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Snakedance (TV story): Difference between revisions
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'''''Snakedance''''' was the second serial of [[season 20]] of ''[[Doctor Who]]''. A sequel to ''[[Kinda (TV story)|Kinda]]'', it featured the return of the [[Mara]] and [[Nyssa]]'s first direct contact with the [[Mara]]. Three decades later, a sequel to this story — though not the one [[Christopher Bailey]] had attempted — was created for audio in the form of [[Big Finish]]'s ''[[The Cradle of the Snake (audio story)|The Cradle of the Snake]]''. | '''''Snakedance''''' was the second serial of [[season 20]] of ''[[Doctor Who]]''. A sequel to ''[[Kinda (TV story)|Kinda]]'', it featured the return of the [[Mara]] and [[Nyssa]]'s first direct contact with the [[Mara]]. Three decades later, a sequel to this story — though not the one [[Christopher Bailey]] had attempted — was created for audio in the form of [[Big Finish]]'s ''[[The Cradle of the Snake (audio story)|The Cradle of the Snake]]''. | ||
The show had a noteworthy cast. It was one of [[Martin Clunes]]' earliest television roles, though not his debut. | The show had a noteworthy cast. It was one of [[Martin Clunes]]' earliest television roles, though not his debut. His outrageous costumes and youthful appearance make it a story often sampled whenever the multi-award-winning actor appears on television chat programmes. ([[DOC]]: ''[[Snake Charmer]]'') ''Snakedance'' also featured [[Brian Miller (actor)|Brian Miller]] — husband of [[Sarah Jane Smith]]'s actor, [[Elisabeth Sladen]] — in a [[Dugdale|significant role]]. | ||
Writers involved in the production of the [[BBC Wales]] version of ''[[Doctor Who]]'' have expressed affection for this [[serial]]. In 1995, [[Steven Moffat]] was a participant in a wide-ranging, public discussion about ''Doctor Who'' with [[Andy Lane]], [[David Bishop]] and [[Paul Cornell]]. He ranted about the "crap" nature of the majority of the 1963 version of the show, but called ''Snakedance'' "one I couldn't really fault".<ref>[http://nzdwfc.tetrap.com/archive/tsv43/onediscussion.html "Four Writers, One Discussion"] a record of a conversation held on 17 January 1995. | Writers involved in the production of the [[BBC Wales]] version of ''[[Doctor Who]]'' have expressed affection for this [[serial]]. In 1995, [[Steven Moffat]] was a participant in a wide-ranging, public discussion about ''Doctor Who'' with [[Andy Lane]], [[David Bishop]] and [[Paul Cornell]]. He ranted about the "crap" nature of the majority of the 1963 version of the show, but called ''Snakedance'' "one I couldn't really fault".<ref>[http://nzdwfc.tetrap.com/archive/tsv43/onediscussion.html "Four Writers, One Discussion"] a record of a conversation held on 17 January 1995. ''Time Space Visualiser'' #43. New Zealand Doctor Who Fan Club. March 1995.</ref> He would build upon this opinion in a 1996 essay, in which he called ''Snakedance'' and ''[[Kinda (TV story)|Kinda]]'' "the two best ''Who'' stories ever".<ref>[http://doctorwhoforum.com/showthread.php?t=194947 Moffat, Steven. "Season 19 Overview".] ''In-Vision'' #62. 1996. Posted to doctorwhoforum.com. Registration required.</ref> Likewise, [[Robert Shearman]] has called ''Snakedance'' "my favourite" ''Doctor Who'' story. He is heavily featured on the DVD release, explaining why. | ||
== Synopsis == | == Synopsis == | ||
[[The Doctor's TARDIS|The TARDIS]] makes an unplanned landing on [[Manussa (planet)|Manussa]], where preparations are underway to celebrate the defeat of the [[Sumaran Empire]] five centuries earlier. But the ancient evil of the [[Mara]] lives on, and [[Tegan Jovanka|Tegan]], who has been haunted by disturbing dreams since her time under the [[Wind chime | [[The Doctor's TARDIS|The TARDIS]] makes an unplanned landing on [[Manussa (planet)|Manussa]], where preparations are underway to celebrate the defeat of the [[Sumaran Empire]] five centuries earlier. But the ancient evil of the [[Mara]] lives on, and [[Tegan Jovanka|Tegan]], who has been haunted by disturbing dreams since her time under the [[Wind chime]]s on [[Deva Loka]], is now a pawn in its plan to re-enter the physical world and subjugate the [[Manussan|Manussan people]]. | ||
Only the Doctor can stop the Mara - but first he must convince the authorities that he is not just a deluded fool who believes in children's fairytales... | Only the Doctor can stop the Mara - but first he must convince the authorities that he is not just a deluded fool who believes in children's fairytales... | ||
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A man is sitting in the middle of sand. He is wearing a precious-looking blue [[necklace]]. | A man is sitting in the middle of sand. He is wearing a precious-looking blue [[necklace]]. | ||
Tegan has decided to return to the | Tegan has decided to return to the [[The Doctor's TARDIS|TARDIS]]. But she is having strange dreams, just like she did back on [[Deva Loka]]. She tells the Doctor and Nyssa about it. The Doctor worries that the [[Mara]] could still be alive, not as a physical form, but in the mind. | ||
On the planet [[Manussa (planet)|Manussa]], [[Tanha]] wants [[Lon]] to be prepared for the ceremony to celebrate the end of the Mara. He isn't really bothered but is interested in a [[jewel]] kept between the teeth of a model snake. It is [[Ambril]]'s - an artefact kept for many years, as a symbol of the Mara. They decide to set off to the cave, where Ambril will explain the ceremony's proceedings. | On the planet [[Manussa (planet)|Manussa]], [[Tanha]] wants [[Lon]] to be prepared for the ceremony to celebrate the end of the Mara. He isn't really bothered but is interested in a [[jewel]] kept between the teeth of a model snake. It is [[Ambril]]'s - an artefact kept for many years, as a symbol of the Mara. They decide to set off to the cave, where Ambril will explain the ceremony's proceedings. | ||
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Lon arrives in Ambril's office to gather the jewel, which opens the symbolic wall and will eventually bring back the Mara. Ambril doesn't know that Lon is under an influence. The Doctor tries to persuade [[Chela]] to get him out, but with no luck. | Lon arrives in Ambril's office to gather the jewel, which opens the symbolic wall and will eventually bring back the Mara. Ambril doesn't know that Lon is under an influence. The Doctor tries to persuade [[Chela]] to get him out, but with no luck. | ||
Lon lures Ambril to the cave with the promise of discovering priceless historical artefacts. Once inside, Ambril is cornered by the possessed Lon, Dugdale and Tegan, who pressure him to return the Great Crystal during the ceremony. | Lon lures Ambril to the cave with the promise of discovering priceless historical artefacts. Once inside, Ambril is cornered by the possessed Lon, Dugdale and Tegan, who pressure him to return the Great Crystal during the ceremony. After Ambril agrees and Lon leads him away, the mark of the serpent on Tegan's arm manifests as a live snake. | ||
Chela brings the Doctor a diary written by [[Dojjen]], Ambril's predecessor as Director of Historical Research. Dojjen believed that the Mara had not been destroyed and would someday return. He eventually left his post to study the forbidden teachings of the Snake Dancers. | Chela brings the Doctor a diary written by [[Dojjen]], Ambril's predecessor as Director of Historical Research. Dojjen believed that the Mara had not been destroyed and would someday return. He eventually left his post to study the forbidden teachings of the Snake Dancers. | ||
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Nyssa searches Ambril's office for the key to the jail cell, but Tanha catches her in the act and has her locked up alongside the Doctor. The Doctor and Nyssa read through Dojjen's diary and realise that the ancient Manussans manufactured crystals that could conduct mental energy. The unanticipated result was that the crystals absorbed and reflected the Manussans' own negative thoughts and emotions, creating the Mara. As centuries passed, the Manussans forgot that they themselves had brought the Mara into being. The Doctor [[deduce]]s that Dojjen learned this truth from the Snake Dancers, the only people who kept the knowledge alive. | Nyssa searches Ambril's office for the key to the jail cell, but Tanha catches her in the act and has her locked up alongside the Doctor. The Doctor and Nyssa read through Dojjen's diary and realise that the ancient Manussans manufactured crystals that could conduct mental energy. The unanticipated result was that the crystals absorbed and reflected the Manussans' own negative thoughts and emotions, creating the Mara. As centuries passed, the Manussans forgot that they themselves had brought the Mara into being. The Doctor [[deduce]]s that Dojjen learned this truth from the Snake Dancers, the only people who kept the knowledge alive. | ||
Lon and Ambril return to the palace, where a dazed Ambril informs Tanha and Chela that at the impending ceremony, the Great Crystal will be restored to its original place. Alarmed, Chela frees the Doctor and Nyssa in hopes that they can intervene. | Lon and Ambril return to the palace, where a dazed Ambril informs Tanha and Chela that at the impending ceremony, the Great Crystal will be restored to its original place. Alarmed, Chela frees the Doctor and Nyssa in hopes that they can intervene. They attempt to flee the palace but are surrounded by guards. Lon claims that the three are plotting his death, and orders the guards to kill them. | ||
[[File:Tegan_Mara_and_Dugdale.jpg|left|thumb|The Mara begins to manifest using Dugdale's fear.]] | [[File:Tegan_Mara_and_Dugdale.jpg|left|thumb|The Mara begins to manifest using Dugdale's fear.]] | ||
=== Part four === | === Part four === | ||
Tanha overrides Lon's order and allows the Doctor a chance to speak. | Tanha overrides Lon's order and allows the Doctor a chance to speak. The Doctor realises that Lon has fallen under the control of the Mara. Ambril offers to reveal the Great Crystal, and as he, Tanha and Lon are distracted, the Doctor seizes the opportunity to escape with Nyssa and Chela. | ||
Determined to destroy the Mara completely, the Doctor uses his crystal to summon Dojjen. Dojjen and the Doctor enact the Snake Dance ritual, in which live snakes bite their wrists, allowing them to communicate telepathically. Guilt-ridden over what has befallen Tegan, the Doctor asks how he can save her and defeat the Mara once and for all. Dojjen urges him to find the "still point" within himself. | Determined to destroy the Mara completely, the Doctor uses his crystal to summon Dojjen. Dojjen and the Doctor enact the Snake Dance ritual, in which live snakes bite their wrists, allowing them to communicate telepathically. Guilt-ridden over what has befallen Tegan, the Doctor asks how he can save her and defeat the Mara once and for all. Dojjen urges him to find the "still point" within himself. | ||
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=== Individuals === | === Individuals === | ||
* Nyssa exchanges her Trakenite outfit, which she tended to wear since her meeting with the [[Fourth Doctor]], for a long-collared, white and blue-stripped shirt and striped grey skirt. | * Nyssa exchanges her Trakenite outfit, which she tended to wear since her meeting with the [[Fourth Doctor]], for a long-collared, white and blue-stripped shirt and striped grey skirt. | ||
== Story notes == | == Story notes == | ||
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=== Ratings === | === Ratings === | ||
* Part one — 6.7 million viewers | * Part one — 6.7 million viewers | ||
* Part two — 7.7 million viewers | * Part two — 7.7 million viewers | ||
* Part three — 6.6 million viewers | * Part three — 6.6 million viewers | ||
* Part four — 7.4 million viewers | * Part four — 7.4 million viewers | ||
=== Myths === | === Myths === | ||
* Kate Bush wrote this under a pseudonym. (''She didn't.)'' | * Kate Bush wrote this under a pseudonym. (''She didn't.)'' | ||
* This was Martin Clunes' television debut. (''Although all participants insist this is true on the DVD commentary, it's not. | * This was Martin Clunes' television debut. (''Although all participants insist this is true on the DVD commentary, it's not. It ''was'' his first'' major ''role on TV, but he had already appeared in ''The White Guard'', a'' BBC Play of the Month ''which aired on 20 September 1982.)'' | ||
=== Filming locations === | === Filming locations === | ||
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{{Mara stories}} | {{Mara stories}} | ||
{{TitleSort}} | {{TitleSort}} | ||
[[Category:Doctor Who (1963) television stories]] | [[Category:Doctor Who (1963) television stories]] | ||
[[Category:Season 20 stories]] | [[Category:Season 20 stories]] | ||
[[Category:Mara stories]] | [[Category:Mara stories]] | ||
[[Category:Four part serials]] | [[Category:Four part serials]] | ||
[[de:Snakedance]] | |||
[[es:Snakedance]] | |||
