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The Edge of Destruction (TV story): Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox ClassicTV| | {{Infobox ClassicTV| | ||
story name= The Edge of Destruction | | story name= The Edge of Destruction | | ||
image=[[ | image=[[File:St--1c05.jpg|250px]] | | ||
series=[[Doctor Who]] - [[List of Doctor Who television stories|TV Stories]] | | series=[[Doctor Who]] - [[List of Doctor Who television stories|TV Stories]] | | ||
number= [[Season 1]]| | number= [[Season 1]]| | ||
story number= 3| | story number= 3| | ||
doctor=[[First Doctor]] | | doctor=[[First Doctor]] | | ||
companions= [[Susan Foreman]]<br/>[[Barbara Wright]]<br/>[[Ian Chesterton]] | | companions= [[Susan Foreman]]<br />[[Barbara Wright]]<br />[[Ian Chesterton]] | | ||
enemy= | | enemy= | | ||
year= [[Mutter's Spiral]], c. 5,000,000,000 BC| | year= [[Mutter's Spiral]], c. 5,000,000,000 BC| | ||
writer= [[David Whitaker]] | | writer= [[David Whitaker]] | | ||
director= [[Richard Martin]] (episode 1)<br/> [[Frank Cox]] (episode 2) | | director= [[Richard Martin]] (episode 1)<br /> [[Frank Cox]] (episode 2) | | ||
producer= [[Verity Lambert]] | | producer= [[Verity Lambert]] | | ||
broadcast date= [[8 February]] - [[15 February]] [[1964]] | | broadcast date= [[8 February]] - [[15 February]] [[1964]] | | ||
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Narratively, the story was crucial as the events bonded the travellers so that they were no longer just mismatched people forced together, but a group that could trust one another. It also saw the first hint that the Doctor's TARDIS was not his own, shown by his lack of understanding of its abilities. ''The Edge of Destruction'' was the first instance of the Doctor namedropping [[List of Earth historical figures|historical figures]]. | Narratively, the story was crucial as the events bonded the travellers so that they were no longer just mismatched people forced together, but a group that could trust one another. It also saw the first hint that the Doctor's TARDIS was not his own, shown by his lack of understanding of its abilities. ''The Edge of Destruction'' was the first instance of the Doctor namedropping [[List of Earth historical figures|historical figures]]. | ||
==Synopsis== | == Synopsis == | ||
A mysterious blast renders the [[the Doctor's TARDIS|TARDIS]] crew unconscious. They awake disorientated and soon find that the TARDIS is malfunctioning strangely. As all the systems break down, the behaviour of the crew becomes more erratic. Soon the Doctor comes to believe that the school teachers have caused the problems to blackmail him into taking them home. | A mysterious blast renders the [[the Doctor's TARDIS|TARDIS]] crew unconscious. They awake disorientated and soon find that the TARDIS is malfunctioning strangely. As all the systems break down, the behaviour of the crew becomes more erratic. Soon the Doctor comes to believe that the school teachers have caused the problems to blackmail him into taking them home. | ||
Gradually it becomes clear that the problems are a warning from the TARDIS. It seems that a spring has broken on the [[Fast Return Switch]], causing the TARDIS to travel back through time towards the creation of the [[Solar System]]. The Doctor corrects the problem and the travellers are able to escape. | Gradually it becomes clear that the problems are a warning from the TARDIS. It seems that a spring has broken on the [[Fast Return Switch]], causing the TARDIS to travel back through time towards the creation of the [[Solar System]]. The Doctor corrects the problem and the travellers are able to escape. | ||
==Plot== | == Plot == | ||
===The Edge of Destruction (1)=== | === The Edge of Destruction (1) === | ||
[[ | [[File:EdgeofDestruction1.jpg|right|thumb|The situation takes its toll on the [[the Doctor's TARDIS|TARDIS]] crew]]The [[First Doctor|Doctor]], while attempting to correct the TARDIS's faulty navigation circuits, causes a small explosion. The Doctor, [[Barbara Wright|Barbara]], [[Ian Chesterton|Ian]] and [[Susan Foreman|Susan]] are all temporarily rendered unconscious. Barbara is the first to recover and awakens Ian and Susan, who appear to have slight cases of [[amnesia]]. The Doctor is lying on the floor with a gash on his head. Susan recovers her senses enough to retrieve a special [[healing bandage]] from the ship's first aid kit, and water from the [[food machine]] for her injured grandfather. Suddenly, Susan becomes convinced that an [[alien]] presence is on board and has seized control of the ship. | ||
The TARDIS doors begin intermittently opening and closing whenever Ian moves towards them, and when Susan attempts to operate the door switch on the console, she receives an electrical shock. As the Doctor revives, Barbara tends to him while Ian carries Susan to her room. There she stabs at him with a pair of scissors, rips her bed to shreds, then collapses. | The TARDIS doors begin intermittently opening and closing whenever Ian moves towards them, and when Susan attempts to operate the door switch on the console, she receives an electrical shock. As the Doctor revives, Barbara tends to him while Ian carries Susan to her room. There she stabs at him with a pair of scissors, rips her bed to shreds, then collapses. | ||
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Looking in on his companions to confirm they are asleep, the Doctor returns to the console. As he examines it, a pair of hands swing him around and grab him by the throat. | Looking in on his companions to confirm they are asleep, the Doctor returns to the console. As he examines it, a pair of hands swing him around and grab him by the throat. | ||
===The Brink of Disaster (2)=== | === The Brink of Disaster (2) === | ||
The Doctor's attacker is none other than Ian. A strange force has overridden the effects of the drug and compelled Ian to stop the Doctor from operating the TARDIS controls. Ian recognises the Doctor and collapses. Barbara enters and finds herself and Ian openly accused by the Doctor of sabotage. | The Doctor's attacker is none other than Ian. A strange force has overridden the effects of the drug and compelled Ian to stop the Doctor from operating the TARDIS controls. Ian recognises the Doctor and collapses. Barbara enters and finds herself and Ian openly accused by the Doctor of sabotage. | ||
[[ | [[File:EdgeofDestruction2.jpg|left|thumb|The [[First Doctor|Doctor]] solves the mystery]]As Barbara tries to reason with the Doctor, Susan enters the room and sides with her grandfather, but then finds herself believing in her teachers' innocence. The Doctor is threatening to put the humans off his ship when an alarm sounds. The [[fault locator]] lights up, showing faults in every system. An explosion rocks the ship. The Doctor realises that the TARDIS's power source, located beneath the console, is trying to force its way out and they are only minutes from destruction. | ||
Faced with a common peril, the travellers forget their differences and begin to work together. Barbara deduces that the strange events are an attempt by the TARDIS itself to warn the crew that something is wrong. The Doctor traces the problem to a broken spring in the [[Fast Return Switch]]. The malfunction is causing the TARDIS to head back to the creation of a [[Solar System]]; the strange events were just the TARDIS's attempts to warn its passengers before the ship is destroyed. Fixing the switch brings all back to normal. The Doctor apologises to Ian, who accepts his apology straight away. Barbara needs more convincing but she is eventually won around by the Doctor and the foursome prepare to go out and explore their new surroundings, this time a snowy planet. When Barbara and Susan go outside they discover a giant footprint in the snow. | Faced with a common peril, the travellers forget their differences and begin to work together. Barbara deduces that the strange events are an attempt by the TARDIS itself to warn the crew that something is wrong. The Doctor traces the problem to a broken spring in the [[Fast Return Switch]]. The malfunction is causing the TARDIS to head back to the creation of a [[Solar System]]; the strange events were just the TARDIS's attempts to warn its passengers before the ship is destroyed. Fixing the switch brings all back to normal. The Doctor apologises to Ian, who accepts his apology straight away. Barbara needs more convincing but she is eventually won around by the Doctor and the foursome prepare to go out and explore their new surroundings, this time a snowy planet. When Barbara and Susan go outside they discover a giant footprint in the snow. | ||
==Cast== | == Cast == | ||
*[[First Doctor|The Doctor]] - [[William Hartnell]] | * [[First Doctor|The Doctor]] - [[William Hartnell]] | ||
*[[Ian Chesterton]] - [[William Russell]] | * [[Ian Chesterton]] - [[William Russell]] | ||
*[[Barbara Wright]] - [[Jacqueline Hill]] | * [[Barbara Wright]] - [[Jacqueline Hill]] | ||
*[[Susan Foreman]] - [[Carole Ann Ford]] | * [[Susan Foreman]] - [[Carole Ann Ford]] | ||
==Crew== | == Crew == | ||
* [[Writer]] - [[David Whitaker]] | * [[Writer]] - [[David Whitaker]] | ||
* [[Director]] - [[Richard Martin]] (episode 1), [[Frank Cox]] (episode 2) | * [[Director]] - [[Richard Martin]] (episode 1), [[Frank Cox]] (episode 2) | ||
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* [[Doctor Who theme|Title Music]] - [[Ron Grainer]] | * [[Doctor Who theme|Title Music]] - [[Ron Grainer]] | ||
==References== | == References == | ||
* The Doctor realises for the first time that [[the Doctor's TARDIS|the TARDIS]] is at least partly sentient, a fact that seems to surprise him. | * The Doctor realises for the first time that [[the Doctor's TARDIS|the TARDIS]] is at least partly sentient, a fact that seems to surprise him. | ||
* The TARDIS has an inbuilt memory of all the locations it has previously visited. | * The TARDIS has an inbuilt memory of all the locations it has previously visited. | ||
* Despite the size of the TARDIS, Susan and Barbara share a sleeping area. | * Despite the size of the TARDIS, Susan and Barbara share a sleeping area. | ||
* Susan and the Doctor share a telepathic link with each other and the TARDIS. | * Susan and the Doctor share a telepathic link with each other and the TARDIS. | ||
* From this point, the [[ | * From this point, the [[First Doctor]]'s personality becomes somewhat mellower and friendlier, but no less crotchety. | ||
===[[:Category:Cultural references from the real world|Cultural references]]=== | === [[:Category:Cultural references from the real world|Cultural references]] === | ||
* The coat the Doctor lends Ian was given to him by [[Gilbert and Sullivan]]. | * The coat the Doctor lends Ian was given to him by [[Gilbert and Sullivan]]. | ||
===[[:Category:Planets|Planets]]=== | === [[:Category:Planets|Planets]] === | ||
* The Doctor and Susan have visited the planet [[Quinnis]] in the [[fourth universe]] four or five journeys ago. | * The Doctor and Susan have visited the planet [[Quinnis]] in the [[fourth universe]] four or five journeys ago. | ||
*The TARDIS crew have just departed [[Skaro]]. | * The TARDIS crew have just departed [[Skaro]]. | ||
===[[:Category:Species|Species]]=== | === [[:Category:Species|Species]] === | ||
*The [[Dalek]]s are mentioned. | * The [[Dalek]]s are mentioned. | ||
===[[:Category:TARDIS|TARDIS]]=== | === [[:Category:TARDIS|TARDIS]] === | ||
*The [[Fast Return Switch]] is used. | * The [[Fast Return Switch]] is used. | ||
==Story notes== | == Story notes == | ||
* The first story featuring only the Doctor and his companions. | * The first story featuring only the Doctor and his companions. | ||
* The only other televised stories to take place entirely inside the TARDIS were the ''[[Children in Need Special]]'', ''[[Time Crash]]'', [[Space (TV story)|Space]]/[[Time (TV story)|Time]] and technically ''[[Amy's Choice]]''. One release of ''[[The Adventure Games]]'', which according to the BBC can be counted as another episode of [[Series 5 (Doctor Who)|Series 5]], was called [[TARDIS (video game)|''TARDIS'']] and also falls into this category. | * The only other televised stories to take place entirely inside the TARDIS were the ''[[Children in Need Special]]'', ''[[Time Crash]]'', [[Space (TV story)|Space]]/[[Time (TV story)|Time]] and technically ''[[Amy's Choice]]''. One release of ''[[The Adventure Games]]'', which according to the BBC can be counted as another episode of [[Series 5 (Doctor Who)|Series 5]], was called [[TARDIS (video game)|''TARDIS'']] and also falls into this category. | ||
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* This was one of the stories selected to be shown as part of [[BSB's Doctor Who Weekend]] in September 1990. The episodes were shown in the wrong order, but were repeated in the correct sequence later that weekend. | * This was one of the stories selected to be shown as part of [[BSB's Doctor Who Weekend]] in September 1990. The episodes were shown in the wrong order, but were repeated in the correct sequence later that weekend. | ||
===Ratings=== | === Ratings === | ||
* The Edge of Destruction - 10.4 million viewers | * The Edge of Destruction - 10.4 million viewers | ||
* The Brink of Disaster - 9.9 million viewers | * The Brink of Disaster - 9.9 million viewers | ||
===Myths=== | === Myths === | ||
* This story had the working title '''Beyond the Sun'''. ''(This was a working title used for [[The Daleks]])'' (See also: [[Disputed story titles]]). | * This story had the working title '''Beyond the Sun'''. ''(This was a working title used for [[The Daleks]])'' (See also: [[Disputed story titles]]). | ||
* This story was written at short notice because the set for ''[[Marco Polo (TV story)|Marco Polo]]'' was not complete ''(See notes for real reason)''. | * This story was written at short notice because the set for ''[[Marco Polo (TV story)|Marco Polo]]'' was not complete ''(See notes for real reason)''. | ||
===Filming locations=== | === Filming locations === | ||
*[[Lime Grove Studios|Lime Grove Studios (Studio D)]] | * [[Lime Grove Studios|Lime Grove Studios (Studio D)]] | ||
===Production errors=== | === Production errors === | ||
{{discontinuity}} | {{discontinuity}} | ||
* In the first episode, the studio floor is visible in the "white void" outside the TARDIS. | * In the first episode, the studio floor is visible in the "white void" outside the TARDIS. | ||
*Two floor assistants' shadows can be seen in episode 1, against the door leading into the bedroom and food machine area. | * Two floor assistants' shadows can be seen in episode 1, against the door leading into the bedroom and food machine area. | ||
*While The Doctor is describing the birth of a new solar system, a cough can be clearly heard. | * While The Doctor is describing the birth of a new solar system, a cough can be clearly heard. | ||
*Susan is wearing ankle-socks in the reprise, but afterwards she is not. | * Susan is wearing ankle-socks in the reprise, but afterwards she is not. | ||
==Continuity== | == Continuity == | ||
* The TARDIS and its crew were placed into similar peril by [[the Master (Tremas)|the Master]] in [[DW]]: ''[[Castrovalva (TV story)|Castrovalva]]''. | * The TARDIS and its crew were placed into similar peril by [[the Master (Tremas)|the Master]] in [[DW]]: ''[[Castrovalva (TV story)|Castrovalva]]''. | ||
* A similar display of the TARDIS's semi-sentience is displayed in [[PDA]]: ''[[The Roundheads]]''. | * A similar display of the TARDIS's semi-sentience is displayed in [[PDA]]: ''[[The Roundheads]]''. | ||
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* The [[Fast Return Switch]] is again used in [[PDA]]: ''[[The Witch Hunters]]'', [[BFA]]: ''[[Seasons of Fear]]'' and ''[[Neverland]]''. | * The [[Fast Return Switch]] is again used in [[PDA]]: ''[[The Witch Hunters]]'', [[BFA]]: ''[[Seasons of Fear]]'' and ''[[Neverland]]''. | ||
* The TARDIS power source is beneath the central console. [[DW|DW: ]]''[[Boom Town]]'' suggests this is in fact the [[Heart of the TARDIS]]. | * The TARDIS power source is beneath the central console. [[DW|DW:]] ''[[Boom Town]]'' suggests this is in fact the [[Heart of the TARDIS]]. | ||
===Timeline=== | === Timeline === | ||
The small portion of this story that takes place outside of the [[Time Vortex]] is [[Event One]]. This would take place around 5,000,000,000BCE. | The small portion of this story that takes place outside of the [[Time Vortex]] is [[Event One]]. This would take place around 5,000,000,000BCE. | ||
==[[First Doctor - Timeline|Timeline]]== | == [[First Doctor - Timeline|Timeline]] == | ||
*This story occurs after [[DW]]: ''[[The Daleks]]'' | * This story occurs after [[DW]]: ''[[The Daleks]]'' | ||
*This story occurs before [[DW]]: ''[[Marco Polo (TV story)|Marco Polo]]'' | * This story occurs before [[DW]]: ''[[Marco Polo (TV story)|Marco Polo]]'' | ||
==Home video and audio releases== | == Home video and audio releases == | ||
===DVD Release=== | === DVD Release === | ||
This story was released (''Doctor Who: The Edge of Destruction'') together with [[An Unearthly Child]] and [[The Daleks]] in [[The Beginning]] DVD box set. | This story was released (''Doctor Who: The Edge of Destruction'') together with [[An Unearthly Child]] and [[The Daleks]] in [[The Beginning]] DVD box set. | ||
Released: | Released: | ||
*Region 2 [[30 January]] [[2006]] | * Region 2 [[30 January]] [[2006]] | ||
::PAL - [[BBC DVD]] BBCDVD1882 | ::PAL - [[BBC DVD]] BBCDVD1882 | ||
*Region 4 [[2 March]] [[2006]] | * Region 4 [[2 March]] [[2006]] | ||
::PAL - [[Roadshow]] ???? | ::PAL - [[Roadshow]] ???? | ||
*Region 1 [[28 March]] [[2006]] | * Region 1 [[28 March]] [[2006]] | ||
::NTSC - [[Warner Video]] E2489 | ::NTSC - [[Warner Video]] E2489 | ||
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</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
====Box sets==== | ==== Box sets ==== | ||
This story was released along with ''[[An Unearthly Child]]'' and ''[[The Edge of Destruction]]'' in a box set called [[The Beginning]]. | This story was released along with ''[[An Unearthly Child]]'' and ''[[The Edge of Destruction]]'' in a box set called [[The Beginning]]. | ||
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===Video Release=== | === Video Release === | ||
Released as ''Doctor Who: The Edge of Destruction and [[The Pilot Episode|Dr Who: The Pilot Episode]]'' as a compilation video. The [[BBC]] originally intended to release this story in a box set with [[An Unearthly Child]] and [[The Daleks]], but they changed their plans and decided to release each story individually. | Released as ''Doctor Who: The Edge of Destruction and [[The Pilot Episode|Dr Who: The Pilot Episode]]'' as a compilation video. The [[BBC]] originally intended to release this story in a box set with [[An Unearthly Child]] and [[The Daleks]], but they changed their plans and decided to release each story individually. | ||
Released: | Released: | ||
:*[[UK]] Release: [[May]] [[2000]] | :* [[UK]] Release: [[May]] [[2000]] | ||
::PAL - [[BBC Video]] BBCV6877 | ::PAL - [[BBC Video]] BBCV6877 | ||
:*[[US]] Release: [[October]] [[2000]] | :* [[US]] Release: [[October]] [[2000]] | ||
::NTSC - [[Warner Video]] E1578 (2 tapes) | ::NTSC - [[Warner Video]] E1578 (2 tapes) | ||
Notes: This video release includes the full takes of [[The Pilot Episode]]. The [[US]] release also included the documentary [[The Missing Years]] and episode 3 of [[The Underwater Menace]]. | Notes: This video release includes the full takes of [[The Pilot Episode]]. The [[US]] release also included the documentary [[The Missing Years]] and episode 3 of [[The Underwater Menace]]. | ||
*Editing for VHS and DVD releases completed by [[Doctor Who Restoration Team]]. | * Editing for VHS and DVD releases completed by [[Doctor Who Restoration Team]]. | ||
<gallery hideaddbutton="true" > | <gallery hideaddbutton="true" > | ||
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</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
==Novelisation and its audiobook== | == Novelisation and its audiobook == | ||
[[ | [[File:Edge_of_Destruction_novel.jpg|75px|right|Cover for the Target novelisation]] | ||
: ''Main article: [[The Edge of Destruction (novelisation)]]'' | : ''Main article: [[The Edge of Destruction (novelisation)]]'' | ||
This story was first published by [[Target Books]] as ''[[The Edge of Destruction (novelisation)|Doctor Who - The Edge of Destruction]]'', by [[Nigel Robinson]] (ISBN 0-426-20327-5) on [[20 October]] [[1988]]. It was number 132 in [[Target Books]] Doctor Who Library and featured cover art by [[Alister Pearson]]. It was priced £1.99 with a print run of 23,000 copies. | This story was first published by [[Target Books]] as ''[[The Edge of Destruction (novelisation)|Doctor Who - The Edge of Destruction]]'', by [[Nigel Robinson]] (ISBN 0-426-20327-5) on [[20 October]] [[1988]]. It was number 132 in [[Target Books]] Doctor Who Library and featured cover art by [[Alister Pearson]]. It was priced £1.99 with a print run of 23,000 copies. | ||
==See also== | == See also == | ||
''to be added'' | ''to be added'' | ||
==External links== | == External links == | ||
*{{bbcepguideclassic|edgeofdestruction/|The Edge of Destruction}} (with video clips) | * {{bbcepguideclassic|edgeofdestruction/|The Edge of Destruction}} (with video clips) | ||
*{{dwrefguide|who_c.htm|The Edge of Destruction}} | * {{dwrefguide|who_c.htm|The Edge of Destruction}} | ||
*{{briefhistory|serials/c.html|The Edge of Destruction}} | * {{briefhistory|serials/c.html|The Edge of Destruction}} | ||
* [http://www.eofftv.com/episodes/d/doctor_who/1st_doctor/edge_of_destruction_main.htm '''The Edge of Destruction''' entry at Encyclopaedia of Fantastic Film and Television] | * [http://www.eofftv.com/episodes/d/doctor_who/1st_doctor/edge_of_destruction_main.htm '''The Edge of Destruction''' entry at Encyclopaedia of Fantastic Film and Television] | ||
{{DWTV}} | {{DWTV}} | ||
[[Category:Doctor Who (1963) television stories]] | |||
[[Category:First Doctor television stories|Edge of Destruction]] | [[Category:First Doctor television stories|Edge of Destruction]] | ||
[[Category:Stories set entirely in the TARDIS|Edge of Destruction]] | [[Category:Stories set entirely in the TARDIS|Edge of Destruction]] | ||
