Catastrophea (novel)

Catastrophea
Doctor:	Third Doctor
Companion(s):	Jo
Main enemy:	Councillor Rekar Draconians General Walton
Main setting:	Kastopheria
Key crew
Publisher:	[[publisher::BBC Books]]
Writer:	Terrance Dicks
Cover by:	Black Sheep
Release details
Release number:	11
Release date:	May 1998
Format:	Paperback Book, ? Pages
ISBN:	ISBN 0-563-40584-8
BBC Past Doctor Adventures
← Previous	The Hollow Men
Next →	Mission: Impractical

You may be looking for the planet.

Catastrophea was the eleventh BBC Past Doctor Adventures novel. It was the second Third Doctor novel in the series, but the first to feature Jo Grant. Jo Grant however had already appeared in the BBC's other series the BBC Eighth Doctor Adventures in the 1997 novel Genocide although this was an older version of her character.

Publisher's summary

'Look at the way they just call themselves the People,' said Jo. 'They're too humble to give themselves a name!' 'Or too arrogant to think they need one,' said the Doctor.

The planet's real name is Kastopheria, but generally it's been rechristened Catastrophea - it's a catastrophe waiting to happen. Supposedly civilised races are exploiting the world, squabbling over its wealth and resources, while the indigenous population - golden-skinned giants - seem not to care what their own fate might be. The Doctor and Jo soon become embroiled in a plan to keep peace between different parties vying for control over the planet.

But what is the strange glowing crystal lying hidden in impenetrable jungle? How will the arrival of the proud, warlike Draconians affect the fragile peace? In his quest to find the truth behind the secret history of the People, the Doctor risks unleashing a force more terrible than the galaxy has known for aeons...

Plot

to be added

Characters

• The Doctor
• Jo Grant
• Councillor Rekar
• Charteris
• Makos
• General Walton
• Rekar's Goons
• El Llama
• Zylor
• Garon
• Dove
• Captain Lord Samzyre
• Sergeant Korr
• General Baron Kryll

References

The Doctor

• The Doctor claims to have met David Niven.
• The Doctor refers to Winston Churchill as an "old friend."

Technology

• When the Doctor and Jo are trapped in a cell, Jo suggests using the sonic screwdriver to escape. The Doctor points out that the cell is made of wood, which the screwdriver is incapable of affecting. He also mentions that he could convert the screwdriver into a laser cutter but does not due to the possibility of burning down the whole cell.

Notes

to be added

Continuity

• When the Doctor and Jo are trapped in a cell, Jo suggests using the sonic screwdriver to escape. The Doctor points out that the cell is made of wood, which the screwdriver is incapable of affecting. This weakness was later mentioned in TV: Forest of the Dead with the Mark V.
• The Doctor refers to Winston Churchill as an "old friend." (PROSE: Players, PROSE: World Game)

External links

• Catastrophea at the Doctor Who Reference Guide
• The Discontinuity Guide to: Catastrophea at The Whoniverse