first broadcast - 4th October 1976
running time - 19mins 39secs
INTRODUCTION
(The Doctor Who theme plays.)
ANNOUNCER: Yes, in this week's `Exploration Earth' we join the Doctor and Sarah as they journey through time in the TARDIS.
1. THE TARDIS CONTROL ROOM
DOCTOR: (muttering to himself) ...no response...
jelly baby... reciprocator cancel... That's odd! Nothing happening...
intricate... Oh no!
SARAH: Oh, the great Doctor in travail, mm? Doctor,
is there something... are you keeping something from me?
DOCTOR: What?
SARAH: Are you keeping something from me?
DOCTOR: No, no, no, of course not. You know how tactful
one must be with the low continuum resolution. It's a delicate bit
of organisation, you know.
SARAH: Oh Doctor, come clean, yes there is something.
DOCTOR: Well, yes, there's some malfunctioning of the relative
dimensional computer.
SARAH: In English.
DOCTOR: It means that the steering's gone haywire.
SARAH: Oh, so we're off course. Lost in space!
DOCTOR: Well, yes, up to a point.
SARAH: And at this speed we're getting loster and loster,
thousands and thousands more miles every second.
DOCTOR: Yes, we're sliding with enormous speed in retrograde
time. Let's look at the chronometric astrometer.
(SFX: A machine hums and beeps.)
DOCTOR: Yes, the way we're going we could be out of all Earth time reckoning soon.
(SFX: The hum rises and the beeps grow faster, then slow and stop.)
DOCTOR: We've stopped. There's a force; it's gripped
the TARDIS! I don't know what it is, but it's interesting, yes, it's
very interesting. We've gone back 4,500 million years, Earth time.
SARAH: Oh don't you ever feel lonely, Doctor? I do.
I do now. 4,500 million years back down the wastes of space/time...
DOCTOR: 4,500 million years? Yes! Yes, that rings
a bell. Sarah, I think you're going to be able to see what your funny
little planet started from.
SARAH: How? How are we going to see the start of dear
old Earth? What, just open the TARDIS door and step out into endless
empty space, with no atmosphere?
DOCTOR: Just step into this capsule with me.
SARAH: Oh, it's not very big, is it?
DOCTOR: It's a two-person capsule.
2. INSIDE THE CAPSULE
(SFX: The characters' voices are treated to sound as if they are in a small capsule.)
DOCTOR: Right now, I'll... I'll just atmosphere inject it... now!
(SFX: Capsule hums.)
DOCTOR: Out we go!
(SFX: The capsule moves with a whoosh. We hear some strange, loud noises.)
SARAH: Oh, ow, ooh, it's all right for you, you're a Time
Lord. It's giving me earache!
DOCTOR: There! Look, Sarah, look at that enormous body;
we're held in the pull of it. Far bigger than the Earth of your time.
Wondrous sight!
SARAH: Yes, yes it is a wondrous sight.
DOCTOR: An enormous, billowing mass of gases, pulsing, burning.
SARAH: Flaming tongues licking out of it.
DOCTOR: Well, it's hot, you know. Millions of degrees
centigrade. And those gases, churning and burning - they're space
gases - no oxygen there. And right in the middle, wrapped in that
inferno, is a core of rock, a ball, almost certainly molten. That,
that's about the size of planet Earth. It's the beginning of your
home planet, Sarah.
SARAH: Oh, if I ever get home.
DOCTOR: You will, you will. Come on, back to the TARDIS.
(SFX: The capsule returns to the control room.)
3. THE TARDIS CONTROL ROOM
SARAH: Oh, so much for the beginning of Earth - it's frightening.
DOCTOR: Now, I think we should beam steadily on this same
track and follow the progression trail of the developing earth. Wait
a bit while I free us from this pull. Cosmo-retrozine should do it...
(SFX: A beep.)
DOCTOR: Ah, it's done, movement!
(SFX: TARDIS take off.)
1. THE TARDIS CONTROL ROOM
DOCTOR: We've stopped again. We're caught in the
pull of a huge force.
SARAH: Oh Doctor, not again.
DOCTOR: Yes, again. But you should be happy, you're
millions of years Earth time nearer home. Come on; let's see what's
happened to your Earth in the meantime. Into the capsule.
(SFX: The capsule leaves the TARDIS.)
2. INSIDE THE CAPSULE
SARAH: It's smaller!
DOCTOR: Yes, your Earth's progressing. That huge, fiery
mass is much smaller now, isn't it?
SARAH: Oh, it's much smaller.
DOCTOR: Yes, nearer the size of the Earth you know.
SARAH: Why's that?
DOCTOR: Sun action. It's eroded away all the hot gas
mass and, see, the young planet has begun to solidify.
SARAH: It needs to solidify before I set foot on it.
DOCTOR: It's magnificent! There's progress. Order
is coming to this planet, a vast and lovely process. See how the
surface quakes; see how it opens yawning wounds of fire, those shimmering
lakes of molten rocks. The Earth is being forged, moulded.
(SFX: Hissing noises and thunder.)
SARAH: What's that?
DOCTOR: Lightning, that's all, but look, look! The first
crust is forming. I expect it's basalt, that sharp, hard rock. Earth
is in the making.
MEGRON: (speaking in a deep, echoing voice) Who
are you?
DOCTOR: What was that?
MEGRON: Who are you? Who are you tampering intruders?
Why are you here?
DOCTOR: Well, we're travellers.
MEGRON: Be careful in your answers. I am Lord Megron,
High Lord of Chaos, Chief of the Carions, Lords of Chaos.
DOCTOR: Oh yes, of course, the Megron are moving in.
Don't strain; I can hear you. I'm a Time Lord.
MEGRON: Ah, a Time Lord. The Time Lords are the enemies
of the Carions down the endless ages. So, you come interfering again.
Know then, I, the Megron, have taken over this hot mass of chaos.
Nothing can alter its disorder; so it is, so it must be, beyond the reach
of time.
DOCTOR: You're very confident, aren't you, Megron? But
always remember, the noisier they are, the harder they fall.
MEGRON: You are trivial. Listen and learn. This
is a kingdom of chaos - sacred, unchangeable.
DOCTOR: Loose thinking. Everything is changing all the
time. Look, don't you see? Already rock crust is forming.
Gas from within the planet is replacing the space gases. Out of this
torment, out of this tumult is coming order.
MEGRON: (roars)
DOCTOR: Yes, order.
MEGRON: (roars)
DOCTOR: (laughs) You're vain. This
is a mere transit, part of a progression. You think this is chaos
but a beautiful and fruitful planet is destined to come.
MEGRON: Impudence! Verily you defy true knowledge.
You will be punished, punished, punished!
DOCTOR: We've heard that before! Haven't we heard that
before, Sarah?
SARAH: Oh don't provoke him, Doctor.
MEGRON: Insolent ignoramus! Take that!
(SFX: The sound of a thunderbolt.)
DOCTOR: Tiresome, isn't he? Shall we go?
(SFX: The capsule returns to the control room.)
3. THE TARDIS CONTROL ROOM
SARAH: Oh, that was close!
DOCTOR: Let's get out of here.
(SFX: TARDIS take off.)
1. THE TARDIS CONTROL ROOM
SARAH: We're slowing.
DOCTOR: Yes. We're some millions of Earth years onwards.
Another stage. Yes, we've stopped. Now, I think...
SARAH: Oh, now don't say any more. Just, ah, let it
surprise me!
DOCTOR: Come on, into the capsule!
2. INSIDE THE CAPSULE
DOCTOR: That's it, ready.
(SFX: The capsule leaves the TARDIS.)
SARAH: Oh no, it's... oh, it's horrible, Doctor!
The Earth is being blown apart by those horrible volcanoes!
DOCTOR: Marvellous, aren't they?
(SFX: Volcanoes erupting.)
DOCTOR: Now, look hard, I'm showing you this though the
compressive telesight. It lets the events of millions of years pass
before you in minutes. It's letting you see the passage of forces
that forge and fashion the planet you call home. See the vast cauldron
of the volcanoes, boiling the rock till it runs like cream. See how
the body of the planet is split by the force of enormous earthquake shocks,
shuffling and rearranging the materials, wrenching them, wrecking them,
moulding the Earth.
SARAH: Oh, oh Doctor, I feel sick.
DOCTOR: Of course you do Sarah, but look, look! Global
tidal waves raging, sweeping, drowning continents!
SARAH: Oh well, don't sound so happy. Even you must
be frightened.
DOCTOR: Oh stop wittering, Sarah! Look at that huge
plain.
SARAH: Well, it's shuddering.
DOCTOR: No, it's lifting, see. Before your eyes, hills
rising higher, higher, becoming mountains, rearing up, a great mountain
range, finding its birth. Thrust up, towering to the skies from the
plains!
SARAH: But it must be as high as Mount Everest!
DOCTOR: Everest? Stalagmite! Wonder where the
Megron is? Him and his chaos. But look, Sarah, look!
There's progress, the forming of order!
MEGRON: Pah! Order will never come! Order will
never come! Order will never come!
DOCTOR: That's him!
MEGRON: Never. Never. See how the forceless body
of this planet is wracked and torn by the awful horror of its volcanoes,
like a vast slave of toil. See how, as with time it takes on its
form, Earth will experience the rapture of chaos! There is no air
for creatures to breath, only gases, totally smothering.
DOCTOR: Oh, hello Megron, you still around? I thought
perhaps you'd give up. Order!
MEGRON: Pah!
DOCTOR: (laughs) If you want to ask a question,
please put your hand up.
MEGRON: You think you will impress me because you are a Time
Lord, but say what you will, I am High lord of Chaos and Chaos still rules!
DOCTOR: Oh no, no, Megron. Look again at this planet.
Do you see? It's no longer using space gases. It's generating
it's own Earth gases and already there is a little oxygen - just a little
- but it's a sign of what's to come.
MEGRON: No, no, no, you are wrong - there is no oxygen.
There can be no life.
DOCTOR: Wrong, Megron, wrong again. Don't you see a
firm granite crust for this Earth is already forming out of the fury of
the volcanoes? They melt and remelt the rock and that forms the granite.
Progress. Order.
MEGRON: Pah!
DOCTOR: A future is the destiny of this planet. Not
you or all the Carion can stop it. Chaos is passing; a glorious future
is coming. Life, Megron, life will take over this planet.
MEGRON: Impudent upstart! Ignoramus!
DOCTOR: Come on, Sarah, into the TARDIS!
(SFX: The capsule returns to the control room.)
3. THE TARDIS CONTROL ROOM
DOCTOR: Not a good loser, the Megron, is he? Let's move on.
(SFX: TARDIS take off.)
1. THE TARDIS CONTROL ROOM
(SFX: TARDIS lands.)
DOCTOR: Ah, Sarah, do you feel the TARDIS gently... slowing?
SARAH: Yes.
DOCTOR: We've stopped, but not just stopped, Sarah.
Can you feel we've landed?
SARAH: Landed?
DOCTOR: Yes, Sarah. Open the door - you can go out.
SARAH: Well, if, if you say, but... is there atmosphere?
(SFX: TARDIS door opens. Through the doors, sheep can be heard bleating occasionally.)
SARAH: Oh, the sweet air, oh, it's flooding in!
DOCTOR: Out you go, Sarah.
2. EARTH
SARAH: Oh, Doctor, it's so beautiful. Gentle sunshine
shining over this lovely landscape, trees and flowers everywhere, all sorts
of colours. Hey, can't you smell them, Doctor? Look at this,
on this leaf - it's a butterfly! What's happened, Doctor?
DOCTOR: Well, we've skipped through millions of years and
a very important thing has happened. There's lots of oxygen.
All those green things, tress and flowers, they make it from sunlight.
That's why it's possible for you to live on Earth.
SARAH: But what happened to the Megron?
MEGRON: I am still here. Still here. You thought
I was no more.
DOCTOR: You are persistent, aren't you? Come on, Megron,
time for you to be beaten. We must fight; pit our strengths by Telepathic
Will Deployment.
SARAH: What's that, Doctor?
DOCTOR: Not now, Sarah, I'm busy!
(SFX: Noise of an electronic machine, gradually rising in intensity. At the same time, the sound of a deep rumbling.)
DOCTOR: Megron, High Lord of Chaos, you are banished from
planet Earth!
MEGRON: (groans) I am going, going, but I live
on. Chaos can come again, come again!
DOCTOR: Bye bye, Megron, bye bye chaos, bye bye! Say
"Bye bye", Sarah.
SARAH: Bye!
(Closing theme plays.)
ANNOUNCER: That programme was written by Bernard Venables. Those taking part were Tom Baker, Elisabeth Sladen and John Westbrook. The Special Sounds were by Dick Mills of the BBC Radiophonic Workshop. The production was by David Little.
| UNCREDITED | |
| Series Producer | MIKE HOWARTH |
| Transcribed by SIMON SIMMONS (simon.in.brighton@mcmail.com) |
|
Back to the Exploration Earth index.
Back to the missing scripts index.