in [[1974]] by [[Barry Letts]].
*A audiobook has been released, read by [[Barry Letts]].
[[File:Bbcaudio80.jpg|thumb|158px]]


==Script book==
<gallery position="center" captionalign="center" hideaddbutton="true">
File:Miscbooks-903.jpg|Script book cover
</gallery>


* '''The Dæmons''' was released by [[Titan Books]] as a script book in November 1992.
== External links ==
[[File:Miscbooks-903.jpg|thumb|left]]
* {{bbcepguideclassic|daemons/|The Daemons}}
* {{radiotimes|2009-11-06/the-daemons|The Daemons}}
{{dwcast}}
{{dwrefguide|who_3j.htm|The Dæmons}}
* {{briefhistory|serials/jjj.html|The Daemons}}
* {{locguide|daemons|The Dæmons}}
{{DWTV}}
{{The Master (TotA) stories}}
{{UNIT stories}}
{{Olive Hawthorne stories}}
{{TitleSort}}
[[es:The Dæmons]]
[[fr:The Dæmons]]
[[ru:Демоны (ТВ история)]]


==External links==
[[Category:Doctor Who (1963) television stories]]
*{{bbcepguideclassic|daemons/|The Dæmons}}
[[Category:UNIT television stories]]
*{{dwrefguide|who_3j.htm|The Dæmons}}
[[Category:Stories set in Devil's End]]
*{{briefhistory|serials/jjj.html|The Dæmons}}
*{{locguide|daemons|The Dæmons}}
==Footnotes==
{{reflist}}
{{season 8}}
{{Master stories}}
{{UNIT stories}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dæmons}}
[[Category:Third Doctor television stories|Dæmons, The]]
[[Category:The Master television stories|Dæmons, The]]
[[Category:UNIT television stories|Dæmons, The]]
[[Category:Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart television stories|Dæmons, The]]
[[Category:Stories set in England|Dæmons, The]]
[[Category:Exiled to Earth arc|Dæmons, The]]
[[Category:1971 television stories|Dæmons, The]]
[[Category:Season 8 stories]]
[[Category:Season 8 stories]]
[[Category:Dæmon stories]]
[[Category:Five part serials]]
[[Category:Third Doctor television stories]]
[[Category:The Master (Terror of the Autons) television stories]]
[[Category:Stories set in the 20th century]]
[[Category:An Introduction To The Third Doctor television stories]]

Latest revision as of 20:04, 3 November 2024

RealWorld.png

The Dæmons was the fifth and final serial of season 8 of Doctor Who. It concluded a series-long succession of stories featuring the Master, ending with his incarceration. However, the character continued to appear on an occasional basis during season 9 and season 10.

As of 2023, this was the last ever five-part Doctor Who television story, following only The Dominators and The Mind Robber from Season 6.

Synopsis[[edit] | [edit source]]

The Master, posing as a rural vicar, summons a cloven-hoofed demon-like creature named Azal in a church crypt. Seeking to gain the ancient titan's demonic power, he gathers a cult and then corrupts or controls the residents of Devil's End to bow to his will. Dark elemental forces begin to disturb the village on the eve of May Day: unexplained murders, a stone gargoyle come to life, and a nigh-impenetrable infernal energy dome. With the Master fully prepared to destroy the Earth, the Doctor and UNIT — aided by a benevolent practitioner of witchcraft — battle the wicked rites of a secret science wielded by an alien from another world.

Plot[[edit] | [edit source]]

Episode one[[edit] | [edit source]]

During a stormy night in a sleepy village, a man leaves a pub with his dog. His dog runs away into a graveyard, where he sees something that causes him to fall to the ground, dead.

Early the next morning, Miss Olive Hawthorne tries to convince the village GP, Dr. Reeves, that the man died of fright but Reeves is having none of it; saying it was a simple heart attack. Hawthorne says she cast the runes this morning and knew that something bad was going to happen. As Reeves drives off she implores him not to open the barrow.

Outside a large hill, a TV crew is setting up a live broadcast, fronted by Alastair Fergus, where Professor Gilbert Horner is going to open the barrow.

In a UNIT garage, Jo talks to the Doctor about the occult whilst he tampers with Bessie. The Doctor is exasperated saying that anything that seems magic or occult can be explained by science. As he talks to her, Jo is surprised to see Bessie seemingly drive off around the yard by itself and even honk in communication with the Doctor. Mike Yates emerges and says that it must be magic, but the Doctor shows a remote control he had in his pocket. Yates has come to pick Jo up so they can watch the broadcast of the opening of the barrow together. When Yates mentions it is in a village called Devil's End, the name sparks curiosity in the Doctor's mind and he agrees to watch the programme with them.

In a piece to camera, Fergus talks about the cavern under the church which is shrouded in stories of curses, pagans and witches and led to the barrow's name — the Devil's Hump. Yates, Benton, the Doctor and Jo watch. Horner begins to show the camera the site of the excavation. He explains that he believes there to be Anglo-Saxon treasure on the other side and that the viewers will find out at midnight. When questioned as to why midnight; Horner explains that midnight is the start of the occult festival of Beltane. When further pushed he explains it is a publicity stunt to advertise his new book, which is coming out tomorrow.

The Doctor is very concerned and thinks there must be a link to all this. Outside the site of the excavation, Horner is confronted, on air, by Hawthorne. She says that they are dealing with forces they don't understand and that they will bring about death and disaster. When asked how she knows this she says it is because she is a witch. Both Horner and Fergus laugh and dismiss her message. As they move off she warns that the Devil is coming. The Doctor heads off. When asked where he is going he says he is going to Devil's End as he believes that Hawthorne is right. Fergus signs off his live broadcast.

In the pub, Bert the landlord, Tom Girton and Reeves are scornful of Hawthorne. The village squire, Winstanley, does speak up and say that there have been some very odd occurrences since the barrow started to be excavated. He cites that the weather has been extreme and that the cows have dried up. They all laugh him off. The village constable, Groom, congratulates Hawthorne on her TV appearance. As she walks off a huge gust of wind stops her in her tracks. She begins to chant a spell. Unseen behind her the policeman, in a trance, picks up a large rock and goes to strike her. The spell seems to stop the wind and the policeman comes to, not understanding why he has a rock in his hand.

The Doctor and Jo approach Devil's End, but a gust of wind turns a signpost up ahead and sends them in the wrong direction. Hawthorne goes to the church and encounters Garvin, the verger, in the cemetery. She says she wishes to see the vicar, but Garvin says that Mr Magister is busy. Hawthorne says she wishes to see the old vicar, Canon Smallwood, but Garvin says that he was taken ill and had to retire. Hawthorne does not believe that, as Smallwood left overnight without saying goodbye to anyone, and says she will see the new vicar, but Garvin will not let her pass. There is an argument that is stopped by the new vicar — who is revealed to be the Master.

The Brigadier is heading out to a function, leaving Yates and Benton stuck at base. Hawthorne asks for Magister's help. He tries to placate her and says she has nothing to be worried about. When this fails, he tries to hypnotise her, but to no avail. When she leaves, the Master sends Garvin after her. Night approaches and the Doctor and Jo are lost. The production team are putting the final touches to the live broadcast. Horner is keen to ensure that Hawthorne is not around.

Yates and Benton are meanwhile distracted from the dig by the rugby highlights. The Doctor and Jo enter the pub to ask for directions to the Devil's Hump. Bert says to them there's no need to go up there, as the excavation is on television; he has set up a black-and-white TV set on the bar so the customers can watch. The Doctor is questioned by the locals who think that he is in league with Hawthorne. Eventually, Jo manages to get directions from Winstanley and they move on. One of the customers in the pub, Girton, finishes his drink and exits the pub soon after the Doctor and Jo. Girton has gone to the Master and tells him of the Doctor's arrival. The Master tells him to prepare for a ceremony. The Master puts on a red robe and goes into the cavern with other robed minions.

The live broadcast begins as the Doctor and Jo approach in Bessie. The Master begins a ceremony summoning "the Dark One". A tree falls on the road, stopping the Doctor and Jo. Unable to move it, they leave Bessie and continue on foot. Horner begins the excavation. The robed minions begin to chant as the Master casts a spell. Horner gets deeper into the barrow. As the Doctor runs towards the barrow he shouts for the dig to stop. The Master reaches the end of his spell.

Horner pulls a stone. There is a roaring noise and the ground starts to tremble as icy wind and ash rushes from the barrow. People are forced to the ground by the power of the wind. The Master laughs as the church begins to shake. The gargoyles come alive. Jo watches as the Doctor and Horner fall to the ground as the excavation site caves in.

Episode two[[edit] | [edit source]]

Yates and Benton have finished watching the rugby and turn over to see how the dig went. They see Jo weeping over the body of the Doctor before the transmission breaks down. A hastily assembled caption slide reading DEVIL'S END / TEMPORARY FAULT / BBC-3 TV is displayed and a continuity announcer says all contact has been lost with Devil's End, but transmission will be resumed as soon as possible: "In the meantime, here is some music..."

Yates and Benton go to find out what happened and try to make contact with the Brigadier. Jo and the TV crew at the dig try to unearth the Doctor and Horner.

The Master talks to "the Devil", whom he calls Azal. He agrees to meet him later at the site of a stone in the cavern. He sends the hooded disciples away. Harry, one of the TV crew, says that the Doctor has been frozen through and is dead. Jo is distraught and begs someone to find a doctor. Harry sends another of the crew to find one.

Benton and Yates can get no information from the BBC and can't contact the Brigadier, who went on somewhere else after the dinner. The continuity announcer says they still can't get through to the outside broadcast unit and the dig. Yates says he has a good mind to go down to Devil's End himself and find out what's going on. Benton points out that the Brigadier would go spare, and they might get news at any minute. Yates says that might be the case, and asks what's happening to Jo and the Doctor.

The Doctor and Horner are both pronounced dead by Dr. Reeves. Jo is distraught, but Reeves says he is a solid block of ice. As Jo weeps, Reeves is astounded to hear a pulse and sends Bert for blankets and hot water bottles. Reeves is confused when he thinks he hears two hearts. Jo ask Bert if she can use his phone. She rings Yates, asking him to come and help; he says he and Benton will come in the morning in the helicopter. Suddenly, the line goes dead as the cable is cut by an unseen someone using wire-cutters.

The Devil's Hump is evacuated, leaving PC Groom to guard the site. Unbeknownst to him, red eyes glow behind him. The next day, Jo watches over the Doctor as he rests. The Master begins an incantation at the altar. The ground shakes at the Devil's Hump and a huge figure emerges from the barrow. Groom turns around and sees the figure.

Yates and Benton approach Devil's End by helicopter. As they approach, they see a line of huge hoofprints. The pair land to investigate and estimate that the creature must have been thirty feet high. They head off in the helicopter to the village to find Jo and the Doctor.

Huge hoofprints seen by Yates and Benton from the helicopter.

Jo hears the helicopter approaching and rushes out to meet Yates and Benton. She says that something devilish is going on. Benton heads off to look at the tracks whilst Yates is reminded that the Brigadier is yet to have been told about the events. The Brigadier, however, has already found out about the disappearance of Yates, Benton and his helicopter. He calls for a staff car to take him to Devil's End.

While walking in the churchyard, Benton hears cries for help from within the church, where he finds Hawthorne who was tied up and put in a chest by Garvin. As they go to leave, they see Garvin approach and head down into the cavern to elude him. As they hide, Garvin comes in and looks around, before leaving again. Hawthorne tells Benton of her suspicions regarding Mr Magister. She sees the altar and says that this is the scene of a black magic cult. Garvin enters with a shotgun. Benton tries to disarm him and a long fight ensues. Benton ends up standing on a strangely carved stone and is attacked by a force which renders him unconscious. Hawthorne helps him up.

Yates tries to wake the Doctor. Garvin, Hawthorne and Benton leave the church and discover huge gusts of wind and blindingly bright lights. Hawthorne and Benton escape whilst the creature bears down on Garvin. Garvin tries to shoot the creature and is killed in a fireball. The whole village shakes and succumbs to the bright light. The creature walks to the stone in the cavern.

The Doctor awakens with a shout of "Eureka!" The Master welcomes Azal. A roaring noise forces the driver of a baker's van out of his vehicle eight miles away from Devil's End; the van then bursts into flames. The Doctor assures Jo and Yates that everything is alright. He says he knows what is causing the issues. Hawthorne enters with Benton who is suffering from the effects of the fight. The Master is told of the survival of Hawthorne and Benton by a source in the pub.

Hawthorne blames the elementals — creatures of the devil. She also says that she saw the devil. When pressed she says it was thirty feet high and horned. The Doctor says she must have been mistaken but Hawthorne is insistent. She says that an occult ceremony held by the new vicar Mr Magister caused this event. The Doctor notes to Jo that Magister is Latin for Master.

The baker's man stops the Brigadier's staff car and tells him of the explosion of his van. As the Brigadier and his driver are investigating, he asks the baker's man if the village they are heading for is Devil's End, using his swagger stick to indicate the way; as he does so, the end of the stick suddenly catches fire. The Brigadier pulls the stick back, and then brings it up again, whereupon it once more ignites. The Brigadier says they will try and approach from a different direction, the south, leaving the baker's man at the scene. The Doctor and Jo clear the tree away and drive up to the Devil's Hump.

The Brigadier approaches Devil's End and hears the roaring noise again. He stops the car and throws a branch ahead of him, where it bursts into flames. He contacts Yates to tell him about the heat barrier. Yates tells him all that has happened in the village and the Brigadier is very sceptical with regards to the protestations of the occult. Yates also tells the Brigadier about the Master's involvement.

The Master begins an incantation. There is a noise above and the Master goes to the window and looks. The Doctor and Jo return to the Devil's Hump and find Groom’s lifeless corpse. They head into the excavation site. Unknown to them, one of the gargoyles from the church has come alive and is watching them. The Doctor looks around the excavation site and the gargoyle approaches.

The Doctor finds a metal model of a spaceship in the ground that is the exact same dimensions as the tomb that they are in. He begins to explain his theory when the gargoyle enters. Jo screams as it advances on them.

Episode three[[edit] | [edit source]]

The Doctor brandishes something at the gargoyle and mutters some incomprehensible words: "Klokeda partha mennin klatch!" The gargoyle is repelled.

The Master senses the issue and urges the gargoyle on before bidding it to return. The Doctor explains that he brandished the iron trowel and muttered the first line to a Venusian lullaby to trick the gargoyle into thinking he was doing magic. The gargoyle believes in magic even if the Doctor doesn't.

The Master has gone to Winstanley and urges him to call a meeting of the villagers. When he refuses, the Master hypnotizes him into agreeing. The Master says he has power which will conserve the world and says he can control the forces raised. He admits to Winstanley that it was he who caused what happened at Devil's Hump. Winstanley rubbishes the Master's claims and the Master summons up a furious wind which rushes through the house as proof. Winstanley begs him to stop and then agrees.

Hawthorne presents the Doctor with books on the occult saying that she believes the situation to have been caused by the supernatural and magic. The Doctor thinks this is rubbish and says it is science. The Doctor begins a briefing where he will lay out his plan when he is interrupted by the Brigadier who is radioing for Yates. The Brigadier informs them that the heat barrier is 10 miles around the village with its centre being the church. The Doctor asks if they can go over it. As he says this the RAF, having performed tests, report that the barrier goes a mile above the village too. The Doctor hangs up and begins his briefing. He shows the people assembled slides of Egyptian gods, Hindu demons and the Devil, and points out that they are all similar in appearance. He says that these are all the same creatures which came from another world that are far older and more dangerous than any other alien life form that UNIT have ever dealt with. He says they are called Dæmons and they come from Dæmos 60,000 light years away on the other side of the galaxy. He explains that they first came to Earth 100,000 years ago.

At the town hall, the villagers are assembled. Winstanley brings the meeting to order and introduces the Master.

The Doctor explains that the ship and the Dæmons diminish and expand in size which explains the severe heat and cold that the village keeps experiencing. He goes on to say that the first time the Dæmons helped humans was when they helped the Homo sapiens kick out Neanderthal man, and that they returned to help the Greeks start their civilisation and contributed to the Renaissance and the Industrial Revolution. Hawthorne is confused as to why the Dæmons are dangerous if they have helped humankind for so long. The Doctor explains that, whilst they are not evil, they are amoral and that they see the Earth as a scientific experiment. As they have been called here by the Master, their experiment may fail which could lead to the total annihilation of the Earth or domination by the Master.

The Master exposes all the secrets he knows about the people at the meeting. Once he shows that he has this control over them he says that if they do what he says they can have whatever they want.

The Doctor explains that the Dæmon that has been summoned will appear three times - the third time they will learn their fate. He says that the Dæmon must be in the cavern with the Master but, at the moment, it is so small it is practically invisible. While they talk Bert busies himself nearby. The Brigadier contacts Yates and tells him they intend to blast their way in and that they should evacuate to the cellar. The Doctor blocks this and says that the energy release will strengthen the heat barrier and will cause huge reprisals. He says he has a better idea. He asks if they have a Condenser Unit in the Mobile HQ. They do. The Doctor advises them to build a dyothermic energy exchanger. He tells them how to build it but Sergeant Osgood, the UNIT technical officer, doesn't know where to begin. The Doctor says he will come to the edge of the heat barrier and explain it himself. Bert, having overheard all this, sneaks out. Jo complains about the Brigadier and the Doctor tells her that he is her superior.

The Master is still persuading the villagers when Bert comes in and whispers something to him. The Master summons Girton from the crowd and whispers orders to him. Finished with Girton, the Master tells the villagers that they must submit to him and show obedience. Winstanley interrupts, objecting, but the Master says he doesn't need them and says they are like dust beneath his feet and that they should obey or be destroyed. Winstanley says the villagers will hear no more of this and begins to lead them out. The Master summons the gargoyle which kills Winstanley. The villagers coil back and, promising to do what the Master says, leave.

The Master sends Bok on a mission of death.

In the pub, Yates sees Girton getting into the helicopter. Yates runs out and tries to stop him, but Girton is too strong and knocks him out. As it flies off, Yates recovers and shoots at the helicopter but to no avail. He takes off in pursuit on a motorbike.

As the Doctor and Jo make their way to the edge of the heat shield they see the helicopter which tries to force them into driving into the heat barrier. They see Yates approach on the motorbike, who says he will draw Girton off, but the Doctor tells him to keep back. The Doctor drives Bessie directly towards the heat barrier but, just at the last moment, turns off and skids to a halt. The helicopter crashes into the heat shield and explodes but Jo is thrown from the car and knocked out. Yates helps Jo up and takes her back to the village whilst the Doctor heads off to meet the Brigadier on the motorbike.

The Master and the gargoyle make their way into the cavern.

The Doctor stops just short of the heat barrier, where the Brigadier is waiting for him. Disregarding the Brigadier’s madness at the loss of the helicopter, the Doctor says they will need to harness the electricity from some nearby pylons to create 10,000 volts to kick-start the dyothermic energy exchanger. He begins to explain to Osgood what to do.

The Master begins to summon Azal.

Jo is feverish and mumbles about something going on in the cavern. Yates tries to calm her and Dr Reeves gives her an injection which sends her to sleep.

Azal arrives and towers hugely above the Master. Tremors are felt throughout the village. The Master begs Azal to stop before he destroys him.

Episode four[[edit] | [edit source]]

After the tremors have subsided, the Doctor continues to explain to Osgood how to set up the exchanger.

The Master implores Azal back.

Jo awakes and says she must go to the cavern. She hears people outside her door but finds a ladder at her window and climbs down.

Yates wants to investigate the village but Benton stops him.

The Doctor orders Sergeant Osgood to reverse the polarity on the exchanger. The Brigadier tells Osgood to hurry and says he has absolute trust in the Doctor.

Azal asks the Master why he was called. The Master says he has knowledge and power to rule over the Primitives due to the fact that he is superior to them but needs Azal's help. Azal says that there is another of the Master's race on the planet and wishes to speak to him. The Master blocks this but Azal gets cross and says that he is not the Master's slave and notes that the Master is not immortal. The Master apologises. Azal notes that the Master's will is strong and his mind great and he will consider an alliance with him. He says he will call once more but warns the Master that his race detests failure and implores him to remember Atlantis. He adds that he is the last of the Dæmons and it is his responsibility to destroy any failure. The Master still says he wishes Azal to return. Azal orders the Master to leave. The Master runs, laughing as tremors rush through the village.

Jo approaches the cavern as the tremors take hold.

The Doctor sees the village shaking and rushes Osgood saying he wants to leave. Osgood still doesn't understand what is being asked of him so the Doctor runs through it one last time.

Yates pulls himself together after the tremors and goes to look for Jo and finds her gone with the window open. He tells Benton and leaves to go after her.

The Master is giving orders to Bert to deal with the Doctor. He also tells him that next time he summons Azal he will need the power of the whole coven to control him. Bert leaves and Yates, who has been outside, rushes to hide. As the man drives off, Yates enters the church. Unbeknownst to him Jo falls out of a hedge unconscious.

The Doctor finishes his explanation to Osgood and rushes off.

Jo awakes and enters the church - going straight into the cavern. She is scared by a gargoyle and her scream brings her to the attention of Yates who berates her for leaving the pub. He warns her that the cavern is filled with booby traps, spells, elementals and force-fields. To prove his point, he throws a book onto the same carved stone that Benton inadvertently stood on earlier, and the book is torn to pieces. They head off to leave but have to hide as a member of the coven enters, putting a dagger down on the altar.

Bert takes potshots at the Doctor with a rifle. The Doctor falls off his motorbike and runs into the woods.

The Master begins the ceremony.

Benton tries to get in touch with the Brigadier but can't.

Osgood tells the Brigadier that the exchanger is blocking the radio signals but Osgood explains it should do its job in a couple of minutes. As he says this, the machine explodes and Osgood says he will need at least another half an hour.

Bert reports to the Master that the Doctor got away. The Master says he will need to be welcomed back to the village. Bert smiles and departs.

Benton and the Brigadier take advantage of the exchanger not working to talk. They are worried about the whereabouts of the Doctor. The Brigadier tells Benton to let the Doctor know that they are having issues with the exchanger when he returns. Benton goes to look out the window and sees the arrival of Morris Dancers. The Doctor arrives during their display and the dancers integrate him into their dance. Soon enough they have captured him and their leader, Bert, pulls out a gun. The Doctors is tied to the maypole.

Benton wants to go out an help but as soon as he opens the door he is attacked by a Morris dancer. They fight and it looks like the dancer has the better of Benton when Hawthorne knocks him out using her crystal ball. Before Benton goes steaming out Hawthorne gives him some advice on how they could go forward more effectively.

The Doctor tries to turn the villagers against the Master but Bert tells the assembled villagers that he is a black witch and should be burned.

The Master begins his ceremony and the eyes of the gargoyle light up.

The villagers are preparing the pyre but Hawthorne stops them just before they set it alight. She tells the villagers that the Doctor is a Great Wizard and offers salvation. The Doctor plays along. Hawthorne implores the Doctor to show a sign of great power and suggests he shatters the lamp in a nearby lamppost. The Doctor orders the lamp to shatter - and it does. He then shouts "Now!" to a weathercock on the church steeple, and it spins round, Unbeknownst to the villagers, it is Benton shooting these things with a pellet gun. Bert doesn't believe it and again threatens the Doctor with his gun. Benton cannot get a clear shot on the man. The Doctor, in his last spell of wizardry moves Bessie of her own volition. Bert refuses to turn around and gets knocked over by the car. Benton comes out and disarms Bert whilst Hawthorne unties the Doctor.

The Master intends to summon Azal with the sacrifice of a chicken but Jo stops him - however it is too late. Jo looks on as the Dæmon grows large before her eyes.

Azal reveals his horrible countenance to everyone in the church.

Episode five[[edit] | [edit source]]

The Brigadier observes the tremors and orders Osgood to hurry up.

The villagers pick themselves up. Benton wants to go straight to the church to investigate but the Doctor blocks him. Bert says that this proves the Doctor is afraid, but the Doctor says everyone should be afraid.

The Master welcomes Azal. Jo runs but the gargoyle stops her. Yates tries to shoot it but the gargoyle blasts the gun out of his hand, disarming him. Yates is tied up and Jo is dragged away.

The Doctor admits he is not a wizard. Bert begins to gloat but the villagers have turned against him. He shows the villagers how he moved Bessie through his remote control and says that it is science and not magic that is explaining the goings on in the village. He goes on to say that the Master is using Time Lord and Daemon science. The man asks how the Master could have called Azal without the use of magic and the Doctor explains that it is through the channelling of negative emotions to create a psychokinetic energy. Benton is still itching to get to the church but the Doctor says they should wait for the energy exchanger.

The Master demands power from Azal, who says he will listen to the Master’s demands. The Master says that everyone in the universe is subservient to him with the exception of Azal. Jo is brought in, wearing a white robe. The Master says that he will offer Jo to him as a sacrifice. Yates manages to escape and reports to the Doctor. The Doctor radios the Brigadier and orders the machine to come through now. The Brigadier orders Osgood to operate the machine. As he does the machine starts to smoke. The Brigadier orders Osgood to keep trying.

The Doctor marshals the villagers to surround the church.

One of the coven warns the Master that the villagers are approaching and he orders the gargoyle to guard the door of the church.

Seeing the gargoyle, the villagers run. Bert tries to approach the gargoyle but he is vaporised by a blast from Bok's claw.

The exchanger is at maximum. The Doctor tells the Brigadier to use the booster. The Brigadier orders Osgood to use it, but he is reluctant so the Brigadier activates it himself.

The Master begins the sacrificial ceremony. Some of his coven begin to question his orders.

The exchanger starts to work. It creates a tunnel in the heat barrier which is still warm but passable. The UNIT vehicles begin to drive through.

Azal is in pain, affected by the energy exchanger.

The Brigadier tells the Doctor that everything is through bar the machine. The Doctor says he needs it. The Brigadier orders Osgood through. As soon as the machine makes it through it explodes. The Doctor hears the explosion and the Brigadier confirms the news. The Doctor says he is going to go in when the creature is weak. He dodges the gargoyle and runs in. He enters the cavern and is shocked to see the size of Azal. The Master welcomes him.

The UNIT vehicles arrive outside the church. The Brigadier wants to go after the Doctor but Yates shows him the gargoyle and his ability. The Brigadier orders one of his men to shoot it, but to no avail.

The Doctor tells the Master that he knows he is going to die now he is in the cavern. The Master tells Azal to kill the Doctor. Azal refuses as he senses that the Doctor is not of this planet. The Master says he is a meddler and a fool. Azal disagrees and says he has just done a foolish thing by coming into the cavern. The Doctor explains that he came in to talk but will only do so if Azal frees Jo. He does so. The Doctor warns Azal that he should leave while he still can - telling him of the energy exchanger. Azal says he knows that it is destroyed. The Doctor says he has two but Azal knows this is a lie. The Master says Azal should kill him for lying. Azal agrees. The Doctor says that if Azal kills him he'll wander through eternity wishing he'd listened.

The whole of the UNIT force fire at the gargoyle. One soldier tries to sneak into the church but is vaporised by Bok. Yates orders Benton to fetch the bazooka.

Azal hesitates. The Master tells him to kill the Doctor. Azal says that he does not obey the Master's orders and goes on to say that it is time for completion of the Dæmons' experiment on Earth. The Master says that the experiment will be completed when he hands power to him. The Doctor says that this level of power is similar to Adolf Hitler or Genghis Khan. Azal is not convinced. The Doctor says that he should leave humanity alone. Azal is reluctant to do so as he says that the Dæmons imbued knowledge to man. The Doctor rebuts this and says that man has used that knowledge to create weapons, poisons and pollution. Azal says that if humanity is such a failure, then they should be destroyed. The Master says that all Earth needs is a strong leader to force them to learn. Azal agrees and says he intends to hand his power over.... to the Doctor. The Doctor says he doesn't want it.

The gargoyle runs towards the UNIT forces. Yates uses the bazooka on him which destroys him but he soon re-forms.

The Doctor begs Azal to leave but he says he can't; he must either bequeath his power or destroy the Earth. The Master says he can bequeath it to him and Azal agrees. The Master asks what will happen to the Doctor. Azal says he is not rational and should be eliminated. He fires bolts of energy at the Doctor. Jo stands in the way and says that the Doctor is a good man and that she would rather die than him. This affects Azal and the bolts fire back off Jo into him. Azal is in pain and says that the actions Jo has carried out do not relate. He stumbles backwards.

Azal wracked in agony.

Outside the church, the gargoyle stops and turns into stone. The Doctor and Jo emerge form the church and tell the UNIT soldiers to run. The Master emerges with his coven just as the church explodes. The villagers all come out and watch. Benton captures the Master and holds a gun to his head.

The Brigadier asks the Doctor what happened, and he explains that Jo saved everyone. Azal didn't understand the irrational and illogical act of Jo trying to save the Doctor and all his power turned against himself. They hear a distant explosion. The Doctor says it was the spaceship at Devil's Hump triggering its automatic self-destruct. This is confirmed when a soldier stationed at the barrow says it has exploded.

The Master uses this distraction to throw his cloak over Benton and try to escape in Bessie. The Doctor tells UNIT not to fire and uses the remote control to return a resigned Master back to them. The Brigadier orders that the Master is to be kept under maximum security guard. The Doctor tells them to look after him, as he wants to deal with him later. As the Master is driven away in a UNIT Land Rover, the villagers boo him. As everyone celebrates, they all begin to dance around the maypole - except the Brigadier and Yates, who decide to go to the pub for a pint.

Cast[[edit] | [edit source]]

Uncredited Cast[[edit] | [edit source]]

Crew[[edit] | [edit source]]

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

Worldbuilding[[edit] | [edit source]]

Individuals[[edit] | [edit source]]

Species[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • Sergeant Benton compares the Dæmons to the Axons and the Cybermen.

Languages[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • The Doctor states that "Magister" is the Latin word for "Master".

Influences[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • The story came about from Barry Letts's interest in black magic after reading The Devil Rides Out. As such, when he needed an audition piece for the roles of Jo Grant and Mike Yates, he devised a scene in which they were confronted by the Devil in a church.
  • Barry Letts and Robert Sloman were inspired by Chariots of the Gods, as well as a BBC-sponsored dig at Silbury Hill, a mound near Avebury, Wiltshire with strong folkloric associations.

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

  • This story had the working title The Demons. It was Christopher Barry who suggested The Daemons, arguing that the archaic spelling lent additional atmosphere.
  • "Guy Leopold" (the writer) is a pen name for Robert Sloman and Barry Letts.
  • The Radio Times programme listing for episode one was accompanied by a black-and-white illustration by Frank Bellamy depicting Miss Hawthorne, along with the Doctor and Jo driving towards Devil's End in Bessie, with the accompanying caption "Dr. Who drives into a new adventure: 6.15". That for the omnibus rerun of the story on 28 December 1971 was accompanied by another black-and-white illustration by Bellamy depicting the Doctor with the Master in the background, with the accompanying caption "Dr. Who meets The Master in the Daemons: 6.20". (original published text)
  • Although the filming location, the village of Aldbourne, is in the county of Wiltshire, there is no indication in the on-screen dialogue as to which county Devil's End is situated in. However, there is an in-joke reference in episode one to "the third Lord Aldbourne", during Alastair Fergus's television news report about the archaeological dig being conducted in the village by Professor Horner.
  • The shot of the exploding helicopter is actually an unused shot from the James Bond film From Russia With Love (1963). The same shot was earlier used, in black-and-white, in The Enemy of the World. The sequence looked so convincing on-screen that a popular myth persists that a helicopter was actually destroyed during the filming.
  • The area under the church is always referred to as "the cavern", never "the crypt". This was a BBC directive given to producer Barry Letts, to avoid potentially offending religious sensibilities. Similarly, much to director Christopher Barry's amazement, no mention of God was permitted to be made in the story's dialogue, in case this was considered to be blasphemous (blasphemy was still a criminal offence at the time) — although references to the Devil were acceptable.
  • The incantation used by the Master to summon Azal is the nursery rhyme "Mary Had a Little Lamb" spoken backwards. It was originally going to be either the Lord's Prayer or The Ballad of Eskimo Nell spoken backwards, but BBC bosses objected.
  • In the DVD featurette Terrance Dicks: Fact & Fiction (included on the DVD of Horror of Fang Rock), Dicks confesses that in the script he originally cut the Brigadier's famous "Chap with wings there. Five rounds rapid!" line, but it was reinstated at writer Barry Letts's request.
  • It was believed by many viewers that the model of the church blown up in the final episode – a replica of the actual church in Aldbourne – was real, because the sequence looked so convincing on-screen. Complaints were received by the BBC deploring its destruction.
  • When the signpost pointing to Devil's End is shown in episode two, another part of the sign is seen pointing to a village named "Satanhall".
  • This is the only story to end an episode on a cliffhanger – namely episode three – showing the Master in peril.
  • The archaeological dig is broadcast on BBC3. In the real-world at the time there was much discussion over whether the fourth UK UHF television network would be awarded to the BBC or the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA), ultimately resulting in the establishment of Channel 4 in 1982. At the time The Dæmons was made it was plausible that there could be a third BBC channel in existence by the end of the decade, fitting with the intention that the UNIT stories were set in the near future.
  • The symbols on the collar of the Master's ceremonial robe are from the sixteenth century occult alphabet known as Theban, and from left to right they translate to "Master".
  • Barry Letts's brief from the BBC's head of serials was to produce a 26-episode season for broadcast during 1971. To meet this requirement, The Dæmons should have been a six-part serial; but because of production difficulties it was shortened to five.
  • This is the only televised story of Doctor Who to contain a typographic ligature in its title: æ.
  • Episode two of the story marks the 300th episode of Doctor Who.
  • In the DVD featurette Directing Who with Barry Letts (included on the DVD of Planet of the Spiders), Letts confessed that he would have very much liked to have directed The Dæmons, due to his ambition to direct a story that he had written. He later achieved this with Planet of the Spiders.
  • Although Barry Letts requested during his time as producer that The Dæmons be retained complete in the BBC Archives as an example of 1970s Doctor Who, the 625 line PAL colour videotapes of episodes one, two, three and five were either erased for reuse or junked, with only episode four surviving in this format. 16mm black-and-white film telerecordings of the story, made for overseas sales to countries not yet broadcasting in colour, were retained for the other episodes.
  • This story was chosen by fans to represent the Jon Pertwee era, to be rebroadcast for Doctor Who @40.
  • Miss Hawthorne calls the Doctor "the great wizard Quiquaequod." Qui, quae, and quod are all versions of the Latin for "who."
  • This is one of only eleven televised stories in the history of Doctor Who not to feature the TARDIS at all, along with Mission to the Unknown, Doctor Who and the Silurians, The Mind of Evil, The Sea Devils, The Sontaran Experiment, Genesis of the Daleks, Midnight, The Lie of the Land, The Woman Who Fell to Earth and Ascension of the Cybermen. This is also the only season finale not to feature the TARDIS.
  • Damaris Hayman had an interest in the supernatural and helped out during production as an unofficial adviser. A friend of hers was a practising witch, who had commended the scripts for their accuracy.
  • Jon Pertwee named this as his favourite serial, while Nicholas Courtney named it his second favourite after Inferno.
  • Christopher Barry wasn't particularly keen to return, as he preferred to concentrate on less genre-specific productions. However, he liked the script due to the rural setting and his interest in archaeology. He would go on to direct for the show a number of times again, but still listed this as his favourite, saying it was "a damn good script".
  • Christopher Barry was trying to shoot a sequence where an invisible heat barrier singes the ground, an effect hindered by the location being hit by a freak snowstorm in early May. After a series of delays, Barry announced it might not be possible to get the scenes in the can after all, at which point Jon Pertwee fired up the Doctor's motorbike and drove off in a huff. Pertwee recalled, "I hit the roof, using the most colourful language at my disposal, and generally behaved in the most unprofessional manner."
  • Relations between Jon Pertwee and Christopher Barry were already strained, after plans to film one Sunday had to be shelved as Pertwee was performing one of his regular cabaret engagements in Portsmouth on the Saturday night, and wanted the Sunday off to rest — despite Barry having missed his sister's wedding to be on the set. Barry sent a telegram, which was read out at the wedding reception by the best man, wishing his sister and brother-in-law best wishes; and explaining (a message with a double-meaning) "Doctor Who has prevented me from coming!"
  • Yates and the Brigadier's dialogue at the end, where the former cheekily asks his superior if he wants to dance and the Brig replies that he'd rather have a pint, was ad-libbed by Richard Franklin and Nicholas Courtney.
  • Nicholas Courtney suggested including the Brigadier's wife, whom he proposed might be called FionaTerrance Dicks was not in favour of this, however, and it was not included in the scripts. The character would eventually debut in the Past Doctor Adventures as the Brigadier's first wife, and the mother of Kate Stewart.
  • The scene in which Jo gets herself and the Doctor lost by holding a road map upside-down was inspired by a real-life incident when Jon Pertwee and Katy Manning were driving to a location shoot.
  • Olive Hawthorne had been called Olivia Featherstone at one stage.
  • Future television presenter and Sooty puppeteer Matthew Corbett had a brief role in the final episode as Jones, a hooded coven member who objects to the sacrifice of Jo Grant, and was suggested to the production team by friend Katy Manning.
  • David Simeon was from Wiltshire where the story was being filmed.
  • Filming for the serial caused great excitement in Aldbourne, with a lot of the village residents appearing as extras, as well as the Headington Quarry Morris dancers performing a routine in episode four.
  • The first week of filming saw pleasant, sunny weather for the first week, leading to sudden overnight snow in the second week – causing filming to be delayed. Some episode one scenes were filmed at night – a rarity for the show, although some of these scenes were filmed during daylight with a dark filter put over the camera lens.
  • The music that begins to play at the beginning of episode two, over BBC3's TEMPORARY FAULT notice, is "Off Broadway" by Werner Tautz, commonly heard in the hit U.S. sitcom It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
  • Barry Letts originally asked his friend Owen Holder to co-write the script, having worked together on episodes of Skyport. When he proved unavailable, Letts' wife suggested Robert Sloman, who was a friend's husband.
  • Devil's End was originally called Devil's Dyke, then Devil's Hump.
  • Barry Letts originally planned to direct the serial himself.
  • Nicholas Courtney also provided the voice of the BBC3 announcer, who apologizes for the breakdown in transmission from Devil's End.
  • Christopher Barry voiced the RAF pilot Red Zero-Four.
  • Stephen Thorne was originally supposed to just play Azal's physical form while mouthing to dialogue performed by Anthony Jackson. This was deemed unsuccessful in rehearsals, so Thorne played and voiced Azal himself.
  • Roger Delgado paid tribute to Damaris Hayman by saying her name backwards during one of the Master's chants.
  • The wind blowing the signpost around was achieved by tying a rope, which was attached to a drum, thus allowing the signpost to spin around. The production crew had slight difficulties when the rope broke.
  • Aldourne was scouted out by Production Assistant Peter Grimwade. The village had everything the script required, such as a village green, a churchyard and even a Bronze Age mound.
  • To capture some technical scenes, Barry Letts was allowed to take three cameras on location, which were set up in a multi-camera set-up, reducing the number of takes for any given scene.
  • The ivy which surrounded the church wall was provided by the special effects department, whilst the bush which ignited, which was timed to do so, was provided by the visual effects department.
  • Jim was originally going to be played by Sonnic Willis, an extra who had appeared in the series before. However, animal trained John Holmes was booked instead. He worked with Formakin Animal Centre, which supplied both the dog and the cat that appeared in the opening scene.
  • The opening scene was partially realised through the help of assistant floor manager Sue Hedden, who poured the water down the drain which was part of the gargoyle. It was also her personal black hat which played the part of the unknown creature that's seen scuttling in the churchyard. The rest of the water was supplied by a fire brigade from Ramsbury.
  • Bok was inspired by the gargoyles on Notre Dame de Paris.
  • The Bok costume was fitted with a firework mechanism for scenes recquiring Bok to fire energy bolts.
  • Production was hit by various delays, which angered Jon Pertwee, who was eventually calmed down by Nicholas Courtney. After cooling down, Pertwee became excessively bored and went for rides on a motorbike he was required to drive for several scenes.
  • Location filming provided happy memories for the citizens of Aldourne. Many villagers appeared as themselves in short scenes and Jon Pertwee took children for rides in Bessie.
  • For the scenes where Bok is blasted to pieces and re-assembles himself, a plaster model was blown up and the footage was reversed to create the illusion that Bok put himself together again.
  • Towards the end of location filming, Damaris Hayman developed a sore throat. Some feared that she had contracted mumps, which had broken out at the local school, but she was fine.
  • The seated Bok statue was a large polystyrene creation. The statue had fully operational red lights fitted into the head, which was fully flexible, allowing it to move. After production, Jon Pertwee kept the model in his garden.
  • Anthony Jackson originally provided the voice of Azal. He recorded his lines at Maida Vale. However, since Stephen Thorne worked extensively in radio, his deep, booming, distinctive voice meant that he wound up voicing Azal.
  • The costume and make-up for Azal was achievd with face and dental moulds. The mask had horns and a wig attached, whilst the teeth were supplied by an outside dental practice. Overall, the costume was very uncomfortable to wear.
  • After production wrapped on location, the Cloven Hoof sign constructed for the pub was presented to the real landlord of the pub, who kept it on display. When ownership of the pub changed, the sign was sold to a group of fans.[1]

Other publications[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • In March 1971, the Daily Express newspaper reported on the location filming for this story as part of a feature article on Jon Pertwee, which included black-and-white photographs. This was one of a series of features they ran that month about well-known TV personalities.
  • The Countdown Annual 1972, published in October 1971, contains an article – with photographs in black-and-white – about the location filming in Aldbourne for this story. The article is listed on the contents page as "Filming Dr Who", but is actually entitled "A Day with Dr Who". The author was Countdown editor Dennis Hooper, who misspelled "Bessie" as "Betsy".

Ratings[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • Episode one - 9.2 million viewers
  • Episode two - 8.0 million viewers
  • Episode three - 8.1 million viewers
  • Episode four - 8.1 million viewers
  • Episode five - 8.3 million viewers

Myths[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • There was a sixth episode planned, where the Master escaped UNIT. (This was an April Fools' joke in the fanzine DWB. The script release also featured a misprint in which it mentioned a sixth episode.)

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

  • Aldbourne, Wiltshire (Village)
  • Four Barrows, Wiltshire (Devils Hump)
  • Ady Godwin Car Repairs, Wiltshire (Bessie being fixed)
  • Membury Crossroads, Wiltshire (Doctor and Jo driving to the dig)
  • Oaken Coppice (Lane), Wiltshire (Tree falls in front of Bessie)
  • Ramsbury Airfield, Ramsbury, Wiltshire (Heat barrier stops UNIT)
  • BBC Television Centre (Studio 4), Shepherd's Bush, London

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

If you'd like to talk about narrative problems with this story — like plot holes and things that seem to contradict other stories — please go to this episode's discontinuity discussion.
  • During the struggle between Benton and Garvin in episode two, Garvin's shotgun breaks in two — forcing actor John Joyce (Garvin) to hold the two pieces together.
  • In episode two, when the baker's van strikes the heat barrier and explodes in flames, a road sign identifies the village as being one mile away. But in episode three, the Brigadier says the energy barrier is circular and ten miles in diameter, centred on the village church.
  • When the Doctor runs into the church in episode five, he slams the door behind him, causing the wall to shake noticeably.

BBC holiday repeat[[edit] | [edit source]]

On 28 December 1971, The Dæmons became the very first serial to be repeated by the BBC in omnibus form (as an edited 90 minute repeat, shown between 4:20pm and 5:50pm). Bearing the on-screen title Doctor Who and the Daemons, this was the first time a "complete adventure in one programme" — to quote the Radio Times programme listing — had been shown. Open to misinterpretation, it did not mean the serial was being shown complete, only that this was not part of a multi-episode broadcast. (In the 1960s, when Doctor Who was being broadcast 48 weeks a year, there had usually been no opportunity, or imperative, to show repeats between one season and the next.)

The repeat broadcast attracted 10.5 million viewers, the show's highest rating since 1965. This was such a huge audience that the experiment was adjudged a great success, and it led to a policy of showing at least one omnibus repeat from every subsequent season for many years afterwards, until well into the Tom Baker era.

The omnibus edition of The Dæmons was not retained by the BBC Archives, with the 625 line PAL colour videotape being erased for reuse around late May/early June 1974.

Continuity[[edit] | [edit source]]

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

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

The story was released on DVD on 19 March 2012.

Special features[[edit] | [edit source]]

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

This story is available

  • for streaming through BritBox (Canada and US) as part of Season 8 of Classic Doctor Who.

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

Episode five was included in black-and-white on the video The Pertwee Years in 1992, as no broadcastable colour copy existed at the time of release.

The Dæmons was released on VHS in the UK and Australia in March and July 1993 respectively. This was an electronically restored colour version of the story completed by the Doctor Who Restoration Team.

Script book[[edit] | [edit source]]

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

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