curse curse black spot episode sixth series british science fiction television series doctor written directed episode broadcast bbc united_kingdom united_states features doctor companions episode tardis 17th century board pirate ship crew like creature receiving injury minor black spot appears creature apparently producers wished develop pirate themed episode sixth series allow protagonists sit fun adventure episode primarily filmed dock cornwall wales curse black spot seen million viewers received generally mixed reviews critics gained audience appreciation index considered excellent plot prequel april immediately following broadcast day moon bbc released prequel curse black spot prequel consists short montage atmospheric shots pirate ship narration form captain journal april good ship fancy describes ship days crew taken enemy fears doomed die synopsis following distress signal tardis lands aboard 17th century pirate ship stranded middle ocean ship crew like creature marks people black spots injured song victims trance making want apparently receives cut pirates finds black spot hand prevented song doctor water portal doctor instructs seek refuge ship dry magazine find son ship captain away ship order join crew mother died unaware father illicit deeds black spot palm fever attempt escape doctor board tardis find acting forced evacuate watch taken dry room doctor realises reflection appear response rid ship reflective surfaces including ship stolen treasure storm begins crew start set sail toby drops polished crown bringing father coat summoned takes toby soon falls ocean doctor shown intelligence likely believing victims dead doctor convinces amy doctor suspicions confirmed touch actually alien spaceship invisible spot pirate ship located doctor finds spaceship crew long dead exposure human virus trio discover entire crew toby medical care turns ship virtual doctor caring injured humans black spots tissue samples references amy convinces release care nursing knowledge amy doctor remove life support able decides stay son crew unable england ship care crew takes helm spaceship toby crew sets explore stars continuity historical pirate previously mentioned serial deals search gold curse black spot asserts unresolved plot points previous episodes impossible astronaut day moon amy express concern doctor future death madame appears briefly amy doctor uses tardis perform pregnancy test amy results remain unclear production writing casting january announced actor guest appearance pirate captain episode sixth series doctor felt working actor great fun previously played sir russia seventh doctor audio drama angel later february announced actress model cast sea creature producers looking actress beautiful striking somewhat cole came early casting suggestions accepted role approached episode written producers wished develop doctor episode set high seas episode allow doctor companions kick fun episode pirate themed producers wanted fit elements possible pirate fiction including treasure boy walking storms swords pirate good heart isn evil curse black spot originally planned ninth series moved forward prior filming executive producer felt half series dark filming effects filming took place primarily cornwall wales exterior pirate ship filmed dock cornwall lower decks built set studio principal challenge film dock ensure audience crew set smoke machines simulate fog create storm crew wind rain machines went litres water loud noise wind machines caused communication difficulties takes anticipating soaked cast present deck wore dry suits underneath clothes filming began storm sequences heard perform stunt thrown sea willing perform stunt later performed double scenes cole appeared ship harness flying actress wore green dress makeup normal replaced studio cole felt fun fly harness found painful hours allowed perform stunts episode excited learn character fight pirates swords taught handle basic moves allowed swing ship stunt double required film sequence amy thrown deck set built studio beds attached strings prone cast members asked lie beds instructed stay breathe heavily limit movement broadcast reception broadcast ratings curse black spot broadcast bbc united_kingdom saturday shown united_states day broadcast episode received preliminary overnight ratings million viewers based estimated figures viewership day moon final consolidated ratings episode increased million viewers cent audience share second largest audience night britain addition nearly million viewed episode given appreciation index placing excellent category critical reception episode met generally mixed reviews television critics guardian thought curse black spot little bit comparison opening episode series nice old fashioned bolstered high concepts cute moments like classic episodes praised criticised character martin later rated worst episode series finale aired time included list ign gave overall good score admitting great lines twist sci spin worn genre plot criticised lacking qualities credible terrifying villain daily_telegraph feel episode believable citing performance saying didn come ruthless killer despite crew claimed crew given threat fuller felt cole decent job claiming best realised thing episode slightly ahead looking pirate outfit den geek started comparing episode lost massive intriguing interesting stuff mainly criticising little girl regeneration day moon left unresolved enjoyed curse black spot reacting positively episode production values reveal black spots science fiction based magazine sfx opined high points episode high maritime atmosphere doctor instant possession facts thinking events critical story claiming pirates mix gunpowder ultimately time falls short promise morgan digital spy wrote following game changing premiere week doctor provides real change pace moody atmospheric pre titles sequence setting scene far traditional adventure praised performance critical cole role given float look ethereal added english model certainly looks judged special effects aiding performance beautiful unsettling thought amy revival acted criticised series numerous dead scenes negatively comparing south_park character rated episode stars somewhat comparison impossible astronaut day moon
The Curse of the Black Spot