Death Is the Only Answer
Encyclopedia
"Death Is the Only Answer" is a special episode of the British science fiction
television series Doctor Who
that was first broadcast on BBC Three
(as part of Doctor Who Confidential
), on 1 October 2011. It was written via a competition (Script to Screen), in which junior schools were asked to write a script including the Eleventh Doctor
and an enemy of his. The competition was won by the children of Oakley Junior School.
reunited with his fez from "The Big Bang
". While reminiscing happily about it he trips over, knocking the fez off his head and hitting a lever on the console. The fez vanishes and then Albert Einstein
appears with the fez on his head. Einstein greets the Doctor, and explains that he had been working on a time machine
, and thought he'd found the vital part of it — a mysterious liquid, which Einstein believes to be "bionic fusion liquid".
The Doctor offers to run some tests on it, but Einstein insists upon testing it himself, and turns to walk away from the console. However, the liquid spits up at his face and changes Einstein into an Ood
. For several seconds the "Albert-Ood" repeats "death is the only answer", confusing the Doctor. The Doctor, using his sonic screwdriver
, manages to turn Einstein back into his normal self. Einstein asks to go home, and the Doctor drops Einstein off in 1945. The Doctor leaves for another adventure, while a bit of the liquid is left on the floor, moving slowly.
"
The Doctor previously met Albert Einstein briefly in his Seventh incarnation
in Time and the Rani
.
Ood Operations CEO Klineman Halpen was previously turned into an Ood in the episode "Planet of the Ood
", when Ood Sigma placed an Ood-graft in a biological compound into his hair tonic, rewriting his DNA.
previously appeared in the Seventh Doctor
audio drama Bang-Bang-a-Boom!
where he played Loozly, and as the Time Lord
Straxus in the Eighth Doctor
audio dramas Human Resources, Sisters of the Flame
and Vengeance of Morbius
.
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
television series Doctor Who
Doctor Who
Doctor Who is a British science fiction television programme produced by the BBC. The programme depicts the adventures of a time-travelling humanoid alien known as the Doctor who explores the universe in a sentient time machine called the TARDIS that flies through time and space, whose exterior...
that was first broadcast on BBC Three
BBC Three
BBC Three is a television network from the BBC broadcasting via digital cable, terrestrial, IPTV and satellite platforms. The channel's target audience includes those in the 16-34 year old age group, and has the purpose of providing "innovative" content to younger audiences, focusing on new talent...
(as part of Doctor Who Confidential
Doctor Who Confidential
Doctor Who Confidential is a documentary series created by the British Broadcasting Corporation to complement the revival of the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who. Each episode was broadcast on BBC Three on Saturdays, immediately after the broadcast of the weekly...
), on 1 October 2011. It was written via a competition (Script to Screen), in which junior schools were asked to write a script including the Eleventh Doctor
Eleventh Doctor
The Eleventh Doctor is the eleventh incarnation of the protagonist of the BBC television science-fiction series Doctor Who. Matt Smith plays this incarnation, replacing David Tennant's Tenth Doctor in the 2010 episode "The End of Time, Part Two"...
and an enemy of his. The competition was won by the children of Oakley Junior School.
Plot
The episode opens with the Doctor in the TARDISTARDIS
The TARDISGenerally, TARDIS is written in all upper case letters—this convention was popularised by the Target novelisations of the 1970s...
reunited with his fez from "The Big Bang
The Big Bang (Doctor Who)
"The Big Bang" is the 13th and final episode in the fifth series of British science fiction television series Doctor Who. It is the second part of a two-part season finale started with "The Pandorica Opens", at the end of which The Doctor is trapped, the TARDIS destroyed, and Amy Pond has been shot...
". While reminiscing happily about it he trips over, knocking the fez off his head and hitting a lever on the console. The fez vanishes and then Albert Einstein
Albert Einstein
Albert Einstein was a German-born theoretical physicist who developed the theory of general relativity, effecting a revolution in physics. For this achievement, Einstein is often regarded as the father of modern physics and one of the most prolific intellects in human history...
appears with the fez on his head. Einstein greets the Doctor, and explains that he had been working on a time machine
Time Machine
A time machine is a fictional/hypothetical device used to achieve time travel. The term may also refer to:-Novels and films:* The Time Machine, an 1895 novel by H. G...
, and thought he'd found the vital part of it — a mysterious liquid, which Einstein believes to be "bionic fusion liquid".
The Doctor offers to run some tests on it, but Einstein insists upon testing it himself, and turns to walk away from the console. However, the liquid spits up at his face and changes Einstein into an Ood
Ood
The Ood are a fictional alien species with telepathic abilities from the long running science fiction series Doctor Who. In the series' narrative, they live in the distant future ....
. For several seconds the "Albert-Ood" repeats "death is the only answer", confusing the Doctor. The Doctor, using his sonic screwdriver
Sonic screwdriver
The sonic screwdriver is a fictional tool in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who and its spinoffs. It is a multifunctional tool used by The Doctor. Its most common function is that of a lockpick, but can be used to perform other operations such as performing medical scans,...
, manages to turn Einstein back into his normal self. Einstein asks to go home, and the Doctor drops Einstein off in 1945. The Doctor leaves for another adventure, while a bit of the liquid is left on the floor, moving slowly.
Continuity
The Doctor tells his fez that he can't believe River Song blew it up, alluding to the events of "The Big BangThe Big Bang (Doctor Who)
"The Big Bang" is the 13th and final episode in the fifth series of British science fiction television series Doctor Who. It is the second part of a two-part season finale started with "The Pandorica Opens", at the end of which The Doctor is trapped, the TARDIS destroyed, and Amy Pond has been shot...
"
The Doctor previously met Albert Einstein briefly in his Seventh incarnation
Seventh Doctor
The Seventh Doctor is the seventh incarnation of the protagonist of the long-running BBC television science-fiction series Doctor Who. He was portrayed by the actor Sylvester McCoy....
in Time and the Rani
Time and the Rani
Time and the Rani is a serial in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, which was first broadcast in four weekly parts from 7 September to 28 September 1987. This story was the first to feature Sylvester McCoy as the Doctor. It also features the last appearance of the Sixth...
.
Ood Operations CEO Klineman Halpen was previously turned into an Ood in the episode "Planet of the Ood
Planet of the Ood
"Planet of the Ood" is the third episode of the fourth series of British science fiction television series Doctor Who. It was broadcast on BBC One on 19 April 2008. It features the return of the Ood, who appeared in the second series episodes "The Impossible Planet" and "The Satan Pit".The episode...
", when Ood Sigma placed an Ood-graft in a biological compound into his hair tonic, rewriting his DNA.
Cast notes
Nickolas GraceNickolas Grace
Nickolas Grace is a British actor known for his roles on television, including Anthony Blanche in the acclaimed ITV adaptation of Brideshead Revisited and the Sheriff of Nottingham in the 1980s series Robin of Sherwood...
previously appeared in the Seventh Doctor
Seventh Doctor
The Seventh Doctor is the seventh incarnation of the protagonist of the long-running BBC television science-fiction series Doctor Who. He was portrayed by the actor Sylvester McCoy....
audio drama Bang-Bang-a-Boom!
Bang-Bang-a-Boom!
Bang-Bang-a-Boom! is a Big Finish Productions audio drama based on the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who...
where he played Loozly, and as the Time Lord
Time Lord
The Time Lords are an ancient extraterrestrial race and civilization of humanoids in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, of which the series' eponymous protagonist, the Doctor, is a member...
Straxus in the Eighth Doctor
Eighth Doctor
The Eighth Doctor is the eighth incarnation of the protagonist of the long-running BBC television science-fiction series Doctor Who. He was portrayed by Paul McGann...
audio dramas Human Resources, Sisters of the Flame
Sisters of the Flame
Sisters of the Flame is an audio drama based on the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who. This audio drama was produced by Big Finish Productions....
and Vengeance of Morbius
Vengeance of Morbius
Vengeance of Morbius is an audio drama based on the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who. This audio drama was produced by Big Finish Productions....
.