Can Romana escape the Gaztaks ? What has become of the Dodecahedron ? What pressing appointment awaits the Doctor ?
Request examples:
!req Doctor Who 18x7 [02:32]
!req Doctor Who 18x7 [Doctor Who 18x7]
Syntax: !req EPISODE [quote or timestamp] (max. 8 square brackets)
For quotes, now you can request by index (e.g !req Doctor Who 18x7 [10-11]; !req Doctor Who 18x7 [20] [24]). Keep in mind, though, that index numbers might change at any time.
You can also generate a copy command with the quotes. Hover the desired subtitle and enter the amount of lines you want to copy.
Note: you must use specific languages with their specific pages/discord channels.
1. Like Part 2, Part 3
is an unusually short episode.
2. Again, it features material included
mainly in order to pad it out to length,
3. including another
longer-than-usual reprise of the end
of the previous instalment.
4. K9's co-creator Dave Martin disliked
the way that the character
was portrayed in this season.
5. He felt that the robot dog
was being "spoofed".
6. Terence Dudley shoots
the Tigellan jungle set
from various different angles,
slightly redressed each time,
7. thus making it appear somewhat larger
than it actually was.
8. Dudley wore dark sunglasses throughout
the making of the story.
9. Some other contributors to
the production found it a disconcerting
habit, because they could not see
his eyes when he spoke to them.
10. The main part of Brotadac's outfit
was reused from the BBC's
1977 production of Verdi's Macbeth.
11. So too was General Grugger's -
although in both cases the costume
was augmented with other elements.
12. Bill Fraser, playing Grugger,
was born in 1908 in Perth, Scotland.
13. He turned to acting after starting
his working life with a short stint
as a bank clerk.
14. By the late 1930s, he had won
many stage roles and was running
the Connaught Theatre in Worthing.
15. He made his TV debut in 1956
on ITV's The Tony Hancock Show
16. and went on to become
a very familiar face on the small screen
over the next three decades.
17. This lengthy scene between Deedrix
and Caris was one of those added
in order to extend the running time.
18. In the cast read-through
before rehearsals, the episode
had run some seven minutes short.
19. Christopher H. Bidmead wrote
the additional material in liaison
with John Flanagan and Andrew McCulloch.
20. Apart from the latex appliances
for Meglos, the Savants' wigs were
the story's main make-up requirement.
21. To keep costs down, the other Tigellans'
natural hair was concealed
beneath cowls and helmets.
22. A microphone can be glimpsed
in the top of the shot
as Caris moves around the plinth.
23. Bidmead used this scene to build up
the mystery of the Dodecahedron.
24. This reinforces the suggestion that
the Zolfa-Thurans, who made the device,
must have been formidably advanced.
25. The script has already established that
they can manipulate time, as Meglos did
with the chronic hysteresis in Part 1.
26. We also know that they can shape-shift,
as when Meglos took
on the Doctor's form.
27. But the Zolfa-Thurans are kept
essentially a mystery. Apart from
the fact that Meglos is the last,
nothing more is revealed of them.
28. This is in contrast to the more rounded
depiction of the Tigellan culture
with its factional divides,
29. and Caris's campaigning to persuade
the others that they should return
to live on the planet's surface,
despite its hostility.
30. This scene is another added to pad
the story out, as Romana leads
the Gaztaks in circles.
31. Romana exits to the left
of the camera here...
32. but the pursuing Gaztaks exit
to the right!
33. Note also the shadow of the camera
on the Gaztak actors.
34. General Grugger's bushy beard
was a more routine demand on the talents
of this story's make-up designer,
Cecile Hay-Arthur.
35. The idea of the Dodecahedron may be
thought by some viewers to recall
an aspect of Renaissance magic,
36. in which four of the so-called
Pythagorean solids (three-dimensional
shapes) corresponded to the four natural
elements of earth, water, fire and air.
37. But the fifth, the dodecahedron,
was anomalous and therefore dangerous
to those who knew of it,
38. just as the Dodecahedron
has harmful effects on the Tigellan
and Zolfa-Thuran environments.
39. Given that the Dodecahedron was
originally scripted as the Pentagram,
this is probably pure coincidence...
40. But, curiously, the pentagram was also
significant to the Pythagoreans.
41. They labelled four of its corners with
symbols for the four natural elements,
and the fifth with one meaning
"holy thing".
42. Bill Fraser was still best remembered
by viewers for taking over from William
Hartnell as the bullying sergeant major
43. in the 1950s Granada sitcom
The Army Game.
44. Fraser reprised the role in the spin-off
Bootsie and Snudge in 1960-3,
and again in 1974.
45. Notable later work included
a regular role as Judge Roger Bullingham
in ITV's Rumpole of the Bailey.
46. He died of emphysema in 1987.
His final screen role was as Mr Casby
in a movie of Dickens's Little Dorrit,
released the following year.
47. This set was scripted as a "food bay"
with "cultivated green plants".
48. The music again establishes that
this is the disguised Meglos.
49. Publicity stills of Tom Baker as Meglos
were taken just before the start
of recording on the first studio day,
25 June 1980.
50. In some of these stills, Baker had his
hands raised, inadvertently revealing
the ends of the latex gloves.
51. John Nathan-Turner was annoyed
when these shots were later given
to the press and appeared in print.
52. This "struggle" effect
was achieved with CSO.
53. The scripted stage direction reads:
"Still somewhat green and cactoid,
Meglos sinks back among
the shadowy vegetables to rest."
54. Tom Baker's portrayal of the Doctor
in this season is notably more low-key
than in previous years.
55. In part this was due to
John Nathan-Turner's reining in the more
extravagant aspects of his performance,
56. such as his tendency to introduce
comical additions to the script
in rehearsals.
57. But Baker was also more subdued because
of his variable health and increasing
restlessness in the role he had been
playing for more than six years.
58. Interviewed on BBC Radio 2's
John Dunn show on 5 September 1980,
the actor said that he found
public recognition "wearisome".
59. He didn't get on with science fiction
fans "because they know a great deal
more about it than I do".
60. He described the American reaction
to the show as
"powerful and rather overheated".
61. He added: "I love it so much, and when
one gets proprietorial about something,
I think one has to be a bit wise
and think,
62. "well, in order for it to grow on,
I really should give
someone else a chance".
63. By then, it had already been decided
that Baker would leave
at the end of the current season.
64. That decision was announced on the
early evening BBC News bulletin
on 24 October 1980,
65. the week after transmission of the final
episode of 'Meglos' - a clip
from which featured in the bulletin.
66. A clip from Part 1 was shown later that
evening in the South East region
on the BBC's Nationwide.
67. A downbeat and unusually reticent
Baker was in the Nationwide studio
to be interviewed by Sue Lawley
beside the TARDIS police box.
68. He said that he had no immediate plans
for the future, noting ominously:
"I'm going into oblivion".
69. A figure of Baker with his green Meglos
make-up was later placed in
Madame Tussauds waxworks in London.
70. This became part of a display called
'The Doctor Who Experience'.
71. It had opened on 29 August 1980 with
Terence Dudley amongst the guests
in attendance.
72. The display already included a figure
of the Doctor, wearing his burgundy
costume from this season,
73. so this made Tom Baker the only person
ever to have had two figures - and
very similar ones, at that - on show
simultaneously at Madame Tussauds.
74. The spiral staircase seen in this scene
was also part
of the Madame Tussauds display:
75. The figure of Baker as Meglos was
positioned part-way down it, holding
the small model of the Dodecahedron
in his outstretched fingers.
76. Further padding material
is in evidence here,
77. as Romana continues
to lead General Grugger and his Gaztaks
around in circles.
78. All of the Tigellan jungle scenes
were recorded in the first
of the two studio sessions for 'Meglos'.
79. This avoided the need for the set to be
re-erected for the second session.
80. On 28 June 1980, the day after
completion of the first session,
Lalla Ward guested on BBC-1 's
morning show What's On Wogan.
81. Host Terry Wogan spoke to her about her
leaving Doctor Who - or "getting
the elbow" as he bluntly put it.
82. She said that she thought it was good
for the show to have a change
of companion once in a while.
83. As it was her birthday, astrologer
and fellow guest Frederick Davis
cast her a birthday horoscope.
84. He predicted that she would always
pursue parallel careers as an actress
and an illustrator,
85. and that there was "almost a tendency
to want to have two boyfriends
at the same time".
86. Ward replied, "I can't cope with one;
what do you mean?"
87. At the time, it was not public knowledge
that she was in a relationship
with Tom Baker.
88. The astrologer also divined that Ward
had a tendency to be flirtatious, but
that this was part of her star charm.
89. The actress was unsure how to respond.
90. It is implied in this episode that
the Doctor saw the Dodecahedron
on his first visit to Tigella
91. and that he is therefore familiar
with its appearance.
92. But this contradicts his statement
to Romana in Part 1 that he was not
permitted to see the device
when he was last here.
93. The Doctor's speculation that the
substance of the Dodecahedron has
an atomic weight of "two hundred"
(scripted as "about two hundred")
94. Implies that it is about as heavy
as mercury, which has an atomic weight
of 200.59.
95. Most elements with an atomic weight
of over 200 do not occur naturally
and are unstable.
96. The use of flaming torches on this set
meant that, for health and safety
reasons, a BBC fireman had to be present
in the studio for the recording.
97. Is the Doctor genuinely concerned about
Romana's safety here, or is this just
a pretext to try to get away?
98. He has already spent some time
in the Tigellan jungle,
99. so he must realise that the plant life
is not as hostile
as Lexa seems to believe.
100. This sequence suggests that one has
to take active steps - literally -
to provoke the bell plants,
once aware of their danger.
101. It is not even clear that they pose
anything more than a nuisance: At least,
everyone who encounters them
emerges unscathed.
102. In the 1983 Target Books novelisation,
Terrance Dicks addressed this anomaly
by indicating that the plants
also emit noxious fumes.
103. The attack on General Grugger features
a brief shot recorded on videodisk
and played backwards.
104. This created the impression of
a tendril coiling itself around his arm,
when actually it was being uncoiled.
105. K9 returns to the action here,
having played a minimal role
in the story so far.
106. The robot dog was to be written out
later in the season in 'Warriors' Gate',
at the same time as Romana herself.
107. With Tom Baker's Doctor also due
to depart shortly, Doctor Who would have
a whole new team of regulars
by the start of the following season.
108. This was an intentional phasing out
by John Nathan-Turner, who felt that the
line-up he had inherited was too strong.
109. He wanted to bring in
more vulnerable characters.
110. K9's imminent departure was announced
on John Craven's Newsround during
the week before this episode aired.
111. Nathan-Turner and K9 voice artist
John Leeson were interviewed
on BBC Radio 4's Today programme
on 9 October.
112. Over half of the 17 October edition
of BBC-1's viewer reaction round-up,
Points of View, was also devoted
to K9's axing.
113. The programme featured seven letters
of complaint
114. and used a clip from 'Meglos' Part 2
to illustrate K9's propensity
to break down.
115. Nathan-Turner later said that K9
was continually attacked and disabled
during the early stories of this season
116. in order to play with viewers'
foreknowledge that the character
would soon be leaving Doctor Who.
117. The aim was to maintain suspense as
to the precise timing and circumstances
of the robot dog's departure.
118. The previous season had seen K9 voiced
by David Brierley, as John Leeson
was keen to pursue parts other than
as a voice artist.
119. But for this season, Leeson was
persuaded to return to the role
to see out the character's tenure.
120. The sequence beginning here
was relatively complex to stage.
121. That was one reason why
it was scheduled as one of the first
to go before the cameras.
122. The window shattered here was made
of "sugar glass" - a safe alternative
to the real thing.
123. Like all action sequences, the battle
between Tigellans and Gaztaks
needed careful choreographing.
124. The laser beams from the characters'
weapons were added as electronic effects
in post-production.
125. Bill Fraser relished the opportunity of
playing the villainous General Grugger.
126. To emphasise the character's nastiness,
he insisted on being allowed
to kick K9 at one point.
127. It was stated in early publicity that
this had been a condition
of his acceptance of the role.
128. He was granted his wish - as seen here.
129. As usual in scenes
where K9 had to be picked up
by one of the other characters,
a hollow lightweight model was used,
130. instead of the standard one
with its heavy internal workings
and drive mechanism.
131. K9 was operated by Nigel Brackley,
with the assistance of Steve Cambden.
132. Brackley was an employee of
Slough Radio Control, the company that
had most recently refitted the model.
133. He had been granted a semi-permanent
secondment to the BBC specifically
to handle the robot dog.
134. The Deons' pendants were made partly
from sheets of coloured perspex
which June Hudson found
in a Shepherd's Bush shop.
135. Two uncredited non-speaking ceremonial
guards seen in this episode and the next
were played by walk-ons Michael Brydon
and David Cleeve.
136. The idea of a religious cult preparing
to sacrifice the hero to its god
is another staple plot element
of action-adventure serials.
137. This was a further scene added
by Christopher H. Bidmead to pad out
the under-running script.
138. The script additions were made after
Terence Dudley had already prepared
his studio recording schedules,
139. so they had to be rejigged too.
140. Aside from Grugger and Brotadac,
only two Gaztaks enter the ship here,
implying that the other four
were killed in the battle.
141. This will lead to an obvious
continuity error in Part 4,
as the deceased ones reappear.
142. The box-like studio set of the Gaztak
ship interior, plus its full-size
exterior doorway, dictated the
unaerodynamic shape of the model.
143. Someone on the studio floor could be
heard to cough twice here - although
the first cough has been muted
for this remastered DVD version.
144. Every credited cast member of 'Meglos'
appears in every episode -
145. an almost unique occurrence
in Doctor Who.
146. The only previous instance was
'The Edge of Destruction' (1964),
featuring just the regular cast.
147. With a few exceptions, the same
uncredited walk-on artists generally
appear in all four episodes as well.
148. This reflects in part the fact that,
by Doctor Who standards, 'Meglos'
has an unusually low death count
amongst its guest characters.
149. The script here reads:
"For the first time we see, suspended
from the roof above the Doctor,
a massive triangular slab of rock."
150. The stage directions go on to describe
the arrangement of ropes and pulleys
holding up the slab.
151. For obvious safety reasons, the shots
of the flaming torches burning through
the ropes were recorded separately
and edited in later.
152. This episode was first transmitted
at 5.42 p.m. On BBC-1
on Saturday 11 October 1980.
153. It gained 4.7 million viewers -
slightly more than Part Two -
and had a TV chart position of 129th.
154. This improvement may have been due
in part to the show's scheduled start
time having been brought forward
by half an hour,
155. possibly in response to ITV's
rescheduling of Buck Rogers in the
25th Century the previous week.
156. No Appreciation Index figure
was recorded for this episode.