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"Planet of the Dead" is an episode of the British science fiction television series Doctor Who that was broadcasted on 11 April 2009. It is the first of four specials to be broadcast throughout 2009 and early 2010.

Plot

When a London bus goes off-course to an alien planet, Lady Christina joins up with the Doctor to uncover the mysteries beneath the sand; as time moves on the fatal Swarm gets closer. Psychic character Carmen prophesies that the Doctor's song is ending, as the Ood had done in "Planet of the Ood", and warns that at the end someone will come and he will "knock four times".

Production

Executive Producer and head writer Russell T Davies co-wrote the episode with Gareth Roberts ("The Shakespeare Code", "The Unicorn and the Wasp"). The episode is directed by James Strong and production began on 19 January in Wales. The title of the episode was unveiled during the closing credits of "The Next Doctor" broadcast on 25 December 2008. It is the first episode of Doctor Who to be filmed in HD.

Rumours of overseas shooting in Dubai were confirmed by Davies in interviews in late January, who indicated the need for a desert on "a proper alien planet". At the same time, reports emerged that a 1980 Bristol VR double-decker bus — previously alluded to as a major element of the story — had been substantially damaged during transport to Dubai. Subsequently, the bus was partially reconstructed and used in filming although substantial rewrites were necessary to maintain the production schedule. Russell T Davies later explained that only one page of the script had been altered to incorporate the damage, and that there was, "...no crisis. None at all."

"Planet of the Dead" has been described as Doctor Who's 200th story for publicity purposes, but writer Russell T Davies has pointed out that this designation is arbitrary and debatable.

Casting

Comedian Lee Evans plays Malcolm, a professor, whose life is said to become connected to the Doctor's in extraordinary circumstances. Michelle Ryan plays Lady Christina de Souza, a character with "... a mysterious past who's going to have a huge impact on the Doctor". 'UNIT' Captain Erisa Magambo is played by Noma Dumezweni, reprising her role from "Turn Left". Adam James plays Detective Inspector McMillan.

References

1. Cook, Benjamin (11–17 April 2009), "Sands of time", Radio Times, pp. pp. 16-20 {{citation}}: |pages= has extra text (help)
2. Tribe, Steve (2009). Doctor Who: Companions and Allies. BBC Books. p. 96. ISBN 978-1-846-07749-4. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
3. ^ "Doctor Who - The Tennant Tapes". BBC. 28 March 2009. Retrieved 28 March 2009.
4. ^ "Planet of the Dead listing". Radio Times. 11-17 April 2009 (cover date). {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
5. "Series Five". BBC. 3 September 2007. Retrieved 25 January 2009.
6. ^ "Get ready for Planet of the Dead!". Doctor Who Magazine (404). Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent: Panini Comics: 5. 4 February 2009 (cover date). {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
7. "Doctor Who - Saturday 11 April - Programme Details". Radio Times. Retrieved 2009-04-04.
8. "Press Office - Network TV Programme Information BBC Week 15". BBC. 1 April 2009. Retrieved 1 April 2009.
9. "Doctor Who – Planet Of The Dead". Network TV Programme Information BBC Week 15. BBC Press Office. 26 March 2009. Retrieved 27 March 2009.
10. ^ "All aboard for next special". BBC. 23 January 2009. Retrieved 25 January 2009.
11. "Doctor Who to be filmed in HD". Doctor Who Online. 4 February 2009. Retrieved 5 February 2009.
12. Nick Setchfield (28 January 2009). "Doctor Whobai". SFX. Retrieved 29 January 2009.
13. Michelle Ryan Interview, "The Paul O'Grady Show" Channel 4, 5pm, 8 April 2009.
14. Ben Leach (28 January 2009). "Doctor Who filming disrupted as double decker bus wrecked". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 29 January 2009.
15. ^ Davies, Russell T (1 April 2009 (cover date)). "Production Notes". Doctor Who Magazine (406). Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent: Panini Comics: 4. Is this the 200th Doctor Who story or not?! Oh, it's a minefield. .... There is no official BBC policy on this. There never will be. .... It's an argument that will never end. No one can ever claim an absolute victory, or an absolute defeat. Only their own opinion. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)

External links

• Planet of the Dead (TV story) on Tardis Wiki, the Doctor Who Wiki

Template:Doctor Who (2009-10 specials)

• 2009 television episodes
• British television specials
• Screenplays by Russell T Davies
• Tenth Doctor episodes