The Curse of Fatal Death is a special Doctor Who serial, written for the Red Nose Day charity telethon in 1999. It is notable in that it was the first time in the show’s history that a female actor, Joanna Lumley, played the Doctor. The serial is a parody of the long-running science fiction show and presents a humorous take on the Doctor's adventures. In The Curse of Fatal Death, the Doctor faces his arch-nemesis, the Master, who has developed a device capable of causing fatal death for any living being. The Master plans to use this device to gain control over the entire universe. Throughout the story, the Doctor and his companion, Emma, encounter various obstacles and adversaries as they attempt to stop the Master's evil plan.
Throughout the story, the Doctor and his companion, Emma, encounter various obstacles and adversaries as they attempt to stop the Master's evil plan. One of the notable aspects of The Curse of Fatal Death is its self-awareness and humor. The serial includes many references to past Doctor Who stories and is filled with comedic moments and witty dialogue.
Recap / Doctor Who: The Curse of Fatal Death
He's difficult to get rid of — when he's not the direct cause of his own ridding. Repeatedly. Or hers.
Also, the one that predicted a female Thirteenth Doctor eighteen years before it happened for real.
"The Curse of Fatal Death" is a 1999 Doctor Who Affectionate Parody, produced by The BBC for Red Nose Day between the 1996 TV movie and 2005 revival. It was written by Steven Moffat, who would later be head writer and executive producer of Doctor Who between 2010 and 2017.
The Ninth Doctor (Rowan Atkinson) contacts the Master (Jonathan Pryce), wanting to meet him on the planet Terserus. The Doctor reveals that he's planning to retire and is engaged to his companion Emma (Julia Sawalha), after which things get. kinda weird. And then the Daleks get involved, aligned with the Master but with their own goals as well. When the Doctor and Emma are captured, he's killed several times and rapidly cycles through being Richard E. Grant, Jim Broadbent, Hugh Grant, and finally Joanna Lumley. who decides she'd actually rather shag the Master than fight him.
The comedy special is notable for offering an early glimpse into concepts that Steven Moffat would later bring into Doctor Who proper, once he became the series' showrunner. These include the Doctor marrying a companion, Time Lords regenerating as a different gender, the Master getting stuck in sewers with Daleks, Emma's outfit (a version of which was seen on companion Amy Pond later on), extremely complicated time travel schemes, and the good ship Doctor×Master.
Originally broadcast in four short parts, the BBC released a two-part version on VHS which, aside from the Comic Relief mentions, resembles any other Doctor Who release from around that point.
A tie-in work, "Who's After Your Cash" was printed in The Mirror Official Comic Relief Newspaper issued by The Mirror on Comic Relief Day. Written by Rowan Atkinson, it was a letter by the Ninth Doctor urging readers to watch "The Curse of Fatal Death". The short is free to watch on Comic Relief's official YouTube channel . The night itself also complemented the special with promotional links, topped off with a short message to the audience from Atkinson's Ninth Doctor; these extras have been unofficially uploaded online.
The Doctor's regenerations are also parodied, with the character undergoing numerous transformations, including turning into Lumley's portrayal of the Doctor. Overall, The Curse of Fatal Death is a lighthearted and entertaining take on the Doctor Who universe. It showcases the talents of Lumley and other notable actors, such as Rowan Atkinson, Jonathan Pryce, and Hugh Grant, who all make appearances in the serial. While it may not be considered part of the official Doctor Who canon, it remains a beloved and enjoyable installment in the show's history..
Reviews for "Fatal Death Curse: A Global Threat or a Local Phenomenon?"
1. John - 1 star - This movie was a complete disaster. The plot was weak and predictable, the acting was terrible, and the special effects were laughable. I couldn't help but feel like I was wasting my time watching this film. I was hoping for a thrilling and suspenseful experience, but all I got was disappointment. I would not recommend "The Curse of Fatal Death" to anyone.
2. Emma - 2 stars - I had high expectations for this movie, given the hype surrounding it, but I was sorely disappointed. The storyline was confusing and poorly executed. The characters lacked depth, and their motivations were unclear. The humor fell flat, and the jokes seemed forced. Overall, it was a mediocre film that I wouldn't bother watching again.
3. Michael - 1 star - "The Curse of Fatal Death" is one of the worst movies I have ever seen. The dialogue was cheesy, and the acting felt overdone. The attempts at comedy were cringe-worthy, and I found myself rolling my eyes throughout the entire film. The plot was convoluted and disjointed, making it hard to follow or care about what was happening. Save yourself the agony and avoid this disaster of a movie.
4. Sarah - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "The Curse of Fatal Death," but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The film lacked substance and failed to engage me emotionally. The pacing was off, with a slow build-up to an anticlimactic finale. The special effects were subpar and did little to enhance the overall viewing experience. It's a forgettable movie that I wouldn't recommend wasting your time on.