Tardis

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Tardis
Tardis
(Only an approximation is given in the episode, which only tells us the story is told sometime *around* this decade -- but the 1890s or 1910s are surely possible, in-universe)
Tag: Visual edit
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{{ImageLinkTV}}
 
{{ImageLinkTV}}
 
{{Infobox Story
 
{{Infobox Story
|image =
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|image = Tesla in the TARDIS.jpg
 
|series = [[Doctor Who television stories|''Doctor Who'' television stories]]
 
|series = [[Doctor Who television stories|''Doctor Who'' television stories]]
 
|season number = Series 12 (Doctor Who)
 
|season number = Series 12 (Doctor Who)
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|featuring2 = Thomas Edison
 
|featuring2 = Thomas Edison
 
|enemy = [[Queen of the Skithra]], [[Skithra]]
 
|enemy = [[Queen of the Skithra]], [[Skithra]]
|setting = [[New York]], c. [[1900]]
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|setting = [[New York (state)|New York]], [[1900s]]
|writer = [[Nina Metivier]]
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|writer = [[Nina Métivier]]
 
|director = [[Nida Manzoor]]
 
|director = [[Nida Manzoor]]
 
|producer = [[Alex Mercer]]
 
|producer = [[Alex Mercer]]
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|production code =
 
|production code =
 
|prev = Orphan 55 (TV story)
 
|prev = Orphan 55 (TV story)
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|next = Fugitive of the Judoon (TV story)
 
|made prev =
 
|made prev =
 
|made next =
 
|made next =
  +
|trailer = Episode 4 Next Time Trailer Nikola Tesla's Night of Terror Doctor Who Series 12
|trailer =
 
|trailer2 =
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|trailer2 = COMING SOON Nikola Tesla's Night of Terror Doctor Who Series 12
|clip =
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|clip = The Doctor Meets Nikola Tesla Nikola Tesla's Night of Terror Doctor Who
 
|clip2 =
 
|clip2 =
 
|clip3 =
 
|clip3 =
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|bts = An Introduction to Tesla Nikola Tesla's Night of Terror Doctor Who Series 12
|bts =
 
|bts2 =
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|bts2 = The Great Train Chase Nikola Tesla's Night of Terror Doctor Who Series 12
 
|bts3 =
 
|bts3 =
 
}}
 
}}
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== Synopsis ==
 
== Synopsis ==
[[New York City]], the turn of the [[20th century]]. For [[Nikola Tesla]], his grand ideas for revolutionising electricity and communication are proving to be a hard sell to the public. His business rival, [[Thomas Edison]], may not want him to succeed, but surely even he cannot be behind the sudden appearance of hostile alien scavengers? The [[Thirteenth Doctor]] and her friends are about to find out.
+
[[New York City]], the turn of the [[20th century]]. For [[Nikola Tesla]], his grand [[idea]]s for revolutionising [[electricity]] and [[communication]] are proving to be a hard sell to the public. His [[business]] [[Enemy|rival]], [[Thomas Edison]], may not want him to succeed, but surely even he cannot be behind the sudden appearance of hostile [[alien]] [[scavenger]]s? The [[Thirteenth Doctor]] and her friends are about to find out.
   
 
== Plot ==
 
== Plot ==
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== References ==
 
== References ==
=== History ===
+
=== Locations ===
  +
* [[Nikola Tesla]] has invited a crowd of people to [[Niagara Falls Hydraulic Power & Manufacturing Company]] by [[Niagara Falls]].
  +
* Tesla notes that invisible forces [[animation|animate]] the [[universe]].
  +
* The [[Statue of Liberty]] in [[Manhattan]] is seen.
  +
* The Doctor notes that [[Team TARDIS]] is in [[Gilded Age]] [[New York]].
 
* The Doctor notes that, at this point in the [[history]] of [[New York City]], [[Times Square]] and the [[Empire State Building]] do not yet exist. [[Central Park]], however, "has been around for ages".
 
* The Doctor notes that, at this point in the [[history]] of [[New York City]], [[Times Square]] and the [[Empire State Building]] do not yet exist. [[Central Park]], however, "has been around for ages".
  +
* Tesla has a [[Nikola Tesla's laboratory|small lab]] in New York.
* Nikola Tesla invented the [[shadowgraph]], the [[automaton]], and the [[radio]]. He also coined and thought up the idea of [[remote control]].
 
  +
* [[Dorothy Skerrit]] came from [[Yorkshire]], [[England]].
 
* [[Wardenclyffe]] is located on [[Long Island]], right beside [[Wardenclyffe laboratory|another Tesla lab]].
   
=== Technology ===
+
=== Events ===
* Tesla discovers an [[Orb of Thassor]].
+
* A Tesla machine once caused an [[earthquake]].
  +
* Edison mentions how he once offered Tesla a [[job]] on the [[factory floor]] of his [[company]] and that he ended up digging [[ditch]]es for two [[buck]]s a [[day]].
* The Skithra use a [[Silurian]] [[Silurian blaster|blaster]].
 
* The Skithra Queen has a [[Venusian]] spaceship with a [[Klendov warp drive]] and a [[Dullirian resonator]].
 
   
=== Locations ===
+
=== Currency ===
  +
* Tesla requires an [[investor|investment]] of [[50000 (number)|50,000]] [[dollar]]s.
* [[Wardenclyffe]] is located on [[Long Island]].
 
  +
  +
=== Individuals ===
  +
* [[Brady (Nikola Tesla's Night of Terror)|Mr. Brady]] notes about [[Mars]]-stories, but Dorothy debunks them as unbelievable stories from [[the Times]].
  +
* Mr. Brady notes that he won't invest in [[fairy tale]]s.
  +
*The [[Foreman (Nikola Tesla's Night of Terror)|Foreman]] thinks Mr. Brady was killed by [[electrical shock]].
  +
* Graham calls the train they travel in the [[Orient Express]].
  +
* Ryan hesitates to jump from one train department to another because of his [[dyspraxia]].
  +
* The Doctor notes that Tesla dreamt up the [[20th century]] before it happened and that he could have been a [[billionaire]] if he hadn't torn up his [[contract]].
  +
* [[J.P. Morgan|Mr. Morgan]], Tesla's investor, wrote a letter saying that he is pulling the [[fund]]ing for the [[Wardenclyffe]] project.
  +
* [[Harold Green]] spies on Tesla.
  +
* Anyone wanting to speak with Edison has to make an appointment with [[Thomas Edison's secretary|his secretary]].
  +
* Edison had dinner with Harold Green and [[Harold Green's wife|his wife]] a [[week]] previously.
  +
* The [[Queen of the Skithra]] herself has come to steal Tesla.
  +
  +
=== Science ===
  +
* A [[scientist]] in Edison's lab uses [[grounding coil]].
  +
* The Doctor uses [[ammonium nitrate]], some green stuff and [[zinc]] to trap the "alien Harold Green".
   
 
=== Species ===
 
=== Species ===
* The Doctor calls the [[Thassor]] "one of the ancient races".
+
* The Doctor calls the [[Thassor]] "one of the ancient races" and says they are amazing [[storyteller]]s, [[inventor]]s and [[explorer]]s.
  +
* The Doctor wonders what the "alien Harold Green" uses to appear as [[human]] and debunks [[possession]], [[psionic image cloaking]] and [[hologram]]s.
  +
* The [[Skithra]] are giant alien [[scorpion]]s.
  +
* The Skithra are a [[hive species]].
  +
  +
=== Language ===
  +
* Mr. Brady says [[Poppycock]].
  +
* Graham uses the [[expression]] [[Tooting your own horn (expression)|tooting your own horn]].
  +
* Graham notes Edison is in [[The Doctor's TARDIS|the TARDIS]] on the [[QT (term)|QT]].
  +
* The Doctor tries to [[high five]] Tesla, but notes it's too early.
  +
* Graham notes that this is not their "first [[A rodeo (expression)|rodeo]]". Ryan notes they've never been to a [[rodeo]].
  +
  +
=== Companies ===
  +
* [[Thomas Edison]] is making a speech in front of [[The Edison Electric Illuminating Company]].
  +
* The [[newspaper]] ''[[New York Bugle]]'' reported on Tesla's message from [[Mars]] in [[1903]].
  +
* [[Schrauder and Sons]] is a [[5 (number)|5]] and [[10 (number)|10]][[cent|¢]] store.
  +
* There's a [[H.J. Bradshaw]].
  +
* There's a [[restaurant]] selling [[coffee]], [[sandwich]]es, [[tea]], [[cake]]s and [[chocolate]].
  +
* There's an [[Old Ale House]] that sells [[whisky]].
  +
* There's a [[K.L. Simmons Stores]].
  +
  +
=== Technology ===
  +
* Tesla demonstrates his [[Niagara Generator]].
  +
* Tesla's machines transfer [[electricity|electrical]] [[energy]] from one location to another.
  +
* Tesla plans to harness forces of nature into a [[Wireless|world wireless system]].
  +
* Tesla says that [[Wardenclyffe]] will be very functional in about a [[year]].
  +
* Tesla discovers an [[Orb of Thassor]].
  +
* The Doctor and [[Team TARDIS]] travel by [[train]].
 
* The Skithra use a [[Silurian]] [[Silurian blaster|blaster]].
  +
* Graham mentions that there are [[Tesla car|cars named after Tesla]].
 
* Nikola Tesla invented the [[shadowgraph]] which later led to [[X-ray]]s, the [[automaton]] which led to [[drone]]s, and the [[patent]] for [[radio]] which later got taken by [[Marconi]]. He also coined and thought up the idea of [[remote control]].
  +
* Graham calls Tesla and [[Thomas Edison]] [[AC/DC (disambiguation)|AC/DC]], making a [[AC/DC|double]] [[Current|reference]].
  +
** Nikola Tesla stood for the [[alternating current]] and Thomas Edison stood for the [[direct current]].
  +
* Edison wants to build the [[Edison Generator]] in place of Tesla's.
  +
* Both Tesla and Edison are working on [[light bulb]]s.
  +
* Yaz mentions [[siren]]s and [[radar]]s.
  +
** Tesla would call a radar an [[exploring ray]].
  +
* The Doctor is an expert in [[high-speed inventing]] and can rig a [[bypass]].
 
* The Skithra Queen has a [[Venusian]] [[spaceship]], that the [[Skithra]] has dubbed the [[Throne Ship of the Skithra]]. They have also stolen a [[Klendov warp drive]] and a [[Dullirian resonator]], as well as a [[starship power source]].
  +
* The Skithra stole an [[electrical condenser]].
  +
* Tesla detected the Mars signal by using his [[Teslascope]].
  +
* The Doctor has a [[Braxium Bouncer Mark III]] in her [[tool box]] that she once found at a [[bazaar]].
  +
* The Doctor blinds the [[Queen of the Skithra]] with a [[camera]].
  +
* Nikola Tesla notes that [[Dimensional transcendentalism|the TARDIS's internal dimesions transcend the external]].
  +
* Tesla has planning papers for the [[Wardenclyffe Power Plant Prototype]].
  +
* Tesla uses a [[magnifying transformer]] to pump [[volt]]s into his power plant's tunnel.
  +
* Tesla had the idea for [[Wi-Fi]].
  +
* The Doctor extends the [[TARDIS force field]] to the boundaries of Wardenclyffe.
  +
* Tesla invented a "mechanism for photographing thoughts", an "apparatus for producing ozone" and a "prototype Death Ray".<!-- Please link these if you know what this could be called or is called.-->
  +
* The Doctor uses the [[TARDIS speaker]]s.
   
 
== Story notes ==
 
== Story notes ==
* The official synopsis dates this story to [[1903]], however, this date is not given in the episode. In fact, the [[Thirteenth Doctor]] describes [[Nikola Tesla]] as "an inventor from [[1900]]" when questioning why the [[Skithra]] sought him out. As, historically, the tower at Wardenclyffe was completed in 1902, it is likely that the story is set in 1903 and the reference to 1900 was intended as an approximation.
+
* The official synopsis dates this story to [[1903]], however, this date is not given in the episode. In fact, the [[Thirteenth Doctor]] describes [[Nikola Tesla]] as "an inventor from [[1900]]" when questioning why the [[Skithra]] sought him out. As, historically, the tower at Wardenclyffe was completed in 1902, it is likely that the story is set in 1903 and the reference to 1900 was intended as an approximation. Indeed, a newspaper image is briefly seen in the episode that dates Tesla's discovery of the transmission from "Mars", some months earlier, to 1903.
  +
** The letter from J.P. Morgan refusing to fund Tesla was historically received on July 14, 1903. According to reports, that night Wardenclyffe tower "came alive shooting off bright flashes lighting up the night sky", which does seem to confirm the story as happening at that time.
* [[Robert Glenister]], who plays [[Thomas Edison]], previously appeared in classic ''[[Doctor Who]]'', as [[Salateen]] in the 1984 serial ''[[The Caves of Androzani (TV story)|The Caves of Androzani]]''. This marks his first appearance in [[BBC Wales]] ''Doctor Who'', making him one of the select few actors to have appeared in both incarnations of the programme.
 
* [[Anjli Mohindra]], who plays [[Skithra|Queen Skithra]], was previously a member of the main cast in ''[[The Sarah Jane Adventures]]''. She played [[Rani Chandra]] from 2008 to 2011. This was Mohindra's first appearance in ''Doctor Who''.
+
* [[Robert Glenister]], who plays [[Thomas Edison]], previously appeared as [[Salateen]] in the 1984 serial ''[[The Caves of Androzani (TV story)|The Caves of Androzani]]'', making him one of the select few actors to have appeared in both incarnations of the programme.
  +
* [[Anjli Mohindra]], who plays [[Skithra|Queen Skithra]], was a member of the main cast in the spin-off series ''[[The Sarah Jane Adventures]]''. She played [[Rani Chandra]] from 2008 to 2011. This is Mohindra's first appearance in televised ''Doctor Who''.
** In fact, [[Bradley Walsh]] and Mohindra had worked together before, on the ''Sarah Jane Adventures'' serial ''[[The Day of the Clown (TV story)|The Day of the Clown]]''. In that story, Walsh played the story's antagonist, [[Elijah Spellman]]. This story sees their roles reversed with Walsh now playing a companion and Mohindra playing the villain.
 
*** Mohindra said that, despite the fact that she and Walsh had worked together before, he did not recognise her due to her excessive make-up. She initially believed he was only joking with her but it was only when he asked to see a picture of her so he could say hello to her if he passed her in the street that she realised he was being serious.<ref>https://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2020-01-14/bradley-walsh-made-a-pretty-major-faux-pas-filming-doctor-who-episode/</ref>
+
* [[Bradley Walsh]] and Anjli Mohindra have worked together before on the ''Sarah Jane Adventures'' serial ''[[The Day of the Clown (TV story)|The Day of the Clown]]''. In that story, Walsh played the story's antagonist, [[Elijah Spellman]]. This story sees their roles reversed with Walsh now playing a companion and Mohindra playing the villain. Mohindra said that, despite the fact that she and Walsh had worked together before, he did not recognise her due to her excessive make-up. She initially believed he was only joking with her but it was only when he asked to see a picture of her so he could say hello to her if he passed her in the street that she realised he was being serious.<ref>https://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2020-01-14/bradley-walsh-made-a-pretty-major-faux-pas-filming-doctor-who-episode/</ref>
  +
* Although newspapers in the real world ''did'' cast reports on both Tesla's and Edison's views, the newspaper used in the episode, ''[[New York Bugle]]'', was never a real world paper, nor were the headlines ''Tesla: I Heard Message From Mars'' and ''Edison: Shut Down Tesla''. The closest possible real world connections would be newspapers ''New York Herald'' and ''New York Times'', both active at the time.
  +
* A sign in the story says ''Night of Tesla Terror'', a play on the title ''Nikola Tesla's Night of Terror''.
   
 
=== Ratings ===
 
=== Ratings ===
  +
* 4.04 million (BBC overnight)<ref>[http://www.doctorwhonews.net/2020/01/doctor-who-overnight-viewing-figures.html Nikola Tesla's Night of Terror - Overnight Viewing Figures]</ref>
''to be added''
 
  +
* 5.20 million (BBC final)<ref>[http://www.doctorwhonews.net/2020/01/nikola-tesla-official-ratings.html Nikola Tesla's Night of Terror - Final Viewing Figures]</ref>
   
 
=== Filming locations ===
 
=== Filming locations ===
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[[Category:Stories set in North America]]
 
[[Category:Stories set in North America]]
 
[[Category:Stories set in New York City]]
 
[[Category:Stories set in New York City]]
  +
[[Category:Stories set in the 1900s]]

Revision as of 13:34, 19 February 2020

RealWorld
ImagesAvailable

Nikola Tesla's Night of Terror was the fourth episode of series 12 of Doctor Who.

Synopsis

New York City, the turn of the 20th century. For Nikola Tesla, his grand ideas for revolutionising electricity and communication are proving to be a hard sell to the public. His business rival, Thomas Edison, may not want him to succeed, but surely even he cannot be behind the sudden appearance of hostile alien scavengers? The Thirteenth Doctor and her friends are about to find out.

Plot

to be added

Cast

Crew

to be added

References

Locations

Events

  • A Tesla machine once caused an earthquake.
  • Edison mentions how he once offered Tesla a job on the factory floor of his company and that he ended up digging ditches for two bucks a day.

Currency

Individuals

  • Mr. Brady notes about Mars-stories, but Dorothy debunks them as unbelievable stories from the Times.
  • Mr. Brady notes that he won't invest in fairy tales.
  • The Foreman thinks Mr. Brady was killed by electrical shock.
  • Graham calls the train they travel in the Orient Express.
  • Ryan hesitates to jump from one train department to another because of his dyspraxia.
  • The Doctor notes that Tesla dreamt up the 20th century before it happened and that he could have been a billionaire if he hadn't torn up his contract.
  • Mr. Morgan, Tesla's investor, wrote a letter saying that he is pulling the funding for the Wardenclyffe project.
  • Harold Green spies on Tesla.
  • Anyone wanting to speak with Edison has to make an appointment with his secretary.
  • Edison had dinner with Harold Green and his wife a week previously.
  • The Queen of the Skithra herself has come to steal Tesla.

Science

Species

Language

  • Mr. Brady says Poppycock.
  • Graham uses the expression tooting your own horn.
  • Graham notes Edison is in the TARDIS on the QT.
  • The Doctor tries to high five Tesla, but notes it's too early.
  • Graham notes that this is not their "first rodeo". Ryan notes they've never been to a rodeo.

Companies

Technology

Story notes

  • The official synopsis dates this story to 1903, however, this date is not given in the episode. In fact, the Thirteenth Doctor describes Nikola Tesla as "an inventor from 1900" when questioning why the Skithra sought him out. As, historically, the tower at Wardenclyffe was completed in 1902, it is likely that the story is set in 1903 and the reference to 1900 was intended as an approximation. Indeed, a newspaper image is briefly seen in the episode that dates Tesla's discovery of the transmission from "Mars", some months earlier, to 1903.
    • The letter from J.P. Morgan refusing to fund Tesla was historically received on July 14, 1903. According to reports, that night Wardenclyffe tower "came alive shooting off bright flashes lighting up the night sky", which does seem to confirm the story as happening at that time.
  • Robert Glenister, who plays Thomas Edison, previously appeared as Salateen in the 1984 serial The Caves of Androzani, making him one of the select few actors to have appeared in both incarnations of the programme.
  • Anjli Mohindra, who plays Queen Skithra, was a member of the main cast in the spin-off series The Sarah Jane Adventures. She played Rani Chandra from 2008 to 2011. This is Mohindra's first appearance in televised Doctor Who.
  • Bradley Walsh and Anjli Mohindra have worked together before on the Sarah Jane Adventures serial The Day of the Clown. In that story, Walsh played the story's antagonist, Elijah Spellman. This story sees their roles reversed with Walsh now playing a companion and Mohindra playing the villain. Mohindra said that, despite the fact that she and Walsh had worked together before, he did not recognise her due to her excessive make-up. She initially believed he was only joking with her but it was only when he asked to see a picture of her so he could say hello to her if he passed her in the street that she realised he was being serious.[1]
  • Although newspapers in the real world did cast reports on both Tesla's and Edison's views, the newspaper used in the episode, New York Bugle, was never a real world paper, nor were the headlines Tesla: I Heard Message From Mars and Edison: Shut Down Tesla. The closest possible real world connections would be newspapers New York Herald and New York Times, both active at the time.
  • A sign in the story says Night of Tesla Terror, a play on the title Nikola Tesla's Night of Terror.

Ratings

  • 4.04 million (BBC overnight)[2]
  • 5.20 million (BBC final)[3]

Filming locations

to be added

Production errors

If you'd like to talk about narrative problems with this story — like plot holes and things that seem to contradict other stories — please go to this episode's discontinuity discussion.

to be added

Continuity

Home video releases

to be added

External links

Footnotes