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The Underwater Menace (TV story): Difference between revisions
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=== Episode 2 === | === Episode 2 === | ||
Whilst being shown round a [[laboratory]], the Doctor fiddles with the lighting, which affects the operating room. This stalls the procedure. Damon storms up to the laboratory, demanding to know why Zaroff is draining so much power. Zaroff shows Damon he has a separate generator. Whilst the two argue, the Doctor fuses the generator, plunging the operating room into darkness. The two doctors leave Polly to see what is going on. Ara sneaks in and frees Polly — taking her to the caves. | Whilst being shown round a [[laboratory]], the Doctor fiddles with the lighting, which affects the operating room. This stalls the procedure. Damon storms up to the laboratory, demanding to know why Zaroff is draining so much power. Zaroff shows Damon he has a separate generator. Whilst the two argue, the Doctor fuses the generator, plunging the operating room into darkness. The two doctors leave Polly to see what is going on. Ara sneaks in and frees Polly — taking her to the caves. | ||
[[File:Second Doctor in Zaroff's lab UnderwaterMenace.jpg|thumb|The Doctor in Zaroff's lab as Damon confronts Zaroff.]] | [[File:Second Doctor in Zaroff's lab UnderwaterMenace.jpg|thumb|The Doctor in Zaroff's lab as Damon confronts Zaroff.]] | ||
Damon is furious with the Doctor, and even Zaroff agrees it is best if the Doctor stays with him. Zaroff explains to the Doctor that he plans to core into the centre of the Earth and drain the water away so as to render Atlantis accessible by land. The Doctor realises it will blow the planet apart and Zaroff concedes that this is an issue, before stating that will be his final testament. | Damon is furious with the Doctor, and even Zaroff agrees it is best if the Doctor stays with him. Zaroff explains to the Doctor that he plans to core into the centre of the Earth and drain the water away so as to render Atlantis accessible by land. The Doctor realises it will blow the planet apart and Zaroff concedes that this is an issue, before stating that will be his final testament. | ||
Down in the mines, Ben and Jamie meet [[Sean (The Underwater Menace)|Sean]] and [[Jacko]]. They are immediately ingratiated into their gang when Jamie helps them hide a [[compass]] from the dictatorial foreman. They explain that they are going to use the compass for a breakout plan. | Down in the mines, Ben and Jamie meet [[Sean (The Underwater Menace)|Sean]] and [[Jacko]]. They are immediately ingratiated into their gang when Jamie helps them hide a [[compass]] from the dictatorial foreman. They explain that they are going to use the compass for a breakout plan. | ||
The Doctor discovers that Polly has been freed and escapes from Zaroff's lab by creating a chemical reaction that causes a stultifying effect on those that breathe in the fumes. | The Doctor discovers that Polly has been freed and escapes from Zaroff's lab by creating a chemical reaction that causes a stultifying effect on those that breathe in the fumes. | ||
Sean and Jacko explain that they have found an underground shaft which they will use to escape. Ben and Jamie will join them. An alarm sounds in the mine, which means the group is going to separate. The four decide to slip away in this process. | Sean and Jacko explain that they have found an underground shaft which they will use to escape. Ben and Jamie will join them. An alarm sounds in the mine, which means the group is going to separate. The four decide to slip away in this process. | ||
The Doctor has sneaked into the cave system. He encounters Ara, who tells him Polly is safe. While they talk they overhear a priest called [[Ramo]] talking to Damon. The Doctor discovers that Ramo also mistrusts Zaroff. The Doctor asks Ara to distract Damon so he can talk to Ramo privately. Ara approaches Damon and tells him that she saw Polly in the marketplace. Damon falls for it, and the Doctor approaches Ramo. He goes to call out, but the Doctor convinces him that he has important information regarding Zaroff. They go somewhere private to discuss. | The Doctor has sneaked into the cave system. He encounters Ara, who tells him Polly is safe. While they talk they overhear a priest called [[Ramo]] talking to Damon. The Doctor discovers that Ramo also mistrusts Zaroff. The Doctor asks Ara to distract Damon so he can talk to Ramo privately. Ara approaches Damon and tells him that she saw Polly in the marketplace. Damon falls for it, and the Doctor approaches Ramo. He goes to call out, but the Doctor convinces him that he has important information regarding Zaroff. They go somewhere private to discuss. | ||
The party of escapees decide to split up to find the best way through the mines. | The party of escapees decide to split up to find the best way through the mines. | ||
At the temple, the Doctor shows Ramo what Zaroff intends to do using a jug and a fire as props. Ramo is convinced and says he will summon him to an audience with the supreme leader Thous but warns the Doctor that Thous is a strong advocate of Zaroff's and it won't be easy to convince him. | At the temple, the Doctor shows Ramo what Zaroff intends to do using a jug and a fire as props. Ramo is convinced and says he will summon him to an audience with the supreme leader Thous but warns the Doctor that Thous is a strong advocate of Zaroff's and it won't be easy to convince him. | ||
[[File:Second Doctor and Ramo UnderwaterMenace.jpg|left|thumb|The Doctor and Ramo, confronted by Zaroff.]] | [[File:Second Doctor and Ramo UnderwaterMenace.jpg|left|thumb|The Doctor and Ramo, confronted by Zaroff.]] | ||
Jacko joins up with Sean and Ben to say that Jamie has slipped down a cliff edge. Sean goes on to see if there's a better means of escape while Jacko and Ben go back to help Jamie. | Jacko joins up with Sean and Ben to say that Jamie has slipped down a cliff edge. Sean goes on to see if there's a better means of escape while Jacko and Ben go back to help Jamie. | ||
Back at the temple, Ramo gives the Doctor some ceremonial robes in order to get him close to Thous. As soon as they leave, Polly leaves from her hiding place. As she does, a secret door in the temple opens and Ben, Jamie, Sean and Jacko emerge. | Back at the temple, Ramo gives the Doctor some ceremonial robes in order to get him close to Thous. As soon as they leave, Polly leaves from her hiding place. As she does, a secret door in the temple opens and Ben, Jamie, Sean and Jacko emerge. | ||
Once alone, the Doctor and Ramo explain Zaroff's plan to Thous. He asks to be left alone to consider his options. | Once alone, the Doctor and Ramo explain Zaroff's plan to Thous. He asks to be left alone to consider his options. | ||
Ara returns to feed the refugees but is interrupted by people entering the temple. Everyone except Ara hides in the secret compartment. | Ara returns to feed the refugees but is interrupted by people entering the temple. Everyone except Ara hides in the secret compartment. | ||
The Doctor and Ramo are summoned to the temple. Thous says he has considered both their opinions. Just then, Zaroff and his guards enter and Thous tells Zaroff to do with them what he will. | The Doctor and Ramo are summoned to the temple. Thous says he has considered both their opinions. Just then, Zaroff and his guards enter and Thous tells Zaroff to do with them what he will. | ||
=== Episode 3 === | === Episode 3 === | ||
The Doctor tries to protect Ramo by telling them that he was led astray by him, but Ramo stands up for himself and states he has always hated and mistrusted Zaroff. The Doctor and Ramo are led away to be fed to the [[shark]]s. When left alone with Thous, Zaroff promises him that the Doctor's stories were untrue. | The Doctor tries to protect Ramo by telling them that he was led astray by him, but Ramo stands up for himself and states he has always hated and mistrusted Zaroff. The Doctor and Ramo are led away to be fed to the [[shark]]s. When left alone with Thous, Zaroff promises him that the Doctor's stories were untrue. | ||
The Doctor and Ramo are brought by Lolem and the other priests to the idol of Amdo. They are about to be beheaded as a sacrifice and fed to the sharks when a voice issues from the statue of Amdo, commanding all present to bow their heads. The Doctor, recognising the voice as Polly's, escapes with Ramo and meets up with his friends in the secret enclave in the temple. On rising from their prayer and finding the Doctor and Ramo gone, Lolem claims it to be a miracle. The statue has a mouthpiece on the inside designed for people to sound like their words are emanating from the idol. | The Doctor and Ramo are brought by Lolem and the other priests to the idol of Amdo. They are about to be beheaded as a sacrifice and fed to the sharks when a voice issues from the statue of Amdo, commanding all present to bow their heads. The Doctor, recognising the voice as Polly's, escapes with Ramo and meets up with his friends in the secret enclave in the temple. On rising from their prayer and finding the Doctor and Ramo gone, Lolem claims it to be a miracle. The statue has a mouthpiece on the inside designed for people to sound like their words are emanating from the idol. | ||
[[File:Second Doctor Atlantis market UnderwaterMenace.jpg|thumb|The Doctor, hiding in the Atlantis market in disguise.]] | [[File:Second Doctor Atlantis market UnderwaterMenace.jpg|thumb|The Doctor, hiding in the Atlantis market in disguise.]] | ||
Zaroff tells Thous that his plans will come to fruition in two days' time. Lolem enters and tells Zaroff and Thous of the "miracle". Zaroff is scathing of Lolem's stupidity and orders Atlantis searched despite the doubts of Thous. | Zaroff tells Thous that his plans will come to fruition in two days' time. Lolem enters and tells Zaroff and Thous of the "miracle". Zaroff is scathing of Lolem's stupidity and orders Atlantis searched despite the doubts of Thous. | ||
Inside the idol, the Doctor makes his plans: Sean and Jacko will convince the fish people to stop supplying the perishable plankton to Atlantis, and the rest will kidnap Zaroff. The Doctor and Polly disguise themselves as regular Atlantis shoppers in the marketplace whilst Jamie and Ben disguise themselves as guards. Avoiding the real guards, the four of them trick Zaroff away from his guards and into the temple where he is captured. | Inside the idol, the Doctor makes his plans: Sean and Jacko will convince the fish people to stop supplying the perishable plankton to Atlantis, and the rest will kidnap Zaroff. The Doctor and Polly disguise themselves as regular Atlantis shoppers in the marketplace whilst Jamie and Ben disguise themselves as guards. Avoiding the real guards, the four of them trick Zaroff away from his guards and into the temple where he is captured. | ||
Meanwhile, Sean insults the fish people until they are in such a state of disarray that they agree to stop production to get back at Zaroff, the man Sean blames for their current state of servitude. | Meanwhile, Sean insults the fish people until they are in such a state of disarray that they agree to stop production to get back at Zaroff, the man Sean blames for their current state of servitude. | ||
Zaroff taunts the Doctor, saying that without him the plan will still go ahead. The Doctor doubts this, stating that Zaroff's egomaniacal ways would stand in the way of such a hands-off approach. Zaroff becomes enraged by this and falls into a fit. The Doctor takes Ben and Jamie to the laboratory to check on Zaroff's progress while Polly and Ramo guard Zaroff. A service is going on outside, so the Doctor and his companions hide until it is finished. | Zaroff taunts the Doctor, saying that without him the plan will still go ahead. The Doctor doubts this, stating that Zaroff's egomaniacal ways would stand in the way of such a hands-off approach. Zaroff becomes enraged by this and falls into a fit. The Doctor takes Ben and Jamie to the laboratory to check on Zaroff's progress while Polly and Ramo guard Zaroff. A service is going on outside, so the Doctor and his companions hide until it is finished. | ||
Inside the idol, Zaroff repents his behaviour and begs Ramo to help him up so he can pray with him. Ramo consents after convincing from Polly. This is a trick, and a scuffle breaks out between the two. Eventually, Zaroff stabs Ramo and disappears into the cave system with Polly as his hostage. | Inside the idol, Zaroff repents his behaviour and begs Ramo to help him up so he can pray with him. Ramo consents after convincing from Polly. This is a trick, and a scuffle breaks out between the two. Eventually, Zaroff stabs Ramo and disappears into the cave system with Polly as his hostage. | ||
Once the service has finished, the Doctor decides Jamie should go back and ask Ramo for directions. As he turns back, he meets the mortally injured Ramo, who mutters about Polly's abduction before dying. The Doctor sends Jamie after Polly whilst he and Ben go on to the laboratory. | Once the service has finished, the Doctor decides Jamie should go back and ask Ramo for directions. As he turns back, he meets the mortally injured Ramo, who mutters about Polly's abduction before dying. The Doctor sends Jamie after Polly whilst he and Ben go on to the laboratory. | ||
Jamie catches up with Polly and overpowers Zaroff. A fight breaks out between them. Zaroff appears to have the upper hand when Sean and Jacko join the fight. Zaroff runs off into the cave system. Polly decides they need Ara to help reunite them the Doctor. | Jamie catches up with Polly and overpowers Zaroff. A fight breaks out between them. Zaroff appears to have the upper hand when Sean and Jacko join the fight. Zaroff runs off into the cave system. Polly decides they need Ara to help reunite them the Doctor. | ||
Back at the council chamber, Thous is informed by Damon of the revolt of the fish people. He agrees to enter discussions with them. Zaroff enters and overrules this, saying that any dissenting fish people will be killed. Thous says he has no right to overrule him and attempts to arrest Zaroff. Zaroff shoots Thous and then orders his two guards to kill Thous' guards — which they do. He then vows that nothing in the world can stop him now. | Back at the council chamber, Thous is informed by Damon of the revolt of the fish people. He agrees to enter discussions with them. Zaroff enters and overrules this, saying that any dissenting fish people will be killed. Thous says he has no right to overrule him and attempts to arrest Zaroff. Zaroff shoots Thous and then orders his two guards to kill Thous' guards — which they do. He then vows that nothing in the world can stop him now. | ||
=== Episode 4 === | === Episode 4 === | ||
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* [[Doctor Who theme|Title Music]] - [[Ron Grainer]] | * [[Doctor Who theme|Title Music]] - [[Ron Grainer]] | ||
== | == Worldbuilding == | ||
* The [[Second Doctor]] [[deduce]]s that he and his [[companion]]s are not in [[Britain]] because of a [[Volcano|volcanic]] rock he found that was [[25000000 (number)|25 million]] [[year]]s old. | * The [[Second Doctor]] [[deduce]]s that he and his [[companion]]s are not in [[Britain]] because of a [[Volcano|volcanic]] rock he found that was [[25000000 (number)|25 million]] [[year]]s old. | ||
* As they land, Polly hopes it is [[1966]] [[Chelsea]], Ben wants to avoid the [[Dalek]]s and the Doctor wishes to see prehistoric monsters. | * As they land, Polly hopes it is [[1966]] [[Chelsea]], Ben wants to avoid the [[Dalek]]s and the Doctor wishes to see prehistoric monsters. | ||
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* In the opening TARDIS scene, Polly, Ben and the Doctor are each heard "thinking" about where they would like to land next in a rare example of internal monologue. This was achieved by pre-recording the actors' voices and playing them back during the making of the episode. | * In the opening TARDIS scene, Polly, Ben and the Doctor are each heard "thinking" about where they would like to land next in a rare example of internal monologue. This was achieved by pre-recording the actors' voices and playing them back during the making of the episode. | ||
* Zaroff was at one point assisted by a female scientist called Steen. | * Zaroff was at one point assisted by a female scientist called Steen. | ||
* Originally, there was a character named Ebon, but it was then decided to merge her with Ara. | * Originally, there was a character named Ebon, but it was then decided to merge her with Ara. | ||
* At one point, it was decided that Ara would take Nola's role. | * At one point, it was decided that Ara would take Nola's role. | ||
* In an early draft of the story, Zaroff's motivation to blow up the Earth stemmed from his being driven mad by the deaths of his wife and children in a car crash. | * In an early draft of the story, Zaroff's motivation to blow up the Earth stemmed from his being driven mad by the deaths of his wife and children in a car crash. | ||
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* [[Michael Craze]] said of the story: "You just knew it was a dodo. The whole thing was badly conceived — tatty old scripts and costumes and everything. It ended up as a pantomime. [[Julia Smith]] was so emotionally charged that she'd burst into tears at anything." | * [[Michael Craze]] said of the story: "You just knew it was a dodo. The whole thing was badly conceived — tatty old scripts and costumes and everything. It ended up as a pantomime. [[Julia Smith]] was so emotionally charged that she'd burst into tears at anything." | ||
* [[Bernard Lodge]]'s new title sequence that featured [[Patrick Troughton]]'s face was going to be debut in this story. It was held off until ''[[The Macra Terror (TV story)|The Macra Terror]]''. | * [[Bernard Lodge]]'s new title sequence that featured [[Patrick Troughton]]'s face was going to be debut in this story. It was held off until ''[[The Macra Terror (TV story)|The Macra Terror]]''. | ||
* Now that he was a main character, [[Frazer Hines]] decided to begin modulating the Highland lilt he had employed in ''[[The Highlanders (TV story)|The Highlanders]]'', achieving a more conventional Scots accent. | * Now that he was a main character, [[Frazer Hines]] decided to begin modulating the Highland lilt he had employed in ''[[The Highlanders (TV story)|The Highlanders]]'', achieving a more conventional Scots accent. | ||
* Many of the “swimming” shots were actually performed in mid-air using Kirby wires. | * Many of the “swimming” shots were actually performed in mid-air using Kirby wires. | ||
* The serial was intially abandoned due to being over-ambitious and replaced by [[William Emms]]' ''[[The Imps (unproduced TV story)|The Imps]],'' which [[Julia Smith]] was going to direct''.'' When that serial was abandoned due to Emms making slow progress, it was decided to resurrect ''The Underwater Menace'' because there were no other scripts available. | * The serial was intially abandoned due to being over-ambitious and replaced by [[William Emms]]' ''[[The Imps (unproduced TV story)|The Imps]],'' which [[Julia Smith]] was going to direct''.'' When that serial was abandoned due to Emms making slow progress, it was decided to resurrect ''The Underwater Menace'' because there were no other scripts available. | ||
* The script was written before it was known that Jamie would be a main companion. [[Geoffrey Orme]] didn't have time to re-write the script to accomodate, so Jamie generally shared dialogue originally written for either Ben or Polly. | * The script was written before it was known that Jamie would be a main companion. [[Geoffrey Orme]] didn't have time to re-write the script to accomodate, so Jamie generally shared dialogue originally written for either Ben or Polly. | ||
* The scene of Polly about to operated on to be turned into a fish person sparked an angry letter from Mrs N Safford, of the National Society for the Welfare of Children in Hospitals, who was concerned that it would scare children with upcoming surgeries, who might become convinced that they would wake up to find themselves transformed into monsters. [[Innes Lloyd]] refuted this argument, noting that the fantastical nature of the series made it clear to viewers that the story's events were not realistic. | * The scene of Polly about to operated on to be turned into a fish person sparked an angry letter from Mrs N Safford, of the National Society for the Welfare of Children in Hospitals, who was concerned that it would scare children with upcoming surgeries, who might become convinced that they would wake up to find themselves transformed into monsters. [[Innes Lloyd]] refuted this argument, noting that the fantastical nature of the series made it clear to viewers that the story's events were not realistic. | ||
