The Dark Side (CON episode)

The Dark Side
Broadcast on:	BBC Three
Broadcast with:	The Long Game
Series number:	1
Broadcast date:	7 May 2005 (full length) 8 May 2005 (Cut Down)
Runtime:	30 minutes (full length) 15 minutes (Cut Down)
Key crew
Narrator:	Simon Pegg
Memorable moment
Doctor Who Confidential
← Previous	The Daleks
Next →	Time Trouble

The Dark Side was the episode of Doctor Who Confidential broadcast in conjunction with series 1 episode The Long Game. It was narrated by Simon Pegg, who also appeared in the associated episode as the Editor.

Aspects of production covered

• The theme of the nature of media and how it can influence people.
• Filming schedules, and how that had an impact on the writing of The Long Game.
• The motivations of Van Statten in Dalek, and The Editor in The Long Game.
• Simon Pegg discusses being The Editor.
• VFX work for the Jagrafess.

Additional topics covered

• Russell T Davies discusses his skepticism of the idea of 'evil geniuses', and his desire to ground the series' villains in motivations.
• The history of villains within Doctor Who, including Davros, Omega and The Master.
• The character of Turlough and how he is similar in some ways to Adam Mitchell.

2005 promo image.

People interviewed

• Russell T Davies, Head Writer
• Phil Collinson, Producer, Doctor Who
• Simon Pegg, The Editor
• Clayton Hickman, Editor, Doctor Who Magazine
• Andrew Collins, Critic & Broadcaster
• Tom Baker, The Fourth Doctor
• Colin Baker, The Sixth Doctor
• Billie Piper, Rose Tyler
• Peter Davison, The Fifth Doctor
• Eric Roberts, The Master
• Sylvester McCoy, The Seventh Doctor
• Corey Johnson, Henry Van Statten
• Brian Grant, Director, Episode 7
• Will Cohen, Visual Effects Producer
• Dave Houghton, Visual Effects Supervisor
• Christopher Eccleston, The Ninth Doctor

Music list

• "Come Down on Me" by Lemon Jelly, Album: 64-95
• "Firestarter" by The Prodigy, Album: The Fat of the Land
• "Lovely Head" by Goldfrapp, Album: Felt Mountain
• "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" by Tears for Fears, Album: Songs from the Big Chair
• "Robot Rock" by Daft Punk, Album: Human After All
• "Shot You Down" by Audio Bullys feat. Nancy Sinatra, Album: Shot You Down (Single)
• "Alpha Male" by Röyksopp, Album: Röyksopp's Night Out
• "What People Do All Day" by Aim, Album: Hinterland
• "We Never Change" by Coldplay, Album: Parachutes
• "Block Rocking Beats" by The Chemical Brothers, Album: Singles 1993-03
• "Wordy Rappinghood" by Tom Tom Club, Album: 12" 80's
• "They" by Jem, Album: They (Single)

Crew

• Camera - Eric Huyton, Chris Pain, Andy Smith
• Sound - Kevin Meredith, Les Mowbray, Roger Van K
• Cyfle Trainee - Bethan Evans
• Runners - Nic Britz, Maxine Hughes, Lucy Lutman, Hannah Williams
• Junior Researcher - Alexander Gratton
• Researchers - Geoff Evans, Zoë Rushton, Stephen Thomas
• Production Co-ordinator - Hannah Simpson
• Production Managers - Catherine Gosling, Zoë Scott
• Editor - Sara Jones
• Colourist - Jon Everett
• Dubbing - Peter Jeffreys
• Executive Producers for Dr Who - Russell T Davies, Julie Gardner, Mal Young
• Executive Producer - Mark Cossey
• Series Producer - Gillane Seaborne
• Produced & Directed by - Griff Rowland

Elements retained in Cut Down

• Simon Pegg discusses being The Editor.
• The history of villains within Doctor Who. (Condensed significantly, and constrained down to only the modern series)
• VFX work for the Jagrafess.
• Discussion of Adam Mitchell's part within this story (restructured to remove the Turlough comparison)

Home video releases

Doctor Who: The Complete First Series DVD cover.

The "Cut Down" version of this episode was included on the Doctor Who: The Complete First Series DVD box set released on 21 November 2005.