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Patrick Troughton
Fury From the Deep
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Synopsis


Mr Quill
Mr Quill
 The TARDIS brings The Doctor, Jamie and Victoria to the south coast of present-day Earth. Something nasty is lurking in the gas pipelines of the North Sea, and before long the nearby refinery is under attack.

 Landing on a foam-covered beach, the travellers are at first mistaken for saboteurs. A number of the refinery personnel have been behaving strangely, and the base chief, Robson, is showing serious signs of stress. Meanwhile Maggie Harris, having been stung by a mysterious frond of sea vegetation, is menaced by the sinister engineers Oak and Quill.

 As sentient foam and weed combine to frightening effect, it soon becomes clear that the danger emanates from beneath the sea. Can that really be a heartbeat coming from deep inside die refinery pipes? Will The Doctor and his friends be in time to prevent an entire take-over of Earth - and will they all escape with their lives?

Source: BBC Audio


General Information

Season: Five
Production Code: RR
Story Number: 42
Episode Numbers:198 - 203
Number of Episodes: 6
Number of Incomplete/Missing Episodes:6
Percentage of Episodes Held:0%
Production Dates: February - March 1968
Broadcast Started: 16 March 1968
Broadcast Finished: 20 April 1968
Colour Status: B&W
Studio: Ealing Television Film Studios, Lime Grove (Studio D) and BBC Television Centre (TC1)
Location: Red Sands Sea Fort (Thames Estuary), Botony Bay (Kingsgate, Kent) and Denham Aerodrome (Denham, Buckinghamshire).
Writer:Victor Pemberton
Director:Hugh David
Producer:Peter Bryant
Story Editor:Derrick Sherwin
Editor:Colin Hobson
Production Assistant:Michael Briant
Assistant Floor Manager:Margot Hayhoe
Designer:Peter Kindred
Costume Designer:Martin Baugh
Make-Up Designer:Sylvia James
Cameraman:Ken Westbury
Lighting:Sam Neeter
Visual Effects:Len Hutton and Peter Day
Incidental Music:Dudley Simpson
Special Sounds (SFX Editor):Brian Hodgson
Studio Sounds:David Hughes
Title Sequence:Bernard Lodge
Title Music:Ron Grainer and the BBC Radiophonic Workshop. Arranged by Delia Derbyshire
Number of Doctors: 1
The Doctor: Patrick Troughton (The Second Doctor)
Number of Companions: 2The Companions: Frazer Hines (Jamie McCrimmon) and Deborah Watling (Victoria Waterfield) (Departs) Additional Cast: Victor Maddern (Robson), John Abineri (Van Lutyens), Roy Spencer (Harris), June Murphy (Maggie Harris), Graham Leaman (Price), Peter Ducrow (Guard), John Garvin (Carney), Hubert Rees (Chief Engineer), Richard Mayes (Chief Baxter), Bill Burridge (Quill), John Gill (Oak), Margaret John (Megan Jones), Brian Cullingford (Perkins)Setting: England (circa 1968) Villain:Seaweed Creature

The Episodes

No. Episodes Broadcast
(UK)
Duration Viewers
(Millions)
In Archive
198Episode 116 March 196824'54"8.2Missing
199Episode 223 March 196823'08"7.9Missing
200Episode 330 March 196820'29"7.7Missing
201Episode 406 April 196824'17"6.6Missing
202Episode 513 April 196823'40"5.9Missing
203Episode 620 April 196824'24"6.9Missing

Total Duration 2 Hours 21 Minutes


Audience Appreciation

Average Viewers (Millions) 7.2
Doctor Who Magazine Poll (1998)78.11%  (Position = 28 out of 159)
Doctor Who Magazine Poll (2003)415 Points (Position = 38 out of 159)
Doctor Who Magazine Poll (2009)79.65% Higher (Position = 41 out of 200)
Doctor Who Magazine Poll (2014)76.50% Lower (Position = 69 out of 241)
Doctor Who Magazine Poll (2023) Position = 9 out of 21


Archives


 All six episodes are missing. Several short clips from episodes 2, 4, 5 and 6 were recovered, in October 1996, from Australian censor cuts. A brief clip from episode 1 also exists, of the TARDIS landing in the water, as reused in "The War Games", along with silent 16mm colour location film. Telesnaps (off-air camera photographs) from this story also exist in the BBC Archives.



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Notes


This story was based in part upon an earlier radio story, by author Victor Pemberton, called "The Slide" and entered production as "The Colony of Devils". After being renamed to "Fury From the Deep" it became The only Second Doctor story, not to have "The" as the starting word.

Location filming was carried out on two disused oil platforms in the Thames Estuary Permission was only granted after a great deal of work on securing the location.

This story marks the end of Deborah Watling's regular involvement in Doctor Who, as companion Victoria Waterfield. Although Victoria would reappear in the first part of the next story, "The Wheel in Space" (in material filmed as part of "Fury From the Deep"), this would later reprise her role as Victoria in the Thirtieth-Anniversary Children In Need special "Dimensions in Time", in 1993 and the video production "Downtime". Deborah Watling also played the part of Auntie in the Big Finish Productions Doctor Who audio drama "Three's a Crowd".

The first episode marks the debut of the long-used sonic screwdriver which The Doctor uses to open a release valve on an outlet pipe. Its initial design is a simple penlight.

The scene of the weed-infected technicians Quill and Oak attacking Maggie Harris in her cabin is considered to be one of the most terrifying scenes in the show's history.

The Doctor finds a reference to the weed creatures in a book of 18th Century marine legends.

Victoria is heard to say that they are always landing on Earth, Jamie McCrimmon adds that it's always England!

In an emotive speech Victoria mentions the Daleks, the Cybermen and the Yeti where she is heard to state 'Every time we go anywhere something awful happens'.

This story is considered to be one of the finest, well-produced serials of Doctor Who in the 1960's. "Fury From the Deep" is regrettably lost in its entirety, save for a few clips most of which were recovered, in October 1996, from Australian censor cuts. The master videotapes for the story were the final 1960s Doctor Who episodes to be junked; they were authorised for wiping in late 1974.

A fan-produced documentary, "The Making of Fury From the Deep" includes rare footage and excerpts from "The Slide". It lasts fifty minutes and includes interviews with key members of the production team.

This story was novelised as for Target, by Victor Pemberton, in 1986. The editors decided not to cut Pemberton's lengthy manuscript, which was far longer than the normal word limit. It was released as a "special bumper volume" with the entire manuscript.



First and Last

The Firsts:

 The first appearance of The Doctor's sonic screwdriver.

 The first Doctor Who story to be written by Victor Pemberton.


The Lasts (Subject to Future Stories):

 Deborah Watling's last story as companion Victoria.

 The final 1960s Doctor Who story to be junked.


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The Plot

WARNING: May Contain SpoilersHide Text
Arriving on the Beach
Arriving on the Beach

The TARDIS materialises on the surface of the sea, just off the east coast of England. To reach the nearby shore The Doctor, Jamie McCrimmon and Victoria Waterfield use a rubber dinghy. As they explore the beach The Doctor spots a pipeline running up the beach – which he has to take a closer look at. The Doctor believes he can hear a strange beating sound coming from the pipe and so starts to loosen the screws on an inspection plate using, when Jamie asks, a sonic screwdriver. Suddenly, without any warning, the three travellers are shot with tranquilliser darts.

Shortly afterwards they awake to find themselves in a large control room inside a North Sea Gas refinery. The controller, John Robson, demands that they explain why they were tampering with the pipeline. Unsatisfied with The Doctor’s reply, and more concerned by the loss of contact with one of the drilling rigs at sea, he has his deputy Frank Harris lock them up in one of the cabins.

With the intruders out of the way, Robson can concentrate on more pressing problems. But Harris has other ideas when he asks Robson to consider shutting down the pipeline as he has gathered considerable evidence about the pressure variations that have been occurring. Robson though demands evidence prompting Harris to contact his wife, Maggie, to bring the paperwork that he had accidentally left in their living quarters. However, when Maggie eventually locates the papers she is stung by a clump of seaweed that, for some unknown reason, is with them. In disgust she throws the seaweed out onto the balcony.

Inspecting the Pipeline
Inspecting the Pipeline

Meanwhile The Doctor, Jamie and Victoria manage to escape from their makeshift cell. The Doctor decides that he and Jamie should investigate the impeller shaft, whilst Victoria should stay in the cabin. Victoria though finds herself trapped in an oxygen supply room with foam poring out of a ventilation duct. To Victoria’s horror amongst the foam is a moving mass of seaweed. On hearing Victoria's scream The Doctor and Jamie race to rescue their friend but when they arrive the seaweed has already retreated leaving only a toxic gas in the air. Back in the Harris’ living quarters Maggie has become very drowsy. She does though manage to tell her husband about the seaweed that stung her. Harris decides to fetch The Doctor. However, as soon as her husband has left Maggie rises from the bed and opens the door to the balcony where the seaweed is growing amongst a mass of foam. Maggie is then visited by two strange men who, when they open their mouths wide, fill the room with a toxic gas.

With the pressure dropping in the impeller, The Doctor tries to convince Robson that he has heard strange movements in the pipe but Robson dismisses it as malfunctioning machinery and so refuses all appeals to shut down the pipe. Then Harris arrives and tells him what has happened to his wife. Robson agrees to put The Doctor, Jamie and Victoria into Harris' custody for an hour. However, when they arrive at the Harris’ living quarters they find Maggie in a coma and the apartment filled with gas. When Victoria finds a clump of the seaweed by the bed The Doctor carefully places it into a plastic bag and returns, with Victoria, to the TARDIS. After running some tests he discovers that the seaweed is responsible for the toxic gas. The tests also confirm his suspicions that the weed is alive. After showing Victoria an illustration of a legendary creature witnessed in the eighteenth century she confirms that she saw the same creature when she was trapped in the oxygen supply room.

Frank Harris with The Doctor and Victoria
Frank Harris with The Doctor and Victoria

While they have been away Robson has become more unstable, accusing Harris of conspiring against him. After being attacked in his own quarters he is then seen leaving the complex. Maggie has also disappeared – she is last seen covered in a weed-like growth striding into the sea and disappearing below the surface. Then it is discovered that there is more of the foam and seaweed in the impeller shaft. With the need to reinstate gas supplies to the country Harris finds himself under a lot of pressure. This is increased when helicopters, which had been sent to fly over the rigs, report back that each is covered in weed and foam and that there has been no sign of life.

When The Doctor arrives back he warns Harris that Robson is probably under the control of the weed creature. He also believes that one of the rigs must have sucked up a parasitic form of seaweed and that it is now using the rigs as a bridgehead to spread onto the mainland and, if not stopped, eventually all over the world. To prevent this they must find a way of destroying the creature's nerve centre.

After an attempt to pump pure oxygen down the impeller shaft fails the control room is suddenly swamped by foam - inside which is the seaweed creature. In the confusion Jamie suddenly realises that Victoria is missing. It is soon discovered that she has been kidnapped by Robson, who has left the complex in a helicopter. The Doctor contacts Robson by radio and tries to reason with him, but Robson tells him that if he wants Victoria back he must follow them. The Doctor has little choice and so after a hair-raising flight in another helicopter, flown by The Doctor, he and Jamie arrive on one of the rigs. Surrounded by foam and weed creatures The Doctor confronts a rapidly mutating Robson allowing Jamie to free Victoria. However, when one of the seaweed creatures advances on The Doctor, Victoria can’t help herself but to scream. To everyone’s surprise the creature pulls back. Realising the affect Victoria’s scream has had on the creature The Doctor tells Victoria to keep screaming while they make their getaway.

Robson
Robson

With this valuable knowledge The Doctor, back at the refinery, makes plans to kill the weed by recording Victoria’s screams and then channelling and amplifying them, through the pipes, to the creature's nerve centre on the control rig. His plan works and the seaweed retreats. With the nerve centre destroyed and all the infected humans returned to normal, The Doctor make plans to depart. However, Jamie is shocked when Victoria announces to them both that she has had enough adventures and has decided to stay and live with Frank and Maggie Harris.

The Doctor is saddened by Victoria’s announcement but understands her decision to settle down to a quieter life. Jamie though is distraught. The Doctor and Jamie decide to stay another day to check she is sure. When they realise that she is The Doctor and Jamie depart in the TARDIS leaving Victoria on the beach waving goodbye to them both.

 
Maggie Harris
Maggie Harris
Mr Quill and Mr Oak
Mr Quill and Mr Oak
Mr Quill
Mr Quill
The Doctor
The Doctor
 
Robson Kidnaps Victoria
Robson Kidnaps Victoria
The Control Room is Swamped
The Control Room is Swamped
Victoria's Amplified Screams
Victoria's Amplified Screams
Victoria Waves Goodbye
Victoria Waves Goodbye




Quote of the Story


 'Why can't we go somewhere pleasant? Where there's no fighting, just peace and happiness?'

Victoria (to Jamie)



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Release Information

FormatTitleRelease Date (UK)Code NumberCover ArtRemarks
Audio
Tape
The Missing Stories - Fury From the Deep1993ZBBC 1434Photo-montageNarrated by Tom Baker Edited Version Double Cassette
Video
VHS
The Missing YearsNovember 1998BBCV 6766Photo-montageA 56 minute documentary presented by Frazer Hines (Jamie McCrimmon) and Deborah Watling (Victoria Waterfield) Includes existing footage from episode 2 and behind the scenes footage Released as part of The Ice Warriors Collection (BBCV 6387)
Audio
CD
Doctor Who at the BBC Radiophonic Workshop Volume One - The Early Years 1963-1969June 2000WMSF 6023-2Music and sound effects
Audio
CD
Fury From the DeepFebruary 2004Photo-montageNarrated by Frazer Hines (Jamie McCrimmon) Triple CD Release
Video
DVD
Doctor Who: Lost in TimeNovember 2004BBCDVD 1353Photo-montageIncludes the Australian censor clips (from episodes 2, 4, 5 and 6), a short clip from episode 1 and silent 16mm colour location film
Audio
CD
Fury From the DeepAugust 2012Photo-montagePart of the "Doctor Who: The Lost TV Episodes: Collection Five 1967 - 1969" Box Set Narrated by Frazer Hines (Jamie McCrimmon)
Audio
CD
The 50th Anniversary CollectionDecember 2013Photo-montageOriginal Television Soundtracks
Video
DVD
Fury From the DeepSeptember 2020BBCDVD 4428Photo-montageAnimated Version with Original Soundtrack
Video
Blu-Ray
Fury From the DeepSeptember 2020BBCBD 0499Photo-montageBlu-Ray containing black & white and colour versions of the animated episodes.
Video
Blu-Ray
Fury From the DeepSeptember 2020BBCBD 0500Photo-montageLimited Edition Blu-Ray Steelbook boxed set containing black & white and colour versions of the animated episodes.


In Print

FormatTitleRelease Date (UK)PublisherAuthorCover ArtRemarks
Novel
Novel
Fury From the DeepOctober 1986Target No. 110Victor PembertonDavid McAllisterISBN: 0-426-20259-7
CD
CD
Fury From the DeepJuly 2011Target No. 110Victor PembertonDavid McAllisterAudio version of the Target novel read by David Troughton.
Doctor Who CMS Magazine (An Adventure in Space and Time)Issue 42
Doctor Who Magazine - ArchiveIssue 145 (Released: February 1989)
Doctor Who Magazine - ArchiveIssue 146 (Released: March 1989)
Doctor Who Magazine - Telesnap ArchiveIssue 208 (Released: January 1994)
Doctor Who Magazine - Telesnap ArchiveIssue 209 (Released: February 1994)
Doctor Who Magazine - Telesnap ArchiveIssue 210 (Released: March 1994)
Doctor Who Magazine - ArchiveIssue 277 (Released: May 1999)
Doctor Who Magazine - Time TeamIssue 306 (Released: July 2001)
Doctor Who Magazine - Time TeamIssue 308 (Released: September 2001)
Doctor Who Magazine - Missing In ActionIssue 506 (Released: Winter 2016/17)
Doctor Who Magazine - The Fact of FictionIssue 517 (Released: November 2017)
Doctor Who Magazine - ArticleIssue 569 (Released: November 2021)
Doctor Who Classic Comics - Telesnap ArchiveIssue 15 (Released: January 1994)
Doctor Who Classic Comics - Telesnap ArchiveIssue 16 (Released: February 1994)
Doctor Who Classic Comics - Telesnap ArchiveIssue 17 (Released: March 1994)

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Photo Gallery


The Doctor and Companions

 
Patrick Troughton
The Second Doctor

   

Frazer Hines
Jamie McCrimmon
 
Deborah Watling
Victoria Waterfield
   




On Release

The Missing Stories Tape Cover
The Missing Stories Tape Cover

BBC
AUDIO
Missing Years VHS Video Cover
Missing Years VHS Video Cover

BBC
VIDEO
Audio - Volume 1: The Early Years
Audio - Volume 1: The Early Years

BBC
AUDIO
Soundtrack CD Cover
Soundtrack CD Cover

BBC
AUDIO
   
Lost In Time DVD Cover
Lost In Time DVD Cover

BBC
VIDEO
The Lost TV Episodes: Collection Five CD Cover
The Lost TV Episodes: Collection Five CD Cover

BBC
AUDIO
The 50th Anniversary Collection Cover
The 50th Anniversary Collection Cover

BBC
AUDIO
DVD Cover
DVD Cover

BBC
VIDEO
   
Blu-Ray Cover
Blu-Ray Cover

BBC
VIDEO
Blu-Ray Steelbook Cover
Blu-Ray Steelbook Cover

BBC
VIDEO



In Print

Target Book Cover
Target Book Cover

Target
NOVEL
 
Target Audio CD Cover
Target Audio CD Cover

BBC
CD
   


Magazines

Doctor Who CMS Magazine (An Adventure in Space and Time): Issue 42
Doctor Who CMS Magazine (An Adventure in Space and Time): Issue 42

CMS
Doctor Who Magazine - Archive: Issue 145
Doctor Who Magazine - Archive: Issue 145

Marvel Comics
Doctor Who Magazine - Archive: Issue 146
Doctor Who Magazine - Archive: Issue 146

Marvel Comics
Doctor Who Magazine - Telesnap Archive: Issue 208
Doctor Who Magazine - Telesnap Archive: Issue 208

Marvel Comics
   
Doctor Who Magazine - Telesnap Archive: Issue 209
Doctor Who Magazine - Telesnap Archive: Issue 209

Marvel Comics
Doctor Who Magazine - Telesnap Archive: Issue 210
Doctor Who Magazine - Telesnap Archive: Issue 210

Marvel Comics
Doctor Who Magazine - Archive: Issue 277
Doctor Who Magazine - Archive: Issue 277

Marvel Comics
Doctor Who Magazine - Time Team: Issue 306
Doctor Who Magazine - Time Team: Issue 306

Marvel Comics
   
Doctor Who Magazine - Time Team: Issue 308
Doctor Who Magazine - Time Team: Issue 308

Marvel Comics
Doctor Who Magazine - Missing In Action: Issue 506
Doctor Who Magazine - Missing In Action: Issue 506

Marvel Comics
Doctor Who Magazine - The Fact of Fiction: Issue 517
Doctor Who Magazine - The Fact of Fiction: Issue 517

Marvel Comics
Doctor Who Magazine - Article: Issue 569
Doctor Who Magazine - Article: Issue 569

Marvel Comics
   
Doctor Who Classic Comics - Telesnap Archive: Issue 15
Doctor Who Classic Comics - Telesnap Archive: Issue 15

Marvel Comics
Doctor Who Classic Comics - Telesnap Archive: Issue 16
Doctor Who Classic Comics - Telesnap Archive: Issue 16

Marvel Comics
Doctor Who Classic Comics - Telesnap Archive: Issue 17
Doctor Who Classic Comics - Telesnap Archive: Issue 17

Marvel Comics


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