Doctor Who (1963) Season 4 Episode 102 Doctor Who Confidential: The Waters of Mars
- November 15, 2009
Doctor Who Confidential: The Waters of Mars is a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the fourth season of the popular British science fiction series Doctor Who. The episode revolves around the making of the episode "The Waters of Mars," which originally aired on BBC One in November 2009.
The episode is hosted by British comedian and actor Alexander Armstrong, who takes viewers on a backstage tour of the production of "The Waters of Mars." The episode features interviews with the cast and crew, including executive producer Russell T Davies, director Graeme Harper, and star David Tennant, who plays the Doctor.
The episode begins with a brief review of the fourth season of Doctor Who and introduces the premise of "The Waters of Mars." In the episode, the Doctor travels to a human colony on Mars in the year 2059, where he discovers a dangerous water-based virus that turns its victims into zombie-like creatures. The Doctor must race against time to save the surviving members of the colony before the virus spreads to Earth.
The episode then delves into the production of "The Waters of Mars," starting with a look at the design of the water zombies and the use of special effects to create the illusion of water on the set. The episode also explores the challenges of filming on location in a disused quarry in Wales, which had to be transformed into the surface of Mars.
The episode also features interviews with the cast, including David Tennant, who reflects on his portrayal of the Doctor and his relationship with the character. Tennant describes the Doctor as a complex and flawed hero who is driven by his desire to help others. He also talks about the emotional impact of filming his final season of Doctor Who and saying goodbye to his colleagues and fans.
Other cast members featured in the episode include Lindsay Duncan, who plays Adelaide Brooke, the leader of the Mars colony, and Peter O'Brien, who plays Ed Gold, one of the colony's astronauts. The episode explores their characters and the challenges of portraying them in the context of the story.
The episode also examines the themes of "The Waters of Mars," including the idea of the Doctor as a lonely and isolated figure who must make difficult choices in order to save the world. The episode features clips from the episode alongside commentary from the cast and crew, offering insights into the creative process that went into making the story.
Towards the end of the episode, the focus shifts to the fan reaction to "The Waters of Mars," which was generally positive. The episode includes footage of a special screening of the episode for fans in London and features interviews with fans who discuss their love for the show and their excitement for the upcoming episodes.
Overall, Doctor Who Confidential: The Waters of Mars offers an engaging look behind the scenes of one of the most popular episodes of Doctor Who, featuring interviews with the cast and crew, insights into the creative process, and fan reactions to the show.
