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115) LOGOPOLIS

28 February - 21 March 1981

Average Viewing Figure: 6.7M

Plot

The Master plans to hold the Universe to ransom, and who is the mysterious white figure following The Doctor's every move?

Cast

Tom Baker (The Doctor), Matthew Waterhouse (Adric), Janet Fielding (Tegan), Sarah Sutton (Nyssa), Dolore Whiteman (Aunt Vanessa)

Anthony Ainley (The Master), Tom Georgeson (Detective Inspector), John Fraser (The Monitor), Christopher Hurst (Security Guard)

​

Uncredited Cast

Ray Knight (Policeman [with bicycle]), Adrian Gibbs (The Watcher), Peter Roy (Policeman), Derek Suthern (Policeman [Davis])

Terry Rendle, Walter Turner, Jimmy Mac, Charles Stewart, Brychan Powell, Jim Delaney, Peter Whitaker, Evan Ross, Colin Thomas

George Ballantine, John Tucker, Roy Seeley, Billy Gray, Bill Whithead, Douglas Bather (Logopolitans)

Robin Squire (Pharos Technician), Richard Bonehill, Steve Whyment, Keith Guest, Simon Ramirez (Security Guards)

​

and introducing Peter Davison as The Doctor

Crew

Christopher H Bidmead (Writer), Paddy Kingsland (Incidental Music), Dick Mills (Special Sound)

Margot Hayhoe (Production Manager), Angela Smith (Production Associate), Patricia Greenland (Production Assistant)

Val McCrimmon (Assistant Floor Manager), Pater Hall (Film Cameraman), Jim McAlister (Film Sound), Paul Humfress (Film Editor)

John Horton (Visual Effects Designer), Dave Chapman (Video Effects), Carol Johnson (Vision Mixer), Terry Brett (Technical Manager)

Reg Poulter (Senior Camerman), Rod Waldron (Videotape Editor), Henry Barber (Studio Lighting), John Holmes (Studio Sound)

June Hudson (Costume Designer), Dorka Nieradzik (Make-Up Artist), Christopher H Bidmead (Script Editor)

Sid Sutton (Title Sequence), Malcolm Thornton (Designer), Barry Letts (Executive Producer), John Nathan-Turner (Producer)

Peter Grimwade (Director)

Broadcast

76) THE ARK IN SPACE

Filming Locations

  • Ursula Street, Battersea, London

  • Albert Bridge, Kensington and Chelsea, London

  • Cadogan Pier, Chelsea Embankment, London

  • A413 Layby, Denham, Bucks

  • BBC Receiving Station, Crowsley Park, Sonning Common, Berks

  • Television Centre: Studio 3

  • Television Centre: Studio 6

Deaths

  • Aunt Vanessa [killed by The Master]

  • The Monitor [disintegrates]

  • Policeman [with bicycle] [killed by The Master]

  • Logopolitians [killed by The Master]

  • Logopolitians [killed when The Master almost triggers the end of the Universe]

    •  other speices, civilizations and planets destroyed by The Master

Production Days

  • 10 Days between Tuesday 16 December 1980 - Saturday 24 January 1981

Production Errors

  1. When The Master puts the mind control bracelet onto Nyssa's wrist, the bracelet partially falls off

  2. During part four, The Master's shadow stays where it is after the Tardis dematerialises 

  3. At the beginning of part two, The Doctor enters the Tardis through the right door, and Adric enters through the left

  4. As the Tardis shrinks, it doesn't have its police box instruction plate. Later on, the plate appears

  5. How does The Doctor walk out of the Tardis through the back?  

  6. The Doctor reaches out an arm towards The Watcher before regenerating, however the Fifth Doctor sits up with both of his hands on his chest  

Working Titles

  • [no known working titles] 

Verdict

Logopolis marked the end of the Fourth Doctor era which does not really end the era in a way in which one might think. Instead of using the charm evident over the last six years, Bidmead opts to use ideas filled with scientific and mathematical grounds moving from one idea to a completely new one in the next episode, a style which shows Bidmead was trying to make the show more intelligent. Not that it was never intelligent before. There really is no sign of a plot and The Master's motivations do seem a little rushed and the reason why the Fourth Doctor regenerates is a little lazy. He falls from a great height for goodness sake. What is this Doctor Who or an animated Disney film?. There are nice models, and the direction is very tight. Tegan, although quite annoying at times, is a very stand-out companion, bossy but able to take care of herself. The dialogue is often snappy and helps the flow of episodes in spite of the non-existent plot. Logopolis is by no means a masterpiece, although there are moments when it look like it. In the end its just four episodes of enjoyment which allows viewers the chance to say their farewell to the most beloved Doctor of all time. ***​

Number of Production Days: 5

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