Editing Delta and the Bannermen

{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2012}}
{{Infobox Doctor Who episode
| number             = 146<ref>From the ''[[Doctor Who Magazine]]'' series overview, in issue 407 (pp26-29). ''[[The Discontinuity Guide]]'', which counts the four segments of ''[[The Trial of a Time Lord]]'' as four separate stories and also counts the unbroadcast serial ''[[Shada (Doctor Who)|Shada]]'', lists this story as number 150. [[DVD region code#1|Region 1]] DVD [[Doctor Who DVD releases|releases]] follow ''The Discontinuity Guide'' numbering system.</ref>
| serial_name        = Delta and the Bannermen
| show               = DW
| type               = serial
| image              = 
| image_size         = 
| caption            = 
| doctor             = [[Sylvester McCoy]] – [[Seventh Doctor]]
| companion          = [[Bonnie Langford]] – [[Mel Bush]]
| guests             = 
*[[Don Henderson]] – Gavrok
*[[Belinda Mayne]] – Delta
*[[Richard Davies (Welsh actor)|Richard Davies]] – Burton
*[[Stubby Kaye]] – Weismuller
*[[Morgan Deare]] – Hawk
*David Kinder – Billy
*Martyn Geraint – Vinny
*Sara Griffiths – Ray
*[[Hugh Lloyd]] – Goronwy
*[[Ken Dodd]] – Tollmaster
*[[Brian Hibbard]] – Keillor
*Johnny Dennis – Murray
*Leslie Meadows – Adlon
*[[Anita Graham]] – Bollitt
*Clive Condon – Callon
*Richard Mitchley – Arrex
*Tim Scott – Chima
*Jessica McGough, Amy Osborn – Young Chimeron
*Laura Collins, Carley Joseph – Chimeron Princess
*Robin Aspland, [[Keff McCulloch]], Justin Myers, [[Ralph Salmins]] – The Lorells
*Tracey Wilson, Jodie Wilson – Vocalists
| director           = [[Chris Clough]]
| writer             = [[Malcolm Kohll]]
| script_editor      = [[Andrew Cartmel]]
| producer           = [[John Nathan-Turner]]
| composer           = [[Keff McCulloch]]
| production_code    = 7F
| series             = [[Doctor Who (season 24)|Season 24]]
| length             = 3 episodes, 25 minutes each
| started            = {{Start date|1987|11|2|df=y}}
| ended              = {{End date|1987|11|16|df=y}}
| preceding          = ''[[Paradise Towers]]''
| following          = ''[[Dragonfire (Doctor Who)|Dragonfire]]''
}}
'''''Delta and the Bannermen''''' is the third serial of the [[Doctor Who (season 24)|24th season]] of the British [[science fiction television]] series ''[[Doctor Who]]'', which was first broadcast in three weekly parts from 2 to 16 November 1987.

In the serial, aliens called the Bannermen track down the Chimeron Queen Delta ([[Belinda Mayne]]) to a Welsh holiday camp in 1959 so they can kill her.

==Plot==
On an alien planet the [[genocide]] of the Chimeron by the merciless Bannermen led by Gavrok is almost complete. The last survivor, Chimeron Queen Delta, escapes clutching her egg. She reaches a space tollport where the Navarinos, a race of shape-changing tourist aliens, are planning a visit to [[Disneyland]] on the planet Earth in 1959, in a spaceship disguised as an old holiday bus. She stows aboard, meeting [[Mel Bush|Mel]], while the [[Seventh Doctor]] follows in the [[TARDIS]]. The holiday vehicle collides with an Earth satellite and is diverted off course, landing at a holiday camp in [[South Wales]], led by camp director Burton. Delta's egg hatches into a bright green baby that starts to grow at a startling rate. The Chimeron Queen supports this development with the equivalent of [[royal jelly]] given to bees.

Delta captures the heart of Billy, the camp's mechanic, to the chagrin of Ray, who loves Billy herself. Ray confides her situation to the Doctor, and they stumble across a bounty hunter making contact with the Bannermen to tell them of the Chimeron's whereabouts. Gavrok and his troops soon arrive. Delta and Billy head off for a picnic while the Doctor busies himself coordinating things back at the camp. Meanwhile, the Bannermen have destroyed the Navarino bus with all its passengers.

Two American CIA agents, Hawk and Weismuller, appear on the scene, tracking the missing satellite. Gavrok [[Booby trap|booby-traps]] the TARDIS in an attempt to kill the Doctor. A battle ensues with Gavrok and his Bannermen against the Doctor and his crew: Ray & Billy, Goronwy, Mr. Burton and the two CIA agents. The Bannermen are foiled by honey, Goronwy's bees and finally by the amplified scream of the Chimeron child Princess—a sound which is painful to Bannermen.

Goronwy explains to Billy the purpose of royal jelly in the lifecycle of the honeybee, provoking the mechanic to consume Delta's equivalent that she has been feeding her daughter, in the hope of metamorphosing into a Chimeron.

As Gavrok and the Bannermen attack Shangri-La, the amplified scream of the Chimeron princess traumatises the attackers, including Gavrok, who becomes so stunned that he falls into the booby-trap he placed on the TARDIS and is killed. Delta and Billy leave together with the child, the two agents watch on with surprise and Goronwy winks knowingly as the Doctor and Mel slip away.

==Production==

===Pre-production===
The story was produced under the name ''Flight of the Chimeron''.<ref name=Booklet21>{{Cite AV media notes |title=''Doctor Who'': The Collection Season 24 |last=McTighe |first=Pete |author-link=Pete McTighe |date=2021 |page=21 |chapter=Delta and the Bannermen |type=booklet |publisher=[[BBC Studios]]}}</ref> The eventual title is a reference to the British band [[Echo & the Bunnymen]].<ref name="bbcdeltabannermen">{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/classic/episodeguide/deltabannermen/detail.shtml|title=BBC - Doctor Who Classic Episode Guide - Delta and the Bannermen - Details|website=www.bbc.co.uk|access-date=2017-03-19}}</ref>

The character Ray was created as a potential new companion for the Doctor, as Bonnie Langford was due to leave the series. The character of [[Ace (Doctor Who)|Ace]] was concurrently created for the following serial, ''[[Dragonfire (Doctor Who)|Dragonfire]]'', and ultimately chosen to continue over Ray.<ref name="nerdist">{{Cite news|url=http://nerdist.com/doctor-who-a-companions-companion-season-24/|title=DOCTOR WHO: A Companion's Companion – Season 24 {{!}} Nerdist|date=2013-10-28|work=Nerdist|access-date=2017-03-22|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322204112/http://nerdist.com/doctor-who-a-companions-companion-season-24/|archive-date=22 March 2017}}</ref>

===Filming and post-production===
The scenes at the Shangri-La holiday camp were shot on location at [[Butlin's Barry Island]] in Wales.<ref name="bbcdeltabannermen" />

The soundtrack of this serial contained numerous recognisable pop songs; all were re-recorded by "The Lorells", a fictional group created by the show's incidental music composer [[Keff McCulloch]].<ref name="shadowlocked">{{Cite web|url=http://www.shadowlocked.com/201103241645/reviews/doctor-who-complete-reviews-delta-and-the-bannermen.html|title=Doctor Who complete reviews: Delta and the Bannermen|last=Bensalhia|first=John|date=24 March 2011|website=www.shadowlocked.com|language=en-gb|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110328160522/http://www.shadowlocked.com/201103241645/reviews/doctor-who-complete-reviews-delta-and-the-bannermen.html|archive-date=2011-03-28|url-status=dead|access-date=2017-03-19}}</ref><ref name="denofgeek">{{Cite news|url=http://www.denofgeek.com/dvd-bluray/8186/doctor-who-delta-and-the-bannermen-review|title=Doctor Who: Delta and the Bannermen review|work=Den of Geek|access-date=2017-03-19 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=idqQCwAAQBAJ|title=Doctor Who: The Episode Guide|last1=Campbell|first1=Mark|last2=Newman|first2=Kim|date=2011-04-01|publisher=Oldacastle Books|isbn=9781842436608|language=en}}</ref> The songs featured in the serial were: "[[Rock Around the Clock]]"; "[[Singing the Blues]]"; "[[Why Do Fools Fall in Love (song)|Why Do Fools Fall in Love]]"; "[[Mr. Sandman]]"; "[[Goodnite, Sweetheart, Goodnite]]"; "[[That'll Be the Day]]"; "[[Only You (And You Alone)|Only You]]"; "[[Lollipop (1950s pop song)|Lollipop]]"; "[[Who's Sorry Now? (song)|Who's Sorry Now?]]" and "[[Happy Days Are Here Again]]".<ref name="Burk">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iTUFAQAAQBAJ|title=Who's 50: The 50 Doctor Who Stories to Watch Before You Die–An Unofficial Companion|last1=Burk|first1=Graeme|last2=Smith|first2=Robert|date=2013-10-01|publisher=ECW Press|isbn=9781770411661|pages=270–276|language=en}}</ref>

McCoy can be seen wearing his glasses in certain long shots of him riding a motorcycle.<ref name="bbcdeltabannermen" /><ref name="Burk" /> The motorbike was made by British manufacturer [[Vincent Motorcycles]].<ref name="bbcdeltabannermen" /><ref name="Burk" /> The [[guitar]] McCoy is seen hugging at the end of the story is a [[Fender Stratocaster|Squier Stratocaster]] by [[Fender Musical Instruments Corporation|Fender]], although the model is [[anachronism|not one available at the time the story was set]].<ref name="Burk" />

===Cast notes===
The serial features guest appearances by [[Ken Dodd]], [[Don Henderson]], [[Hugh Lloyd]], [[Morgan Deare]], [[Richard Davies (Welsh actor)|Richard Davies]], and American stage and screen actor [[Stubby Kaye]].<ref name="bbcdeltabannermen" /><ref name="Cultbox deltabannermen">{{Cite news|url=http://www.cultbox.co.uk/reviews/dvd-a-blu-ray/doctor-who-delta-and-the-bannermen-dvd-review|title='Doctor Who': 'Delta and the Bannermen' DVD review|date=2009-06-15|work=CultBox|access-date=2017-03-23|language=en-US}}</ref> Morgan Deare later played Senator Waldo Pickering in the audio play ''[[Minuet in Hell]]'' and Arthur in the new series episode "[[Rosa (Doctor Who)|Rosa]]".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bigfinish.com/releases/v/minuet-in-hell-644?range=112|title=19. Minuet in Hell - Doctor Who - The Collected 8th Doctor - Big Finish|website=www.bigfinish.com|access-date=2017-03-20}}</ref> Dodd's role of the tollmaster was originally offered to [[Bob Monkhouse]] and [[Christopher Biggins]]. According to McCoy, Dodd was uncertain of his performance during filming.<ref name=Booklet21 />

Lynn Gardner was cast as Ray, but was hospitalised while practising riding a [[Vespa]] for the role. Sara Griffiths took over as Ray in ''Delta and the Bannermen'', while Gardner was cast in a voiceover role for the following story, ''[[Dragonfire (Doctor Who)|Dragonfire]]''.<ref>{{Cite AV media notes |title=''Doctor Who'': The Collection Season 24 |last=McTighe |first=Pete |author-link=Pete McTighe |date=2021 |page=19 |chapter=Delta and the Bannermen |type=booklet |publisher=[[BBC Studios]]}}</ref>

==Broadcast and reception==
{{Episode table
 |background =
 |series = 6 |title = 20 | aux1=6 | airdate = 10 | viewers = 6 | country = UK
 |seriesT    = Episode
 |aux1T      = Run time
 |viewersR   = <ref name="AllRatings" />
 |episodes   = 
{{Episode list/sublist|Delta and the Bannermen
 |EpisodeNumber      = 1
 |Title              = Part One
 |RTitle             = 
 |OriginalAirDate    = {{Start date|1987|11|2|df=y}}
 |Viewers            = 5.3
 |Aux1               = 24:47
 |LineColor          = 
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Delta and the Bannermen
 |EpisodeNumber      = 2
 |Title              = Part Two
 |RTitle             = 
 |OriginalAirDate    = {{Start date|1987|11|9|df=y}}
 |Viewers            = 5.1
 |Aux1               = 24:23
 |LineColor          = 
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Delta and the Bannermen
 |EpisodeNumber      = 3
 |Title              = Part Three
 |RTitle             = 
 |OriginalAirDate    = {{Start date|1987|11|16|df=y}}
 |Viewers            = 5.4
 |Aux1               = 24:22
 |LineColor          = 
}}
}}

Simon Brew of [[Dennis Publishing|Den of Geek]] thought the story was "fun nonsense."<ref name="denofgeek" /> Paul Cornell, Martin Day and Keith Topping enjoyed the serial, describing it as "confident, slick, and hugely enjoyable from beginning to end". They praised Bonnie Langford's performance, found Ken Dodd to be "OK" but thought Don Henderson played it too straight.<ref name="bbcdeltabannermen" /><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2OoWAwAAQBAJ&q=The+Doctor+Who+Discontinuity+Guide|title=The Doctor Who Discontinuity Guide|last1=Cornell|first1=Paul|last2=Day|first2=Martin|last3=Topping|first3=Keith|date=2013-10-31|publisher=Orion Publishing Group|isbn=9780575133181|language=en}}</ref>

[[David J. Howe]] and Stephen James Walker found the serial to be even more whimsical than the preceding story but more successful, believing it was "all in all, a highly enjoyable romp."<ref name="bbcdeltabannermen" /> For ''[[Radio Times]]'', Mark Braxton awarded it three stars out of five, declaring, "It's mad as cheese and about as scary as an episode of ''[[Play Away]]''. It doesn't feel like ''Doctor Who'' for a second. But just once in a while the show can afford to go mad."<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.radiotimes.com/blog/2012-08-02/delta-and-the-bannermen|title=Delta and the Bannermen|work=Radio Times|first=Mark|last=Braxton|access-date=2017-03-19|language=en}}</ref>

In 2015, [[Steven Moffat]] endorsed the fan theory that Goronwy is a future incarnation of the Doctor, and said that the idea fit well with the Doctor's line about retiring to become a beekeeper in "[[The Name of the Doctor]]".<ref name="bbcdeltabannermen" /><ref>{{cite journal |last=Moffat |first=Steven| date=May 2015 |title=Ask Steven Moffat |journal=[[Doctor Who Magazine]] |issue=485 |page=4}}</ref>

==Commercial releases==

===In print===
{{Infobox book
|name = Delta and the Bannermen
|image = Doctor Who Delta and the Bannermen.jpg
|caption =
|author = [[Malcolm Kohll]]
|cover_artist = [[Alister Pearson]]
|series = ''[[Doctor Who]]'' book:<br />[[List of Doctor Who novelisations|Target novelisations]]
|release_number = 135
|release_date = 19 January 1989
|publisher = [[Target Books]]
|isbn = 0-426-20333-X
}}
A novelisation of this serial, written by [[Malcolm Kohll]], was published by [[Target Books]] in January 1989.<ref name="Lofficier">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_5NRBQAAQBAJ&q=ray+delta+billy+doctor&pg=PT184|title=The Doctor Who Programme Guide: Fourth Edition|last=Lofficier|first=Jean-Marc Lofficier; Randy|date=2003-05-08|publisher=iUniverse|isbn=9781462098965|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/678310.Doctor_Who|title=Doctor Who: Delta and the Bannermen|website=Goodreads|access-date=2017-03-22}}</ref> The novelisation provides an explanation for why the genocide of the Chimeron race is taking place; the Bannerman have polluted the atmosphere and rivers of their own home planet, so they are attempting to seize the Chimeron's homeworld for themselves.

It was released on audiobook, read by [[Bonnie Langford]].

===Home media===
''Delta and the Bannermen'' was released on [[VHS]] in March 2001 in the UK<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Doctor-Who-Delta-Bannermen-VHS/dp/B000056X2U|title=Doctor Who: Delta and the Bannermen [VHS]|website=www.amazon.co.uk|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090917144439/http://www.amazon.co.uk/Doctor-Who-Delta-Bannermen-VHS/dp/B000056X2U|archive-date=2009-09-17|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|last=Clough|first=Chris|title=Doctor Who: Delta and the Bannermen|date=26 March 2001|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Doctor-Who-Delta-Bannermen-VHS/dp/B000056X2U|publisher=BBC|access-date=2017-03-23}}</ref> and June 2002 in North America, but music clearance issues prevented the release of the serial in Australia.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.timelash.com/tardis/display.php?879|title=Delta and the Bannermen @ The TARDIS Library (Doctor Who books, DVDs, videos & audios)|website=www.timelash.com|access-date=2017-03-23}}</ref> A [[DVD-Video|DVD]] edition was released in the UK on 22 June 2009.<ref name="Cultbox deltabannermen" /> This serial was also released as part of the [[List of Doctor Who DVD releases#Doctor Who DVD Files (2009–2014)|Doctor Who DVD Files]] in issue 62 on 18 May 2011.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://merchandise.thedoctorwhosite.co.uk/doctor-who-dvd-files-issue-62/|title=Doctor Who DVD Files Issue 62|website=The Doctor Who Site|access-date=2017-03-23}}</ref>

In June 2021 it was released as part of the Doctor Who: The Collection Season 24 blu-ray box set, which includes an optional extended cut of all three episodes.

== See also ==
*[[List of guest appearances in Doctor Who]]

==References==
{{reflist|refs=
<ref name="AllRatings">{{cite web|title=Ratings Guide |url=http://guide.doctorwhonews.net/info.php?detail=ratings&type=date |website=Doctor Who News |access-date=28 May 2017}}</ref>
}}

==External links==
{{Wikiquote|Seventh Doctor}}
*{{BBCCDW|id=deltabannermen|title=Delta and the Bannermen}}
*

===Target novelisation===
*{{Isfdb title|id=10711|title=Delta and the Bannermen}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060716043041/http://www.personal.leeds.ac.uk/~ecl6nb/OnTarget/1989/delta/89delta.htm On Target — ''Delta and the Bannermen'']

{{Doctor Who episodes|C24}}
{{Seventh Doctor stories|selected=Television}}

[[Category:1987 British television episodes]]
[[Category:Doctor Who pseudohistorical serials]]
[[Category:Doctor Who serials novelised by Malcolm Kohll]]
[[Category:Doctor Who serials written by Malcolm Kohll]]
[[Category:Seventh Doctor serials]]
[[Category:Fiction set in 1959]]
[[Category:Television episodes set in Wales]]
[[Category:Television episodes set in the 1950s]]