The Curse of the Black Spot (TV story)

The Curse of the Black Spot was the third episode in the sixth series of Doctor Who.

Synopsis
The TARDIS is marooned onboard a 17th-century pirate ship whose crew is being attacked by a mysterious and beautiful sea creature. Becalmed and beset by cabin fever, the pirates have numerous superstitious explanations for the Siren’s appearance. The Doctor has other ideas but, as his theories are disproved and every plan of escape is thwarted, he must work to win the trust of the implacable Captain Avery and uncover the truth behind the pirates’ supernatural fears – and he must work quickly, for some of his friends have already fallen under the Siren’s spell…

Cast

 * The Doctor - Matt Smith
 * Amy Pond - Karen Gillan
 * Rory Williams - Arthur Darvill
 * Henry Avery - Hugh Bonneville
 * Boatswain - Lee Ross
 * Siren - Lily Cole
 * Mulligan - Michael Begley
 * Eye Patch Lady - Frances Barber
 * Toby Avery - Oscar Lloyd
 * DeFlorres - Tony Lucken
 * Dancer - Chris Jarman
 * McGrath - Carl McCrystal

Crew

 * Writer - Steve Thompson

Story notes

 * This episode was supposed to air in the autumn half of the series, but was swapped round for unknown reasons.
 * A prequel for this story was released online.
 * As with this story, Earth-born diseases were the bane of the aliens in The War of the Worlds.

Ratings
to be added

Myths

 * The Eye Patch Lady will reappear. This rumor was proven True.

Filming locations

 * Cornwall

Production errors

 * Like in most television and films, this episode shows a very unrealistic depiction of CPR, as the process of CPR is not intended to revive a victim. The purpose of CPR is to keep a minimum amount of oxygen flowing to the brain to prevent brain damage until professionals arrive to treat the victim.
 * In actual fact, pirates never made victims walk the plank.

Continuity

 * Amy recalls the Doctor's death. (DW: The Impossible Astronaut)
 * The Eye Patch Lady reappears. (DW: Day of the Moon)
 * Rory is killed and resurrected. (DW: Amy's Choice, Cold Blood, The Big Bang)
 * The marking of the hand is akin to the green mark individuals experienced before mutating into a Primord. (DW: Inferno)
 * Another Captain Avery is mentioned in The Smugglers
 * The TARDIS again seems confused whether Amy Pond is pregnant or not. (DW: Day of the Moon)

Home video releases
Part one of the series, containing episodes 1 to 7, will be released in the summer.