The Planet Skaro guide to writing for Classic Doctor Who

[WhiteCrow]

Really the blame for this goes to Rob McCow, who spoiled Classic Who for me forever by explaining to me recently several elements of the formula for a Classic Dr Who 4 parter ...

Episode 1

There is something evil going on. Doctor and companions arrive, get blamed, get arrested.

Doctor escapes, runs down some corridors, gets cornered and is told escaping prisoners will be shot ...

Episode 2

... but isn't, is just taken back into custody. He talks around one of the locals, and manages to be let out.

Meanwhile with the Doctor out, more evil takes place. The Doctor gets the blame again ...

Episode 3

Back into the same custody as in Episode 1. Doctor escapes using same method as Episode 1 (well it was 2 weeks ago so most people have forgotten).

Lots of sounding of alarms. Doctor runs up corridors. Doctor runs down corridors.

The ancient evil is finally unmasked ...

Episode 4

Like someone with an S&M complex, the Doctor is chained up again.

"Join me", says ancient evil. "Never" says the Doctor.

Ancient evil can kill with a stare but instead uses a very elaborate and unlikely deathtrap which the Doctor defuses.

Doctor runs up corridor, and uses deathtrap against evil. Teas and scones all around.

So have you a formula you'd like to share?

[Pip Madeley]

He's just given away the next PS audio.

[WhiteCrow]

He's just given away the next PS audio.

Oh thats why Si Hunt is working on all those "running down corridor" sound effects!!!

[WhiteCrow]

All ships in the Galaxy/the only cure for a great plague/sexbots of the future are powered by a substance beginning with Z - Zongonite/Zeronomia/Zooloofin.

Oh and this substance is only found on one place in the known Universe (oh there's a surprise).

[Dirk Gently]

It sounds like you've just described Caves of Androzani.

[SiHart]

Of course, should it be a Terry Nation story, you'd need to throw in radiation, a character called Tarrant, a seperation of the Doctor from his companions, tell everyone it's vital to do something all the time and reveal that the daleks are in the story, even if the Doctor knows the Daleks are in the story at the end of episode 1.

Si xx

[Rob McCow]

The Robert Holmes Villain Checklist (also applies to The Phantom of The Opera):

1. Wears a mask.
2. Is probably disfigured or weird looking under the mask.
3. Lusts after the Doctor's companion, whether openly or subtly.
4. Is eloquent and calm.
5. Manipulates events from behind the scenes, or far away.
6. Is unexpectedly strong in person.
7. Has an army of expendable, perhaps robotic minions.
8. Has a long standing grudge against the people/persons responsible for their condition.
9. Is as intelligent as the Doctor.
10. Searches for this story's plot MacGuffin against the Doctor.

[Dave Tudor]

What a lovely word 'MacGuffin' is.

[WhiteCrow]

What a lovely word 'MacGuffin' is.

Beats MacGuyver ... which would be a Terry Nation story wouldn't it???

[P-Bal]

If it's a season eighteen story then it needs a seven minute recap from the previous episode and a running time of no more than 21 minutes.

[Pip Madeley]

If it's a season eight story then the Master will predictably appear out of nowhere, the Doctor be a right arse with the Brigadier and there'll be lots of action.

By HAVOC.

[WhiteCrow]

If it's a Pertwee story don't you have to throw in an amusing backward local who gets killed in a comedy way by the menace?

[SiHart]

And blow everything up at the end while you're there.

Si xx

[Si Hunt]

If it's a Season 15 story set in the future, all the walls will be white and people will wear comedy hats.

Si.