A10: BREAKDOWN
RADIO TIMES: The implant in Gan's brain was designed to limit aggressive impulses but when it malfunctions...
BROADCAST: Monday 6th March, 1978: 7.15pm-8.10pm, BBC 1
Writer: Terry Nation
Director: Vere Lorrimer
"I feel as if someone has been poking around inside my head - with a foot." Gan
GUEST CAST: Julian Glover (Kayn), Ian Thompson (Farren), Christian Roberts (Renor)
FACT FILE
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Breakdown was watched by 8.8m viewers.
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The script was commissioned from Terry Nation on Thursday 21st April, 1977. It had the working title Brain Storm and replaced an abandoned script - The Invaders. The episode was an attempt by Terry Nation to further develop the character of Gan.
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The draft script from Nation was very thin and had to be extended by script-editor Chris Boucher and director Vere Lorrimer.
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Pre-filming of the Liberator’s medical unit, was carried out at Ealing Film studios from Monday 23rd to Wednesday 25th January, 1978.
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Breakdown was recorded at BBC Television Centre in Studio TC 3 from Friday 10th to Saturday 11th February, 1978.
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Stunt woman Sue Crosland doubled for Sally Knyvette in the scene where Gan attacks Jenna. During this fight sequence, Gareth Thomas fell badly and sustained a mild leg injury.
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The distort of the Liberator was achieved by reflecting the image off a flexible material called Mirrorlon.
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CSO was used for the screen in Farrell’s office and for the shot of the 3 Federation pursuit ships.
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Christian Roberts (Renor) had been considered for the part of Blake on Monday 1st August, 1977.
EPISODE GALLERY