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) 11'38" (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 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 scepticism 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
• "She Moves She" by Four Tet
• "Firestarter" by The Prodigy, Album: The Fat of the Land
• "Lovely Head" by Goldfrapp, Album: Felt Mountain (also used in DCOM: River Runs Deep)
• "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 (also used in DCOM: What Dreams May Come)
• "Shot You Down" by Audio Bullys feat. Nancy Sinatra, Album: Shot You Down (Single) (also used in DCOM: All About the Girl)
• "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.