Doctor Who and the Visitation (novelisation): Difference between revisions

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{{real world}}
{{real world}}
{{Infobox Story
{{Infobox Story SMW
|image= Visitation novel.jpg
|image       = <gallery>
|series=[[Target novelisation]]s
Visitation novel.jpg|1982 edition
|number= 69 (given to later editions)  
PearsonVisitation.jpg|1992 edition
|doctor=Fifth Doctor  
AchilleosVisitation.jpg|2016 edition
|companions=[[Adric]], [[Nyssa]], [[Tegan Jovanka|Tegan]]
</gallery>
|enemy= [[Terileptil]]s  
|number       = 69 (given to later editions)  
|setting= [[London]], late [[August]] to [[2 September]] [[1666]]  
|doctor       = Fifth Doctor  
|writer= [[Eric Saward]]
|companions   = [[Adric]], [[Nyssa]], [[Tegan Jovanka|Tegan]]
|read by=[[Matthew Waterhouse]]
|enemy       = [[Terileptil]]s  
|publisher= Target Books
|setting     = [[London]], late [[August]] to [[2 September]] [[1666]]  
|publisher2= W.H. Allen
|writer       = Eric Saward
|novelisation of= The Visitation
|read by     = [[Matthew Waterhouse]]
|release date= [[19 August (releases)|19 August]] [[1982 (releases)|1982]]
|publisher   = Target Books
|format= Hardcover and paperback editions; 11 Chapters, 121 Pages
|publisher2   = W.H. Allen
|isbn= ISBN 0-426-20135-3
|novelisation of = The Visitation (TV story)
|prev=Kinda (novelisation)|
|release date = 19 August 1982
|next=Black Orchid (novelisation)
|format       = Hardcover and paperback editions; 11 Chapters, 121 Pages
|clip = Doctor Who And The Visitation (Classic Novel), Eric Saward Audiobook Sample
|isbn         = ISBN 0-426-20135-3
|series      = [[Target novelisation|Target novelisations]]
|prev         = Doctor Who and the Leisure Hive (novelisation)
|next        = Full Circle (novelisation)
|series2      = [[Target novelisation]] numbering
|prev2        = Doctor Who and an Unearthly Child (novelisation)
|next2        = Doctor Who and the War Games (novelisation)
|series3      = [[List of Doctor Who television stories|TV series order]]
|prev3        = Kinda (novelisation)
|next3        = Black Orchid (novelisation)
}}
}}
'''''{{StoryTitle}}''''' was a novelisation based on the 1982 television serial ''[[The Visitation]]''. This was the first [[Fifth Doctor]] novelisation to be published.
'''''{{StoryTitle}}''''' was a novelisation based on the 1982 television serial ''[[The Visitation (TV story)|The Visitation]]''. This was the first [[Fifth Doctor]] novelisation to be published.


== Publisher's summary ==
== Publisher's summary ==
=== 1982 edition ===
=== 1982 Target Books edition ===
[[Tegan Jovanka|Tegan]], the young air hostess who quite unintentionally became a member of [[the Doctor's TARDIS|the TARDIS]]'s crew, wants to return to her own time, but when the [[Fifth Doctor|Doctor]] tries to take her back to [[Heathrow Airport]] in the [[20th century|twentieth century]] the TARDIS lands instead on the outskirts of [[17th century|seventeenth-century]] [[London]].
[[Tegan Jovanka|Tegan]], the young air hostess who quite unintentionally became a member of [[the Doctor's TARDIS|the TARDIS]]'s crew, wants to return to her own time, but when the [[Fifth Doctor|Doctor]] tries to take her back to [[Heathrow Airport]] in the [[20th century|twentieth century]] the TARDIS lands instead on the outskirts of [[17th century|seventeenth-century]] [[London]].


=== 1992 edition ===
The Doctor and his companions receive a decidedly unfriendly welcome - but it soon becomes clear that the sinister activities of other visitors from time and space have made the villagers extremely suspicious of outsiders.
"Call yourself a [[Time Lord]]?" [[Tegan Jovanka|Tegan]] shouted. "A broken clock keeps better time than you!"


[[Fifth Doctor|The Doctor]] tries to return Tegan to the [[Heathrow Airport|Heathrow]] she left in [[1981]], but instead [[the Doctor's TARDIS|the TARDIS]] lands just outside [[London]] in [[1666]] - the year of the Great Plague.
As a result of the aliens' evil schemes, the Doctor finds himself on the point of playing a key role in a [[Great Fire of London|gruesome historical event]]...
 
=== 1992 Target Books edition ===
"CALL YOURSELF A [[Time Lord|TIME LORD]]?" TEGAN SHOUTED. "A BROKEN CLOCK KEEPS BETTER TIME THAN YOU!"
 
The Doctor tries to return Tegan to the Heathrow she left in [[1981]], but instead the TARDIS lands just outside London in [[1666]] - the year of the Great Plague.


The Doctor and his companions receive a decidedly cool welcome - and it soon becomes clear that the sinister activities of other visitors from space and time have made the villagers extremely sensitive of outsiders.
The Doctor and his companions receive a decidedly cool welcome - and it soon becomes clear that the sinister activities of other visitors from space and time have made the villagers extremely sensitive of outsiders.
Line 37: Line 50:


This is a novelization by [[Eric Saward]] of his own television story, first broadcast in [[1982 (releases)|1982]].
This is a novelization by [[Eric Saward]] of his own television story, first broadcast in [[1982 (releases)|1982]].
=== 2016 BBC Books edition ===
Trying to get Tegan back to Heathrow in 1981, the Doctor brings the TARDIS to the right place, but over 300 years early - to 1666. They are not the only visitors as [[Terileptil android|Death]] stalks the local woods, complete with cloak, scythe and a skull like face.
In fact, 'Death' is and android bought by a group of alien [[Terileptil]]s whose spaceship has crashed. Criminals and fugitives from their own race, they now plan to take over [[Earth]]. With [[Adric]] and Tegan captured, the Doctor and [[Nyssa]] try to deal with the deadly android, and a group of local villagers under the control of the Terileptils.
But even if they succeed, can they prevent the Terileptils from unleashing an even more deadly form of the [[Bubonic plague|Black Death]]?


== Chapter titles ==
== Chapter titles ==
Line 53: Line 73:
== Deviations from televised story ==
== Deviations from televised story ==
* The Doctor realises who the Terileptils are because they left their tag on their escape capsule; this was not explained in the televised story.
* The Doctor realises who the Terileptils are because they left their tag on their escape capsule; this was not explained in the televised story.
* [[The Squire (The Visitation)|The Squire]] is named Sir John.
* [[John (The Visitation)|The Squire]] is named Sir John.
* [[Elizabeth (The Visitation)|Elizabeth]] is in her room when she spots the Terileptil spacecraft crashing.
* [[Elizabeth (The Visitation)|Elizabeth]] is in her room when she spots the Terileptil spacecraft crashing, rather than playing chess with her father as in the televised version.
* Tegan's references to the events of ''[[Kinda (TV story)|Kinda]]'' while in her room are removed.
* Sir John and his family are described as being killed by the [[Terileptil android]], whereas in the televised version their deaths are only implied.
* Tegan's references to the events of ''[[Kinda (TV story)|Kinda]]'' while talking with [[Nyssa]] in her room are removed.
* The Doctor telling off [[Adric]] for his recklessness with the [[Total Survival Suit|T.S.S. machine]] on [[Deva Loka]] has been excised.


== Writing and publishing notes ==
== Writing and publishing notes ==
* The first book in the range to feature the use of a photographic cover.
* This was the first book in the range to feature the use of a photographic cover. A jacket painting was commissioned and created by David McAllister, but due to objections from Peter Davison's agent about artwork depictions of his client at the time, this was never used; Target switched to using a photograph of Davison for the cover. (The only first edition Fifth Doctor Target books to feature artwork rather than photos of Davison's Doctor were ''[[Castrovalva (novelisation)|Castrovalva]]'' and ''[[The Five Doctors (novelisation)|The Five Doctors]]''.)<ref>Howe, D.J., Stammers, M. and Walker, S.J., Doctor Who- The Eighties, p160. ISBN 978-0-75-35012-83.</ref>
* This was the first title to be referred to in the Target library as book number 74. The number appeared on the cover on a subsequent reprint.
* This was the first title to be referred to in the Target library as book number 74. The number appeared on the cover on a subsequent reprint.
* Dedication: `For Paula, with fondest love'
* Dedication: `For Paula, with fondest love'
* Cover Flash reads `A BBC TV PROGRAMME WITH PETER DAVISON AS THE DOCTOR'
* The book has a cover flash reading <small>A BBC TV PROGRAMME WITH PETER DAVISON AS THE DOCTOR</small>.
* This novelisation was later released as part of ''[[The History Collection (audio anthology)|The History Collection]]''.
* This novelisation was later released as part of ''[[The History Collection (audio anthology)|The History Collection]]''.


== Additional cover images ==
== Additional cover images ==
<gallery position=center captionalign=center hideaddbutton="true" >
<gallery position=center captionalign=center hideaddbutton="true" >
File:Visitation_unused.JPG|Unused jacket painting by [[David McAllister]], [[1982]]
Visitation_unused.JPG|Unused jacket painting by [[David McAllister]], [[1982]]
PearsonVisitation.jpg|1992 edition.<br />Cover by [[Alister Pearson]]
AchilleosVisitation.jpg|2016 BBC Books Edition.<br />Cover by [[Chris Achilleos]]
</gallery>
</gallery>


== British publication history ==
== British publication history ==
First publication:
First publication:
* Hardback  
* Hardback
: W.H. Allen & Co. Ltd. UK  
: W.H. Allen & Co. Ltd. UK
* Paperback
* Paperback
: Target
: Target
Re-issues:
Re-issues:


==  Audiobook ==
== Audiobook ==
This Target Book was released complete and unabridged by [[BBC Audio]] and read by [[Matthew Waterhouse]].
This Target Book was released as an audiobook on [[4 October (releases)|4 October]] [[2012 (releases)|2012]] complete and unabridged by [[BBC Audio]] and read by [[Matthew Waterhouse]].
 
The cover blurb and thumbnail illustrations were retained in the accompanying booklet with sleevenotes by [[David J. Howe]]. Music and sound effects by [[Simon Power]].


<gallery position="center" captionalign="center" hideaddbutton="true">
<gallery position="center" captionalign="center" hideaddbutton="true">
The Visitation Audio.jpg
The Visitation Audio.jpg|Audiobook cover
</gallery>
</gallery>
The audio set of four CDs was released in October 2012 priced £13.99 (UK)


== External links ==
== External links ==
* [http://www.personal.leeds.ac.uk/~ecl6nb/OnTarget/general/main.htm ''On Target'' a comprehensive guide to the Target novelisations by Tim Neal]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20140716005123/http://www.personal.leeds.ac.uk/~ecl6nb/OnTarget/general/main.htm ''On Target'' a comprehensive guide to the Target novelisations by Tim Neal]
== Footnotes ==
{{reflist}}
{{DWN}}
{{DWN}}
{{TitleSort}}
{{TitleSort}}
[[Category:Fifth Doctor novels]]
 
[[Category:Target novelisations]]
[[Category:Target novelisations]]
[[Category:1982 novels]]
[[Category:1982 novels]]
[[Category:Fifth Doctor novelisations]]
[[Category:The History Collection novels]]
[[Category:Terileptil novels]]
[[Category:Terileptil novels]]
[[Category:Stories set in London]]
[[Category:Stories set in London]]
[[Category:Stories set in 1666]]
[[Category:Stories set in 1666]]

Latest revision as of 13:44, 28 April 2024

RealWorld.png

Doctor Who and the Visitation was a novelisation based on the 1982 television serial The Visitation. This was the first Fifth Doctor novelisation to be published.

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

1982 Target Books edition[[edit] | [edit source]]

Tegan, the young air hostess who quite unintentionally became a member of the TARDIS's crew, wants to return to her own time, but when the Doctor tries to take her back to Heathrow Airport in the twentieth century the TARDIS lands instead on the outskirts of seventeenth-century London.

The Doctor and his companions receive a decidedly unfriendly welcome - but it soon becomes clear that the sinister activities of other visitors from time and space have made the villagers extremely suspicious of outsiders.

As a result of the aliens' evil schemes, the Doctor finds himself on the point of playing a key role in a gruesome historical event...

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

"CALL YOURSELF A TIME LORD?" TEGAN SHOUTED. "A BROKEN CLOCK KEEPS BETTER TIME THAN YOU!"

The Doctor tries to return Tegan to the Heathrow she left in 1981, but instead the TARDIS lands just outside London in 1666 - the year of the Great Plague.

The Doctor and his companions receive a decidedly cool welcome - and it soon becomes clear that the sinister activities of other visitors from space and time have made the villagers extremely sensitive of outsiders.

And as a result of the aliens' evil schemes, the Doctor finds himself on the point of playing a key role in a gruesome historical event.

This is a novelization by Eric Saward of his own television story, first broadcast in 1982.

2016 BBC Books edition[[edit] | [edit source]]

Trying to get Tegan back to Heathrow in 1981, the Doctor brings the TARDIS to the right place, but over 300 years early - to 1666. They are not the only visitors as Death stalks the local woods, complete with cloak, scythe and a skull like face.

In fact, 'Death' is and android bought by a group of alien Terileptils whose spaceship has crashed. Criminals and fugitives from their own race, they now plan to take over Earth. With Adric and Tegan captured, the Doctor and Nyssa try to deal with the deadly android, and a group of local villagers under the control of the Terileptils.

But even if they succeed, can they prevent the Terileptils from unleashing an even more deadly form of the Black Death?

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

Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven

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

  • The Doctor realises who the Terileptils are because they left their tag on their escape capsule; this was not explained in the televised story.
  • The Squire is named Sir John.
  • Elizabeth is in her room when she spots the Terileptil spacecraft crashing, rather than playing chess with her father as in the televised version.
  • Sir John and his family are described as being killed by the Terileptil android, whereas in the televised version their deaths are only implied.
  • Tegan's references to the events of Kinda while talking with Nyssa in her room are removed.
  • The Doctor telling off Adric for his recklessness with the T.S.S. machine on Deva Loka has been excised.

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

  • This was the first book in the range to feature the use of a photographic cover. A jacket painting was commissioned and created by David McAllister, but due to objections from Peter Davison's agent about artwork depictions of his client at the time, this was never used; Target switched to using a photograph of Davison for the cover. (The only first edition Fifth Doctor Target books to feature artwork rather than photos of Davison's Doctor were Castrovalva and The Five Doctors.)[1]
  • This was the first title to be referred to in the Target library as book number 74. The number appeared on the cover on a subsequent reprint.
  • Dedication: `For Paula, with fondest love'
  • The book has a cover flash reading A BBC TV PROGRAMME WITH PETER DAVISON AS THE DOCTOR.
  • This novelisation was later released as part of The History Collection.

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

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

First publication:

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

Re-issues:

Audiobook[[edit] | [edit source]]

This Target Book was released as an audiobook on 4 October 2012 complete and unabridged by BBC Audio and read by Matthew Waterhouse.

The cover blurb and thumbnail illustrations were retained in the accompanying booklet with sleevenotes by David J. Howe. Music and sound effects by Simon Power.

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

Footnotes[[edit] | [edit source]]

  1. Howe, D.J., Stammers, M. and Walker, S.J., Doctor Who- The Eighties, p160. ISBN 978-0-75-35012-83.