Warriors' Gate (TV story): Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox ClassicTV| | {{Infobox ClassicTV| | ||
story name= Warriors' Gate| | story name= Warriors' Gate| | ||
image= [[ | image= [[File:WarriorsGateTrio.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 18]]| | number= [[Season 18]]| | ||
story number= 113| | story number= 113| | ||
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year= Zero coordinates, [[Gateway|The Gateway]] | | year= Zero coordinates, [[Gateway|The Gateway]] | | ||
writer= [[Steve Gallagher]]| | writer= [[Steve Gallagher]]| | ||
director= [[Paul Joyce]]<br>[[Graeme Harper]] (uncredited)| | director= [[Paul Joyce]]<br />[[Graeme Harper]] (uncredited)| | ||
producer= [[John Nathan-Turner]]| | producer= [[John Nathan-Turner]]| | ||
broadcast date= [[3 January]] - [[24 January]] [[1981]]| | broadcast date= [[3 January]] - [[24 January]] [[1981]]| | ||
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From a production standpoint, it marked [[Graeme Harper]]'s directorial debut on the programme, although he wasn't credited in that capacity for his work. His promotion to the [[director]]'s chair followed one of the rare instances that a director was fired during production of a ''Doctor Who'' story — although credited director, [[Paul Joyce]], was quickly re-hired. | From a production standpoint, it marked [[Graeme Harper]]'s directorial debut on the programme, although he wasn't credited in that capacity for his work. His promotion to the [[director]]'s chair followed one of the rare instances that a director was fired during production of a ''Doctor Who'' story — although credited director, [[Paul Joyce]], was quickly re-hired. | ||
==Synopsis== | == Synopsis == | ||
A strange creature forces its way into the [[The Doctor's TARDIS|TARDIS]], steering it to a white void occupied only by the ruins of an old building and a spaceship. This empty space is a [[gateway]] to the past and future and the creature responsible for taking them there is [[Biroc]], a member of the enslaved race known as the [[Tharil]]. The gateway offers the only exit out of [[E-Space]], but the void is contracting. Are the [[Fourth Doctor]] and his friends fated to spend eternity in E-Space? And what final shocking revelation awaits the Doctor? | A strange creature forces its way into the [[The Doctor's TARDIS|TARDIS]], steering it to a white void occupied only by the ruins of an old building and a spaceship. This empty space is a [[gateway]] to the past and future and the creature responsible for taking them there is [[Biroc]], a member of the enslaved race known as the [[Tharil]]. The gateway offers the only exit out of [[E-Space]], but the void is contracting. Are the [[Fourth Doctor]] and his friends fated to spend eternity in E-Space? And what final shocking revelation awaits the Doctor? | ||
==Plot== | == Plot == | ||
===Part one=== | === Part one === | ||
A countdown takes place, leading up to the crew of a spacecraft using a [[Tharil]] to try and escape from “nowhere”, they fail. Onboard the [[The Doctor's TARDIS|TARDIS]] the [[Fourth Doctor]] is at the controls. They have entered a disruption and the Doctor struggles to make sense of it. | A countdown takes place, leading up to the crew of a spacecraft using a [[Tharil]] to try and escape from “nowhere”, they fail. Onboard the [[The Doctor's TARDIS|TARDIS]] the [[Fourth Doctor]] is at the controls. They have entered a disruption and the Doctor struggles to make sense of it. | ||
The Tharil, [[Biroc]] is taken away but escapes from his escort. He is seen by [[Lane (Warriors' Gate)|Lane]], who warns the bridge. Meanwhile, the Doctor is trying to land the TARDIS. He moves to press a button but [[Romana II|Romana]] prevents him from doing so because it is dangerous. He considers if he subconsciously wanted to press the button. | The Tharil, [[Biroc]] is taken away but escapes from his escort. He is seen by [[Lane (Warriors' Gate)|Lane]], who warns the bridge. Meanwhile, the Doctor is trying to land the TARDIS. He moves to press a button but [[Romana II|Romana]] prevents him from doing so because it is dangerous. He considers if he subconsciously wanted to press the button. | ||
[[ | [[File:Inspection.jpg|thumb|left|[[Rorvik]]'s group inspect the [[The Doctor's TARDIS|TARDIS]].]] | ||
Romana is still trying to avoid returning to [[Gallifrey]]. She asks the Doctor if they have the right to take [[Adric]] out of his own time. The Doctor tells her Adric will love it on Gallifrey. Adric decides to press a button and does so, determined by flipping a coin, a method suggested by the Doctor. Biroc has escaped the craft and runs through a white void. | Romana is still trying to avoid returning to [[Gallifrey]]. She asks the Doctor if they have the right to take [[Adric]] out of his own time. The Doctor tells her Adric will love it on Gallifrey. Adric decides to press a button and does so, determined by flipping a coin, a method suggested by the Doctor. Biroc has escaped the craft and runs through a white void. | ||
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Biroc arrives at a stone arch with a door in it; he enters and is closely followed by the Doctor. Inside, Biroc inspects a cobwebbed dining hall. He passes through what appears to be a mirror and disappears. Rorvik’s group are inspecting the TARDIS. They cannot determine what it is. The Doctor arrives in the dining hall and makes his way around it. He inspects two skeletons in armour, brushing off cobwebs he moves on; one skeleton moves. The Doctor crouches by the mirror as the skeleton advances on him; it raises its axe and swings. | Biroc arrives at a stone arch with a door in it; he enters and is closely followed by the Doctor. Inside, Biroc inspects a cobwebbed dining hall. He passes through what appears to be a mirror and disappears. Rorvik’s group are inspecting the TARDIS. They cannot determine what it is. The Doctor arrives in the dining hall and makes his way around it. He inspects two skeletons in armour, brushing off cobwebs he moves on; one skeleton moves. The Doctor crouches by the mirror as the skeleton advances on him; it raises its axe and swings. | ||
===Part two=== | === Part two === | ||
''to be added'' | ''to be added'' | ||
===Part three=== | === Part three === | ||
''to be added'' | ''to be added'' | ||
===Part four=== | === Part four === | ||
''to be added'' | ''to be added'' | ||
==Cast== | == Cast == | ||
*[[Fourth Doctor|The Doctor]] - [[Tom Baker]] | * [[Fourth Doctor|The Doctor]] - [[Tom Baker]] | ||
*[[Romana|Romana II]] - [[Lalla Ward]] | * [[Romana|Romana II]] - [[Lalla Ward]] | ||
*[[Adric]] - [[Matthew Waterhouse]] | * [[Adric]] - [[Matthew Waterhouse]] | ||
*[[K9 Mark II|K9]] - [[John Leeson]] | * [[K9 Mark II|K9]] - [[John Leeson]] | ||
*[[Rorvik]] - [[Clifford Rose]] | * [[Rorvik]] - [[Clifford Rose]] | ||
*[[Packard]] - [[Kenneth Cope]] | * [[Packard]] - [[Kenneth Cope]] | ||
*[[Lane (Warriors' Gate)|Lane]] - [[David Kincaid]] | * [[Lane (Warriors' Gate)|Lane]] - [[David Kincaid]] | ||
*[[Aldo]] - [[Freddie Earlle]] | * [[Aldo]] - [[Freddie Earlle]] | ||
*[[Royce]] - [[Harry Waters]] | * [[Royce]] - [[Harry Waters]] | ||
*[[Biroc]] - [[David Weston]] | * [[Biroc]] - [[David Weston]] | ||
*[[Sagan]] - [[Vincent Pickering]] | * [[Sagan]] - [[Vincent Pickering]] | ||
*[[Gundan]] - [[Robert Vowles]] | * [[Gundan]] - [[Robert Vowles]] | ||
*[[Lazlo]] - [[Jeremy Gittins]] | * [[Lazlo]] - [[Jeremy Gittins]] | ||
==Crew== | == Crew == | ||
*[[Assistant Floor Manager]] - [[Val McCrimmon]] | * [[Assistant Floor Manager]] - [[Val McCrimmon]] | ||
*[[Costumes]] - [[June Hudson]] | * [[Costumes]] - [[June Hudson]] | ||
*[[Designer (crew)|Designer]] - [[Graeme Story]] | * [[Designer (crew)|Designer]] - [[Graeme Story]] | ||
*[[Executive Producer]] - [[Barry Letts]] | * [[Executive Producer]] - [[Barry Letts]] | ||
*[[Incidental Music]] - [[Peter Howell]] | * [[Incidental Music]] - [[Peter Howell]] | ||
*[[Make-Up]] - [[Pauline Cox]] | * [[Make-Up]] - [[Pauline Cox]] | ||
*[[Producer]] - [[John Nathan-Turner]] | * [[Producer]] - [[John Nathan-Turner]] | ||
*[[Production Assistant]] - [[Graeme Harper]] | * [[Production Assistant]] - [[Graeme Harper]] | ||
*[[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]] - [[John Dixon (technician)|John Dixon]] | * [[Studio Lighting]] - [[John Dixon (technician)|John Dixon]] | ||
*[[Studio Sound]] - [[Alan Fogg]] | * [[Studio Sound]] - [[Alan Fogg]] | ||
*[[Theme Arrangement]] - [[Peter Howell]] | * [[Theme Arrangement]] - [[Peter Howell]] | ||
*[[Doctor Who theme|Title Music]] - [[Ron Grainer]] | * [[Doctor Who theme|Title Music]] - [[Ron Grainer]] | ||
*[[Visual Effects]] - [[Mat Irvine]] | * [[Visual Effects]] - [[Mat Irvine]] | ||
==References== | == References == | ||
===[[:Category:Cultural references from the real world|Cultural References from the Real World ]]=== | === [[:Category:Cultural references from the real world|Cultural References from the Real World ]] === | ||
*When Biroc vanishes during a conversation with the Doctor, the Doctor states that he is gone again, which is "like talking to a Cheshire cat" - an allusion to the well-known character from ''Alice's Adventures in Wonderland'' by [[Lewis Carroll]]. | * When Biroc vanishes during a conversation with the Doctor, the Doctor states that he is gone again, which is "like talking to a Cheshire cat" - an allusion to the well-known character from ''Alice's Adventures in Wonderland'' by [[Lewis Carroll]]. | ||
===[[:Category:Foods and beverages|Foods and beverages]]=== | === [[:Category:Foods and beverages|Foods and beverages]] === | ||
*The Doctor eats [[pickled onions]] with Rorvik and drinks [[Alcohol#Wine|wine]] with Biroc. | * The Doctor eats [[pickled onions]] with Rorvik and drinks [[Alcohol#Wine|wine]] with Biroc. | ||
===[[:Category:Locations|Locations]]=== | === [[:Category:Locations|Locations]] === | ||
* The [[Gateway]] is the point which intersects between [[E-Space]] and [[Normal Space]]. | * The [[Gateway]] is the point which intersects between [[E-Space]] and [[Normal Space]]. | ||
===[[:Category:Minerals|Minerals]]=== | === [[:Category:Minerals|Minerals]] === | ||
* Rorvik's ship is made of [[Dwarf star alloy]], the only material that can hold [[time sensitive]]s such as the [[Tharil]]s. | * Rorvik's ship is made of [[Dwarf star alloy]], the only material that can hold [[time sensitive]]s such as the [[Tharil]]s. | ||
===[[:Category:Species|Species]]=== | === [[:Category:Species|Species]] === | ||
* Tharils are not affected by the [[Time wind]]s and can walk the [[timeline]]s. | * Tharils are not affected by the [[Time wind]]s and can walk the [[timeline]]s. | ||
===[[:Category:Robots|Robots]]=== | === [[:Category:Robots|Robots]] === | ||
* The [[Gundan]]s were built by the [[human]]s to walk the time lines and travel through the mirrors at the [[Gateway]]. | * The [[Gundan]]s were built by the [[human]]s to walk the time lines and travel through the mirrors at the [[Gateway]]. | ||
===[[:Category:Romana|Romana]]=== | === [[:Category:Romana|Romana]] === | ||
* [[Romana II|Romana]] leaves the Doctor, but does not wish to return to the [[Time Lord]]s or [[Gallifrey]]. She takes with her K9, whose [[memory wafer]]s have been replaced and reworked to function past the mirrors. | * [[Romana II|Romana]] leaves the Doctor, but does not wish to return to the [[Time Lord]]s or [[Gallifrey]]. She takes with her K9, whose [[memory wafer]]s have been replaced and reworked to function past the mirrors. | ||
===[[:Category:Technology|Technology]]=== | === [[:Category:Technology|Technology]] === | ||
* [[Mass detector]]s can be used to find objects within a space with zero coordinates. | * [[Mass detector]]s can be used to find objects within a space with zero coordinates. | ||
* The Tardis is called a "Ship for Midgets" | * The Tardis is called a "Ship for Midgets" | ||
==Story notes== | == Story notes == | ||
* This is the final story in the '[[E-Space]] Trilogy'. | * This is the final story in the '[[E-Space]] Trilogy'. | ||
*The script development for this serial went through two distinct phases. Initially, the project was tackled by [[Christopher Priest]]. In Priest's version of the final chapter of the E-Space trilogy, the Doctor and Romana would have exited E-Space via a political thriller involving [[Gallifrey]]. This script was called ''Sealed Orders'', and presumably would have dealt more directly with Romana's failure to return to her home planet following her temporary assignment to find the [[Key to Time]]. After considerable time massaging this treatment, it was abandoned, to be replaced by a [[Steve Gallagher]]-penned effort called "Dream Time". Though the basic elements of this story would remain in ''Warrior's Gate'', the final script was heavily re-written by [[script editor]] [[Christopher H. Bidmead]] and director [[Paul Joyce]]. Joyce would later claim that in fact the scripts were so much a product of his efforts that he, in fact, deserved the writing credit. | * The script development for this serial went through two distinct phases. Initially, the project was tackled by [[Christopher Priest]]. In Priest's version of the final chapter of the E-Space trilogy, the Doctor and Romana would have exited E-Space via a political thriller involving [[Gallifrey]]. This script was called ''Sealed Orders'', and presumably would have dealt more directly with Romana's failure to return to her home planet following her temporary assignment to find the [[Key to Time]]. After considerable time massaging this treatment, it was abandoned, to be replaced by a [[Steve Gallagher]]-penned effort called "Dream Time". Though the basic elements of this story would remain in ''Warrior's Gate'', the final script was heavily re-written by [[script editor]] [[Christopher H. Bidmead]] and director [[Paul Joyce]]. Joyce would later claim that in fact the scripts were so much a product of his efforts that he, in fact, deserved the writing credit. | ||
*In addition to the difficulties surrounding the writing of this story, virtually every phase of the production of this serial was problematic. Tom Baker was particularly tetchy due both to his ongoing illness during the seasons and the departure of his then-lover, Lalla Ward, from the series. Both he and Ward were deeply displeased with their characterisations in the initial script — which was one of the reasons Paul Joyce became so heavily involved in the re-write. He couldn't get his stars to perform unless their script concerns were directly addressed. Meanwhile, Paul Joyce had little experience directing for television, and had considerable disagreements with [[John Nathan-Turner]] and lighting director [[John Dixon (technician)|John Dixon]]. Ultimately, only about half of the production was directed by Joyce, with most of the final half being tackled by credited production assistant, [[Graeme Harper]]. Also, the production was hit by a strike of the BBC carpenters, which further delayed matters. | * In addition to the difficulties surrounding the writing of this story, virtually every phase of the production of this serial was problematic. Tom Baker was particularly tetchy due both to his ongoing illness during the seasons and the departure of his then-lover, Lalla Ward, from the series. Both he and Ward were deeply displeased with their characterisations in the initial script — which was one of the reasons Paul Joyce became so heavily involved in the re-write. He couldn't get his stars to perform unless their script concerns were directly addressed. Meanwhile, Paul Joyce had little experience directing for television, and had considerable disagreements with [[John Nathan-Turner]] and lighting director [[John Dixon (technician)|John Dixon]]. Ultimately, only about half of the production was directed by Joyce, with most of the final half being tackled by credited production assistant, [[Graeme Harper]]. Also, the production was hit by a strike of the BBC carpenters, which further delayed matters. | ||
===Ratings=== | === Ratings === | ||
*Part 1 - 7.1 million viewers | * Part 1 - 7.1 million viewers | ||
*Part 2 - 6.7 million viewers | * Part 2 - 6.7 million viewers | ||
*Part 3 - 8.3 million viewers | * Part 3 - 8.3 million viewers | ||
*Part 4 - 7.8 million viewers | * Part 4 - 7.8 million viewers | ||
===Myths=== | === Myths === | ||
''to be added'' | ''to be added'' | ||
===Filming locations=== | === Filming locations === | ||
*Powis Castle, Welshpool, Powys (Stills used in the story) | * Powis Castle, Welshpool, Powys (Stills used in the story) | ||
*[[BBC Television Centre]] (TC6 & TC1), Shepherd's Bush, [[London]] | * [[BBC Television Centre]] (TC6 & TC1), Shepherd's Bush, [[London]] | ||
===Production errors=== | === Production errors === | ||
{{discontinuity}} | {{discontinuity}} | ||
*In part two, a Gundan's axe falls onto the Doctor's back, without harm. | * In part two, a Gundan's axe falls onto the Doctor's back, without harm. | ||
*In part three, a boom mike pokes out from behind the MZ. | * In part three, a boom mike pokes out from behind the MZ. | ||
*Adric takes K9's ear, but when the computer arrives at the Doctor, he's got both. | * Adric takes K9's ear, but when the computer arrives at the Doctor, he's got both. | ||
*When Packard swings K9 overhead, its hollow interior is visible, it is also visible momentairily before the time winds damage him. | * When Packard swings K9 overhead, its hollow interior is visible, it is also visible momentairily before the time winds damage him. | ||
*In part one, when the Time Winds damage K9, smoke pours out of him. Behind the prop (visible just below its head) is a pipe leading to it, which can be seen filling up with smoke at the beginning of this shot. | * In part one, when the Time Winds damage K9, smoke pours out of him. Behind the prop (visible just below its head) is a pipe leading to it, which can be seen filling up with smoke at the beginning of this shot. | ||
*The supposedly immense mass of the privateer ship is not very well supported by the pyrotechnics modelwork in episode four, where it hops lightly on its base. | * The supposedly immense mass of the privateer ship is not very well supported by the pyrotechnics modelwork in episode four, where it hops lightly on its base. | ||
*Throughout the entire story, the actors cast shadows on the greenscreen set walls, and can be seen in the finished production, even though the landscape is supposed to be blank white. | * Throughout the entire story, the actors cast shadows on the greenscreen set walls, and can be seen in the finished production, even though the landscape is supposed to be blank white. | ||
==Continuity== | == Continuity == | ||
*[[DW]]: ''[[The Keeper of Traken]]'' follows straight on from this story. | * [[DW]]: ''[[The Keeper of Traken]]'' follows straight on from this story. | ||
* In [[NA]]: ''[[Blood Harvest]]'' Romana is retrieved from E-Space by the Doctor. | * In [[NA]]: ''[[Blood Harvest]]'' Romana is retrieved from E-Space by the Doctor. | ||
==[[Fourth Doctor - Timeline|Timeline]]== | == [[Fourth Doctor - Timeline|Timeline]] == | ||
*This story takes place after [[ST]]: ''[[O, Darkness]]'' | * This story takes place after [[ST]]: ''[[O, Darkness]]'' | ||
*This story takes place before [[DWAN]]: ''[[Conundrum (short story)|Conundrum]]'' | * This story takes place before [[DWAN]]: ''[[Conundrum (short story)|Conundrum]]'' | ||
==Home video and audio releases== | == Home video and audio releases == | ||
===DVD releases=== | === DVD releases === | ||
*Warriors' Gate has been released in a box set alongside Full Circle and State of Decay. The box set in titled [[The E-Space Trilogy]]. | * Warriors' Gate has been released in a box set alongside Full Circle and State of Decay. The box set in titled [[The E-Space Trilogy]]. | ||
* Editing for DVD release completed by [[Doctor Who Restoration Team]]. | * Editing for DVD release completed by [[Doctor Who Restoration Team]]. | ||
| Line 157: | Line 157: | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
====Box set==== | ==== Box set ==== | ||
<gallery hideaddbutton="true" > | <gallery hideaddbutton="true" > | ||
file:The E-Space Trilogy DVD UK cover.jpg|DVD UK box set cover | file:The E-Space Trilogy DVD UK cover.jpg|DVD UK box set cover | ||
| Line 164: | Line 164: | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
===Video releases=== | === Video releases === | ||
* Warriors' Gate was released on video in 1997 by BBC Worldwide as part of a boxed set containing: ''[[Full Circle]]'', ''[[State of Decay]]'' and ''Warriors' Gate''. | * Warriors' Gate was released on video in 1997 by BBC Worldwide as part of a boxed set containing: ''[[Full Circle]]'', ''[[State of Decay]]'' and ''Warriors' Gate''. | ||
| Line 173: | Line 173: | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
====Box set covers==== | ==== Box set covers ==== | ||
<gallery hideaddbutton="true" > | <gallery hideaddbutton="true" > | ||
file:The E-Space Trilogy VHS UK cover.jpg|VHS UK box set cover | file:The E-Space Trilogy VHS UK cover.jpg|VHS UK box set cover | ||
| Line 180: | Line 180: | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
==Novelisation and its audiobook== | == Novelisation and its audiobook == | ||
[[ | [[File:Warriors Gate novel.jpg|right|75px]] | ||
: ''Main article: [[Doctor Who and Warriors' Gate]]'' | : ''Main article: [[Doctor Who and Warriors' Gate]]'' | ||
*Novelised as ''[[Doctor Who and Warriors' Gate]]'' in [[1982]] by [[John Lydecker]]. | * Novelised as ''[[Doctor Who and Warriors' Gate]]'' in [[1982]] by [[John Lydecker]]. | ||
==External links== | == External links == | ||
*{{bbcepguideclassic|warriorsgate/|Warriors' Gate}} | * {{bbcepguideclassic|warriorsgate/|Warriors' Gate}} | ||
*{{dwrefguide|who_5s.htm|Warriors' Gate}} | * {{dwrefguide|who_5s.htm|Warriors' Gate}} | ||
*{{briefhistory|serials/5s.html|Warriors' Gate}} | * {{briefhistory|serials/5s.html|Warriors' Gate}} | ||
*{{locguide|warriorsgate|Warriors' Gate}} | * {{locguide|warriorsgate|Warriors' Gate}} | ||
*[http://nzdwfc.tetrap.com/archive/tsv37/riders.html TSV:37 Riders on the Time Winds - Understanding '''Warriors' Gate'''] | * [http://nzdwfc.tetrap.com/archive/tsv37/riders.html TSV:37 Riders on the Time Winds - Understanding '''Warriors' Gate'''] | ||
{{DWTV}} | {{DWTV}} | ||
[[Category:Doctor Who (1963) television stories]] | |||
[[Category:Fourth Doctor television stories]] | [[Category:Fourth Doctor television stories]] | ||
[[Category:1981 television stories]] | [[Category:1981 television stories]] | ||
Revision as of 01:08, 6 November 2011
Warriors' Gate is the fifth story of the 18th season of Doctor Who. It saw the departure of Romana II and K9 from the regular cast, and concluded the "E-Space trilogy".
From a production standpoint, it marked Graeme Harper's directorial debut on the programme, although he wasn't credited in that capacity for his work. His promotion to the director's chair followed one of the rare instances that a director was fired during production of a Doctor Who story — although credited director, Paul Joyce, was quickly re-hired.
Synopsis
A strange creature forces its way into the TARDIS, steering it to a white void occupied only by the ruins of an old building and a spaceship. This empty space is a gateway to the past and future and the creature responsible for taking them there is Biroc, a member of the enslaved race known as the Tharil. The gateway offers the only exit out of E-Space, but the void is contracting. Are the Fourth Doctor and his friends fated to spend eternity in E-Space? And what final shocking revelation awaits the Doctor?
Plot
Part one
A countdown takes place, leading up to the crew of a spacecraft using a Tharil to try and escape from “nowhere”, they fail. Onboard the TARDIS the Fourth Doctor is at the controls. They have entered a disruption and the Doctor struggles to make sense of it. The Tharil, Biroc is taken away but escapes from his escort. He is seen by Lane, who warns the bridge. Meanwhile, the Doctor is trying to land the TARDIS. He moves to press a button but Romana prevents him from doing so because it is dangerous. He considers if he subconsciously wanted to press the button.
Romana is still trying to avoid returning to Gallifrey. She asks the Doctor if they have the right to take Adric out of his own time. The Doctor tells her Adric will love it on Gallifrey. Adric decides to press a button and does so, determined by flipping a coin, a method suggested by the Doctor. Biroc has escaped the craft and runs through a white void.
The TARDIS lands and the console sparks. Smoke pours out of K9. The Doctor avoid the Time winds coming through the open doors of the TARDIS. Biroc enters and walks to the controls. One the spacecraft they pick up the TARDIS on their scanners, noting it as a craft. Biroc begins operating the TARDIS controls. The Doctor and Romana note that he is on a different time line. Romana wonders why he hasn’t been torn apart. On the craft, Captain Rorvik decides to wake another Tharil up to navigate them out of the “gap between timelines”. He announces that they are to go out to the TARDIS. Biroc speaks with the TARDIS crew; he tells them not to trust Rorvik and his men. He says he is a “shadow of his past, and your future”, then leaves to cross the white void.
The Doctor shows Romana the co-ordinates, all zero. He leaves to follow Biroc, after telling K9 to follow him but then realises he has been damaged by the Time winds; he finds a sign of life in him and then sets off. Romana tells Adric that they are in the gap between the negative co-ordinates of E-Space and the positive N-Space, which Adric likens to an intersection. The pair set about repairing K9, who warns them of three approaching humanoids. Using a mass detector, Rorvik and two of his crew search for the craft they picked up. The TARDIS crew see them approaching on their scanner. Biroc arrives at a stone arch with a door in it; he enters and is closely followed by the Doctor. Inside, Biroc inspects a cobwebbed dining hall. He passes through what appears to be a mirror and disappears. Rorvik’s group are inspecting the TARDIS. They cannot determine what it is. The Doctor arrives in the dining hall and makes his way around it. He inspects two skeletons in armour, brushing off cobwebs he moves on; one skeleton moves. The Doctor crouches by the mirror as the skeleton advances on him; it raises its axe and swings.
Part two
to be added
Part three
to be added
Part four
to be added
Cast
- The Doctor - Tom Baker
- Romana II - Lalla Ward
- Adric - Matthew Waterhouse
- K9 - John Leeson
- Rorvik - Clifford Rose
- Packard - Kenneth Cope
- Lane - David Kincaid
- Aldo - Freddie Earlle
- Royce - Harry Waters
- Biroc - David Weston
- Sagan - Vincent Pickering
- Gundan - Robert Vowles
- Lazlo - Jeremy Gittins
Crew
- Assistant Floor Manager - Val McCrimmon
- Costumes - June Hudson
- Designer - Graeme Story
- Executive Producer - Barry Letts
- Incidental Music - Peter Howell
- Make-Up - Pauline Cox
- Producer - John Nathan-Turner
- Production Assistant - Graeme Harper
- Production Unit Manager - Angela Smith
- Script Editor - Christopher H. Bidmead
- Special Sounds - Dick Mills
- Studio Lighting - John Dixon
- Studio Sound - Alan Fogg
- Theme Arrangement - Peter Howell
- Title Music - Ron Grainer
- Visual Effects - Mat Irvine
References
Cultural References from the Real World
- When Biroc vanishes during a conversation with the Doctor, the Doctor states that he is gone again, which is "like talking to a Cheshire cat" - an allusion to the well-known character from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll.
Foods and beverages
- The Doctor eats pickled onions with Rorvik and drinks wine with Biroc.
Locations
- The Gateway is the point which intersects between E-Space and Normal Space.
Minerals
- Rorvik's ship is made of Dwarf star alloy, the only material that can hold time sensitives such as the Tharils.
Species
- Tharils are not affected by the Time winds and can walk the timelines.
Robots
- The Gundans were built by the humans to walk the time lines and travel through the mirrors at the Gateway.
Romana
- Romana leaves the Doctor, but does not wish to return to the Time Lords or Gallifrey. She takes with her K9, whose memory wafers have been replaced and reworked to function past the mirrors.
Technology
- Mass detectors can be used to find objects within a space with zero coordinates.
- The Tardis is called a "Ship for Midgets"
Story notes
- This is the final story in the 'E-Space Trilogy'.
- The script development for this serial went through two distinct phases. Initially, the project was tackled by Christopher Priest. In Priest's version of the final chapter of the E-Space trilogy, the Doctor and Romana would have exited E-Space via a political thriller involving Gallifrey. This script was called Sealed Orders, and presumably would have dealt more directly with Romana's failure to return to her home planet following her temporary assignment to find the Key to Time. After considerable time massaging this treatment, it was abandoned, to be replaced by a Steve Gallagher-penned effort called "Dream Time". Though the basic elements of this story would remain in Warrior's Gate, the final script was heavily re-written by script editor Christopher H. Bidmead and director Paul Joyce. Joyce would later claim that in fact the scripts were so much a product of his efforts that he, in fact, deserved the writing credit.
- In addition to the difficulties surrounding the writing of this story, virtually every phase of the production of this serial was problematic. Tom Baker was particularly tetchy due both to his ongoing illness during the seasons and the departure of his then-lover, Lalla Ward, from the series. Both he and Ward were deeply displeased with their characterisations in the initial script — which was one of the reasons Paul Joyce became so heavily involved in the re-write. He couldn't get his stars to perform unless their script concerns were directly addressed. Meanwhile, Paul Joyce had little experience directing for television, and had considerable disagreements with John Nathan-Turner and lighting director John Dixon. Ultimately, only about half of the production was directed by Joyce, with most of the final half being tackled by credited production assistant, Graeme Harper. Also, the production was hit by a strike of the BBC carpenters, which further delayed matters.
Ratings
- Part 1 - 7.1 million viewers
- Part 2 - 6.7 million viewers
- Part 3 - 8.3 million viewers
- Part 4 - 7.8 million viewers
Myths
to be added
Filming locations
- Powis Castle, Welshpool, Powys (Stills used in the story)
- BBC Television Centre (TC6 & TC1), 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.
- In part two, a Gundan's axe falls onto the Doctor's back, without harm.
- In part three, a boom mike pokes out from behind the MZ.
- Adric takes K9's ear, but when the computer arrives at the Doctor, he's got both.
- When Packard swings K9 overhead, its hollow interior is visible, it is also visible momentairily before the time winds damage him.
- In part one, when the Time Winds damage K9, smoke pours out of him. Behind the prop (visible just below its head) is a pipe leading to it, which can be seen filling up with smoke at the beginning of this shot.
- The supposedly immense mass of the privateer ship is not very well supported by the pyrotechnics modelwork in episode four, where it hops lightly on its base.
- Throughout the entire story, the actors cast shadows on the greenscreen set walls, and can be seen in the finished production, even though the landscape is supposed to be blank white.
Continuity
- DW: The Keeper of Traken follows straight on from this story.
- In NA: Blood Harvest Romana is retrieved from E-Space by the Doctor.
Timeline
- This story takes place after ST: O, Darkness
- This story takes place before DWAN: Conundrum
Home video and audio releases
DVD releases
- Warriors' Gate has been released in a box set alongside Full Circle and State of Decay. The box set in titled The E-Space Trilogy.
- Editing for DVD release completed by Doctor Who Restoration Team.
Region 2 UK cover
Region 4 Australian cover
- Warriors gate us dvd.jpg
Region 1 US cover
Box set
DVD UK box set cover
DVD Australian box set cover
DVD US box set cover
Video releases
- Warriors' Gate was released on video in 1997 by BBC Worldwide as part of a boxed set containing: Full Circle, State of Decay and Warriors' Gate.
VHS Australian cover
VHS US cover
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VHS UK cover
Box set covers
VHS UK box set cover
VHS Australian box set cover
VHS US box set cover
Novelisation and its audiobook
- Main article: Doctor Who and Warriors' Gate
- Novelised as Doctor Who and Warriors' Gate in 1982 by John Lydecker.
External links
- Warriors' Gate at the BBC's official site
- Warriors' Gate at the Doctor Who Reference Guide
- Warriors' Gate at Shannon Sullivan's A Brief History of Time (Travel)
- Warriors' Gate at The Locations Guide
- TSV:37 Riders on the Time Winds - Understanding Warriors' Gate
