The Idiot's Lantern (TV story)
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"Are we sitting comfortably? Then will we begin"
Synopsis
London, 1953: on the eve of Queen Elizabeth II's coronation, Mr. Magpie is selling televisions from his little shop at an amazingly low price. It must be an alien plot...
Plot
to be added
Cast
- The Doctor - David Tennant
- Rose Tyler - Billie Piper
- The Wire - Maureen Lipman
- Mr Magpie - Ron Cook
- Eddie Connolly - Jamie Foreman
- Rita Connolly - Debra Gillett
- Tommy Connolly - Rory Jennings
- Grandma - Margaret John
- Mrs Gallagher - Marie Lewis
- Detective Inspector Bishop - Sam Cox
- Crabtree - Ieuan Rhys
- Aunt Betty - Jean Challis
- Security Guard - Christopher Driscoll
Crew
to be added
References
- The Doctor quotes Kylie Minogue's song "Never Too Late."
- The Doctor and Rose try to arrive in 1956 to see Elvis Presley's performance on the Ed Sullivan Show in New York City, but arrive mistakenly in London, three years earlier.
- Torchwood is mentioned by the police officer (though the mention doesn't appear to be noticed by the Doctor).
Story Notes
- This story had working titles of: Mr Sandman, Sonic Doom, The One-Eyed Monster.
- The Idiot's Lantern was originally to have been the ninth episode of the Series 2.
- Originally, The Doctor was supposed to have a line about having trouble with radio transmitters, which was supposed to be a reference to Logopolis, where the Fourth Doctor fell from the Pharos Project transmitter.
Ratings
to be added
Myths
to be added
Location Filming
- Alexandra Palace, Wood Green, London
- Florentia Street in Cathays, Cardiff
- Blenheim Road in Pen-y-lan, Cardiff
- Cardiff Royal Infirmary
- Veritair Limited tarmac at the Cardiff Heliport on Cardiff Bay
Discontinuity, Plot Holes, Errors
- How do the people survive without mouths/noses for air?
- Though it's clearly stated in the episode, thet the grandmother is Rita Connolly's mother, she is credited as Grandma Connolly.
Continuity
- The portable TV turns up in an episode of Torchwood.
- Magpie Electricals apparently continues to exist. Martha Jones had a Magpie brand television in The Sound of Drums.
DVD Releases
- This was released on a vanilla DVD along side Rise of the Cybermen and The Age of Steel.
- It was also released as part of the Series 2 box set.
See also
to be added
External Links
- Official BBC Website - Episode Guide for The Idiot's Lantern
- The Doctor Who Reference Guide detailed synopsis of The Idiot's Lantern
- The Whoniverse Discontinuity Guide to The Idiot's Lantern
- Outpost Gallifrey Episode Guide: The Idiot's Lantern
- A Brief History of Time (Travel): The Idiot's Lantern
