Doctor Who 10x11

1. "Imprisoned on the Moon, the Doctor plans his escape.

2. "Immediately, his life is endangered by treachery from within. Meanwhile an old enemy reappears in a new role." (Radio Times)

3. This episode was first shown on 10 March, 1973, when it was seen by 7.5 million people.

4. Watch the gun as it fires.

5. The flash doesn't come from inside the barrel: The charge is fixed onto the side of the gun (where the camera can't see it).

6. The massage was an unscripted embellishment: The scene was written with the President sitting at her desk.

7. Sheila, the masseuse, is played by Luan Peters (born 1946), who had previously acted under the stage name Karol Keyes.

8. She was Karol for her other Doctor Who appearance, in 'The Macra Terror' (1967), when she stepped in at the last moment

9. to take over a part which had been played by another actress in a previous episode.

10. This time round, she lost her only lines when this scene was truncated in editing.

11. As scripted, the President describes to Sheila how she first met Williams on the peace delegation just before the Draconian war.

12. To Sheila, it's schoolroom history come to life.

13. This is history too: A student riot at the University of Tokyo in 1969.

14. It was the best available footage to match the Peking incident mentioned earlier.

15. This whole scene was a late addition: As the episode was scripted, the action cuts directly

16. from the film sequence where the Doctor is apprehended to the studio scene where he is mind-probed.

17. So what was it that happened at that peace conference years ago to provoke war between Earth and Draconia?

18. In the cut sequence, the President explains to Sheila: "We were to meet the Draconians on a neutral planet.

19. "I was political aide to one of the senators. John was a young officer then.

20. "Just before the rendezvous-point, we ran into a neutron storm. The ship was damaged, many of the officers killed.

21. "John was left in command. It was a terrible responsibility for a young officer. A damaged ship, full of Earth leaders

22. "and suddenly we saw a Draconian vessel approaching.

23. "We expected an unarmed civilian ship like ours. This was a Draconian battle cruiser. It came closer and closer.

24. "We signalled them, but there was no answer to our signals. John became convinced that they were going to attack us -

25. "that the whole peace meeting was a trap to destroy Earth's leaders."

26. The Earth ship was unarmed, so he manoeuvred it round and used the retro-rockets to blast the Draconian warship.

27. "Their power source exploded." The Draconians were "totally destroyed. From then on, we were at war."

28. At the time, she believed that Williams was at fault, but maturity has brought understanding.

29. "But," she tells Sheila, "I'm still determined upon peace. This time history must not repeat itself."

30. This is a slightly different design of mind probe from the one the Daleks used on the Doctor the year before.

31. The set wall is painted to match the grim concrete of the location exteriors.

32. The first plan was to install a small monitor on a stand as the probe screen.

33. Paul Bernard then considered having a yellow CSO screen on the wall.

34. In the script, this scene is followed by a counterpoint in which Jo gets a rather friendlier interrogation by the President.

35. Jo too tries to explain the truth, but the President cannot disbelieve the evidence: There are too many witnesses.

36. Moreover, Jo can't even give a proper account of herself: "You've no identity disc, no classification number."

37. The President is sympathetic, wants to help her, and suggests that she has been "misled" by the Doctor.

38. Then General Williams arrives bearing the results of the Doctor's interrogation: "A full confession.

39. "He's admitted that they're both in the pay of the Draconian Secret Service."

40. The prisoner's dilemma trick fails to get a similar admission out of Jo, obviously.

41. Mind probes don't work on the Doctor, she insists. "And even if it did, he'd still tell you the same story."

42. Jo is taken away and Williams demands that they should now use the mind probe on her.

43. The President won't permit it: "She's hardly more than a child."

44. Instead, she will use kindness to induce Jo to talk:

45. "We must separate her from the man. It's his influence that's making her stick to her story."

46. She hopes to make the Doctor see reason,

47. but if that should fail, says Williams ominously, "we must put him where he'll do no further harm".

48. The Doctor means that Jo's prison clothes look like a karate suit.

49. The costume change was a late decision: Originally Jo was to have kept her jeans.

50. "Whoever's behind this seems to be just as interested in us as we are in them," he points out in the script.

51. "Why else would they send the Ogrons to fetch us?"

52. "We know that you are a Draconian agent," says the President in the script.

53. "Madam," he replies, "I am not a Draconian agent. There probably aren't any Draconian agents."

54. She offers the Doctor money, freedom, and "a new identity on one of the colony planets".

55. "I've no real use for money," he replies, "and as for identities, I'm quite happy with my old one."

56. He also suggests asking the Draconians about their war plans.

57. "The public trial of a Draconian agent will only increase the existing demand for war with Draconia," she says.

58. "You're probably right there," he says, and she replies, astonished, "I'm glad you approve."

59. "I'm all in favour of preserving peace," he says. "But locking me up won't help matters. These incidents will still go on."

60. "No doubt your Draconian masters will continue their provocation," remarks Williams.

61. "You really do have a one-track mind," says the Doctor, "even for a military man."

62. "Must we tolerate this insolence?" Williams protests to the President, who then makes another offer of leniency.

63. In the storyline, the Doctor and Jo are not separated: They send her to the Moon along with him.

64. Part of the studio lighting rig is visible at the top of the picture and some more is reflected in the windows.

65. The lunar surface is a painted cyclorama.

66. Patel was originally named Doughty,

67. but then they cast the Anglo-Indian actor Madhav Sharma to play him.

68. The part was a rarity for him: At this stage in his career, his roles were more often dictated by his ethnicity.

69. For example, he played an Indian conjuror in The Moonstone (1972), and a maharajah in The Regiment (1973).

70. Back in the future, he returned to a Barry Letts version of the Moon as a semi-regular in Moonbase 3 (1973).

71. "Here we are," he adds in the script. "Home - for the rest of our lives." And the camera shows the bleak moonscape.

72. Cross "looks, and is, a criminal type" says the script.

73. Cross was scripted to eat the confiscated confectionery.

74. George Orwell's novel Nineteen Eighty Four (1949) features a similar prison regime

75. which differentiates "politicals" from "common criminals", giving the latter positions of trust.

76. The script gives the Governor's name: Stevens.

77. He's played by Dennis Bowen, whom Jon Pertwee had known since 1938, when they were in rep together in Brighton.

78. He spent much of his career in the theatre, but his notable small-screen roles included

79. unsuccessful lovers like Menelaus in La Belle Hélène (1951) and Hortensio in The Taming of the Shrew (1952),

80. a stupid doctor in Out of the Unknown (1969), and a knight of the realm in Paul Temple (1970).

81. In the script, Doughty (Patel) Recognises Professor Dale and Cross remarks, "You'll find a lot of your intellectual friends up here."

82. Dale is loosely based on the British philosopher and peace campaigner, Bertrand Russell (1872-1970).

83. He was the first president of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, from 1958,

84. but resigned two years later to form the Committee of 100, which advocated using civil disobedience as a tactic.

85. In 1961, at the age of 89, Russell was imprisoned for his part in planning a "Ban the Bomb" demonstration in London.

86. The peace movement appropriated Winston Churchill's two-fingered "V for Victory" gesture,

87. which Jon Pertwee and Madhav Sharma incorporate, unscripted, here.

88. Recording broke here to give Jon Pertwee time to change into prison clothes.

89. The script calls for old-fashioned paper documents rather than an on-screen display.

90. The Dominion was first scripted as Aldebaran Four.

91. Aldebaran is a star in the constellation of Taurus, on the opposite side of Orion from Sirius.

92. The Special Commissioner has a name in the script.

93. Unsurprisingly, it's Masters.

94. The Master is "dressed in the uniform of a high-ranking diplomat of the Earth Empire," says the script.

95. The script describes the prisoners holding tiny black boxes, each with a wire to an earpiece: "audio books".

96. Oddly, the Doctor doesn't realise what the devices are, hence Dale's explanation here about the prison library.

97. The prisoners have less time on their hands in the storyline.

98. The entire Moon has been turned into a forced labour camp, where "prisoners toil in underground workshops".

99. The angled walls in the background are free-standing flat scenery pieces.

100. They were designed to be easily removable, so that the set could be quickly redressed as another part of the lunar prison.

101. The design of this prop was influenced

102. by the three-dimensional chessboard seen in several early episodes of Star Trek.

103. The political structure of Earth's interplanetary empire reflects that of the British Empire,

104. in which dominions like Australia and New Zealand were self-governing states within the Empire, a cut above mere colonies.

105. In the storyline, the Master doesn't pose as a diplomat.

106. He's a colonel in Earth's security forces, and arrives on the Moon with a warrant

107. authorising him to bring the Doctor and Jo back to Earth "for further interrogation".

108. This was changed to sidestep a logical inconsistency: Why send them to the Moon in the first place?

109. The meal was scripted as bowls of soup.

110. As we change shot, keep your eyes on the prisoner in the background, played by Jean St Louis.

111. She takes a swig of her drink,

112. but it seems to have gone down the wrong way.

113. Dale is played by Harold Goldblatt (1899-1982).

114. The young Jon Pertwee first worked with him in the Irish radio series Lillibulero (1938) - Pertwee's on-air debut.

115. Goldblatt was then a Belfast businessman who used his spare time to run amateur dramatics at the local Jewish Institute.

116. In 1940, he co-founded the Ulster Group Theatre and served as its actor-manager until the mid-1950s.

117. After he moved to England, his television parts included a scientist in Pathfinders in Space (1960).

118. His last role was, rather fittingly, Time in the 1981 BBC production of The Winter's Tale.

119. Jo is asleep in the script and the Master wakes her with a gentle shake of her shoulder.

120. This episode was recorded on 16 October, 1972, two days after Katy Manning's birthday.

121. "There's nothing like a war for a bit of excitement, is there?" Says the Master in the script.

122. Jo refuses to go with him: "I'll tell them all you're a fake. They can check up, you know."

123. "You sent the Ogrons to try and kidnap us," she says.

124. "Naturally, they bungled it," replied the Master. "If you want anything done, you have to do it yourself."

125. He claims that he is rescuing them on "a kindly impulse".

126. The Master's colloquialism here was Roger Delgado's rehearsal adaptation of a more formal scripted line.

127. Jo's parting shot was Katy Manning's unscripted contribution.

128. The scripted discussion was truncated.

129. "We thought the War Party at the Draconian Court had gained the upper hand," says Patel.

130. "And they probably thought the same about Earth," adds the Doctor.

131. Dale explains that, if war did break out, "It would be suicide.

132. "Both empires would be destroyed. They're too evenly matched." And there's the third party's motive, concludes the Doctor.

133. "But what's the use of a lot of ruined planets?" asks Patel.

134. "The mineral resources would still remain," the Doctor points out. "Hundreds of planets - all to be exploited by this third party.

135. "Terrified survivors, who'd work for anyone who let them."

136. Malcolm Hulke felt that the introduction of a third party was his most original contribution to the "Cold War" scenario.

137. Because he was trained as a designer, Paul Bernard's first response to a script was usually a visual one.

138. He would sketch ideas for costumes, including the Draconians and the blue gown worn by the President in this episode.

139. He also made thumbnail drawings of how he envisaged particular shots, often on his copy of the script itself.

140. This kind of "storyboarding" was much used in the film industry, but was not then common practice at the BBC.

141. The next scene was cut: A model shot

142. showing the Master's spaceship landing beside a simple dome, "all that is above ground of the space port".

143. It was one of the scenes Paul Bernard sketched in his draft camera script.

144. The Earth is seen in the sky above

145. and the dome is rounder and more geodesic, with a panelled surface.

146. Commissioned on 4 May, Malcolm Hulke was asked to complete scripts for the six episodes by 1 July.

147. He was known as a reliable writer who would produce viable scripts to deadline and so it proved.

148. The scripts were delivered in pairs, starting a month early with the first two episodes on 1 June.

149. They were formally accepted on 6 June, and Hulke delivered the next pair on 15 June.

150. These too were accepted on 20 June, the same day as Hulke delivered the last two episodes,

151. and these in turn were accepted a week later on 27 June, comfortably before the start of production in September.

152. In the script, he can tell it's empty by its weight rather than by looking at the gauge.

153. Also seen in this episode were:

154. Lan Yardley (Earth Guard)

155. Leslie Bates, Richard King, Steve Tierney (Lunar Guards)

156. Nancy Gabriele, Nelly Griffiths, John Hughman (Prisoners)

157. David Layton, Fred Looker, George McFarlane (Prisoners)

158. Dana Michie, Monika, John Moore, Michael Mulcaster (Prisoners). 7,080 Truly, Madam President, I...

159. I sympathise with your position.

160. But my government has sought these criminals throughout the galaxy.

161. They are now prisoners of the government of Earth.

162. That's good enough.

163. With the greatest respect, General Williams, I must disagree.

164. They are citizens of Sirius 4.

165. Part of Earth's empire.

166. Yes, but it has been granted dominion status.

167. He has a point, General Williams.

168. Once a colony has been raised to dominion status,

169. it enjoys certain autonomous rights,

170. including the right to try and punish its own citizens.

171. Exactly. But I feel sure that once these two have come to trial,

172. my government will be only too happy

173. to send them back to you for further interrogation.

174. But, meanwhile, my orders are clear.

175. I must take them back with me to Sirius 4.

176. I will not hand over vital prisoners to some tin-pot colony!

177. As the commissioner has pointed out, General Williams,

178. Sirius 4 is no longer a colony. It is a dominion.

179. Your request is granted.

180. Madam President, I am most grateful.

181. Heaven help you if you let them escape!

182. You may rest assured, General Williams,

183. they will be perfectly safe with me.

184. Right, keep it moving!

185. Is this all we get?

186. It contains all the elements to support life.

187. Mmm, and absolutely nothing to make it enjoyable, eh?

188. You get used to it after a month or two.

189. Anyway, it's all we ever get.

190. - Keep moving! - You heard him, move!

191. Not exactly friendly, are they?

192. One gets used to it.

193. What time do we get to bed?

194. Anytime. There's no day or night here.

195. No. Uh, tell me, Professor, when...

196. When do you plan to escape?

197. No one escapes from here.

198. But you're going to try?

199. For all I know, you could be a spy for the Governor.

200. If I were, I'd hardly be drawing attention to myself

201. quite so quickly, now would I?

202. No, a valid point of logic.

203. I wonder if I can trust you?

204. You've little or no alternative, Professor.

205. We're all in this sector together.

206. Whatever you do, I shall know about it.

207. Yes, but we don't know you.

208. Why did they send you here?

209. Oh, I was sent here at the express wish of a certain General Williams.

210. We have no proof of that.

211. We have no reason to tell you anything.

212. I'll tell you something.

213. There is a conspiracy to start a war between Earth and Draconia.

214. There are warmongers on both sides. We are aware of that.

215. But there's also a third party, Professor,

216. who's plotting to set the two empires at each other's throats.

217. No, I'll see her alone.

218. Penny for them, Miss Grant?

219. You! What are you doing here?

220. To coin a phrase,

221. I've come to take you away from all this.

222. - What are you talking about? - Well, surely you don't want to spend

223. the rest of your life in here, do you?

224. Well, I'm not going anywhere with you, that's for sure.

225. Oh, but you are, you know.

226. Believe it or not,

227. I am a fully accredited commissioner from the planet Sirius 4

228. and you and the Doctor are two dangerous criminals

229. being handed over into my custody.

230. So it was you!

231. You ordered those Ogrons to attack the ships

232. and pretend they were Draconians!

233. But, of course!

234. Those lumbering idiots could never have thought up

235. such a brilliant scheme by themselves.

236. Why did you want to start a war?

237. Now, come on, Miss Grant, be reasonable.

238. You want to see the Doctor again, don't you?

239. - Where is he? - He's in another prison, on the Moon.

240. We're going to collect him.

241. How do I know you're telling the truth?

242. You don't.

243. And the only way you'll find out is by coming with me.

244. Well?

245. How did you know we were here in the first place?

246. Well, after they'd attacked the cargo ships,

247. the Ogrons returned to their planet, taking their loot with them.

248. Now imagine my surprise, and my delight,

249. when I found that they brought me the Doctor's TARDIS.

250. And why are you taking us with you?

251. Oh, need you ask?

252. How could I leave two dear friends in such dire straits?

253. Oh, you don't seriously think that

254. I'm going to believe that you want to help us...

255. Believe what you like, Miss Grant, I have my reasons.

256. Now, are you coming,

257. or do you really wish to vegetate in this hole for the rest of your natural?

258. Very well. I'll come.

259. Excellent!

260. The prisoner and I are ready to leave now, guard.

261. Anywhere is better than here.

262. Well, there you are. There you have it.

263. That's how I came to be here.

264. It's fantastic!

265. I mean, our people seeing Draconians,

266. Draconians seeing Earthmen. I can't believe it.

267. Well, I can.

268. Good grief.

269. Do you know, sir, you're the first person who's believed me?

270. It would explain a great deal.

271. After the stupidity of the Draconian war,

272. the bitterness eventually died down and we had many years of peace.

273. There were trade treaties,

274. cultural exchanges and then,

275. for no reason at all, these sudden acts of hostility.

276. Dale! Over here!

277. - Yes, what is it? - Spot check. You ought to know.

278. If you'll excuse me, one of our little prison rituals.

279. This is it. There's a VIP landing on this spaceship

280. in 10 minutes' time, Bay 7.

281. You can pinch it. I've set up two spacesuits for you.

282. I can't believe it.

283. Well, I keep my promises, now you keep yours.

284. When you get back to Earth, don't forget who your friends are.

285. When the Peace Party takes over, you will be given a free pardon,

286. you have my word.

287. Right, you're clean. Report to Air lock 3 for maintenance work.

288. You and one other. You can choose him yourselves, okay.

289. What is it? What's up? - Oh, just a search.

290. All part of the routine.

291. Come on, Professor. Come on!

292. You were giving off conspiracy in waves over there.

293. You can trust me, you know.

294. The escape plan, it's now.

295. We have to walk from the air lock, across the Moon's surface.

296. We're going to steal a spaceship. They've left two spacesuits for us.

297. Who are you taking with you?

298. Well, I had planned to take another member

299. of the Peace Party committee

300. but I'm afraid he'll have to give up his place.

301. Doctor, I want you to come with me.

302. Well, that's very generous of you, but...

303. We must get you back to Earth so that you can tell your story.

304. Well, it was telling my story on Earth

305. that got me sent here in the first place.

306. We have contacts everywhere,

307. journalists, broadcasters, even friends in the government.

308. We'll make them believe you.

309. Thank you, Professor.

310. You don't know what it means to me to have found allies at last.

311. Well, we'd better be going, Doctor.

312. This spaceship will be landing any moment.

313. Good! He's left it open.

314. Excellent! Excellent!

315. Come on, Doctor, we haven't got long.

316. Take this one?

317. We can't use the main entrance to the spaceport.

318. It's too well guarded.

319. All we have to do is to walk across the Moon's surface,

320. about 10 minutes and we're there.

321. Tell me, Professor, why is Cross helping you?

322. A kind of bribery, I'm afraid.

323. I promised to get him a free pardon once we get into power.

324. That's extraordinary. I would have thought he would have wanted something

325. far more positive than promises.

326. Oh, he's not a bad fellow when you get to know him.

327. I appealed to his better self.

328. Now do hurry, Doctor.

329. What's that? I thought I heard something.

330. Yes. Now, Doctor,

331. clip my cylinder on the back of my suit and then I'll fix up yours.

332. All right.

333. - Well, this one's empty. - It can't be.

334. Well, it certainly is. Take a look for yourself.

335. There, look at the gauge.

336. Yes, and so is this one.

337. They're both empty, Professor.

338. The door, it's locked!

339. - Listen. - They're depressurising.

340. Don't you understand, man, they're pumping out the air!