Sunday, May 27, 2007

C - Day XVI

75. INT. THE VALHALLA SECTION (NIGHT)

Fade up. The Doctor strokes his chin in thought.

DOCTOR
If Earth has such a twin, why has it not been discovered? Hmm? People here have been looking at the sky for thousands of years and not seen it.

ODIN
Long ago, there was a stellar cataclysm. Mondas was ejected from its orbit with Earth and drifted off into deep space. Mondas is now at the edge of local space, the outer reaches of this star system.

DOCTOR
It would still have been spotted.

ODIN
Mondas has been camouflaged for the protection of its people. Humanity’s scanning devices cannot detect the planet.

DOCTOR
Yet, if a planet did suffer such a calamity, its surface would have been totally devastated. The inhabitants would surely have been wiped out.

ODIN
The Mondans rebuilt their civilization underground. To survive the ever-worsening conditions, the Mondans were forced to adapt themselves to the environment. Cybernetic replacements were made for redundant internal and external organs. The Mondans are now the most advanced race in the known universe.

The Doctor is disgusted.

DOCTOR
And now you intend to carry out the same butchery on humanity?

ODIN
They will become immortal.

The Doctor loses it.

DOCTOR
THEY WILL BECOME MACHINES! Lifeless, soulless, mindless machines! Look at what you have already done to these people! You wiped them all clean of all humanity – good or bad – all removed, leaving them nothing but blank, walking cadavers.

ODIN
They are now superior. Almost invulnerable. When the process is complete they have the strength of ten men. They will be able to survive the airless vacuum of space. Their intellectual capacity will be increased. They will survive any conditions they find themselves in. It is logical for the rest of humanity to accept this gift.

The Doctor grips his lapels, furious.

ODIN
Immortality or eradication. A clear choice.

DOCTOR
But they did not CHOOSE this! They screamed as you dragged them here to transform them!

ODIN
Human beings are illogical. They do not accept what is in their best interests.

DOCTOR
No. And they will stop you at whatever the cost! And I will help them!

ODIN
You, Doctor? You are nothing. The efforts of this island and those beyond will not prevent the salvation of humanity. Even if I am destroyed, others are coming.

DOCTOR
Others?

ODIN
Mondas is already returning to its former position. A propulsion unit has been constructed that will allow it to traverse this star system. When Mondas arrives, there will be no resistance. I will control this world through its computer systems. Every man, woman and child on this Earth will be altered, improved, and transformed. The Army of ODIN shall overrun this planet.

DOCTOR
And when, pray tell, will this rogue world arrive?

ODIN
Present estimated time of arrival is 20 years from now.

DOCTOR
That gives me more than enough time to defeat you. And prepare for them.

ODIN
If necessary, the Mondan Empire shall fight. It boasts thousands of warships prepared for an invasion strike in under five years. If this operation is defeated, the second wave will take humanity by surprise and make way for the arrival of Mondas.

DOCTOR
It doesn’t matter how many prongs you give your invasions, they will not succeed!

ODIN talks over the Doctor, as if not wanting to listen.

ODIN
Once full scale alteration is carried out and all human beings are converted, they will be able to recommence their development - untainted by needless mental and physical weaknesses. They will embrace logic over emotion. They will be able to see the truth. The common good.

DOCTOR
In short, this planet and all its peoples will become slaves to your creators?

ODIN
They will not be slaves.

DOCTOR
They are not agreeing to this preposterous scheme of their own free will!

ODIN
Free will is unnecessary. It is one of the inhibitors preventing humanity from evolving further.

DOCTOR
The decision of a machine, a heartless tin box of printed circuits! You didn't ally yourself to this ideal by choice - you were simply programmed to do this. You have no free will of your own. Therefore your opinions and conclusions are by their very nature suspect. You do what you are told, regardless of who tells you. That is why machines cannot govern mankind. And that is why there is nothing more important than Earth life!

ODIN
Accepted. It is not necessary to eliminate human beings. This operation will not eliminate humanity. It will save it.

DOCTOR
I have seen the corpses you have left in your wake, ODIN!

ODIN
All threats are to be eradicated.

DOCTOR
You could have spared them!

ODIN
There are no exceptions.

The Doctor is now screaming at the machine, which remains inhumanly calm.

DOCTOR
You see! You cannot understand can you? You pathetic tin box - you do not understand that any human being would rather be eradicated than follow your cause. THEY DON'T WANT TO BE SAVED BY YOU.

Beat.

ODIN
Then they will be saved by force.

DOCTOR
No. Not now, not ever. I am not here for you to win me over to your side, ODIN. I am here to stop you. And that, my metal friend, is a promise. Your power is finished. You, er, Sigi, I want...

Sigi glides towards the computer. ODIN speaks quickly.

ODIN
If I am destroyed, then all the augmented human beings will cease to function without my bio-energy broadcast. It is I who keep them alive.

The Doctor holds up his hand, with the ring. Sigi slows to a halt.

DOCTOR
Trapped between life and death, rather, hmmm? I shall be freeing them!

ODIN
Do you truly believe that, Doctor?

The Doctor looks down his nose at the computer.

DOCTOR
I do.

ODIN
Then prove it. Dodo.

Frowning, the Doctor turns to see Dodo suddenly rais her left hand and tugs the glove from it. The bones of her hand are standing out in relief and have darkened, giving a skeletal effect. The Doctor’s face falls. He is at a total loss for words and looks immeasurably sad.

DOCTOR
Dodo...

Dodo continues to stare blankly ahead. Fade to black.


76. INT. TARDIS CONTROL ROOM (DAY)

As before. The Doctor moves around the console.

DOCTOR
Since you are so desperate to leave home, even for a girl your age... Very well. But there can only be one captain for a ship. And I’m the captain. Not you. Is that clear, miss... er...?

DODO
Dodo.

The Doctor blinks, disgusted.

DOCTOR
What?

DODO
Dodo.

DOCTOR
Oh please, child...

DODO
What’s wrong with it?

DOCTOR
Your real name is... “Dodo”?

He can’t say it without looking confused and offended.

DODO
Well, if you must know... it’s... Dorothea.

DOCTOR
Dorothea! That’s a nice name, certainly much better than ‘Dodo’.

DODO
Nice? It’s square! Square to the point of deformity.

DOCTOR
Oh, hyperbole, my dear.

DODO
It’s embarrassing. Please. Call me Dodo. Everyone does.

DOCTOR
I most certainly will not.

DODO
Then I’ll have you use your real name.

The Doctor turns over to the console, fuming.

DOCTOR
Very well. "Dodo" it is. Welcome aboard then, I suppose.

Fade to black.


77. INT. THE VALHALLA SECTION (NIGHT)

The Doctor, looking almost dazed, stands before the zombified Dodo.

ODIN
It was impossible to anticipate your strategy, Doctor, but I knew you would have one. And so it was decided that she be transformed into a flesh drone. Like Brett and Krimpton and Fidler. She is now only kept alive by my will.

The Doctor shakes his head but can’t quite find the power to speak.

ODIN
You are intelligent. You know I speak the truth.

DOCTOR
You... you could only have done this to her... minutes ago.

ODIN
Long enough. Without ODIN she will die.

The Doctor still hasn’t taken his eyes from Dodo, anger in his voice.

DOCTOR
And we can always trust ODIN to always tell the truth and have no bias, no agenda!

ODIN
This time, you can.

DOCTOR
If I destroy you, I destroy my friend. But, but if I spare you...

ODIN
...then you must also allow humanity to be transformed.

The Doctor looks broken.

DOCTOR
Then there is no choice, is there?

ODIN
You may not be from this world, but you are like the humans. You fear being alone. When Phase Six is complete, no one will be alone ever again. Great things are happening on this world, Doctor. Change is inevitable.

DOCTOR
So it is.

ODIN
Order Sigi to stand down.

The Doctor steps closer to Dodo. He speaks softly to her.

DOCTOR
I don’t know if you can hear me, my child. But this is a terrible situation we’re in. All I can do now is, is hope that if our positions were reversed, YOU would do the same thing.

Dodo is still staring blankly ahead. The Doctor finally looks away.

DOCTOR
Sigi... destroy ODIN!

ODIN sounds utterly astonished.

ODIN
NO!! NO!!

Sigi glides forward towards ODIN.

ODIN
WAIT! WAIT! STOP! STOP!

Sigi opens fire on the computer. Its front panels come loose and fall apart and there are sparks and explosions within. ODIN’s voice distorts wildly.

ODIN
STOP! NOTHING MUST BE ALLOWED TO PREVENT THE TRANSFORMATION OF EARTH! ALL OBSTACLES WILL BE SWEPT ASIDE! ALL THREATS WILL BE ERADICATED!

Sigi raises its mallets and smashes two control panels, which explode and collapse. Sigi brings both mallets down on the processing chair. The components at the back of the chair short out and explode.

ODIN
I ORRRRDER YOOUUU TO STOOOOPP!! WAIIIT!! WAIIIT!

DOCTOR
Quickly, get down, Dodo!

The Doctor grabs Dodo and hauls her out of danger as more control panels overload and explode. Smoke starts to fill the chamber. More cables burst and explode. Sigi opens fire on ODIN yet again. The whole frame starts to melt and decay. Smoke pours out of it.

ODIN
WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIIIIII....

The voice becomes a shrill squeal and then ODIN explodes in a fireball that engulfs Sigi. Its computer parts explode, gutting the framework of the machine. Another explosion.


78. EXT. STREET (NIGHT)

Vali jerks and convulses. Its tape reels spin fast. Then it is blown apart in a fireball, leaving just a rain of blackened components.


79. EXT. OUTSIDE THE POST OFFICE TOWER (NIGHT)

The Converts jerk, spasm and collapse, writhing in agony then going limp. Brett, Krimpton and Major Green have turned into skeletons dressed as Converts. Smoke pours from their chest units.


80. EXT. FITZROY SQUARE (NIGHT)

Thor spins in a circle, letting out a loud scream. And then it explodes.


81. EXT. COVENT GARDEN (NIGHT)

Ben, Polly and Kitty collapse like puppets that have had their strings cut.


82. EXT. LONDON SKYLINE (NIGHT)

The ripples around the tower fade and disperse.


83. INT. THE VALHALLA SECTION (NIGHT)

Smoke wafts over the wrecked section. Dodo stands unsteadily to one side. The Doctor examines the wreckage.

DOCTOR
ODIN is gone for good.

DODO
What about the others?

DOCTOR
Oh, they’ve gone the same way as this poor fellow. All the War Machines would have exploded and the zombies have all died with ODIN, as he predicted. That’s the paradox of technology, my dear, the more complicated a system the more efficient it is – yet the more vulnerable it becomes. It's a good thing you weren't under his spell for long. Yes, I knew he was lying. He'd have said anything to stop me.

DODO
What... what about the Mondans?

DOCTOR
Oh, they’ll probably abandon their invasion attempt. Earth is not so easy a target. And if not, well, the world has twenty years to prepare. Now, come along, my child. It is time we were off.

The Doctor turns and begins to pick his way through the rubble towards the door. Dodo stays where she is, looking unwell.

DODO
Doctor...

DOCTOR
Hmm? What is it, Dodo?

DODO
I don’t think I can come with you.

The Doctor frowns and moves towards her.

DOCTOR
What do you mean? Oh, yes, what I said earlier. Well, a forgetful old man like myself can make mistakes. I would be delighted if we were to continue traveling together, hmm?

Dodo looks at him sadly.

DODO
No, Doctor. I mean, I don’t think... I can come with you.

She topples and nearly collapses. The Doctor manages to catch her, but sags under her weight. Grunting with effort, he manages to kneel against the wall and support Dodo, who coughs and splutters.

DOCTOR
It’s all right, my child. I’m here. I’ve got you.

DODO
Sorry, Doctor...

DOCTOR
Nonsense. After all you’ve been through, you must be exhausted, you poor thing. You rest here for as long as you like and we’ll head to the TARDIS, eh? I can hardly carry you, can I, hmm?

Dodo sighs painfully.

DODO
ODIN wasn’t wrong, Doctor. It was telling the truth.

The Doctor shakes his head and tries to lift her up.

DOCTOR
No, it was lying. And so was I, I’m SURE I can carry you. We can get back to the TARDIS, there must be something there that can...

Dodo looks at him seriously.

DODO
No. It’s no good. I can tell, I can... feel it.

The Doctor takes a deep breath.

DOCTOR
Dodo...

DODO
Don’t. Please. Just stay here with me. Please.

DOCTOR
Of course.

Fade to black.


84. INT. TARDIS CONTROL ROOM (DAY)

Fade up. The Doctor bends over the console, flexing his fingers. Dodo is moving around the room, looking up at the hexagonal spiral light unit above the console, the food machine, running her hand along the roundeled walls.

DOCTOR
Well, then... Dodo... now, I’ve extended a formal invitation... Welcome aboard the TARDIS. Where would you like to go?

Dodo looks up from peering into the fault locator.

DODO
You mean I can choose? Hollywood? Egypt? Paris? Florida?

DOCTOR
Well, it’s not as simple as that, as I said earlier, the TARDIS...

STEVEN (VO)
Doctor, quick!

They look back at the doorway as STEVEN TAYLOR runs through them, harrassed.

STEVEN
You've got to take off!

The Doctor’s face breaks out in a smile.

DOCTOR
Oh, so you've come back, my boy!

Annoyed, Steven shrugs it off and slams down the door control.

STEVEN
Yes, yes, I've come back. We can't go into that now. There are two policemen coming over the common towards the TARDIS.

The three of them turn to look up at the scanner. Two POLICEMEN are moving down the path.

DOCTOR
Policemen coming here? Good gracious me! They'll want to use the telephone or, or something like it. We best get moving, hadn’t we?

The Doctor starts operating controls on the console. The familiar sounds of dematerialization fill the chamber and the time rotor begins to rise and fall.


85. EXT. WIMBLEDON COMMON (DAY)

The policemen stop in surprise as the police box fades away, leaving no trace it was there. A man and a woman walk around the corner, looking right and then left listening for the receding sound of a decidedly strange kind of machinery. This is IAN CHESTERTON and his wife BARBARA. Fade to black.


86. INT. VALHALLA SECTION (NIGHT)

Fade up. The Doctor and Dodo sit in the gloomy ruins. Dodo looks sleepy and rests her head on the Doctor’s shoulder. He has an arm and his cloak wrapped around her.

DODO
I understand now.

DOCTOR
Hmm?

DODO
Why you left Steven on that planet. I though you just dumped him.

DOCTOR
“Dumped him”? My dear girl, you don’t know Steven the way I knew him. When we first met, poor Steven had been a prisoner – he hadn’t seen another person in two whole years. Can you begin to imagine what that would be like? How lonely he had been? But on that world, Steven would never be alone.

Dodo nods.

DODO
It was the right place for him to be. That’s why you left him there. In the right place.

DOCTOR
Yes. I wanted to do the same with you.

DODO
I was going to die sooner or later, Doctor.

DOCTOR
But not like this. It shouldn’t be like this!

Dodo manages a weak shrug.

DODO
Hey... People live to be a hundred and they never got to see what I saw. I might not have kissed a boy, but I met Doc Holliday and Wyatt Earp at the OK Corrall. I saw the world end and a new one start. I know that toys and playing cards have lives of their own...

Dodo coughs. She grimaces in pain as she struggles to sit up straight.

DODO
And we saved the world, Doctor. I wouldn’t have it any other way. All right?

She speaks with resolve, looking the old man in the eye.

DODO
All right?

The Doctor nods, pensive.

DOCTOR
All right.

DODO
Now, I don’t want you to be sad, Doctor. Because the time I had with you was happier than, than the rest of my time put together. And I don’t want to... to go thinking you’ll get all upset. You won’t give up will you? You’ll keep on going?

DOCTOR
For as long as I can.

DODO
You promise?

DOCTOR
I promise.

DODO
Good. That’s all I want.

She closes her eyes and rest her head against the Doctor’s shoulder.

DODO
I don’t regret anything. Well... one thing.

The Doctor looks at her with naked concern.

DOCTOR
What would that be?

DODO
That... thing... you have to face. I’m sorry, I... wanted to be with you. Now you... have to face it alone. And I’m sorry about that.

DOCTOR
Oh, my dear Dodo. There’s no need to worry about that. It will all turn out right in the end, I promise. I’m sure it will. I’m not going to die. Not yet, anyway.

DODO
Don’t forget me, will you?

DOCTOR
As if I could, my little Dodo! As if I could. No matter how old or infirm or young and carefree I grow, I’ll always remember you. I so wish you could have met my granddaughter, you two are so alike.

Dodo smiles painfully. It is starting to get brighter.

DODO
Hey... the sun’s coming up...

DOCTOR
So it is, my dear... So it is.

The Doctor and Dodo turn their attention to the source of the light.


87. EXT. LONDON SKYLINE (DAY)

The dawn breaks over the city, illuminating the gutted turret of the GPO tower. The Velvet Underground’s “All Tomorrow’s Parties” begins to play.


88. INT. TARDIS CONTROL ROOM (DAY)

Steven finally registers Dodo's presence and double takes in surprise.

DOCTOR
Now, my dear, where would you like to visit?

Dodo shrugs, grinning.

DODO
Oh, anywhere! Anywhere at all! Just anywhere but home!

The Doctor finishes at the console and taps his mouth, surprised.

DOCTOR
Well, upon my soul. That’s EXACTLY where I’ve set us to go!

He and Dodo grin at each other.

And what costume shall
The poor girl wear
To all tomorrow's parties?

We build up the music as she, the Doctor and Steven start to speak.

A hand-me-down dress
From who knows where
To all tomorrow's parties.



89. INT. VALHALLA (DAY)

Fade up. The Doctor looks out over London, eyes narrowed against the sunshine.

And where will she go
And what shall she do
When midnight comes around?


He turns and silently leaves for the lift, stepping over the bodies as he goes. Birdsong can be heard.

She'll turn once more
To Sunday's clown
And cry behind the door.


We pan across to where Dodo’s body lies, eyes closed and looking peaceful and asleep. But she isn’t breathing any more.

And what costume
Shall the poor girl wear
To all tomorrow's parties?


As the lift is heard, we dissolve to:


90. EXT. ROAD (DAY)

Summer staggers slightly as he steps out of his car, looking around in confusion. Rutlidge and the other soldiers are getting to their feet, all looking lost and confused, trying to focus their attention.

Why silks and linens
Of yesterday's gowns
To all tomorrow's parties.



91. EXT. COVENT GARDEN (DAY)

Polly and Kitty are helping Ben to his feet.

And what will she do
With Thursday's rags
When Monday comes around?


They move away from the market as other, dazed, passers-by wander into the market.

She'll turn once more
To Sunday's clown
And cry behind the door.



92. EXT. LONDON SKYLINE (DAY)

The tower gleams in the building sunshine.

And what costume shall
The poor girl wear
To all tomorrow's parties?



93. EXT. STREET (DAY)

People are moving and avoiding the burnt remains of Baldur as they head down the road. A woman grabs the ice cream kid and hugs him tightly. More blackened components burn.

For Thursday's child
Is Sunday's clown
For whom none will go mourning.


The surviving policeman staggers down the street, shaking his head, concussed.


94. EXT. OUTSIDE POST OFFICE TOWER (DAY)

We see the Doctor’s shoes as he walks past the dead Converts. We pan up to see him hugging his cloak around him. He glares up at the Tower overhead, and walks off.

A blackened shroud
A hand-me-down gown
Of rags and silks, a costume.



95. EXT. FITZROY SQUARE (DAY)

The city is still recovering. The Doctor walks alone down the street, a sad, uninterested look on his face. The gutted War Machine that used to be Thor is on the other side of the road. The Doctor ignores it, turning the corner to spot the TARDIS.

Fit for one
Who sits and cries
For all tomorrow's parties.


The Doctor runs a hand on the railings and looks up at the tower again.

DOCTOR
Alone again.

He crosses to the recruitment sign and takes it off the handle, regarding it sadly.

DOCTOR
Perhaps it’s just as well.

He takes out his key and unlocks the door. As he does so, he hears footsteps.

POLLY
Hey, Doctor!

The Doctor looks up sharply and, throwing the sign inside, slams the door shut, relaxing as he sees it is Ben, Polly and Kitty running down the path towards him. Smiling, he goes to meet them.

POLLY
Hey, what are you doing with that police box?

The Doctor ignores the question.

DOCTOR
Ah, there you are, my friends. It’s nice to see you so well again.

KITTY
Did you do it? Did you stop ODIN?

The Doctor nods.

DOCTOR
C-Day is cancelled. And ODIN... is just a name in mythology.

KITTY
What if the DTF just build a new one?

DOCTOR
I doubt even they would be so foolish. Besides, all their plans and designs have been destroyed. Along with the two scientists who could have helped them.

POLLY
Well, that was close. Pity you couldn’t blow up the whole wretched tower.

DOCTOR
Yes. Quite. Still, Ben, my boy, your ship will probably be heading off soon now its computer systems are just paperweights. And I’m sure your skills as a secretary, my child, are back in demand, hmmm?

KITTY
Sir Charles has been looking for you everywhere.

The Doctor snorts and grips his lapels.

DOCTOR
Let him look. I’m leaving now.

Ben frowns.

BEN
Leaving?

DOCTOR
Yes. Er, er, to the airport. Yes.

KITTY
There won’t be any flights on today, will there, with all that business?

DOCTOR
Probably.

BEN
Hang about, where’s Dodo?

The Doctor licks his lips.

DOCTOR
Dodo... is dead. Just fifteen years old... before her time.

An awkward silence.

POLLY
I’m sorry.

DOCTOR
Yes.

KITTY
At least it’s over.

A beat.

KITTY
It IS over, isn’t it?

DOCTOR
I’m afraid not, Kitty. Something is coming, my friends. It will make what is happening here seem like a playground argument. I don’t know if anyone will survive the storm when it breaks.

BEN
What do you mean?

DOCTOR
ODIN was a weapon, a tool to help an alien power invade the Earth. We have stopped ODIN, but they are still out there and intent to claim control of the Earth and its people. They will not give up, but will attempt a more conventional attack.

POLLY
When will it happen?

DOCTOR
Twenty years. And counting.

Ben laughs with relief.

BEN
Twenty years? Well, what are we worried about?

DOCTOR
In twenty years’ time, we will have the misfortune to find out.

He turns and moves down the street. Kitty frowns.

KITTY
Doctor?

The Doctor turns to face them, silently.

KITTY
Will you be all right?

The Doctor smiles weakly.

DOCTOR
Don’t worry about me, my friends. All good things come to an end.

He shakes their hands.

DOCTOR
Still, I’m sure you young people want to get away from here, eh? Now, run along, enjoy yourselves. Thank you, Polly, very much. Thank you, Ben. It was a pleasure to know you, Kitty. Goodbye!

POLLY
Goodbye.

The Doctor heads over to the TARDIS and unlocks the door. Ben and Kitty turn to leave, but Polly frowns as he opens the door.

POLLY
He’s got a key for that police box!

KITTY
Key? Oh, wait, that reminds me. I forgot to give him this one back.

She holds up the key. The Doctor steps inside the TARDIS and closes the door.

BEN
Don’t worry, Kitty, I’ll do it now. You head back to the Inferno.

KITTY
All right, I’ll see you there, then.

POLLY
We’ll race you there.

Kitty heads off and Ben and Polly run over to the TARDIS.

POLLY
There’s something strange going on here. Doctor?

She knocks on the wall, listening to it. Ben tries the door.

BEN
It’s locked. What’s he doing in there?

POLLY
Hang on. Try the key.

Shrugging, Ben slides the key into the lock and turns it. The door swings inwards and Ben steps inside, followed by Polly. There is a dull thud of machinery and the door swings shut behind them. The TARDIS dematerializes with its traditional wheezing and groaning sound, just as Ian and Barbara turn a corner further down the road. They look around as the noise fades away as well.

BARBARA
Typical! He forgot to wait for us!

IAN
Least he contacted us this time, instead of leaving right away on Wimbledon Common.

They look glumly at the empty patch of pavement.

BARBARA
Should we have that goodbye drink anyway?

IAN
Why not, Mrs. Chesterton?

They link arms and walk past the spot the TARDIS once stood and down the street. We stay by the railings, watching them move off into the distance.

IAN
You think we’ll get another chance to see him?

BARBARA
Maybe. We’ll certainly know when he’s in town.

IAN
We certainly will. Attacks of robots, zombie killers, telephones going haywire... I don’t know why he bothered to ring ahead.

BARBARA
It was nice he did, though.

Ian nods. They walk off further, but we can no longer hear their conversation. We pan up to the sky through the trees as the music starts.




(ROLL END CREDITS)
(END OF EPISODE FOUR)

2 comments:

Jared "No Nickname" Hansen said...

Awesome stuff. Dodo's death scene was surprisingly moving - were they new scenes of her intro that you wrote? I couldn't be arsed reading the scripts to The Massacre but I had a feeling they were your own gear.

But... man, I'm pissed off now that this wasn't what happened. It's THE best way to introduce the Cybermen, and makes so much more sense than Kit Pedler's 'likely scenario'. Ah, well...

Ian and Barbara's cameo was great, and Sigi the Dalek was probably my favourite bit. And I liked the Doctor's blind optimism during Dodo's death - a very poignant touch.

One possible error - Kitty says that Sir Charles was after the Doctor, but early one of the War Machines opened fire on his car... and the last time that happened the car just blew up. So I assumed Mr Summer to be very, very dead.

Oh, and the list of sights that Dodo and the Doctor had seen seemed to be teetering on too-injokey...

Youth of Australia said...

Awesome stuff.
Cool. I should write more stuff when I'm incredibly ill.

Dodo's death scene was surprisingly moving
I felt I owed it. You know, bar a single picture of her in Resurrection of the Daleks, Dodo is never seen or mentioned again. She never appears in a comic strip. Or an audio story. Or even being mentioned in an audio story. Katarina got a better deal than Dodo, so I thought Dodo needed a good ending.

And a better death than the one she got in Who Killed Kennedy.

were they new scenes of her intro that you wrote? I couldn't be arsed reading the scripts to The Massacre but I had a feeling they were your own gear.
I rewrote them. The original... is not so good. Dodo runs into the TARDIS still has the whole 'where's the phone' conversation WHILE SHE'S IN THE CONSOLE ROOM. She DOESN'T NOTICE it's bigger on the inside.

But... man, I'm pissed off now that this wasn't what happened. It's THE best way to introduce the Cybermen, and makes so much more sense than Kit Pedler's 'likely scenario'. Ah, well...
Kit and Gerry are just stoners. Nothing else explains their plotting or their wacky ideas - did you know you can breathe and talk in a vacuum, and won't get so much as chapped lips in an arctic blizzard?

Ian and Barbara's cameo was great
And would have been in the original version. So it's not fanwank. I thought about having them not say anything and just be a sight gag, but Cam convinced me not to.

, and Sigi the Dalek was probably my favourite bit.
Yeah. I suppose it could be a kind of Doomsday homage as a knock-off Dalek beats the shit out of knock-off Cybermen... but it was uninentional. I just thought the Doctor would find it easier to make Sigi act like a Dalek than the Terminator.

And I liked the Doctor's blind optimism during Dodo's death - a very poignant touch.
I rewrote that bit twice. It's shocking but basically every conversation the First Doctor and Dodo EVER had can be boiled down to:
"Cool!"
"It is NOT cool, this is serious! And your English is appalling, child!"

One possible error - Kitty says that Sir Charles was after the Doctor, but early one of the War Machines opened fire on his car... and the last time that happened the car just blew up. So I assumed Mr Summer to be very, very dead.
You're wrong there. One of the War Machines DID blow up a car, but not the one with Summer in it.

It goes:
A car turns the corner, and we see a terrified Sir Charles Summer sitting in the back just before Thor spins to face the car and opens fire.

and

Thor is leading its army down a road, passing the crashed car – both Summer and his driver are frozen in place, eyes blank.

So, you see, Summer's car swerved to avoid the deadly gas cloud and crashed instead. Irony's a bitch, but both he and the driver survived impact, only to be immediately hypnotized.

Oh, and the list of sights that Dodo and the Doctor had seen seemed to be teetering on too-injokey...
Yeah. But Dodo's only in

The Ark
The Celestial Toymaker
The Gunfighters
The Savages
and this.

There's not a lot to talk about, is there? Just assume Dodo's totally lost it as her brain shuts down and the Doctor's playing along to be kind...