Time of Your Life (novel): Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox Story | {{Infobox Story SMW | ||
|image | |image = Ma-8.jpg | ||
|series | |series = [[Virgin Missing Adventures]] | ||
|number | |range = Virgin Missing Adventures | ||
|doctor | |number in range = 8 | ||
|companions | |number = 8 | ||
|enemy | |doctor = Sixth Doctor | ||
|setting | |companions = [[Grant Markham|Grant]] | ||
|writer | |enemy = [[Krllxk]] | ||
|publisher | |setting = [[Torrok]], [[2191]] | ||
|release date = | |writer = Steve Lyons | ||
|format | |cover = [[Paul Campbell]] | ||
|isbn | |publisher = Virgin Books | ||
|prev | |release date = 16 March 1995 | ||
|next | |format = Paperback Book; 13 Chapters, 278 Pages | ||
}} | |isbn = ISBN 0-426-20438-7 | ||
'''''Time of Your Life''''' was the eighth book in the [[Virgin Missing Adventures]] series. Written by [[Steve Lyons]], it featured the [[Sixth Doctor]] and introduced the short-lived [[companion]] | |prev = The Ghosts of N-Space (novelisation) | ||
|next = Dancing the Code (novel) | |||
}}{{prose stub}} | |||
'''''Time of Your Life''''' was the eighth book in the ''[[Virgin Missing Adventures]]'' series. Written by [[Steve Lyons]], it featured the [[Sixth Doctor]] and introduced the short-lived [[companion]] [[Grant Markham]]. Much like [[Jamie McCrimmon]] in ''[[The Highlanders (TV story)|The Highlanders]]'', Grant was largely a background character in his debut story until the Doctor offered to take him on "one trip" in [[the Doctor's TARDIS|the TARDIS]] at the end of the novel. This proved to be no hyperbole; Markham did get only one more official trip, in [[1996 (releases)|1996]]'s ''[[Killing Ground (novel)|Killing Ground]]''. | |||
In presenting a society that had begun to devolve because of its innate addiction to [[television]], the narrative had a lot of obvious similarity to the television stories ''[[Paradise Towers (TV story)|Paradise Towers]]'' and ''[[Vengeance on Varos (TV story)|Vengeance on Varos | In presenting a society that had begun to devolve because of its innate addiction to [[television]], the narrative had a lot of obvious similarity to the television stories ''[[Paradise Towers (TV story)|Paradise Towers]]'' and ''[[Vengeance on Varos (TV story)|Vengeance on Varos]]''. The story also contains a mostly subtle, but sometimes gross, criticism of ''[[Doctor Who]]'' fandom, of a kind also seen in ''[[The Greatest Show in the Galaxy (TV story)|The Greatest Show in the Galaxy]]''. | ||
== Publisher's summary == | == Publisher's summary == | ||
:''"Organic bugs must be purged from the system," the screen told him. Then, more succinctly, "You die."'' | :''"Organic bugs must be purged from the system," the screen told him. Then, more succinctly, "You die."'' | ||
[[The Network (Time of Your Life)|The Network]] broadcasts entertainment to the planets of the [[Meson system]]: ''[[Death-hunt 3000]]'', ''[[Prisoner: The Next Generation]]'', ''[[Bloodsoak Bunny]]''... Sixteen channels, and not one of them worth watching. But for the citizens of poverty-stricken [[Torrok]], [[television]] offers the only escape from a reality too horrible to face. | [[The Network (Time of Your Life)|The Network]] broadcasts [[entertainment]] to the planets of the [[Meson system]]: ''[[Death-hunt 3000]]'', ''[[Prisoner: The Next Generation]]'', ''[[Bloodsoak Bunny]]''... Sixteen [[Television channel|channels]], and not one of them worth watching. But for the citizens of [[poverty]]-stricken [[Torrok]], [[television]] offers the only escape from a reality too horrible to face. | ||
[[Angela Jennings|Angela]], a young inhabitant of Torrok, leaps at the chance to travel to the Network with a [[hermit]] who calls himself the Doctor. However, all is not well on the giant, chaotic space station. A soap star has [[murder]]ed his wife's lover; the [[robot]]ic regulars of [[Timeriders]] are performing random kidnappings; and a lethal new game show is about to go on the air. | [[Angela Jennings|Angela]], a young inhabitant of Torrok, leaps at the chance to travel to the Network with a [[hermit]] who calls himself [[Sixth Doctor|the Doctor]]. However, all is not well on the giant, chaotic space station. A soap star has [[murder]]ed his wife's lover; the [[robot]]ic regulars of [[Timeriders]] are performing random kidnappings; and a lethal new game show is about to go on the air. | ||
Can the Doctor uncover the cause of the apparently random disturbances — or will his appearance as a competitor on Death-hunt 3000 be the last of his life? | Can the Doctor uncover the cause of the apparently random disturbances — or will his appearance as a competitor on Death-hunt 3000 be the last of his life? | ||
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* [[Terry Marston]] | * [[Terry Marston]] | ||
== | == Worldbuilding == | ||
''to be added'' | ''to be added'' | ||
== Notes == | == Notes == | ||
* The decision by the Doctor to become a recluse is a reflection of the television story ''[[The Twin Dilemma (TV story)|The Twin Dilemma]]'' | * The decision by the Doctor to become a recluse is a reflection of the television story ''[[The Twin Dilemma (TV story)|The Twin Dilemma]]'' following after another violent episode involving [[Peri Brown|Peri]]. | ||
* [[Steve Lyons]] originally proposed this novel as an introductory story | * [[Steve Lyons]] originally proposed this novel as an introductory story for the character of [[Melanie Bush]], whose first meeting with the Doctor had not been shown in televised ''Doctor Who.'' [[Rebecca Levene]], ''[[Virgin New Adventures]]''{{'}} editor at the time, rejected the idea in favour of introducing a new companion for the Doctor. Mel's introduction would later be written by [[Gary Russell]] in the novel ''[[Business Unusual (novel)|Business Unusual]].'' | ||
* The [[Virgin Missing Adventures covers|front cover]] is the only one in the ''[[Virgin Missing Adventures]]'' to feature no other character alongside [[the Doctor]] on the left. In breaking this convention, it joins ''[[Invasion of the Cat-People (novel)|Invasion of the Cat-People]]'', which features two other characters as opposed to one. | |||
* This story marked the debut of new companion Grant Markham. Due to the end of the range, Grant never received a departure story. ''[[Short Trips: Repercussions]]'' would however later imply one. | |||
== Continuity == | == Continuity == | ||
* The Doctor was put on trial by the [[Time Lord]]s ([[TV]]: ''[[The | * The Doctor was put on trial by the [[Time Lord]]s ([[TV]]: ''[[The Mysterious Planet (TV story)|The Mysterious Planet]]'') and faced [[the Valeyard]], an evil future incarnation of himself. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Ultimate Foe (TV story)|The Ultimate Foe]]'') | ||
* Reference is made to [[Drathro]], the [[L3]] maintenance [[robot]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Mysterious Planet]]'') | * Reference is made to [[Drathro]], the [[L3]] maintenance [[robot]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Mysterious Planet (TV story)|The Mysterious Planet]]'') | ||
* The [[Celestial Intervention Agency]] make an appearance. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Brain of Morbius]] | * The [[Celestial Intervention Agency]] make an appearance. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Brain of Morbius (TV story)|The Brain of Morbius]]'', [[AUDIO]]: ''[[Blood of the Daleks (audio story)|Blood of the Daleks]]'') | ||
* The mass transit systems were outlawed long ago. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Transit]]'') | * The mass transit systems were outlawed long ago. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Transit (novel)|Transit]]'') | ||
* The Doctor recalls the [[poison]] vines and [[acid]] baths on [[Varos]] ([[TV]]: ''[[Vengeance on Varos (TV story)|Vengeance on Varos]]'') and [[Gustave Lytton|Lytton]]'s death on [[Telos]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Attack of the Cybermen (TV story)|Attack of the Cybermen]]'') | * The Doctor recalls the [[poison]] vines and [[acid]] baths on [[Varos]] ([[TV]]: ''[[Vengeance on Varos (TV story)|Vengeance on Varos]]'') and [[Gustave Lytton|Lytton]]'s death on [[Telos]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Attack of the Cybermen (TV story)|Attack of the Cybermen]]'') | ||
* The Doctor refers to his visit to the last [[Intergalactic Peace Conference]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Frontier in Space (TV story)|Frontier in Space]]'') | * The Doctor refers to his visit to the last [[Intergalactic Peace Conference]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Frontier in Space (TV story)|Frontier in Space]]'') | ||
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[[Category:1995 novels]] | [[Category:1995 novels]] | ||
[[Category:Stories set in 2191]] | [[Category:Stories set in 2191]] | ||
Latest revision as of 20:32, 9 November 2023
Time of Your Life was the eighth book in the Virgin Missing Adventures series. Written by Steve Lyons, it featured the Sixth Doctor and introduced the short-lived companion Grant Markham. Much like Jamie McCrimmon in The Highlanders, Grant was largely a background character in his debut story until the Doctor offered to take him on "one trip" in the TARDIS at the end of the novel. This proved to be no hyperbole; Markham did get only one more official trip, in 1996's Killing Ground.
In presenting a society that had begun to devolve because of its innate addiction to television, the narrative had a lot of obvious similarity to the television stories Paradise Towers and Vengeance on Varos. The story also contains a mostly subtle, but sometimes gross, criticism of Doctor Who fandom, of a kind also seen in The Greatest Show in the Galaxy.
Publisher's summary[[edit] | [edit source]]
- "Organic bugs must be purged from the system," the screen told him. Then, more succinctly, "You die."
The Network broadcasts entertainment to the planets of the Meson system: Death-hunt 3000, Prisoner: The Next Generation, Bloodsoak Bunny... Sixteen channels, and not one of them worth watching. But for the citizens of poverty-stricken Torrok, television offers the only escape from a reality too horrible to face.
Angela, a young inhabitant of Torrok, leaps at the chance to travel to the Network with a hermit who calls himself the Doctor. However, all is not well on the giant, chaotic space station. A soap star has murdered his wife's lover; the robotic regulars of Timeriders are performing random kidnappings; and a lethal new game show is about to go on the air.
Can the Doctor uncover the cause of the apparently random disturbances — or will his appearance as a competitor on Death-hunt 3000 be the last of his life?
Plot[[edit] | [edit source]]
to be added
Characters[[edit] | [edit source]]
- Sixth Doctor
- Grant Markham
- Krllxk
- Angela Jennings
- Anjor
- Anson Hammond
- Dan Brookes
- Dominic Shepherd
- Firn Kaerson
- Giselle
- Glynda
- Jak Martyn
- Mae Jordan
- Miriam Walker
- Nik Calvin
- Raymond Day
- Stuart Revell
- Terry Marston
Worldbuilding[[edit] | [edit source]]
to be added
Notes[[edit] | [edit source]]
- The decision by the Doctor to become a recluse is a reflection of the television story The Twin Dilemma following after another violent episode involving Peri.
- Steve Lyons originally proposed this novel as an introductory story for the character of Melanie Bush, whose first meeting with the Doctor had not been shown in televised Doctor Who. Rebecca Levene, Virgin New Adventures' editor at the time, rejected the idea in favour of introducing a new companion for the Doctor. Mel's introduction would later be written by Gary Russell in the novel Business Unusual.
- The front cover is the only one in the Virgin Missing Adventures to feature no other character alongside the Doctor on the left. In breaking this convention, it joins Invasion of the Cat-People, which features two other characters as opposed to one.
- This story marked the debut of new companion Grant Markham. Due to the end of the range, Grant never received a departure story. Short Trips: Repercussions would however later imply one.
Continuity[[edit] | [edit source]]
- The Doctor was put on trial by the Time Lords (TV: The Mysterious Planet) and faced the Valeyard, an evil future incarnation of himself. (TV: The Ultimate Foe)
- Reference is made to Drathro, the L3 maintenance robot. (TV: The Mysterious Planet)
- The Celestial Intervention Agency make an appearance. (TV: The Brain of Morbius, AUDIO: Blood of the Daleks)
- The mass transit systems were outlawed long ago. (PROSE: Transit)
- The Doctor recalls the poison vines and acid baths on Varos (TV: Vengeance on Varos) and Lytton's death on Telos. (TV: Attack of the Cybermen)
- The Doctor refers to his visit to the last Intergalactic Peace Conference. (TV: Frontier in Space)
- The Doctor recalls his treatment of Peri Brown on Thoros-Beta in 2379. (TV: Mindwarp)
External links[[edit] | [edit source]]
- Time of Your Life at the Doctor Who Reference Guide
- The Discontinuity Guide to: Time of Your Life at The Whoniverse
- The Cloister Library: Time of Your life
