Black Orchid (Doctor Who)
| 120 – Black Orchid | |||||
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| Doctor Who serial | |||||
Ann Talbot, who looks remarkably similar to Nyssa
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| Cast | |||||
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Others
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| Production | |||||
| Directed by | Ron Jones | ||||
| Written by | Terence Dudley | ||||
| Script editor | Eric Saward | ||||
| Produced by | John Nathan-Turner | ||||
| Executive producer(s) | None | ||||
| Incidental music composer | Roger Limb | ||||
| Production code | 6A | ||||
| Series | Season 19 | ||||
| Length | 2 episodes, 25 minutes each | ||||
| Originally broadcast | 1–2 March 1982 | ||||
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| Author | Terence Dudley |
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| Cover artist | Tony Masero |
| Series |
Doctor Who book: Target novelisations |
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Release number
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113 |
| Publisher | Target Books |
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Publication date
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September 1986 (Hardback) 19 February 1987 (Paperback) |
| ISBN | |
Black Orchid is the fifth serial of the 19th season in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, which was first broadcast in two daily parts on 1 March and 2 March 1982. This story was the first purely historical adventure for the Doctor—featuring no science fiction elements save for the TARDIS and the regular cast—since The Highlanders. Sarah Sutton plays two characters in this story.
In an English country house two figures struggle before one of them falls dead. A young woman sleeps as a figure enters her room. The figure is then seen tied to the bed guarded by a South American Indian.
It is 11 June 1925, and as a train departs Cranleigh Halt railway station the TARDIS materialises. The crew encounters Lord Cranleigh's chauffeur, who has been expecting "the Doctor". Lord Cranleigh asks them to stay until the annual ball and offers them costumes. They are introduced to Ann Talbot, Lord Cranleigh's fiancée, who looks identical to Nyssa.
When Tegan admires a black flower, Lady Cranleigh explains it is a Black Orchid and was found on the Orinoco by her son George. Tegan recognises the name as George Cranleigh, a famous botanist and explorer. Lady Cranleigh says that George never returned from his expedition into the Brazilian forests. Ann was engaged to George.
The bound figure struggles against his bonds. When the Indian inspects the figure, he is knocked unconscious.
The Doctor picks a Harlequin outfit to wear to the ball. Ann comes to their room, presenting Nyssa with a dress identical to her own; the ball attendees will be unable to tell them apart.
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Wikipedia