The Massacre of St. Bartholomew's Eve

Episode Date Viewers
"War of God" 5 February 1966 8.0 million
"The Sea Beggar" 12 February 1966 6.0 million
"Priest of Death" 19 February 1966 5.9 million
"Bell of Doom" 26 February 1966 5.8 million

Production Code: W

Author: John Lucarotti (& Donald Tosh, episode 4)

Director: Paddy Russell

Producer: John Wiles

 

Plot:

Well, most of the plot really doesn't matter. A lot of people die in this big massacre back in the past, but that really has nothing to do with Dodo. At the end the TARDIS travels to 1966 England and Dodo accidentally enters the TARDIS, thinking it a real police box. The authorities arrive, so the Doctor takes off, bringing Dodo with him and Steven Taylor.

 

Analysis:

The ending of the "The Massacre" has always boggled the minds of viewers. Dodo Chaplet is supposed to be a descendant of Anne Chaplette from the rest of the story, except there's a big problem; Anne wasn't married, and in the 1600s women generally took their husband's last name. Maybe the Doctor knew that Anne Chaplette would get knocked up and bear a child out of wedlock? Who knows? All in all, it makes about as much sense as, oh, "Dimensions in Time."

As for Dodo joining the TARDIS crew—clearly the Doctor could have just opened the doors and let her out before taking off. The fact that he didn't clearly indicated that he wanted a young girl running the corridors of the TARDIS again. Hmmmm. The fact that the next time we've seen Dodo she's already been to the wardrobe room has some sinister possibilities. Could the Doctor be possessing lecherous feelings towards young, innocent Dodo? (No wonder the Doctor got rid of Steven Taylor as fast as he could. Less competition!)

 

The Quotable Dodo:

Dodo knows what an ambulance is: "There's been an accident. A little boy's been hurt and I've got to phone the police."

Dodo knows how to deal with Steven already: "Don't be daft!"

 

Fab Pictures:

Dodo running away from the Beatles and towards destiny.

Dodo poses seductively outside the TARDIS.

 

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