History Recap / DoctorWhoS19E4TheVisitation

->''"Yeah, can you imagine!? The Doctor without his sonic screwdriver! ''Destroyed!'' This is like Franchise/{{Batman}} patting his utility belt and then just shrugging at you. 'I've... I've got nuthin'.'"''
-->--'''Website/SFDebris'''

* ShootOutTheLock: The Doctor does this.

The fire is at Pudding Lane, where the Great Fire of London started. Which makes it the second time the Doctor accidentally caused a a great fire in history.

This serial marks the final appearance and the destruction of the sonic screwdriver in the classic series, as producer Creator/JohnNathanTurner claimed it was too much of a [[DeusExMachina convenience]] for the Doctor, much like K9 was when he was around. The screwdriver wouldn't return onscreen until the [[Recap/DoctorWhoTVMTheTVMovie TV Movie]] in 1996. This is the ''Doctor Who'' debut of Eric Saward, who had also just become the series' script editor.

This serial marks the final appearance and the destruction of the sonic screwdriver in the classic series, as producer Creator/JohnNathanTurner thought it was too much of a [[DeusExMachina convenience]] for the Doctor, much like K9 was when he was around. The screwdriver wouldn't return onscreen until the [[Recap/DoctorWhoTVMTheTVMovie TV Movie]] in 1996.

** When the Doctor is about to be beheaded by the scytheman, he groans, "[[OhNoNotAgain Oh no, not again.]]" He is alluding to the events in "Four to Doomsday", in which he was nearly beheaded by Monarch's androids.

* SinisterScythe: The Doctor and Richard Mace are nearly decapitated by a peasant with a scythe in the belief that they're carrying the plague. Then the android disguised as the Grim Reaper takes the scythe off the peasant--naturally they all run for their lives at the sight.

* SinisterScythe: In [[Recap/DoctorWhoS19E4TheVisitation "The Visitation"]], TheBlackDeath is sweeping across the land, so all strangers are being killed, which is bad news for the Doctor and Richard Mace as they're nearly decapitated by a peasant with a scythe. There's also an android disguised the Grim Reaper who takes the scythe off the peasant--naturally they all run for their lives at the sight.

* SinisterScythe: The mind-controlled villagers attempt to behead the Doctor and Richard Mace with a scythe.

** When the Doctor is about to be beheaded by the scytheman, he groans, "Oh no, not again." He is alluding to the events in "Four to Doomsday", in which he was nearly beheaded by Monarch's androids.

-->'''Tegan''': [[SilentSnarker *eye roll*]]

* AlternateCharacterInterpretation: {{Invoked}} Adric's usually insufferable behavior is revealed to be due to intense insecurity.

The one where the Doctor sets fire to everything.

And the moment where Creator/JohnNathanTurner saw fit to murder the Sonic Screwdriver.

** Whilst in the TARDIS prior to landing, Tegan talks to Nyssa about her recent possession by the Mara on Deva Loka ("[[Recap/DoctorWhoS19E3Kinda Kinda]]").

* CowardlyLion: Mace is braver than he thinks he is

* MindControlDevice

* ThePlague

* MarkOfShame: The Terileptil leader has face markings (which double as a nasty disfigurement) that mean if he goes back to his home planet he'll be killed.

%%* CometOfDoom

* AllThereInTheManual: In the novelisation, the Doctor realizes who the Terileptils are because they left their tag on their escape capsule; this was not explained in the televised story.
** The Squire is named Sir John.

And the moment where JNT saw fit to murder the Sonic Screwdriver.

* CometOfDoom
* CowardlyLion: Mace is braver than he thinks.

* TheHighwayman: Richard Mace allows Tegan to imply he' this (though he prefers "gentleman of the road"). Though whether he is truthfully is up for debate.

* LovableCoward: Mace proves himself in the end, though.

* KneelBeforeZod

* TheHighwayman: Richard Mace.

* ContinuityNod: Tegan assumes the Terileptil's interest in the TARDIS means that, like Monarch ("Four to Doomsday"), he wants to "ride in it".
** Whilst in the TARDIS prior to landing, Tegan talks to Nyssa about her recent possession by the Mara on Deva Loka ("Kinda").

** The Fourth Doctor previously indicated that he was wrongly accused of having started the Great Fire. ("Pyramids of Mars")

* WeaponForIntimidation: Richard Mace attempts to threaten the villagers with a pair of unloaded flintlock pistols. The Doctor points out that the villagers are being mind-controlled and are therefore immune to intimidation.
* WhatCouldHaveBeen: Eric Saward originally intended for the serial to end with the Doctor claiming a new sonic screwdriver out of a cabinet full of the devices: we could've seen far more of the sonic in the classic series, but John Nathan-Turner decided that it made things too easy for the Doctor and was a writer's crutch. Also slightly coupled with ExecutiveMeddling.
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