|
|
Strange | Episode Guide | Episode Six
Trivia
|
|
|
|
|
|
Especially for Tom
The role of Father Bernard was especially written for Tom Baker. Tom is no stranger to religious roles, having played Rasputin in Nicholas Alexandra (1971) and Father Fergusson in The Lives And Loves of a She Devil. As a youth, he also trained as a priest.
Demonology
While there are no chronicles of a demon called Asmoth, there are demons called Asmodeus and Astaroth. Asmodeus comes from either the Hebrew word "Asamod" - to destroy, or from the Persian "Azmonden" - to tempt. Some say Asmodeus was the child from the incestuous relationship between Tubal-Cain and his sister Naafrfah. Others say that he was employed by Solomon in the building of the Temple at Jerusalem. He then failed in an attempt to dethrone Solomon and was banished to Egypt.
Astaroth is the name given to the male, medieval incarnation of the ancient demon goddess Astoreth (Hebrew) or Astarte (Persian). He is said to be the grand duke of hell and had the appearance of an ugly angel and rides a dragon while holding a viper aloft in his left hand.
Pandemonium
Pandemonium, described here as 'a gathering place for demons' is commonly used to describe a state of utter confusion or chaos. It was originally used by the English poet John Milton in Paradise Lost to describe the capital of Hell. He coined this word from the Greek word "pan", meaning all and "daimon", meaning demon.
A solemn council was held
At Pandemonium, the high capital
Of Satan and his peers
Paradise Lost
Witchfinder
The Journals of Matthew Hopkins 1646 The Witchfinder General, is a reference to one of the most notorious figures of 17th Century Britain. Hopkins was a failed lawyer and the son of a Suffolk puritan minister. He took it upon himself to try those he thought were witches and in from 1644-1646 he was responsible for the deaths of at least 300 people.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Plot | Trivia | For anoraks only |Writer's guide 1 | Writer's guide 2 | Index
|
|
|
|
|
|
STRANGE. Made by Big Bear Productions for the BBC. ©BBC. All rights reserved.
|
|