The Doctor has regenerated but it hasn't gone well. He's mentally unraveling and needs a place to rest beyond outside influences. Unfortunately the Master has laid a trap for the TARDIS that... Read allThe Doctor has regenerated but it hasn't gone well. He's mentally unraveling and needs a place to rest beyond outside influences. Unfortunately the Master has laid a trap for the TARDIS that denies the Doctor undisturbed recovery time.The Doctor has regenerated but it hasn't gone well. He's mentally unraveling and needs a place to rest beyond outside influences. Unfortunately the Master has laid a trap for the TARDIS that denies the Doctor undisturbed recovery time.
- The Doctor
- (archive footage)
- (uncredited)
- Security Guard
- (uncredited)
- Security Guard
- (uncredited)
- Castrovalvan
- (uncredited)
- Ambulance Man
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- Christopher H. Bidmead
- Sydney Newman(uncredited)
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe decision to have the Doctor impersonate his previous incarnations was made during rehearsal when Peter Davison presented impersonations as part of his preparation for taking on the role; his interpretation was intended to combine elements of the past Doctors.
- GoofsAt the opening when the Doctor (Tom Baker) is regenerating he is wearing boots. After Peter Davison as the Doctor gets up, he is wearing shoes (footwear does not regenerate). In addition, his hair color changes from brown to blonde in a couple of minutes (but could possibly be attributed to the completion of the regeneration).
- Quotes
Tegan Jovanka: What's a Zero Room, anyway? Doctor said something about non-interfaces.
Nyssa: I suppose it's some sort of neutral environment, an isolated space cut off form the rest of the universe.
Tegan Jovanka: He should have told me that's what he wanted. I coulda shown him Brisbane.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Multi-Coloured Swap Shop: Episode #6.14 (1982)
As with LOGOPOLIS, CASTROVALVA starts out with multiple references to earlier stories (but all done so vaguely only longtime fans could pick up on it). The TARDIS heading for the "big bang" replays the climax of the 3rd William Hartnell story. As things go along, the writing, directing & acting all are sub-standard. I'm afraid that while Christopher Bidmead was a wonderful story editor (he burned himself out after only one season by working himself too hard), he's really only a 3rd-rate writer. It's taken me decades to come to this conclusion; I guess my sensibilities just keep getting sharper.
I rather liked seeing Davison in Tom Baker's black & gold vest. But when he ditched that for the "cricket" outfit... oy. Starting here, characters on this show no longer wore clothes-- they wore "costumes", or "uniforms". JNT may have claimed this was to make them more "recognizable" or "marketable", but really, it's just trimming the budget so he could spend the money elsewhere. (Before taking over from Graham Williams, that was one his his specialties!)
The tribute to M.C. Escher in the concept and visual design of "Castrovalva" was probably the highlight of the entire serial. Beyond that, everyone in it seems dense. Anthony Ainley-- I like to think-- MUST be a better actor than he's given a chance to be. Apart from the absurd costume and really bad haircut, he was apparently told to "over-act" in every scene where he's seen as The Master. (It took until "Survival" before we finally got to see what he could do if he "toned it down" the way he always wanted to.) Roger Delgado, he AIN'T.
Between Adric, Nyssa & Tegan, the TARDIS was over-loaded. JNT may have wanted to pay tribute to the original TARDIS crew, but back then, you had 2 brainy adults and a very strange teenager. Here, you have 2 brainy teenagers and a bossy loudmouth. Oh yeah, and a Doctor who was passive instead of seeming "experienced". It just didn't work. It's no wonder Davison is my LEAST-favorite of all The Doctors. I like him-- I just don't like his Doctor. He was put to much better use when he played Albert CAMPION for 2 seasons of that show a decade later.
Unfortunately, the worst Adric story is coming up next... but I guess I'll "have" to sit thru it again. I have every other one up to this point.
- profh-1
- Oct 31, 2009
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