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Changes: Nightmare of Eden (TV story)

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{{Infobox Story
  
{{Infobox Story
 
|novelisation=Doctor Who and the Nightmare of Eden
  
|novelisation=Doctor Who and the Nightmare of Eden
āˆ’
|image= Nightmare title.jpg
 +
|image=
 
|series=[[Doctor Who television stories|''Doctor Who'' television stories]]
  
|series=[[Doctor Who television stories|''Doctor Who'' television stories]]
 
|season number= Season 17
  
|season number= Season 17
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|story number= 107
  
|story number= 107
 
|doctor=Fourth Doctor
 
|doctor=Fourth Doctor
āˆ’
|companions= [[Romana II]], [[K9 Mark II|K9]]
 +
|companions= [[Romana II]], [[K9 Mark II]]
āˆ’
|enemy= [[Mandrel]]s,<br />[[Tryst]]
 +
|enemy= [[Mandrel]]s, [[Tryst]], [[Dymond]], [[Rigg]]
 
|setting= The ''[[Empress (Nightmare of Eden)|Empress]]'', [[2116]]
  
|setting= The ''[[Empress (Nightmare of Eden)|Empress]]'', [[2116]]
 
|writer= [[Bob Baker]]
  
|writer= [[Bob Baker]]
āˆ’
|director= [[Alan Bromly]]
 +
|director= [[Alan Bromly]], [[Graham Williams]]
 
|producer= [[Graham Williams]]
  
|producer= [[Graham Williams]]
 
|epcount=4
  
|epcount=4
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|bts2=Exclusive First Look Costume disasters - Doctor Who Nightmare of Eden - BBC
  
|bts2=Exclusive First Look Costume disasters - Doctor Who Nightmare of Eden - BBC
 
|bts3= Special Feature - Josie, Joe & Simon's Favourite Moments - Doctor Who - Nightmare of Eden
  
|bts3= Special Feature - Josie, Joe & Simon's Favourite Moments - Doctor Who - Nightmare of Eden
āˆ’
}}'''''Nightmare of Eden''''' was the fourth story of [[Season 17]] of ''[[Doctor Who]]''. Narratively, it was notable for its anti-drug theme, delivered in an unusually unvarnished way for ''Doctor Who''. Though the drug was given a "sci-fi" name and origin, it was nevertheless a direct commentary on drug use and trafficking.
+
}}'''''Nightmare of Eden''''' was the fourth serial of [[season 17]] of ''[[Doctor Who]]''. Narratively, it was notable for its anti-drug theme, delivered in an unusually unvarnished way for ''Doctor Who''. Though the drug was given a "sci-fi" name and origin, it was nevertheless a direct commentary on drug use and trafficking.
   
āˆ’
''Eden'' was a notoriously difficult production, with cast and crew alike openly disagreeing with director [[Alan Bromly]]. In the end, producer [[Graham Williams]] dismissed Bromly partway through the shoot and finished the programme himself; it was this incident which convinced Williams to leave the show at the end of Season 17. {{fact}}
 +
''Eden'' was a notoriously difficult production, with cast and crew alike openly disagreeing with [[director]] [[Alan Bromly]]. In the end, producer [[Graham Williams]] dismissed Bromly partway through the shoot and finished the programme himself; it was this incident which convinced Williams to leave the show at the end of Season 17. ([[DOC]]: ''[[The Nightmare of Television Centre]]'')
   
āˆ’
Even though it was a disagreeable shoot, ''Eden'' did boast a few production peculiarities of note. It was the only [[serial]] ever written by [[Bob Baker]] ''without'' his usual writing partner, [[Dave Martin]]. It was also, according to [[Colin Mapson]], the first ''Doctor Who'' serial in which the model effects were recorded on video, instead of film. ([[DCOM]]: ''Nightmare of Eden'') Although Mapson was not enamoured of the results, [[Graham Williams]] extolled their virtues in at least one memo to this superiors. Video was very much cheaper than film, and Williams found the compromise between quality and cost acceptable. ([[DOC]]: ''[[The Nightmare of TV Centre]]'') Nevertheless, the technique did not prove popular with Williams' successor. Most model shots in future serials would again be committed to film.
 +
Even though it was a disagreeable shoot, ''Eden'' did boast a few production peculiarities of note. It was the only [[serial]] ever written by [[Bob Baker]] ''without'' his usual writing partner, [[Dave Martin]]. It was also, according to [[Colin Mapson]], the first ''Doctor Who'' serial in which the model effects were recorded on video, instead of film. ([[DCOM]]: ''Nightmare of Eden'') Although Mapson was not enamoured of the results, [[Graham Williams]] extolled their virtues in at least one memo to his superiors. Video was very much cheaper than film, and Williams found the compromise between quality and cost acceptable. ([[DOC]]: ''[[The Nightmare of Television Centre]]'') Nevertheless, the technique did not prove popular with Williams' successor. Most model shots in future serials would again be committed to film.
   
 
== Synopsis ==
  
== Synopsis ==
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The [[Fourth Doctor]] and [[Romana II|Romana]] meet the scientist [[Tryst]], who has with him a [[Continuous Event Transmuter]] (CET) machine. It contains crystals on which are stored supposed recordings of planets that he and his team have visited.
  
The [[Fourth Doctor]] and [[Romana II|Romana]] meet the scientist [[Tryst]], who has with him a [[Continuous Event Transmuter]] (CET) machine. It contains crystals on which are stored supposed recordings of planets that he and his team have visited.
   
āˆ’
Someone on board the liner is smuggling the dangerously addictive [[drug]] [[vraxoin]]. To complicate matters, the interface between the two ships allows some monstrous [[Mandrel]]s from the mud-swamps of [[Eden]] to escape from the CET machine - which does not merely take recordings, but actually displaces whole planetary areas into its crystals.
 +
Someone on board the liner is smuggling the dangerously addictive [[drug]] [[vraxoin]]. To complicate matters, the interface between the two ships allows some monstrous [[Mandrel]]s from the mud-swamps of [[Eden (planet)|Eden]] to escape from the CET machine - which does not merely take recordings, but actually displaces whole planetary areas into its crystals.
   
 
The smugglers are revealed to be Tryst and [[Dymond]], the ''Hecate's'' pilot. Vraxoin is in fact the material into which the Mandrels decompose when they are killed. The Doctor thwarts this plan, separates the two ships and returns the Mandrels to Eden.
  
The smugglers are revealed to be Tryst and [[Dymond]], the ''Hecate's'' pilot. Vraxoin is in fact the material into which the Mandrels decompose when they are killed. The Doctor thwarts this plan, separates the two ships and returns the Mandrels to Eden.
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Meanwhile Romana and Dymond go to the first class lounge and meet members of a zoological expedition - [[Tryst]] and his assistant [[Della]]. Tryst has specimens from various planets stored on his [[Continuous Event Transmuter]] (CET). Part of the machine includes a large screen that shows the planets he's visited, but the planets onscreen are not just images. Romana understands the principle behind the machine - matter transference of dimensional control - and is not impressed.
  
Meanwhile Romana and Dymond go to the first class lounge and meet members of a zoological expedition - [[Tryst]] and his assistant [[Della]]. Tryst has specimens from various planets stored on his [[Continuous Event Transmuter]] (CET). Part of the machine includes a large screen that shows the planets he's visited, but the planets onscreen are not just images. Romana understands the principle behind the machine - matter transference of dimensional control - and is not impressed.
   
āˆ’
The Doctor tells Rigg about Secker and the drug, and wonders about Tryst's travels. He meets Tryst, who seems happy to meet another scientist. The Doctor learns that one of Tryst's men died on the planet [[Eden]]. The Doctor and Rigg go to the power unit and use K9 to get to the source. Romana, alone in the lounge, plays with the controls to the CET. She looks at the projection of Eden and sees a face in the trees. Della comes in and tells her that Tryst would not like her using the machine.
 +
The Doctor tells Rigg about Secker and the drug, and wonders about Tryst's travels. He meets Tryst, who seems happy to meet another scientist. The Doctor learns that one of Tryst's men died on the planet [[Eden (planet)|Eden]]. The Doctor and Rigg go to the power unit and use K9 to get to the source. Romana, alone in the lounge, plays with the controls to the CET. She looks at the projection of Eden and sees a face in the trees. Della comes in and tells her that Tryst would not like her using the machine.
   
āˆ’
Secker is looking for his drugs when he is attacked. He screams and the Doctor and Rigg find him. He has been cut by something and is taken to the sick bay. The Doctor goes to find Secker's drug but is met by someone else who shoots him and takes the drug from the Doctor's pocket.
+
Secker is looking for his drugs when he is attacked. He screams and the Doctor and Rigg find him. He has been cut by something and is taken to the sick bay. The Doctor goes to find Secker's drug but is met by someone else who shoots him and takes the drug from the Doctor's pocket.
   
 
Secker dies in the sick bay. Romana and K9 find the unconscious Doctor. When he wakes she tells him of what she saw in the CET. Romana heads back to the lounge while the Doctor, Rigg and K9 continue to cut through to the power source.
  
Secker dies in the sick bay. Romana and K9 find the unconscious Doctor. When he wakes she tells him of what she saw in the CET. Romana heads back to the lounge while the Doctor, Rigg and K9 continue to cut through to the power source.
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=== Part 2 ===
  
=== Part 2 ===
  ⚫
[[K9 Mark II]] fires at the monster and they cover the hole. Back in the control room, [[Rigg]] scans the ship for vraxoin, with negative results. They make plans with [[Dymond]] to try to separate the two ships.
   
  ⚫
While Romana is unconscious, someone comes into the lounge and then leaves. Della comes in and helps Romana. The projection of Eden is now off. While Della gets a drink for Romana, someone pours vraxoin into the drink. Rigg arrives and she gives him the drink before making another one for Romana.
⚫
K9 fires at the monster and they cover the hole. Back in the control room, Rigg scans the ship for vraxoin, with negative results. They make plans with Dymond to try to separate the two ships.
 
āˆ’  
⚫
While Romana is unconscious, someone comes into the lounge and then leaves. Della comes in and helps Romana. The projection of Eden is now off. While Della gets a drink for Romana, someone pours vraxoin into the drink. Rigg arrives and she gives him the drink before making another one for Romana.
 
   
 
The Doctor gets some equipment from the TARDIS and goes to see Romana. Tryst arrives and the Doctor expresses his concern over the CET and lists several things wrong with it. Tryst shuts it off.
  
The Doctor gets some equipment from the TARDIS and goes to see Romana. Tryst arrives and the Doctor expresses his concern over the CET and lists several things wrong with it. Tryst shuts it off.
   
āˆ’
Back in the control room Rigg is being affected by the drug but no one realises. K9 goes into one of the unstable areas where the two ships are joined, while the Doctor waits for him. A strange man in glasses comes through the unstable area and runs away. The Doctor chases him. They run through the ''Empress'' and enter one of the unstable areas.
+
Back in the control room Rigg is being affected by the drug but no one realises. K9 goes into one of the unstable areas where the two ships are joined, while the Doctor waits for him. A strange man in glasses comes through the unstable area and runs away. The Doctor chases him. They run through the ''Empress'' and enter one of the unstable areas.
   
āˆ’
Rigg, affected by the drug, accuses the Doctor and Romana of being the drug smugglers. He also claims that the Doctor is a narcotics agent.
+
Rigg, affected by the drug, accuses the Doctor and Romana of being the drug smugglers. He also claims that the Doctor is a narcotics agent.
   
 
The Doctor is attacked by the man he was chasing, and comes face to face with another of the monsters. He comes out of the unstable area where Romana is waiting. The Doctor has found a radiation wrist band from the man he was chasing. It has the name ''Volante'' - Tryst's ship - on it.
  
The Doctor is attacked by the man he was chasing, and comes face to face with another of the monsters. He comes out of the unstable area where Romana is waiting. The Doctor has found a radiation wrist band from the man he was chasing. It has the name ''Volante'' - Tryst's ship - on it.
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As the Doctor and Romana explore the projection, they discuss the problems with Tryst's machine. The Doctor is attacked by a man-eating plant monster, but bites it in the root, which causes it to release him.
  
As the Doctor and Romana explore the projection, they discuss the problems with Tryst's machine. The Doctor is attacked by a man-eating plant monster, but bites it in the root, which causes it to release him.
   
āˆ’
Back on the ''Empress'', Tryst tells the agents that the selector for the machine is gone and he can't turn it off.
+
Back on the ''Empress'', Tryst tells the agents that the selector for the machine is gone and he can't turn it off.
   
 
The Doctor and Romana are attacked by one of the monsters, but are saved by a man who shoots the monster. He identifies himself as [[Stott]], and the monsters as [[Mandrel]]s. Taking them to a safe place, he tells them he works for the [[Space Corps]]' Intelligence Section. He thought the Doctor and Romana were the drug smugglers, but overheard their conversation. He now thinks Secker may have been involved. The three of them leave the projection and end up on the ''Empress'' where K9 is.
  
The Doctor and Romana are attacked by one of the monsters, but are saved by a man who shoots the monster. He identifies himself as [[Stott]], and the monsters as [[Mandrel]]s. Taking them to a safe place, he tells them he works for the [[Space Corps]]' Intelligence Section. He thought the Doctor and Romana were the drug smugglers, but overheard their conversation. He now thinks Secker may have been involved. The three of them leave the projection and end up on the ''Empress'' where K9 is.
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Fisk arrests Rigg. Tryst asks Fisk not to kill the Mandrels. Fisk orders that the Doctor and Romana are to be found and, if they resist, shot. After they leave, the stunned Mandrel wakes up and attacks the Doctor. After chasing the Doctor, it is electrocuted when it hits the connections the Doctor has set up. It turns into dust which the Doctor identifies as vraxoin.
  
Fisk arrests Rigg. Tryst asks Fisk not to kill the Mandrels. Fisk orders that the Doctor and Romana are to be found and, if they resist, shot. After they leave, the stunned Mandrel wakes up and attacks the Doctor. After chasing the Doctor, it is electrocuted when it hits the connections the Doctor has set up. It turns into dust which the Doctor identifies as vraxoin.
   
āˆ’
Romana reaches the control room. Rigg wants her to give him more drugs and attacks her when she can't. Fisk enters and shoots Rigg. He tells Romana she is going to be killed, and tries to stop her touching the power controls.
+
Romana reaches the control room. Rigg wants her to give him more drugs and attacks her when she can't. Fisk enters and shoots Rigg. He tells Romana she is going to be killed, and tries to stop her touching the power controls.
   
 
The Doctor signals to Romana and K9 that he is ready. K9 activates the demat gun and Romana hits the power switch. The ships start to separate, everything shakes, and the Doctor vanishes.
  
The Doctor signals to Romana and K9 that he is ready. K9 activates the demat gun and Romana hits the power switch. The ships start to separate, everything shakes, and the Doctor vanishes.
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In the confusion, Romana escapes from Fisk. Now that the ships are separated, Dymond wants to go back to his ship but Fisk won't let him - he is wanted as a witness.
  
In the confusion, Romana escapes from Fisk. Now that the ships are separated, Dymond wants to go back to his ship but Fisk won't let him - he is wanted as a witness.
   
āˆ’
Romana meets up with Della and tells her that Stott is alive.
+
Romana meets up with Della and tells her that Stott is alive.
   
 
The Doctor wakes up on the ''Hecate'' and discovers a [[laser]]. He hides from Dymond who has returned, and discovers on Dymond's computer that he is involved in the drug smuggling. Dymond gets in a shuttle to return to the ''Empress'', and the Doctor stows away.
  
The Doctor wakes up on the ''Hecate'' and discovers a [[laser]]. He hides from Dymond who has returned, and discovers on Dymond's computer that he is involved in the drug smuggling. Dymond gets in a shuttle to return to the ''Empress'', and the Doctor stows away.
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The guards have control of the Mandrels and herd them back to the projection. The Doctor lures them into the projection with the dog whistle. When he comes back out, they close down the machine. Romana has to rebuild the CET.
  
The guards have control of the Mandrels and herd them back to the projection. The Doctor lures them into the projection with the dog whistle. When he comes back out, they close down the machine. Romana has to rebuild the CET.
   
āˆ’
Part of the plan is to allow Tryst and Dymond to make their transfer. K9 locates the ''Hecate'' and the Doctor uses the machine to put it in the projection. Fisk's men take Tryst and Dymond out of the projection and into custody.
+
Part of the plan is to allow Tryst and Dymond to make their transfer. K9 locates the ''Hecate'' and the Doctor uses the machine to put it in the projection. Fisk's men take Tryst and Dymond out of the projection and into custody.
   
 
The Doctor and Romana make their farewells and head off to return the electric zoo to their original planets.
  
The Doctor and Romana make their farewells and head off to return the electric zoo to their original planets.
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* [[Fisk (Nightmare of Eden)|Fisk]] - [[Geoffrey Hinsliff]]
  
* [[Fisk (Nightmare of Eden)|Fisk]] - [[Geoffrey Hinsliff]]
 
* [[Costa]] - [[Peter Craze]]
  
* [[Costa]] - [[Peter Craze]]
āˆ’
* Passengers - [[Annette Peters]] , [[Lionel Sansby]], [[Peter Roberts]], [[Maggie Petersen]]
 +
* Passengers - [[Annette Peters]] , [[Lionel Sansby]], [[Peter Roberts (actor)|Peter Roberts]], [[Maggie Petersen]]
 
* [[Crewman 2 (Nightmare of Eden)|Crewman]] - [[Sebastian Stride]]
  
* [[Crewman 2 (Nightmare of Eden)|Crewman]] - [[Sebastian Stride]]
 
* [[Crewman 3 (Nightmare of Eden)|Crewman]] - [[Eden Phillips]]
  
* [[Crewman 3 (Nightmare of Eden)|Crewman]] - [[Eden Phillips]]
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* [[Visual Effects]] - [[Colin Mapson]]
  
* [[Visual Effects]] - [[Colin Mapson]]
 
* [[Writer]] - [[Bob Baker]]
  
* [[Writer]] - [[Bob Baker]]
  +
  +
=== Uncredited crew ===
  +
* [[Make-up assistant|Make-Up Assistant]]s - [[Elizabeth Hardiman]], [[Sinikka Ikacheimo]] ([[INFO]]: ''Nightmare of Eden'')
  +
* [[Design assistant|Design Assistant]] - [[Carol Smith]] ([[INFO]]: ''Nightmare of Eden'')
  +
* [[Visual effects assistant|Visual Effects Assistant]] - [[Chris Lawson]] ([[INFO]]: ''Nightmare of Eden'')
  +
* [[Props buyer|Props Buyer]] - [[Robert Fleming]] ([[INFO]]: ''Nightmare of Eden'')
  +
* [[Floor assistant|Floor Assistant]] - [[Alison Barnett]] ([[INFO]]: ''Nightmare of Eden'')
  +
* [[Grams operator|Grams Operator]] - [[Andrew Hunter|Andy Hunter]] ([[INFO]]: ''Nightmare of Eden'')
  +
* [[Show working supervisor|Show Working Supervisor]] - [[Chick Hetherington]] ([[INFO]]: ''Nightmare of Eden'')
   
 
== References ==
  
== References ==
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=== Planets ===
  
=== Planets ===
āˆ’
* Samples of life from various planets are stored in the [[Continuous Event Transmuter]] (CET), including [[Eden]], [[Gidi]], [[Zil]], [[Bros]], [[Vij]], [[Darp]], [[Lvan]] and [[Ranx]].
 +
* Samples of life from various planets are stored in the [[Continuous Event Transmuter]] (CET), including [[Eden (planet)|Eden]], [[Gidi]], [[Zil]], [[Bros]], [[Vij]], [[Darp]], [[Lvan]] and [[Ranx]].
   
 
=== Species ===
  
=== Species ===
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* Vraxoin was originally called "xylophilin" or "zip", but was changed so as not to sound appealing to children. [[Lalla Ward]] strongly supported this change. ([[DCOM]]: ''Nightmare of Eden'')
  
* Vraxoin was originally called "xylophilin" or "zip", but was changed so as not to sound appealing to children. [[Lalla Ward]] strongly supported this change. ([[DCOM]]: ''Nightmare of Eden'')
 
* This story had the working title of ''Nightmare of Evil''.
  
* This story had the working title of ''Nightmare of Evil''.
āˆ’
* This would be the last time that [[Bob Baker]] wrote for the televised ''Doctor Who'' franchise until [[TV]]: ''[[Mind Snap]]'' in 2010.
 +
* This was the only ''Doctor Who'' story of the classic series that [[Bob Baker]] wrote without [[Dave Martin]] and his last contribution to the franchise until ''[[Mind Snap]]'' in 2010.
āˆ’
* According to accounts by [[visual effects designer]] [[Colin Mapson]] and [[assistant floor manager]] [[Val McCrimmon]], director [[Alan Bromly]] simply didn't understand how to direct the programme efficientlyĀ ā€”Ā and wasn't interested in learning. Consequently he was removed from the project by [[producer]] [[Graham Williams]] in the midst of [[principal photography]]. Williams himself finished the project. Although [[Barry Letts]] had preceded Williams as an "emergency director" of ''Doctor Who'' (for [[TV]]: ''[[Inferno (TV story)|Inferno]]'' when the contracted director, [[Douglas Camfield]], was hospitalised with heart problems), this was the only known instance of a producer stepping in for a director that he had been forced to fire. Mapson, longtime veteran of the programme, flatly called it "without doubt, the most disastrous ''Doctor Who'' I've ever been involved in". When production finally wrapped, crew members were presented with T-shirts saying, "I'm Relieved the Nightmare is Over". ([[DOC]]: ''[[The Nightmare of TV Centre]]'')
 +
* According to accounts by [[visual effects designer]] [[Colin Mapson]] and [[assistant floor manager]] [[Val McCrimmon]], director [[Alan Bromly]] simply didn't understand how to direct the programme efficientlyĀ ā€”Ā and wasn't interested in learning. Consequently he was removed from the project by [[producer]] [[Graham Williams]] in the midst of [[principal photography]]. Williams himself finished the project. Although [[Barry Letts]] had preceded Williams as an "emergency director" of ''Doctor Who'' (for ''[[Inferno (TV story)|Inferno]]'' when the contracted director, [[Douglas Camfield]], had to pull out after suffering a heart attack), this was the only known instance of a producer stepping in for a director who had been fired. Mapson, longtime veteran of the programme, flatly called it "without doubt, the most disastrous ''Doctor Who'' I've ever been involved in". When production finally wrapped, crew members were presented with T-shirts saying, "I'm Relieved the Nightmare is Over". ([[DOC]]: ''[[The Nightmare of TV Centre]]'')
  +
* Some clips are actually images of planet Terra Nova from the {{wi|Space: 1999}} episode "Matter of Life and Death".
   
 
=== Ratings ===
  
=== Ratings ===
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== Continuity ==
  
== Continuity ==
āˆ’
* The CET machine recalls elements of the [[miniscope]] seen in [[TV]]: ''[[Carnival of Monsters]]''.
 +
* The CET machine recalls elements of the [[miniscope]] seen in [[TV]]: ''[[Carnival of Monsters (TV story)|Carnival of Monsters]]''.
āˆ’
* Members of the [[Space Corps]] previously appeared in [[TV]]: ''[[The Space Pirates]]''.
 +
* Members of the [[Space Corps]] previously appeared in [[TV]]: ''[[The Space Pirates (TV story)|The Space Pirates]]''.
 
* [[The 456]] were another race who used living creatures as a source of recreational drugs. ([[TV]]: ''[[Children of Earth: Day Four (TV story)|Children of Earth: Day Four]]'')
  
* [[The 456]] were another race who used living creatures as a source of recreational drugs. ([[TV]]: ''[[Children of Earth: Day Four (TV story)|Children of Earth: Day Four]]'')
 
* The Doctor and Romana arrive in the TARDIS, using the [[randomiser]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Armageddon Factor (TV story)|The Armageddon Factor]]'')
  
* The Doctor and Romana arrive in the TARDIS, using the [[randomiser]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Armageddon Factor (TV story)|The Armageddon Factor]]'')
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It was also released as [[DWDVDF 134|issue 134]] of ''[[Doctor Who DVD Files]]''.
  
It was also released as [[DWDVDF 134|issue 134]] of ''[[Doctor Who DVD Files]]''.
  +
 
== External links ==
  
== External links ==
 
* {{bbcepguideclassic|nightmareofeden/|Nightmare of Eden}}
  
* {{bbcepguideclassic|nightmareofeden/|Nightmare of Eden}}
  +
* {{radiotimes|2011-02-27/nightmare-of-eden}}
 
{{dwcast}}
  
{{dwcast}}
 
{{dwrefguide|who_5k.htm|Nightmare of Eden}}
  
{{dwrefguide|who_5k.htm|Nightmare of Eden}}
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{{DWTV}}
  
{{DWTV}}
 
{{TitleSort}}
  
{{TitleSort}}
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[[de:Nightmare of Eden]]
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[[es:Nightmare of Eden]]
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āˆ’
[[de:{{StoryTitle}}]]
  
 
[[Category:Doctor Who (1963) television stories]]
  
[[Category:Doctor Who (1963) television stories]]
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[[Category:Fourth Doctor television stories]]
  
 
[[Category:Stories set in 2116]]
  
[[Category:Stories set in 2116]]
āˆ’
[[Category:1979 television stories]]
  
 
[[Category:K9 television stories]]
  
[[Category:K9 television stories]]
 
[[Category:Season 17 stories]]
  
[[Category:Season 17 stories]]
 
[[Category:Four part serials]]
  
[[Category:Four part serials]]
āˆ’
[[Category:Romana II television stories]]
  
āˆ’
[[Category:Television stories that use Delia Derbyshire's 2nd theme]]
  

Revision as of 03:43, 17 September 2019

RealWorld
ImagesAvailable

Nightmare of Eden was the fourth serial of season 17 of Doctor Who. Narratively, it was notable for its anti-drug theme, delivered in an unusually unvarnished way for Doctor Who. Though the drug was given a "sci-fi" name and origin, it was nevertheless a direct commentary on drug use and trafficking.

Eden was a notoriously difficult production, with cast and crew alike openly disagreeing with director Alan Bromly. In the end, producer Graham Williams dismissed Bromly partway through the shoot and finished the programme himself; it was this incident which convinced Williams to leave the show at the end of Season 17. (DOC: The Nightmare of Television Centre)

Even though it was a disagreeable shoot, Eden did boast a few production peculiarities of note. It was the only serial ever written by Bob Baker without his usual writing partner, Dave Martin. It was also, according to Colin Mapson, the first Doctor Who serial in which the model effects were recorded on video, instead of film. (DCOM: Nightmare of Eden) Although Mapson was not enamoured of the results, Graham Williams extolled their virtues in at least one memo to his superiors. Video was very much cheaper than film, and Williams found the compromise between quality and cost acceptable. (DOC: The Nightmare of Television Centre) Nevertheless, the technique did not prove popular with Williams' successor. Most model shots in future serials would again be committed to film.

Synopsis

The TARDIS arrives on the space liner Empress, which has become locked with a private ship, the Hecate, after colliding with it on emerging from hyperspace.

The Fourth Doctor and Romana meet the scientist Tryst, who has with him a Continuous Event Transmuter (CET) machine. It contains crystals on which are stored supposed recordings of planets that he and his team have visited.

Someone on board the liner is smuggling the dangerously addictive drug vraxoin. To complicate matters, the interface between the two ships allows some monstrous Mandrels from the mud-swamps of Eden to escape from the CET machine - which does not merely take recordings, but actually displaces whole planetary areas into its crystals.

The smugglers are revealed to be Tryst and Dymond, the Hecate's pilot. Vraxoin is in fact the material into which the Mandrels decompose when they are killed. The Doctor thwarts this plan, separates the two ships and returns the Mandrels to Eden.

Plot

Part 1

Two spaceships, the Empress, a cruise liner, and the Hecate, a smaller ship, collide with each other, creating an unstable area where the two ships meet. The TARDIS materialises on the Empress, and the Doctor, Romana and K9 make their way to the bridge where they see the two captains, Rigg of the Empress and Dymond of the Hecate, arguing about their losses. The Doctor thinks he knows how to separate the ships. The Doctor and K9 go to the power unit, led there by Secker, who is acting strangely. He sneaks away, unknowingly followed by the Doctor and K9, and takes a drug out of a drawer, moments later the Doctor gets into the drawer and finds it. K9 analyses it - it is vraxoin, a deadly drug.

Meanwhile Romana and Dymond go to the first class lounge and meet members of a zoological expedition - Tryst and his assistant Della. Tryst has specimens from various planets stored on his Continuous Event Transmuter (CET). Part of the machine includes a large screen that shows the planets he's visited, but the planets onscreen are not just images. Romana understands the principle behind the machine - matter transference of dimensional control - and is not impressed.

The Doctor tells Rigg about Secker and the drug, and wonders about Tryst's travels. He meets Tryst, who seems happy to meet another scientist. The Doctor learns that one of Tryst's men died on the planet Eden. The Doctor and Rigg go to the power unit and use K9 to get to the source. Romana, alone in the lounge, plays with the controls to the CET. She looks at the projection of Eden and sees a face in the trees. Della comes in and tells her that Tryst would not like her using the machine.

Secker is looking for his drugs when he is attacked. He screams and the Doctor and Rigg find him. He has been cut by something and is taken to the sick bay. The Doctor goes to find Secker's drug but is met by someone else who shoots him and takes the drug from the Doctor's pocket.

Secker dies in the sick bay. Romana and K9 find the unconscious Doctor. When he wakes she tells him of what she saw in the CET. Romana heads back to the lounge while the Doctor, Rigg and K9 continue to cut through to the power source.

Something from the Eden projection comes out and hits Romana on her neck, causing her to lose consciousness. K9 has finally cut a hole in the wall to the power source, and when the Doctor and Rigg open the hole, a monster is behind the wall.

Part 2

K9 Mark II fires at the monster and they cover the hole. Back in the control room, Rigg scans the ship for vraxoin, with negative results. They make plans with Dymond to try to separate the two ships.

While Romana is unconscious, someone comes into the lounge and then leaves. Della comes in and helps Romana. The projection of Eden is now off. While Della gets a drink for Romana, someone pours vraxoin into the drink. Rigg arrives and she gives him the drink before making another one for Romana.

The Doctor gets some equipment from the TARDIS and goes to see Romana. Tryst arrives and the Doctor expresses his concern over the CET and lists several things wrong with it. Tryst shuts it off.

Back in the control room Rigg is being affected by the drug but no one realises. K9 goes into one of the unstable areas where the two ships are joined, while the Doctor waits for him. A strange man in glasses comes through the unstable area and runs away. The Doctor chases him. They run through the Empress and enter one of the unstable areas.

Rigg, affected by the drug, accuses the Doctor and Romana of being the drug smugglers. He also claims that the Doctor is a narcotics agent.

The Doctor is attacked by the man he was chasing, and comes face to face with another of the monsters. He comes out of the unstable area where Romana is waiting. The Doctor has found a radiation wrist band from the man he was chasing. It has the name Volante - Tryst's ship - on it.

Tryst tells Della he thinks the smuggler was their crewmember who died - Stott. The Doctor and Romana learn that Rigg is affected by vraxoin. They go the CET, and Tryst offers to help. When Romana is sent away, Tryst tells the Doctor that Della is responsible for the drug smuggling.

The Doctor and Romana go to the control room, where agents from the Azurian Empire Customs question them about their involvement in the drug smuggling. One of them, Costa, searches the Doctor and finds traces of vraxoin from the sample he had in his pocket earlier. The Doctor and Romana run away, and are chased by Costa and his boss Fisk. They run to the lounge, where the CET is on and showing Eden. The Doctor takes something from the machine and they run into the projection.

Part 3

As the Doctor and Romana explore the projection, they discuss the problems with Tryst's machine. The Doctor is attacked by a man-eating plant monster, but bites it in the root, which causes it to release him.

Back on the Empress, Tryst tells the agents that the selector for the machine is gone and he can't turn it off.

The Doctor and Romana are attacked by one of the monsters, but are saved by a man who shoots the monster. He identifies himself as Stott, and the monsters as Mandrels. Taking them to a safe place, he tells them he works for the Space Corps' Intelligence Section. He thought the Doctor and Romana were the drug smugglers, but overheard their conversation. He now thinks Secker may have been involved. The three of them leave the projection and end up on the Empress where K9 is.

On the Empress, passengers are being attacked and killed by Mandrels that have come out of the projection. Rigg is still acting silly and Fisk threatens to have him shot.

The Doctor works in the power room in order to separate the two ships. A Mandrel chases Romana into the room and then grabs the Doctor. K9 stuns it but the Doctor thinks it's dead. He sends Romana to the bridge and K9 to the demat gun to await his signal.

Fisk arrests Rigg. Tryst asks Fisk not to kill the Mandrels. Fisk orders that the Doctor and Romana are to be found and, if they resist, shot. After they leave, the stunned Mandrel wakes up and attacks the Doctor. After chasing the Doctor, it is electrocuted when it hits the connections the Doctor has set up. It turns into dust which the Doctor identifies as vraxoin.

Romana reaches the control room. Rigg wants her to give him more drugs and attacks her when she can't. Fisk enters and shoots Rigg. He tells Romana she is going to be killed, and tries to stop her touching the power controls.

The Doctor signals to Romana and K9 that he is ready. K9 activates the demat gun and Romana hits the power switch. The ships start to separate, everything shakes, and the Doctor vanishes.

Part 4

In the confusion, Romana escapes from Fisk. Now that the ships are separated, Dymond wants to go back to his ship but Fisk won't let him - he is wanted as a witness.

Romana meets up with Della and tells her that Stott is alive.

The Doctor wakes up on the Hecate and discovers a laser. He hides from Dymond who has returned, and discovers on Dymond's computer that he is involved in the drug smuggling. Dymond gets in a shuttle to return to the Empress, and the Doctor stows away.

The Doctor, on the Empress, is reunited with Romana and K9. Romana tells him the laser can send telecom messages and can also send a CET crystal. They realise that Tryst and Dymond are the smugglers.

The Doctor works on the CET machine, and Stott tells the agents that Tryst and Dymond are the smugglers. Tryst and Dymond temporarily hold Della, but when she escapes they shoot her. They head for the shuttle and back to the Hecate. Romana finds Della who is hurt but alive.

The guards have control of the Mandrels and herd them back to the projection. The Doctor lures them into the projection with the dog whistle. When he comes back out, they close down the machine. Romana has to rebuild the CET.

Part of the plan is to allow Tryst and Dymond to make their transfer. K9 locates the Hecate and the Doctor uses the machine to put it in the projection. Fisk's men take Tryst and Dymond out of the projection and into custody.

The Doctor and Romana make their farewells and head off to return the electric zoo to their original planets.

Cast

Uncredited cast

Crew

Uncredited crew

References

  • Tryst and the Doctor know Professor Stein.

Businesses

Drugs and medicines

  • Vraxoin, also known as XYP, is a fungus which induces apathy. It's also called "vrax" for short.

Military

  • Stott is a major in the intelligence section of the Space Corps.

Planets

Species

  • Mandrels turn into vraxoin when electrocuted.

Spacecraft

Technology

Story notes

  • Vraxoin was originally called "xylophilin" or "zip", but was changed so as not to sound appealing to children. Lalla Ward strongly supported this change. (DCOM: Nightmare of Eden)
  • This story had the working title of Nightmare of Evil.
  • This was the only Doctor Who story of the classic series that Bob Baker wrote without Dave Martin and his last contribution to the franchise until Mind Snap in 2010.
  • According to accounts by visual effects designer Colin Mapson and assistant floor manager Val McCrimmon, director Alan Bromly simply didn't understand how to direct the programme efficiently ā€” and wasn't interested in learning. Consequently he was removed from the project by producer Graham Williams in the midst of principal photography. Williams himself finished the project. Although Barry Letts had preceded Williams as an "emergency director" of Doctor Who (for Inferno when the contracted director, Douglas Camfield, had to pull out after suffering a heart attack), this was the only known instance of a producer stepping in for a director who had been fired. Mapson, longtime veteran of the programme, flatly called it "without doubt, the most disastrous Doctor Who I've ever been involved in". When production finally wrapped, crew members were presented with T-shirts saying, "I'm Relieved the Nightmare is Over". (DOC: The Nightmare of TV Centre)
  • Some clips are actually images of planet Terra Nova from the Space: 1999 episode "Matter of Life and Death".

Ratings

  • Part one - 8.7 million viewers
  • Part two - 9.6 million viewers
  • Part three - 9.6 million viewers
  • Part four - 9.4 million viewers

Filming locations

Production errors

If you'd like to talk about narrative problems with this story ā€” like plot holes and things that seem to contradict other stories ā€” please go to this episode's discontinuity discussion.
  • In part two, when K9 seals up the wall panel, a hand emerges to hold the panel in place.
  • Also in part two, when the Doctor runs downstairs, one stair is clearly seen to slip.
  • During a scene on the Bridge in part four, Geoffrey Hinsliff fluffs one of his lines, calling the character of Tryst by his own character name, Fisk ā€” i.e. "Fisk, what would the Doctor want inside the projection [of Eden]?" (The DVD's English HoH subtitles correct the on-screen error.)
  • When Della is shot by Dymond in one of the corridors in part four, the ray strikes her in the neck but Jennifer Lonsdale clutches her stomach in response.

Continuity

DVD, video and other releases

Digital releases

Nightmare of Eden was released onto the iTunes Store in the US, Australia and UK in 2008/2009.

The story is also available for streaming in the US through Hulu Plus or Amazon Instant Video in the UK.

Video releases

Nightmare of Eden was released on video in 1999.

DVD release

The DVD was released in April 2012 in Region 2 and May 2012 in Regions 1 and 4.

Special features include:

It was also released as issue 134 of Doctor Who DVD Files.

External links

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