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S01. Planet of the Dead

Planet of the Dead

About

Synopsis

When a London bus takes a detour to an alien world, the Doctor must join forces with the extraordinary Lady Christina. But the mysterious planet holds terrifying secrets, hidden in the sand. And time is running out, as the deadly Swarm gets close.

Credits

Written by Russell T Davies & Gareth Roberts
Directed by James Strong

The Doctor – David Tennant
Lady Christina – Michelle Ryan
Malcolm – Lee Evans
Capt Magambo – Noma Dumezweni
DI McMillan – Adam James
Sgt Dennison – Glenn Doherty
Angela – Victoria Alcock
Nathan – David Ames
Carmen – Ellen Thomas
Lou – Reginald Tsiboe
Barclay – Daniel Kaluuya
Bus Driver – Keith Parry
Sgt Ian Jenner – James Layton
Sorvin – Paul Kasey
Praygat – Ruari Mears

Quotes

The Doctor: “Call it a hunch, but I think we’ve gone a little bit further than Brixton…”

Christina: “You’re called The Doctor?”
The Doctor: “Yes I am.”
Christina: “That’s not a name, that’s a psychological condition.”

Christina: “You look human.”
The Doctor: “You look Time Lord.”

The Doctor: “I said gold.”
Barley: “It is gold.”
The Doctor: “Well, they saw you coming…”

Malcolm: “A wavelength parcel at 10 kiloHertz operating in four dimensions equals one Malcolm.”
The Doctor: “You named a unit of measurement after yourself?”
Malcolm: “Well, it didn’t do Mr. Watt any ‘arm. Furthermore, 100 Malcolms equals a Bernard.”
The Doctor: “And who’s that, your dad?”
Malcolm: “Don’t be ridiculous. That’s Quatermass.”

Christina: “But you were right, it’s not about the money. I only steal things for the adventure and today with you; I want more days like this. I want everyday to be like this. We’re made for each other, you said so yourself. The perfect team. Why not?”
The Doctor: “People have travelled with me and I’ve lost them. Lost them all. Never again.”

Carmen: “No, but you be careful, because your song is ending, soon.”
The Doctor: “What do you mean?”
Carmen: “It is returning. It is returning through the dark. And then Doctor, oh but then, he will knock four times.”

Notes

Filmed on location in Dubai, Spain.

Planet of the Dead was the first ever episode of Doctor Who to be filmed in HD.

The bus was badly damaged during transportation to Dubai after a container was accidentally dropped on it. However it was written into the story.

Carmen says that the Doctor’s song is ending soon. Ood Sigma said the same thing in Planet of the Ood.

Second appearance of Capt Magambo (Noma Dumezweni). She first appeared in Turn Left.