Information from Planet of the Ogrons [+]Guy Adams, The Eighth Doctor: Time War: Volume Two (The Eighth Doctor: Time War, Big Finish Productions, 2018). and The Uncertain Shore [+]Simon Guerrier, Susan's War (Big Finish Productions, 2020).
These omissions are so great that the article's factual accuracy has been compromised. Check out the discussion page and revision history for further clues about what needs to be updated in this article.
- You may be looking for the organisation or Mrs Ogron.
Ogrons were strong, ape-like humanoids of limited intelligence, typically used by other species as mercenaries — notably the Daleks.
It was later revealed that the Daleks' use of Ogrons was only present in the timeline because of the Last Great Time War. In the new timeline, (AUDIO: Planet of the Ogrons [+]Guy Adams, The Eighth Doctor: Time War: Volume Two (The Eighth Doctor: Time War, Big Finish Productions, 2018).) the Daleks used the Ogrons due to being impressed by the Master's use of them. (PROSE: Dalek: The Astounding Untold History of the Greatest Enemies of the Universe [+]George Mann, Justin Richards and Cavan Scott, Dalek: The Astounding Untold History of the Greatest Enemies of the Universe (Ebury Publishing, 2017).)
Biology
Described by the Controller as "a form of higher anthropoid", (TV; Day of the Daleks [+]Louis Marks, Doctor Who season 9 (BBC1, 1972).) Ogrons had a mix of human and ape traits. It was believed that this mixture of traits was due to climatic changes on their home planet. (PROSE: The Romance of Crime [+]Gareth Roberts, Virgin Missing Adventures (Virgin Books, 1995)., Mission: Impractical [+]David A. McIntee, BBC Past Doctor Adventures (BBC Books, 1998).) They were around seven feet tall, with bowed legs, long arms and barrel chests. Their faces were flat, with a powerful jaw and small eyes. Ogrons had immense strength, far greater than a human. Their nervous systems were highly resistant to shock and were protected by muscles, meaning that they could survive multiple bullets. Their only weak spot was the top of their head. (PROSE: Doctor Who and the Day of the Daleks [+]Terrance Dicks, adapted from Day of the Daleks (Louis Marks), Target novelisations (Target Books, 1974)., COMIC: Fugitive [+]Tony Lee, Doctor Who (2009) (IDW Publishing, 2009).)
Ogrons were relatively unintelligent, spoke in simple sentences and had obedient, stoic personalities. (PROSE: Doctor Who and the Day of the Daleks [+]Terrance Dicks, adapted from Day of the Daleks (Louis Marks), Target novelisations (Target Books, 1974).) The blank slate nature of the Ogron mind made them easily customisable. (PROSE: Interference - Book Two [+]Lawrence Miles, BBC Eighth Doctor Adventures (BBC Books, 1999).) Ogrons had some skills, such as piloting spaceships, but this was believed to be advanced mimicry. Despite this, Ogron speech used subsonic frequencies, which meant that they may have been more intelligent than they appeared. (PROSE: Interference - Book One [+]Lawrence Miles, BBC Eighth Doctor Adventures (BBC Books, 1999).)
There was a different sub-species of Ogron called Red Ogrons, which were found on Skaro. (GAME: Dalek Attack [+]R.D. Hulley, Alternative Software (1992).) Time Lords of the War in Heaven modified some Ogrons to have time-sensitive biodata, creating Ogron Lords. (PROSE: Interference - Book Two [+]Lawrence Miles, BBC Eighth Doctor Adventures (BBC Books, 1999).)
Culture
The Ogrons lived in scattered communities on a planet on the outer fringes of the Mutter's Spiral, far from the central space-ways. The dominant lifeform on their home planet was a monster which preyed upon the Ogrons, yet they prayed to it with reverence. (TV: Frontier in Space [+]Malcolm Hulke, Doctor Who season 10 (BBC1, 1973).) They would regularly sacrifice their criminals to the monster, after weakening them by starvation. They would leave gifts to its image, painted on the walls of their caves. (PROSE: Doctor Who and the Space War [+]Malcolm Hulke, adapted from Frontier in Space (Malcolm Hulke), Target novelisations (Target Books, 1976).) Ogrons also produced a type of ale. (PROSE: Question Mark Pyjamas [+]Robert Perry and Mike Tucker, Decalog 2: Lost Property (Virgin Decalogs, 1995).) Onzlo drank Ogron fruit cocktails. (COMIC: Vortex Butterflies [+]Nick Abadzis, Doctor Who: The Tenth Doctor (Titan Publishing Group, 2017).) Before their subjugation by the Daleks, Ogrons tattooed their faces with the markings of their tribe as a sign of their allegiance. (PROSE: Dalek: The Astounding Untold History of the Greatest Enemies of the Universe [+]George Mann, Justin Richards and Cavan Scott, Dalek: The Astounding Untold History of the Greatest Enemies of the Universe (Ebury Publishing, 2017).)
They were the most popular species for security and, according to Father Kreiner, were used by "everyone", (PROSE: Interference - Book Two [+]Lawrence Miles, BBC Eighth Doctor Adventures (BBC Books, 1999).) including the Daleks. (TV: Day of the Daleks [+]Louis Marks, Doctor Who season 9 (BBC1, 1972)., Frontier in Space [+]Malcolm Hulke, Doctor Who season 10 (BBC1, 1973)., AUDIO: Return of the Daleks [+]Nicholas Briggs, Bonus Releases (Big Finish Productions, 2006)., COMIC: The Only Good Dalek [+]Error: Code 2 - no data stored in variables, cache or SMW.) the Master, (TV: Frontier in Space [+]Malcolm Hulke, Doctor Who season 10 (BBC1, 1973).) and the Remote. (PROSE: Interference - Book One [+]Lawrence Miles, BBC Eighth Doctor Adventures (BBC Books, 1999)., Interference - Book Two [+]Lawrence Miles, BBC Eighth Doctor Adventures (BBC Books, 1999).) K9 Mark III's databanks indicated that Ogrons were used as a servitor species by 17 galactic powers. (PROSE: Interference - Book One [+]Lawrence Miles, BBC Eighth Doctor Adventures (BBC Books, 1999).)
Ogrons were exposed to scientifically-derived gender roles. (AUDIO: Too Many Masters [+]Error: Code 2 - no data stored in variables, cache or SMW.)
After marriage, and even engagement without marriage, female Ogrons became legal property of their male partners. (AUDIO: Too Many Masters [+]Error: Code 2 - no data stored in variables, cache or SMW.)
History
Ca. 59,000 BC, the Ogrons were part of the Gubbage Cone Empire. (PROSE: The Crystal Bucephalus [+]Craig Hinton, Virgin Missing Adventures (Virgin Books, 1994). After gaining independence, 9 October marked Ogron Independence Day. (PROSE: Time Traveller's Diary [+]Chris Farnell, BBC Children's Books (2020).)
According to K9 Mark III's databanks, the Ogron homeworld was first discovered by outside intelligences in 1855. (PROSE: Interference - Book One [+]Lawrence Miles, BBC Eighth Doctor Adventures (BBC Books, 1999).)
In the late 20th century, Ogrons from an alternate 22nd century travelled back in time to attack Auderly House in England, where they forced a group of guerrillas back to their home era. Later that day, another group travelled through time to attack the World Peace Conference in Auderly House. On both occasions, they wanted to make sure World War III would rage across the Earth. The second wave of Ogrons was destroyed, along with their Dalek masters, by Shura's dalekanium bomb. (TV: Day of the Daleks [+]Louis Marks, Doctor Who season 9 (BBC1, 1972).) The Ogrons and the Daleks engaged UNIT soldiers in their attack. Private David Edmunds was one UNIT soldier who died at the hands of the Ogrons, he was utterly disintergrated. (PROSE: Missing in Action [+]Tim Pieraccini, Brief Encounter (1993).) James Stevens also encountered an Ogron at this time. (PROSE: Who Killed Kennedy [+]David Bishop, Virgin Books (1996).)
As related to Petronella Osgood by Jo Grant, she and the Third Doctor had found Ogrons marooned in the Outer Hebrides. Osgood, despite thorough following of their escapades recorded in UNIT files, was curiously unaware of this encounter. (AUDIO: United [+]Error: Code 2 - no data stored in variables, cache or SMW.) The Doctor and Jo also had an encounter with the Ogrons involving the Minister for Fisheries. (AUDIO: Operation: Hellfire [+]Error: Code 2 - no data stored in variables, cache or SMW.)
In 1996, the Remote of Anathema used Ogrons, including Lost Boy, to act as security for their representatives at COPEX. Guest, the leader of the Remote expedition, reasoned that the (mostly European) human attendees at COPEX would assume that the Ogrons were merely ugly foreigners. (PROSE: Interference - Book One [+]Lawrence Miles, BBC Eighth Doctor Adventures (BBC Books, 1999).)
In the 2010s, the Tenth Doctor dealt with a group of Ogron poets in New York City. (COMIC: Revolving Doors [+]James Peaty, Doctor Who: The Tenth Doctor (Titan Comics, 2017).)
On 14 January 2064, the Ogrons conquered the planet Tivoli, seizing control of it from the Hath. They received a hero's welcome, (PROSE: Time Traveller's Diary [+]Chris Farnell, BBC Children's Books (2020).) as per the Tivolians' habit. (TV: The God Complex [+]Toby Whithouse, Doctor Who series 6 (BBC One, 2011).) Over a century later, on 13 February 2174, the Uvodni wrestled control of the planet from the Ogrons. (PROSE: Time Traveller's Diary [+]Chris Farnell, BBC Children's Books (2020).)
A group of Ogrons travelled to Kursaal for a holiday where they became confused as to how to use a map display. (PROSE: Kursaal [+]Peter Anghelides, BBC Eighth Doctor Adventures (BBC Books, 1998).)
According to the Dalek Survival Guide, the Daleks started using Ogrons as shock troops following the failure of the 2150s Dalek invasion of Earth; the guide suggested that the Ogrons' natural stupidity made them easier to control than humans and so eliminated the need for the time-consuming robotisation process. (PROSE: Dalek Survival Guide [+]Justin Richards, et al., BBC Books (2002).)
In 2540, the Master, working for the Daleks, used Ogrons to attack Draconian and Earth ships. He used a device that released hypnosound, which made the Ogrons appear as soldiers from the others side. The Ogrons rescued the Master from Draconia but one of their number was captured. They rescued him during an attack on the Third Doctor. They attacked the Doctor and his allies when they landed on their planet, but the appearance of an Ogron eater scared them away. (TV: Frontier in Space [+]Malcolm Hulke, Doctor Who season 10 (BBC1, 1973).) According to K9's database, this incident marked the first (official) contact between Ogrons and humans. (PROSE: Interference - Book One [+]Lawrence Miles, BBC Eighth Doctor Adventures (BBC Books, 1999).)
At some point in the late 26th century, several Ogrons were modified to be given advanced intelligence. Most died in the process, except for Garshak. Garshak worked as a policeman on Megerra, (PROSE: Shakedown [+]Terrance Dicks, adapted from Shakedown: Return of the Sontarans (Terrance Dicks), Virgin New Adventures (Virgin Books, 1995).) and later became a private detective. (PROSE: Mean Streets [+]Terrance Dicks, Virgin New Adventures (Virgin Books, 1997).)
During the second Dalek occupation of Zaleria, Ogrons were used as enforcers. (AUDIO: Return of the Daleks [+]Nicholas Briggs, Bonus Releases (Big Finish Productions, 2006).)
The Daleks used the Ogrons as enforcers during their occupations of Hell. An Ogron informed the Dalek Emperor that the Helkan slaves needed rest. The Emperor dismissed it as an excuse and exterminated him. (COMIC: Nemesis of the Daleks [+]Richard Alan and Steve Alan, DWM Comics (Marvel Comics, 1989).)
By one account, over time their defeats by the Third Doctor proved devastating to their planetary economy. Because they depended upon their fearsome reputation to secure contracts with other species, the fact that they were defeated by an older, white-haired humanoid handed them a public relations nightmare. After their employment with the Master, they found it increasingly difficult to convince other species to hire them. Soon, they began losing more and more work to the Judoon, who eclipsed them as the universe's best hired guns. When the Tenth Doctor discovered the unintentional consequences of his younger self's actions, he pledged to try to redress the situation. He seemed to have made good on this promise by getting the Ogron Ambassador Brarshak safely to a round of diplomatic negotiations with the Draconians and Sontarans on the planet Luna IV and recommending their services to the Shadow Architect as an alternative to Judoon, who had proven themselves to be unreliable and bribable. (COMIC: Fugitive [+]Tony Lee, Doctor Who (2009) (IDW Publishing, 2009).)
In the 38th century, two of the War-time High Council's Ogron Lords came to Dust and were crucified by the Remote. (PROSE: Interference - Book Two [+]Lawrence Miles, BBC Eighth Doctor Adventures (BBC Books, 1999).)
In the early 41st century, a number of the Daleks' Ogron agents were captured and brought to Station 7. When the Daleks approached the Station, they ordered the Ogrons (via mind implants) to attack their captors, weakening them from within. The Ogrons were killed by so-called "converted" Daleks during the attack. (COMIC: The Only Good Dalek [+]Error: Code 2 - no data stored in variables, cache or SMW.)
In the 51st century, Laura Palmer dealt with an Ogron incursion into Galactic Federation space. (PROSE: Diamond Dogs [+]Mike Tucker, BBC New Series Adventures (BBC Books, 2017).)
Undated events
At least one Ogron was in the miniscope owned by the showman Vorg. (TV: Carnival of Monsters [+]Robert Holmes, Doctor Who season 10 (BBC1, 1973).)
The Ogrons were part of the Supremo's alliance in the war against Morbius. (PROSE: Warmonger [+]Terrance Dicks, BBC Past Doctor Adventures (BBC Books, 2002).)
Dr Linus Leofrix and Rostow captured Gnork in an attempt to increase his intelligence and create an army of soldiers. Gnork used his intelligence to trap Dr. Leofrix and Rostow and escaped the planet on their ship. (COMIC: Warlord of the Ogrons [+]Steve Moore, DWM backup comic stories (Marvel Comics, 1980).)
The Tenth Doctor was friends with the Ogron Marteek. (COMIC: Vortex Butterflies [+]Nick Abadzis, Doctor Who: The Tenth Doctor (Titan Publishing Group, 2017)., The Good Companion [+]Nick Abadzis, Doctor Who: The Tenth Doctor (Titan Publishing Group, 2017-2018).)
78351 was a mutant with Ogron, Axon, and Pyrovile genes. (PROSE: Lights Out [+]Error: Code 2 - no data stored in variables, cache or SMW.)
There were Ogrons in the Death Zone when several incarnations of Iris Wildthyme were brought to the Death Zone by Ohica. (PROSE: The Scarlet Empress [+]Paul Magrs, BBC Eighth Doctor Adventures (BBC Books, 1998).)
Other realities
In an alternative 22nd century, where the Earth had been weakened by World War III, the Daleks used the Ogrons as enforcers and soldiers during their invasion and occupation of Earth. According to the Controller, they used to live in scattered communities on one of the outer planets. (TV: Day of the Daleks [+]Louis Marks, Doctor Who season 9 (BBC1, 1972).)
In an alternate universe, the Ogrons, organised into the Ogron Confederation of Planets, were the dominant power of their reality, with the Fourth Doctor theorising that the Dalek Empire did not exist in that reality and thus the Ogrons stepped into the power vacuum. More intelligent than those the Doctor was familiar with, a fleet of Ogrons passed into a gate through the Void to N-Space where, upholding the Universal Concordat on Peaceful Co-existence, they attacked the forces of the warring Quarks and the Kroton Imperium in an effort to cease hostilities between what they saw as "lesser-evolved species" via the use of deadly force. Ultimately, all three sides retreated after Romana II and the Doctor told them about the Daleks and the Time Lords. (COMIC: The Lost Dimension [+]George Mann, et al., Titan summer events (Titan Comics, 2017).)
Other information
In the video game Happy Deathday, played by Izzy Sinclair on the Time-Space Visualiser, several Ogrons were among a host of "every single enemy" that the Doctor had ever defeated, who were assembled by the Beige Guardian and pitted against the Doctor's first eight incarnations. (COMIC: Happy Deathday [+]Scott Gray, DWM Comics (Panini Comics, 1998).)
Frobisher claimed that his wife fell in love with him while he was in the shape of an Ogron. (AUDIO: The Holy Terror [+]Robert Shearman, Main Range (Big Finish Productions, 2000).)
Ogrons were often used as a point of comparision, with Maljamin once having "the strength of an Ogron" (PROSE: Lua error in Module:Cite_source at line 420: attempt to index a nil value.) and Mali having muscles like an Ogron. (PROSE: The Ancestor Cell [+]Peter Anghelides and Stephen Cole, BBC Eighth Doctor Adventures (BBC Books, 2000).) Horval compared the smell of a swamp to that of an Ogron's armpit. (AUDIO: The Shadow Heart [+]Error: Code 2 - no data stored in variables, cache or SMW.) Cornelius Morningstar said that Stralla Cushing made Archimedes look like an Ogron. (AUDIO: How to Make a Killing in Time Travel [+]Error: Code 2 - no data stored in variables, cache or SMW.)
Behind the scenes
- Different writers have posited varying notions about Ogron intelligence levels. Their television appearance in Frontier in Space [+]Malcolm Hulke, Doctor Who season 10 (BBC1, 1973). portrayed them as unambiguously simple-minded. A few of the Doctor Who Magazine appearances have showed them as somewhat more intelligent. The Interference duology held that Ogrons were in fact equally intelligent to humans, but were faking stupidity.
External links
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