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The Android Invasion (TV story): Difference between revisions
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== Plot == | == Plot == | ||
=== Part one === | === Part one === | ||
A [[ | A [[UNIT]] soldier walks, as if in a trance, through the woods, his right arm twitching spasmodically. Nearby, [[the Doctor's TARDIS|the TARDIS]] materialises. [[Fourth Doctor|The Doctor]] and [[Sarah Jane Smith|Sarah]] step out. The Doctor explains that the coordinates were set for Sarah's time, but the linear coordinates were off. They could be miles from [[London]]. In any case, Sarah is glad to be back on [[Earth]]. The Doctor detects an odd reading of [[energy]] or [[radiation]] nearby. | ||
The Doctor and Sarah meet four [[service mechanic|figures]] in white overalls and helmets with dark-tinted visors. When the Doctor asks them for directions, they shoot at the travellers with their index fingers. The Doctor and Sarah duck and run, with the four in pursuit. The two manage to lose them but Sarah slips down a hillside and clings to a cliff ledge. The Doctor helps her up. They see the soldier, jerkily making his way towards the cliff's edge. The Doctor shouts at him to stop, but he pays no heed. He runs over the cliff and falls to his death. | The Doctor and Sarah meet four [[service mechanic|figures]] in white overalls and helmets with dark-tinted visors. When the Doctor asks them for directions, they shoot at the travellers with their index fingers. The Doctor and Sarah duck and run, with the four in pursuit. The two manage to lose them but Sarah slips down a hillside and clings to a cliff ledge. The Doctor helps her up. They see the soldier, jerkily making his way towards the cliff's edge. The Doctor shouts at him to stop, but he pays no heed. He runs over the cliff and falls to his death. | ||
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The village, however, is deathly quiet and seems empty. The Doctor decides to try the local pub, the ''[[Fleur-de-Lys]]'', but it too is empty, and the Doctor finds the same freshly minted coins in the register. Sarah spots the white-overalled figures coming down the street, accompanied by the "dead" soldier. A large tradesman's pickup truck arrives, carrying on benches in the back what seem to be villagers, all in trances. Two of the white-overalled figures emerge from the truck's cab and help the villagers off; the villagers then distribute themselves around the village. Mr [[Morgan (The Android Invasion)|Morgan]], the landlord of the pub, enters it with several other people while Sarah and the Doctor hide in the store room. The villagers take their seats silently, waiting motionless until the clock strikes eight, whereupon they suddenly come to life, acting normally. | The village, however, is deathly quiet and seems empty. The Doctor decides to try the local pub, the ''[[Fleur-de-Lys]]'', but it too is empty, and the Doctor finds the same freshly minted coins in the register. Sarah spots the white-overalled figures coming down the street, accompanied by the "dead" soldier. A large tradesman's pickup truck arrives, carrying on benches in the back what seem to be villagers, all in trances. Two of the white-overalled figures emerge from the truck's cab and help the villagers off; the villagers then distribute themselves around the village. Mr [[Morgan (The Android Invasion)|Morgan]], the landlord of the pub, enters it with several other people while Sarah and the Doctor hide in the store room. The villagers take their seats silently, waiting motionless until the clock strikes eight, whereupon they suddenly come to life, acting normally. | ||
The Doctor intends to get to the Space Defence Station and contact | The Doctor intends to get to the Space Defence Station and contact UNIT. He leaves, telling Sarah to meet him at the TARDIS if anything goes wrong. However, the "dead" soldier finds her in the store room and questions her. Morgan suggests that Sarah might be part of "the test". When Sarah asks what test, he tells Sarah that she should go. | ||
Outside, Sarah hides behind the truck. She observes one of the white-overalled figures standing near the vehicle turn around. Its helmet visor is raised, but beneath is nothing but [[plastic]] and electronics. Sarah runs for the woods, reaching the TARDIS. She spots a similar pod next to the time machine and goes to examine it, leaving the [[TARDIS key]] in the lock. Suddenly, the TARDIS dematerialises. As Sarah is still trying to understand why, a hand reaches out from the pod. Startled, Sarah sees a man lying inside. When she goes closer and asks the man if she can help him, he grabs her by the throat. Sarah breaks free and runs. | Outside, Sarah hides behind the truck. She observes one of the white-overalled figures standing near the vehicle turn around. Its helmet visor is raised, but beneath is nothing but [[plastic]] and electronics. Sarah runs for the woods, reaching the TARDIS. She spots a similar pod next to the time machine and goes to examine it, leaving the [[TARDIS key]] in the lock. Suddenly, the TARDIS dematerialises. As Sarah is still trying to understand why, a hand reaches out from the pod. Startled, Sarah sees a man lying inside. When she goes closer and asks the man if she can help him, he grabs her by the throat. Sarah breaks free and runs. | ||
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* The story was influenced by the film {{wi|Invasion of the Body Snatchers}}<ref name="guide">{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/classic/episodeguide/androidinvasion/detail.shtml|title=The Android Invasion|website name=Doctor Who Classic Episode Guide|accessdate=1 December 2018}}</ref> and was the last [[Terry Nation]] script for ''Doctor Who'' for four years until his final script for the series, ''[[Destiny of the Daleks (TV story)|Destiny of the Daleks]]'' (1979). This was the first non-[[Dalek]] story scripted by Nation since 1964's ''[[The Keys of Marinus (TV story)|The Keys of Marinus]]'' and was his only other foray away from his most famous creations. | * The story was influenced by the film {{wi|Invasion of the Body Snatchers}}<ref name="guide">{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/classic/episodeguide/androidinvasion/detail.shtml|title=The Android Invasion|website name=Doctor Who Classic Episode Guide|accessdate=1 December 2018}}</ref> and was the last [[Terry Nation]] script for ''Doctor Who'' for four years until his final script for the series, ''[[Destiny of the Daleks (TV story)|Destiny of the Daleks]]'' (1979). This was the first non-[[Dalek]] story scripted by Nation since 1964's ''[[The Keys of Marinus (TV story)|The Keys of Marinus]]'' and was his only other foray away from his most famous creations. | ||
* This story marks the last appearances of [[John Levene]] ([[Sergeant Benton]]) and [[Ian Marter]] ([[Harry Sullivan]]) in the series. Both actors have told ''[[Doctor Who Magazine]]'' (#[[DWM 230|230]] and #[[DWM 93|93]] respectively) that they didn't enjoy the story: Levene, because none of the other UNIT regulars were present; and Marter, because "There was no real reason for Harry to be in it... [he] couldn't see the point." The characters were mentioned (but did not appear) in ''[[Mawdryn Undead (TV story)|Mawdryn Undead]]'' (1983), when Harry was said to be working with [[NATO]] and doing something "very hush-hush at [[Porton Down]]", while Benton was said to have left the army and become a second-hand car salesman. Levene later reprised the role of Benton for the non-BBC independent video production, ''[[Wartime (home video)|Wartime]]''. However, in Marter's case, ''The Android Invasion'' was his final outing as Harry Sullivan — he dealt with diabetes later in life and passed away after suffering a heart attack on his 42nd birthday, 28 October 1986. | * This story marks the last appearances of [[John Levene]] ([[Sergeant Benton]]) and [[Ian Marter]] ([[Harry Sullivan]]) in the series. Both actors have told ''[[Doctor Who Magazine]]'' (#[[DWM 230|230]] and #[[DWM 93|93]] respectively) that they didn't enjoy the story: Levene, because none of the other UNIT regulars were present; and Marter, because "There was no real reason for Harry to be in it... [he] couldn't see the point." The characters were mentioned (but did not appear) in ''[[Mawdryn Undead (TV story)|Mawdryn Undead]]'' (1983), when Harry was said to be working with [[NATO]] and doing something "very hush-hush at [[Porton Down]]", while Benton was said to have left the army and become a second-hand car salesman. Levene later reprised the role of Benton for the non-BBC independent video production, ''[[Wartime (home video)|Wartime]]''. However, in Marter's case, ''The Android Invasion'' was his final outing as Harry Sullivan — he dealt with diabetes later in life and passed away after suffering a heart attack on his 42nd birthday, 28 October 1986. | ||
* [[ | * [[UNIT]] played a significant role in one more story, ''[[The Seeds of Doom (TV story)|The Seeds of Doom]]'', and thereafter vanished (save for a cameo in ''[[The Five Doctors (TV story)|The Five Doctors]]'') until 1989's ''[[Battlefield (TV story)|Battlefield]]''. | ||
* [[Barry Letts]] and [[Nicholas Courtney]] have both said in ''[[Doctor Who Magazine]]'' (#[[DWM 270|270]] and #[[DWM 228|228]] respectively) that the Brigadier was originally meant to be in the story. As Courtney had committed himself to a theatre tour, believing his ''Doctor Who'' days to be well and truly over, his part had to be replaced with Faraday. Courtney's other reason for turning the part down was because he'd been asked back for another story and then had his part cancelled at the last minute, after he'd passed up other work, "and I was very annoyed". (DWM #228) | * [[Barry Letts]] and [[Nicholas Courtney]] have both said in ''[[Doctor Who Magazine]]'' (#[[DWM 270|270]] and #[[DWM 228|228]] respectively) that the Brigadier was originally meant to be in the story. As Courtney had committed himself to a theatre tour, believing his ''Doctor Who'' days to be well and truly over, his part had to be replaced with Faraday. Courtney's other reason for turning the part down was because he'd been asked back for another story and then had his part cancelled at the last minute, after he'd passed up other work, "and I was very annoyed". (DWM #228) | ||
* Benton's final appearance has him knocked out by his android double, which then orders his removal. His fate is not made clear by the end of the story. | * Benton's final appearance has him knocked out by his android double, which then orders his removal. His fate is not made clear by the end of the story. | ||
* This was the first story to feature the return of a former companion, namely Harry Sullivan (Benton is not generally considered a companion). Harry also featured in montage sequences in ''[[Logopolis (TV story)|Logopolis]]'' and ''[[Resurrection of the Daleks (TV story)|Resurrection of the Daleks]]''. Dialogue references to him would also be made in ''[[Mawdryn Undead (TV story)|Mawdryn Undead]]'' and the ''[[The Sarah Jane Adventures]]'' episode ''[[Invasion of the Bane (TV story)|Invasion of the Bane]]'', with the latter also featuring a photograph of the character. In future years, the return of past companions would be a featured part of specials such as ''[[The Five Doctors (TV story)|The Five Doctors]]'' and ''[[The Two Doctors (TV story)|The Two Doctors]]'', and also be incorporated into several storylines of the 2005-present revival. | * This was the first story to feature the return of a former companion, namely Harry Sullivan (Benton is not generally considered a companion). Harry also featured in montage sequences in ''[[Logopolis (TV story)|Logopolis]]'' and ''[[Resurrection of the Daleks (TV story)|Resurrection of the Daleks]]''. Dialogue references to him would also be made in ''[[Mawdryn Undead (TV story)|Mawdryn Undead]]'' and the ''[[The Sarah Jane Adventures]]'' episode ''[[Invasion of the Bane (TV story)|Invasion of the Bane]]'', with the latter also featuring a photograph of the character. In future years, the return of past companions would be a featured part of specials such as ''[[The Five Doctors (TV story)|The Five Doctors]]'' and ''[[The Two Doctors (TV story)|The Two Doctors]]'', and also be incorporated into several storylines of the 2005-present revival. | ||
* Marter continued his acting career and wrote several ''Doctor Who'' novelisations, an original novel featuring Harry called [[Harry Sullivan's War| | * Marter continued his acting career and wrote several ''Doctor Who'' novelisations, an original novel featuring Harry called ''[[Harry Sullivan's War (novel)|Harry Sullivan's War]]''; and an unproduced screenplay with [[Tom Baker]], ''[[Doctor Who Meets Scratchman]]''. | ||
* {{w|Kenneth Williams}} noted this story in his diaries, writing that ''Doctor Who'' was getting "more and more silly". | * {{w|Kenneth Williams}} noted this story in his diaries, writing that ''Doctor Who'' was getting "more and more silly". | ||
* This marks the first appearance of the Fourth Doctor's seldom-seen light grey tweed coat. | * This marks the first appearance of the Fourth Doctor's seldom-seen light grey tweed coat. | ||
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''The Android Invasion'' was released on DVD on [[9 January (releases)|9 January]] [[2012 (releases)|2012]] in the ''U.N.I.T Files'' Boxset with ''[[Invasion of the Dinosaurs (TV story)|Invasion of the Dinosaurs]]''. Its contents include: | ''The Android Invasion'' was released on DVD on [[9 January (releases)|9 January]] [[2012 (releases)|2012]] in the ''U.N.I.T Files'' Boxset with ''[[Invasion of the Dinosaurs (TV story)|Invasion of the Dinosaurs]]''. Its contents include: | ||
* Commentary by Milton Johns (Crayford), Martin Friend (Styggron), Marion McDougal (Production Assistant) and Phillip Hinchcliffe (Producer), moderated by Tony Hadoke | * Commentary by Milton Johns (Crayford), Martin Friend (Styggron), Marion McDougal (Production Assistant) and Phillip Hinchcliffe (Producer), moderated by Tony Hadoke | ||
* [[The Village that Came to Life]] | * [[The Village that Came to Life (documentary)|The Village that Came to Life]] | ||
* [[Life After Who | * [[Life After Who: Philip Hinchcliffe (documentary)|Life After Who: Philip Hinchcliffe]] | ||
* Weetabix advert | * Weetabix advert | ||
* PDF Material | * PDF Material | ||
