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Review of 'The Curse of the Black Spot' Series 6 Episode 3

The TARDIS crew, following a distress call, lands aboard a 17th-century pirate ship stranded in the middle of the ocean due to the lack of wind. Its captain, Captain Henry Avery, and what is left of its crew fear a seductive siren-like creature that marks those injured with a black spot on the palm of their hands, then appears and apparently destroys them. In a tussle with the crew, Rory receives a cut on his hand, and also receives a similar black mark. The Doctor orders everyone inside the ship, believing them to be safe away from open water, but the siren appears through seeped water and takes another crew member. The Doctor, Amy, Rory, Captain Avery and the remaining crew secure themselves in the ship's dry magazine. There, they discover Captain Avery's son, Toby, who had stowed away aboard the ship, unaware of his father's illicit deeds. Though uninjured, Toby has come down with a fever, and shares a similar black mark on his palm. The Doctor and Captain Avery, after a brief conflict over who is in charge, leave the others to try to bring the TARDIS to them. They make it inside safely, but the Doctor finds the TARDIS is acting haphazardly and they are forced to evacuate it before it dematerializes to an unknown location. As they return to the others, the Doctor realizes that the siren is using reflections to appear to them, such as that created by still water. They race back to warn the others, and destroy any reflective surface on the ship. A storm begins, and Captain Avery has Amy, Rory, and the Doctor help him to hoist the sails to allow them to leave. In the chaos, Toby, while trying to bring his father his coat, drops a polished crown from it. The siren emerges from it and appears to disintegrate Toby. Soon, Rory falls into the ocean, and the Doctor rationalises that the siren has shown intelligence and will likely get to Rory before he drowns. The Doctor convinces Amy and Captain Avery to prick themselves to allow the siren to take them as well so they can negotiate with it. They soon find themselves aboard an alien spaceship, its crew long dead from exposure to an Earth virus. The Doctor surmises the spaceship, the source of the distress signal, is trapped at the same time-space coordinates as Captain Avery's ship. Furthermore, the siren uses mirror-like portals to travel between the two ships. Further exploration reveals a bay where all of Avery's men, including Toby and Rory, are in medical care, along with the TARDIS; they were taken by the siren, the black spot being a tissue sample for reference. When they try to rescue them, the siren appears and turns violent on them. The Doctor realises the siren is a medical program, seeking to heal the injured crew. The Doctor and Amy convince the siren to turn Rory over to their care, while Avery decides to stay with his son and his crew in the ship, unable to go back to England himself while the ship will care for his crew. Using Rory's nursing knowledge, Amy and the Doctor are able to revive Rory after he is removed from life support. The Doctor teaches Captain Avery enough of the spaceship's controls to allow him, Toby, and his crew to explore the stars. In the epilogue, the Doctor and Amy talk about mutual trust; Amy confides to Rory that they still cannot talk to the Doctor about his future death, while the Doctor secretly finds his pregnancy scan on Amy remains unresolved. [edit] Continuity "Eye Patch Lady" (Frances Barber) appears for the second time in this episode. Similar to her first appearance in Day of the Moon, she appears to be looking through the other side of a small sliding window in a door despite the fact that the window is actually in the solid timbers of the ship and disappears when it is closed. [edit] Production [edit] Writing and casting Lily Cole was cast as the Sea Siren in the episode. The episode was written by Stephen Thompson. The producers wished to develop a Doctor Who episode set on "the high seas."[4] The episode was also made to allow the Doctor and his companions to "kick back and have some fun."[4] As the episode was pirate-themed, the producers wanted to fit in as many elements from pirate fiction into it, including treasure, mutinies, a stowaway boy, walking the plank, storms, swords and pirates with a "good heart" and "not really evil."[4] However, Arthur Darvill noticed that a parrot was not included.[4] "The Curse of the Black Spot" was originally planned to be ninth in the series but the order was changed during the production process.[5] Hugh Bonneville plays Captain Avery. Matt Smith and Karen Gillan described Bonneville as "great fun."[4] Bonneville previously played Sir Sidney Herbert and Tzar Nicholas the 1st in the Seventh Doctor audio drama The Angel of Scutari[6][7]. Lily Cole was cast as the Sea Siren. The producers were looking for an actress who is "beautiful," "striking," and yet somewhat "spooky."[4] Cole came early into suggestions, and she accepted the role.[4] [edit] Filming and effects Filming took place primarily in Cornwall and the Upper Boat Studios in Wales. The exterior of the pirate ship was filmed at a dock in Cornwall, while the lower decks were built from a set at the studio. The principal challenge to film at the dock was to ensure the audience would not see it. The crew set up smoke machines to simulate fog. To create the storm the crew used wind and rain machines, the latter of which went through 15,000 litres. The loud noise from the wind machines caused communication difficulties during takes. Anticipating they would get soaked, the cast present on the deck wore dry suits underneath their clothes. Before filming the storm sequences began, Darvill heard that he would perform the stunt where he is thrown into the sea, and was willing to perform it. However, the stunt would later be performed by a double.[4] The scenes in which Cole appeared on the ship was done by using a harness as if she was flying. Because the actress wore green dress and makeup, the conventional greenscreen was replaced by bluescreens in the studio. Cole felt it was fun to fly on the harness, but found it painful after a few hours. Gillan was allowed to perform several of her own stunts in the episode. She was excited to learn that her character would fight pirates with swords, and was taught how to handle one with basic moves.[4][8] Gillan was also allowed to swing across the ship. However, a stunt double was required to film the sequence where Amy is thrown across the deck by the Siren.[4] [edit] References ^ http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0110g4b ^ "Matt Smith Video and New Series Overview". BBC. http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/dw/news/bulletin_110411_01/Matt_Smith_Video_and_New_Series_Overview. Retrieved 15 April 2011.  ^ BBC. "BBC Week 19: Saturday 7 May". Press release. http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/proginfo/tv/2011/wk19/sat.shtml. Retrieved 22 April 2011.  ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Ship Ahoy!". Doctor Who Confidential. BBC. BBC Three. 7 May 2011. No. 3, series 6. ^ "Episodes shuffle for the 2011 series...". Doctor Who Magazine (430): 7. 9 Feb 2011 (cover date).  ^ "Doctor Who: The Angel of Scutari". Big Finish. http://www.bigfinish.com/122-Doctor-Who-The-Angel-of-Scutari.  ^ "The Angel of Scutari". Hugh Bonneville online. http://www.hughbonneville.co.uk/past-hugh-bonnevilles-previous-projects/item/the-angel-of-scutari.html.  ^ "Gillan enjoyed sword fight scenes". This is Croydon Today. 21 April 2011. http://www.thisiscroydontoday.co.uk/news/Gillan-enjoyed-sword-fight-scenes/article-3475495-detail/article.html. Retrieved 28 April 2011.  "The Curse of the Black Spot" at the BBC Doctor Who homepage

Oh, look. It's a straightforward pirate romp like I asked for. "Be careful what you wish for, Mister Two-minute Time LAAAAARRRRRRD." (Thanks for the intro, Jim!)

Jo! Is Back!!!!! Yes, Tony's Plucky Girl Assistant (c)(tm) returns, and together with the Adric of podcasting, we look at The Day Of The Moon. As do Professor Dave, Lillibet and some stranger called Doctor Tom. And indeed, the rather wonderful Children of Time ALSO look at that story! Who'd a thunk it?

Bob also looks at The Crimes of Thomas Brewster from Big Finish. Feedback to show@flashingblade.org.uk

This week Dr Who and the pirates, otherwise known as who taught Amy Pond to sword fight?

End theme tune is a remix of the Doctor Who Theme by Tony Gallichan of The Flashing Blade Podcast, Tony can be contacted here show@flashingblade.org.uk

If you want to send me comments or feedback you can email them to tdrury2003@yahoo.co.uk or contact me on twitter where I'm @tdrury or send me a friend request and your comments to facebook where I'm Tim Drury and look like this http://www.flickr.com/photos/tdrury/3711029536/in/set-72157621161239599/ in case you were wondering.

This week Dr Who and the pirates, otherwise known as who taught Amy Pond to sword fight?

End theme tune is a remix of the Doctor Who Theme by Tony Gallichan of The Flashing Blade Podcast, Tony can be contacted here show@flashingblade.org.uk

If you want to send me comments or feedback you can email them to tdrury2003@yahoo.co.uk or contact me on twitter where I'm @tdrury or send me a friend request and your comments to facebook where I'm Tim Drury and look like this http://www.flickr.com/photos/tdrury/3711029536/in/set-72157621161239599/ in case you were wondering.

This week Dr Who and the pirates, otherwise known as who taught Amy Pond to sword fight?

End theme tune is a remix of the Doctor Who Theme by Tony Gallichan of The Flashing Blade Podcast, Tony can be contacted here show@flashingblade.org.uk

If you want to send me comments or feedback you can email them to tdrury2003@yahoo.co.uk or contact me on twitter where I'm @tdrury or send me a friend request and your comments to facebook where I'm Tim Drury and look like this http://www.flickr.com/photos/tdrury/3711029536/in/set-72157621161239599/ in case you were wondering.

Tom and Louis continue their sparsely edited discussions about series six. This week Tom gripes about how he disliked Day of the Moon. Louis barely gets a word in edgewise, as is customary.

Complete with factual inaccuracies regarding changes in this series's episode order, numerous difficulties with Silent/Silents/Silence, and baseless speculation!

La saison 6 a debarque sur BBC One est BBC America, avec le double episode "The Impossible Astronaut / Day of the Moon" signee Steven Moffat. Mais ce n'est pas tout a fait ce a quoi on s'attendait. Il est rudement conseille d'avoir les episodes en question avant d'ecouter ce Gallicast. Vous risqueriez de ne pas comprendre ce qu'est le chat de Schrodinger.

I know what I think, but what do you think? It is all very well and good for the fine folk in the DWP Campervan to rabbit on about the episodes, but what do you out there think? Trevor has the campervan all to his own this episode and covers the fan reaction to the [...]

NEW episode and Darth Skeptical drops by to review.Feedback:doctorwhoreview@gmail.com

The curse of the spoiler, the rise of the podcast and the promise of a wine.

I know what I think, but what do you think? It is all very well and good for the fine folk in the DWP Campervan to rabbit on about the episodes, but what do you out there think? Trevor has the campervan all to his own this episode and covers the fan reaction to the [...]

I know what I think, but what do you think? It is all very well and good for the fine folk in the DWP Campervan to rabbit on about the episodes, but what do you out there think? Trevor has the campervan all to his own this episode and covers the fan reaction to the [...]

On this week show we have our 2nd annual Summer movie prediction show, where we will be predicting what movies will be hits, what will flop and what might surprise us. Then later we will be reviewing the newest episode of Doctor Who: Day of the Moon. Also Mike G. will be talking about his … Continue reading →

Heute geht es frisch und erholt an den Eroffnungszweiteler der sechsten Staffel Doctor Who. "The impossible Astronaut" und "Day of the Moon" stellen sich tapfer dem kritischen Urteil von Harald und Raphael. Ihnen bei stehen ein paar News und eine Hand voll Post.

Heute geht es frisch und erholt an den Eroffnungszweiteler der sechsten Staffel Doctor Who. "The impossible Astronaut" und "Day of the Moon" stellen sich tapfer dem kritischen Urteil von Harald und Raphael. Ihnen bei stehen ein paar News und eine Hand voll Post.

Welcome to episode 3 of Timelore.

Due to a personal bereavement we've been away a little time but now we are back.

In this episode we review the first half of Season 2 of Doctor Who where we ask the important questions - is Ian to fat to fight, Is there some Ian and Barabara dirtiness going on that we are not party to. All these and more will be explored as we review

Planet of Giants

The Dalek Invasion of Earth

The Rescue

The Romans

The Web Planet

Enjoy

Enjoy

Welcome to episode 3 of Timelore. 

Due to a personal bereavement we've been away a little time but now we are back.

In this episode we review the first half of Season 2 of Doctor Who where we ask the important questions - is Ian to fat to fight, Is there some Ian and Barabara dirtiness going on that we are not party to.   All these and more will be explored as we review

Planet of Giants

The Dalek Invasion of Earth

The Rescue

The Romans

The Web Planet

Enjoy

Enjoy

Matt is joined by Anna from the Shelf Life Podcast at http://shelflifepodcast.wordpress.com to watch and discuss S6 E02 together. It's part two of the MEGAsode!

Matt is joined by Donald from the ReOpening the Xfiles Podcast at http://xfilespodcast.com to talk about S6 E02 Day of The Moon.

The Silence have invaded and Scott and Randy have a ton to discuss about the second episode of series 6, “Day of the Moon”. It’s three months later and the Doctor, with the help of Amy, Rory, River, and Canton, has formulated a plan to take down the Silence. Can he succeed? What does it have to do with Neil Armstrong’s foot? Who is the mysterious little girl? Find out in the newest episode of The Doctor’s Companion! And remember, BEWARE OF SPOILERS!!

Next Week: “The Curse of the Black Spot”!

Again the Wine, the Water & the Ham travel back to 1969 for their 'Day of the Moon' commentary - Doctor Who Series 6 Episode 2

Again the Wine, the Water & the Ham travel back to 1969 for their 'Day of the Moon' commentary - Doctor Who Series 6 Episode 2

Again the Wine, the Water & the Ham travel back to 1969 for their 'Day of the Moon' commentary - Doctor Who Series 6 Episode 2

Again the Wine, the Water & the Ham travel back to 1969 for their 'Day of the Moon' commentary - Doctor Who Series 6 Episode 2

Martyn and Imran discuss Day of the Moon and Martyn looks at some AudioGO adventures:

• Doctor Who: The Gemini Contagion
• Torchwood: Ghost Train
• Torchwood: Department X

AudioGO: http://audigo.co.uk

http://badwilf.co.uk
badwilf@yahoo.com
Martyn: @BadWilf
Imran: @Nerdthropology