EPISODE 1 - A Land of Fear

by DENNIS SPOONER

first broadcast - 8 August, 1964
5:15pm - 5:40pm

1. FOREST

(It is getting dark. Two figures walk through the dense forest.)

(Once they have gone the TARDIS materialises nearby.)

2. TARDIS CONSOLE ROOM

(The Doctor is making adjustments to the controls, under the collective gazes of Susan, Ian and Barbara. The atmosphere is noticeably colder than usual. He turns to them.)

DOCTOR: There we are. Home.

BARBARA: Doctor, we...

(The Doctor motions for her to be quiet.)

DOCTOR: It's all right. Chesterton made the position quite clear. Now, I have some work to do.

SUSAN: Grandfather, please...

DOCTOR: Hush, child. Say your goodbyes and remember - we shall be leaving almost immediately.

IAN: Do you have to be in such a hurry?

DOCTOR: Enough time has been wasted bringing you back, young man. I have the universe to explore.

SUSAN: (To Barbara.) Must you go?

BARBARA: Susan, we've visited many places together - had lots of adventures. But you always knew we intended to return home when we could.

SUSAN: Yes, I know, but...

BARBARA: Look, I know it's hard to say goodbye but, one day, you'll understand why we had to.

SUSAN: But grandfather can bring you back any time now!

IAN: Don't you see, Susan? The longer we leave it, the harder it'll be.

(Susan hugs them both quickly then runs away. The Doctor comes up to them, leafing through a book.)

DOCTOR: Hmm. Still here?

IAN: Yes, we're waiting for you to carry out the checks.

DOCTOR: Quite unnecessary.

IAN: Oh is it? Are you so certain you know where we are?

DOCTOR: Certain? Of course I'm certain! If you doubt me, take a look for yourselves.

(He goes to the console and switches on the scanner.)

DOCTOR: Perhaps that will satisfy you.

(The image is of the forest outside.)

BARBARA: Mmm. It could be, I suppose.

DOCTOR: Thank you. Obviously you're still in doubt. Let us take a longer look, through the trees, hmm?

(The scanner shows a field with the forest in the background.)

BARBARA: Ian, look! Fields, crops... It's fully cultivated!

IAN: Yes. Pity it's so dark. I can't see a sign of any buildings.

BARBARA: You know, it reminds me of a holiday I once took - In Somerset.

DOCTOR: Then I expect it is Somerset, my dear. Well, if you're going, be off with you.

IAN: Look Doctor, I think I'd be better if you came with us, at least to explore.

(As he speaks the doors swing open.)

DOCTOR: It's out of the question. I refuse to leave the ship.

IAN: Maybe you have succeeded. Maybe we are where you say we are. But, I remember an occasion when you took us home once before.

BARBARA: (Laughing.) Yes, and we met Marco Polo!

DOCTOR: Entirely different circumstances! I'm rather tired of your insinuations that I am not master of this craft. Oh, I admit, it did develop a fault -
a minor fault on one occasion, perhaps twice. But, nothing I couldn't control!

IAN: I know that. Of course you're in control. You're always in control. And I'm sure you could revisit us at any time.

DOCTOR: Very simple. Quite simple!

IAN: Exactly, quite simple. But you have your important researches to complete. You may not find the time. There's a chance that we won't meet again.
Don't you think it would be better if we parted under more friendly circumstances, say, over a drink?

DOCTOR: (Reluctantly.) Yes. Yes, well perhaps, since you put it that way, an hour or two won't come amiss. Susan! Bring my stick will you?

(Susan returns with his stick.)

SUSAN: Yes, grandfather?

DOCTOR: I'm going to see Ian and Barbara back home safely.

(The Doctor leads the other three, all excited out of the TARDIS.)

BARBARA: Well done, Ian. I say, do you think we really are home?

IAN: I don't know. Won't take us long to find out, will it? Come on.

3. FOREST

(The Doctor locks the TARDIS door then joins the others who are standing nearby.)

DOCTOR: Well?

BARBARA: Well, those crops suggest a manor or farmhouse. It should be reasonably close.

SUSAN: It's very warm, isn't it? It must be summertime.

DOCTOR: Mmm.

SUSAN: Ian?

IAN: Yes?

SUSAN: Why aren't there any lights?

IAN: That's a point. It's dusk, and we've got a very good view from here.

BARBARA: Well, towns and villages can be well-spaced, even in England.

DOCTOR: Are we going to stand here talking all night, hmm?

(He begins to walk off we suddenly one of the bushes near them rustles noticeably.)

IAN: (Whispering) All right, Susan, I saw it. Keep talking.

SUSAN: (Whispering) All right. Be careful though.

(Ian heads off towards it.)

BARBARA: Did you see what it was?

SUSAN: No I didn't.

DOCTOR: Perhaps it was a rabbit. Do you know, Chesterton's getting quite jumpy these days. Young man like him shouldn't (Stutters.) suffer from nerves.

(Some muffled cries emerge from the bush.)

BARBARA: Well, that rabbit of yours is putting up quite a fight.

(Ian returns, grabbing a young boy by the scruff of the neck. His clothes are little more than dirty rags.)

BARBARA: Ian, you're hurting him!

IAN: Oh, no I'm not!

(He releases the boy.)

DOCTOR: Come here, my boy. Where are we? Where do you live, hmm?

SUSAN: Grandfather, you're frightening him! (To the boy.) We're your friends. Don't be afraid.

BARBARA: Look at him. He's absolutely terrified.

IAN: Yes. Of us or of something else?

DOCTOR: (To the boy.) Come along! Answer my questions, boy!

JEAN PIERRE: Please, I've done nothing.

IAN: We're not going to hurt you.

BARBARA: No, of course, we're not. Look, we've lost our way and we need you help. This is England, isn't it?

JEAN PIERRE: England? No, France.

IAN: France! Well, how far from Paris?

JEAN PIERRE: Not far. Twelve kilometres.

IAN: Well, that's something, I suppose.

DOCTOR: Hmm, hmm, hmm. Paris, eh? Hmm. A hundred miles or so, either way is to be expected. After all it's only a fraction of the distance we've covered.
It's quite accurate, in fact.

IAN: Yes. Assuming the distance is our only error. You know Doctor, I have a feeling you've been building up our hopes again.

DOCTOR: Oh, nonsense. Let's have a word with the boy. Now look here, my boy.

(Jean Pierre makes a break for it.)

DOCTOR: Now, hold him!

(Ian tries to block his way but is simply pushed over.)

IAN: We lost him.

DOCTOR: (Dryly.) You don't say.

(Ian clambers to his feet.)

IAN: Pity. Probably knows these woods like the back of his hand.

SUSAN: I wonder why he was so afraid.

4. COURTYARD OUTSIDE A HOUSE

(Barrels and ladders are stacked against the wall. Jean Pierre opens a small gate, looks furtively around and knocks on the only door. It is opened and a hand pulls him inside.)

5. FOREST

(The others are pushing their way through the forest. The Doctor stops and points ahead with his stick.)

DOCTOR: Chesterton, there's a house. Look. Straight ahead of us.

IAN: Yes. What do you make of it, Barbara?

BARBARA: Well, it looks deserted. You know, I'm certain we're sometime in the past.

IAN: Yes. Well, we were a hundred miles out. Perhaps we're a hundred years out.

DOCTOR: (Dismissively.) Oh, rubbish, rubbish.

BARBARA: Well, it's possible.

IAN: You know, I think we ought to get back to the ship while we still can.

DOCTOR: Nonsense. It was your idea to explore, anyway. (Pointing to the house.) Besides, that might be very interesting. Walk will do us good.

(The Doctor leads Susan off. Ian and Barbara lag behind.)

SUSAN: Come on you two! You don't want to be lost in the dark.

IAN: Don't worry, we're right behind you.

BARBARA: (To Ian.) Well, we're still not home.

IAN: No, we're not, are we? Still, I do think he tried this time, even if it was out of bad temper.

BARBARA: So we stay with the ship.

IAN: Yes. Cheered Susan up, hasn't it?

BARBARA: Well, are you disappointed?

IAN: Mmm. Funny enough, no. I don't know. Depends where we are. I still could be.

SUSAN: (Calling.) Ian! Barbara!

BARBARA: Well, we'd better join the others.

6. COURTYARD OUTSIDE THE HOUSE

(The Doctor and Susan open the gate and look around them, cautiously.)

DOCTOR: It looks uninhabited. I wonder if we can get in?

(He goes over to the door. Susan waits and they are soon joined by Ian and Barbara.)

BARBARA: Did you find anything

SUSAN: Not yet. Grandfather's seeing if he can get in.

IAN: Oh, is he now?

SUSAN: Mmm.

(Ian joins the Doctor who is peering through the keyhole and taps him on the shoulder.)

IAN: Doctor?

DOCTOR: I... I say, take a look through there will you. I think your eyes are sharper than mine.

(Ian peers through.)

IAN: Too dark to see anything, Doctor. No, I don't think anyone's lived here for years.

(He turns around to find the Doctor gone.)

IAN: Doctor? Doctor?

(He turns round a corner in the wall and finds the Doctor there. The Doctor gestures to another door he has found.)

DOCTOR: We're in luck. The door's unlocked.

IAN: Ah.

7. INSIDE THE HOUSE, DOWNSTAIRS

(They enter and stumble around the pitch darkness. The Doctor lights a candle, illuminating the place.)

DOCTOR: Look, I'll take upstairs and you search down.

IAN: All right.

(The Doctor takes the candle through a small doorway leaving Ian with another candle. Ian picks it up as Barbara and Susan join him.)

BARBARA: Where's the Doctor?

IAN: He's gone upstairs. Look at this.

(He hands the candle over to Barbara.)

IAN: What do you think a candlestick like that's doing in a place like this?

BARBARA: I don't know.

(Susan has found a chest full of clothes.)

IAN: Huh. Here's a tinderbox.

SUSAN: Hey, look at this!

(She hands the clothes to Barbara who examines them.)

BARBARA: Hey, this is eighteenth century!

(Susan pulls out more.)

SUSAN: Look at this one!

BARBARA: You know, there's a whole wardrobe here. Look, they're all different sizes too.

(Ian has found some bundles.)

IAN: Look at these bundles. Bottles of wine.

(He opens one.)

IAN: Bread. Huh. A bit stale.

BARBARA: There's another bundle over here.

(She unravels some pieces of paper.)

BARBARA: Hey, look at all these maps! There's a whole bunch of daggers down here.

(She holds one up to demonstrate. Ian has found some more paper.)

IAN: These documents - official documents - undated and the name is left blank. They're passes, Barbara.

BARBARA: Yes, but nobody lives here. I mean, look at the dust everywhere.

IAN: This is a stopping off place. A link in some escape chain.

(He hands one of the passes to Barbara.)

IAN: Here, look at this.

(Barbara reads it and grips Ian's arm.)

BARBARA: Ian, this is signed by Robespierre!

IAN: (Chuckling.) Robespierre? Huh, huh. Must be a f...

(He sees that it is also written on the other papers.)

IAN: Oh, wait a minute. The Doctor's put us down right in the middle of the French Revolution.

BARBARA: Yes. The Reign of Terror.

8. INSIDE THE HOUSE, UPSTAIRS

(The Doctor is exploring in the darkness, only dimly lit by his candle. Suddenly he is h*t from behind by an unseen assailant and collapses unconscious.)

9. INSIDE THE HOUSE, DOWNSTAIRS

(Susan, Ian and Barbara are now wearing some of the period clothing and making final adjustments to it. Ian calls through the small door.)

IAN: Doctor? Doctor?

BARBARA: (To Ian.) How do I look?

IAN: Oh, very pretty, mademoiselle.  a bit modern but it's all right. It was a good idea to change into these clothes. We won't look so conspicuous when we go back to the ship.

SUSAN: We might not get back to the ship if grandfather hears we're in the Reign of Terror.

IAN: Why not?

SUSAN: It's his favourite period in the history of Earth.

(Susan wanders off and Ian sighs.)

IAN: Not getting very far, are we? What on Earth's he doing up there? Come on. Let's go and find him.

(He picks up the candle and the three of them turn only to be confronted by two men. The closest is covering them with a g*n. He nods to the candle.)

ROUVRAY: Don't move. Please put that on the table.

(Ian hands it to Barbara who does so.)

ROUVRAY: Thank you. What are you doing here?

(The other man speaks to Rouvray urgently.)

D'ARGENSON: Don't waste time, Rouvray. k*ll them. They're after us.

ROUVRAY: I think not, (To the travellers.) but I would advise you to answer the question.

BARBARA: We're travellers.

SUSAN: We only stopped here so we could find our way.

ROUVRAY: At a deserted house?

D'ARGENSON: You'll gain nothing by this questioning. We should be moving on!

ROUVRAY: Patience, d'Argenson, even in these troubled times our visitors have the right of an explanation, even if our enemies do not accord such privileges.

IAN: We're not your enemies. We are what we say we are - travellers.

ROUVRAY: When you entered our hideout, you entered our lives. Do you travel alone?

BARBARA: Yes.

D'ARGENSON: You see, they lie!

ROUVRAY: We found the old man upstairs, do not count on his assistance.

SUSAN: (Angrily.) What have you done with him?

(Ian has to restrain her.)

ROUVRAY: At the moment he's safe. It was in your power to see that he came to no harm. But, your answer proves that you do not speak truthfully, there is something you are concealing.

IAN: It doesn't concern you.

D'ARGENSON: (Moaning.) We must be leaving now. The soldiers will have followed!

ROUVRAY: In France now, there are only two sides. You're either with us or against us. Our allegiances are obvious, we want to know yours.

BARBARA: We appreciate what you say but we have no side. We're not even French.

ROUVRAY: A word of warning. If you intend to stay in France you will have to choose.

(He puts his g*n away.)

D'ARGENSON: (Protesting.) We cannot trust them now!

ROUVRAY: If we are to escape from France, we must have faith! If all people are incapable of our trust, we shall take the Terror with us!

SUSAN: Where is my grandfather?

ROUVRAY: The old man? D'Argenson, go...

IAN: Shh!

(The sound of many people talking comes from outside.)

IAN: Listen.

10. FOREST

(It is now dark. The Revolutionary army, dressed in rag-tag uniforms, approaches the house.)

11. INSIDE THE HOUSE, DOWNSTAIRS

D'ARGENSON: (Panicked.) The soldiers! They've found us!

ROUVRAY: (Whispers.) Quiet.

(Ian and Rouvray take up positions by the main doorway.)

D'ARGENSON: But they'll take us to Paris to the guillotine. . My whole family were ex*cuted, even my younger sister. They came to the house while I was out and they dragged them away. Rouvray, we must go while we have the chance!

ROUVRAY: They will see us. Our only hope is to stay here and hide. They may pass.

IAN: They're coming in.

D'ARGENSON: (Shouting.) It will be the guillotine for all of us!

ROUVRAY: D'Argenson. D'Argenson, quiet!

(Rouvray pulls out his g*n again.)

12. COURTYARD OUTSIDE THE HOUSE

(The soldiers enter the yard.)

SERGEANT: Wait here! (To the lieutenant.) The pigs will still be running. They won't have stopped yet.

LIEUTENANT: And this is their route according to our information, sergeant. They could be hiding in this house.

SERGEANT: I'll have the men search the place.

LIEUTENANT: No. No, let's let them rest. They've had a long march. We'll cover the back.

SERGEANT: We'll block their escape!

LIEUTENANT: If they are in there, we can let them suffer the waiting.

(The sergeant turns to a scruffy looking man with an eyepatch.)

SERGEANT: You. Round the back.

SOLDIER: Go yourself. (Mockingly.) Citizen!

(The other soldiers laugh.)

SERGEANT: And if they run, you'll have the chance of stopping them.

SOLDIER: Yes. It's a long time since I had a royalist to myself!

SERGEANT: Keep your eyes open!

(He bursts into laughter.)

SOLDIER: (Coldly.) Don't worry. They won't get past me.

13. INSIDE THE HOUSE, DOWNSTAIRS

IAN: They're not coming in.

ROUVRAY: No. The intention is to break our nerve.

14. COURTYARD OUTSIDE THE HOUSE

(The soldiers wait patiently for anything to happen.)

15. INSIDE THE HOUSE, DOWNSTAIRS

(Rouvray is telling his story to Ian.)

ROUVRAY: ...and then we were warned to leave, or face arrest and execution. Friends warn us, and friends denounce us.

IAN: Hmm. It seems the soldiers followed you. Who knew you were taking this road?

ROUVRAY: Who indeed. It's difficult to have secrets these days.

(Susan and Barbara approach them.)

SUSAN: Ian. Grandfather.

ROUVRAY: The old man? He's upstairs somewhere. D'Argenson? You dealt with him.

(D'Argenson simply shakes his head.)

IAN: Never mind. I'll find him.

(Ian leads Susan and Barbara off. When Rouvray's back is turned, D'Argenson opens the door. Rouvray sees him.)

ROUVRAY: D'Argenson! Come back! You fool!

(D'Argenson rushes out.)

16. COURTYARD OUTSIDE THE HOUSE

(D'Argenson pauses just outside. the soldiers wait in anticipation. Rouvray calmly walks out and joins his friend.)

LIEUTENANT: Sergeant!

: Rouvray.

ROUVRAY: (To the soldiers) Don't move! And get away from that man.

LIEUTENANT: Take him!

ROUVRAY: You'll listen to me!

(The soldiers remain still.)

LIEUTENANT: So Rouvray, your voice still carries authority. Even to my soldiers!

ROUVRAY: (To one soldier.) You. Come here. Give it to me.

(The soldier gives Rouvray his g*n. Rouvray throws it to the ground.)

ROUVRAY: (To the lieutenant.) You can give them uniforms, lieutenant, but they remain peasants underneath.

(A soldier next to the lieutenant raises his g*n and fires it at Rouvray. He falls d*ad.)

SOLDIER: Let's get the other one! Hold him! Hold him!

(D'Argenson tries to make a brake for it, but the soldiers manage to overpower him. The lieutenant kneels over the body of Rouvray.)

LIEUTENANT: A desperate attempt. And it very nearly worked.

(A g*n echoes from where the soldiers have captured D'Argenson. They all laugh.)

17. INSIDE THE HOUSE, UPSTAIRS

(Ian is looking around.)

IAN: Doctor? Doctor? Where are you?

18. INSIDE THE HOUSE, A SMALL ROOM UPSTAIRS

(The Doctor lies completely still. Suddenly Susan's scream is heard.)

19. INSIDE THE HOUSE, DOWNSTAIRS

(Ian cautiously emerges from the doorway to the stairs only to be grabbed by the soldier with the eyepatch who already has Susan and Barbara. The soldier covers them with his g*n while the lieutenant walks out of the shadows.)

LIEUTENANT: Well, my sergeant was right. It did pay us to look in the house.

IAN: We are not...

LIEUTENANT: Silence! (To the soldier.) If any of them speak again without permission, sh**t them.

(The sergeant enters.)

SERGEANT: The bodies have been removed, lieutenant.

(He points to the travelers.)

SERGEANT: What about these?

LIEUTENANT: Outside.

SERGEANT: Go on, you heard the lieutenant, move!

SOLDIER: Outside into the courtyard.

(He pushes them out.)

20. INSIDE THE HOUSE, A SMALL ROOM UPSTAIRS

(The Doctor begins to stir.)

21. COURTYARD OUTSIDE THE HOUSE

(Susan, Ian and Barbara are lined up with their backs against the wall, a f*ring squad in front of them. The sergeant stands between them.)

SERGEANT: Load muskets!

SOLDIER: We already have. Get out the way.

(The lieutenant emerges from the house.)

LIEUTENANT: Stop! We take them to Paris.

SOLDIER: No, we'll sh**t them here.

LIEUTENANT: We've got the men we came for.

SOLDIER: Yes, and more. I say we k*ll them.

(The other soldiers murmur in agreement.)

LIEUTENANT: Now listen. Listen. We also want credit for our additional prisoners. Lemaitre may not believe us if he does not see them for himself.

SOLDIER: That's true!

SERGEANT: But, there may be a reward.

SOLDIER: That's right. Perhaps there his a reward!

LIEUTENANT: And besides, why should we do what Madame Guillotine can do so much better?

SOLDIER: Let's take them to Paris to the guillotine! (To the prisoners.) Move!

(The prisoners are escorted away from the house. The sergeant and the soldier with the eyepatch are the last to leave. Suddenly the sergeant stops.)

SERGEANT: Wait! We'll burn the house down!

(He runs to the front of the procession and returns a few moments later with a blazing torch. He hurls it into a pile of hay, which gradually begins to catch f*re.)

22. INSIDE THE HOUSE, A SMALL ROOM UPSTAIRS

(The Doctor slowly clambers to his feet. Smoke begins to pour through the floorboards. He desperately attempts to open the door but it is locked.)

23. COURTYARD OUTSIDE THE HOUSE

(The f*re continues to spread.)

24. FOREST

(Susan, Barbara and Ian are being led along by the soldiers.)

SUSAN: Is there no sign of him?

(The three of them look back towards the house.)

BARBARA: (In alarm.) The house! Look at the house!

(The soldiers laugh.)

25. HOUSE

(The blaze now virtually covers the house.)

26. FOREST

SUSAN: What about grandfather!?

BARBARA: I'm sure he got out of it.

IAN: I hope so, for all our sakes.

SOLDIER: Get moving!

(Reluctantly they continue their march, unaware that they are being watched by Jean Pierre. He looks back at the house.)

27. INSIDE THE HOUSE, A SMALL ROOM UPSTAIRS

(The Doctor is choking on the smoke.)

DOCTOR: Help! Help! Can you hear me? Get me out!

(The smoke finally gets the better of him and he collapses.)

28. HOUSE

(The blaze continues.)

29. INSIDE THE HOUSE, A SMALL ROOM UPSTAIRS

(The Doctor still lies unconscious.)

30. HOUSE

(The flames continue to burn into the night sky.)
{"type": "series", "show": "Doctor Who", "episode": "01x37 - A Land of Fear"}