View source for Army of Ghosts

{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2015}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2015}}
{{good article}}{{distinguish|Army of the Dead}}
{{Infobox Doctor Who episode
| number             = 177a
| serial_name        = Army of Ghosts
| show               = DW
| type               = episode
| image              =
| caption            =
| doctor             = [[David Tennant]] – [[Tenth Doctor]]
| companion          = [[Billie Piper]] – [[Rose Tyler]]
| guests             =
* [[Noel Clarke]] – [[Mickey Smith]]
* [[Tracy-Ann Oberman]] – [[List of Doctor Who villains#Yvonne Hartman|Yvonne Hartman]]
* [[Raji James]] – Dr Rajesh Singh
* [[Freema Agyeman]] – Adeola Oshodi
* [[Hadley Fraser]] – Gareth
* [[Oliver Mellor]] – Matt
* [[Barbara Windsor]] – [[Peggy Mitchell]]
* [[Derek Acorah]], [[Alistair Appleton]], [[Trisha Goddard]] – themselves
* [[Paul Kasey]] – Cyber Leader
* [[Nicholas Briggs]] – [[Dalek]] and [[Cyberman]] voices
* [[Barnaby Edwards]], [[Nicholas Pegg]], Stuart Crossman, Anthony Spargo, Dan Barrett, David Hankinson – Dalek Operators
| director           = [[Graeme Harper]]
| writer             = [[Russell T Davies]]
| script_editor      = [[Helen Raynor]]
| producer           = [[Phil Collinson]]
| executive_producer = Russell T Davies<br>[[Julie Gardner]]
| composer           = [[Murray Gold]]
| series             = [[Doctor Who (series 2)|Series 2]]
| length             = 1st of 2-part story, 45 minutes
| date               = {{Start date|2006|7|1|df=y}}
| preceding          = "[[Fear Her]]"
| following          = "[[Doomsday (Doctor Who)|Doomsday]]"
|companions=* [[Billie Piper]] – [[Rose Tyler]]
* [[Camille Coduri]] – [[Jackie Tyler]]}}
"'''Army of Ghosts'''" is the twelfth and penultimate episode in the [[Doctor Who (series 2)|second series]] of the British [[science fiction television]] programme ''[[Doctor Who]]'' which was first broadcast on [[BBC One]] on 1 July 2006. It is the first episode of a two-part story; the concluding episode, "[[Doomsday (Doctor Who)|Doomsday]]", was first broadcast on 8 July.

The episode is set in London, some time after the events of the 2006 episode "[[Love & Monsters (Doctor Who)|Love & Monsters]]". In the episode, the [[Cyberman|Cybermen]] come to Earth from a [[Parallel universes in fiction|parallel world]] by following a spherical ship through an interdimensional breach. The [[Torchwood Institute]] intends to open this breach further for use as an energy source.

==Plot==
[[Jackie Tyler|Jackie]] shows the [[Tenth Doctor]] and [[Rose Tyler|Rose]] a vaguely humanoid and luminous silhouette that momentarily appears in her flat, which Jackie insists is the ghost of her deceased father. Jackie explains that for the past two months, millions of ghosts began appearing all over the world. Humans have come to accept them and believe that they are the manifestations of loved ones.

Conducting an experiment, the Doctor determines that the ghosts are in fact impressions of something forcing its way into this universe. The Doctor tracks the signal back and uses the [[TARDIS]] to travel there with Rose and Jackie, arriving at the Torchwood Institute in [[Canary Wharf]]. The Doctor and Jackie are taken by soldiers to see Torchwood's director Yvonne Hartman, while the TARDIS is impounded with Rose inside. Yvonne shows the Doctor the invisible breach which is the source of the ghost energy, along with a ship which came through the breach: a "Void ship", designed to exist in the space between universes known as the Void. Torchwood built [[One Canada Square]]{{refn|group=N|The episode colloquially refers to the "Torchwood Tower" building as "Canary Wharf".}} around the breach and conducted experiments on it, forcing it open in an attempt to harness it as a source of energy. Yvonne also reveals to the Doctor that his encounter with Queen Victoria made him an enemy of the state and was the catalyst for the creation of Torchwood.{{refn|group=N|As depicted in the 2006 episode "[[Tooth and Claw (Doctor Who)|Tooth and Claw]]".}}

Meanwhile, Rose, masquerading as a Torchwood employee, slips out of the TARDIS, and gains access to the sphere chamber, where she finds [[Mickey Smith|Mickey]], also disguised as Torchwood staff. An advance guard of Cybermen subvert and manipulate three employees into initiating an unscheduled ghost shift to forcibly open the breach, causing millions of ghosts to appear across the globe before they materialise into their true form, the Cybermen. At the same time the Cybermen arrive, the sphere suddenly activates and begins to open. The Cybermen are similarly oblivious to the origins of the sphere; they simply followed its course through the breach.

In the sphere chamber, Mickey explains to Rose that after a battle in the parallel universe{{refn|group=N|The parallel universe previously appeared in the 2006 episodes "[[Rise of the Cybermen]]" and "[[The Age of Steel]]".}} the Cybermen mysteriously disappeared. He happened upon their means of escape and returned to his native universe with the intention of stopping them. Mickey believes that the Cybermen are in control of the sphere and produces a gun to destroy whatever is in it. Rose is horrified when the sphere opens and reveals its occupants to be four [[Dalek]]s.

===Continuity===
The majority of this episode takes place in the Torchwood Institute, which is seen on screen for the first time. The phrase "Torchwood" originated from an anagram of ''Doctor Who'' used to conceal the "[[dailies|rushes]]" tapes during the filming of the first series.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/4349120.stm|title = Doctor Who spin-off made in Wales|work=[[BBC News]]|date=17 October 2005}}</ref> It was an arc word used through the majority of the second series,<ref>{{cite episode | title = Welcome to Torchwood | series = [[Doctor Who Confidential]] | network = [[BBC]] | station = [[BBC Three]] | airdate = 2006-07-01}}</ref> starting with the series one episode "[[Bad Wolf]]".<ref>{{cite episode | title = [[Bad Wolf]] | series = [[Doctor Who]] | series-no = 1 | number = 12 | credits = [[Russell T Davies]] (writer), [[Joe Ahearne]] (director), [[Phil Collinson]] (producer) | network = [[BBC]] | station = [[BBC One]] | airdate = 11 June 2005}}</ref>

The episode's secondary plot device is the Cybermen, from the parallel universe featured in "Rise of the Cybermen" and "The Age of Steel".<ref name="The Age of Steel">{{cite episode | title = [[The Age of Steel]] | series = [[Doctor Who]] | series-no = 2 | number = 6 | credits = [[Tom MacRae]] (writer), [[Graeme Harper]] (director), [[Phil Collinson]] (producer) | network = [[BBC]] | station = [[BBC One]] | airdate = 20 May 2006}}</ref><ref name="Rise of the Cybermen">{{cite episode | title = [[Rise of the Cybermen]] | series = [[Doctor Who]] | series-no = 2 | number = 5 | credits = [[Tom MacRae]] (writer), [[Graeme Harper]] (director), [[Phil Collinson]] (producer) | network = [[BBC]] | station = [[BBC One]] | airdate = 13 May 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite episode | title = [[Doomsday (Doctor Who)|Doomsday]] | series = [[Doctor Who]] | series-no = 2 | number = 13 | credits = [[Russell T Davies]] (writer), [[Graeme Harper]] (director), [[Phil Collinson]] (producer) | network = [[BBC]] | station = [[BBC One]] | airdate = 8 July 2006}}</ref> The Cybermen breaking through plastic sheets is a recurring theme throughout Cybermen appearances, in particular, ''[[The Tomb of the Cybermen]]'' (1967), ''[[The Invasion (Doctor Who)|The Invasion]]'' (1968) and ''[[Earthshock]]'' (1982).<ref>{{cite serial | title = [[The Tomb of the Cybermen]] | series = [[Doctor Who]] | credits = [[Kit Pedler]], [[Gerry Davis (screenwriter)|Gerry Davis]] (writers), [[Morris Barry]] (director), [[Peter Bryant]] (producer) | network = [[BBC]] | station = [[BBC1]] | airdate =2–23 September 1967}}</ref><ref>{{cite serial | title = [[The Invasion (Doctor Who)|The Invasion]] | series = [[Doctor Who]] | credits = [[Derrick Sherwin]] (writer), [[Douglas Camfield]] (director), [[Peter Bryant]] (producer) | network = [[BBC]] | station = [[BBC1]] | airdate =2 November – 21 December 1968}}</ref><ref>{{cite serial | title = [[Earthshock]] | series = [[Doctor Who]] | credits = [[Eric Saward]] (writer), [[Peter Grimwade]] (director), [[John Nathan-Turner]] (producer) | network = [[BBC]] | station = [[BBC1]] | airdate = 8–16 March 1982}}</ref><ref name="commentary">{{cite web|url=http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/army-commentary.mp3|title=Army of Ghosts commentary|author=Russell T Davies|author2=Matt Savage|access-date=2006-09-16|format=MP3 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060721104122/http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/army-commentary.mp3 |archive-date = 21 July 2006}}</ref> The concept of a CyberKing, mentioned by Mickey, would eventually come to pass in "[[The Next Doctor]]" (2008).

The episode is also the first in which [[Freema Agyeman]] appears, although she is not playing the role of [[Martha Jones]], which she would play in series 3, but a minor character named Adeola (who is later revealed to be Martha's cousin). Russell T Davies admired Agyeman's performance as Adeola and called her back to fill the role of [[Companion (Doctor Who)|companion]] that Piper had chosen to leave.

==Production==
{{Missing citations|section|date=January 2022}}
[[File:London_MMB_S6_Canary_Wharf.jpg|thumb|[[One Canada Square]] became Torchwood Tower.]]

To ensure that [[Noel Clarke]] and [[Shaun Dingwall]] ([[Mickey Smith]] and [[Pete Tyler]], respectively) were available for filming, the story was filmed in the season's third production block along with "[[Rise of the Cybermen]]" and "[[The Age of Steel]]". Filming for the story started on 2 November 2005 on location in Kennington, but this story did not become the primary focus of the production crew until 29 November, when filming began on the scenes in and around the sphere chamber. Scenes in the lever room, the main setting for the story, were filmed between 12 and 15 December, and 3 and 5 January 2006.{{citation needed|date=December 2018}}

The episode also features references to other programmes by the BBC. The most notable of these is the cameo of [[Barbara Windsor]] as [[Peggy Mitchell]] in ''[[EastEnders]]'', where she [[wikt:bar#Verb|bar]]s a ghost, who she presumes to be [[Den Watts]], from [[The Queen Victoria]]. Watts, presumed killed in 1989, had returned to the soap in 2003,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3151484.stm|title=Sixteen million watch Den's return|publisher=BBC|date=2003-09-30|access-date=2008-01-17}}</ref> before being killed a second time in 2005 after being written out of the show.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/3151484.stm|title=Dirty Den actor leaves EastEnders|publisher=BBC|date=2004-11-06|access-date=2008-01-17}}</ref> Other British TV personalities appearing in the episode are [[Trisha Goddard]], [[Alistair Appleton]] and [[Derek Acorah]], appearing as themselves. Additionally, the shot of One Canada Square is taken from the opening credits of ''[[The Apprentice (UK)|The Apprentice]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/confidential/index12.shtml|title=Episode 12: Welcome to Torchwood|work=[[Doctor Who Confidential]]|publisher=[[BBC]]|access-date=2006-07-02|format=Embedded [[.swf|Flash object]]| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20060705042231/http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/confidential/index12.shtml| archive-date= 5 July 2006 | url-status= live}}</ref> A programme with the same name as a controversial broadcast in 1992 by the BBC, ''[[Ghostwatch]]'', also appears in the show.

Location shooting took place at the Coal Exchange and Mount Stuart Square, Cardiff Bay.<ref>
{{cite web
|url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/arts/sites/doctor-who-wales/alllocations/cardiff-coal-exchange-mount-stuart-square
|title= Walesarts, Coal Exchange and Mount Stuart Square, Cardiff Bay
|publisher = BBC 
|access-date = 2010-05-30
}}
</ref>

==Broadcast and reception==
To keep the appearance of the Daleks secret, the final scene was removed from all preview tapes and replaced with a title card reading "final scene withheld until transmission", including the copy given to the ''Doctor Who'' microsite's "fear forecast" team.<ref name="fear_forecast">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/episodes/2006/fear/f-armyofghosts.shtml|title=Fear Forecast: Army of Ghosts|publisher=BBC|work=Doctor Who microsite|access-date=2006-09-16}}</ref>

The episode was watched by 8.19 million viewers, and was the seventh most watched programme of the week, behind four [[2006 FIFA World Cup|World Cup]] games and two episodes of ''Coronation Street''. The Companion episode of ''[[Doctor Who Confidential]]'' gained 570,000 viewers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gallifreyone.com/news-archives.php?id=7-2006#newsitemEEVFkypuuujkJchNLT|title=Army of Ghosts Final Ratings|publisher=[[Outpost Gallifrey]]|last=Lyon|first=Shaun|date=2006-07-18|access-date=2008-01-17 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071210142836/http://www.gallifreyone.com/news-archives.php?id=7-2006#newsitemEEVFkypuuujkJchNLT |archive-date = 10 December 2007}}</ref> The episode's [[Appreciation Index]] was 86, above the average baseline of 77 for drama series.<ref name="rate">{{cite web|url=http://www.gallifreyone.com/news-archives.php?id=1-2007#newsitemEEyAlplpukpAlaFiUP|title=Sarah Jane Final Ratings|date=2007-01-26|access-date=2007-10-30|publisher=[[Outpost Gallifrey]]|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071011060412/http://gallifreyone.com/news-archives.php?id=1-2007#newsitemEEyAlplpukpAlaFiUP |archive-date = 11 October 2007}}</ref>

The episode was generally well reviewed by critics. ''[[The Stage]]'' commented that the episode was "a tense contest, full of drama, tears, adversity and two powerful forces coming face to face in the ultimate battle" while mockingly downplaying the [[England national football team|England football team]]'s defeat earlier that evening. The author of the review then stated that the cliffhanger increased his affection of the show. ''[[The Guardian]]'' commented that the episode was "Who back at its best" while ''[[The Sunday People|The People]]'' complimented the humour of the scene of the Doctor [[channel surfing]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gallifreyone.com/news-archives.php?id=7-2006#newsitemEEVkkAkEyZrdWVpnfR|title=TARDIS report: Week in Review|publisher=[[Outpost Gallifrey]]|last=Lyon|first=Shaun|date=2006-07-06|access-date=2008-01-17 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071210142836/http://www.gallifreyone.com/news-archives.php?id=7-2006#newsitemEEVkkAkEyZrdWVpnfR |archive-date = 10 December 2007}}</ref> Jacob Clifton of [[Television Without Pity]] gave the episode an A− rating.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.televisionwithoutpity.com/Shows/Doctor-Who/Stories/Army-Of-Ghosts-1|title=Et in Arcadia Ego: Army of Ghosts recap|publisher=Television Without Pity|first=Jacob|last=Clifton|date=2006-12-30|access-date=2008-01-18 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071218122450/http://www.televisionwithoutpity.com/Shows/Doctor-Who/Stories/Army-Of-Ghosts-1 |archive-date = 18 December 2007}}</ref> Ahsan Haque of [[IGN]] gave the episode 9.8 out of 10 (Incredible), and complimented the pacing of the episode and the revelation of both the Cybermen and the Daleks, concluding that "you couldn't ask for a better cliffhanger".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.tv.ign.com/articles/752/752206p1.html|title=Army of Ghosts review|publisher=[[IGN]]|first=Ahsan|last=Haque|date=2006-12-22|access-date=2008-01-17}}</ref>

After its initial airing, the episode was released on DVD with "[[Fear Her]]" and "[[Doomsday (Doctor Who)|Doomsday]]" on 25 September 2006.<ref name="dvd">{{cite web|url=http://www.bbcshop.com/invt/bbcdvd1964|title=Doctor Who: Series 2 Volume 5|work=BBC Shop|publisher=BBC|access-date=2008-01-07| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071228040413/http://www.bbcshop.com/invt/bbcdvd1964| archive-date= 28 December 2007 | url-status= live}}</ref> The story ("Army of Ghosts"/"Doomsday") was nominated for the 2007 [[Hugo Award]] for [[Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form|Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form]].<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.nippon2007.us/hugo_nominees.php|title=Nippon 2007 Hugo Nominees|publisher=World Science Fiction Society|access-date=2007-03-29| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070410020916/http://www.nippon2007.us/hugo_nominees.php| archive-date= 10 April 2007 | url-status= live}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=N}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{DoctorWhoTV}}
* {{BBC episode}}
* {{TardisIndexFile|Army of Ghosts (TV story)|"Army of Ghosts"}}
* {{IMDb episode}}

{{Doctor Who episodes|N2}}
{{navboxes|list1=
{{Doctor Who episodes by Russell T Davies |state=autocollapse}}
{{Tenth Doctor stories|selected=Television}}
{{Cyberman stories|selected=Television}}
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{{Torchwood|selected=Programme}}
}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Army Of Ghosts}}
[[Category:Tenth Doctor episodes]]
[[Category:Dalek television stories]]
[[Category:Cybermen television stories]]
[[Category:2006 British television episodes]]
[[Category:Television episodes written by Russell T Davies]]
[[Category:Television episodes about parallel universes]]
[[Category:Doctor Who stories set on Earth]]
[[Category:Television episodes about ghosts]]
[[Category:Television episodes set in London]]
[[Category:Television episodes set in the 2000s]]
[[Category:Fiction set in 2007]]