Warriors of the Deep (TV story): Difference between revisions

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'''''Warriors of the Deep''''' was the first serial of [[season 21]] of ''[[Doctor Who]]''. It marked the return of two enemy races last seen during [[Jon Pertwee]]'s tenure as the [[Third Doctor]]: the [[Silurian]]s and the [[Sea Devil]]s, who make their only televised appearance in the same story. The Silurians and Sea Devils hadn't appeared in the series since ''[[Doctor Who and the Silurians (TV story)|Doctor Who and the Silurians]]'' and ''[[The Sea Devils (TV story)|The Sea Devils]]'' (respectively).
'''''Warriors of the Deep''''' was the first serial of [[season 21]] of ''[[Doctor Who]]''. It marked the return of two enemy races last seen during [[Jon Pertwee]]'s tenure as the [[Third Doctor]]: the [[Silurian]]s and the [[Sea Devil]]s, who make their only televised appearance in the same story. The Silurians and Sea Devils hadn't appeared in the series since ''[[Doctor Who and the Silurians (TV story)|Doctor Who and the Silurians]]'' and ''[[The Sea Devils (TV story)|The Sea Devils]]'' (respectively).


This story was beset with numerous production problems and even political considerations ([[Margaret Thatcher]] had called an election when production began, and the reference to two superpowers in the story would be seen as a reference to the Cold War). ([[DOC]]: ''[[The Depths (documentary)|The Depths]]'') Editing removed many, but some remained in production.  
This story was beset with numerous production problems and even political considerations ([[Margaret Thatcher]] had called an election when production began, and the reference to two superpowers in the story would be seen as a reference to the Cold War). ([[DOC]]: ''[[The Depths (documentary)|The Depths]]'') Editing removed many, but some remained in production.


Everyone involved with the making of the serial has cited it as an example of how ''not'' to do a ''Doctor Who'' story. It was during production that [[Peter Davison]] and [[Janet Fielding]] announced that they were leaving the series.
Everyone involved with the making of the serial has cited it as an example of how ''not'' to do a ''Doctor Who'' story. It was during production that [[Peter Davison]] and [[Janet Fielding]] announced that they were leaving the series.
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=== Uncredited cast ===
=== Uncredited cast ===
* [[Myrka]] operators - [[William Perrie]], [[John Asquith]]
* [[Myrka]] operators - [[William Perrie]], [[John Asquith]]
*[[Sea Base 4]] Personnel - [[Joanna Garcia]], [[Ling Tai]], [[Joycea Goborn]], [[Arnold Lee]], [[Russell Brook]]  
* [[Sea Base 4]] Personnel - [[Joanna Garcia]], [[Ling Tai]], [[Joycea Goborn]], [[Arnold Lee]], [[Russell Brook]]
*Seabase Guards - [[Julian Hudson]], [[Barney Lawrence]], [[Peter Caton]], [[Dana Miche]], [[Julian Larousse]], [[Rose Pridmore]], [[Dorothy Ottey]], [[Ridgewell Hawkes]], [[Trevor Steedman]]
* Seabase Guards - [[Julian Hudson]], [[Barney Lawrence]], [[Peter Caton]], [[Dana Miche]], [[Julian Larousse]], [[Rose Pridmore]], [[Dorothy Ottey]], [[Ridgewell Hawkes]], [[Trevor Steedman]]


== Crew ==
== Crew ==
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* [[Lighting chargehand|Lighting Chargehands]] - [[Geoff Allen]], [[Dennis Leach]] ([[INFO]]: ''Warriors of the Deep'')
* [[Lighting chargehand|Lighting Chargehands]] - [[Geoff Allen]], [[Dennis Leach]] ([[INFO]]: ''Warriors of the Deep'')


== References ==
== Worldbuilding ==
=== Places ===
=== Places ===
* [[Airlock 1]] and [[Airlock 5]] are part of Sea Base 4.
* [[Airlock 1]] and [[Airlock 5]] are part of Sea Base 4.
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== Story notes ==
== Story notes ==
*During the production of this story, [[Janet Fielding]] and [[Peter Davison]] both announced their decision to leave later in the year. According to [[TCH 38|volume 38]] of ''[[The Complete History]]'', Fielding and Davison had planned to leave ''Doctor Who'' by the end of the [[season 21|1984 season]] before production began in June 1983, and there were already auditions being held for the [[Peri Brown|new companion]] to replace Fielding by May.
* During the production of this story, [[Janet Fielding]] and [[Peter Davison]] both announced their decision to leave later in the year. According to [[TCH 38|volume 38]] of ''[[The Complete History]]'', Fielding and Davison had planned to leave ''Doctor Who'' by the end of the [[season 21|1984 season]] before production began in June 1983, and there were already auditions being held for the [[Peri Brown|new companion]] to replace Fielding by May.
* In part three, there is a comical scene where Solow attempts to fight the Myrka by dealing it a karate kick and is electrocuted as a result. It was this footage, amongst others, that was later to be presented by BBC executives who wanted to axe ''Doctor Who''. [[Ingrid Pitt |Ingrid Pitt]] came up with the idea herself.
* In part three, there is a comical scene where Solow attempts to fight the Myrka by dealing it a karate kick and is electrocuted as a result. It was this footage, amongst others, that was later to be presented by BBC executives who wanted to axe ''Doctor Who''. [[Ingrid Pitt]] came up with the idea herself.
* Writer [[Johnny Byrne]] has stated that several elements of this story were not in his original script, including the deaths of Icthar and Vorshak at the story's end, the drop-kicking German female scientist and "nowhere did [he] describe [the Myrka] as a four-legged beast on loan from Panto-Horses-Are-Us." ([[REF]]: ''[[The Eighties]]'')
* Writer [[Johnny Byrne]] has stated that several elements of this story were not in his original script, including the deaths of Icthar and Vorshak at the story's end, the drop-kicking German female scientist and "nowhere did [he] describe [the Myrka] as a four-legged beast on loan from Panto-Horses-Are-Us." ([[REF]]: ''[[The Eighties]]'')
* The Myrka was operated by [[William Perrie]] and [[John Asquith]], who were uncredited both on-screen and in ''[[Radio Times]]''. The pair were perhaps better known for playing Dobbin the Pantomime Horse in the children's sitcom ''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rentaghost Rentaghost]'' (1976-1984).
* The Myrka was operated by [[William Perrie]] and [[John Asquith]], who were uncredited both on-screen and in ''[[Radio Times]]''. The pair were perhaps better known for playing Dobbin the Pantomime Horse in the children's sitcom ''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rentaghost Rentaghost]'' (1976-1984).
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* [[Eric Saward]] constantly rewrote the script to address complaints from [[Ian Levine]] that the returning monsters weren't properly represented.
* [[Eric Saward]] constantly rewrote the script to address complaints from [[Ian Levine]] that the returning monsters weren't properly represented.
* Because the mouths on the Silurian head props were static, there was no way to tell which Silurian was speaking during scenes with multiple ones. Therefore, the Silurians' third eye went from a psychokinetic outlet — used in ''[[Doctor Who and the Silurians (TV story)|Doctor Who and the Silurians]]'' as both a tool and a weapon — to a mere light that flashed during speech, identically to the [[Dalek]]s.
* Because the mouths on the Silurian head props were static, there was no way to tell which Silurian was speaking during scenes with multiple ones. Therefore, the Silurians' third eye went from a psychokinetic outlet — used in ''[[Doctor Who and the Silurians (TV story)|Doctor Who and the Silurians]]'' as both a tool and a weapon — to a mere light that flashed during speech, identically to the [[Dalek]]s.
* The Myrka costume was completed only half an hour before filming and the paint and glue on it weren't dry — it visibly smears on the sets as it staggers around, the actors inside the costume being light-headed from the fumes ([[Pennant Roberts]], had <em>begged</em> [[John Nathan-Turner]] to let him drop it, describing it as "not the icing on the cake, but the lard at the bottom of the pan"). [[Mat Irvine]] was unable to design the creature, as he had a prior assignment that overran.
* The Myrka costume was completed only half an hour before filming and the paint and glue on it weren't dry — it visibly smears on the sets as it staggers around, the actors inside the costume being light-headed from the fumes ([[Pennant Roberts]], had ''begged'' [[John Nathan-Turner]] to let him drop it, describing it as "not the icing on the cake, but the lard at the bottom of the pan"). [[Mat Irvine]] was unable to design the creature, as he had a prior assignment that overran.
* [[Johnny Byrne]] drew inspiration from the ''[[Space: 1999]]'' episode "Guardian of Piri", which he script-edited. Both scripts feature a character who could interface with computers via an implant.
* [[Johnny Byrne]] drew inspiration from the ''[[Space: 1999]]'' episode "Guardian of Piri", which he script-edited. Both scripts feature a character who could interface with computers via an implant.
* [[Peter Davison]] possibly contracted hypothermia from having to swim in a water tank in part two, after having "fallen" into it, and the operators of the tank that had been hired for the day had forgotten to fill it in advance in order for the water to warm up. Peter reported that his voice subsequently went into a high pitch. ([[REF]]: Making 'Warriors of the Deep')
* [[Peter Davison]] possibly contracted hypothermia from having to swim in a water tank in part two, after having "fallen" into it, and the operators of the tank that had been hired for the day had forgotten to fill it in advance in order for the water to warm up. Peter reported that his voice subsequently went into a high pitch. ([[REF]]: Making 'Warriors of the Deep')
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* Doctor Solow and Preston were at first male, but [[Pennant Roberts]] changed their gender.
* Doctor Solow and Preston were at first male, but [[Pennant Roberts]] changed their gender.
* [[Ian McCulloch]] was originally considered for the role of Vorshak before being cast as Nillson.
* [[Ian McCulloch]] was originally considered for the role of Vorshak before being cast as Nillson.
* [[Norman Comer]] was first booked to play Tarpok before being cast as Icthar.  
* [[Norman Comer]] was first booked to play Tarpok before being cast as Icthar.
* [[Norman Comer]] replaced [[Robert Ashby]].
* [[Norman Comer]] replaced [[Robert Ashby]].
* [[Johnny Byrne]] watched ''[[Doctor Who and the Silurians (TV story)|Doctor Who and the Silurians]]'' and ''[[The Sea Devils (TV story)|The Sea Devils]]'' to prepare for the assignment, and decided that the Silurians should be portrayed as the leaders of their race, while the Sea Devils would operate more in the manner of elite foot soldiers. He also asked [[Eric Saward]] if he could model his serial on ''[[Earthshock (TV story)|Earthshock]]'', as he had been impressed with its kinetic, action-oriented style, and wanted to try his hand at a similar type of story.  
* [[Johnny Byrne]] watched ''[[Doctor Who and the Silurians (TV story)|Doctor Who and the Silurians]]'' and ''[[The Sea Devils (TV story)|The Sea Devils]]'' to prepare for the assignment, and decided that the Silurians should be portrayed as the leaders of their race, while the Sea Devils would operate more in the manner of elite foot soldiers. He also asked [[Eric Saward]] if he could model his serial on ''[[Earthshock (TV story)|Earthshock]]'', as he had been impressed with its kinetic, action-oriented style, and wanted to try his hand at a similar type of story.
* [[Johnny Byrne]] intentionally avoided using any recognisable names for the two power blocs involved in his adventure; to this end, he implied that his supporting characters emanated from a variety of nationalities. In [[Terrance Dicks]]'s [[Warriors of the Deep (novelisation)|novelisation of the story]], they are named the [[East Bloc]] and [[West Bloc]].
* [[Johnny Byrne]] intentionally avoided using any recognisable names for the two power blocs involved in his adventure; to this end, he implied that his supporting characters emanated from a variety of nationalities. In [[Terrance Dicks]]'s [[Warriors of the Deep (novelisation)|novelisation of the story]], they are named the [[East Bloc]] and [[West Bloc]].
* [[Johnny Byrne]] saw the story as an allegory for [[the Cold War]]. Due to the political climate, this was toned down in the rewrites. Byrne was so disappointed by the outcome that he vowed never to work on the show again (although he was involved with the unmade film scripts ''The Time Lord ''and ''The Last of the Time Lords'').
* [[Johnny Byrne]] saw the story as an allegory for [[the Cold War]]. Due to the political climate, this was toned down in the rewrites. Byrne was so disappointed by the outcome that he vowed never to work on the show again (although he was involved with the unmade film scripts ''The Time Lord ''and ''The Last of the Time Lords'').
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* [[Ingrid Pitt]] came up with the infamous scene where Solow attacks the Myrka. She wanted it to be a whole battle, but [[Pennant Roberts]] was "having dreadful problems with the Myrka" and there was only time for one "feeble" kick. She also claims it looked ludicrous because it was shot at the wrong angle. [[Eric Saward]] felt the scene marred everything and wondered why [[John Nathan-Turner]], who saw it happen, didn't ask for its removal.
* [[Ingrid Pitt]] came up with the infamous scene where Solow attacks the Myrka. She wanted it to be a whole battle, but [[Pennant Roberts]] was "having dreadful problems with the Myrka" and there was only time for one "feeble" kick. She also claims it looked ludicrous because it was shot at the wrong angle. [[Eric Saward]] felt the scene marred everything and wondered why [[John Nathan-Turner]], who saw it happen, didn't ask for its removal.
* The ''Radio Times'' programme listing for part two included a black-and-white photograph of [[Ingrid Pitt]] as Solow standing at a control panel, while the combined ''Radio Times'' cast for parts one/two erroneously credited Martin Neil (Maddox) twice.
* The ''Radio Times'' programme listing for part two included a black-and-white photograph of [[Ingrid Pitt]] as Solow standing at a control panel, while the combined ''Radio Times'' cast for parts one/two erroneously credited Martin Neil (Maddox) twice.
*[[Ingrid Pitt]] and [[Nigel Humphreys]] had previously appeared in the film ''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Who_Dares_Wins_(film) Who Dares Wins].''
* [[Ingrid Pitt]] and [[Nigel Humphreys]] had previously appeared in the film ''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Who_Dares_Wins_(film) Who Dares Wins].''
*The original script contained scenes from the point of view of the crew aboard the probe despatched from the seabase, which was destroyed by the Myrka.
* The original script contained scenes from the point of view of the crew aboard the probe despatched from the seabase, which was destroyed by the Myrka.
*It was [[Eric Saward]] who named Tarpok (originally Tanpon) and Scibus.
* It was [[Eric Saward]] who named Tarpok (originally Tanpon) and Scibus.
*Despite his preference for hiring new directors, [[John Nathan-Turner]] hired [[Pennant Roberts]], having met him when investigating the use of clips from [[Shada (TV story)|''Shada'']] (which was the last serial Roberts directed) for use in [[The Five Doctors (TV story)|''The Five Doctors''.]]
* Despite his preference for hiring new directors, [[John Nathan-Turner]] hired [[Pennant Roberts]], having met him when investigating the use of clips from [[Shada (TV story)|''Shada'']] (which was the last serial Roberts directed) for use in [[The Five Doctors (TV story)|''The Five Doctors''.]]
*[[Mat Irvine]]'s arrival on the serial was delayed by his commitment to ''The Odd Job Man,'' which had fallen behind schedule.
* [[Mat Irvine]]'s arrival on the serial was delayed by his commitment to ''The Odd Job Man,'' which had fallen behind schedule.
*The original plan was to film the serial at [[Ealing Studios|the BBC Television Film Studios]] water tank in [[Ealing]]. This was scrapped both because the crew would be required to cover the surprise General Election and because of scheduled maintenance to repair a leak in the water tank.  
* The original plan was to film the serial at [[Ealing Studios|the BBC Television Film Studios]] water tank in [[Ealing]]. This was scrapped both because the crew would be required to cover the surprise General Election and because of scheduled maintenance to repair a leak in the water tank.
*There were problems with the Silurian and Sea Devil costumes. Ventilation was poor for the actors within, exacerbated by the heat wave afflicting England at the time. Furthermore, the Silurian outfits had a tendency to buckle around the neck, which resulted in the mask being improperly fitted to the body on some occasions. The Sea Devils' large webbed feet hindered mobility, and their helmets were too heavy, which caused the head tilt to one side and obscure the actor's vision.
* There were problems with the Silurian and Sea Devil costumes. Ventilation was poor for the actors within, exacerbated by the heat wave afflicting England at the time. Furthermore, the Silurian outfits had a tendency to buckle around the neck, which resulted in the mask being improperly fitted to the body on some occasions. The Sea Devils' large webbed feet hindered mobility, and their helmets were too heavy, which caused the head tilt to one side and obscure the actor's vision.
*Shots of the Sea Devils moving across the sea floor had to be abandoned due to time constraints.
* Shots of the Sea Devils moving across the sea floor had to be abandoned due to time constraints.
*The script originally featured scenes from the point of view of the crew aboard the probe despatched from the seabase, which was destroyed by the Myrka.
* The script originally featured scenes from the point of view of the crew aboard the probe despatched from the seabase, which was destroyed by the Myrka.
*Tarpok was originally named Tanpon.
* Tarpok was originally named Tanpon.


=== Ratings ===
=== Ratings ===
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[[Category:Season 21 stories]]
[[Category:Four part serials]]
[[Category:Four part serials]]
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