"State of Decay"

State of Decay
Disc 2 of the "E-Space Trilogy" Box Set
(DVD)

 

Starring Tom Baker
4 Episodes
1980
96 minutes (color)
Single Disc
"E-Space Trilogy" Box Set



 

 

Production Notes
Doctor Who
Tom Baker

Romana
Lalla Ward

Voice of K9
John Leeson

Adric
Matthew Waterhouse

Written by
Terrance Dicks
Directed by
Peter Moffatt

Produced by
John Nathan-Turner

Original Airdate
Nov 22, 1980 - Dec 13, 1980

R1 DVD Release Date
May 2009

Warner Home Video
#3000021382

U.K. Box Set Cover


U.K. Individual Cover


 



Cover Blurb
The Doctor, Romana and K-9 are trapped in E-Space, a strange alternative universe.  They are unable to find an escape, and do not realize that a young boy called Adric has stowed away aboard the TARDIS.  Arriving on a primitive planet where the local inhabitants fear the Three Who Rule, they soon find themselves facing a hideous creature from Time Lord legends that was long thought dead.  Soon the Doctor must confront a blood-sucking monster that is very much alive.

 



 

 

 

DVD Features

  • The Vampire Lovers:

 Cast and crew reminisce about the making of "State of Decay".  Interviewees include Lalla Ward (Romana), John Leeson (voice of K-9), and Clinton Breyn (Ivo).  Also included are Christopher H. Bidmead (script editor), Terrance Dicks (writer), Christine Ruscoe (designer), and director Peter Moffatt.
 

 
  • Film Trims:
 Running in at just five minutes, this featurette offers up some of the silent model work shot on 35mm film.  Also includes some alternate takes of model shots.
 

 
  • Leaves of Blood:
 Here vampires throughout literature are explored in this 17 minute featurette.
 

 
  • The Blood Show:
 A closer look is given to the significance of blood in our culture.
 

 
  • The Frayling Reading:
 In this brief featurette the history of vampire stories is traced, as well as their relation to "State of Decay".
 

 
  • Continuity Announcements:
 Continuity announcements from the original broadcast in 1980.
 

 
  • Photo Gallery:
 Once again we are treated to many rare production stills and quite a few behind the scenes ones as well.
 

 
  • Information Text:
 Lots of trivia and tidbits of Whovian detail are provided.  The text appears intermittently along the bottom of the screen and is written by members of the Doctor Who Restoration Team.
 

 
  • Radio Times Listings:
 Accessible from any computer with a DVD drive, a PDF of some of the original Radio Times press clippings.
 

 
  • Audio Options:
 The first option is to listen to an audio commentary.  The participants on this commentary are Matthew Waterhouse (Adric), Terrance Dicks (writer), and director Peter Moffatt.

The second audio option is the isolated soundtrack.  With this feature you will hear the excellent score composed by Paddy Kingsland composed sequentially as it appears in the episode.  This does mean that there are long gaps of silence in between music cues.
 

 
  • Easter Eggs:
 None.  For a full list of known Easter Eggs and screen grabs of them click HERE.

 
     



 

 

 

Additional Notes
  • "State of Decay" is the second in the 3 story E-Space arc and was written by Doctor Who alumnist Terrance Dicks (the first story being "Full Circle" and the final one "Warriors' Gate").
     
  • It has been rumored that Tom Baker and Lalla Ward's on again/off again relationship was most definitely off during filming of this story.
     
  • The details of the Vampire/Time Lord conflict (originated in this story) have been greatly expanded upon in both the Virgin and later in the BBC line of books made during the past decade.
     
  • Watch for Emrys James' portrayal of Aukon.  It is so over the top it would make William Shatner blush.  It's great fun though!  :)
     
  • The producer at that time (John Nathan-Turner) got into a bit of hot water over the use of bats and vampires.  It seems that some bat group was upset at their negative portrayal.
  • As with all of the DVD releases to date, the Doctor Who Restoration Team did extensive work on this story.  More information on the restoration of this story can be read at their website HERE.