The Happiness Patrol (TV story)

Synopsis
The TARDIS arrives on the planet Terra Alpha where the Doctor and Ace discover a society in which sadness is against the law - a law enforced with considerable zeal by the brightly uniformed Happiness Patrol. The planet is ruled over by Helen A with the aid of her companion Joseph C and her carnivorous pet Stigorax named Fifi.

The penalty for those found guilty of unhappiness is death in a stream of molten candy prepared by Helen A's executioner, the robotic Kandyman, and his associate Gilbert M. The time travellers help to foment rebellion amongst the downtrodden population and the subterranean Pipe People - the planet's original inhabitants - and Helen A is overthrown.

Joseph C and Gilbert M escape in a shuttle, while the Kandyman is destroyed and Fifi killed. Helen A finally realises that happiness is nothing without the contrast of sadness.

Plot
to be added

Cast

 * The Doctor - Sylvester McCoy
 * Ace - Sophie Aldred
 * Helen A - Sheila Hancock
 * Joseph C - Ronald Fraser
 * Daisy K - Georgina Hale
 * Priscilla P - Rachel Bell
 * Gilbert M - Harold Innocent
 * Trevor Sigma - John Normington
 * Susan Q - Lesley Dunlop
 * Earl Sigma - Richard D. Sharp
 * Harold V - Tim Barker
 * Silas P - Jonathan Burn
 * Kandy Man - David John Pope
 * Killjoy - Mary Healey
 * Forum Doorman - Tim Scott
 * Snipers - Steve Swinscoe, Mark Carroll
 * Wences - Philip Neve
 * Wulfric - Ryan Freedman
 * Newscaster - Annie Hulley

Crew

 * Assistant Floor Manager - Lynn Grant
 * Costumes - Richard Croft
 * Designer - John Asbridge
 * Incidental Music - Dominic Glynn
 * Make-Up - Dorka Nieradzik
 * Producer - John Nathan-Turner
 * Production Assistant - Jane Wellesley
 * Production Associate - June Collins
 * Script Editor - Andrew Cartmel
 * Special Sounds - Dick Mills
 * Studio Lighting - Don Babbage
 * Studio Sound - Scott Talbott, Trevor Webster
 * Theme Arrangement - Keff McCulloch
 * Title Music - Ron Grainer
 * Visual Effects - Perry Brahan

Story Notes

 * This story had the working title; The Crooked Smile.
 * Patricia Routledge, best known for her role as Hyacinth on "Keeping Up Appearances," was originally considered for the role of Helen A, but turned it down.

Ratings

 * Part 1 - 5.3 million viewers
 * Part 2 - 4.6 million viewers
 * Part 3 - 5.3 million viewers

Myths

 * Part Three of this story was originally intended to consist of animation rather than live action. (It wasn't.)

Filming Locations
to be added

Discontinuity, Plot Holes, Errors
none

Continuity

 * The Doctor faces the Kandyman in ST: The Trials of Tara.

DVD and Video Releases
to be added

Novelisation

 * Main article: The Happiness Patrol (novelisation)


 * Novelised as The Happiness Patrol in 1990 by Graeme Curry.