Bruno Taltalian
Dr. Bruno Taltalian (or Taltallian) was a scientist who was in charge of computers at Space Control.
Biography[[edit] | [edit source]]
Taltalian was French and worked under Professor Ralph Cornish at Space Control with Dobson, his chief assistant of two years. He knew Sir James Quinlan for a number of years and, after Jim Daniels' death, became involved with General George Carrington's scheme. (TV: The Ambassadors of Death)
The Apocalypse Clock sent Taltalian a letter informing him of his upcoming death. (AUDIO: The Last Post) He assisted General Carrington in his plans by demanding at gunpoint the recording of the aliens' messages from the Third Doctor and Liz Shaw, which he later explained was at the general's command. He later kidnapped Liz and took her to Reegan to help them communicate with the ambassadors.
When Reegan realised that Taltalian was close to being found out, the scientist was sent with a supposedly timed bomb to kill the Doctor. When he turned the combination dials on the briefcase that the bomb was contained inside, it detonated immediately and he was killed instantly. The Doctor surmised that Taltalian was a weak link that his employers had wanted to get rid of. (TV: The Ambassadors of Death)
Appearance[[edit] | [edit source]]
Taltalian was a massive, lumbering figure with a big beard, bristling face and burly shoulders. (PROSE: The Ambassadors of Death)
Personality[[edit] | [edit source]]
Taltalian was brutally frank and prone to responding to others by shrugging, (PROSE: The Ambassadors of Death) being described by Dame Emily Shaw as being "not one of nature's charmers". (AUDIO: The Last Post) Whilst he claimed that he would not use a gun on a fellow scientist, he was willing to attempt to kill the Doctor with an explosive to cover up his criminal involvement. (TV: The Ambassadors of Death)
Behind the scenes[[edit] | [edit source]]
- In the novelisation of The Ambassadors of Death, Taltalian's surname is instead spelt "Taltallian".
- Robert Cawdron only filmed a single scene on location for The Ambassadors of Death: Taltalian kidnapping Liz in his car at gunpoint in episode four, during which Cawdron speaks in his own voice. At the time of location filming, the decision had not been made to give the character the French accent that would be used during studio recording.
