Trusted
14,606
edits
The Beast Below (TV story): Difference between revisions
From Tardis Wiki, the free Doctor Who reference
→Theories and Concepts
m (→Plot: clean up) |
|||
| Line 370: | Line 370: | ||
=== Theories and Concepts === | === Theories and Concepts === | ||
* Mandy tells Amy that [[Scotland]] wanted its own ship, and Amy says, "Nothing changes", a joke about Scottish independence, which was a hot topic | * Mandy tells Amy that [[Scotland]] wanted its own ship, and Amy says, "Nothing changes", a joke about Scottish independence, which was a hot topic in her time period. | ||
* The Vators resemble and use the [[London Underground]] logo, as well as warn people to "mind the doors" ("mind the gap"). | * The Vators resemble and use the [[London Underground]] logo, as well as warn people to "mind the doors" ("mind the gap"). | ||
* The message shown in the voting booths resembles older [[20th century]] [[BBC]] news broadcasts. | * The message shown in the voting booths resembles older [[20th century]] [[BBC]] news broadcasts. | ||
| Line 376: | Line 376: | ||
== Story notes == | == Story notes == | ||
* Sophie Okonedo is credited as "Liz 10" on-screen, and as "Liz" in ''Radio Times''. | * Sophie Okonedo is credited as "Liz 10" on-screen, and as "Liz" in ''Radio Times''. | ||
* A cut line, revealed in [[DWMSE 26|an Eleventh Doctor ''Doctor Who Magazine'' Special Edition]], would have stated there were other nation-ships and there used to be travel between them, but that ''Starship UK'' sealed off its "borders" several decades ago. | * A cut line, revealed in [[DWMSE 26|an Eleventh Doctor ''Doctor Who Magazine'' Special Edition]], would have stated that there were other nation-ships and that there used to be travel between them, but that ''Starship UK'' sealed off its "borders" several decades ago. | ||
* Like | * Like ''[[The End of the World (TV story)|The End of the World]]'', this episode featured the Doctor taking a new companion into the distant future for her first trip in the TARDIS. It also featured a scene comparable to the moment the [[Ninth Doctor]] and [[Rose Tyler]] stared out of a large window into space. Rose mentioned that [[Jackie Tyler|her mother]] would no longer be alive by this time, and Amy made a similar comment about herself. In both cases, the Doctor was not impressed. | ||
* | * Like in ''[[The Doctor Dances (TV story)|The Doctor Dances]]'', the resolution to the main problem of the plot is solved by an action people at first believed would cause another effect, and so tried to avoid. [[Nancy (The Empty Child)|Nancy]] tried to avoid [[Jamie (The Empty Child)|Jamie]] for fear of becoming infected by the [[Empty Child]], whilst [[Liz 10]] always chose to forget since she believed releasing the [[star whale]] would destroy ''[[Starship UK]]''. | ||
* Another [[Time Field|crack]] can be seen at the very end of the story, in roughly the same shape as the crack on Amy's wall and the TARDIS monitor in ''[[The Eleventh Hour]]'', continuing the [[Series 5 (Doctor Who)|Series 5]] theme of cracks appearing throughout the universe. | * Another [[Time Field|crack]] can be seen at the very end of the story, in roughly the same shape as the crack on Amy's wall and the TARDIS monitor in ''[[The Eleventh Hour (TV story)|The Eleventh Hour]]'', continuing the [[Series 5 (Doctor Who)|Series 5]] theme of cracks appearing throughout the universe. | ||
* Amy stopping the Doctor from | * Amy stopping the Doctor from lobotomising the star whale echoes [[Donna Noble]]'s pleas for the [[Tenth Doctor]] to stop his attack on [[Empress of the Racnoss (The Runaway Bride)|Empress of the Racnoss]] and her children in ''[[The Runaway Bride (TV story)|The Runaway Bride]]''. This time, however, Amy was able to stop the Doctor from acting on his plan. | ||
* This is the first average length Doctor Who episode (forty-five minutes) since ''[[The Stolen Earth]]''. The intervening episodes were all specials or extended, not including the amalgamated ''[[Dreamland (TV story)|Dreamland]]''. | * This is the first average length Doctor Who episode (forty-five minutes) since ''[[The Stolen Earth (TV story)|The Stolen Earth]]''. The intervening episodes were all specials or extended, not including the amalgamated ''[[Dreamland (TV story)|Dreamland]]''. | ||
* A red telephone box, ''exactly'' the same as the one destroyed by the [[the Doctor's sonic screwdriver|sonic screwdriver]] in [[Leadworth]], appears in the background. | * A red telephone box, ''exactly'' the same as the one destroyed by the [[the Doctor's sonic screwdriver|sonic screwdriver]] in [[Leadworth]], appears in the background. | ||
* This episode aired on the same day as the ''[[K9 (TV series)|K9]]'' episode ''[[Sirens of Ceres]]'' was first broadcast on Disney XD in the UK. It also aired on the same day that ''[[Liberation]]'' was first broadcast on Network Ten in Australia. | * This episode aired on the same day as the ''[[K9 (TV series)|K9]]'' episode ''[[Sirens of Ceres (TV story)|Sirens of Ceres]]'' was first broadcast on Disney XD in the UK. It also aired on the same day that ''[[Liberation (TV story)|Liberation]]'' was first broadcast on Network Ten in Australia. | ||
* This is the only episode to use the new Eleventh Doctor opening theme in the "Next Time trailer". | * This is the only episode to use the new Eleventh Doctor opening theme in the "Next Time trailer". Why the practice of using the music was discontinued has never been explained. | ||
* [[Sophie Okonedo]] (Elizabeth X) previously played [[Alison Cheney]], the companion of an alternative [[Ninth Doctor (Scream of the Shalka)|Ninth Doctor]], in [[WC]]: ''[[Scream of the Shalka (webcast)|Scream of the Shalka]]''. | * [[Sophie Okonedo]] (Elizabeth X) previously played [[Alison Cheney]], the companion of an alternative [[Ninth Doctor (Scream of the Shalka)|Ninth Doctor]], in [[WC]]: ''[[Scream of the Shalka (webcast)|Scream of the Shalka]]''. | ||
* The resolution of this episode bears a resemblance to that of [[TV]]: ''[[Rose (TV story)|Rose]]''. In both cases, a relatively new companion is responsible for saving the day, rather than the Doctor. Also, on both occasions, the Doctor speaks with disdain about humans and is surprised by his companion's resourcefulness. In both stories, he expresses a keen sense of the motions of his surroundings, or the lack thereof. | * The resolution of this episode bears a resemblance to that of [[TV]]: ''[[Rose (TV story)|Rose]]''. In both cases, a relatively new companion is responsible for saving the day, rather than the Doctor. Also, on both occasions, the Doctor speaks with disdain about humans and is surprised by his companion's resourcefulness. In both stories, he expresses a keen sense of the motions of his surroundings, or the lack thereof. | ||
* [[Winston Churchill]] calls the Doctor at the end of the episode, and the shadow of a [[Dalek]] is seen. This episode leads straight into | * [[Winston Churchill]] calls the Doctor at the end of the episode, and the shadow of a [[Dalek]] is seen. This episode leads straight into ''[[Victory of the Daleks (TV story)|Victory of the Daleks]]''. | ||
* Beginning with this episode and continuing for most of Series 5, North American broadcasts on Space and BBC America precede the opening credits with a specially recorded monologue spoken by Karen Gillan, in character as Amy Pond, explaining the premise of the series over scenes from different episodes. | * Beginning with this episode and continuing for most of Series 5, North American broadcasts on Space and BBC America precede the opening credits with a specially recorded monologue spoken by Karen Gillan, in character as Amy Pond, explaining the premise of the series over scenes from different episodes. | ||
| Line 420: | Line 418: | ||
* Liz Ten is the queen of Starship UK. She mentions that the [[Tenth Doctor]] was knighted and exiled by [[Victoria|Queen Victoria]], ([[TV]]: ''[[Tooth and Claw (TV story)|Tooth and Claw]]'') that he had a relationship with [[Queen Elizabeth I|the "Virgin Queen"]], ([[TV]]: ''[[The End of Time (TV story)|The End of Time]]'', ''[[The Shakespeare Code (TV story)|The Shakespeare Code]]'', ''[[The Day of the Doctor (TV story)|The Day of the Doctor]]'') that he was an old [[Alcohol|drinking]] buddy of [[Henry XII]], and that he had [[tea]] and scones with "[[Elizabeth II|Liz 2]]". ([[TV]]: ''[[Silver Nemesis (TV story)|Silver Nemesis]]'') | * Liz Ten is the queen of Starship UK. She mentions that the [[Tenth Doctor]] was knighted and exiled by [[Victoria|Queen Victoria]], ([[TV]]: ''[[Tooth and Claw (TV story)|Tooth and Claw]]'') that he had a relationship with [[Queen Elizabeth I|the "Virgin Queen"]], ([[TV]]: ''[[The End of Time (TV story)|The End of Time]]'', ''[[The Shakespeare Code (TV story)|The Shakespeare Code]]'', ''[[The Day of the Doctor (TV story)|The Day of the Doctor]]'') that he was an old [[Alcohol|drinking]] buddy of [[Henry XII]], and that he had [[tea]] and scones with "[[Elizabeth II|Liz 2]]". ([[TV]]: ''[[Silver Nemesis (TV story)|Silver Nemesis]]'') | ||
* The [[Time Field|crack]], previously seen on Amy's wall and the TARDIS' monitor ([[TV]]: ''[[The Eleventh Hour]]''), is seen on the side of Starship UK. | * The [[Time Field|crack]], previously seen on Amy's wall and the TARDIS' monitor ([[TV]]: ''[[The Eleventh Hour]]''), is seen on the side of Starship UK. | ||
* The Doctor's, "You look human/You look Time Lord", exchange with Amy mirrors a similar conversation between his [[Tenth Doctor|previous incarnation]] and [[Lady Christina de Souza]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Planet of the Dead (TV story)|Planet of the Dead]]'') The Doctor also mentions that the Time Lords came before the human race. ([[TV]]: ''[[Genesis of the Daleks (TV story)|Genesis of the Daleks]]'', ''[[The Trial of a Time Lord]]'', ''[[The Sound of Drums (TV story)|The Sound of Drums]]'', | * The Doctor's, "You look human/You look Time Lord", exchange with Amy mirrors a similar conversation between his [[Tenth Doctor|previous incarnation]] and [[Lady Christina de Souza]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Planet of the Dead (TV story)|Planet of the Dead]]'') The Doctor also mentions that the Time Lords came before the human race. ([[TV]]: ''[[Genesis of the Daleks (TV story)|Genesis of the Daleks]]'', ''[[The Trial of a Time Lord]]'', ''[[The Sound of Drums (TV story)|The Sound of Drums]]'', et al.) | ||
* The [[star whale]]'s exposed brain being restrained by humans is similar to the [[Ood Brain]]. That brain was also released in the end, and the restrained creature was freed. Similarly, the Doctor allows the beast's screams of pain to be heard by others, just as the Doctor uses his telepathic powers to let Donna hear the [[Ood]]'s song. ([[TV]]: ''[[Planet of the Ood (TV story)|Planet of the Ood]]'') | * The [[star whale]]'s exposed brain being restrained by humans is similar to the [[Ood Brain]]. That brain was also released in the end, and the restrained creature was freed. Similarly, the Doctor allows the beast's screams of pain to be heard by others, just as the Doctor uses his telepathic powers to let Donna hear the [[Ood]]'s song. ([[TV]]: ''[[Planet of the Ood (TV story)|Planet of the Ood]]'') | ||
* The [[Smiler]]s are clockwork (or at least clockwork-based) androids. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Girl in the Fireplace (TV story)|The Girl in the Fireplace]]'') | * The [[Smiler]]s are clockwork (or at least clockwork-based) androids. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Girl in the Fireplace (TV story)|The Girl in the Fireplace]]'') | ||
| Line 432: | Line 430: | ||
* Amy's actions to save the Star Whale and stop the Doctor from committing [[murder]] convinces him to take on travelling [[companion]]s again. He had renounced the practice after his friend [[Donna Noble]] lost her memory. ([[TV]]: ''[[Journey's End (TV story)|Journey's End]]'') He had previously turned down a [[Christina Da Souza|possible companion]] ([[TV]]: ''[[Planet of the Dead (TV story)|Planet of the Dead]]'') and had taken Amy from [[Leadworth]] ([[TV]]: ''[[The Eleventh Hour (TV story)|The Eleventh Hour]]'') because he was intrigued that her house was too big for an orphan. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Big Bang (TV story)|The Big Bang]]'') | * Amy's actions to save the Star Whale and stop the Doctor from committing [[murder]] convinces him to take on travelling [[companion]]s again. He had renounced the practice after his friend [[Donna Noble]] lost her memory. ([[TV]]: ''[[Journey's End (TV story)|Journey's End]]'') He had previously turned down a [[Christina Da Souza|possible companion]] ([[TV]]: ''[[Planet of the Dead (TV story)|Planet of the Dead]]'') and had taken Amy from [[Leadworth]] ([[TV]]: ''[[The Eleventh Hour (TV story)|The Eleventh Hour]]'') because he was intrigued that her house was too big for an orphan. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Big Bang (TV story)|The Big Bang]]'') | ||
* When the Smilers and Winders are revealed to be just following orders, the Doctor says "And with that sentence, you just lost the right to even talk to me." The exact same line was previously said by the [[Ninth Doctor]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Bad Wolf (TV story)|Bad Wolf]]'') | * When the Smilers and Winders are revealed to be just following orders, the Doctor says "And with that sentence, you just lost the right to even talk to me." The exact same line was previously said by the [[Ninth Doctor]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Bad Wolf (TV story)|Bad Wolf]]'') | ||
* Amy is nearly kicked off the TARDIS for bad behaviour. [[Adam Mitchell]], companion to the Ninth Doctor actually ''did'' get expelled from the TARDIS permanently for bad behaviour. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Long Game (TV story)|The Long Game]]'') | |||
== Home video releases == | == Home video releases == | ||
