Who or what are the Zygons?
The Zygons are the shape-shifting extra-terrestrial monsters from the TV show Doctor Who. The anthropomorphic amphibians are known for their ability to transform their outward appearance to look like other living things.
Tenth Doctor David Tennant said Zygons were “shape-shifting aliens from outer space”.
Originally from Zygor, the Zygons crashed their spaceship into Loch Ness in Scotland. They were unable to return home as Zygor had been obliterated in a solar explosion in the Time War.
Zygons have conical heads and their bodies feature many large suckers reminiscent of octopuses. They are dark red in colour and emit an iron odour. They are much stronger than humans and the average life expectancy of a Zygon is 700-1000 years. Their palms feature protruding and poisonous barbs, and their tongues house venom sacs.
Their mental abilities include the capacity to metamorphose other beings into Zygons, however, this came with the side-effect of establishing telepathy between the newly established Zygon and its creator.
Here are some facts about the Zygons:
See an explanation of the Time War here:
Full story of the Zygons:
The Zygons home planet was destroyed in the Time War by a solar explosion. When their spaceship crash landed in Scotland, UK, they became stranded on Earth. They bought with them a Skarasen, an ancient creature which provided the milk the Zygons needed to survive.
The Zygons planned on defeating humankind and turning Earth into a new Zygor. They kidnapped humans to replicate their appearance and intended to use the Skarasen against humanity.
Doctor Who and UNIT eventually defeated the Zygons but in the episode ‘The Pandorica Opens’ the Zygons teamed up with the Doctor’s past enemies.
The Doctor later reveals he killed many Zygons in 1890 in Paris, when they were impersonating workers at the Savoy Hotel.
In the episode ‘The Day of the Doctor’ a Zygon attempted to impersonate Queen Elizabeth I but was defeated by the Queen herself. Other Zygons who accessed the Black Archive almost got their hands on UNIT’s secret weapons cache but luckily the Doctor was able to wipe the memories of the Zygons and humans involved so they forgot how to access the archive.
While the leaders of the humans and Zygons were working on a peace treaty, Osgood and her Zygon double realised who of them was human. However, they chose not to say anything hoping instead the two sides would reconcile.
See Osgood and her Zygon double here:
However, the ensuing ceasefire was compromised by a rebel faction of Zygons headed by Bonnie. The rebels wanted to expose Zygons masquerading as humans on Earth and find their own place to live. These Zygons had different abilities and were able to utilize telepathy and hijack human memories. They were also able to administer electrical shocks from their hands to stun and melt their adversaries.
However, at the last moment the Doctor was able to save the day and avert a complete catastrophe with a heartfelt appeal, and thus the ceasefire was restored and the two groups decided to let Zygons be Zygons.
What is a Skarasen?
The Skarasen were huge creatures resembling dinosaurs. They were modified cybernetically by the Zygons, who fed on their milk to survive. When the Zygon spaceship crash-landed in Scotland, the Zygons on board had brought a Skarasen with them. The Skarasen would swim around in Loch Ness, inspiring the legend of the Loch Ness monster in the show.
See Doctor Who being chased by a terrifying Skarasen here!
Zygon Technology
The Zygons’ mastery of technology is exemplified in their use of body-prints. To get a body-print a Zygon will kidnap a being, like a human, and put their body in a pod. The Zygon can then take on the human’s appearance and voice. This technology was later developed and the Zygons could create telepathic links with the humans they kidnapped, and metamorphose into someone from their memory.
In addition to body-prints Zygons were also able to control the Skarasen, eradicate corpses via molecular dispersal, and stupefy humans with nerve gas. Furthermore, they discovered amber sleep, a type of suspended animation.
Appearances
The Zygons first appeared in 1975 in the season 13 episode ‘Terror of the Zygons’.
Their next appearance was not until 2010 in the season 5 episode ‘The Pandorica Opens’.
Followed by their appearances in:
- The 2013 special – The Day of the Doctor
- Series 8 – Death in Heaven
- Series 9 – The Zygon Invasion / The Zygon Inversion
The Zygons also feature in the 2008 spin-off film – Zygon: When Being You Just Isn’t Enough, from BBV Productions.
The Zygons have changed in appearance over the years but are still very recognizable.
Here are the Zygons in 1975:
Here they are in 2013:
Who created the Zygons?
The Zygons were created by writer Robert Banks Stewart. Stewart also wrote other successful shows including Shoestring and Bergerac.
Who played the Zygons?
Petronella Osgood – Ingrid Oliver
Claudette – Cleopatra Dickens
Jemima – Sasha Dickens
C. Norlander – Gretchen Egolf
Etoine – Nicholas Asbury
Other Zygons – Tom Wilton, Aidan Cook
Real-Life Examples
The Zygons as a commentary on real-life events.
It has been suggested the episode ‘The Zygon Invasion’ was a reflection of real-world crises at the time. The episode makes allusions to ISIS and the conflicts in the Middle East, as well as commenting on terrorism and radicalization.
Notable Zygons
Broton
Broton is a Zygon warlord. In the 12th century, he was the commander of the spaceship that crashed in Scotland. Attempting to blend in on Earth he hijacked the identity of the Duke of Forgill. Broton died by a gunshot fired by the Brigadier.
Bonnie
Bonnie is a Zygon commander who lead the rebels and featured prominently in ‘The Zygon Invasion’ and ‘The Zygon Inversion’. She took the form of Clara Oswald.
Brelarn
Brelarn is another Zygon warlord. He crashed into Earth in the 20th century on a ship carrying two Skarasens. He was the commander during a Zygon scheme to eliminate humanity and make Earth a new Zygor. He was eaten by a Skarasen.
Haygoth
Haygoth started as a warlord but fell in love with a human and tried to hide from other Zygons by disguising himself as a human named Trevor. He died sacrificing himself to save his lover’s niece.
C. Norlander
Norlander is the Zygon sheriff of Truth or Consequences. She revealed her true form to Kate who then shot her.
Etoine
Etoine is a Zygon who took human form after the ceasefire between Zygons and humans. He died by shocking himself.
Petronella Osgood
Petronella Osgood is a human scientist who became indistinguishable from her Zygon counterpart.
See her in this video:
See a Zygon transformation here!
Fun Facts & FAQ
Who said the Zygons were their favourite Doctor Who monster?
According to RadioTimes, the Zygons were David Tennant’s favourite monsters as a child.
Who wrote the Zygon inversion speech?
The Zygon inversion speech was written by Steven Moffat and Peter Harness. It was directed by Daniel Nettheim and aired on November 7th 2015 on BBC One.
Why is it called the Osgood box?
There are two Osgood boxes containing a two buttons, one says ‘truth’ the other ‘consequences’. They are called Osgood boxes because they were guarded by two Osgoods.
Is Clara a Zygon?
Clara was switched with a Zygon. As Zygons replace humans consequently Clara becomes a Zygon.
Why does the doctor call Bonnie Zygella?
In season 9 of Doctor Who there emerged a theme of the Doctor giving his enemies nicknames based on British celebrities. Bonnie was nicknamed Zygella in a mix between Zygon and Nigella, a reference to TV cook Nigella Lawson.
Book
The Zygons appear in print in the 1976 novel ‘Doctor Who and the Loch Ness Monster’, written by Terrance Dicks. It was based on the episode ‘Terror of the Zygons’. The novel elaborated on the Zygon sting, venomous barbs which emerge from their hands and explain how they can administer pain by touch.
