Vislor Turlough
Encyclopedia
Vislor Turlough is a fictional character played by Mark Strickson
in the long-running British
science fiction television
series Doctor Who
. He was a companion
of the Fifth Doctor
, being a regular in the programme from 1983 to 1984.
, he is a student of retired Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart
(himself a former companion of the Doctor) at the Brendon Public School
, but it becomes apparent that he is not what he seems. He is contacted by the malevolent Black Guardian
, who offers to take him home if he kills the Doctor
. He also appears familiar with concepts of time travel
and matter transmission
. At the end of the serial, Turlough asks to accompany the Doctor. Despite Tegan
and Nyssa's suspicions, the Doctor accepts Turlough as part of the TARDIS crew.
During the course of the next two serials, Terminus
and Enlightenment
(collectively known, together with Mawdryn Undead, as the Black Guardian Trilogy), Turlough finds himself unable to decide whether or not to carry out his assignment from the Black Guardian, but eventually rejects him in favour of loyalty to the Doctor. Although always slightly cowardly, with excellent instincts of self-preservation and a streak of ruthlessness, his relationship with the Doctor and Tegan improves with time (Nyssa having departed at the end of Terminus). He is one of the few companions capable of operating many of the TARDIS's systems, being able to run a diagnostic in The Five Doctors
and program the TARDIS to retrieve the Doctor in Planet of Fire
. Initially expressing a desire to return home, he continues travelling with the Doctor and Tegan until Tegan leaves at the end of Resurrection of the Daleks
.
In the very next serial, Planet of Fire
, it is revealed that Turlough is a native of the planet Trion, having become a political exile to Earth
following a civil war. Also revealed for the first time in this serial is Turlough's first name, Vislor. At the end of the serial, Turlough discovers that political prisoners are no longer mistreated on Trion and decides it is time to return home.
An image of Turlough appears during the Fifth Doctor's regeneration scene in The Caves of Androzani
.
Strickson has humorously commented that, not knowing what to do with him, the writers of the television series would often have the villains capture or lock him up, leading to Turlough ending up in various "states of bondage".
Turlough was the Doctor's last male on-screen companion until Adam Mitchell in the 2005 series episode "Dalek", the last full-time male companion until Jack Harkness
, and the last companion not from Earth until Astrid Peth
in the 2007 Christmas Special "Voyage of the Damned
" (not including Jack Harkness who is Human but not born on Earth).
20th anniversary special
Season 21
The Companions of Doctor Who
Virgin Missing Adventures
Past Doctor Adventures
Mark Strickson
Mark Strickson is a British TV producer and actor best known for his acting role as the character of Vislor Turlough on the television series Doctor Who.Strickson was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, England...
in the long-running British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
science fiction television
Science fiction on television
Science fiction first appeared on a television program during the Golden Age of Science Fiction. Special effects and other production techniques allow creators to present a living visual image of an imaginary world not limited by the constraints of reality; this makes television an excellent medium...
series Doctor Who
Doctor Who
Doctor Who is a British science fiction television programme produced by the BBC. The programme depicts the adventures of a time-travelling humanoid alien known as the Doctor who explores the universe in a sentient time machine called the TARDIS that flies through time and space, whose exterior...
. He was a companion
Companion (Doctor Who)
In the long-running BBC television science fiction programme Doctor Who and related works, the term "companion" refers to a character who travels with, and shares the adventures of the Doctor. In most Doctor Who stories, the primary companion acts as both deuteragonist and audience surrogate...
of the Fifth Doctor
Fifth Doctor
The Fifth Doctor is the fifth incarnation of the protagonist of the long-running BBC television science-fiction series Doctor Who. He is portrayed by Peter Davison....
, being a regular in the programme from 1983 to 1984.
Character history
When Turlough first appears in the serial Mawdryn UndeadMawdryn Undead
Mawdryn Undead is a serial in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, which was originally broadcast in four twice weekly parts from 1 February to 9 February 1983...
, he is a student of retired Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart
Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart
Brigadier Sir Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart, generally referred to simply as the Brigadier, is a fictional character in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, played by Nicholas Courtney...
(himself a former companion of the Doctor) at the Brendon Public School
Public School (UK)
A public school, in common British usage, is a school that is neither administered nor financed by the state or from taxpayer contributions, and is instead funded by a combination of endowments, tuition fees and charitable contributions, usually existing as a non profit-making charitable trust...
, but it becomes apparent that he is not what he seems. He is contacted by the malevolent Black Guardian
Black Guardian
The Black Guardian is a character in the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who. He was played by Valentine Dyall....
, who offers to take him home if he kills the Doctor
Doctor (Doctor Who)
The Doctor is the central character in the long-running BBC television science-fiction series Doctor Who, and has also featured in two cinema feature films, a vast range of spin-off novels, audio dramas and comic strips connected to the series....
. He also appears familiar with concepts of time travel
Time travel
Time travel is the concept of moving between different points in time in a manner analogous to moving between different points in space. Time travel could hypothetically involve moving backward in time to a moment earlier than the starting point, or forward to the future of that point without the...
and matter transmission
Teleportation
Teleportation is the fictional or imagined process by which matter is instantaneously transferred from one place to another.Teleportation may also refer to:*Quantum teleportation, a method of transmitting quantum data...
. At the end of the serial, Turlough asks to accompany the Doctor. Despite Tegan
Tegan Jovanka
Tegan Jovanka is a fictional character played by Janet Fielding in the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who. An Australian airline stewardess and a native of Brisbane who was a companion of the Fourth and Fifth Doctors, she was a regular in the programme from 1981 to...
and Nyssa's suspicions, the Doctor accepts Turlough as part of the TARDIS crew.
During the course of the next two serials, Terminus
Terminus (Doctor Who)
Terminus is a serial in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, which was originally broadcast in four twice-weekly parts from 15 to 23 February 1983...
and Enlightenment
Enlightenment (Doctor Who)
Enlightenment is a serial in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, which was originally broadcast in four twice-weekly parts from March 1 to March 9, 1983...
(collectively known, together with Mawdryn Undead, as the Black Guardian Trilogy), Turlough finds himself unable to decide whether or not to carry out his assignment from the Black Guardian, but eventually rejects him in favour of loyalty to the Doctor. Although always slightly cowardly, with excellent instincts of self-preservation and a streak of ruthlessness, his relationship with the Doctor and Tegan improves with time (Nyssa having departed at the end of Terminus). He is one of the few companions capable of operating many of the TARDIS's systems, being able to run a diagnostic in The Five Doctors
The Five Doctors
The Five Doctors is a special feature-length episode of the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, produced in celebration of the programme's twentieth anniversary. It had its world premiere in the United States, on the Chicago PBS station WTTW and various other PBS member stations...
and program the TARDIS to retrieve the Doctor in Planet of Fire
Planet of Fire
Planet of Fire is a serial in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, which was first broadcast in four twice-weekly parts from 23 February to 2 March 1984...
. Initially expressing a desire to return home, he continues travelling with the Doctor and Tegan until Tegan leaves at the end of Resurrection of the Daleks
Resurrection of the Daleks
Resurrection of the Daleks is a serial in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, which was first broadcast in two weekly parts between 8 February and 15 February 1984...
.
In the very next serial, Planet of Fire
Planet of Fire
Planet of Fire is a serial in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, which was first broadcast in four twice-weekly parts from 23 February to 2 March 1984...
, it is revealed that Turlough is a native of the planet Trion, having become a political exile to Earth
Earth
Earth is the third planet from the Sun, and the densest and fifth-largest of the eight planets in the Solar System. It is also the largest of the Solar System's four terrestrial planets...
following a civil war. Also revealed for the first time in this serial is Turlough's first name, Vislor. At the end of the serial, Turlough discovers that political prisoners are no longer mistreated on Trion and decides it is time to return home.
An image of Turlough appears during the Fifth Doctor's regeneration scene in The Caves of Androzani
The Caves of Androzani
The Caves of Androzani is a serial in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, which was first broadcast in four twice-weekly parts from 8–16 March 1984. It was Peter Davison's last regular appearance as the Doctor, and marks the first appearance of Colin Baker in the role...
.
Strickson has humorously commented that, not knowing what to do with him, the writers of the television series would often have the villains capture or lock him up, leading to Turlough ending up in various "states of bondage".
Turlough was the Doctor's last male on-screen companion until Adam Mitchell in the 2005 series episode "Dalek", the last full-time male companion until Jack Harkness
Jack Harkness
Captain Jack Harkness is a fictional character played by John Barrowman in Doctor Who and its spin-off series, Torchwood. He first appeared in the 2005 Doctor Who episode "The Empty Child" and reappeared in the remaining episodes of the 2005 series as a companion of the ninth incarnation of the...
, and the last companion not from Earth until Astrid Peth
Astrid Peth
Astrid Peth is a fictional character played by Kylie Minogue in the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who. She is a one-off companion of the Tenth Doctor who appears in the episode "Voyage of the Damned", which was first broadcast in the UK on 25 December 2007...
in the 2007 Christmas Special "Voyage of the Damned
Voyage of the Damned (Doctor Who)
"Voyage of the Damned" is an episode of the British science fiction television series Doctor Who. First broadcast on 25 December 2007, it is 72 minutes long and the third Christmas special since the show's revival in 2005...
" (not including Jack Harkness who is Human but not born on Earth).
Television
Season 20- Mawdryn UndeadMawdryn UndeadMawdryn Undead is a serial in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, which was originally broadcast in four twice weekly parts from 1 February to 9 February 1983...
- TerminusTerminus (Doctor Who)Terminus is a serial in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, which was originally broadcast in four twice-weekly parts from 15 to 23 February 1983...
- EnlightenmentEnlightenment (Doctor Who)Enlightenment is a serial in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, which was originally broadcast in four twice-weekly parts from March 1 to March 9, 1983...
- The King's DemonsThe King's DemonsThe King's Demons is a serial in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, which was originally broadcast in two parts on March 15 and March 16, 1983...
20th anniversary special
- The Five DoctorsThe Five DoctorsThe Five Doctors is a special feature-length episode of the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, produced in celebration of the programme's twentieth anniversary. It had its world premiere in the United States, on the Chicago PBS station WTTW and various other PBS member stations...
Season 21
- Warriors of the DeepWarriors of the DeepWarriors of the Deep is a serial in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, which was broadcast in four twice-weekly parts from 5 January to 13 January 1984...
- The AwakeningThe Awakening (Doctor Who)The Awakening is a serial in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, which was originally broadcast in two parts on 19 and 20 January 1984.-Synopsis:...
- FrontiosFrontiosFrontios is a serial in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, which was first broadcast in four twice-weekly parts from 26 January to 3 February 1984.-Synopsis:...
- Resurrection of the DaleksResurrection of the DaleksResurrection of the Daleks is a serial in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, which was first broadcast in two weekly parts between 8 February and 15 February 1984...
- Planet of FirePlanet of FirePlanet of Fire is a serial in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, which was first broadcast in four twice-weekly parts from 23 February to 2 March 1984...
- The Caves of AndrozaniThe Caves of AndrozaniThe Caves of Androzani is a serial in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, which was first broadcast in four twice-weekly parts from 8–16 March 1984. It was Peter Davison's last regular appearance as the Doctor, and marks the first appearance of Colin Baker in the role...
(cameo in episode 4)
Audio dramas
- PhantasmagoriaPhantasmagoria (Doctor Who audio)Phantasmagoria is a Big Finish Productions audio drama based on the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who. The story was written by Mark Gatiss and stars Peter Davison and Mark Strickson...
- Loups-GarouxLoups-GarouxLoups-Garoux is a Big Finish Productions audio drama based on the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who.-Plot:...
- SingularitySingularity (Doctor Who audio)Singularity is a Big Finish Productions audio drama based on the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who.-Plot:...
- RingpullworldRingpullworldRingpullworld is a Big Finish Productions audiobook based on the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who. In it, Mark Strickson reprises his role as Turlough....
- Freakshow
- Cobwebs
- The Whispering ForestThe Whispering ForestThe Whispering Forest is a Big Finish Productions audio drama based on the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who...
- The Cradle of the SnakeThe Cradle of the SnakeThe Cradle of the Snake is a Big Finish Productions audio drama based on the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who...
- Heroes of SontarHeroes of SontarHeroes of Sontar is a Big Finish Productions audio drama based on the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who. -Plot:The Doctor takes his friends to the peaceful citadel planet, Samur. But they find it deserted...
- Kiss of DeathKiss of Death (Doctor Who audio)Kiss of Death is a Big Finish Productions audio drama based on the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who. -Plot:...
- Rat TrapRat Trap (Doctor Who audio)Rat Trap is a Big Finish Productions audio drama based on the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who. -Plot:1983...
- The Emerald Tiger
Novels
Make Your Own Adventure- Crisis in SpaceCrisis in SpaceCrisis in Space is a Seven House adventure book written by Michael Holt and based on the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who. It features the Sixth Doctor, Peri, Turlough and Chris.-Plot:...
by Michael HoltMichael Holt (author)Michael Holt is a UK author of puzzle and quiz books for children, including several Doctor Who related quiz books and Crisis In Space in the Make Your Own Adventure with Doctor Who series. He was also the co-author of Puffin Books' Big Book of Puzzles series. He taught mathematics and geometry in...
The Companions of Doctor Who
- Turlough and the Earthlink Dilemma by Tony Attwood
Virgin Missing Adventures
Virgin Missing Adventures
The Virgin Missing Adventures were a series of novels from Virgin Publishing based on the British science-fiction television series Doctor Who, which had been cancelled in 1989, featuring stories set between televised episodes of the programme. The novels were published from 1994 to 1997, and...
- The Crystal BucephalusThe Crystal BucephalusThe Crystal Bucephalus is an original novel written by Craig Hinton and based on the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who. It features the Fifth Doctor, Tegan, Turlough and Kamelion.-External links:*...
by Craig HintonCraig HintonCraig Paul Alexander Hinton was a British writer best known for his work on various spin-offs from the BBC Television series Doctor Who.... - Lords of the StormLords of the StormLords of the Storm is an original novel written by David A. McIntee and based on the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who. The novel features the Fifth Doctor and Turlough. The novelisation of Shakedown: Return of the Sontarans by Terrance Dicks, published as part of...
by David A. McInteeDavid A. McIntee-Biography:McIntee has written many spin-off novels based on the BBC science fiction television series Doctor Who, as well as one each based on Final Destination and Space: 1999. He has also written a non-fiction book on Star Trek: Voyager and one jointly on the Alien and Predator movie franchises...
Past Doctor Adventures
Past Doctor Adventures
The Past Doctor Adventures were a series of spin-off novels based on the long running BBC science fiction television series Doctor Who and published under the BBC Books imprint. For most of their existence, they were published side-by-side with the Eighth Doctor Adventures...
- Deep BlueDeep Blue (Doctor Who)Deep Blue is a BBC Books original novel written by Mark Morris and based on the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who...
by Mark MorrisMark Morris (writer)Mark Morris is an author known for his series of horror novels, although he has also written two novels based on the BBC Television series Doctor Who. He currently lives in Tadcaster, North Yorkshire, with his wife . He has used the pseudonym J. M... - Imperial MoonImperial MoonImperial Moon is a BBC Books original novel written by Christopher Bulis and based on the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who. It features the Fifth Doctor, Turlough and Kamelion.-External links:*...
by Christopher BulisChristopher BulisChristopher Bulis is a writer best known for his work on various Doctor Who spin-offs. He is one of the most prolific authors to write for the various ranges of spin-offs from the BBC Television series Doctor Who, with twelve novels to his name, and between 1993 and 2000 he had at least one Doctor... - The King of TerrorThe King of TerrorThe King of Terror is a BBC Books original novel written by Keith Topping and based on the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who...
by Keith ToppingKeith ToppingKeith Andrew Topping , is an author, journalist and broadcaster most closely associated with his work relating to the BBC Television series Doctor Who and for writing numerous official and unofficial guide books to a wide variety of television and film series, specifically Buffy the Vampire...
Short stories
- "Birth of a Renegade" by Eric SawardEric SawardEric Saward was born on 9 December 1944 and became a scriptwriter and script editor for the BBC, resigning from the latter post on the TV programme Doctor Who in 1986....
(Radio TimesRadio TimesRadio Times is a UK weekly television and radio programme listings magazine, owned by the BBC. It has been published since 1923 by BBC Magazines, which also provides an on-line listings service under the same title...
Doctor Who 20th Anniversary Special) - "Zeitgeist" by Craig HintonCraig HintonCraig Paul Alexander Hinton was a British writer best known for his work on various spin-offs from the BBC Television series Doctor Who....
(Decalog 3: Consequences) - "Qualia" by Stephen FewellStephen FewellStephen Fewell is a British actor who portrays Jason Kane in the audio adventures of Bernice Summerfield. He has also appeared in classical theatre and as several roles in various Doctor Who audio productions...
(Short Trips: CompanionsShort Trips: CompanionsShort Trips: Companions is a Big Finish original anthology edited by Jacqueline Rayner and based on the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who. The stories focus on the companions and their travels with the Doctor.-Stories:...
) - "Rome" by Marcus Flavin (Short Trips: The History of ChristmasShort Trips: The History of ChristmasShort Trips: The History of Christmas is a Big Finish original anthology edited by Simon Guerrier and based on the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who. It is the second Christmas anthology released under the Short Trips title.-Stories:-External links:*...
) - "Comforts of Home" by Pete Kempshall (Short Trips: The History of Christmas)
- "One Wednesday Afternoon" by Alison Jacobs (Short Trips: A Day in the LifeShort Trips: A Day in the LifeShort Trips: A Day in the Life is a Big Finish original anthology edited by Ian Farrington and based on the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who. It features a collection of stories that, together, are set over a 24-hour period.-Stories:-External links:* * Trevor...
) - "The Assassin's Story" by Andrew Collins (Short Trips: RepercussionsShort Trips: RepercussionsShort Trips: Repercussions is a Big Finish original anthology edited by Gary Russell and based on the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who. The collection explores the theme of unforeseen consequences.-Stories:...
) - "Observation" by Ian Farrington (Short Trips: Life ScienceShort Trips: Life ScienceShort Trips: Life Science is a Big Finish original anthology edited by John Binns and based on the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who. The collection's theme is the nature of life.-Stories:-Notes:...
) - "Lant Land" by Jonathan MorrisJonathan Morris (author)Jonathan Morris was born in Taunton England in 1973. He is an author principally known for writing various kinds of Doctor Who spin-off material...
(Short Trips: Life Science) - "White Man's Burden" by John BinnsJohn BinnsJohn Binns was a British Labour Party politician. He was Member of Parliament for the marginal Keighley constituency from 1964 to 1970, when it was won by Conservative Joan Hall....
(Short Trips: Past TenseShort Trips: Past TenseShort Trips: Past Tense is a Big Finish original anthology edited by Ian Farrington and based on the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who. The collection's theme is history with each story being set before the year 2000...
) - "Last Minute Shopping" by Neil Perryman (Short Trips: A Christmas TreasuryShort Trips: A Christmas TreasuryShort Trips: A Christmas Treasury is a Big Finish original anthology edited by Paul Cornell and based on the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who. The collection is the first Christmas book in the Short Trips range....
) - "The Misadventure of Mark Thorne" by Andy Frankham (Short Trips: SnapshotsShort Trips: SnapshotsShort Trips: Snapshots is a Big Finish original anthology edited by Joseph Lidster and based on the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who...
) - "Piecemeal" by James SwallowJames SwallowJames Swallow is a British author and scriptwriter. He is the author of several original books and tie-in novels, as well as numerous audio dramas and videogames....
(Short Trips: Snapshots) - "Do You Believe in the Krampus?" by Xanna Eve Chown (Short Trips: The Ghosts of ChristmasShort Trips: The Ghosts of ChristmasShort Trips: The Ghosts of Christmas is a Big Finish original anthology edited by Cavan Scott and Mark Wright and based on the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who. The collection features stories set at Christmas in the past, present and future...
) - "One Step Forward, Two Steps Back" by Chris ThomasChris Thomas (author)Chris Thomas is an Australian writer, actor, journalist and broadcaster.Thomas was born in Perth, Western Australia. He has extensive acting and journalistic experience, working for mainstream newspapers, independent publications and as a freelance. He has also worked in media and public...
(Short Trips: Defining PatternsShort Trips: Defining PatternsShort Trips: Defining Patterns is a Big Finish original anthology edited by Ian Farrington and based on the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who...
) - "Gudok" by Mags L HallidayMags L HallidayLiz Halliday is an author who writes under the name Mags L Halliday in Doctor Who-series of science fiction. She is distinct from the writer Liz Holliday, who has also contributed to Doctor Who-related science fiction....
(Short Trips: TransmissionsShort Trips: TransmissionsShort Trips: Transmissions is a Big Finish original anthology edited by Richard Salter and based on the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who. The theme of the collection concerns messages and transmissions, the media in which they're delivered and how they are...
) - "The Darkest Corner" by Adrian Middleton (Shelf Life)
- "Fair Exchange" by Mike Morgan (Shelf Life)
Comics
- "The Lunar Strangers" by Gareth RobertsGareth Roberts (writer)Gareth John Pritchard Roberts is a British television screenwriter and novelist, best known for his work related to the science-fiction television series Doctor Who...
and Martin GeraghtyMartin Geraghty-Biography:His first commission was for the Marvel UK comic Overkill but the comic folded before his story was published.He began drawing for Doctor Who Magazine in 1993 and has continued to draw regularly for it ever since....
(Doctor Who MagazineDoctor Who MagazineDoctor Who Magazine is a magazine devoted to the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who...
215–217)