Constant mean curvature tori in S ^ 3, R ^ 3 or H ^ 3 are in bijective correspondence with spectral curve data, consisting of a hyperelliptic curve, a line bundle on this curve and some additional data, which in particular determines the relevant space form. This point of view is particularly relevant for considering moduli-space questions, such as the prevalence of tori amongst CMC planes. I will address these periodicity questions for the spherical and Euclidean cases, using Whitham deformations, which I will explain.