The Curse of the Black Spot

215 – "The Curse of the Black Spot"
Doctor Who episode
The Doctor and his companions realize that the Siren heals those in its sickbay
Cast
Doctor Matt Smith (Eleventh Doctor)
Companions Karen Gillan (Amy Pond) Arthur Darvill (Rory Williams)
Others Hugh Bonneville – Henry Avery Oscar Lloyd – Toby Avery Lee Ross – The Boatswain Michael Begley – Mulligan Tony Lucken – De Florres Chris Jarman – Dancer Carl McCrystal – McGrath Lily Cole – The Siren Frances Barber – Eye Patch Lady (uncredited)
Production
Directed by	Jeremy Webb
Written by	Stephen Thompson
Script editor	Caroline Henry
Produced by	Marcus Wilson
Executive producer(s)	Steven Moffat Piers Wenger Beth Willis
Incidental music composer	Murray Gold
Production code	2.9
Series	Series 6
Length	45 minutes
Originally broadcast	7 May 2011
Chronology
← Preceded by Followed by → "Day of the Moon" "The Doctor's Wife"

"The Curse of the Black Spot" is the third episode of the sixth series of the British science fiction television series Doctor Who. Written by Stephen Thompson, and directed by Jeremy Webb, the episode was first broadcast on 7 May 2011 on BBC One in the United Kingdom and on BBC America in the United States. It features the Doctor (Matt Smith) and his companions Amy Pond (Karen Gillan) and Rory Williams (Arthur Darvill).

In the episode, the TARDIS materialises in the 17th century on board a pirate ship whose crew is being terrorised by a Siren-like creature. After receiving an injury, however minor, a black spot appears on their palms and then the creature apparently disintegrates them.

The producers wished to develop a pirate-themed episode for the sixth series and allow the protagonists to "sit back and have some fun" on the adventure. The episode was primarily filmed at a dock in Cornwall and Upper Boat Studios in Wales. "The Curse of the Black Spot" was seen by 7.85 million viewers and received generally mixed reviews from critics. It gained an audience Appreciation Index of 86 – considered excellent.

On 30 April 2011, immediately following the broadcast of "Day of the Moon", the BBC released a "prequel" to "The Curse of the Black Spot". The prequel consists of a short montage of atmospheric shots of the pirate ship, bridged by a narration in the form of Captain Avery's journal for "April the first, 1699; the good ship Fancy." Avery describes how his ship has been becalmed for eight days, and the crew are being taken one by one by "an enemy"; he fears that they are all doomed to die there.