Pyramids of Mars (TotT TV story)
- You may wish to consult
Pyramids of Mars (disambiguation)for other, similarly-named pages.
Pyramids of Mars was the seventh episode in the Tales of the TARDIS series, released on BBC iPlayer on 20 June 2024 by the BBC, written by Russell T Davies and directed by Jamie Donoughue.
This story consists of two newly recorded scenes bookending the omnibus version of the TV story Pyramids of Mars.
Distinct from the initial series of six, this episode, which aired on BBC Four in between the two-part finale of season 1, had the Fifteenth Doctor tell Ruby Sunday of the classic story's events, which the return of Sutekh in The Legend of Ruby Sunday [+]Loading...["The Legend of Ruby Sunday (TV story)"] had made pertinent.
Synopsis
In 1911, an ancient threat rises in the tombs of Egypt and brings terror to an English country house. Sutekh has risen, and the world must beware.
Plot
Inside the Remembered TARDIS, the Fifteenth Doctor and Ruby Sunday are sitting on the floor around the crystal fire. The Doctor tells Ruby about how he had fought Sutekh before. Even though he won, it was by the skin of his teeth, and he's not sure he can do so again. Upon Ruby asking him what happened, the Doctor explains how he was a different man back then, and that he was traveling with a friend named Sarah Jane Smith, and that they had many wonderful adventures. The Doctor then begins to tell Ruby what happened in his last encounter with Sutekh.
After the story is finished, the Doctor admits that he had truly thought he had killed Sutekh back then, but Sutekh has just been simply waiting all this time. Ruby points out that the Doctor did beat him then, and might know something they can use now. The Doctor disagrees, pointing out the fact that Sutekh was the size of a man back then, but now he has evolved and become a titan. How can he fight against that? But, he knows if he doesn't, Sutekh will destroy the universe. The Doctor doesn't know what to do.
Cast
Crew
to be added
Worldbuilding
- The Fifteenth Doctor recalls that Marcus Scarman was an Englishman who was looting the tombs of the Pharaohs, disturbing the dead.
- The Doctor notes that Sutekh was the size of a man when the Fourth Doctor confronted him, but has now evolved into a Titan.
Notes
- This story is implied to take place during the events of Empire of Death, since the Doctor did not know of Sutekh's return until the climax of The Legend of Ruby Sunday at a time when he was separated from Ruby.
- This story's broadcast was immediately followed by a rerun of the documentary Talking Doctor Who. Both were opened by the full Whoniverse ident, which had been condensed for season 1 and Doctor Who: Unleashed.
Deviations from original serial
- The story omits some lines of dialogue from the original version of Pyramids of Mars, such as the reference to Victoria Waterfield.
- Updated special effects appear.
- Mars is depicted using a shot from TV: The Waters of Mars [+]Loading...["The Waters of Mars (TV story)"].
- The hand of a crew member is removed from the scene where Sutekh stands up.
- The short story All Our Christmases features the history of Doctor Who being changed by fans with time travel. The first change was removing this blooper.
Continuity
- The Fifteenth Doctor fondly reminisces about Sarah Jane Smith. He had, following his bi-generation in TV: The Giggle [+]Loading...["The Giggle (TV story)"], acknowledged her death whilst speaking with the Fourteenth Doctor.
- The Doctor recounts the events of TV: Pyramids of Mars [+]Loading...["Pyramids of Mars (TV story)"].
