The Macra Terror (TV story): Difference between revisions

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===Discontinuity, Plot Holes, Errors===
===Discontinuity, Plot Holes, Errors===
*The Macra's top claw is longer than the bottom, but when it grabs the controller, they are the same size
*The Macra's top claw is longer than the bottom, but when it grabs the controller, they are the same size
*hen Medok is called to provide the Doctor's alibi, the Doctor tells the Pilot not to believe everything that Medok is going to say.
*When Medok is called to provide the Doctor's alibi, the Doctor tells the Pilot not to believe everything that Medok is going to say.
*ow the atmospherically challenged Macra could take control (even with the charming voice one seems to possess) is never explained.
*How the atmospherically challenged Macra could take control (even with the charming voice one seems to possess) is never explained.
*cenes such as the Macra standing around the old Pilot, threatening him and pushing a microphone in his face, are hard to imagine.
*Scenes such as the Macra standing around the old Pilot, threatening him and pushing a microphone in his face, are hard to imagine.


==Continuity==
==Continuity==

Revision as of 19:49, 5 January 2010


Who wants to see their face in a pair of suede shoes?The Doctor

The Macra Terror was the seventh story of Season 4 of Doctor Who. It was the first Doctor Who story to feature the lead actor's face in the opening title sequence.

Synopsis

When the Doctor, Polly and Ben visit a human colony that appears to be one big holiday camp, they think they have come across a truly happy place. But a shadowy presence soon makes them realise that the surface contentment is carefully controlled.

The colony's inhabitants have been brainwashed by giant crab-like creatures - the Macra. Insidious propaganda, broadcast by the Controller, forces the humans to mine a gas that is essential for the Macra to survive - but fatal to them.

The colony must be saved - but how? The Doctor and his team are up against it, particularly when Ben falls under the influence of the Macra. Can he be rescued from their evil clutches? Can the gas pumping equipment be destroyed, getting rid of the Macra for good?

Plot

To be added.

Cast

Crew

References

  • The ancestors of the colony came from Earth many centuries ago, and they retain the title of 'Pilot' for their leader.

Story Notes

  • This story is the first to use a new title sequence incorporating an image of Patrick Troughton's face, designed by Bernard Lodge and realised by Ben Palmer. The series' theme music was also rearranged slightly at this point by Delia Derbyshire, with assistance from Dick Mills. This arrangement remains in use (with some variations) until 1980.
  • This story had the working titles; The Spidermen, The Spidermen!, The Insect-Men, The Macra.
  • The Macra seen to be in charge in the last episode is white rather than black (a scene for which the sole Macra prop had to be repainted).
  • All four epsiodes are missing, though some clips survive.

Ratings

  • Episode 1 - 8.0 million viewers
  • Episode 2 - 7.9 million viewers
  • Episode 3 - 8.5 million viewers
  • Episode 4 - 8.4 million viewers

Myths

  • The image of the Controller seen on the screen in the Pilot's office was a photograph of story editor Gerry Davis. (It was a photograph of Graham Leaman, who played the Controller.)

Filming Locations

Discontinuity, Plot Holes, Errors

  • The Macra's top claw is longer than the bottom, but when it grabs the controller, they are the same size
  • When Medok is called to provide the Doctor's alibi, the Doctor tells the Pilot not to believe everything that Medok is going to say.
  • How the atmospherically challenged Macra could take control (even with the charming voice one seems to possess) is never explained.
  • Scenes such as the Macra standing around the old Pilot, threatening him and pushing a microphone in his face, are hard to imagine.

Continuity

  • The Macra returned to Doctor Who 40 years later in DW: Gridlock. To date, this marks the longest interval between appearances by a character or alien race in franchise history.

Timeline

DVD, Video and Other Releases

  • The full soundtrack was released with linking naration by Colin Baker
  • surviving clips were release on the lost in time dvd boxset


Novelisation

Macra Terror novel.jpg
Main article: The Macra Terror (novelisation)

See also

power of the daleks


External Links

Template:Season 4

TVStub.png
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