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Planet of the Dead (TV story): Difference between revisions
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(changed 'carmen and lou were going to have tea with a side of chops and gravy' to have 'chops and gravy for tea'. In england tea is often used as an alternative term for dinner which is how it was used here. as such they link to the tea page (again mistaking it for the drink) is gone as well) |
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* ''Planet of the Dead'' had a one-off [[companion]], [[Christina de Souza|Lady Christina de Souza]], who was unique amongst her [[BBC Wales]] predecessors in that she was depicted as both a criminal and a member of the [[British]] aristocracy. The episode also featured the return of [[UNIT]] for its third story in 12 months. Narratively, it was perhaps most significant for beginning the "He will knock four times" [[story arc]], ultimately resolved in ''[[The End of Time (TV story)|The End of Time]]''. | * ''Planet of the Dead'' had a one-off [[companion]], [[Christina de Souza|Lady Christina de Souza]], who was unique amongst her [[BBC Wales]] predecessors in that she was depicted as both a criminal and a member of the [[British]] aristocracy. The episode also featured the return of [[UNIT]] for its third story in 12 months. Narratively, it was perhaps most significant for beginning the "He will knock four times" [[story arc]], ultimately resolved in ''[[The End of Time (TV story)|The End of Time]]''. | ||
* Behind the scenes, it featured a revolution in the way ''Doctor Who'' was filmed. Beginning with this episode, ''Doctor Who'' episodes were natively recorded on [[high definition]] video (although ''[[Spearhead from Space (TV story)|Spearhead from Space]]'' was completely shot on film and was able to be converted to true high definition video decades after its original broadcast.) Likewise, the home video release of ''Dead'' was the first episode of ''Doctor Who'' ever released in the [[Blu-ray]] format. The story also broke new ground with its [[location filming]], which involved ''Doctor Who''{{'}}s first road trip to an [[Arabic]] country. Finally, it was [[Tracie Simpson]]'s debut as a full [[producer]], after having risen up through the production ranks since starting as a [[production manager]] on ''[[Rose (TV story)|Rose]]''. | * Behind the scenes, it featured a revolution in the way ''Doctor Who'' was filmed. Beginning with this episode, ''Doctor Who'' episodes were natively recorded on [[high definition]] video (although ''[[Spearhead from Space (TV story)|Spearhead from Space]]'' was completely shot on film and was able to be converted to true high definition video decades after its original broadcast.) Likewise, the home video release of ''Dead'' was the first episode of ''Doctor Who'' ever released in the [[Blu-ray]] format. The story also broke new ground with its [[location filming]], which involved ''Doctor Who''{{'}}s first road trip to an [[Arabic]] country. Finally, it was [[Tracie Simpson]]'s debut as a full [[producer]], after having risen up through the production ranks since starting as a [[production manager]] on ''[[Rose (TV story)|Rose]]''. | ||
* As seen in David Tennant's video diary for this episode's read-through, Tennant feared that having spent six months portraying Hamlet for the RSC, he would be unable to accurately replicate the voice he uses when portraying the Doctor. In an informal discussion with Julie Gardner, he describes his voice for Hamlet as being the same as the Doctor's (being an English accent) except "more posh" and mentioned he may have to watch his previous performances as the Doctor and practice the voice. This strongly echoes Billie Piper's dilemma when she returned to film ''[[Turn Left (TV story)|Turn Left]]:'' in interviews with ''[[Doctor Who Confidential]]'', Piper confessed to having forgotten how to speak in Rose's accent; it was later noted that she spoke with a noticeable lisp in several scenes of that episode. | * As seen in [[David Tennant]]'s video diary for this episode's read-through, Tennant feared that having spent six months portraying [[Hamlet]] for the RSC, he would be unable to accurately replicate the voice he uses when portraying the Doctor. In an informal discussion with [[Julie Gardner]], he describes his voice for Hamlet as being the same as the Doctor's (being an English accent) except "more posh" and mentioned he may have to watch his previous performances as the Doctor and practice the voice. This strongly echoes [[Billie Piper]]'s dilemma when she returned to film ''[[Turn Left (TV story)|Turn Left]]:'' in interviews with ''[[Doctor Who Confidential]]'', Piper confessed to having forgotten how to speak in Rose's accent; it was later noted that she spoke with a noticeable lisp in several scenes of that episode. | ||
* As revealed in ''[[Doctor Who Confidential]]'', Ryan performed most of her own stunts in the episode — including the high-wire stunt that opens the episode. | * As revealed in ''[[Doctor Who Confidential]]'', [[Michelle Ryan]] performed most of her own stunts in the episode — including the high-wire stunt that opens the episode. | ||
* Part of the episode was filmed in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. A bus that was to be used for filming there was heavily damaged upon arrival there.<ref name="BBC news bus damage">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7856405.stm BBC News - Who rewrite after damage to bus]</ref> | * Part of the episode was filmed in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. A bus that was to be used for filming there was heavily damaged upon arrival there.<ref name="BBC news bus damage">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7856405.stm BBC News - Who rewrite after damage to bus]</ref> | ||
* According to the BBC report, the damage to the bus — a twin to one being used for filming in Cardiff — prompted a rewrite of part of the script to add a few references to the bus being damaged going through the wormhole. | * According to the BBC report, the damage to the bus — a twin to one being used for filming in Cardiff — prompted a rewrite of part of the script to add a few references to the bus being damaged going through the wormhole. | ||
* On 16 January 2009 ''The Guardian'' newspaper published an online column condemning the then-rumoured plan to film in Dubai, citing the UAE's human rights record.<ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/garethmcleanblog/2009/jan/16/1 The Guardian - The Doctor in Dubai: dubious indeed]</ref> Similar criticism was posted by the fan site Kasterborous on 28 January.<ref>[http://www.kasterborous.com/news.asp?ac=11&id=2118 Kasterborous Online Magazine - RTD on Dubai Shoot]</ref> | * On 16 January 2009 ''The Guardian'' newspaper published an online column condemning the then-rumoured plan to film in Dubai, citing the UAE's human rights record.<ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/garethmcleanblog/2009/jan/16/1 The Guardian - The Doctor in Dubai: dubious indeed]</ref> Similar criticism was posted by the fan site Kasterborous on 28 January.<ref>[http://www.kasterborous.com/news.asp?ac=11&id=2118 Kasterborous Online Magazine - RTD on Dubai Shoot]</ref> | ||
* ''Planet of the Dead'' was the first ''Doctor Who'' story to be produced in high-definition. As such, it features a more detailed, but otherwise unchanged, version of the title sequence. | * ''Planet of the Dead'' was the first ''Doctor Who'' story to be produced in high-definition. As such, it features a more detailed, but otherwise unchanged, version of the title sequence. | ||
* According to Tennant's video diary, he and co-star Adam James have been friends for 10 years, having also worked together in the past. James is also [[Jon Pertwee]]'s godson. | * According to [[David Tennant]]'s video diary, he and co-star [[Adam James]] have been friends for 10 years, having also worked together in the past. James is also [[Jon Pertwee]]'s godson. | ||
* In an interview for BBC Breakfast on 7th April 2009, Russell T Davies revealed that the episode had only been completed at 11:30 pm the previous night, only 5 days before the episode aired. | * In an interview for BBC Breakfast on 7th April 2009, [[Russell T Davies]] revealed that the episode had only been completed at 11:30 pm the previous night, only 5 days before the episode aired. | ||
* In pre-broadcast publicity interviews, Michelle Ryan described her character as a one-off companion, though like most other one-offs, such as [[Jenny (The Doctor's Daughter)|Jenny]] and initially, [[Donna Noble]], the door has been left open for a future return. Prior to the announcement that [[Karen Gillan]] had been cast as the new ongoing companion, Ryan was listed among possible candidates. Ultimately Ryan did not return and, as of 2020, has not reappeared in the series proper though, like Jenny, she has had [[Lady Christina (audio series)|her own series of audios]] produced by [[Big Finish Productions|Big Finish]]. | * In pre-broadcast publicity interviews, [[Michelle Ryan]] described her character as a one-off companion, though like most other one-offs, such as [[Jenny (The Doctor's Daughter)|Jenny]] and initially, [[Donna Noble]], the door has been left open for a future return. Prior to the announcement that [[Karen Gillan]] had been cast as the new ongoing companion, Ryan was listed among possible candidates. Ultimately Ryan did not return and, as of 2020, has not reappeared in the series proper though, like Jenny, she has had [[Lady Christina (audio series)|her own series of audios]] produced by [[Big Finish Productions|Big Finish]]. | ||
* Although the Doctor has had invitations to join him turned down by potential companions in the past ([[Grace Holloway]] in [[Doctor Who (TV story)|the 1996 TV movie]], Mickey Smith at the end of ''[[World War Three (TV story)|World War Three]]'' and, initially, [[Donna Noble]] in ''[[The Runaway Bride]]'', for example), this is one of the few occasions in which the Doctor has outright refused to take on a companion of his own volition, despite clear indications of compatibility. This also occurred with Mr [[Copper (Voyage of the Damned)|Copper]] in ''[[Voyage of the Damned (TV story)|Voyage of the Damned]]'', and for much the same reason the Doctor gives Christina. | * Although the Doctor has had invitations to join him turned down by potential companions in the past ([[Grace Holloway]] in [[Doctor Who (TV story)|the 1996 TV movie]], [[Mickey Smith]] at the end of ''[[World War Three (TV story)|World War Three]]'' and, initially, [[Donna Noble]] in ''[[The Runaway Bride]]'', for example), this is one of the few occasions in which the Doctor has outright refused to take on a companion of his own volition, despite clear indications of compatibility. This also occurred with Mr [[Copper (Voyage of the Damned)|Copper]] in ''[[Voyage of the Damned (TV story)|Voyage of the Damned]]'', and for much the same reason the Doctor gives Christina. | ||
* This story went through several drafts. These included a space opera about a giant war, possibly featuring the [[Chelonian]]s; a story about time-freezing [[centaur]]s in a deserted [[hotel]]; a ''Star Trek'' pastiche; and a story about an outer space hotel where guests were disappearing - taken down to the planet below in order to be implanted with alien eggs.<ref name="Writer's Tale">[http://www.sfx.co.uk/page/sfx?entry=20_things_we_learnt_from 20 Things We Learnt from The Writer's Tale: The Final Chapter]</ref> | * This story went through several drafts. These included a space opera about a giant war, possibly featuring the [[Chelonian]]s; a story about time-freezing [[centaur]]s in a deserted [[hotel]]; a ''Star Trek'' pastiche; and a story about an outer space hotel where guests were disappearing - taken down to the planet below in order to be implanted with alien eggs.<ref name="Writer's Tale">[http://www.sfx.co.uk/page/sfx?entry=20_things_we_learnt_from 20 Things We Learnt from The Writer's Tale: The Final Chapter]</ref> | ||
* This is the first ''Doctor Who'' episode in which | * This is the first ''Doctor Who'' episode in which [[Russell T Davies]] shares co-writing credit, and the first episode since the show's return in 2005 to credit two writers. The last televised story to credit two writers was the 1993 mini-episode ''[[Dimensions in Time (TV story)|Dimensions in Time]]''. | ||
* This story was nominated for a 2010 Hugo Award in the category of "Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form," as was ''[[The Next Doctor (TV story)|The Next Doctor]]'' and ''[[The Waters of Mars (TV story)|The Waters of Mars]]'' [http://www.thehugoawards.org/2010/04/2010-hugo-award-nominees-details/], the latter of which ultimately won the award.[http://www.thehugoawards.org/2010/09/2010-hugo-award-winners/] | * This story was nominated for a 2010 Hugo Award in the category of "Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form," as was ''[[The Next Doctor (TV story)|The Next Doctor]]'' and ''[[The Waters of Mars (TV story)|The Waters of Mars]]'' [http://www.thehugoawards.org/2010/04/2010-hugo-award-nominees-details/], the latter of which ultimately won the award.[http://www.thehugoawards.org/2010/09/2010-hugo-award-winners/] | ||
* In this special, Christina becomes the next on the list of companions who have [[kiss]]ed the Doctor. By this time, on-screen kisses included: Dr [[Grace Holloway]], not long after his seventh regeneration; [[Jack Harkness]], who gave the Doctor a farewell kiss on the [[Satellite Five|Gamestation]]; the Doctor kissing Rose Tyler later in the same episode; [[Cassandra O'Brien.Δ17|Cassandra]] kissing the Doctor while possessing Rose Tyler's body; [[Jackie Tyler]] kissing the Doctor three times when he and Rose returned home in the [[Army of Ghosts|middle of the ghost crisis]]; the Doctor kissing [[Martha Jones]] to confuse the [[Judoon]]'s scanners; [[Astrid Peth]] kissing the Doctor twice whilst on the ''[[Titanic (spaceship)|Titanic]]''; and [[Donna Noble]] kissing the Doctor to give him a shock when he needed to use his Time Lord physiology to detox from [[cyanide]] poisoning. | * In this special, Christina becomes the next on the list of companions who have [[kiss]]ed the Doctor. By this time, on-screen kisses included: Dr [[Grace Holloway]], not long after his seventh regeneration; [[Jack Harkness]], who gave the Doctor a farewell kiss on the [[Satellite Five|Gamestation]]; the Doctor kissing Rose Tyler later in the same episode; [[Cassandra O'Brien.Δ17|Cassandra]] kissing the Doctor while possessing Rose Tyler's body; [[Jackie Tyler]] kissing the Doctor three times when he and Rose returned home in the [[Army of Ghosts|middle of the ghost crisis]]; the Doctor kissing [[Martha Jones]] to confuse the [[Judoon]]'s scanners; [[Astrid Peth]] kissing the Doctor twice whilst on the ''[[Titanic (spaceship)|Titanic]]''; and [[Donna Noble]] kissing the Doctor to give him a shock when he needed to use his Time Lord physiology to detox from [[cyanide]] poisoning. | ||
* According to the episode commentary, it was planned from the beginning to kill the [[Tritovore]]s off, as it would have been too hard to figure out what to do with them if they got to Earth. | * According to the episode commentary, it was planned from the beginning to kill the [[Tritovore]]s off, as it would have been too hard to figure out what to do with them if they got to Earth. | ||
*This was the only special released on the ''Complete Specials Box Set'' to be the original broadcast version. | *This was the only special released on the ''Complete Specials Box Set'' to be the original broadcast version. | ||
*[[Michelle Ryan]] was a fan of the show. | |||
*Both buses were meant to be intact throughout the story, but while one was en route to Dubai, it was badly knocked about at the docks by a crane driver who was careless with a container. So the film crew sent photos of the damage back to Cardiff and there the crew made similar 'alterations' to that bus so they would - almost - match. Then a few lines were added to the script to explain the sudden change in the buses's appearance. | |||
*The first of the three days of filming in Dubai was afflicted by a sandstorm which left most of the footage shot unusable. The production team then struggled to complete three days of filming in two days; the last day was compared to "filming ''[[Lawrence of Arabia (film)|Lawrence of Arabia]]''". | |||
=== Ratings === | === Ratings === | ||
