HEXAGONS!

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Nothing quite says ‘science fiction’ more than putting hexagons all over your walls. This design, first seen in The Mutants, pops up throughout the 70s and 80s. In this post I tried to catalogue all of its appearances in classic Doctor Who. Next week for part 2 I will cover the other shows it appears in. 

THE MUTANTS, 1972

As mentioned, this story is widely considered to be the origin of this prop. I have checked to see if I can find an earlier appearance but have drawn a blank.
THE MUTANTS ORIGINAL DESIGN DRAWING BY JEREMY BEAR

As you can see in this original production drawing, the hexagons were always part of the design.
THE STONES OF BLOOD, 1978

Rather surprisingly the hexagons don’t appear again for another six years.
NIGHTMARE OF EDEN, 1979

Once they did return in the late seventies they were back for good. This one is quite subtle but it’s the first of two appearances in this season.
THE HORNS OF NIMON, 1979

And here is the other.
MEGLOS, 1980

For Meglos, Designer Philip Lindley included coloured lights.
EARTHSHOCK, 1982

Nothing says teenage boy’s bedroom more than hexagons! Adric’s room was full of them. 
TERMINUS, 1983

It’s the same set. But for completeness I’m including the return of Adric’s old bedroom in Terminus.
THE MYSTERIOUS PLANET, 1986
DRAGONFIRE, 1987

15 years after its introduction and the hexagons are still going strong. Join me next week for part 2. 














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