The Leisure Hive (TV story): Difference between revisions
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{{real world}}{{Infobox ClassicTV | {{real world}}{{Infobox ClassicTV | ||
|image = [[ | |image = [[File: Leisure_title.jpg |250px]] | ||
|story name = The Leisure Hive | |story name = The Leisure Hive | ||
|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 18]] | |number = [[Season 18]] | ||
|story number = 109 | |story number = 109 | ||
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Narratively, ''Hive'' was an unusual story in that it was commissioned directly by the producer rather than the [[script editor]], because [[Christopher H. Bidmead]] was not yet hired. New [[executive producer]] [[Barry Letts]] also had a significant hand in shaping the story's outline.<ref name=Sullivan>[http://www.shannonsullivan.com/drwho/serials/5n.html Shannon Sullivan's take on ''The Leisure Hive'']</ref> | Narratively, ''Hive'' was an unusual story in that it was commissioned directly by the producer rather than the [[script editor]], because [[Christopher H. Bidmead]] was not yet hired. New [[executive producer]] [[Barry Letts]] also had a significant hand in shaping the story's outline.<ref name=Sullivan>[http://www.shannonsullivan.com/drwho/serials/5n.html Shannon Sullivan's take on ''The Leisure Hive'']</ref> | ||
==Synopsis== | == Synopsis == | ||
[[Fourth Doctor|The Doctor]] and [[Romana II|Romana]] arrive on [[Argolis]] in search of a peaceful holiday at the famed [[Leisure Hive]], but instead become embroiled in both a takeover scheme by the Argolins' historic enemy the [[Foamasi]] and the machinations of [[Pangol]], the child of the [[Tachyon Recreation Generator|Generator]]. | [[Fourth Doctor|The Doctor]] and [[Romana II|Romana]] arrive on [[Argolis]] in search of a peaceful holiday at the famed [[Leisure Hive]], but instead become embroiled in both a takeover scheme by the Argolins' historic enemy the [[Foamasi]] and the machinations of [[Pangol]], the child of the [[Tachyon Recreation Generator|Generator]]. | ||
==Plot== | == Plot == | ||
[[Fourth Doctor|The Doctor]], having failed to pilot the [[the Doctor's TARDIS|TARDIS]] to [[Brighton Pavilion]] (yet again), snores loudly on a deck chair as [[Romana II|Romana]] and [[K9 Mark II|K9]] discuss alternate holiday options. K9 is badly damaged when he runs into the sea attempting to fetch Romana's beach ball. | [[Fourth Doctor|The Doctor]], having failed to pilot the [[the Doctor's TARDIS|TARDIS]] to [[Brighton Pavilion]] (yet again), snores loudly on a deck chair as [[Romana II|Romana]] and [[K9 Mark II|K9]] discuss alternate holiday options. K9 is badly damaged when he runs into the sea attempting to fetch Romana's beach ball. | ||
| Line 45: | Line 45: | ||
Pangol, who is revealed to be a clone created in the Tachyon Recreation Generator, is eager to seize control of the Hive and duplicate himself into a new Argolin army. His efforts are thwarted by the Doctor, who uses the Tachyon field to restore himself to his current age, Mena to a younger age, and Pangol to a baby. The Doctor, however, has to use elements of the [[randomizer]] to stabilize the Tachyon Recreation Generator, and so has more control over his travels. | Pangol, who is revealed to be a clone created in the Tachyon Recreation Generator, is eager to seize control of the Hive and duplicate himself into a new Argolin army. His efforts are thwarted by the Doctor, who uses the Tachyon field to restore himself to his current age, Mena to a younger age, and Pangol to a baby. The Doctor, however, has to use elements of the [[randomizer]] to stabilize the Tachyon Recreation Generator, and so has more control over his travels. | ||
==Cast== | == Cast == | ||
*[[Fourth Doctor|The Doctor]] - [[Tom Baker]] | * [[Fourth Doctor|The Doctor]] - [[Tom Baker]] | ||
*[[Romana II|Romana]] - [[Lalla Ward]] | * [[Romana II|Romana]] - [[Lalla Ward]] | ||
*[[Mena]] - [[Adrienne Corri]] | * [[Mena]] - [[Adrienne Corri]] | ||
*[[Morix]] - [[Laurence Payne]] | * [[Morix]] - [[Laurence Payne]] | ||
*[[Brock]] - [[John Collin]] | * [[Brock]] - [[John Collin]] | ||
*[[Pangol]] - [[David Haig]] | * [[Pangol]] - [[David Haig]] | ||
*[[Hardin]] - [[Nigel Lambert]] | * [[Hardin]] - [[Nigel Lambert]] | ||
*[[Vargos (Argolin)|Vargos]] - [[Martin Fisk]] | * [[Vargos (Argolin)|Vargos]] - [[Martin Fisk]] | ||
*Guide - [[Roy Montague]] | * Guide - [[Roy Montague]] | ||
*[[Klout]] - [[Ian Talbot]] | * [[Klout]] - [[Ian Talbot]] | ||
*Tannoy Voice - [[Harriet Reynolds]] | * Tannoy Voice - [[Harriet Reynolds]] | ||
*[[Stimson]] - [[David Allister]] | * [[Stimson]] - [[David Allister]] | ||
*Generator Voice - [[Clifford Norgate]] | * Generator Voice - [[Clifford Norgate]] | ||
*[[Foamasi]] - [[Andrew Lane]] | * [[Foamasi]] - [[Andrew Lane]] | ||
==Crew== | == Crew == | ||
*[[Assistant Floor Manager]] - [[Val McCrimmon]] | * [[Assistant Floor Manager]] - [[Val McCrimmon]] | ||
*[[Costumes]] - [[June Hudson]] | * [[Costumes]] - [[June Hudson]] | ||
*[[Designer (crew)|Designer]] - [[Tom Yardley-Jones]] | * [[Designer (crew)|Designer]] - [[Tom Yardley-Jones]] | ||
*[[Executive Producer]] - [[Barry Letts]] | * [[Executive Producer]] - [[Barry Letts]] | ||
*[[Film Cameraman]] - [[Keith Barton]] | * [[Film Cameraman]] - [[Keith Barton]] | ||
*[[Film Editor]] - [[Chris Wimble]] | * [[Film Editor]] - [[Chris Wimble]] | ||
*[[Incidental Music]] - [[Peter Howell]] | * [[Incidental Music]] - [[Peter Howell]] | ||
*[[Make-Up]] - [[Dorka Nieradzik]] | * [[Make-Up]] - [[Dorka Nieradzik]] | ||
*[[Producer]] - [[John Nathan-Turner]] | * [[Producer]] - [[John Nathan-Turner]] | ||
*[[Production Assistant]] - [[Romey Allison]] | * [[Production Assistant]] - [[Romey Allison]] | ||
*[[Production Unit Manager]] - [[Angela Smith]] | * [[Production Unit Manager]] - [[Angela Smith]] | ||
*[[Script Editor]] - [[Christopher H. Bidmead]] | * [[Script Editor]] - [[Christopher H. Bidmead]] | ||
*[[Special Sounds]] - [[Dick Mills]] | * [[Special Sounds]] - [[Dick Mills]] | ||
*[[Studio Lighting]] - [[Duncan Brown]] | * [[Studio Lighting]] - [[Duncan Brown]] | ||
*[[Studio Sound]] - [[John Howell]] | * [[Studio Sound]] - [[John Howell]] | ||
*[[Theme Arrangement]] - [[Peter Howell]] | * [[Theme Arrangement]] - [[Peter Howell]] | ||
*[[Doctor Who theme|Title Music]] - [[Ron Grainer]] | * [[Doctor Who theme|Title Music]] - [[Ron Grainer]] | ||
*[[Visual Effects]] - [[Andrew Lazell]] | * [[Visual Effects]] - [[Andrew Lazell]] | ||
==References== | == References == | ||
===[[:Category:Conflicts|Conflicts]]=== | === [[:Category:Conflicts|Conflicts]] === | ||
*In [[2250]] [[Argolis]] (led by [[Theron]]) was all but destroyed by 2000 nuclear warheads (in 20 minutes) during a war with the reptilian [[Foamasi]]. | * In [[2250]] [[Argolis]] (led by [[Theron]]) was all but destroyed by 2000 nuclear warheads (in 20 minutes) during a war with the reptilian [[Foamasi]]. | ||
*The Argolin survivors, made sterile by the [[radiation]], invented the science of [[tachyonics]] (this happened '40 years ago') and built the [[Leisure Hive]] with its Experiential Grid offering 'variable environments'. | * The Argolin survivors, made sterile by the [[radiation]], invented the science of [[tachyonics]] (this happened '40 years ago') and built the [[Leisure Hive]] with its Experiential Grid offering 'variable environments'. | ||
===[[:Category:Planets|Planets]]=== | === [[:Category:Planets|Planets]] === | ||
*K9 lists all known recreational planets for Romana, ending with ''"[[Yegros Alpha]]: speciality, atavistic therapy of primitive asteroids. [[Zaakros]]: galaxy's largest flora collection... [[Zeen 4]]: historical re-enactments."''. | * K9 lists all known recreational planets for Romana, ending with ''"[[Yegros Alpha]]: speciality, atavistic therapy of primitive asteroids. [[Zaakros]]: galaxy's largest flora collection... [[Zeen 4]]: historical re-enactments."''. | ||
*Argolis is the first of the [[leisure planet]]s. | * Argolis is the first of the [[leisure planet]]s. | ||
===[[:Category:Species|Species]]=== | === [[:Category:Species|Species]] === | ||
*There are 'lodges' of Formasi, the [[West Lodge]] is one such group. | * There are 'lodges' of Formasi, the [[West Lodge]] is one such group. | ||
===[[:Category:Technology|Technology]]=== | === [[:Category:Technology|Technology]] === | ||
*[[Theron's helmet]] | * [[Theron's helmet]] | ||
*The [[randomiser]] is left on [[Argolis]]. | * The [[randomiser]] is left on [[Argolis]]. | ||
==Story notes== | == Story notes == | ||
*This story is the debut of the new opening and closing title sequences, complete with 'neon tube' logo, designed by the BBC's [[Sid Sutton]], accompanied by a new [[Peter Howell]]-arranged version of [[Ron Grainer]]'s theme music. | * This story is the debut of the new opening and closing title sequences, complete with 'neon tube' logo, designed by the BBC's [[Sid Sutton]], accompanied by a new [[Peter Howell]]-arranged version of [[Ron Grainer]]'s theme music. | ||
*This is John Nathan-Turner's first story as producer. | * This is John Nathan-Turner's first story as producer. | ||
*The story had a working title of '''The Argolins'''. | * The story had a working title of '''The Argolins'''. | ||
*A new TARDIS exterior prop makes its debut, this time made of fibreglass rather than of wood and, with its stacked roof arrangement, somewhat truer to the design of a genuine police box than the previous version (first seen in ''[[The Masque of Mandragora]]''). | * A new TARDIS exterior prop makes its debut, this time made of fibreglass rather than of wood and, with its stacked roof arrangement, somewhat truer to the design of a genuine police box than the previous version (first seen in ''[[The Masque of Mandragora]]''). | ||
*The Doctor's new outfit (the burgundy colour) also debuts in this story. | * The Doctor's new outfit (the burgundy colour) also debuts in this story. | ||
*Beginning with this story and continuing for the next several seasons, until ''[[The Five Doctors]]'', each serial will be linked in some way, either through some reference, or directly linked. | * Beginning with this story and continuing for the next several seasons, until ''[[The Five Doctors]]'', each serial will be linked in some way, either through some reference, or directly linked. | ||
*John Leeson returns portraying the voice of K9 having been persuaded by John Nathan-Turner to reprise the role for this season. | * John Leeson returns portraying the voice of K9 having been persuaded by John Nathan-Turner to reprise the role for this season. | ||
*This story features the first use in Doctor Who of the digital Quantel image processing system. Amongst the effects created by the use of this system was a moving shot of the TARDIS materialising on Argolis (whereas the 'roll back and mix' technique by which the materialisation was achieved normally necessitated a completely static shot). | * This story features the first use in Doctor Who of the digital Quantel image processing system. Amongst the effects created by the use of this system was a moving shot of the TARDIS materialising on Argolis (whereas the 'roll back and mix' technique by which the materialisation was achieved normally necessitated a completely static shot). | ||
*The contemporary audience failed to redeem the behind-the-scenes difficulties. Not only did small audiences attend the first episode, but figures ''dropped'' each week. By week three, ''Doctor Who'' did something it hadn't done in 18 years: it fell out of the top 100 programmes for the week in which it was transmitted. | * The contemporary audience failed to redeem the behind-the-scenes difficulties. Not only did small audiences attend the first episode, but figures ''dropped'' each week. By week three, ''Doctor Who'' did something it hadn't done in 18 years: it fell out of the top 100 programmes for the week in which it was transmitted. | ||
*Production of the serial was extremely challenging. [[Tom Baker]] and [[Lalla Ward]]'s tumultuous off-screen relationship was at a nadir, causing the mood on set to be distinctly chilly. [[Director]] [[Lovett Bickford]]'s management of the shoot caused it to go so badly overbudget that John Nathan-Turner was severely reprimanded by his superiors. Bickford would thus never work on ''Doctor Who'' again.<ref name=Sullivan/> | * Production of the serial was extremely challenging. [[Tom Baker]] and [[Lalla Ward]]'s tumultuous off-screen relationship was at a nadir, causing the mood on set to be distinctly chilly. [[Director]] [[Lovett Bickford]]'s management of the shoot caused it to go so badly overbudget that John Nathan-Turner was severely reprimanded by his superiors. Bickford would thus never work on ''Doctor Who'' again.<ref name=Sullivan/> | ||
===Ratings=== | === Ratings === | ||
*Part One - 5.9 million viewers | * Part One - 5.9 million viewers | ||
*Part Two - 5.0 million viewers | * Part Two - 5.0 million viewers | ||
*Part Three - 5.0 million viewers | * Part Three - 5.0 million viewers | ||
*Part Four - 4.5 million viewers | * Part Four - 4.5 million viewers | ||
===Myths=== | === Myths === | ||
''to be added'' | ''to be added'' | ||
===Filming locations=== | === Filming locations === | ||
*Brighton Beach, Brighton, East Sussex | * Brighton Beach, Brighton, East Sussex | ||
*[[BBC Television Centre]] (TC1 & TC3), Shepherd's Bush, [[London]] | * [[BBC Television Centre]] (TC1 & TC3), Shepherd's Bush, [[London]] | ||
===Production errors=== | === Production errors === | ||
{{discontinuity}} | {{discontinuity}} | ||
*The wires pulling K9 along the beach are particularly visible in part one. | * The wires pulling K9 along the beach are particularly visible in part one. | ||
*In episode two the top of the sonic screwdriver is nearly bent off. | * In episode two the top of the sonic screwdriver is nearly bent off. | ||
*The shiny silver belts of the zero gravity squash players were a poor choice of costume accessory for the CSO effect: as they reflect the colour of the special effects backdrop, they have a tendency to become completely invisible. | * The shiny silver belts of the zero gravity squash players were a poor choice of costume accessory for the CSO effect: as they reflect the colour of the special effects backdrop, they have a tendency to become completely invisible. | ||
==Continuity== | == Continuity == | ||
*The Fomasi reappear in [[EDA]]: ''[[Placebo Effect]]''. | * The Fomasi reappear in [[EDA]]: ''[[Placebo Effect]]''. | ||
* This is not the only time a story is resolved by de-ageing the Doctor's antagonist, as happens to Pangol. In [[DW]]: ''[[Boom Town]]'', the [[Slitheen]] [[Margaret Blaine]] is regressed back into an egg by [[the Doctor's TARDIS]]. | * This is not the only time a story is resolved by de-ageing the Doctor's antagonist, as happens to Pangol. In [[DW]]: ''[[Boom Town]]'', the [[Slitheen]] [[Margaret Blaine]] is regressed back into an egg by [[the Doctor's TARDIS]]. | ||
*The Doctor is also rapidly aged in [[DW]]: ''[[The Sound of Drums]]''. | * The Doctor is also rapidly aged in [[DW]]: ''[[The Sound of Drums]]''. | ||
*The planet [[Midnight (planet)|Midnight]] ([[Midnight (TV story)|DW: ''Midnight'']]) is also a Leisure Planet, and its environment is also uninhabitable because of extreme radiation. | * The planet [[Midnight (planet)|Midnight]] ([[Midnight (TV story)|DW: ''Midnight'']]) is also a Leisure Planet, and its environment is also uninhabitable because of extreme radiation. | ||
*Cellular regeneration (or "de-ageing") is performed by [[Richard Lazarus|Professor Lazarus]] in [[The Lazarus Experiment|DW: ''The Lazarus Experiment'']]. | * Cellular regeneration (or "de-ageing") is performed by [[Richard Lazarus|Professor Lazarus]] in [[The Lazarus Experiment|DW: ''The Lazarus Experiment'']]. | ||
==[[Fourth Doctor - Timeline|Timeline]]== | == [[Fourth Doctor - Timeline|Timeline]] == | ||
*This story takes place after [[DWM]]: ''[[Party Animals]]'' | * This story takes place after [[DWM]]: ''[[Party Animals]]'' | ||
*This story takes place before [[ST]]: ''[[I Was a Monster!!!]]'' | * This story takes place before [[ST]]: ''[[I Was a Monster!!!]]'' | ||
==Home video and audio releases== | == Home video and audio releases == | ||
===CD Release=== | === CD Release === | ||
In March 2002, At The BBC Radiophonic Workshop Volume 3 was released with The Leisure Hive score in it. | In March 2002, At The BBC Radiophonic Workshop Volume 3 was released with The Leisure Hive score in it. | ||
| Line 147: | Line 147: | ||
Music-1191.jpg|CD release | Music-1191.jpg|CD release | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
===DVD releases=== | === DVD releases === | ||
Released as ''Doctor Who: The Leisure Hive''. | Released as ''Doctor Who: The Leisure Hive''. | ||
Released: | Released: | ||
*Region 2 [[5 July]] [[2004]] | * Region 2 [[5 July]] [[2004]] | ||
::PAL - [[BBC DVD]] BBCDVD1351 | ::PAL - [[BBC DVD]] BBCDVD1351 | ||
*Region 4 [[7 October]] [[2004]] | * Region 4 [[7 October]] [[2004]] | ||
*Region 1 [[7 June]] [[2005]] | * Region 1 [[7 June]] [[2005]] | ||
::NTSC - [[Warner Video]] E2217 | ::NTSC - [[Warner Video]] E2217 | ||
Contents: | Contents: | ||
*[[A New Beginning]] Documentary - A look at the radical changes made to Doctor Who by incoming Producer [[John Nathan-Turner]]. | * [[A New Beginning]] Documentary - A look at the radical changes made to Doctor Who by incoming Producer [[John Nathan-Turner]]. | ||
*From Avalon to Argolis - [[David Fisher]] and [[Christopher H. Bidmead]] recall the writing of the story. | * From Avalon to Argolis - [[David Fisher]] and [[Christopher H. Bidmead]] recall the writing of the story. | ||
*Leisure Wear - [[June Hudson]] talks about the costumes for the story. | * Leisure Wear - [[June Hudson]] talks about the costumes for the story. | ||
*Synthesising Starfields - [[Peter Howell]] and [[Sid Sutton]] recall the creation of the new titles sequence and theme arrangement. | * Synthesising Starfields - [[Peter Howell]] and [[Sid Sutton]] recall the creation of the new titles sequence and theme arrangement. | ||
*[[Blue Peter]] - A look at the exhibition at [[Longleat]]. | * [[Blue Peter]] - A look at the exhibition at [[Longleat]]. | ||
*5.1 Mix | * 5.1 Mix | ||
*Music-only Option | * Music-only Option | ||
*Photo Gallery | * Photo Gallery | ||
*Production Subtitles | * Production Subtitles | ||
*Easter Egg | * Easter Egg | ||
*Commentary: [[Lalla Ward]], [[Lovett Bickford]], and [[Christopher H. Bidmead]] | * Commentary: [[Lalla Ward]], [[Lovett Bickford]], and [[Christopher H. Bidmead]] | ||
Notes: | Notes: | ||
| Line 180: | Line 180: | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
===VHS releases=== | === VHS releases === | ||
Released as ''Doctor Who: The Leisure Hive''. | Released as ''Doctor Who: The Leisure Hive''. | ||
Released: | Released: | ||
*[[UK]] [[January]] [[1997]] | * [[UK]] [[January]] [[1997]] | ||
::PAL - [[BBC Video]] BBCV5821 | ::PAL - [[BBC Video]] BBCV5821 | ||
*[[US]] [[September]] [[1997]] | * [[US]] [[September]] [[1997]] | ||
::NTSC - [[Warner Video]] E1135 | ::NTSC - [[Warner Video]] E1135 | ||
| Line 195: | Line 195: | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
==Novelisation and its audiobook== | == Novelisation and its audiobook == | ||
[[ | [[File:Leisure Hive novel.jpg|right|75px]] | ||
: ''Main article: [[Doctor Who and the Leisure Hive]]'' | : ''Main article: [[Doctor Who and the Leisure Hive]]'' | ||
* Novelised as ''[[Doctor Who and the Leisure Hive]]'' by [[David Fisher]]. | * Novelised as ''[[Doctor Who and the Leisure Hive]]'' by [[David Fisher]]. | ||
==External links== | == External links == | ||
*{{bbcepguideclassic|leisurehive/|The Leisure Hive}} | * {{bbcepguideclassic|leisurehive/|The Leisure Hive}} | ||
*{{dwrefguide|who_5n.htm|The Leisure Hive}} | * {{dwrefguide|who_5n.htm|The Leisure Hive}} | ||
*{{briefhistory|serials/5n.html|The Leisure Hive}} | * {{briefhistory|serials/5n.html|The Leisure Hive}} | ||
*{{locguide|leisurehive|The Leisure Hive}} | * {{locguide|leisurehive|The Leisure Hive}} | ||
==Footnotes== | == Footnotes == | ||
{{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
{{DWTV}} | {{DWTV}} | ||
{{DEFAULTSORT:Leisure Hive, The}} | {{DEFAULTSORT:Leisure Hive, The}} | ||
[[Category:Doctor Who (1963) television stories]] | |||
[[Category:Fourth Doctor television stories]] | [[Category:Fourth Doctor television stories]] | ||
[[Category:1980 television stories]] | [[Category:1980 television stories]] | ||
Revision as of 18:23, 5 November 2011
The Leisure Hive was the first story of Season 18 of Doctor Who as well as the first serial produced by John Nathan-Turner. It immediately instituted a number of radical new changes to the series.
The title sequence was redone with a 'star-field' motif. Delia Derbyshire's arrangement of the Doctor Who theme was likewise abandoned in favour of an electronic version of the signature music. These wholesale alterations to the programme's opening sequence would, with relatively minor adjustments, remain in place until season 24. At the same time, Nathan-Turner decided to end composer Dudley Simpson's long association with the programme. He opted to allow the BBC Radiophonic Workshop to handle the incidental music for Hive.
Hive also brought a new look for the Fourth Doctor. His coat and trademark multi-coloured scarf were replaced with burgundy versions of the clothing. The new question mark motif - premiered here on the Doctor's shirt collar - would persist throughout Nathan-Turner's era.
Narratively, Hive was an unusual story in that it was commissioned directly by the producer rather than the script editor, because Christopher H. Bidmead was not yet hired. New executive producer Barry Letts also had a significant hand in shaping the story's outline.[1]
Synopsis
The Doctor and Romana arrive on Argolis in search of a peaceful holiday at the famed Leisure Hive, but instead become embroiled in both a takeover scheme by the Argolins' historic enemy the Foamasi and the machinations of Pangol, the child of the Generator.
Plot
The Doctor, having failed to pilot the TARDIS to Brighton Pavilion (yet again), snores loudly on a deck chair as Romana and K9 discuss alternate holiday options. K9 is badly damaged when he runs into the sea attempting to fetch Romana's beach ball.
Romana convinces the Doctor to go to Argolis, home of the famed Leisure Hive. Argolis had been nearly annihilated by a brief but devastating war with the Foamasi, but the surviving Argolins have built the domed holiday palace, offering anti-gravity racquetball among other delights.
However, the Hive has run into financial dire straits. The chief executive, Morix, ageing and near death, is pondering a buy-out offer from Earth businessmen Brock and Klout, but his hotheaded son Pangol will hear nothing of it. Morix dies and is succeeded by Mena, who herself is ageing. Meanwhile, an alien presence has infiltrated the Hive.
The Doctor and Romana arrive and watch a demonstration of the Hive's newest offering, the Tachyon Recreation Generator, but the demonstration goes horribly awry when a volunteer from the crowd is torn apart inside the machine.
When Mena learns of the newcomers' experience with time technology, she asks Romana to assist her staff scientist Hardin with tachyonics experiments. They are attempting to use the questionable science to stop and reverse the flow of time. The Argolin race is sterile in the wake of the war with the Foamasi, and rejuvenating themselves is the only way to survive. Romana and Hardin appear to have some success, but the experiment is tampered with. The Doctor explores the Tachyon Recreation Generator, suspecting sabotage. At one point, he appears to be torn limb from limb, but the image onscreen is merely an illusion. When entering later, however, he is aged several hundred years. He and Romana are implicated in the murder of Hardin's assistant Stimson.
Their investigation reveals Brock and Klout (the murderer) to be disguised Foamasi, members of a dissident group called the West Lodge. They do not act in the interest of the Foamasi at large, however, the two planets now at peace. A Foamasi investigator takes them away, but their ship is destroyed by Pangol shortly after takeoff.
Pangol, who is revealed to be a clone created in the Tachyon Recreation Generator, is eager to seize control of the Hive and duplicate himself into a new Argolin army. His efforts are thwarted by the Doctor, who uses the Tachyon field to restore himself to his current age, Mena to a younger age, and Pangol to a baby. The Doctor, however, has to use elements of the randomizer to stabilize the Tachyon Recreation Generator, and so has more control over his travels.
Cast
- The Doctor - Tom Baker
- Romana - Lalla Ward
- Mena - Adrienne Corri
- Morix - Laurence Payne
- Brock - John Collin
- Pangol - David Haig
- Hardin - Nigel Lambert
- Vargos - Martin Fisk
- Guide - Roy Montague
- Klout - Ian Talbot
- Tannoy Voice - Harriet Reynolds
- Stimson - David Allister
- Generator Voice - Clifford Norgate
- Foamasi - Andrew Lane
Crew
- Assistant Floor Manager - Val McCrimmon
- Costumes - June Hudson
- Designer - Tom Yardley-Jones
- Executive Producer - Barry Letts
- Film Cameraman - Keith Barton
- Film Editor - Chris Wimble
- Incidental Music - Peter Howell
- Make-Up - Dorka Nieradzik
- Producer - John Nathan-Turner
- Production Assistant - Romey Allison
- Production Unit Manager - Angela Smith
- Script Editor - Christopher H. Bidmead
- Special Sounds - Dick Mills
- Studio Lighting - Duncan Brown
- Studio Sound - John Howell
- Theme Arrangement - Peter Howell
- Title Music - Ron Grainer
- Visual Effects - Andrew Lazell
References
Conflicts
- In 2250 Argolis (led by Theron) was all but destroyed by 2000 nuclear warheads (in 20 minutes) during a war with the reptilian Foamasi.
- The Argolin survivors, made sterile by the radiation, invented the science of tachyonics (this happened '40 years ago') and built the Leisure Hive with its Experiential Grid offering 'variable environments'.
Planets
- K9 lists all known recreational planets for Romana, ending with "Yegros Alpha: speciality, atavistic therapy of primitive asteroids. Zaakros: galaxy's largest flora collection... Zeen 4: historical re-enactments.".
- Argolis is the first of the leisure planets.
Species
- There are 'lodges' of Formasi, the West Lodge is one such group.
Technology
- Theron's helmet
- The randomiser is left on Argolis.
Story notes
- This story is the debut of the new opening and closing title sequences, complete with 'neon tube' logo, designed by the BBC's Sid Sutton, accompanied by a new Peter Howell-arranged version of Ron Grainer's theme music.
- This is John Nathan-Turner's first story as producer.
- The story had a working title of The Argolins.
- A new TARDIS exterior prop makes its debut, this time made of fibreglass rather than of wood and, with its stacked roof arrangement, somewhat truer to the design of a genuine police box than the previous version (first seen in The Masque of Mandragora).
- The Doctor's new outfit (the burgundy colour) also debuts in this story.
- Beginning with this story and continuing for the next several seasons, until The Five Doctors, each serial will be linked in some way, either through some reference, or directly linked.
- John Leeson returns portraying the voice of K9 having been persuaded by John Nathan-Turner to reprise the role for this season.
- This story features the first use in Doctor Who of the digital Quantel image processing system. Amongst the effects created by the use of this system was a moving shot of the TARDIS materialising on Argolis (whereas the 'roll back and mix' technique by which the materialisation was achieved normally necessitated a completely static shot).
- The contemporary audience failed to redeem the behind-the-scenes difficulties. Not only did small audiences attend the first episode, but figures dropped each week. By week three, Doctor Who did something it hadn't done in 18 years: it fell out of the top 100 programmes for the week in which it was transmitted.
- Production of the serial was extremely challenging. Tom Baker and Lalla Ward's tumultuous off-screen relationship was at a nadir, causing the mood on set to be distinctly chilly. Director Lovett Bickford's management of the shoot caused it to go so badly overbudget that John Nathan-Turner was severely reprimanded by his superiors. Bickford would thus never work on Doctor Who again.[1]
Ratings
- Part One - 5.9 million viewers
- Part Two - 5.0 million viewers
- Part Three - 5.0 million viewers
- Part Four - 4.5 million viewers
Myths
to be added
Filming locations
- Brighton Beach, Brighton, East Sussex
- BBC Television Centre (TC1 & TC3), 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.
- The wires pulling K9 along the beach are particularly visible in part one.
- In episode two the top of the sonic screwdriver is nearly bent off.
- The shiny silver belts of the zero gravity squash players were a poor choice of costume accessory for the CSO effect: as they reflect the colour of the special effects backdrop, they have a tendency to become completely invisible.
Continuity
- The Fomasi reappear in EDA: Placebo Effect.
- This is not the only time a story is resolved by de-ageing the Doctor's antagonist, as happens to Pangol. In DW: Boom Town, the Slitheen Margaret Blaine is regressed back into an egg by the Doctor's TARDIS.
- The Doctor is also rapidly aged in DW: The Sound of Drums.
- The planet Midnight (DW: Midnight) is also a Leisure Planet, and its environment is also uninhabitable because of extreme radiation.
- Cellular regeneration (or "de-ageing") is performed by Professor Lazarus in DW: The Lazarus Experiment.
Timeline
- This story takes place after DWM: Party Animals
- This story takes place before ST: I Was a Monster!!!
Home video and audio releases
CD Release
In March 2002, At The BBC Radiophonic Workshop Volume 3 was released with The Leisure Hive score in it.
CD release
DVD releases
Released as Doctor Who: The Leisure Hive.
Released:
- PAL - BBC DVD BBCDVD1351
- NTSC - Warner Video E2217
Contents:
- A New Beginning Documentary - A look at the radical changes made to Doctor Who by incoming Producer John Nathan-Turner.
- From Avalon to Argolis - David Fisher and Christopher H. Bidmead recall the writing of the story.
- Leisure Wear - June Hudson talks about the costumes for the story.
- Synthesising Starfields - Peter Howell and Sid Sutton recall the creation of the new titles sequence and theme arrangement.
- Blue Peter - A look at the exhibition at Longleat.
- 5.1 Mix
- Music-only Option
- Photo Gallery
- Production Subtitles
- Easter Egg
- Commentary: Lalla Ward, Lovett Bickford, and Christopher H. Bidmead
Notes:
- Editing for DVD release completed by Doctor Who Restoration Team.
DVD UK cover
DVD Australian cover
DVD US cover
VHS releases
Released as Doctor Who: The Leisure Hive.
Released:
- PAL - BBC Video BBCV5821
- NTSC - Warner Video E1135
VHS UK cover
VHS US cover
- The Lesuire Hive.jpg
VHS AUS cover
Novelisation and its audiobook
- Main article: Doctor Who and the Leisure Hive
- Novelised as Doctor Who and the Leisure Hive by David Fisher.
External links
- The Leisure Hive at the BBC's official site
- The Leisure Hive at the Doctor Who Reference Guide
- The Leisure Hive at Shannon Sullivan's A Brief History of Time (Travel)
- The Leisure Hive at The Locations Guide
