Paradise Towers (TV story)

Paradise Towers
Doctor:	[[doctor::Seventh Doctor]]
Companion(s):	Mel
Main enemy:	Kroagnon Chief Caretaker Tabby and Tilda
Main setting:	Paradise Towers
Key crew
Writer:	Stephen Wyatt
Director:	Nicholas Mallett
Producer:	John Nathan-Turner
Release details
Story number:	146
Release number:	Season 24
Premiere broadcast:	5th October - 26th October 1987
Format:	4 25-minute episodes
Production code:	7E

Synopsis

Mel wants to go swimming so the Doctor takes her to a tower block called Paradise Towers where there is reputed to be a fantastic pool. When they arrive they discover that the place is far from being the superb leisure resort they had expected - it is run-down and dilapidated.

The hallways are roamed by gangs of young girls known as Kangs; the apartments are inhabited by cannibalistic old ladies, the Rezzies; and the building is managed by a group of dictatorial caretakers, presided over by the Chief Caretaker.

The latter is in thrall to the disembodied Great Architect Kroagnon, the building's creator, who is using giant cleaning machines systematically to kill all the occupants as he considers that they are spoiling his creation by living there.

The Great Architect eventually manifests himself by taking over the Chief Caretaker's body, but the Doctor and Mel join forces with the Kangs, the Rezzies and Pex - the only young man left in the complex - to defeat him. Pex, however, is apparently killed in the struggle.

Plot

to be added

Cast

• The Doctor - Sylvester McCoy
• Mel - Bonnie Langford
• Chief Caretaker/The Great Architect - Richard Briers
• Deputy Chief Caretaker - Clive Merrison
• Tabby - Elizabeth Spriggs
• Tilda - Brenda Bruce
• Maddy - Judy Cornwell
• Pex - Howard Cooke
• Fire Escape - Julie Brennon
• Bin Liner - Annabel Yuresha
• Blue Kang Leader - Catherine Cusack
• Yellow Kang - Astra Sheridan
• Red Kang - Nisha Nayar
• Young Caretaker - Joseph Young
• Video Commentary - Simon Coady

Crew

• Assistant Floor Manager - Val McCrimmon
• Costumes - Janet Tharby
• Designer - Martin Collins
• Incidental Music - Keff McCulloch
• Make-Up - Shaunna Harrison
• OB Cameraman - Alastair Mitchell, David Hunter
• Producer - John Nathan-Turner
• Production Assistant - Frances Graham
• Production Associate - Anne Faggetter
• Script Editor - Andrew Cartmel
• Special Sounds - Dick Mills
• Studio Lighting - Henry Barber
• Studio Sound - Brian Clark
• Theme Arrangement - Keff McCulloch
• Title Music - Ron Grainer
• Visual Effects - Simon Taylor

References

• Paradise Towers, designed by Kroagnon, otherwise known as the Great Architect, won many awards in the 21st century.
• Kroagnon was also responsible for Golden Dream Park, the Bridge of Perpetual Motion and Miracle City.
• The TARDIS swimming pool was leaking and has been jettisoned.
• There is, according to the Doctor, a spectacular pool on the planet Griophos, although it is for the exclusive use of the Gulmeri, flesh eating octopi.
• The Robotic Self activating Megapodic Mark 7Z cleaners have oxymotive blades.
• The Doctor describes an antique phone as a splendid piece of audioarchitectonicalmetrasynchosity.
• Kroagnon 'transplants' his brain into the Chief Caretaker's body via corporal ectoscopy.

Story Notes

• This story had a working title of; Paradise Tower.
• Julie Brennon, who played Fire Escape, was at the time married to former companion actor Mark Strickson.

Ratings

• Part 1 - 4.5 million viewers
• Part 2 - 5.2 million viewers
• Part 3 - 5.0 million viewers
• Part 4 - 5.0 million viewers

Myths

to be added

Filming Locations

• Elmswell House, Nightingales Lane, Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire (Location of the pool)
• BBC Television Centre (TC1 & TC8), Shepherd's Bush, London

Discontinuity, Plot Holes, Errors

to be added

Continuity

• The Doctor is once again called an "Old One" by locals, as he was in DW: The Mysterious Planet.
• The TARDIS is graffitied again in DW: Aliens of London.
• The TARDIS pool last appeared in DW: The Invasion of Time.

Timeline

• Paradise Towers occurs after: BFA: Red
• Paradise Towers occurs before: BFA: Bang-Bang-A-Boom!

DVD and Video Releases

to be added

Novelisation

Main article: Paradise Towers (novelisation)

• Novelised by Stephen Wyatt in 1988.

External Links

• BBC Episode Guide for Paradise Towers
• Outpost Gallifrey Episode Guide: Paradise Towers
• Doctor Who Reference Guide: Detailed Synopsis - Paradise Towers
• A Brief History of Time (Travel) entry for Paradise Towers
• The Locations Guide to Doctor Who - 'Paradise Towers