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158) THE END OF THE WORLD 

2 April 2005

Viewing Figure: 7.97M

Plot

In the year 5 billion aliens gather on to watch the end of the world, but one of plans to kill them all

Cast

Christopher Eccleston (The Doctor), Billie Piper (Rose Tyler), Simon Day (Steward), Yasmin Bannerman (Jabe)

Jimmy Vee (Moxx of Balhoon), Zoe Wanamaker (Cassandra), Camille Coduri (Jackie Tyler), Beccy Armory (Raffalo)

Sara Stewart (Computer Voice), Silas Carson (Alien Voices)

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Uncredited Cast

Paul Kasey (Coffa), Alan Ruscoe (Lute), Michael Humphries, Paul Newbolt, Saul Murphy, Dean Cummings

Jason Jones (Adherents of the Repeated Meme), Von Pearce, John Collings (Surgeons), Toby Hunt, Jamie Jones (Ambassadors)

Trey Taylor, Josh Kingston (Brothers Hop Pyleen), Ioan Mansaray, Alex Yell (Cal 'Spark Plug MacNannovich), Matthew Hill (Mr Pakoo)

Giles Hibberd (Mrs Pakoo), Greg Mothersdale, Keith Newell, Matthew Gilbert, Adam Moore (Class Fifty-Five Scholars)

Crew

Russell T Davies (Writer), Phil Collinson (Producer), Euros Lyn (Director), Lloyd Elis (1st Assistant Director) 

Steffan Morris (2nd Assistant Director), Dan Mumford (3rd Assistant Director), Clive Evans (Location Manager)

Emma Reid (Unit Manager), Pamela Joyce (Production Co-ordinator), Debi Griffiths, Kath Blackman (A/Production Assistant)

Non Eleri Hughes (Continuity), Elwen Rowlands (Script Editor), Martin Stephens, Mike Costelloe (Camera Operators)

Steve Lawes, Mark Isaac (Focus Pullers), Anna James, David Jones (Camera Assistants), John Robinson (Grip)

Damian Richardson (Boom Operator), Mark Hutchings (Gaffer), Peter Chester (Best Boy), Lee Sheward (Stunt Co-ordinator)

Jamie Edgell, Sarah Franzl (Stunt Performers), Alisa Altena-Berk (Choreographer), Gwenllian Llwyd (Art Department Co-ordinator)

Bryan Hitch (Concept Artist), Catherine Samuel (Production Buyer), Peter Walpole (Set Decorator)

Stephen Nicholas (Supervising Art Director), Arwel Wyn Jones (Standby Art Director), Patrick Begley (Property Master)

Phil Shellard, Adrian Anscombe (Standby Props), Andrew Smith (Construction Manager), Jenny Bowers (Graphic Artist)

Yolanda Peart-Smith (Wardrobe Supervisor), Linda Davie (Make-Up Supervisor), Sarah Wilson (Make-Up Artist)

Kirsty Robertson (Casting Associate), Ceres Doyle (Assistant Editor), Marie Brown (Post Production Supervisor)

Matthew Clarke (On Line Editor), Kai van Beers (Colourist), Sara Bennett, Michael Harrison, Jennifer Herbert, Astrid Busser-Casas

Simon C Holden, Alberto Montanes, Bronwyn Edwards (2D VFX Artists), Nick Webber, Matt McKinney, Paul Perrot, Joel Meire

Paul Burton, Chris Petts, Andy Howell (3D VFX Artists), Alex Fort (Digital Matte Painter), Tim Ricketts (Dubbing Mixer)

Paul McFadden (Dialogue Editor), Paul Jefferies (Sound FX Editor), Richard Pugsley (Finance Manager)

Ron Grainer (Original Theme Music), Andy Pryor CDG (Casting Director), Endaf Emyr Williams (Production Accountant)

Ian Richardson (Sound Recordist), Lucinda Wright (Costume Designer), Davy Jones (Make-Up Designer), Murray Gold (Music)

The Mill (Visual Effects), Will Cohen (Visual FX Producer), Dave Houghton (Visual FX Supervisor), Any Effects (Special Effects)

Millennium FX (Prosthetics), John Richards (Editor), Edward Thomas (Production Designer), Ernie Vincze BSC (Director of Photography)

Tracie Simpson (Production Manager), Helen Vallis (Associate Producer), Russell T Davies, Julie Gardner, Mal Young (Executive Producers)

​

Uncredited Crew

Jonathan Leather, Jon Older (1st Assistant Director), Sean Clayton (2nd Assistant Director), Nick Britz, Alex Mercer (3rd Assistant Director)

Lowri Thomas, Llyr Morris (Location Manager), Pam Humphries (Continuity), Kevin Rudge (Camera Operator), Terry Bartlett (Focus Puller)

Steve Davies (Camera Assistant), Steve Jones (Grip), Will Planitzer (Boom Operator), Trystan Howell (Standby Props)

Charlotte Greenwood (Make-Up Artist), Paul Bond, Peter Thornton (Director of Photography)

Broadcast

Filming Locations

  • UNIT Q2, Imperial Way, Newport

  • Temple of Peace, College Road, Cardiff

  • BBC Broadcasting House, Llandaff, Cardiff

  • Headlands School, St Augustine's Road, Penarth

  • Helmont House, Churchill Way, Cardiff

  • Queen Street, Cardiff

Deaths

  • Steward [burns to death]

  • Jabe [burns to death]

  • Moxx of Balhoon [incinerated by the Sun rays]

  • Raffalo [killed by Robot Spiders]

  • Scholar [unknown, possibly killed due to immense heat]

Production Days

  • 18 days between Tuesday 7 September 2004 - Saturday 19 February 2005

Production Errors

  1. During the scene where Rose and Cassandra talk by the window, the camera is framed behind them. Cassandra's lips fail to move as she speaks.

  2. How is it possible that the Moxx of Balhoon is the only guest to be entirely incinerated when the Sun's rays penetrate Platform 5's windows when Lute and Coffa are made of wood?

Working Titles

  • [no known working titles]

Verdict

While the first episode was set entirely on Earth, the second episode delivers exactly what viewers want. An adventure in space with lots of scary aliens from far off worlds. While the alien's designs are marvellous, they are far too underused except for about three or four characters. Too much time is spent with a small group of characters while the rest end up being pushed into the background. Many would probably disagree, but this episode is perhaps Christopher Eccleston's best performance. His shattered, unknown background and past creates a shattered but strong-hearted man, which in turn builds on already emotional scenes. His relationship with Jabe is both strong and heartfelt despite the two knowing each other for a short period of time.  The Doctor's dark side never gets out of hand, and his refusal to help Cassandra highlights a somewhat mature attitude about the Universe. In being, he frowns upon murder and cold-blooded killers. The ending scene of The Doctor saying that one day, the sky will be gone would have been nice with an accompanying shot of the skyline. A well-executed episode which needs more recognition. ****

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