Arc of Infinity (novelisation): Difference between revisions

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{{real world}}
{{real world}}
{{Infobox Story
{{Infobox Story SMW
|image=Arc of Infinity novel.jpg
|image           = <gallery>
|series=Publication Order
Arc of Infinity novel.jpg|1983 edition
|number= 80 (given to later editions)  
PearsonArcOfInfinity.jpg|1992 edition
|doctor=Fifth Doctor  
</gallery>
|companions=[[Nyssa]], [[Tegan Jovanka|Tegan]]
|number         = 80 (given to later editions)  
|enemy= [[Omega]], [[Hedin]], [[Ergon|the Ergon]]  
|doctor         = Fifth Doctor  
|setting= [[Amsterdam]], [[1983]]; [[Gallifrey]]
|companions     = [[Nyssa]], [[Tegan Jovanka|Tegan]]
|writer= [[Terrance Dicks]]  
|enemy           = [[Omega]], [[Hedin]], [[Ergon|the Ergon]]  
|publisher= Target Books
|setting         = [[Amsterdam]], [[1983]]; [[Gallifrey]]
|publisher2= W.H. Allen
|writer         = Terrance Dicks
|novelisation of= Arc of Infinity (TV story)
|read by        = [[Geoffrey Beevers]]
|release date= [[20 October (releases)|20 October]] [[1983 (releases)|1983]]
|publisher       = Target Books
|format= Hardcover and paperback editions; 12 Chapters, 117 Pages
|publisher2     = W.H. Allen
|isbn= ISBN 0-426-19342-3
|novelisation of = Arc of Infinity (TV story)
|prev= Terminus (novelisation)
|release date   = 20 October 1983
|next= The Five Doctors (novelisation)
|format         = Hardcover and paperback editions; 12 Chapters, 117 Pages
|series2 = [[List of Doctor Who television stories|TV series order]]
|isbn           = ISBN 0-426-19342-3
|prev2=Time-Flight (novelisation)
|series          = [[Target novelisation]]s
|next2=Snakedance (novelisation)
|prev           = Terminus (novelisation)
}}
|next           = The Five Doctors (novelisation)
|series2         = [[List of Doctor Who television stories|TV series order]]
|prev2           = Time-Flight (novelisation)
|next2           = Snakedance (novelisation)
}}{{you may|Doctor Who and the Arc of Infinity (in-universe)|n1=the novelisation as it exists within the DWU}}
'''''{{StoryTitle}}''''' was a novelisation based on the 1983 television serial ''[[Arc of Infinity (TV story)|Arc of Infinity]]''.
'''''{{StoryTitle}}''''' was a novelisation based on the 1983 television serial ''[[Arc of Infinity (TV story)|Arc of Infinity]]''.


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== Deviations from televised story ==
== Deviations from televised story ==
* [[Robin Stuart]] is mentioned as having had his [[passport]] stolen in a crowded Amsterdam [[café]], which is not mentioned in the televised version.
* Many of the story's scenes have been truncated together. Including, but not limited to, the Doctor, Nyssa and Tegan's final pursuit of Omega through the streets of Amsterdam.
* Many of the story's scenes have been truncated together. Including, but not limited to, the Doctor, Nyssa and Tegan's final pursuit of Omega through the streets of Amsterdam.
* The Ergon is described as a "giant walking lizard".
* The Ergon is described as a "giant walking lizard".
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== Additional cover images ==
== Additional cover images ==
<gallery position=center captionalign=center hideaddbutton="true" >
<gallery position=center captionalign=center hideaddbutton="true" >
File:PearsonArcOfInfinity.jpg|1992 edition.<br />Cover by [[Alister Pearson]]
PearsonArcOfInfinity.jpg|1992 edition.<br />Cover by [[Alister Pearson]]
</gallery>
</gallery>


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* Paperback
* Paperback
: Target
: Target
== Audiobook ==
This Target Book was released as an audiobook on [[3 June (releases)|3 June]] [[2021 (releases)|2021]] complete and unabridged by [[BBC Audio]] and read by [[Geoffrey Beevers]].
<gallery position="center" captionalign="center" hideaddbutton="true">
Arc of Infinity audiobook.jpg|Audiobook cover
</gallery>


== External links ==
== External links ==
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[[Category:Target novelisations]]
[[Category:Target novelisations]]
[[Category:1983 novels]]
[[Category:1983 novels]]
[[Category:Fifth Doctor novels]]
[[Category:Fifth Doctor novelisations]]
[[Category:Time Lord novels]]
[[Category:Time Lord novels]]
[[Category:Omega novels]]
[[Category:Omega novels]]
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[[Category:Stories set in 1983]]
[[Category:Stories set in 1983]]
[[Category:Stories set in the Rassilon Era]]
[[Category:Stories set in the Rassilon Era]]
[[Category:Target novelisations with audiobook readings]]

Latest revision as of 20:27, 6 February 2024

RealWorld.png

Arc of Infinity was a novelisation based on the 1983 television serial Arc of Infinity.

Publisher's summary[[edit] | [edit source]]

1983 Target Books edition[[edit] | [edit source]]

When the Doctor returns to Gallifrey, he learns that his bio data extract has been stolen from the Time Lords' master computer known as the Matrix.

The bio data extract is a detailed description of the Doctor's molecular structure - and this information, in the wrong hands, could be exploited with disastrous effect.

The Gallifreyan High Council believe that anti-matter will be infiltrated into the universe as a result of the theft. In order to render the information useless, they decide the Doctor must die...

1992 Target Books edition[[edit] | [edit source]]

'HELLO,' SIAD THE DOCTOR CHEERFULLY. 'I'M THE DOCTOR.' MAXIL RAISED HIS STASER PISTOL AND SHOT HIM DOWN.

On his return to Gallifrey, the Doctor learns that his bio data extract has been stolen from the Time Lords' master computer, the Matrix. The Gallifreyan High Council believe that anti-matter will be infiltrated into the universe as a result of the theft. The information must be rendered useless - the Doctor must die.

First broadcast in 1983, this is the first story since The Three Doctors to feature Omega, a bitter Gallifreyan exiled forever from this universe. This novelization by Terrance Dicks was adapted from the original script by Johnny Byrne.

Chapter titles[[edit] | [edit source]]

  1. Deadly Meeting
  2. The Horror in the Crypt
  3. Recall
  4. Death Sentence
  5. The Prisoner
  6. Termination
  7. The Matrix
  8. The Traitor
  9. Unmasked
  10. Hunt for Omega
  11. Transference
  12. Omega's Freedom

Deviations from televised story[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • Robin Stuart is mentioned as having had his passport stolen in a crowded Amsterdam café, which is not mentioned in the televised version.
  • Many of the story's scenes have been truncated together. Including, but not limited to, the Doctor, Nyssa and Tegan's final pursuit of Omega through the streets of Amsterdam.
  • The Ergon is described as a "giant walking lizard".
  • The function of the Matrix Crown on Gallifrey is elaborated upon. It's explained that the link is only used in strict emergencies to directly consult with the "strange combination of group-mind and race memory" that is the Matrix. It's both extremely dangerous and stressful to the wearer.
  • The High Council's intention to execute the Doctor are made clear far earlier than in the televised story.
  • On the Doctor's first encounter with Maxil, he remains unconscious after shot until he's returned to the TARDIS for recuperation and incarceration.
  • It's clarified that Nyssa uses her staser to stun the guards outside the Place of Termination. However, she resets the weapon to kill before challenging the High Council. Something left ambiguous in the televised version of the story. Later, she again uses non-lethal force against an attacking guard en route to the Presidential Chambers.
  • When attacked by the Ergon, rather than dodging on his own, as per the televised story, Nyssa shoves the Doctor out of the way. Subsequently, Omega's convulsive cry is clarified to be the result of his servant's disintegration, rather than a side-effect of the ongoing transformation.
  • During the Doctor's escape from Gallifrey, he and Borusa communicate via the TARDIS scanner.

Writing and publishing notes[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • Although known in the Target library as book number 80 (following the book numbering which started with number 79 Terminus), the book itself was not numbered. Number 81 (The Five Doctors) however was.

Additional cover images[[edit] | [edit source]]

British publication history[[edit] | [edit source]]

First publication:

  • Hardback
W.H. Allen & Co. Ltd. UK
  • Paperback
Target

Audiobook[[edit] | [edit source]]

This Target Book was released as an audiobook on 3 June 2021 complete and unabridged by BBC Audio and read by Geoffrey Beevers.

External links[[edit] | [edit source]]