Death Comes To Time
Synopsis
“Even Time Lords die...”
When a dissident Time Lord group inadvertently caused the destruction of an entire civilisation through interference, its members vowed to repent by serving the Universe not as gods of Time but as mere men. Many years later, this peaceful resolve is severely tested when two of their number are killed - and the Doctor's seventh incarnation becomes embroiled in the struggle against the apparently unstoppable General Tannis.
Plagued by ominous portents, the Doctor and his companion Antimony must race across the Universe, taking in the Santine Republic, the Great Orion Nebula and the frozen heart of the Canisian Empire. Meanwhile, the mysterious Minister of Chance battles his own inner demons, and former TARDIS traveller Ace finds herself in training for a destiny she never dreamed possible. Matters reach a terrible climax when Tannis' next target for subjugation is identified. Exactly how much is the Doctor prepared to sacrifice in order to save Earth?
Cover notes
Death Comes to Time was a five-episode webcast animated adventure featuring the Seventh Doctor. It was available via the BBCi website in 2001 to 2002. However, unlike the other webcasts starring classic series Doctors that premiered, it is considered alternate to Doctor Who for apparently depicting the death of the Doctor, negating the timeline that led into the TV movie. Also, the portrayal of the Time Lords in this story seems different to the one seen in the usual series, giving them the abilities to revoke TARDISes and release forbidden powers that disrupt the universe.
The root of Death Comes to Time is that, before plans were announced to revive the series, an attempt was made to create a story that would act as the series finale for Doctor Who altogether. This ending would dovetail into a spin-off that would be the spiritual successor to Doctor Who, called The Minister of Chance. The would-be finale depicts the Doctor making a final sacrifice, and an implied downfall of the Time Lord society prior to the events of the story, as the few Time Lords seen in the story are stated to be the last alive. The Doctor's companion, Ace, also ends up on her own, solemnly telling the Brigadier about the Doctor's demise. However, because the Doctor's body is never found, his final fate is unclear.
Cast
| The Doctor | Tom Baker | listed as Doctor Who |
| Sarah Jane Smith | Elisabeth Sladen | |
| Harry Sullivan | Ian Marter | |
Crew
| Written by | ||
| Written by | ||
| Production Unit Manager | ||
| Production Assistant | ||
| Title music | Ron Grainer and BBC Radiophonic Workshop | |
| Title sequence | Bernard Lodge | |
| Incidental music | Dudley Simpson | |
| Special sound | Dick Mills | |
| Visual effects designer | ||
| Visual effects designer | ||
| Costume designer | ||
| Make-up | ||
| Studio Lighting | ||
| Studio Sound | ||
| Fight arranger | ||
| Film Cameraman | ||
| Film Sound | ||
| Film Editor | ||
| Script Editor | Robert Holmes | |
| Designer | ||
| Designer | ||
| Producer | Philip Hinchcliffe | |
| Director |
DVD Extras
| commentary track | ||
| photo gallery | ||
| Radio Times listings | ||
| Coming Soon | A look at an upcoming Doctor Who DVD release: |
Special Edition DVD Extras
BluRay Extras
Commentary
| serial code : | BBCI-1 |
| episode count : | 5 |
| initial broadcast date : | 2001-07-13 |
| DVD release date : | |
| DVD SE release date : | |
| BluRay release date : | |
| part of the x boxset | |