1. "Transported through the Black Hole
in Space, the Doctor's 'other self'
joins him in the anti-matter world.Copy !req
2. "Both Doctors risk their lives -
or rather life -
to oppose the will of Omega,Copy !req
3. "the seemingly all-powerful being
who has kidnapped them."
(Radio Times)Copy !req
4. The production was fitted in around
Patrick Troughton's busy schedule.Copy !req
5. He was recording Whoops Baghdad
on 31 August,
Colditz between 6 and 16 September,Copy !req
6. and filming Frankenstein and the Monster
from Hell for Hammer
until early October.Copy !req
7. So production had to swap
with the next scheduled story,
'Frontier in Space'.Copy !req
8. This meant a November start
for the production,
uncomfortably close to transmission
in late December.Copy !req
9. Murphy Grumbar (in front),
Ricky Newby and Cy Town
are the three Gellguard escorts here.Copy !req
10. Omega appears
"like a superstar in a spotlight".Copy !req
11. He's described in the script
as "a giant figure in a bronze
Etruscan-style face mask,Copy !req
12. "seemingly with no eyes behind it,
dressed from head to foot
in a metallic cape."Copy !req
13. This "reveal" is where Episode 2
was scripted to end.Copy !req
14. Omega is played by radio actor
Stephen Thorne.Copy !req
15. His tall stature saw him cast as Azal
in 'The Dæmons' in 1971.Copy !req
16. And as an Ogron in 'Frontier in Space',Copy !req
17. which was recorded immediately
before this story,
and shown immediately after it.Copy !req
18. Murphy Grumbar is the Gellguard
nearest the door.Copy !req
19. A yellow CSO (Chromakey) backing
is used to overlay an image
of the corridor outside.Copy !req
20. The cell is mainly made up of simple,
solid scenery flats.Copy !req
21. On cue, a shot of a wall flat
is faded up
over the open doorway.Copy !req
22. A recording break then allows the real,
solid wall to be positioned.Copy !req
23. In the earlier draft script,
Tyler remarks that
they are stuck in the cell,Copy !req
24. while the Doctor has a friendly chat
with their captor.Copy !req
25. In the next scene, keep an eye
on the back wall
and you'll catch a glimpse or two
of the top edge of the set.Copy !req
26. Because of Stephen Thorne's stature,
the camera angles are higher
than would be normal.Copy !req
27. From the tips of his toes
to the tip of his helmet,
Omega is a little over seven feet tall.Copy !req
28. The "magic mirror"' screen
is about to show an image
of the Veil Nebula.Copy !req
29. The implication is that the Nebula
was a supernova 5000 to 8000 years ago,
and the one that trapped Omega
in his domain.Copy !req
30. Omega's costume was made
by freelancer Allister Bowtell,
who often worked
with costume designer James Acheson.Copy !req
31. The mask is more samurai-based
than the scripted Etruscan design.Copy !req
32. When the Time Lords next appear,
near the end of the episode,
pay attention to their costumes.Copy !req
33. They are very like Omega's costume,
particularly the breastplate,
arm bracelets and long cape.Copy !req
34. The design parallel between Omega
and the Time Lord President
was intentional.Copy !req
35. In the rehearsal script,
the Doctor also wonders
why Omega now wants revenge
against those who revere him.Copy !req
36. This scene was very heavily shortened
for recording.Copy !req
37. In the full version,
a hungry Tyler gets to wondering
how the blobby things eat,
since they don't have a mouth.Copy !req
38. Then a table appears,
bearing plates of steak and chips
and bread-and-butter pudding.Copy !req
39. As scripted,
Omega leads the Doctor
towards the Singularity Chamber.Copy !req
40. The Doctor comments
that nothing in this world is real.Copy !req
41. Omega retorts that things
are real enough,
when he wishes it,
and warns him not to try to escape.Copy !req
42. He then explains that his will stops
the Gells' protons and anti-protons
from annihilating one another.Copy !req
43. John Scott Martin's blobby Gellguard
was scheduled to appear on set
for this scene,
but was dropped on recording.Copy !req
44. As scripted, the Doctor realises
that the other Time Lords
were too well protected:
That's why he was chosen as the target.Copy !req
45. At various points in the script
from here on,
we hear the sound of thunder
when Omega gets angry:Copy !req
46. His world is reacting to his moods.Copy !req
47. This was used more sparingly
in the version as recorded.Copy !req
48. The odd-shaped blocks around the bubble
screen are carved from Jablite,
a commercially available form
of expanded polystyrene.Copy !req
49. As scripted, the three characters
are momentarily unconscious on arrival,
just like the (Pertwee) Doctor and Jo.Copy !req
50. The Brigadier mutters that an explosion
has knocked them out.Copy !req
51. The scanner image was shot
from the opposite edge of the room.Copy !req
52. The same view is seen on the Time Lord
monitors and Omega's telly.
So what's projecting it?
Not the scanner in the Tardis...Copy !req
53. You can see the rear doors
at the back of the police box prop.Copy !req
54. A large group will get out of the Tardis
this way in Episode 4.Copy !req
55. Planned but missing from the outer door
is a sign reading "Motor Pool Exit":
It's the way to the garages.Copy !req
56. I'm fairly sure that's Chromakey.Copy !req
57. The invasion
of the boom shadows continues.Copy !req
58. "We're on a beach then," says the Doctor
in the script.
"I like the seaside.
You know, I remember once..."Copy !req
59. He had stripped off for a swim
when the Tardis landed on a beach
in 'The Enemy of the World' (1967-8),
directed by Barry Letts.Copy !req
60. The private chat between Benton
and the Doctor was unscripted
and worked out in rehearsals.Copy !req
61. Since making 'The Time Monster'
in May 1972, Nicholas Courtney
had recorded an episode
of Doomwatch on 2 June.Copy !req
62. The episode, 'Cause of Death',
was also directed by Lennie Mayne.Copy !req
63. The "Cromer" line was
Nicholas Courtney's
unscripted contribution.Copy !req
64. In the script,
Benton calls it a "flaming flute".Copy !req
65. In the script,
Benton shoots at the Gellguards,
but one of them reaches out
and touches the gun, which dissolves.Copy !req
66. "Now out of sight of the UNIT building
which is conveniently
hidden behind sand dunes..."Copy !req
67. That helps to explain
why one scripted scene was never filmed:
The Brigadier emerges from UNIT HQ
and walks off across the dunes.Copy !req
68. Before meeting Ollis,
the Brigadier was scripted
find the strewn items from the lab,
as seen earlier.Copy !req
69. The cold open November weather shows
on the visible breath here.Copy !req
70. It is the first scene of the day,
just after 8:30 a.m.
On 9 November 1972.Copy !req
71. On hearing this description,
the Brigadier was scripted
to look back the way he came.Copy !req
72. He realises that Benton and the Doctor
were telling the truth.Copy !req
73. This shotCopy !req
74. was Patrick Troughton's first work
on the story, the first time he
had played the Doctor in the more
than three years since June 1969.Copy !req
75. The rocky frame of the entrance
was painted on a sheet of glass
mounted on an easel
in front of the camera.Copy !req
76. The artist used a reference photograph
of the stone quarry wall,Copy !req
77. but the photo was taken
under different lighting conditions
from those prevailing
on the day of the shoot!Copy !req
78. The metal doors
were erected on location,
ensuring the glass painting
lined up correctly.Copy !req
79. More dialogue was dropped here.Copy !req
80. The Doctor notes that Omega
cannot always control the effects
of the matter-anti matter reactions.Copy !req
81. Also deleted was the Doctor
offering to talk
to the High Council of the Time Lords
on Omega's behalf.Copy !req
82. Omega retorts that
he would do better
to plead for their safety.Copy !req
83. Ricky Newby and John Scott Martin
are the Gellguards
bringing the Doctor and Benton
into the throne room.Copy !req
84. And there's Gellguard Grumbar.Copy !req
85. The sets for Omega's palace
were the most costly
of the production:Copy !req
86. £1,200 for materials
and over 1,250 hours'
construction work,Copy !req
87. plus a further £120 for the
expanded polystyrene Jablite blocks.Copy !req
88. It all took longer to build
than anticipated,
and arrived in Studio 6
incomplete and unpainted.Copy !req
89. Stephen Thorne's chin is visible here,
moving as he speaks,Copy !req
90. which is unfortunate
in view of what we'll learn
about Omega
in the next episode.Copy !req
91. Another cut here saw the Doctor say
that perhaps he was mistaken
for someone else.Copy !req
92. Omega deduces that the Time Lords
must have thought that
two might have been able
to stand up to him.Copy !req
93. He adds that he will be merciful.
They will live - but will be unable
to leave this domain.Copy !req
94. The angle is kept very tight
for this shot.Copy !req
95. Just out of sight over the ridge
are several houses and trees.Copy !req
96. Laurie Webb (Ollis) had been appearing
on television
since the 1950s,Copy !req
97. usually in small roles,
such as his appearances
in the BBC's Hancock's Half Hour
(1958-60),Copy !req
98. and more recently in Paul Temple
(both 1971),
and Doomwatch,
the latter directed by Lennie Mayne.Copy !req
99. A small but memorable role
in The Goodies and the Beanstalk
followed in late 1973.Copy !req
100. Rex Robinson (Tyler)
Had appeared in Z Cars (1964-71),
Callan (1969), Upstairs Downstairs
(1972), and Warship (1973).Copy !req
101. Robinson, Laurie Webb, and Roy Purcell
had all previously worked together
as part of Lennie Mayne's
"repertory company",Copy !req
102. in his Brett episode,
'The Trump Card',
produced in July 1971.Copy !req
103. The bickering between Doctors,
introduced in this scene,
was echoed off-screen.Copy !req
104. Jon Pertwee often became exasperated
by Troughton's somewhat vague delivery
of his scripted lines.Copy !req
105. This is take three.
It proved difficult in the studio
to get both Doctors
to start talking at the same time.Copy !req
106. The problem was exacerbated
because Troughton was liable
to go off script,
and make up "similar" dialogue.Copy !req
107. This was his customary working method:Copy !req
108. He created the role from the inside,
and said the words that seemed right
for the character at the moment
of the performance,Copy !req
109. whereas Pertwee worked by verbal cues,
and so relied on word-perfect delivery
from his co-stars.Copy !req
110. Another retake coming up,
and guess who got the line wrong?Copy !req
111. There is "an appalled silence
at this admission of defeat."Copy !req
112. Unlike the rest of the cast,
Benton here uses the alternative,
erroneous pronunciation of Omega.Copy !req
113. The Greek "Omega"
is the name of a letter:
It literally means "big O"
(or "mega-O", if you like),Copy !req
114. so it seems that John Levene
can't tell his eta from his epsilon.Copy !req
115. This close-up of Jo is the fourth
take of this line.Copy !req
116. The studio recording was again fraught
with many delays.Copy !req
117. This wasn't only because the sets
for Omega's palace were incomplete
at the start of recording.Copy !req
118. There were simply too many scenes
scheduled for the day,
including all the held-over scenes
for Episode 2.Copy !req
119. Recording overran by 34 minutes.Copy !req
120. Further cuts saw the two Doctors
theorise that the walls only appeared
after they were inside the cell;Copy !req
121. therefore the Gell must share
Omega's will to think up the wall.
Which means that they can do
the same thing.Copy !req
122. They also wonder if the telepathic link
can multiply their will
rather than just doubling it.Copy !req
123. The solid wall was removed
during a recording break,
and replaced by another wall flat
with a plain door.Copy !req
124. Troughton's exit line
was spur-of-the-moment ad-lib.Copy !req
125. Dropped here were two more short scenes
of the Doctors running down
another long corridor, followed by Jo,
Tyler and Benton.Copy !req
126. Cy Town plays this Gellguard.Copy !req
127. In a cut scene,
it gives chase to Jo and co.Copy !req
128. A quantity of visual effects dry ice
provides the door "smoke".Copy !req
129. This business with the coin
was worked out during rehearsals.Copy !req
130. We are in "an elegant circular chamber
with a gallery of arches all around.Copy !req
131. "A column of flame surges restlessly up
and down, swamping the whole chamber
in ever-changing light patterns."Copy !req
132. Or not, as the case may be.Copy !req
133. This is take two; there were problems
controlling the smoke
the first time round.Copy !req
134. Stephen Thorne is visible
through the mouth of the mask.Copy !req
135. The Doctor finds himself
in a shadowy limbo,Copy !req
136. and faces "a ferocious alien grunt".Copy !req
137. This scene was another late addition
to the script,Copy !req
138. providing more work for Cy Town.Copy !req
139. The music was recorded at Lime Grove
on 18 and 27 December,
two episodes in each session.Copy !req
140. Additional electronic music
was taped at the BBC Radiophonic
Workshop's Maida Vale studio
on 19-20 and 28-9 December.Copy !req
141. And cue Ricky Newby
and John Scott-Martin.Copy !req
142. In a rare continuity error,
the interior and exterior doors
do not match.Copy !req
143. An armourer provided the
Brigadier's Browning automatic,
and a double-barrelled shotgun.Copy !req
144. When the books were balanced
for this story
the costs broke down as follows:Copy !req
145. Costume £1,025
(including wigs for William Hartnell
and Terry Walsh),
Make-up £125,Copy !req
146. Graphics £104, Film £503,
Design £2,986
and £505 for Visual Effects.Copy !req
147. These figures exclude
the "below-the-line" costs
of studio hire, music,
and videotape editing.Copy !req
148. These scenes were the first
to be shot for the story,
on Monday 6 November 1972.Copy !req
149. The black drapes in the background
were also used
for William Hartnell's scenes.Copy !req
150. Also being filmed at Ealing
were scenes for The Brothers,
Dixon of Dock Green
and Z Cars.Copy !req
151. This scene was pre-recorded
on the same studio day as Episode 1.Copy !req
152. A filmed insert was scheduled,
showing the Hartnell Doctor inside
his glass bubble
entering the black hole.Copy !req
153. This was a relic of an earlier draft,
where the "youngest" Doctor
joins his "older" selves,
and was cancelled before filming.Copy !req
154. Hartnell's frailty meant that his scenes
had to be filmed one line
at a time.Copy !req
155. The limbo scenes were scheduled
in two halves, morning
and late afternoon
of 6 November.Copy !req
156. William Hartnell's scenes
were to be shot in between.
But then Hartnell's schedule
was rearrangedCopy !req
157. so that the car collecting him
could get him to Ealing
for the whole afternoon session.Copy !req
158. The "grunt" is really "Chuntzy":
Stuntman Alan Chuntz.Copy !req
159. Regular stunt arranger Terry Walsh
fulfils his usual task
of doubling for Jon Pertwee,Copy !req
160. except of course
when you can see Pertwee's face.Copy !req
161. This episode was first broadcast
on 13 January 1973
and was watched
by 8.8 million viewers.Copy !req
162. Uncredited production contributors were:Copy !req
163. Paul Kay, Mike Figini,
John Dean, Ken Webb
(Crew 9, Cameras)Copy !req
164. Graham Arnold, Dave Whitaker,
Dave Carter, Dave Jervis
(Crew 9, Cameras)Copy !req
165. Dave Hedden, Tony Crake,
Simon Brocklehurst
(Crew 9, Sound)Copy !req
166. Sarah Newman (Producer's Secretary)Copy !req
167. Well, singularity
is a point in space timeCopy !req
168. which can exist
only inside a black hole.Copy !req
169. We are in a black hole,Copy !req
170. in a world of antimatter very close
to this point of singularity,Copy !req
171. where all the known
physical laws cease to exist.Copy !req
172. Now, Omega has got control
of singularityCopy !req
173. and has learned to use the vast forces
locked up inside the black hole.Copy !req
174. Now, that is how Omega
was able to create the worldCopy !req
175. that we're now living in,
by a fantastic effort of his will.Copy !req
176. But unfortunately, he thinks
he's been wronged by the Time Lords.Copy !req
177. - Time Lords?
- Yes, and now he's hell-bent on revenge.Copy !req
178. Well, you'll just have to stop him,
won't you?Copy !req
179. Well, the trouble isCopy !req
180. we're not sure we can.Copy !req
181. Well, who is this Omega, anyway?Copy !req
182. A Time Lord.
One of the greatest of all my race.Copy !req
183. - Our race.
- Our race, I'm sorry.Copy !req
184. Long, long ago,
we learned the secret of time travel.Copy !req
185. But in order to make it a reality,Copy !req
186. we had to have
a colossal source of energy.Copy !req
187. Now, Omega provided that energy by
a fantastic feat of solar engineering.Copy !req
188. And we thought he was destroyed,Copy !req
189. instead of which he finished up here.Copy !req
190. Yes, it seems that his imprisonmentCopy !req
191. was the price of our freedom
to travel in time.Copy !req
192. Even so, you can't let him
smash everything up.Copy !req
193. Well, look,
he's not all-powerful, you know,Copy !req
194. or else why did he need
to bring you here?Copy !req
195. Yeah, that's true.Copy !req
196. There must be something you can do
to get us out of here?Copy !req
197. What about your sonic screwdriver?Copy !req
198. No, that's useless in this world.Copy !req
199. The only natural law here
is the law of Omega's will.Copy !req
200. Omega's...Copy !req
201. Look, if Omega
can will up an entire world,Copy !req
202. well, surely you two
could will up a small door?Copy !req
203. Hmm?Copy !req
204. Well, look,
you're a Time Lord, aren't you?Copy !req
205. - Yes.
- In fact, you're two Time Lords.Copy !req
206. Well, surely your wills combined
are a match for his.Copy !req
207. Why else do you think the High Council
wanted the two of you here?Copy !req
208. That might work. It just might.Copy !req
209. - It's worth a try.
- Yes.Copy !req
210. - Right. (CLEARS THROAT)
- Right.Copy !req
211. - Ready?
- Ready.Copy !req
212. - Contact.
- Contact.Copy !req
213. It's working!Copy !req
214. - Well done.
- I couldn't possibly have done itCopy !req
215. - without you. Well, what next?
- Singularity chamber.Copy !req
216. - Splendid.
- That's the key to it all. Come on.Copy !req
217. - But you...
- Jo, you wait there.Copy !req
218. - It even opens!
- Singularity chamber.Copy !req
219. Can't miss that. Chance of a lifetime!Copy !req
220. That's charming.Copy !req
221. I'm not just going to sit here
while they have all the fun.Copy !req
222. Neither am I. Come on, Sergeant Benton.Copy !req
223. Through here.Copy !req
224. Well, shall we?Copy !req
225. The bull by the horns, eh?Copy !req
226. All right.Copy !req
227. Well, after you.Copy !req
228. Let's toss, shall we?Copy !req
229. What'd be the point?Copy !req
230. Singularity! Fascinating!Copy !req
231. (SCREAMS) What?Copy !req
232. How is it that you are free?Copy !req
233. By combining our wills against yours.Copy !req
234. Together we were able
to break down your barriers,Copy !req
235. so you're not
all-powerful after all, Omega.Copy !req
236. But if you free us, we'll plead
your cause to the Time Lords.Copy !req
237. Otherwise, we shall combine
our wills to destroy you.Copy !req
238. You dare threaten to destroy me?Copy !req
239. You wish to fight the will of Omega?Copy !req
240. Yes, if I must.Copy !req
241. Then you shall!Copy !req
242. But you will fight
the dark side of my mind.Copy !req
243. The dark side of my mind.
(ECHOING)Copy !req
244. It's no good. It all looks the same.Copy !req
245. Well, we can't just stay here.Copy !req
246. They're right behind us.Copy !req
247. This way.Copy !req
248. - They're everywhere.
- Let's try down here.Copy !req
249. Yes, come on.Copy !req
250. It's no good, we're lost.Copy !req
251. Well, we can't just give ourselves up.Copy !req
252. Agreed. What do we do?Copy !req
253. Let's try this way.Copy !req
254. Hey, look what I found.Copy !req
255. Oh, great. Well, how can that help us?Copy !req
256. It's the corridor to the main entrance.
Come on!Copy !req
257. Doctor Tyler, give me a hand with this.Copy !req
258. Quickly, they're coming!Copy !req
259. Out!
Make for the hills!Copy !req
260. How did you... How did you know
we were trying to get out?Copy !req
261. We didn't. We were trying to get in.Copy !req
262. Miss Grant, was the Doctor with you
when you came here?Copy !req
263. Yes, of course, sir.Copy !req
264. Well he can't have been.
He was with me.Copy !req
265. Sir, look over there.Copy !req
266. - Come on, it's just over the dune.
- What is?Copy !req
267. Well, what do you want now?Copy !req
268. Energy levels dangerously low, Doctor.Copy !req
269. You are our last chance.
You must go in.Copy !req
270. - In?
- The black hole.Copy !req
271. I repeat, you are our last chance.Copy !req
272. All three are needed to defeat Omega.Copy !req
273. We will use the last of our energy
to send you through.Copy !req
274. Well, better than being stuck here,
I suppose. All right.Copy !req
275. Those who oppose
the will of Omega shall not live!Copy !req
276. Destroy him!Copy !req