The Rings of Akhaten (TV story): Difference between revisions
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|made next = Nightmare in Silver (TV story) | |made next = Nightmare in Silver (TV story) | ||
|trailer = Doctor Who The Rings of Akhaten - TV Trailer - Episode 2 Series 7 2013 - BBC One | |trailer = Doctor Who The Rings of Akhaten - TV Trailer - Episode 2 Series 7 2013 - BBC One | ||
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|clip = {{uc:Doctor Who}} Origins of Clara "The Rings of Akhaten" {{uc:BBC America}} | |clip = {{uc:Doctor Who}} Origins of Clara "The Rings of Akhaten" {{uc:BBC America}} | ||
|clip2 = Lullaby for a Sleeping God - Doctor Who - The Rings of Akhaten - Series 7 - BBC | |clip2 = Lullaby for a Sleeping God - Doctor Who - The Rings of Akhaten - Series 7 - BBC | ||
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|bts = Behind the Scenes of The Rings Of Akhaten - Doctor Who - Episode 2 Series 7 2013 - BBC One | |bts = Behind the Scenes of The Rings Of Akhaten - Doctor Who - Episode 2 Series 7 2013 - BBC One | ||
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'''''The Rings of Akhaten''''' was the seventh episode of the [[series 7 (Doctor Who)|seventh series]] of ''[[Doctor Who]]'' produced by [[BBC Wales]]. In it, the [[Eleventh Doctor]]'s new [[companion]], [[Clara Oswald]], took her first trip in [[the TARDIS]] to an [[alien]] [[planet]]. Clara's mother, [[Ellie Oswald]], previously seen in ''[[The Bells of Saint John: A Prequel]]'', was also shown to have passed away [[5 March|eight years]] [[2005|before]] Clara met the Doctor. | '''''The Rings of Akhaten''''' was the seventh episode of the [[series 7 (Doctor Who)|seventh series]] of ''[[Doctor Who]]'' produced by [[BBC Wales]]. In it, the [[Eleventh Doctor]]'s new [[companion]], [[Clara Oswald]], took her first trip in [[the TARDIS]] to an [[alien]] [[planet]]. Clara's mother, [[Ellie Oswald]], previously seen in ''[[The Bells of Saint John: A Prequel]]'', was also shown to have passed away [[5 March|eight years]] [[2005|before]] Clara met the Doctor (properly). Though it hasn't been confirmed, it's possible that Ellie was killed during the [[Auton]] attack back in ''[[Rose (TV story)|Rose]]''. | ||
This marks the first time that the [[TARDIS translation circuit]] hasn't worked properly for the Doctor's companion on their first trip to a place where their native language isn't spoken; the Doctor could understand [[Dor'een]] perfectly, but all Clara could hear was aggressive barking. However, Clara could understand Merry's humanoid species and when everyone sang. This could have been one of the TARDIS's signs that it didn't like Clara ([[The Hybrid|for a VERY good reason]]), along with refusing to open the door for her; not being to understand aliens would scare Clara into never staying on as a companion. | |||
This marks the first time the Doctor has extensively researched someone he chose to take on as his companion. Although he normally would just accept others without any such action, Clara warranted such investigation because of the other versions of her that the Doctor had previously met. | This marks the first time the Doctor has extensively researched someone he chose to take on as his companion. Although he normally would just accept others without any such action, Clara warranted such investigation because of the other versions of her that the Doctor had previously met. | ||
The ''Impossible Girl'' arc continued in this episode, with the Doctor not being able to find any answers as to why there are multiple Claras throughout history. So far, it appears to have been nothing more than a coincidence. However, the Doctor remains suspicious as to whether Clara [[Journey to the Centre of the TARDIS (TV story)|is some kind of trick or trap meant to ensnare him]]. | This story paints the Doctor in a rather negative light, as he forces Clara to give up things important to her (mementos of her mother) to help defeat [[Akhenaten]]. As most viewers know, the Doctor has many items of sentimental value in his TARDIS, which he could have retrieved and given up. | ||
The ''Impossible Girl'' arc continued in this episode, with the Doctor not being able to find any answers as to why there are multiple Claras throughout history. So far, it appears to have been nothing more than a coincidence. However, the Doctor remains suspicious as to whether Clara [[Journey to the Centre of the TARDIS (TV story)|is some kind of trick or trap meant to ensnare him]]. It wouldn't be until two years later in [[Hell Bent (TV story)|''Hell Bent '']]that the reason Clara has been a part of the Doctor's life was revealed. | |||
== Synopsis == | == Synopsis == | ||
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The wind blows autumn leaves and a wooden gate closes. One large, reddish-orange [[Clara's leaf|leaf]] rattles on the [[tree]]. [[Dave Oswald|A young man with dark hair]], dressed in a suit, fumbles with an unfolded map as he walks down a pavement. The Doctor peers out from behind a copy of ''[[The Beano]] Summer Special [[1981]]''. The young man looks around in confusion when suddenly a leaf falls from the tree into his face. He stumbles into the street and the path of an oncoming car, but is pulled aside by [[Ellie Oswald|a beautiful young woman]]. She asks if he is all right and he smiles. | The wind blows autumn leaves and a wooden gate closes. One large, reddish-orange [[Clara's leaf|leaf]] rattles on the [[tree]]. [[Dave Oswald|A young man with dark hair]], dressed in a suit, fumbles with an unfolded map as he walks down a pavement. The Doctor peers out from behind a copy of ''[[The Beano]] Summer Special [[1981]]''. The young man looks around in confusion when suddenly a leaf falls from the tree into his face. He stumbles into the street and the path of an oncoming car, but is pulled aside by [[Ellie Oswald|a beautiful young woman]]. She asks if he is all right and he smiles. | ||
Some time later, the two are sharing an [[umbrella]] and stumble up to a doorway in laughter. He pulls out the leaf and she asks why he kept it. He explains that "this precise leaf had to grow in that precise way, in that precise place, so that precise wind could tear it from that precise branch, and make it fly into this precise face at that exact moment. And if just one of those tiny little things had never happened, I'd never have met you. Which makes this the most important leaf in human history." They kiss; the Doctor frowns and walks away in the rain. | [[File:Ellie_Oswald_young.jpg|thumb|Ellie first meets Clara's father.]]Some time later, the two are sharing an [[umbrella]] and stumble up to a doorway in laughter. He pulls out the leaf and she asks why he kept it. He explains that "this precise leaf had to grow in that precise way, in that precise place, so that precise wind could tear it from that precise branch, and make it fly into this precise face at that exact moment. And if just one of those tiny little things had never happened, I'd never have met you. Which makes this the most important leaf in human history." They kiss; the Doctor frowns and walks away in the rain. | ||
Later, [[baby]] [[Clara Oswald|Clara]] is held by her father. While playing as a toddler, Clara's mother shows Clara her book, ''[[101 Places to See]]''. The Doctor is hit in the face by a [[football]]. He pops up with his hands in a defensive gesture as Clara's mother asks if he's all right. Among other things, he says that's he's possibly a touch embarrassed and seriously asks if that's dangerous. Clara's father brings her over and she's introduced. | Later, [[baby]] [[Clara Oswald|Clara]] is held by her father. While playing as a toddler, Clara's mother shows Clara her book, ''[[101 Places to See]]''. The Doctor is hit in the face by a [[football]]. He pops up with his hands in a defensive gesture as Clara's mother asks if he's all right. Among other things, he says that's he's possibly a touch embarrassed and seriously asks if that's dangerous. Clara's father brings her over and she's introduced. | ||
A teenage Clara, holding her mother's book, stands with her father in mourning over the [[gravestone]] for "Ellie Oswald, beloved wife and mother, born [[11 September|11th September]] [[1960]], died [[5 March]] [[2005]]" . The Doctor watches and returns to [[The Doctor's TARDIS|the TARDIS]]. He reviews her file on the scanner; he's been investigating her past to make sure she's just a human girl. | A teenage Clara, holding her mother's book, stands with her father in mourning over the [[gravestone]] for "Ellie Oswald, beloved wife and mother, born [[11 September|11th September]] [[1960]], died [[5 March]] [[2005]]" . The Doctor watches and returns to [[The Doctor's TARDIS|the TARDIS]]. He reviews her file on the scanner; he's been investigating her past to make sure she's just a human girl. Information on Oswin, Victorian Clara and the present day version appear rapidly on the screen, much to his increasingly disbelief. Frustrated, he pushes the screen away and declares, "She's not possible."[[File:Welcome to The Rings of Akhaten - Doctor Who The Rings of Akhaten preview - Series 7 2013 - BBC One|thumb|left|"Welcome to the [[Rings of Akhaten]]."]] | ||
Clara is sitting on the stairway outside [[30 Oak Street|her home]] with her book. She hears the TARDIS land, the door open, and she smiles and jumps up as the doorbell rings. In the [[TARDIS console room]], she asks about the nature of [[time]] ("not made of [[Strawberry|strawberries]]"), and if the TARDIS can go anywhere ("within reason"). The Doctor asks her where she wants to go, and she freezes, admitting that the breadth of options makes it difficult to pick. Thinking, she smiles and says she wants to see "something awesome". | |||
The Doctor walks her out of the TARDIS, with her eyes closed, into the light of an alien sun. He bids her open her eyes so that he can welcome her to the [[Rings of Akhaten]]. A golden [[pyramid]] comes into view. It is the [[Pyramid of the Rings of Akhaten]], a holy site for the [[Sun-singers of Akhet]]. This is a [[star system|system]] of seven [[planet|worlds]], orbiting the same [[star]], and they believe that all life in the [[universe]] originated on [[Akhaten]]. Clara asks if it's true; the Doctor shrugs off the questions, saying it's a nice story they believe. | |||
The Doctor walks her out of the TARDIS, with her eyes closed, into the light of an alien sun. He bids her open her eyes so that he can welcome her to the [[Rings of Akhaten]]. A golden [[pyramid]] comes into view. It is the [[Pyramid of the Rings of Akhaten]], a holy site for the [[Sun-singers of Akhet]]. This is a [[star system|system]] of seven [[planet|worlds]], orbiting the same [[star]], and they believe that all life in the [[universe]] originated on [[Akhaten]]. Clara asks | |||
Clara asks to go see it, and the Doctor complies parking the TARDIS in an [[alien]] market. | |||
[[File:DoctorClaraAkhaten.jpg|thumb|right|The Doctor points out species in the market.]] | [[File:DoctorClaraAkhaten.jpg|thumb|right|The Doctor points out species in the market.]] | ||
The Doctor says that most of the people around are local [[species]], and points out some: some [[Pan-Babylonian]]s, a [[Lugalirakush]], some [[Eukanian]]s, a [[Hooloovoo]] and an [[Ultramanta]]. He does a ritual greeting with a [[Terraberserker]] of the [[Cadonian Belt]], mentioning that they're not common (likely on the verge of extinction). He says he forgot how much he liked it there — he'd been there a long time ago with [[Susan Foreman|his granddaughter]]. Clara's a bit shocked at this, but the Doctor's moving fast. She runs after him and he presents her with [[Exotic fruit (The Rings of Akhaten)|a glowing blue fruit]]. She takes a bite as he scans it with his screwdriver. She shakes her head at the taste. | |||
The place is crowded because of the [[Festival of Offerings]], and a creature comes up to Clara, barking and growling at her. The Doctor returns, barking himself to communicate, and introduces [[Dor'een]] to Clara. Dor'een had been asking if they want to rent a moped. Clara asks what it costs and the Doctor explains that they don't use money, here. They use objects of sentimental value as currency. "[[Psychometry]]. Objects [[psychic]]ally imprinted with their history." She dislikes the idea, thinking it's terrible to have to give up something important to you in trade. The Doctor says it's better than bits of paper, so she says that he should pay, as someone who's a thousand years old should have something that he cares about. The Doctor pulls out his [[sonic screwdriver]], then shakes his head and puts it back. | The place is crowded because of the [[Festival of Offerings]], and a creature comes up to Clara, barking and growling at her. The Doctor returns, barking himself to communicate, and introduces [[Dor'een]] to Clara. Dor'een had been asking if they want to rent a moped. Clara asks what it costs and the Doctor explains that they don't use money, here. They use objects of sentimental value as currency. "[[Psychometry]]. Objects [[psychic]]ally imprinted with their history." She dislikes the idea, thinking it's terrible to have to give up something important to you in trade. The Doctor says it's better than bits of paper, so she says that he should pay, as someone who's a thousand years old should have something that he cares about. The Doctor pulls out his [[sonic screwdriver]], then shakes his head and puts it back. | ||
[[File:Dor'een.jpg|thumb|left|Dor'een in the market.]] | [[File:Dor'een.jpg|thumb|left|Dor'een in the market.]] | ||
Clara turns her back for a moment, | Clara turns her back for a moment, finding that the Doctor has walked off again. She goes looking for him. [[Merry Galel|A little girl]], wearing crimson robes, bumps into her and runs off. Shortly afterwards, two men wearing similar robes, presumably monks of the religious order of that system, ask Clara if she'd seen the [[Queen of Years]]. Clara is confused, asking who they mean; seeing that has no clue, they search on. | ||
Worried about the girl, Clara heads for where she ran. This leads her to a messy area filled with junk. The girl runs, and Clara slowly follows. They startle each other and laugh. The girl says she's hiding and is confused and skeptical that Clara doesn't know her. The girl says she needs help to hide, and Clara knows the perfect box. [[Vigil|Three men wearing black uniforms with brass buttons and facial masks]] appear and start whispering, calling out for the girl. Clara takes the little girl to the TARDIS and tries to open the doors, but they are locked. She rattles the doors a bit, then states that the blue box just doesn't like her. | |||
Clara gets a little angry, but she forgets it when the little girl ducks behind the TARDIS. She tells Clara that her name is [[Merry Galel]], and she's the Queen of Years. She was chosen to become this as a baby, when the previous Queen died. She knows every story, poem, legend, and song of their culture. She's scared because she has to sing a special song to their god to keep him from waking. Clara tells her that everyone's scared when they're little. She had been scared of being lost, until she'd gotten lost once. Her mom found her and took her home, and told her that no matter how lost she was, her mom would always find her. Afterwards, Clara was many times scared, but never of being lost. | Clara gets a little angry, but she forgets it when the little girl ducks behind the TARDIS. She tells Clara that her name is [[Merry Galel]], and she's the Queen of Years. She was chosen to become this as a baby, when the previous Queen died. She knows every story, poem, legend, and song of their culture. She's scared because she has to sing a special song to their god to keep him from waking. Clara tells her that everyone's scared when they're little. She had been scared of being lost, until she'd gotten lost once. Her mom found her and took her home, and told her that no matter how lost she was, her mom would always find her. Afterwards, Clara was many times scared, but never of being lost. | ||
Merry believes Clara when she tells her she'll get the song right, and Clara takes her back to the men in red robes who were looking for her. The Doctor comes up, eating the glowing blue fruit. | Merry believes Clara when she tells her she'll get the song right, and Clara takes her back to the men in red robes who were looking for her. The Doctor comes up, eating the glowing blue fruit. He's curious as to what she's been up to, to which Clara tells him that she's been blending in. | ||
In a room in the pyramid, a man in red robes sings to a [[Mummy (The Rings of Akhaten)|mummy]]. He switches out with [[The Chorister (The Rings of Akhaten)|the Chorister]]. | In a room in the pyramid, a man in red robes sings to a [[Mummy (The Rings of Akhaten)|mummy]]. He switches out with [[The Chorister (The Rings of Akhaten)|the Chorister]]. | ||
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Clara and the Doctor arrive to view a ceremony. The Doctor shushes Clara when she tries to ask if they're supposed to be there. There is some grumbling, then silence as Merry looks at Clara before she begins to sing a duet with the man in the pyramid. The Doctor reads the program and tells Clara that they're signing the [[Long Song]], a lullaby to keep the [[Old God]], or Grandfather, asleep. There has been a [[Chorister]] singing this endless song for generations. Others in the audience hold up offerings, gifts of sentimental value, to feed the Old God. The viewers, including the Doctor, join in the song. | Clara and the Doctor arrive to view a ceremony. The Doctor shushes Clara when she tries to ask if they're supposed to be there. There is some grumbling, then silence as Merry looks at Clara before she begins to sing a duet with the man in the pyramid. The Doctor reads the program and tells Clara that they're signing the [[Long Song]], a lullaby to keep the [[Old God]], or Grandfather, asleep. There has been a [[Chorister]] singing this endless song for generations. Others in the audience hold up offerings, gifts of sentimental value, to feed the Old God. The viewers, including the Doctor, join in the song. | ||
The Chorister in the pyramid falters, and they all stop singing, looking around in confusion. The Chorister raises his hood and continues. The ground shakes at the pyramid and in the viewing room, and a golden energy seizes Merry and starts moving her towards the pyramid. She screams and Clara asks if anyone is going to help her. She follows the Doctor, who is already leaving, saying he can't just walk away because Clara talked Merry into doing this. He replies: "Listen, there is one thing you need to know about travelling with me. Well, one thing, apart from the blue box and the two hearts. We don't walk away." | The Chorister in the pyramid falters, and they all stop singing, looking around in confusion. The Chorister raises his hood and continues. The ground shakes at the pyramid and in the viewing room, and a golden energy seizes Merry and starts moving her towards the pyramid. She screams and Clara asks if anyone is going to help her. She follows the Doctor, who is already leaving, saying he can't just walk away because Clara talked Merry into doing this. He replies: ''"Listen, there is one thing you need to know about travelling with me. Well, one thing, apart from the blue box and the two hearts. We don't walk away."'' | ||
He walks up to Dor'een, barking, then pats his pockets and looks back to Clara. He tells her he needs something. She's confused, saying that he must have something himself. He pulls out the screwdriver, saying, "I don't want to give it away because it comes in handy." She looks down and quietly takes her mother's [[ring]] from her hand and hands it over. They take the moped and fly it out to the glowing ball carrying Merry. Clara almost takes her hand, but the little girl flies into the pyramid. | He walks up to Dor'een, barking, then pats his pockets and looks back to Clara. He tells her he needs something. She's confused, saying that he must have something himself. He pulls out the screwdriver, saying, ''"I don't want to give it away because it comes in handy."'' She looks down and quietly takes her mother's [[ring]] from her hand and hands it over. They take the moped and fly it out to the glowing ball carrying Merry. Clara almost takes her hand, but the little girl flies into the pyramid. | ||
Clara and the Doctor land at a doorway protected by a [[frequency-modulated acoustic lock]]. He says that he really can't open it, as it changes too quickly, but he'll try anyway. | [[File:MerryScreams.jpg|thumb|Merry screams.|left]]Clara and the Doctor land at a doorway protected by a [[frequency-modulated acoustic lock]]. He says that he really can't open it, as it changes too quickly, but he'll try anyway. He bizarrely attempts to knock the door down, only succeeding in hurt his shoulder in the attempt. Inside, the Chorister continues to sing. Merry walks closer, saying that she doesn't know what to do. The mummy's eyes glow red and she screams. | ||
The Doctor manages to open the door, but it's very difficult and heavy to hold up. As Merry won't leave, the Doctor is unable to do anything other than hold the door up. Merry won't leave, as she believes that it is her fault the Old God is waking, and she doesn't believe Clara any more because Clara was wrong. Now the Old God will eat their souls. She [[telekinetic]]ally pins Clara to the glass around the Old God, and then says that he doesn't want Clara, he wants her, but if the others don't leave the God will eat them too. The Doctor says they're never going to leave, then hums a bar and lets go of the door. Clara asks if they've just been locked in with the [[soul]]-eating monster, and the Doctor says yes. | |||
[[File:Chorister_Rezh_Baphix_closeup.jpg|thumb | [[File:Chorister_Rezh_Baphix_closeup.jpg|thumb|Chorister Rezh Baphix declares the Long Song has ended with him.]] | ||
Clara questions if the Doctor can get them out before their souls are eaten, to which he says is possible; however, she then wonders why the Chorister is still singing. The Doctor approaches the man, explaining he's attempting to keep the Old God from waking up. With a smirk, the Doctor explains that there is nothing that can be done, the Old God is waking and the best option is to run. The Chorister stops, and declares that the Long Song has ended with him. He presses a button on his wrist band and teleports away. | |||
The Doctor states that the song is over and aims his sonic screwdriver at the glass case. The mummy awakens with a mighty roar, frightening Clara, whose back is to it; the Doctor passes out the mummy's attempts to break out as him having a stretch. The Doctor tells Merry that they didn't wake him, he woke because it was time to wake up. Merry is as a sacrifice for the monster, because if she's going to do this voluntarily she should know why. He tells her a story about how she is unique and he believes that her sacrifice would be a waste. The creature is just a vampire that feeds off souls, and if Merry doesn't offer herself, everything will be fine. | |||
[[File:The Vigil.jpg|left|thumb|180x180px|The Vigil try forcing Merry's sacrifice]] | |||
Merry lets Clara go and they begin to run. The [[Vigil]] appear, and Merry says it is their job to feed her to the Old God. They knock the Doctor and Clara unconscious and lead her to the mummy. Clara rouses first and gets the screwdriver to the Doctor. He holds off the Vigil with the screwdriver. Merry sings the secret song, opening another door. They run, but Clara goes back for the Doctor. He holds back the Vigil again as the mummy breaks the glass, and a beam of light shoots from him into the planet. | |||
The Vigil disappear, and the Doctor says they're gone because Grandfather is awake and they're no longer needed. He declares that he's made a tactical mistake. He thought that the Old God and Grandfather were the same thing (the [[Mummy (The Rings of Akhaten)|Mummy]]), but "it was just Grandfather's [[alarm clock]]". ''[[Akhaten]]'' itself is the Old God. Merry declares that the entity will eat everyone in the system and then continue across the stars. Clara and the Doctor talk about going somewhere else but she knows he's going to stay to fight it. | The Vigil disappear, and the Doctor says they're gone because Grandfather is awake and they're no longer needed. He declares that he's made a tactical mistake. He thought that the Old God and Grandfather were the same thing (the [[Mummy (The Rings of Akhaten)|Mummy]]), but "it was just Grandfather's [[alarm clock]]". ''[[Akhaten]]'' itself is the Old God. Merry declares that the entity will eat everyone in the system and then continue across the stars. Clara and the Doctor talk about going somewhere else but she knows he's going to stay to fight it. He sends Clara off to save Merry, and turns to confront the planet. Clara returns Merry to the viewing room. Merry wants to help, so she stands and begins singing a new song. The people's spirit shocks the Old God. | ||
The Doctor smiles, and begins to tell a story to the Old God, a story about the people singing to him, and about the things that the Doctor is and knows. Old God sends tendrils of energy out of it's mouth, which pierce the Doctor and begin sucking out his experiences. ''"I marked the passing of the Time Lords, and walked away from the Last Great Time War. I have walked in universes where the laws of physics were devised by the mind of a madman. I lost things that you will never understand. I know secrets. Knowledge that must never be spoken! Things that would parasite gods blaze! Go on then! Take it! Take it all baby! Have it! You have it all!"'' the Doctor roars. The Doctor slumps to the ground, hurt and exhausted from having his precious memories fed on. The Old God begins going back to sleep. | |||
However, much to the Doctor's horror, Akhaten isn't full; it's waking back up. Clara remembers her mother's words and heads back to the Doctor. She asks if it's still hungry, offering it the most important leaf in [[human]] history, which is full of her mother's lost life, a whole future that never happened. The entity feeds on the infinite possibilities represented by the leaf. The Doctor, reviving, declares that he must be full, as infinity is too much, even for his appetite. The planet recedes again, this time seemingly asleep for good. | |||
The Doctor returns Clara to [[30 Oak Street|her home]]. She realises that she'd seen him at her mother's grave. He confesses that she reminds him of someone he knew, someone who died. He gives her back her mother's ring, saying the people that she had saved wanted her to have it back. She leaves the TARDIS. | The Doctor returns Clara to [[30 Oak Street|her home]]. She realises that she'd seen him at her mother's grave. He confesses that she reminds him of someone he knew, someone who died. He gives her back her mother's ring, saying the people that she had saved wanted her to have it back. She leaves the TARDIS. | ||
