Snakedance (TV story): Difference between revisions
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story name= Snakedance | | story name= Snakedance | | ||
image= [[ | image= [[File:TeganMara.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 20]]| | number=[[Season 20]]| | ||
story number=124| | story number=124| | ||
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Writers involved in the production of the [[BBC Wales]] version of ''[[Doctor Who]]'' have expressed affection for this [[serial]]. In [[1995]], [[Steven Moffat]] was a participant in a wide-ranging, public discussion about ''Doctor Who'' with [[Andy Lane]], [[David Bishop]] and [[Paul Cornell]]. He ranted about the "crap" nature of the majority of the 1963 version of the show, but called ''Snakedance'' "one I couldn't really fault".<ref>[http://nzdwfc.tetrap.com/archive/tsv43/onediscussion.html "Four Writers, One Discussion"] a record of a conversation held on 17 January 1995. ''Time Space Visualiser'' #43. New Zealand Doctor Who Fan Club. March 1995.</ref> He would build upon this opinion in a [[1996]] essay, in which he called ''Snakedance'' and ''[[Kinda]]'' "the two best ''Who'' stories ever".<ref>[http://doctorwhoforum.com/showthread.php?t=194947 Moffat, Steven. "Season 19 Overview".] ''In-Vision'' #62. 1996. Posted to doctorwhoforum.com. Registration required.</ref> Likewise, [[Robert Shearman]] has called ''Snakedance'' "my favourite" ''Doctor Who'' story, and is heavily featured on the DVD release explaining why. | Writers involved in the production of the [[BBC Wales]] version of ''[[Doctor Who]]'' have expressed affection for this [[serial]]. In [[1995]], [[Steven Moffat]] was a participant in a wide-ranging, public discussion about ''Doctor Who'' with [[Andy Lane]], [[David Bishop]] and [[Paul Cornell]]. He ranted about the "crap" nature of the majority of the 1963 version of the show, but called ''Snakedance'' "one I couldn't really fault".<ref>[http://nzdwfc.tetrap.com/archive/tsv43/onediscussion.html "Four Writers, One Discussion"] a record of a conversation held on 17 January 1995. ''Time Space Visualiser'' #43. New Zealand Doctor Who Fan Club. March 1995.</ref> He would build upon this opinion in a [[1996]] essay, in which he called ''Snakedance'' and ''[[Kinda]]'' "the two best ''Who'' stories ever".<ref>[http://doctorwhoforum.com/showthread.php?t=194947 Moffat, Steven. "Season 19 Overview".] ''In-Vision'' #62. 1996. Posted to doctorwhoforum.com. Registration required.</ref> Likewise, [[Robert Shearman]] has called ''Snakedance'' "my favourite" ''Doctor Who'' story, and is heavily featured on the DVD release explaining why. | ||
==Synopsis== | == Synopsis == | ||
[[ | [[File:Dojjen.jpg|thumb|left|Ambril's aged predecessor Dojjen in the wilderness.]] | ||
Tegan falls once more under the influence of the Mara and directs the TARDIS to the planet Manussa. There the Federator's son Lon and his mother Tanha are preparing for a ceremony to celebrate the banishment of the Mara five hundred years earlier. | Tegan falls once more under the influence of the Mara and directs the TARDIS to the planet Manussa. There the Federator's son Lon and his mother Tanha are preparing for a ceremony to celebrate the banishment of the Mara five hundred years earlier. | ||
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The Doctor and his friends then return to the caves where the ceremony is being held. The Doctor, by concentrating his thoughts with the aid of a small replica of the great crystal, is able to find the still point and repel the Mara. | The Doctor and his friends then return to the caves where the ceremony is being held. The Doctor, by concentrating his thoughts with the aid of a small replica of the great crystal, is able to find the still point and repel the Mara. | ||
==Plot== | == Plot == | ||
''to be added'' | ''to be added'' | ||
==Cast== | == Cast == | ||
*[[Fifth Doctor|The Doctor]] - [[Peter Davison]] | * [[Fifth Doctor|The Doctor]] - [[Peter Davison]] | ||
*[[Tegan]] - [[Janet Fielding]] | * [[Tegan]] - [[Janet Fielding]] | ||
*[[Nyssa]] - [[Sarah Sutton]] | * [[Nyssa]] - [[Sarah Sutton]] | ||
*[[Lon]] - [[Martin Clunes]] | * [[Lon]] - [[Martin Clunes]] | ||
*[[Ambril]] - [[John Carson]] | * [[Ambril]] - [[John Carson]] | ||
*[[Tanha]] - [[Colette O'Neil]] | * [[Tanha]] - [[Colette O'Neil]] | ||
*[[Chela]] - [[Johnathon Morris]] | * [[Chela]] - [[Johnathon Morris]] | ||
*[[Dojjen]] - [[Preston Lockwood]] | * [[Dojjen]] - [[Preston Lockwood]] | ||
*[[Dugdale]] - [[Brian Miller]] | * [[Dugdale]] - [[Brian Miller]] | ||
*[[Fortune Teller (Snakedance)|Fortune Teller]] - [[Hilary Sesta]] | * [[Fortune Teller (Snakedance)|Fortune Teller]] - [[Hilary Sesta]] | ||
*Hawker - [[George Ballantine]] | * Hawker - [[George Ballantine]] | ||
*Puppeteer - [[Barry Smith]] | * Puppeteer - [[Barry Smith]] | ||
*Megaphone Man - [[Brian Grellis]] | * Megaphone Man - [[Brian Grellis]] | ||
==Crew== | == Crew == | ||
*[[Assistant Floor Manager]] - [[Maggy Campbell]] | * [[Assistant Floor Manager]] - [[Maggy Campbell]] | ||
*[[Costumes]] - [[Ken Trew]] | * [[Costumes]] - [[Ken Trew]] | ||
*[[Designer (crew)|Designer]] - [[Jan Spoczynski]] | * [[Designer (crew)|Designer]] - [[Jan Spoczynski]] | ||
*[[Film Cameraman]] - [[John Baker (cameraman)|John Baker]] | * [[Film Cameraman]] - [[John Baker (cameraman)|John Baker]] | ||
*[[Film Editor]] - [[Alastair Mackay]] | * [[Film Editor]] - [[Alastair Mackay]] | ||
*[[Incidental Music]] - [[Peter Howell]] | * [[Incidental Music]] - [[Peter Howell]] | ||
*[[Make-Up]] - [[Marion Richards]] | * [[Make-Up]] - [[Marion Richards]] | ||
*[[Producer]] - [[John Nathan-Turner]] | * [[Producer]] - [[John Nathan-Turner]] | ||
*[[Production Assistant]] - [[Rita Dunn]], [[June Collins]] | * [[Production Assistant]] - [[Rita Dunn]], [[June Collins]] | ||
*[[Production Associate]] - [[Angela Smith]] | * [[Production Associate]] - [[Angela Smith]] | ||
*[[Production Manager]] - [[Margot Hayhoe]] | * [[Production Manager]] - [[Margot Hayhoe]] | ||
*[[Script Editor]] - [[Eric Saward]] | * [[Script Editor]] - [[Eric Saward]] | ||
*[[Special Sounds]] - [[Dick Mills]] | * [[Special Sounds]] - [[Dick Mills]] | ||
*[[Studio Lighting]] - [[Henry Barber]] | * [[Studio Lighting]] - [[Henry Barber]] | ||
*[[Studio Sound]] - [[Martin Ridout]] | * [[Studio Sound]] - [[Martin Ridout]] | ||
*[[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:Astronomical objects|Astronomical objects]]=== | === [[:Category:Astronomical objects|Astronomical objects]] === | ||
*[[Manussa]] is in the [[Scrampus system]], and is a colony of a [[Federation]] formed by one of Lon's ancestors (part of a network of former Earth colonies). | * [[Manussa]] is in the [[Scrampus system]], and is a colony of a [[Federation]] formed by one of Lon's ancestors (part of a network of former Earth colonies). | ||
===[[:Category:Species|Species]]=== | === [[:Category:Species|Species]] === | ||
*The [[Mara]] was created on Manussa, and ruled, turning the former [[Manussan Empire]] into the [[Sumaran Empire]]. | * The [[Mara]] was created on Manussa, and ruled, turning the former [[Manussan Empire]] into the [[Sumaran Empire]]. | ||
==Story notes== | == Story notes == | ||
*A ''[[Top Gear]]'' episode briefly showed a photo of Martin Clunes portraying Lon during the "Star in a reasonably priced car" section, with Jeremy Clarkson using it to humiliate Clunes. | * A ''[[Top Gear]]'' episode briefly showed a photo of Martin Clunes portraying Lon during the "Star in a reasonably priced car" section, with Jeremy Clarkson using it to humiliate Clunes. | ||
*Jonathan Ross used a clip from ''Snakedance'' to introduce Clunes to his audience in a [[2010]] episode of ''The Jonathan Ross Show''. | * Jonathan Ross used a clip from ''Snakedance'' to introduce Clunes to his audience in a [[2010]] episode of ''The Jonathan Ross Show''. | ||
===Ratings/[[Appreciation Index]]=== | === Ratings/[[Appreciation Index]] === | ||
*Part 1 — 6.7 million viewers | 95th place | [[AI]] 65 | * Part 1 — 6.7 million viewers | 95th place | [[AI]] 65 | ||
*Part 2 — 7.7 million viewers | 75th place | AI 66 | * Part 2 — 7.7 million viewers | 75th place | AI 66 | ||
*Part 3 — 6.6 million viewers | 98th place | AI 67 | * Part 3 — 6.6 million viewers | 98th place | AI 67 | ||
*Part 4 — 7.4 million viewers | 78th place | AI 67 | * Part 4 — 7.4 million viewers | 78th place | AI 67 | ||
===Myths=== | === Myths === | ||
*Kate Bush wrote this under a pseudonym. ''She didn't. '' | * Kate Bush wrote this under a pseudonym. ''She didn't. '' | ||
*This was Martin Clunes' television debut. ''Although all participants insist this is true on the DVD commentary, it's not. It '''was''' his first '''major''' role on TV, but he had previously appeared in ''The White Guard'', a ''BBC Play of the Month'' which aired on [[20 September]] [[1982]]. | * This was Martin Clunes' television debut. ''Although all participants insist this is true on the DVD commentary, it's not. It '''was''' his first '''major''' role on TV, but he had previously appeared in ''The White Guard'', a ''BBC Play of the Month'' which aired on [[20 September]] [[1982]]. | ||
===Filming locations=== | === Filming locations === | ||
*[[BBC Television Centre]] ([[List of stories recorded at BBC Television Centre|TC6]]), Shepherd's Bush, [[London]] | * [[BBC Television Centre]] ([[List of stories recorded at BBC Television Centre|TC6]]), Shepherd's Bush, [[London]] | ||
===Production errors=== | === Production errors === | ||
{{discontinuity}} | {{discontinuity}} | ||
*Lon claims that the fake crystal is made of glass. However, the [[practical effect]] of it being smashed does not convincingly confirm Lon's statement. It obviously shatters like plastic or polystyrene. | * Lon claims that the fake crystal is made of glass. However, the [[practical effect]] of it being smashed does not convincingly confirm Lon's statement. It obviously shatters like plastic or polystyrene. | ||
==Continuity== | == Continuity == | ||
*The Mara debuted in [[DW]]: ''[[Kinda (TV story)|Kinda]]'' and reappeared in [[BFA]]: ''[[The Cradle of the Snake]]''. | * The Mara debuted in [[DW]]: ''[[Kinda (TV story)|Kinda]]'' and reappeared in [[BFA]]: ''[[The Cradle of the Snake]]''. | ||
==Timeline== | == Timeline == | ||
*This story occurs after [[ST]]: ''[[Men of the Earth]]'' | * This story occurs after [[ST]]: ''[[Men of the Earth]]'' | ||
*This story occurs before [[DWM]]: ''[[Blood Invocation]]'' | * This story occurs before [[DWM]]: ''[[Blood Invocation]]'' | ||
==Home video and audio releases== | == Home video and audio releases == | ||
===DVD releases=== | === DVD releases === | ||
It was released on DVD in a box set called Mara Tales with [[Kinda (TV story)|Kinda]] on 7th March 2011 in Region 2. The two episodes have been updated, with CGI Mara instead of the original puppets. | It was released on DVD in a box set called Mara Tales with [[Kinda (TV story)|Kinda]] on 7th March 2011 in Region 2. The two episodes have been updated, with CGI Mara instead of the original puppets. | ||
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[http://gallifreynewsbase.blogspot.com/2010/12/dwn301210232212-dvd-update.html] | [http://gallifreynewsbase.blogspot.com/2010/12/dwn301210232212-dvd-update.html] | ||
===Video releases=== | === Video releases === | ||
Released on VHS in December 1994 in the UK markets, [[February]] [[1994]] in [[Australia]]n markets and [[September]] 1995 in US markets. | Released on VHS in December 1994 in the UK markets, [[February]] [[1994]] in [[Australia]]n markets and [[September]] 1995 in US markets. | ||
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</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
==Novelisation and its audiobook== | == Novelisation and its audiobook == | ||
[[ | [[File:Snakedance novel.jpg|right|75px]] | ||
: ''Main article: [[Snakedance (novelisation)]]'' | : ''Main article: [[Snakedance (novelisation)]]'' | ||
* Novelised by [[Terrance Dicks]] in [[1984]]. | * Novelised by [[Terrance Dicks]] in [[1984]]. | ||
==External links== | == External links == | ||
*{{bbcepguideclassic|snakedance/|Snakedance}} | * {{bbcepguideclassic|snakedance/|Snakedance}} | ||
*{{dwrefguide|who_6d.htm|Snakdedance}} | * {{dwrefguide|who_6d.htm|Snakdedance}} | ||
*{{briefhistory|serials/6d.html|Snakedance}} | * {{briefhistory|serials/6d.html|Snakedance}} | ||
==Sources== | == Sources == | ||
{{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
{{DWTV}} | {{DWTV}} | ||
[[Category:Doctor Who (1963) television stories]] | |||
[[Category:Fifth Doctor television stories]] | [[Category:Fifth Doctor television stories]] | ||
[[Category:1983 television stories]] | [[Category:1983 television stories]] | ||
[[Category:Season 20 stories]] | [[Category:Season 20 stories]] | ||
[[Category:Mara arc]] | [[Category:Mara arc]] | ||
Revision as of 12:04, 5 November 2011
Snakedance was the second story in the twentieth season of Doctor Who. A sequel to Kinda, it featured the return of the Mara, and Nyssa's first direct contact with the Mara. A third Mara tale was intended for the following season, which would have then made this the middle chapter of a trilogy, but writer Christopher Bailey was unable to complete the third set of scripts. Three decades later, a sequel to this story — though not the one Bailey had attempted — was created for audio in the form of Big Finish's The Cradle of the Snake.
The story was significant for its cast. In particular, it was one of Martin Clunes' very first television roles — though it was not his debut. Clunes' outrageous costumes and youthful appearance make it a story often sampled whenever the multi-award-winning actor appears on television chat programmes. (DOC: Snake Charmer) Snakedance was also notable for featuring Brian Miller — husband of Sarah Jane Smith's portrayer, Elisabeth Sladen — in a significant role.
Writers involved in the production of the BBC Wales version of Doctor Who have expressed affection for this serial. In 1995, Steven Moffat was a participant in a wide-ranging, public discussion about Doctor Who with Andy Lane, David Bishop and Paul Cornell. He ranted about the "crap" nature of the majority of the 1963 version of the show, but called Snakedance "one I couldn't really fault".[1] He would build upon this opinion in a 1996 essay, in which he called Snakedance and Kinda "the two best Who stories ever".[2] Likewise, Robert Shearman has called Snakedance "my favourite" Doctor Who story, and is heavily featured on the DVD release explaining why.
Synopsis
Tegan falls once more under the influence of the Mara and directs the TARDIS to the planet Manussa. There the Federator's son Lon and his mother Tanha are preparing for a ceremony to celebrate the banishment of the Mara five hundred years earlier.
The Mara takes control of Lon and uses him and Tegan to obtain from Ambril, the Director of Historical Research, the 'Great Crystal' - the large blue stone that originally brought it into being by focusing energy from the minds of the planet's one-time inhabitants. The Mara now plans to use the crystal during the ceremony to bring about its return to corporeal existence.
The Doctor and Nyssa, aided by Ambril's assistant Chela, locate Ambril's aged predecessor Dojjen, who predicted the Mara's rebirth before wandering off into the wilderness. The Doctor allows himself to be bitten by a snake in order to enter a state of mental commune with Dojjen, who tells him that fear is the only true venom and that in order to defeat the Mara he must find the still point within himself.
The Doctor and his friends then return to the caves where the ceremony is being held. The Doctor, by concentrating his thoughts with the aid of a small replica of the great crystal, is able to find the still point and repel the Mara.
Plot
to be added
Cast
- The Doctor - Peter Davison
- Tegan - Janet Fielding
- Nyssa - Sarah Sutton
- Lon - Martin Clunes
- Ambril - John Carson
- Tanha - Colette O'Neil
- Chela - Johnathon Morris
- Dojjen - Preston Lockwood
- Dugdale - Brian Miller
- Fortune Teller - Hilary Sesta
- Hawker - George Ballantine
- Puppeteer - Barry Smith
- Megaphone Man - Brian Grellis
Crew
- Assistant Floor Manager - Maggy Campbell
- Costumes - Ken Trew
- Designer - Jan Spoczynski
- Film Cameraman - John Baker
- Film Editor - Alastair Mackay
- Incidental Music - Peter Howell
- Make-Up - Marion Richards
- Producer - John Nathan-Turner
- Production Assistant - Rita Dunn, June Collins
- Production Associate - Angela Smith
- Production Manager - Margot Hayhoe
- Script Editor - Eric Saward
- Special Sounds - Dick Mills
- Studio Lighting - Henry Barber
- Studio Sound - Martin Ridout
- Theme Arrangement - Peter Howell
- Title Music - Ron Grainer
- Visual Effects - Andrew Lazell
References
Astronomical objects
- Manussa is in the Scrampus system, and is a colony of a Federation formed by one of Lon's ancestors (part of a network of former Earth colonies).
Species
- The Mara was created on Manussa, and ruled, turning the former Manussan Empire into the Sumaran Empire.
Story notes
- A Top Gear episode briefly showed a photo of Martin Clunes portraying Lon during the "Star in a reasonably priced car" section, with Jeremy Clarkson using it to humiliate Clunes.
- Jonathan Ross used a clip from Snakedance to introduce Clunes to his audience in a 2010 episode of The Jonathan Ross Show.
Ratings/Appreciation Index
- Part 1 — 6.7 million viewers | 95th place | AI 65
- Part 2 — 7.7 million viewers | 75th place | AI 66
- Part 3 — 6.6 million viewers | 98th place | AI 67
- Part 4 — 7.4 million viewers | 78th place | AI 67
Myths
- Kate Bush wrote this under a pseudonym. She didn't.
- This was Martin Clunes' television debut. Although all participants insist this is true on the DVD commentary, it's not. It was his first major role on TV, but he had previously appeared in The White Guard, a BBC Play of the Month which aired on 20 September 1982.
Filming locations
- BBC Television Centre (TC6), 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.
- Lon claims that the fake crystal is made of glass. However, the practical effect of it being smashed does not convincingly confirm Lon's statement. It obviously shatters like plastic or polystyrene.
Continuity
- The Mara debuted in DW: Kinda and reappeared in BFA: The Cradle of the Snake.
Timeline
- This story occurs after ST: Men of the Earth
- This story occurs before DWM: Blood Invocation
Home video and audio releases
DVD releases
It was released on DVD in a box set called Mara Tales with Kinda on 7th March 2011 in Region 2. The two episodes have been updated, with CGI Mara instead of the original puppets.
- Mara Tales.jpg
Mara Tales region 2 cover.
DVD US cover
Mara Tales Region 4
Region 2 cover
Video releases
Released on VHS in December 1994 in the UK markets, February 1994 in Australian markets and September 1995 in US markets.
VHS UK cover
VHS US cover
- 186px-Snakedance australia vhs.png
VHS AUS cover
Novelisation and its audiobook
- Main article: Snakedance (novelisation)
- Novelised by Terrance Dicks in 1984.
External links
- Snakedance at the BBC's official site
- Snakdedance at the Doctor Who Reference Guide
- Snakedance at Shannon Sullivan's A Brief History of Time (Travel)
Sources
- ↑ "Four Writers, One Discussion" a record of a conversation held on 17 January 1995. Time Space Visualiser #43. New Zealand Doctor Who Fan Club. March 1995.
- ↑ Moffat, Steven. "Season 19 Overview". In-Vision #62. 1996. Posted to doctorwhoforum.com. Registration required.
