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{{Infobox Story | {{Infobox Story SMW | ||
|image = StonehengeSpeech.jpg | |image = StonehengeSpeech.jpg | ||
|series = [[Doctor Who television stories|''Doctor Who'' television stories]] | |series = [[Doctor Who television stories|''Doctor Who'' television stories]] | ||
|season number = Series 5 (Doctor Who) | |season number = Series 5 (Doctor Who 2005) | ||
|series episode number = 12 | |series episode number = 12 | ||
|story number = 212a | |story number = 212a | ||
|doctor = Eleventh Doctor | |scripturl = https://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/documents/doctor-who-5-episode-12-the-pandorica-opens-pink-revisions-18012010.pdf | ||
|companions = [[Amy Pond|Amy]], [[River Song|River]] | |doctor = Eleventh Doctor | ||
|featuring | |companions = [[Amy Pond|Amy]], [[River Song|River]] | ||
|featuring2 = Vincent van Gogh | |featuring = Rory Williams | ||
|featuring3 = Winston Churchill | |featuring2 = Vincent van Gogh | ||
|featuring4 = Dorium Maldovar | |featuring3 = Winston Churchill | ||
|featuring5 = Elizabeth X{{!}}Liz 10 | |featuring4 = Dorium Maldovar | ||
|enemy = [[The Pandorica Alliance]] | |featuring5 = Elizabeth X{{!}}Liz 10 | ||
|setting = [[Stonehenge]], [[102]] | |enemy = [[The Pandorica Alliance]] | ||
|writer = | |setting = [[Stonehenge]], [[102]] | ||
|director = [[Toby Haynes]] | |writer = Steven Moffat | ||
|producer = [[Peter Bennett]] | |director = [[Toby Haynes]] | ||
|confidential = Alien Abduction (CON episode) | |producer = [[Peter Bennett]] | ||
|broadcast date = | |confidential = Alien Abduction (CON episode) | ||
|network = | |broadcast date = 19 June 2010 | ||
|format = 1x50 minute episode<br/>Part 1 of 2 | |network = BBC One | ||
|production code = 1.12 | |format = 1x50 minute episode<br/>Part 1 of 2 | ||
|prev = The Lodger (TV story) | |production code = 1.12 | ||
|next = The Big Bang (TV story) | |prev = The Lodger (TV story) | ||
|trailer = Doctor_Who_%27The_Series_Finale_Begins%27_-_The_Pandorica_Opens_trailer_-_BBC_One | |next = The Big Bang (TV story) | ||
|clip = {{uc:Doctor Who clip}} 11 2 | |trailer = Doctor_Who_%27The_Series_Finale_Begins%27_-_The_Pandorica_Opens_trailer_-_BBC_One | ||
|clip2 = {{uc:Doctor Who clip}} 12 2 | |clip = {{uc:Doctor Who clip}} 11 2 | ||
|clip3 = I. Am. Talking! - The Pandorica Speech - Doctor Who - The Pandorica Opens - BBC | |clip2 = {{uc:Doctor Who clip}} 12 2 | ||
|thwr=32}} | |clip3 = I. Am. Talking! - The Pandorica Speech - Doctor Who - The Pandorica Opens - BBC | ||
{{dab page|The Pandorica Opens (disambiguation)}} | |thwr = 32 | ||
'''''The Pandorica Opens''''' was the twelfth and penultimate episode of [[Series 5 (Doctor Who)|series 5]] of ''[[Doctor Who]]''. | }}{{dab page|The Pandorica Opens (disambiguation)}} | ||
'''''The Pandorica Opens''''' was the twelfth and penultimate episode of [[Series 5 (Doctor Who 2005)|series 5]] of ''[[Doctor Who]]''. | |||
It was the first of a two-part series finale. Its narrative concluded in [[The Big Bang (TV story)|the following episode]]. [[River Song]], [[Winston Churchill]], [[Vincent van Gogh]], [[Edwin Bracewell]] and [[Elizabeth X|Liz 10]] all made a reappearance in this episode, as did the [[Auton]]s, along with the stunning return of [[Rory Williams]], after losing his life and every trace of his existence, save one link that provided the means for his resurrection. [[Dorium Maldovar]] makes his first appearance in this episode. | It was the first of a two-part series finale. Its narrative concluded in [[The Big Bang (TV story)|the following episode]]. [[River Song]], [[Winston Churchill]], [[Vincent van Gogh]], [[Edwin Bracewell]] and [[Elizabeth X|Liz 10]] all made a reappearance in this episode, as did the [[Auton]]s, along with the stunning return of [[Rory Williams]], after losing his life and every trace of his existence, save one link that provided the means for his resurrection. [[Dorium Maldovar]] makes his first appearance in this episode. | ||
At the time of its release, it was unique amongst BBC Wales series finales as the first series-ender with significant [[principal photography]] outside [[Wales]]. It was also the first to have been the ''Doctor Who'' debut of its [[director]] and [[cinematographer]]. It was the first finale to have used major guest actors — aside from [[companion]]s — who had featured in previous single episodes of the series. Finally, it featured the largest number of individual alien species seen in a single episode of ''Doctor Who'' ever. | At the time of its release, it was unique amongst BBC Wales series finales as the first series-ender with significant [[principal photography]] outside [[Wales]]. It was also the first to have been the ''Doctor Who'' debut of its [[Director (crew)|director]] and [[cinematographer]]. It was the first finale to have used major guest actors — aside from [[companion]]s — who had featured in previous single episodes of the series. Finally, it featured the largest number of individual alien species seen in a single episode of ''Doctor Who'' ever. | ||
In ''[[Doctor Who Confidential]]'', [[Steven Moffat]] noted that | In ''[[Doctor Who Confidential]]'', [[Steven Moffat]] noted that the first time [[Russell T Davies]] was the head writer, he always made his season finales bigger and bigger than the previous year. Steven took this into consideration when writing the two-part finale of Series 5, hoping it would continue the tradition. | ||
== Synopsis == | == Synopsis == | ||
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The coordinates lead them to [[Roman]] [[Britain]] in the [[2nd century]], where Amy notes that Roman history was her favourite topic at school. They are greeted by a Roman soldier with a lipstick smear across his mouth; he thinks the Doctor is [[Caesar]]. He takes them to meet "Cleopatra", who is actually River in disguise. He scolds River for her graffiti, only for her to retort that he doesn't answer his phone. She shows them Vincent's painting; they are shocked to see it's a painting of the TARDIS exploding. As the Doctor has already retrieved a TARDIS fragment from a [[Time Field]] in a [[Silurian city]], this new find worries him. He asks if it has a title; River informs him it's "[[The Pandorica Opens]]", and that Vincent left coordinates in the painting to lead him there. Amy wonders what it is; River explains that the Pandorica is a prison designed to contain ''the'' most feared thing in all the universe. The Doctor then begins looking at maps, despite River's protest that it won't be on one; however, the Doctor says that if someone buried the most feared thing of all, they'd want to remember where. | The coordinates lead them to [[Roman]] [[Britain]] in the [[2nd century]], where Amy notes that Roman history was her favourite topic at school. They are greeted by a Roman soldier with a lipstick smear across his mouth; he thinks the Doctor is [[Caesar]]. He takes them to meet "Cleopatra", who is actually River in disguise. He scolds River for her graffiti, only for her to retort that he doesn't answer his phone. She shows them Vincent's painting; they are shocked to see it's a painting of the TARDIS exploding. As the Doctor has already retrieved a TARDIS fragment from a [[Time Field]] in a [[Silurian city]], this new find worries him. He asks if it has a title; River informs him it's "[[The Pandorica Opens]]", and that Vincent left coordinates in the painting to lead him there. Amy wonders what it is; River explains that the Pandorica is a prison designed to contain ''the'' most feared thing in all the universe. The Doctor then begins looking at maps, despite River's protest that it won't be on one; however, the Doctor says that if someone buried the most feared thing of all, they'd want to remember where. | ||
The Doctor, Amy and River ride to [[Stonehenge]] to find the Pandorica. Amy explains to River that she warned them about this after climbing out of [[Byzantium ( | The Doctor, Amy and River ride to [[Stonehenge]] to find the Pandorica. Amy explains to River that she warned them about this after climbing out of [[Byzantium (spacecraft)|Byzantium]]; River says that she ''hasn't, but will''. Amy, still not really understanding that this is an earlier version of River, is silenced by the Doctor to avoid giving away spoilers. River's scanner gives a reading that shows energy weapons have been fired in this spot, implying that the Pandorica is there. The Doctor quickly [[deduce]]s that they need to get underground. | ||
By nightfall, River has placed devices that move a stone on the ground away from a secret entrance. The three of them descend, not noticing a Cyber-head, which begins to reactivate. | By nightfall, River has placed devices that move a stone on the ground away from a secret entrance. The three of them descend, not noticing a Cyber-head, which begins to reactivate. | ||
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Rory holds Amy's body in his arms, crying. | Rory holds Amy's body in his arms, crying. | ||
[[File:To Be Continued (The Pandorica Opens).jpg|thumb|right|TO BE CONTINUED]] | |||
Explosions occur in the space around Earth, signifying that the stars have gone supernova and that the cracks have finally begun eating the universe entirely. When the explosions cease, Earth is left alone in the middle of a spreading, black void. | Explosions occur in the space around Earth, signifying that the stars have gone supernova and that the cracks have finally begun eating the universe entirely. When the explosions cease, Earth is left alone in the middle of a spreading, black void. | ||
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* [[Judoon]] - [[Paul Kasey]] | * [[Judoon]] - [[Paul Kasey]] | ||
* [[Gachet|Doctor Gachet]] - [[Howard Lee]] | * [[Gachet|Doctor Gachet]] - [[Howard Lee]] | ||
* [[Dalek Operator|Dalek]] - [[ | * [[Dalek Operator|Dalek]] - [[Barnaby Edwards]] | ||
* [[Dorium Maldovar|Dorium]] - [[Simon Fisher Becker]] | * [[Dorium Maldovar|Dorium]] - [[Simon Fisher Becker]] | ||
* [[Guard (The Pandorica Opens)|Guard]] - [[Joe Jacobs]] | * [[Guard (The Pandorica Opens)|Guard]] - [[Joe Jacobs]] | ||
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=== Uncredited cast === | === Uncredited cast === | ||
* Dalek, Cyberman sentry - [[Jon Davey]]<ref>http://www.jondavey.com/acting.php</ref> | * Dalek, Cyberman sentry - [[Jon Davey]]<ref>http://www.jondavey.com/acting.php</ref> | ||
* [[Blowfish (The Pandorica Opens)|Blowfish]] - [[Chris Barber]] (''[[Doctor Who: The Encyclopedia (reference book)|Doctor Who: The Encyclopedia]]'') | |||
* [[Hoix (The Pandorica Opens)|Hoix]] - [[Andy Jones]] (''[[Doctor Who: The Encyclopedia (reference book)|Doctor Who: The Encyclopedia]]'') | |||
* [[Uvodni (The Pandorica Opens)|Uvodni]] - [[Levi James]] (''[[Doctor Who: The Encyclopedia (reference book)|Doctor Who: The Encyclopedia]]'') | |||
== Crew == | == Crew == | ||
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}} | }} | ||
== | == Worldbuilding == | ||
=== Individuals === | === Individuals === | ||
* [[Vincent van Gogh]] has nightmares/visions about the destruction of the Doctor's TARDIS. | * [[Vincent van Gogh]] has nightmares/visions about the destruction of the Doctor's TARDIS. | ||
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=== Books === | === Books === | ||
* Amy has a book called ''[[The Legend of Pandora's Box]]''. | * Amy has a book called ''[[The Legend of Pandora's Box]]''. | ||
=== Influences === | |||
* [http://www.bleedingcool.com/2010/06/20/ten-thoughts-about-doctor-who-the-pandorica-opens/ At least one reviewer] thought the message on the cliff of [[Planet One]] was not unlike a scene in [[Douglas Adams]]' book, ''So Long And Thanks For All The Fish'', which featured the last message of God to his creation lit in flames on a cliff face. | |||
* This episode deliberately evoked the feel of the ''[[Indiana Jones (film series)|Indiana Jones]]'' franchise. River's scene at [[the Maldovarium]] is a gag drawn directly from the teaser sequence of ''{{iw|indianajones|Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom}}''. The use of flambeaux in the cavernous "[[under Henge]]" was directly inspired by the teaser to ''[[Raiders of the Lost Ark]]''. Finally [[Director (crew)|director]] [[Toby Haynes]] [[playback|played back]] a cue from ''Raiders'' while filming the sequence of the Doctor, River, and Amy entering the "under Henge" to give the sequence appropriate tempo. ([[CON]]: ''[[Alien Abduction (CON episode)|Alien Abduction]]'') | |||
* River's main costume in this story was deliberately designed to evoke both {{iw|starwars|Princess Leia}} and [[Han Solo]], so that she looked like, according to [[Toby Haynes]], a "female Han Solo". ([[DCOM]]: ''[[The Big Bang (TV story)|The Big Bang]]'') | |||
* [[Dorium Maldovar]] was based on Signor Ferrari in ''[[Casablanca (film)|Casablanca]].'' | |||
* As the Cyberman had been guarding the Pandorica for a long time, [[Toby Haynes]] wanted to make it look "rusted, creaky, and old" and compared its behavior to [[Frankenstein's monster|Frankenstein's Monster]]. | |||
== Story notes == | == Story notes == | ||
* Almost every major enemy since the beginning of the new ''Doctor Who'' series, along with a few from the show's original run, are featured. The list of enemies include the [[Dalek]]s, ([[TV]]: ''[[The Daleks (TV story)|The Daleks]]'') the [[Drahvin]]s, ([[TV]]: ''[[Galaxy 4 (TV story)|Galaxy 4]]'') the [[Cybermen]], ([[TV]]: ''[[The Tenth Planet (TV story)|The Tenth Planet]]'') the [[Auton]]s and the [[Nestenes]], ([[TV]]: ''[[Spearhead from Space (TV story)|Spearhead from Space]]'') the [[Silurian]]s, ([[TV]]: ''[[Doctor Who and the Silurians (TV story)|Doctor Who and the Silurians]]'') the [[Draconian]]s, ([[TV]]: ''[[Frontier in Space (TV story)|Frontier in Space]]'') the [[Sontaran]]s, ([[TV]]: ''[[The Time Warrior (TV story)|The Time Warrior]]'') the [[Zygon]]s, ([[TV]]: ''[[Terror of the Zygons (TV story)|Terror of the Zygons]]'') the [[Terileptil]]s, ([[TV]]: ''[[The Visitation (TV story)|The Visitation]]'') the [[Chelonian]]s, ([[PROSE]]: ''[[The Highest Science (novel)|The Highest Science]]'') the [[Slitheen family]], ([[TV]]: ''[[Aliens of London (TV story)|Aliens of London]]'') the [[Roboform]]s, the [[Sycorax]], ([[TV]]: ''[[The Christmas Invasion (TV story)|The Christmas Invasion]]'') the [[Hoix]], ([[TV]]: ''[[Love & Monsters (TV story)|Love & Monsters]]'') the [[Weevil]]s, ([[TV]]: ''[[Everything Changes (TV story)|Everything Changes]]'') the [[Judoon]], ([[TV]]: ''[[Smith and Jones (TV story)|Smith and Jones]]'') the [[Uvodni]], ([[TV]]: ''[[Warriors of Kudlak (TV story)|Warriors of Kudlak]]'') the [[Atraxi]], ([[TV]]: ''[[The Eleventh Hour (TV story)|The Eleventh Hour]]'') and the [[Haemogoth]]s. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[The Forgotten Army (novel)|The Forgotten Army]]'') Although all of these enemies appeared in the episode, none of the creators received a credit, for example, [[Terry Nation]] was not credited for the creation of the Daleks, same with [[Kit Pedler]] & [[Gerry Davis]] for the Cybermen. | * Almost every major enemy since the beginning of the new ''Doctor Who'' series, along with a few from the show's original run, are featured. The list of enemies include the [[Dalek]]s, ([[TV]]: ''[[The Daleks (TV story)|The Daleks]]'') the [[Drahvin]]s, ([[TV]]: ''[[Galaxy 4 (TV story)|Galaxy 4]]'') the [[Cybermen]], ([[TV]]: ''[[The Tenth Planet (TV story)|The Tenth Planet]]'') the [[Auton]]s and the [[Nestenes]], ([[TV]]: ''[[Spearhead from Space (TV story)|Spearhead from Space]]'') the [[Silurian]]s, ([[TV]]: ''[[Doctor Who and the Silurians (TV story)|Doctor Who and the Silurians]]'') the [[Draconian]]s, ([[TV]]: ''[[Frontier in Space (TV story)|Frontier in Space]]'') the [[Sontaran]]s, ([[TV]]: ''[[The Time Warrior (TV story)|The Time Warrior]]'') the [[Zygon]]s, ([[TV]]: ''[[Terror of the Zygons (TV story)|Terror of the Zygons]]'') the [[Terileptil]]s, ([[TV]]: ''[[The Visitation (TV story)|The Visitation]]'') the [[Chelonian]]s, ([[PROSE]]: ''[[The Highest Science (novel)|The Highest Science]]'') the [[Slitheen family]], ([[TV]]: ''[[Aliens of London (TV story)|Aliens of London]]'') the [[Roboform]]s, the [[Sycorax]], ([[TV]]: ''[[The Christmas Invasion (TV story)|The Christmas Invasion]]'') the [[Hoix]], ([[TV]]: ''[[Love & Monsters (TV story)|Love & Monsters]]'') the [[Weevil]]s, ([[TV]]: ''[[Everything Changes (TV story)|Everything Changes]]'') the [[Judoon]], ([[TV]]: ''[[Smith and Jones (TV story)|Smith and Jones]]'') the [[Uvodni]], ([[TV]]: ''[[Warriors of Kudlak (TV story)|Warriors of Kudlak]]'') the [[Atraxi]], ([[TV]]: ''[[The Eleventh Hour (TV story)|The Eleventh Hour]]'') and the [[Haemogoth]]s. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[The Forgotten Army (novel)|The Forgotten Army]]'') Although all of these enemies appeared in the episode, none of the creators received a credit, for example, [[Terry Nation]] was not credited for the creation of the Daleks, same with [[Kit Pedler]] & [[Gerry Davis]] for the Cybermen. | ||
* People who should have been credited are: [[William Emms]] for the Drahvins, [[Robert Holmes]] for the Autons, the Nestenes and the Sontarans, [[Malcolm Hulke]] for the Silurians and Draconians, [[Robert Banks Stewart]] for the Zygons[[Eric Saward|, Eric Saward]] for the Terileptils, [[Gareth Roberts]] for the Chelonians, [[Phil Gladwin]] for the Uvodni, [[Brian Minchin]] for the Haemogoths and [[Russell T Davies]] for the Slitheen, Roboforms, Sycorax, Hoix, Weeveils and the Judoon. | * People who should have been credited are: [[William Emms]] for the Drahvins, [[Robert Holmes]] for the Autons, the Nestenes and the Sontarans, [[Malcolm Hulke]] for the Silurians and Draconians, [[Robert Banks Stewart]] for the Zygons[[Eric Saward|, Eric Saward]] for the Terileptils, [[Gareth Roberts]] for the Chelonians, [[Phil Gladwin]] for the Uvodni, [[Brian Minchin]] for the Haemogoths and [[Russell T Davies]] for the Slitheen, Roboforms, Sycorax, Hoix, Weeveils and the Judoon. | ||
* In the fairy tale of the Pandorica, the Doctor is not the good wizard. Rather he is a "nameless, terrible thing soaked in the blood of a billion galaxies. The most feared being in all the cosmos...[who would] just drop out of the sky and tear down your world". While the Doctor considers himself non-violent, his [[ | * In the fairy tale of the Pandorica, the Doctor is not the good wizard. Rather he is a "nameless, terrible thing soaked in the blood of a billion galaxies. The most feared being in all the cosmos...[who would] just drop out of the sky and tear down your world". While the Doctor considers himself non-violent, his [[Aliases of the Doctor|name]] means "warrior" in the native tongue of the [[Gamma Forests]], and he is specifically referred to as such in the story of the Pandorica. "There was a goblin or a trickster. Or a warrior." ([[TV]]: ''[[A Good Man Goes to War (TV story)|A Good Man Goes to War]]'') | ||
* This is the first episode to feature an in-narrative use of the [[time vortex]] seen in the [[series 5 (Doctor Who)|series 5]] title sequence. | * This is the first episode to feature an in-narrative use of the [[time vortex]] seen in the [[series 5 (Doctor Who 2005)|series 5]] title sequence. | ||
* The Weevils, Blowfish, and Uvodni are the first aliens originally from a spin-off series to appear in the main show. | * The Weevils, Blowfish, and Uvodni are the first aliens originally from a spin-off series to appear in the main show. | ||
* The Chelonians from the novels get their first mention in a TV episode. | * The Chelonians from the novels get their first mention in a TV episode. | ||
* When River starts mentioning the aliens that are approaching Stonehenge, the [[Cyber-Leader (The Pandorica Opens)|Cyber-Leader]] and the [[Supreme Dalek (The Pandorica Opens)|Supreme Dalek]] are heard talking about their plan for the Doctor. | * When River starts mentioning the aliens that are approaching Stonehenge, the [[Cyber-Leader (The Pandorica Opens)|Cyber-Leader]] and the [[Supreme Dalek (The Pandorica Opens)|Supreme Dalek]] are heard talking about their plan for the Doctor. | ||
* The disembodied Cyberman head tells Amy, "You will be assimilated." Though modern viewers might think this a line borrowed from [[Borg (species)|the Borg]], a ''[[Star Trek]]'' cybernetic species similar to Cybermen, in fact, the line is in ''[[The Tenth Planet (TV story)|The Tenth Planet]]''. | * The disembodied Cyberman head tells Amy, "You will be assimilated." Though modern viewers might think this a line borrowed from [[Borg (species)|the Borg]], a ''[[Star Trek]]'' cybernetic species similar to Cybermen, in fact, the line is in ''[[The Tenth Planet (TV story)|The Tenth Planet]]''. | ||
* Amy Pond describes her deep interest in Roman culture. [[Karen Gillan]]'s original appearance on ''Doctor Who'' was that of [[Mira (The Fires of Pompeii)|a soothsayer]] from Pompeii in ''[[The Fires of Pompeii (TV story)|The Fires of Pompeii]]''. | * Amy Pond describes her deep interest in Roman culture. [[Karen Gillan]]'s original appearance on ''Doctor Who'' was that of [[Mira (The Fires of Pompeii)|a soothsayer]] from Pompeii in ''[[The Fires of Pompeii (TV story)|The Fires of Pompeii]]''. | ||
* When River begins having problems flying the TARDIS, the Doctor tells her she's not flying it right, to which she promptly replies, "I'm flying it ''perfectly''. You taught me!". In their previous meeting (from the Doctor's POV), River mocked the Doctor for not being able to properly fly the TARDIS, always leaving the brakes on when it lands. She also implied that the Doctor might not have been the one who had taught her. It would be revealed in ''[[Let's Kill Hitler (TV story)|Let's Kill Hitler]]'' that it was the TARDIS herself who taught River. | * When River begins having problems flying the TARDIS, the Doctor tells her she's not flying it right, to which she promptly replies, "I'm flying it ''perfectly''. You taught me!". In their previous meeting (from the Doctor's POV), River mocked the Doctor for not being able to properly fly the TARDIS, always leaving the brakes on when it lands. She also implied that the Doctor might not have been the one who had taught her. It would be revealed in ''[[Let's Kill Hitler (TV story)|Let's Kill Hitler]]'' that it was the TARDIS herself who taught River. | ||
* This story marks at least the fifth time in televised ''Doctor Who'' that the fate of every universe is at stake. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Invasion of Time (TV story)|The Invasion of Time]]'', ''[[Logopolis (TV story)|Logopolis]]'', ''[[Journey's End (TV story)|Journey's End]]'', ''[[The End of Time (TV story)|The End of Time]]'') | * This story marks at least the fifth time in televised ''Doctor Who'' that the fate of every universe is at stake. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Invasion of Time (TV story)|The Invasion of Time]]'', ''[[Logopolis (TV story)|Logopolis]]'', ''[[Journey's End (TV story)|Journey's End]]'', ''[[The End of Time (TV story)|The End of Time]]'') | ||
* Amy doesn't know who the Cybermen are, despite having met them in [[GAME]]: ''[[Blood of the Cybermen (video game)|Blood of the Cybermen]]''. | * Amy doesn't know who the Cybermen are, despite having met them in [[GAME]]: ''[[Blood of the Cybermen (video game)|Blood of the Cybermen]]''. | ||
* According to [[Toby Haynes]], this episode had no bigger budget, "and maybe even a little less", than other episodes in the series. ([[DCOM]]: ''[[The Big Bang]]'') | * According to [[Toby Haynes]], this episode had no bigger budget, "and maybe even a little less", than other episodes in the series. ([[DCOM]]: ''[[The Big Bang]]'') | ||
* Similar to ''[[Rise of the Cybermen (TV story)|Rise of the Cybermen]]'' and ''[[The Stolen Earth (TV story)|The Stolen Earth]]'', this episode is the first part of a two-part story, and features no "Next Time" trailer at the end. | * Similar to ''[[Rise of the Cybermen (TV story)|Rise of the Cybermen]]'' and ''[[The Stolen Earth (TV story)|The Stolen Earth]]'', this episode is the first part of a two-part story, and features no "Next Time" trailer at the end. | ||
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* This episode marks the last appearance of the [[Eternal Dalek]] to date. | * This episode marks the last appearance of the [[Eternal Dalek]] to date. | ||
* The episode displayed that if someone is erased by a crack, at least some material proof of their existence still remains. For instance, a picture of Rory in Amy's book, ten years in the past from when he was taken by the cracks, still exists, as well as the ring he bought for Amy. | * The episode displayed that if someone is erased by a crack, at least some material proof of their existence still remains. For instance, a picture of Rory in Amy's book, ten years in the past from when he was taken by the cracks, still exists, as well as the ring he bought for Amy. | ||
* [[Russell T Davies]] had the [[Ninth Doctor]] use the phrase "I am talking!" when addressing an enemy in the [[Rose (TV story)|first story]] of his [[Series 1 (Doctor Who)|first series]] as showrunner. Here, incoming showrunner [[Steven Moffat]] has the [[Eleventh Doctor]] use the same phrase when addressing enemies in the finale of his [[Series 5 (Doctor Who)|first series]] (albeit in the first part of a two-part finale). | * [[Russell T Davies]] had the [[Ninth Doctor]] use the phrase "I am talking!" when addressing an enemy in the [[Rose (TV story)|first story]] of his [[Series 1 (Doctor Who 2005)|first series]] as showrunner. Here, incoming showrunner [[Steven Moffat]] has the [[Eleventh Doctor]] use the same phrase when addressing enemies in the finale of his [[Series 5 (Doctor Who 2005)|first series]] (albeit in the first part of a two-part finale). | ||
* Half of the scene with Liz 10 was filmed in advance on 22 October 2009 along with scenes of ''[[The Beast Below (TV story)|The Beast Below]]'' at an orangery at Margam Country Park, Port Talbot. | * Half of the scene with Liz 10 was filmed in advance on 22 October 2009 along with scenes of ''[[The Beast Below (TV story)|The Beast Below]]'' at an orangery at Margam Country Park, Port Talbot. | ||
* The story is set at Stonehenge and the episode broadcast just a few days before the real Summer Solstice. | * The story is set at Stonehenge and the episode broadcast just a few days before the real Summer Solstice. | ||
* Some scenes were filmed at the real Stonehenge, Wiltshire. They could only afford to shoot during one night and spent the only hour of daylight in the morning shooting a three-minute dialogue sequence. The cast and crew had to abide by regulations; they were not allowed to touch the stones, bring heavy equipment in, and the lighting had to be done from the floor. Regardless, The Doctor and Amy appear to touch several of the rocks. | * Some scenes were filmed at the real Stonehenge, Wiltshire. They could only afford to shoot during one night and spent the only hour of daylight in the morning shooting a three-minute dialogue sequence. The cast and crew had to abide by regulations; they were not allowed to touch the stones, bring heavy equipment in, and the lighting had to be done from the floor. Regardless, The Doctor and Amy appear to touch several of the rocks. The rest of the scenes set at Stonehenge were filmed with a lightweight replica set up in Margam Country Park called "Foamhenge" over four nights. [[Toby Haynes]] thought that they had "established" Stonehenge at the real site and now could get away with seeing less of it. | ||
* For the scene in which the Doctor, Amy, and River are riding on horses, the close-ups of the characters riding were filmed by having the actors sit on a saddle mounted on the back of a truck and act like they were riding horses. [[Karen Gillan]] called this the "strangest thing" she had ever done, and was sure she "looked ridiculous". | * For the scene in which the Doctor, Amy, and River are riding on horses, the close-ups of the characters riding were filmed by having the actors sit on a saddle mounted on the back of a truck and act like they were riding horses. [[Karen Gillan]] called this the "strangest thing" she had ever done, and was sure she "looked ridiculous". | ||
* According to [[Steven Moffat]], the Cybermen seen here are the Mondas/Telos Cybermen not seen since ''[[Silver Nemesis (TV story)|Silver Nemesis]]''. The [[Cybus Industries|Cybus]] logo on the chests are only there as there was no budget to redo the Cyberman costumes. | * According to [[Steven Moffat]], the Cybermen seen here are the Mondas/Telos Cybermen not seen since ''[[Silver Nemesis (TV story)|Silver Nemesis]]''. The [[Cybus Industries|Cybus]] logo on the chests are only there as there was no budget to redo the Cyberman costumes. | ||
* The cameos of [[Vincent van Gogh|Vincent Van Gogh]], [[Winston Churchill]] and [[Elizabeth X|Liz X]] were filmed concurrently with their respective episodes. The first scene shot for the episode was the opening segment in which van Gogh's ominous painting was discovered. | |||
* This two-parter was originally meant to form Block Seven of season five. However, it became clear that this would give [[The Mill]] insufficient time to complete their contributions to what would no doubt be an ambitious pair of episodes, so it formed Block Six. [[Steven Moffat]] lost two weeks' writing time as a result. | |||
* [[Steven Moffat]] chose Stonehenge as a setting because the monument was large and important enough to be suitable for the fall of someone as powerful as the Doctor. | |||
* River Song's message to the Doctor on the cliff at Planet One was originally “Doctor, I need you”, in reference to the way [[Emma Peel]] was regularly summoned by [[John Steed]], in the fifth season of ''[[The Avengers (TV series)|The Avengers]]''. | |||
* The Daleks were represented by the white Supreme, the yellow Eternal and the red Drone created for ''[[Victory of the Daleks (TV story)|Victory of the Daleks]]'', since the blue Strategist and the orange Scientist Dalek were modified to portray the Stone Daleks in the next episode. | |||
* [[Toby Haynes]] was impressed with [[Simon Fisher-Becker]]'s performance as Dorium and suggested to [[Steven Moffat]] that he might consider bringing Dorium back in a future adventure. | |||
* The "Underhenge"was the largest built in the Upper Boat Studios. | |||
* Amputee [[Tim Baggaley]] was able to bring the one-armed Cyberman to life without the need for complicated effects work. | |||
* [[Steven Moffat]] was delighted with the Cyberman scene, particularly with the effectiveness of the Cyber-head, a concept which he now planned to revisit in the future. | |||
* Dropped from the episode was Liz Ten's explanation that most of the residents of ''[[Starship UK]]'' were now back on Earth, but that she had remained behind to care for the ageing [[Star whale (The Beast Below)|Star Whale]]. | |||
* Originally, it was thought that the [[Pyrovile|Pyroviles]] and the [[Vespiform|Vespiforms]] might be present alongside the various other alien races. Their appearances was scrapped due to budget concerns. | |||
* [[Steven Moffat]] wanted the episode to be "big" and say that "we are turning it up to a level, we are really going mad with it". | |||
* Atmospheric lighting was added by director of photography [[Stephan Pehrsson]], who wanted to give it a movie feel. | |||
* The weather conditions at Stonehenge were very cold with wind and rain which caused difficulties, as it was hard to communicate over the wind. | |||
* [[Toby Haynes]] wanted the Doctor's speech to be his "big, pop-star moment" and to look as if he was addressing a large site such as [[Wembley Stadium]]. | |||
* [[Toby Haynes]] wanted the chamber to look "dark" and "physical", and the art department added cobwebs and stones. As the chamber was supposed to be underground and thus there was no natural light to light the actors' faces, Haynes decided to utilise gas-fed flaming torches as the source of light; [[Karen Gillan]] was initially nervous about working with the torches and struggled with them. | |||
* The Alliance was made up of the "very best" costumes and props they still had in good condition and of the most iconic monsters. So many enemies standing side-by-side had never been seen in the show before. | |||
* Karen Gillan stated she "really wanted" to work with a Cyberman. | |||
* The Cyberman was originally played by an amputee with one arm, but the production team was dissatisfied with the camera angle and decided to reshoot the scene from a different angle, but a different actor who had both arms did the part as the amputee was unavailable. A simple solution was devised to cover his arm with a green sleeve made of the same material as a greenscreen, and the final sequence is a combination of both shots. | |||
* The Cyberman is killed by Rory, who is unaware he is an Auton; this was meant to signify that there was something different about Rory, as he would have normally panicked in that situation. | |||
* At the end of the episode Rory is overcome by the Nestene Consciousness's control and shoots Amy, which reflected [[Steven Moffat]]'s belief that all good love stories end in tragedy. | |||
=== Ratings === | === Ratings === | ||
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* The Doctor himself is inside the Pandorica. ''At the climax of the episode, the Doctor is placed inside the Pandorica''. | * The Doctor himself is inside the Pandorica. ''At the climax of the episode, the Doctor is placed inside the Pandorica''. | ||
* The Slitheen would be among the villains mentioned by River approaching the Doctor. ''This was proven true; River says Slitheen whilst reading out the list''. | * The Slitheen would be among the villains mentioned by River approaching the Doctor. ''This was proven true; River says Slitheen whilst reading out the list''. | ||
* It was rumoured that either the Timoreen, the Ha'rik, or the Skarkish would appear – primarily because these were all listed as "new aliens" to appear in [[Series 5 (Doctor Who)|Series 5]] which had not already appeared. ''This was proven false''. | * It was rumoured that either the Timoreen, the Ha'rik, or the Skarkish would appear – primarily because these were all listed as "new aliens" to appear in [[Series 5 (Doctor Who 2005)|Series 5]] which had not already appeared. ''This was proven false''. | ||
* According to the ''Radio Times'', the Vincent van Gogh painting would be in Churchill's war bunker. ''This was proven true''. | * According to the ''Radio Times'', the Vincent van Gogh painting would be in Churchill's war bunker. ''This was proven true''. | ||
* It was believed that the enemies would form an alliance; this was supported by the screen-shots depicting many of the Doctor's enemies together but not fighting. ''This was proven true''. | * It was believed that the enemies would form an alliance; this was supported by the screen-shots depicting many of the Doctor's enemies together but not fighting. ''This was proven true''. | ||
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* Sentient Autons last appeared in [[AUDIO]]: ''[[Brave New Town (audio story)|Brave New Town]]''. | * Sentient Autons last appeared in [[AUDIO]]: ''[[Brave New Town (audio story)|Brave New Town]]''. | ||
* The explosion of all the stars in the universe bears a resemblance to the night sky as viewed by Vincent van Gogh (and, by extension, the painting "Starry, Starry Night"). ([[TV]]: ''[[Vincent and the Doctor (TV story)|Vincent and the Doctor]]'') | * The explosion of all the stars in the universe bears a resemblance to the night sky as viewed by Vincent van Gogh (and, by extension, the painting "Starry, Starry Night"). ([[TV]]: ''[[Vincent and the Doctor (TV story)|Vincent and the Doctor]]'') | ||
* The Doctor starts to tell Amy about fruit flies from [[Hoppledom | * The Doctor starts to tell Amy about fruit flies from [[Hoppledom VI]] which live for twenty minutes and don't mate for life. Forgetting the point to that fact, he tells her he'll get back to it later. He does so later when he lists a number of things you can do in twelve minutes, after finding out he has twelve minutes before his apparent death. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Big Bang (TV story)|The Big Bang]]'') | ||
* Needing to buy some time, the Doctor goads the thousands of ships hovering over Stonehenge into fleeing back into orbit. Although she is not present to witness this, shortly after meeting the [[Tenth Doctor]], River Song told him that she had seen "whole armies turn and run away" from "her" Doctor. ([[TV]]: ''[[Forest of the Dead (TV story)|Forest of the Dead]]'') | * Needing to buy some time, the Doctor goads the thousands of ships hovering over Stonehenge into fleeing back into orbit. Although she is not present to witness this, shortly after meeting the [[Tenth Doctor]], River Song told him that she had seen "whole armies turn and run away" from "her" Doctor. ([[TV]]: ''[[Forest of the Dead (TV story)|Forest of the Dead]]'') | ||
* River says that she hates good wizards in fairy tales, as they always turn out to be the Doctor. The wizard Merlin of Arthurian legend was, in fact, the [[Seventh Doctor]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Battlefield (TV story)|Battlefield]]'') | * River says that she hates good wizards in fairy tales, as they always turn out to be the Doctor. The wizard Merlin of Arthurian legend was, in fact, the [[Seventh Doctor]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Battlefield (TV story)|Battlefield]]'') | ||
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== Home video releases == | == Home video releases == | ||
[[File:Series-5-volume-4-dvd-cover.jpg|thumb|Series 5 Volume 4 DVD Cover]] | [[File:Series-5-volume-4-dvd-cover.jpg|thumb|Series 5 Volume 4 DVD Cover]] | ||
The | === DVD & Blu-ray releases === | ||
* Series 5, Volume Four was released on DVD and Blu-Ray in region 2/B on [[6 September (releases)|6 September]] [[2010 (releases)|2010]] and region 4/B on [[7 October (releases)|7 October]] 2010. The volume features ''Vincent and the Doctor'', ''The Lodger'', ''The Pandorica Opens'' and ''The Big Bang'', and the featurette ''The Monster Diaries''. | |||
* The episode was later released in the Complete Fifth Series boxset on both DVD and Blu-ray, in region 1/A on [[9 November (releases)|9 November]] 2010, in region 2/B on [[8 November (releases)|8 November]] 2010 and in region 4/B on [[2 December (releases)|2 December]] 2010. | |||
* A DVD-only release of Series 5, Part Two, containing the latter seven episodes of the series, was released in region 1 on [[26 July (releases)|26 July]] [[2016 (releases)|2016]]. | |||
=== Digital releases === | |||
* In the United Kingdom, this story is available on [[BBC iPlayer]]. | |||
== External links == | == External links == | ||
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[[Category:Winston Churchill television stories]] | [[Category:Winston Churchill television stories]] | ||
[[Category:Stories set in London]] | [[Category:Stories set in London]] | ||
[[Category:Stories set in the City of Westminster]] | |||
[[Category:Cyberman television stories]] | [[Category:Cyberman television stories]] | ||
[[Category:The Monster Collection: Autons stories]] | [[Category:The Monster Collection: Autons stories]] | ||
