The Visitation (TV story): Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox ClassicTV| | {{Infobox ClassicTV| | ||
story name= The Visitation | | story name= The Visitation | | ||
image=[[ | image=[[File:They're behind you!.jpg|250px]]| | ||
series=[[Doctor Who]] -<br/>[[List of Doctor Who television stories|TV Stories]]| | series=[[Doctor Who]] -<br />[[List of Doctor Who television stories|TV Stories]]| | ||
number= [[Season 19]]| | number= [[Season 19]]| | ||
story number=119| | story number=119| | ||
doctor=[[Fifth Doctor]] | | doctor=[[Fifth Doctor]] | | ||
companions=<ul><li>[[Adric]]</li><li>[[Tegan Jovanka]]</li><li>[[Nyssa]]</li></ul>| | companions=<ul><li>[[Adric]]</li><li>[[Tegan Jovanka]]</li><li>[[Nyssa]]</li></ul>| | ||
enemy= <ul><li>[[Terileptil]]s</li><li>[[Terileptil android]]</li></ul>Villagers<br>[[Tegan Jovanka]]<br>(Under Control By Terileptil)<br>[[Richard Mace]]<br>(Under Control By Terileptil)| | enemy= <ul><li>[[Terileptil]]s</li><li>[[Terileptil android]]</li></ul>Villagers<br />[[Tegan Jovanka]]<br />(Under Control By Terileptil)<br />[[Richard Mace]]<br />(Under Control By Terileptil)| | ||
year= <ul><li>Future site of [[Heathrow Airport]]; [[1666]]</li><li>[[London]]; [[1666]]</li></ul>[[The TARDIS]]| | year= <ul><li>Future site of [[Heathrow Airport]]; [[1666]]</li><li>[[London]]; [[1666]]</li></ul>[[The TARDIS]]| | ||
writer= [[Eric Saward]]| | writer= [[Eric Saward]]| | ||
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format= 4 25-minute episodes | | format= 4 25-minute episodes | | ||
production code= [[List of production codes|5X]] | | production code= [[List of production codes|5X]] | | ||
previous story= [[Kinda (TV story) | Kinda]] | | previous story= [[Kinda (TV story)|Kinda]] | | ||
next story= [[Black Orchid (TV story) | Black Orchid]] | next story= [[Black Orchid (TV story)|Black Orchid]] | ||
}}{{TV stub}} | }}{{TV stub}} | ||
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The creatures are also using a [[Terileptil android|sophisticated android]] to strike terror into the local villagers. Aided by itinerant thespian [[Richard Mace]], the Doctor tries to unravel the evil plot. | The creatures are also using a [[Terileptil android|sophisticated android]] to strike terror into the local villagers. Aided by itinerant thespian [[Richard Mace]], the Doctor tries to unravel the evil plot. | ||
==Plot== | == Plot == | ||
At the manor home of a [[17th century]] family, an unwelcome visitor arrives. | At the manor home of a [[17th century]] family, an unwelcome visitor arrives. | ||
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The four gather outside the TARDIS and immediately smell [[sulphur]] and head off to find the source. They are then attacked by villagers, but escape. In the confusion, Adric dropped his [[homing device]] to find the TARDIS and the group is separated. A [[highwayman]] and proclaimed thespian, [[Richard Mace]] next encounters the group and takes them to safety inside a barn. | The four gather outside the TARDIS and immediately smell [[sulphur]] and head off to find the source. They are then attacked by villagers, but escape. In the confusion, Adric dropped his [[homing device]] to find the TARDIS and the group is separated. A [[highwayman]] and proclaimed thespian, [[Richard Mace]] next encounters the group and takes them to safety inside a barn. | ||
While questioning Mace, they find out that some kind of [[comet]] recently landed nearby. The Doctor knows it was no comet and immediately takes interest in the necklace Mace is wearing. It is actually a bracelet used for prisoner control. The group begins searching the barn and comes across several [[power pack | While questioning Mace, they find out that some kind of [[comet]] recently landed nearby. The Doctor knows it was no comet and immediately takes interest in the necklace Mace is wearing. It is actually a bracelet used for prisoner control. The group begins searching the barn and comes across several [[power pack]]s, and since they are far more fragile than the necklace, it means there were survivors. And so they set off to the nearby manor of the person who owns the barn. | ||
No one answers the front door, so the Doctor and Nyssa find a way in through a window. While searching the manor, they find more power packs, [[gunpowder]], and a mark from a high energy weapon. The Doctor also notices that there is a wall where there shouldn’t be one. And while he continues his investigation of the wall, Nyssa heads to the front door and lets the others in. But when they return to the wall, the Doctor is no where to be found. And as the four stand there trying to figure out where he’s gone, a figure shuts and locks the door behind them. | No one answers the front door, so the Doctor and Nyssa find a way in through a window. While searching the manor, they find more power packs, [[gunpowder]], and a mark from a high energy weapon. The Doctor also notices that there is a wall where there shouldn’t be one. And while he continues his investigation of the wall, Nyssa heads to the front door and lets the others in. But when they return to the wall, the Doctor is no where to be found. And as the four stand there trying to figure out where he’s gone, a figure shuts and locks the door behind them. | ||
The Doctor then appears through the wall and explains it is a [[Hologram| holographic]] [[energy barrier]]. The group walks through and joins the Doctor. Once in the cellar, they notice the place smells of [[Soliton gas]]. Also in the cellar are several caged [[rat | The Doctor then appears through the wall and explains it is a [[Hologram|holographic]] [[energy barrier]]. The group walks through and joins the Doctor. Once in the cellar, they notice the place smells of [[Soliton gas]]. Also in the cellar are several caged [[rat]]s and the device emitting the Soliton gas. While the five are searching the room, the figure from before, an [[android]], sneaks up on them. It succeeds in stunning Tegan and Adric, while the Doctor, Nyssa and Mace are forced to retreat. | ||
The survivor is a Terileptil fugitive and interrogates Tegan and Adric about the Doctor. Meanwhile, the Doctor and the others find the Terileptil’s ship near the manor while they plan on how to deal with the android: A [[Sonic Booster|sonic booster]] set up in the TARDIS might just deal with it. As they leave the ship, a group of villagers, all wearing the same device Mace found, approach them. They demand that the Doctor come with them, and when he refuses they attack. The three run back into the ship, now under siege by the villagers. The Doctor blasts open the rear hatch of the ship and the group escapes into the forest to find the TARDIS. The controlled villagers follow them at a distance. | The survivor is a Terileptil fugitive and interrogates Tegan and Adric about the Doctor. Meanwhile, the Doctor and the others find the Terileptil’s ship near the manor while they plan on how to deal with the android: A [[Sonic Booster|sonic booster]] set up in the TARDIS might just deal with it. As they leave the ship, a group of villagers, all wearing the same device Mace found, approach them. They demand that the Doctor come with them, and when he refuses they attack. The three run back into the ship, now under siege by the villagers. The Doctor blasts open the rear hatch of the ship and the group escapes into the forest to find the TARDIS. The controlled villagers follow them at a distance. | ||
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== Cast & Characters == | == Cast & Characters == | ||
*[[Fifth Doctor|The Doctor]] - [[Peter Davison]] | * [[Fifth Doctor|The Doctor]] - [[Peter Davison]] | ||
*[[Tegan Jovanka]] - [[Janet Fielding]] | * [[Tegan Jovanka]] - [[Janet Fielding]] | ||
*[[Adric]] - [[Matthew Waterhouse]] | * [[Adric]] - [[Matthew Waterhouse]] | ||
*[[Nyssa]] - [[Sarah Sutton]] | * [[Nyssa]] - [[Sarah Sutton]] | ||
*[[Richard Mace]] – [[Michael Robbins]] | * [[Richard Mace]] – [[Michael Robbins]] | ||
*[[Terileptil]] Leader – [[Michael Melia]] | * [[Terileptil]] Leader – [[Michael Melia]] | ||
*[[Terileptil android|Android]] - [[Peter Van Dissel]] | * [[Terileptil android|Android]] - [[Peter Van Dissel]] | ||
*[[The Miller]] – [[James Charlton]] | * [[The Miller]] – [[James Charlton]] | ||
*[[The Poacher]] – [[Neil West]] | * [[The Poacher]] – [[Neil West]] | ||
*[[The Headman]] – [[Eric Dodson]] | * [[The Headman]] – [[Eric Dodson]] | ||
*[[The Squire]] – [[John Savident]] | * [[The Squire]] – [[John Savident]] | ||
*[[Charles]] – [[Anthony Calf]] | * [[Charles]] – [[Anthony Calf]] | ||
*[[Ralph (The Visitation)|Ralph]] – [[John Baker (actor)|John Baker]] | * [[Ralph (The Visitation)|Ralph]] – [[John Baker (actor)|John Baker]] | ||
*[[Elizabeth]] - [[Valerie Fyfer]] | * [[Elizabeth]] - [[Valerie Fyfer]] | ||
*[[Villager (The Visitation)|Villager]] - [[Richard Hampton]] | * [[Villager (The Visitation)|Villager]] - [[Richard Hampton]] | ||
== Crew == | == Crew == | ||
*[[Studio Lighting]] - [[Henry Barber]] | * [[Studio Lighting]] - [[Henry Barber]] | ||
*[[Film Editor]] - [[Ken Bilton ]] | * [[Film Editor]] - [[Ken Bilton]] | ||
*[[Film Cameraman]] - [[Peter Chapman ]] | * [[Film Cameraman]] - [[Peter Chapman]] | ||
*[[Costumes]] - [[Odile Dicks-Mireaux ]] | * [[Costumes]] - [[Odile Dicks-Mireaux]] | ||
*[[Doctor Who theme|Title Music]] - [[Ron Grainer]] and the [[BBC Radiophonic Workshop]] | * [[Doctor Who theme|Title Music]] - [[Ron Grainer]] and the [[BBC Radiophonic Workshop]] | ||
*[[Theme arrangement]] - [[Peter Howell]] | * [[Theme arrangement]] - [[Peter Howell]] | ||
*[[Incidental Music]] - [[Paddy Kingsland]] | * [[Incidental Music]] - [[Paddy Kingsland]] | ||
*[[Studio Sound]] - [[Alan Machin]] | * [[Studio Sound]] - [[Alan Machin]] | ||
*[[Special Sounds]] - [[Dick Mills]] | * [[Special Sounds]] - [[Dick Mills]] | ||
*[[Make-Up]] - [[Carolyn Perry]] | * [[Make-Up]] - [[Carolyn Perry]] | ||
*[[Production Assistant]] - [[Julia Randall]] | * [[Production Assistant]] - [[Julia Randall]] | ||
*[[Production Associate]] - [[Angela Smith]] | * [[Production Associate]] - [[Angela Smith]] | ||
*[[Designer (crew)|Designer]] - [[Ken Starkey]] | * [[Designer (crew)|Designer]] - [[Ken Starkey]] | ||
*[[Assistant Floor Manager]] - [[Alison Symington]] | * [[Assistant Floor Manager]] - [[Alison Symington]] | ||
*[[Visual Effects]] - [[Peter Wragg]] | * [[Visual Effects]] - [[Peter Wragg]] | ||
*[[Script Editor]] - [[Antony Root]] | * [[Script Editor]] - [[Antony Root]] | ||
*[[Writer]] - [[Eric Saward]] | * [[Writer]] - [[Eric Saward]] | ||
*[[Director]] - [[Peter Moffatt]] | * [[Director]] - [[Peter Moffatt]] | ||
*[[Producer]] - [[John Nathan-Turner]] | * [[Producer]] - [[John Nathan-Turner]] | ||
== References == | == References == | ||
*Tegan assumes that the Terileptil's interest in the TARDIS means that, like [[Monarch]], he wants to ''"ride in it"''. | * Tegan assumes that the Terileptil's interest in the TARDIS means that, like [[Monarch]], he wants to ''"ride in it"''. | ||
*Whilst in the TARDIS prior to landing Tegan is talking to Nyssa about her recent possession by the [[Mara]] on [[Deva Loka]]. | * Whilst in the TARDIS prior to landing Tegan is talking to Nyssa about her recent possession by the [[Mara]] on [[Deva Loka]]. | ||
===[[:Category:Species|Species]]=== | === [[:Category:Species|Species]] === | ||
*The [[Terileptil]]s are very intelligent semi-reptilian creatures who have a heightened appreciation of aesthetics and warfare. | * The [[Terileptil]]s are very intelligent semi-reptilian creatures who have a heightened appreciation of aesthetics and warfare. | ||
*These Terileptils have escaped from the [[Tinclavic]] mines on [[Raaga]], where they have been sentenced to life imprisonment. | * These Terileptils have escaped from the [[Tinclavic]] mines on [[Raaga]], where they have been sentenced to life imprisonment. | ||
*Terileptils cannot last for long without breathing [[soliton gas]]: the substance is volatile when mixed with [[oxygen]] (it smells a bit like [[sulphur]]). | * Terileptils cannot last for long without breathing [[soliton gas]]: the substance is volatile when mixed with [[oxygen]] (it smells a bit like [[sulphur]]). | ||
===[[:Category:London|London]]=== | === [[:Category:London|London]] === | ||
*The explosion of the Terileptil leader's weapon is the cause of the [[1666]] [[Great Fire of London]] beginning in [[Pudding Lane]]. | * The explosion of the Terileptil leader's weapon is the cause of the [[1666]] [[Great Fire of London]] beginning in [[Pudding Lane]]. | ||
===[[:Category:TARDIS|TARDIS]]=== | === [[:Category:TARDIS|TARDIS]] === | ||
*The TARDIS' [[lateral balance cones]] are ''"playing up"'' (probably ''"temperamental [[solenoid]]s"''), foiling the Doctor's attempt to get Tegan back to [[1981]] Heathrow. | * The TARDIS' [[lateral balance cones]] are ''"playing up"'' (probably ''"temperamental [[solenoid]]s"''), foiling the Doctor's attempt to get Tegan back to [[1981]] Heathrow. | ||
*Adric drops his TARDIS [[homing device]] in a fight. | * Adric drops his TARDIS [[homing device]] in a fight. | ||
*When the Doctor is searching for the Terileptils' London base, the scanner shows a 'brown and white' [[17th century]] print of [[London]]'s streets. | * When the Doctor is searching for the Terileptils' London base, the scanner shows a 'brown and white' [[17th century]] print of [[London]]'s streets. | ||
===[[:Category:Technology|Technology]]=== | === [[:Category:Technology|Technology]] === | ||
*The Doctor's [[sonic screwdriver]] is destroyed. | * The Doctor's [[sonic screwdriver]] is destroyed. | ||
*The Doctor finds the Terileptils' [[escape pod]] half buried. | * The Doctor finds the Terileptils' [[escape pod]] half buried. | ||
*Adric and Nyssa are able to pilot [[the Doctor's TARDIS]] on their own. | * Adric and Nyssa are able to pilot [[the Doctor's TARDIS]] on their own. | ||
*The Terileptils construct an [[energy barrier]] to hide their workshop from the rest of the house. | * The Terileptils construct an [[energy barrier]] to hide their workshop from the rest of the house. | ||
*The Terileptils' control bracelets are made of [[polygrite]]: the substance, and the [[power pack]]s, are found in many parts of the [[Universe]]. Their usual form of lighting - [[Vintaric crystal]]s - is also common. | * The Terileptils' control bracelets are made of [[polygrite]]: the substance, and the [[power pack]]s, are found in many parts of the [[Universe]]. Their usual form of lighting - [[Vintaric crystal]]s - is also common. | ||
*The Terileptils have developed advanced [[android]]s. | * The Terileptils have developed advanced [[android]]s. | ||
==Story notes== | == Story notes == | ||
* The working titles for this story were '''The Invasion of the Plague Men''' and '''Plague Rats'''. | * The working titles for this story were '''The Invasion of the Plague Men''' and '''Plague Rats'''. | ||
* The opening sequence in the TARDIS follows on directly from ''[[Kinda (TV story)|Kinda]]''. Since ''The Visitation'' was filmed before ''Kinda'', the cast had to act out their characters' responses to the events of ''Kinda'' based solely on the script. | * The opening sequence in the TARDIS follows on directly from ''[[Kinda (TV story)|Kinda]]''. Since ''The Visitation'' was filmed before ''Kinda'', the cast had to act out their characters' responses to the events of ''Kinda'' based solely on the script. | ||
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* Writer [[Eric Saward]] originally created the character of [[Richard Mace]] for several [[radio drama|radio plays]] broadcast on [[BBC Radio 4]] in the [[1970s]]. The initial idea for this story was suggested to Saward by a former girlfriend who had recently read about the plague and the fire. | * Writer [[Eric Saward]] originally created the character of [[Richard Mace]] for several [[radio drama|radio plays]] broadcast on [[BBC Radio 4]] in the [[1970s]]. The initial idea for this story was suggested to Saward by a former girlfriend who had recently read about the plague and the fire. | ||
* One part of the Terileptil's laboratory re-uses a [[Hymetusite]] crystal from ''[[The Horns of Nimon]]''. | * One part of the Terileptil's laboratory re-uses a [[Hymetusite]] crystal from ''[[The Horns of Nimon]]''. | ||
*[[Director]] [[Peter Moffatt]] strongly disliked [[Paddy Kingsland]]'s [[incidental music]] for this serial, saying it was replete with "turgid chords". ([[DCOM]]: ''The Visitation'') However, Kingsland called Moffatt his "favourite director to work with". ([[DOC]]: ''[[Scoring The Visitation]]'') | * [[Director]] [[Peter Moffatt]] strongly disliked [[Paddy Kingsland]]'s [[incidental music]] for this serial, saying it was replete with "turgid chords". ([[DCOM]]: ''The Visitation'') However, Kingsland called Moffatt his "favourite director to work with". ([[DOC]]: ''[[Scoring The Visitation]]'') | ||
===Ratings=== | === Ratings === | ||
*Part 1 - 9.1 million viewers | * Part 1 - 9.1 million viewers | ||
*Part 2 - 9.3 million viewers | * Part 2 - 9.3 million viewers | ||
*Part 3 - 9.9 million viewers | * Part 3 - 9.9 million viewers | ||
*Part 4 - 10.1 million viewers | * Part 4 - 10.1 million viewers | ||
===Myths=== | === Myths === | ||
''to be added'' | ''to be added'' | ||
===Filming locations=== | === Filming locations === | ||
*Black Park, Black Park Road, Fulmer, Buckinghamshire | * Black Park, Black Park Road, Fulmer, Buckinghamshire | ||
*Tithe Barn, Hurley High Street, Hurley, Berkshire | * Tithe Barn, Hurley High Street, Hurley, Berkshire | ||
*[[Ealing Television Film Studios]] (Stage 2), Ealing Green, Ealing | * [[Ealing Television Film Studios]] (Stage 2), Ealing Green, Ealing | ||
*[[BBC Television Centre]] ([[List of stories recorded at BBC Television Centre|Studio 3]]), Shepherd's Bush, [[London]] | * [[BBC Television Centre]] ([[List of stories recorded at BBC Television Centre|Studio 3]]), Shepherd's Bush, [[London]] | ||
===Production errors=== | === Production errors === | ||
{{discontinuity}} | {{discontinuity}} | ||
*When the doors open in the interior of the crashed ship, you can clearly see that the forest in which the craft is supposedly located is not there. | * When the doors open in the interior of the crashed ship, you can clearly see that the forest in which the craft is supposedly located is not there. | ||
*When the Doctor decides that Nyssa should go to the TARDIS alone, while he and Richard Mace go to see the miller, she leaves back in the direction that they had walked into the clearing from. | * When the Doctor decides that Nyssa should go to the TARDIS alone, while he and Richard Mace go to see the miller, she leaves back in the direction that they had walked into the clearing from. | ||
==Continuity== | == Continuity == | ||
* When the Doctor is about to be beheaded by the scytheman, he groans, "Oh no, not again." He is alluding to the events in [[DW]]: ''[[Four to Doomsday]]'', in which he was nearly beheaded by [[Monarch]]'s [[android]]s. | * When the Doctor is about to be beheaded by the scytheman, he groans, "Oh no, not again." He is alluding to the events in [[DW]]: ''[[Four to Doomsday]]'', in which he was nearly beheaded by [[Monarch]]'s [[android]]s. | ||
*The [[Fourth Doctor]] alluded to being accused of starting the Great Fire in the final scene of [[DW]]: ''[[Pyramids of Mars]]''. These events would later be depicted in [[ST]]: ''[[The Republican's Story]]'', which takes place contemporaneously with the events of this story. | * The [[Fourth Doctor]] alluded to being accused of starting the Great Fire in the final scene of [[DW]]: ''[[Pyramids of Mars]]''. These events would later be depicted in [[ST]]: ''[[The Republican's Story]]'', which takes place contemporaneously with the events of this story. | ||
* The Terileptils are mentioned again in [[DW]]: ''[[The Awakening]]''. | * The Terileptils are mentioned again in [[DW]]: ''[[The Awakening]]''. | ||
* [[The Master]] destroys their home planet in [[MA]]: ''[[The Dark Path]]''. | * [[The Master]] destroys their home planet in [[MA]]: ''[[The Dark Path]]''. | ||
*The sonic screwdriver, introduced in [[DW]]: ''[[Fury from the Deep]]'', is destroyed here. It would not be seen on screen again until the [[Doctor Who (1996)|1996 TV movie]], with new designs being introduced in [[DW]]: ''[[Rose (TV story)|Rose]]'' and [[DW]]: ''[[The Eleventh Hour]].'' | * The sonic screwdriver, introduced in [[DW]]: ''[[Fury from the Deep]]'', is destroyed here. It would not be seen on screen again until the [[Doctor Who (1996)|1996 TV movie]], with new designs being introduced in [[DW]]: ''[[Rose (TV story)|Rose]]'' and [[DW]]: ''[[The Eleventh Hour]].'' | ||
*In [[DW]]: ''[[Time Crash]]'', the Doctor's [[Tenth Doctor|future self]] references somewhat derisively that the Fifth Doctor chose to work "hands free" after losing his screwdriver here. | * In [[DW]]: ''[[Time Crash]]'', the Doctor's [[Tenth Doctor|future self]] references somewhat derisively that the Fifth Doctor chose to work "hands free" after losing his screwdriver here. | ||
==[[Fifth Doctor - Timeline|Timeline]]== | == [[Fifth Doctor - Timeline|Timeline]] == | ||
*This story takes place after [[ST]]: ''[[First Born]]'' | * This story takes place after [[ST]]: ''[[First Born]]'' | ||
*This story takes place before [[PDA]]: ''[[Divided Loyalties]]'' | * This story takes place before [[PDA]]: ''[[Divided Loyalties]]'' | ||
==Home video and audio releases== | == Home video and audio releases == | ||
===DVD releases=== | === DVD releases === | ||
Released as ''Doctor Who: The Visitation''. | Released as ''Doctor Who: The Visitation''. | ||
Released: | Released: | ||
*Region 2 [[19 January]] [[2004]] | * Region 2 [[19 January]] [[2004]] | ||
::PAL - [[BBC DVD]] BBCDVD1329 | ::PAL - [[BBC DVD]] BBCDVD1329 | ||
*Region 4 [[8 April]] [[2004]] | * Region 4 [[8 April]] [[2004]] | ||
*Region 1 [[1 March]] [[2005]] | * Region 1 [[1 March]] [[2005]] | ||
::NTSC - [[Warner Video]] E2157 | ::NTSC - [[Warner Video]] E2157 | ||
Contents: | Contents: | ||
*[[Directing Who]]: [[Peter Moffatt]] - The Director looks back as his time on Doctor Who. | * [[Directing Who]]: [[Peter Moffatt]] - The Director looks back as his time on Doctor Who. | ||
*[[Writing a Final Visitation]] - Writer [[Eric Saward]] talks about the origins of his first script for Doctor Who. | * [[Writing a Final Visitation]] - Writer [[Eric Saward]] talks about the origins of his first script for Doctor Who. | ||
*[[Scoring The Visitation]] - Composer [[Paddy Kingsland]] discusses his score. | * [[Scoring The Visitation]] - Composer [[Paddy Kingsland]] discusses his score. | ||
*Film Trims - Additional shots and dialogue that were cut before transmission. | * Film Trims - Additional shots and dialogue that were cut before transmission. | ||
*Music-only Option | * Music-only Option | ||
*Photo Gallery | * Photo Gallery | ||
*Production Subtitles | * Production Subtitles | ||
*Commentary: [[Peter Davison]], [[Janet Fielding]], [[Sarah Sutton]], [[Matthew Waterhouse]], and [[Peter Moffatt]] | * Commentary: [[Peter Davison]], [[Janet Fielding]], [[Sarah Sutton]], [[Matthew Waterhouse]], and [[Peter Moffatt]] | ||
Notes: | Notes: | ||
| Line 194: | Line 194: | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
===Video releases=== | === Video releases === | ||
Released as ''Doctor Who: The Visitation / Black Orchid'' with [[Black Orchid (TV story)|Black Orchid]] as part of a two tape set. | Released as ''Doctor Who: The Visitation / Black Orchid'' with [[Black Orchid (TV story)|Black Orchid]] as part of a two tape set. | ||
Released: | Released: | ||
*[[UK]] [[July]] [[1994]] | * [[UK]] [[July]] [[1994]] | ||
::PAL - [[BBC Video]] BBCV5349 | ::PAL - [[BBC Video]] BBCV5349 | ||
*Australia [[August]] [[1994]] | * Australia [[August]] [[1994]] | ||
::PAL | ::PAL | ||
*US [[June]] [[1996]] | * US [[June]] [[1996]] | ||
::NTSC | ::NTSC | ||
| Line 213: | Line 213: | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
==[[Doctor Who Illustrated Guides]]== | == [[Doctor Who Illustrated Guides]] == | ||
[[ | [[File:The Making of a Television Series.jpg|right|76px]] | ||
'''The Making of a Television Series''' is a guide to the production of this story. | '''The Making of a Television Series''' is a guide to the production of this story. | ||
==Novelisation and its audiobook== | == Novelisation and its audiobook == | ||
[[ | [[File:Visitation novel.jpg|right|75px]] | ||
: ''Main article: [[Doctor Who and the Visitation]]'' | : ''Main article: [[Doctor Who and the Visitation]]'' | ||
* Novelised by [[Terrance Dicks]] in [[1984]]. | * Novelised by [[Terrance Dicks]] in [[1984]]. | ||
*Novelised as ''[[Doctor Who and the Visitation]]'' in [[1982]] by [[Eric Saward]]. It is the only Fifth Doctor novelisation to use the ''Doctor Who and ...'' title format. | * Novelised as ''[[Doctor Who and the Visitation]]'' in [[1982]] by [[Eric Saward]]. It is the only Fifth Doctor novelisation to use the ''Doctor Who and ...'' title format. | ||
== External links == | == External links == | ||
*{{bbcepguideclassic|visitation/|The Visitation}} | * {{bbcepguideclassic|visitation/|The Visitation}} | ||
*{{dwrefguide|who_5x.htm|The Visitation}} | * {{dwrefguide|who_5x.htm|The Visitation}} | ||
*{{briefhistory|serials/5x.html|The Visitation}} | * {{briefhistory|serials/5x.html|The Visitation}} | ||
*{{locguide|visitation|The Visitation}} | * {{locguide|visitation|The Visitation}} | ||
{{DWTV}} | {{DWTV}} | ||
{{Wikipedia|The Visitation}} | {{Wikipedia|The Visitation}} | ||
{{DEFAULTSORT:Visitation}} | {{DEFAULTSORT:Visitation}} | ||
[[Category:Articles that were originally Wikipedia forks]] | [[Category:Articles that were originally Wikipedia forks]] | ||
[[Category:Doctor Who (1963) television stories]] | [[Category:Doctor Who (1963) television stories]] | ||
[[Category:Fifth Doctor television stories]] | [[Category:Fifth Doctor television stories]] | ||
Revision as of 20:32, 5 November 2011
The Visitation was the fourth serial of Doctor Who's 19th season. It saw Doctor Who's take on the events surrounding the Great Fire of London.
This serial saw the final use of the sonic screwdriver in the classic series until its return in the TV movie 14 years later, as producer John Nathan-Turner thought the writers were relying on it too much to get the Doctor out of tight situations.
Synopsis
The Fifth Doctor attempts to take Tegan back to Heathrow Airport but the TARDIS arrives in the 17th century instead of the 20th. The time travellers discover that a space capsule has crash-landed nearby and that its alien occupants, three Terileptil prison escapees, intend to wipe out all indigenous life on Earth by releasing rats infected with an enhanced strain of the great plague.
The creatures are also using a sophisticated android to strike terror into the local villagers. Aided by itinerant thespian Richard Mace, the Doctor tries to unravel the evil plot.
Plot
At the manor home of a 17th century family, an unwelcome visitor arrives.
In the console room, the Fifth Doctor is talking with Adric about the events of their previous adventure on Deva Loka. Tegan is unsure if she is free from the Mara. (Kinda) The Doctor then notices that there is a fault in the console. Meanwhile, Nyssa is assisting Tegan in getting ready to leave as they are preparing to land at Heathrow right after she left (Logopolis). Tegan and Nyssa enter the console room to find that they have landed at Heathrow… just 300 some years early. Tegan is distressed and storms out of the TARDIS.
The four gather outside the TARDIS and immediately smell sulphur and head off to find the source. They are then attacked by villagers, but escape. In the confusion, Adric dropped his homing device to find the TARDIS and the group is separated. A highwayman and proclaimed thespian, Richard Mace next encounters the group and takes them to safety inside a barn.
While questioning Mace, they find out that some kind of comet recently landed nearby. The Doctor knows it was no comet and immediately takes interest in the necklace Mace is wearing. It is actually a bracelet used for prisoner control. The group begins searching the barn and comes across several power packs, and since they are far more fragile than the necklace, it means there were survivors. And so they set off to the nearby manor of the person who owns the barn.
No one answers the front door, so the Doctor and Nyssa find a way in through a window. While searching the manor, they find more power packs, gunpowder, and a mark from a high energy weapon. The Doctor also notices that there is a wall where there shouldn’t be one. And while he continues his investigation of the wall, Nyssa heads to the front door and lets the others in. But when they return to the wall, the Doctor is no where to be found. And as the four stand there trying to figure out where he’s gone, a figure shuts and locks the door behind them.
The Doctor then appears through the wall and explains it is a holographic energy barrier. The group walks through and joins the Doctor. Once in the cellar, they notice the place smells of Soliton gas. Also in the cellar are several caged rats and the device emitting the Soliton gas. While the five are searching the room, the figure from before, an android, sneaks up on them. It succeeds in stunning Tegan and Adric, while the Doctor, Nyssa and Mace are forced to retreat.
The survivor is a Terileptil fugitive and interrogates Tegan and Adric about the Doctor. Meanwhile, the Doctor and the others find the Terileptil’s ship near the manor while they plan on how to deal with the android: A sonic booster set up in the TARDIS might just deal with it. As they leave the ship, a group of villagers, all wearing the same device Mace found, approach them. They demand that the Doctor come with them, and when he refuses they attack. The three run back into the ship, now under siege by the villagers. The Doctor blasts open the rear hatch of the ship and the group escapes into the forest to find the TARDIS. The controlled villagers follow them at a distance.
Back in the manor, Tegan and Adric have been placed in a locked room. And while Nyssa heads back to the TARDIS to work on the sonic booster, the Doctor and Mace go to appropriate a horse from a nearby mill to make their way back to the manor. Tegan and Adric eventually escape from the room and head up into the manor proper. Adric succeeds in jumping out a window before Tegan is recaptured by the android. And just before leaving the mill, the Doctor and Mace are confronted by real villagers and are about to be killed for being “plague carriers”.
But the Terileptil still needs the Doctor and sends his controlled villagers in to stop them. The villagers then throw the Doctor and Mace into a room in the mill. At the manor, the Terileptil has placed one of the bracelets on Tegan. And back at the TARDIS, Adric arrives and assists Nyssa in setting up the sonic booster. The Doctor succeeds in disabling two of the bracelets and the Terileptil dispatches the android to retrieve them.
Minutes later, the android, in the guise of the Grim Reaper, bursts into the mill, frightens off the villagers, and takes the Doctor and Mace back to the manor where they find Tegan under the control of the bracelet. The Doctor encounters the Terileptil and his offer to take him away from Earth fails. The Terileptil instead plans to kill everyone on Earth and take the planet over. Mace is also equipped with a bracelet and the Doctor is thrown in a room where the Terileptil destroys his sonic screwdriver. The Terileptil brings in a cage with a rat and explains his plan: he is going to use genetically enhanced plague carried on the rats to devastate the population. The Terileptil leaves the room and the controlled Tegan prepares to open the cage.
The Doctor manages to disable the bracelets and stop both of them. The Terileptil leaves for his base in the nearby city and sends the android to take control of the TARDIS. The Doctor, Tegan, and Mace escape from the room and search the Terileptil’s lab to find it completely empty. Mace tells the Doctor that the nearby city the Terileptil was referring to was London. The android arrives at the TARDIS but is successfully dealt with by the sonic booster Nyssa finished. Adric and Nyssa then move the TARDIS to meet the Doctor and the others at the manor.
Using the TARDIS scanner, the Doctor locates the Terileptil in London. The TARDIS rematerialises there and the five enter the building. With the Terileptil leader are two other Terileptils who get the jump on the Doctor and Mace. They manage to stop them, but of the Terileptil’s weapons become overloaded and detonate. The resulting explosion destroys the building and starts a raging fire. Mace stays behind to fight the blaze as the Doctor, Tegan, and Nyssa leave in the TARDIS.
It is revealed that the fire is at Pudding Lane, the location where the Great Fire of London started.
Cast & Characters
- The Doctor - Peter Davison
- Tegan Jovanka - Janet Fielding
- Adric - Matthew Waterhouse
- Nyssa - Sarah Sutton
- Richard Mace – Michael Robbins
- Terileptil Leader – Michael Melia
- Android - Peter Van Dissel
- The Miller – James Charlton
- The Poacher – Neil West
- The Headman – Eric Dodson
- The Squire – John Savident
- Charles – Anthony Calf
- Ralph – John Baker
- Elizabeth - Valerie Fyfer
- Villager - Richard Hampton
Crew
- Studio Lighting - Henry Barber
- Film Editor - Ken Bilton
- Film Cameraman - Peter Chapman
- Costumes - Odile Dicks-Mireaux
- Title Music - Ron Grainer and the BBC Radiophonic Workshop
- Theme arrangement - Peter Howell
- Incidental Music - Paddy Kingsland
- Studio Sound - Alan Machin
- Special Sounds - Dick Mills
- Make-Up - Carolyn Perry
- Production Assistant - Julia Randall
- Production Associate - Angela Smith
- Designer - Ken Starkey
- Assistant Floor Manager - Alison Symington
- Visual Effects - Peter Wragg
- Script Editor - Antony Root
- Writer - Eric Saward
- Director - Peter Moffatt
- Producer - John Nathan-Turner
References
- Tegan assumes that the Terileptil's interest in the TARDIS means that, like Monarch, he wants to "ride in it".
- Whilst in the TARDIS prior to landing Tegan is talking to Nyssa about her recent possession by the Mara on Deva Loka.
Species
- The Terileptils are very intelligent semi-reptilian creatures who have a heightened appreciation of aesthetics and warfare.
- These Terileptils have escaped from the Tinclavic mines on Raaga, where they have been sentenced to life imprisonment.
- Terileptils cannot last for long without breathing soliton gas: the substance is volatile when mixed with oxygen (it smells a bit like sulphur).
London
- The explosion of the Terileptil leader's weapon is the cause of the 1666 Great Fire of London beginning in Pudding Lane.
TARDIS
- The TARDIS' lateral balance cones are "playing up" (probably "temperamental solenoids"), foiling the Doctor's attempt to get Tegan back to 1981 Heathrow.
- Adric drops his TARDIS homing device in a fight.
- When the Doctor is searching for the Terileptils' London base, the scanner shows a 'brown and white' 17th century print of London's streets.
Technology
- The Doctor's sonic screwdriver is destroyed.
- The Doctor finds the Terileptils' escape pod half buried.
- Adric and Nyssa are able to pilot the Doctor's TARDIS on their own.
- The Terileptils construct an energy barrier to hide their workshop from the rest of the house.
- The Terileptils' control bracelets are made of polygrite: the substance, and the power packs, are found in many parts of the Universe. Their usual form of lighting - Vintaric crystals - is also common.
- The Terileptils have developed advanced androids.
Story notes
- The working titles for this story were The Invasion of the Plague Men and Plague Rats.
- The opening sequence in the TARDIS follows on directly from Kinda. Since The Visitation was filmed before Kinda, the cast had to act out their characters' responses to the events of Kinda based solely on the script.
- In use since the 1968 Second Doctor serial, Fury from the Deep, the Doctor's sonic screwdriver was destroyed by the Terileptil leader. This was on the direction of producer John Nathan-Turner, who felt that the tool was too easy a way of solving the Doctor's problems, vetoing a scene at the end of the story where the Doctor would simply get a replacement from a room full of the devices in the TARDIS. This was the last time the sonic screwdriver was seen in the series before its next appearance in the 1996 Doctor Who television movie, after which it became ubiquitous during the BBC Wales production of Doctor Who.
- The Terileptil mask marks the first use of animatronics in the series.
- Features a guest appearance by John Savident, some years prior to his achieving fame as one of the cast of Coronation Street.
- Eric Saward attributes the name 'Terileptil' to the words "territorial reptiles" in Doctor Who: The Making of a Television Series.
- Writer Eric Saward originally created the character of Richard Mace for several radio plays broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in the 1970s. The initial idea for this story was suggested to Saward by a former girlfriend who had recently read about the plague and the fire.
- One part of the Terileptil's laboratory re-uses a Hymetusite crystal from The Horns of Nimon.
- Director Peter Moffatt strongly disliked Paddy Kingsland's incidental music for this serial, saying it was replete with "turgid chords". (DCOM: The Visitation) However, Kingsland called Moffatt his "favourite director to work with". (DOC: Scoring The Visitation)
Ratings
- Part 1 - 9.1 million viewers
- Part 2 - 9.3 million viewers
- Part 3 - 9.9 million viewers
- Part 4 - 10.1 million viewers
Myths
to be added
Filming locations
- Black Park, Black Park Road, Fulmer, Buckinghamshire
- Tithe Barn, Hurley High Street, Hurley, Berkshire
- Ealing Television Film Studios (Stage 2), Ealing Green, Ealing
- BBC Television Centre (Studio 3), Shepherd's Bush, London
Production errors
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.
- When the doors open in the interior of the crashed ship, you can clearly see that the forest in which the craft is supposedly located is not there.
- When the Doctor decides that Nyssa should go to the TARDIS alone, while he and Richard Mace go to see the miller, she leaves back in the direction that they had walked into the clearing from.
Continuity
- When the Doctor is about to be beheaded by the scytheman, he groans, "Oh no, not again." He is alluding to the events in DW: Four to Doomsday, in which he was nearly beheaded by Monarch's androids.
- The Fourth Doctor alluded to being accused of starting the Great Fire in the final scene of DW: Pyramids of Mars. These events would later be depicted in ST: The Republican's Story, which takes place contemporaneously with the events of this story.
- The Terileptils are mentioned again in DW: The Awakening.
- The Master destroys their home planet in MA: The Dark Path.
- The sonic screwdriver, introduced in DW: Fury from the Deep, is destroyed here. It would not be seen on screen again until the 1996 TV movie, with new designs being introduced in DW: Rose and DW: The Eleventh Hour.
- In DW: Time Crash, the Doctor's future self references somewhat derisively that the Fifth Doctor chose to work "hands free" after losing his screwdriver here.
Timeline
- This story takes place after ST: First Born
- This story takes place before PDA: Divided Loyalties
Home video and audio releases
DVD releases
Released as Doctor Who: The Visitation.
Released:
- Region 2 19 January 2004
- PAL - BBC DVD BBCDVD1329
- NTSC - Warner Video E2157
Contents:
- Directing Who: Peter Moffatt - The Director looks back as his time on Doctor Who.
- Writing a Final Visitation - Writer Eric Saward talks about the origins of his first script for Doctor Who.
- Scoring The Visitation - Composer Paddy Kingsland discusses his score.
- Film Trims - Additional shots and dialogue that were cut before transmission.
- Music-only Option
- Photo Gallery
- Production Subtitles
- Commentary: Peter Davison, Janet Fielding, Sarah Sutton, Matthew Waterhouse, and Peter Moffatt
Notes:
- Editing for DVD release completed by Doctor Who Restoration Team.
DVD Region 4 UK cover
DVD Region 2 Australian cover
DVD Region 1 US cover
Video releases
Released as Doctor Who: The Visitation / Black Orchid with Black Orchid as part of a two tape set.
Released:
- PAL - BBC Video BBCV5349
- PAL
- NTSC
VHS UK cover
VHS US cover
VHS AUS cover
Doctor Who Illustrated Guides
The Making of a Television Series is a guide to the production of this story.
Novelisation and its audiobook
- Main article: Doctor Who and the Visitation
- Novelised by Terrance Dicks in 1984.
- Novelised as Doctor Who and the Visitation in 1982 by Eric Saward. It is the only Fifth Doctor novelisation to use the Doctor Who and ... title format.
External links
- The Visitation at the BBC's official site
- The Visitation at the Doctor Who Reference Guide
- The Visitation at Shannon Sullivan's A Brief History of Time (Travel)
- The Visitation at The Locations Guide
