Doctor Who and the Sontaran Experiment (novelisation): Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox Novel| | {{Infobox Novel| | ||
novel name=Doctor Who and the Sontaran Experiment| | novel name=Doctor Who and the Sontaran Experiment| | ||
image=[[ | image=[[File:Sontaran_Experiment_novel.jpg|250px]]| | ||
series=[[Target novelisation]]s | | series=[[Target novelisation]]s | | ||
number= 56 (given to later editions) | | number= 56 (given to later editions) | | ||
| Line 12: | Line 12: | ||
writer= [[Ian Marter]]| | writer= [[Ian Marter]]| | ||
publisher= [[Target Books]], [[W.H. Allen & Co]]| | publisher= [[Target Books]], [[W.H. Allen & Co]]| | ||
release date= November [[1978]] (hardcover)<br> December [[1978]] (paperback)| | release date= November [[1978]] (hardcover)<br /> December [[1978]] (paperback)| | ||
format= Hardcover and paperback editions, 96 Pages| | format= Hardcover and paperback editions, 96 Pages| | ||
isbn= ISBN 0-426-20049-7| | isbn= ISBN 0-426-20049-7| | ||
previous story=[[Doctor Who and the Ark in Space]] | | previous story=[[Doctor Who and the Ark in Space]] | | ||
next story=[[Doctor Who and the Genesis of the Daleks ]] }} | next story=[[Doctor Who and the Genesis of the Daleks]] }} | ||
==Novelisation== | == Novelisation == | ||
* This novelisation is based on the original television serial ([[DW]]): '' [[The Sontaran Experiment]] '' which was and written by [[Bob Baker]] and [[Dave Martin]] and shown from 22nd February 1975. | * This novelisation is based on the original television serial ([[DW]]): '' [[The Sontaran Experiment]] '' which was and written by [[Bob Baker]] and [[Dave Martin]] and shown from 22nd February 1975. | ||
* The cover and information shown on the right is for the original Target novel. It featured the artwork of [[Roy Knipe]]. (See below for information on other editions with different covers). | * The cover and information shown on the right is for the original Target novel. It featured the artwork of [[Roy Knipe]]. (See below for information on other editions with different covers). | ||
==Publisher's summary== | == Publisher's summary == | ||
Landing on [[Earth]], now a barren, desolate planet, [[Sarah Jane Smith|Sarah]], [[Harry Sullivan|Harry]] and the [[Fourth Doctor]] are unaware of the large, watching robot. The robot is the work of [[Styre]], a [[Sontaran]] warrior, who uses all humans landing here for his experimental programmes. <br> | Landing on [[Earth]], now a barren, desolate planet, [[Sarah Jane Smith|Sarah]], [[Harry Sullivan|Harry]] and the [[Fourth Doctor]] are unaware of the large, watching robot. The robot is the work of [[Styre]], a [[Sontaran]] warrior, who uses all humans landing here for his experimental programmes. <br /> | ||
What has happened to the other space explorers who have come here? Why is the Sontaran scout so interested in Earth and is brutally torturing humans, including Sarah Jane? Will the Doctor, be able to prevent an invasion and certain disaster, and save both Earth and his companions? <br> | What has happened to the other space explorers who have come here? Why is the Sontaran scout so interested in Earth and is brutally torturing humans, including Sarah Jane? Will the Doctor, be able to prevent an invasion and certain disaster, and save both Earth and his companions? <br /> | ||
==Illustrations== | == Illustrations == | ||
* None | * None | ||
== Deviations from televised story == | == Deviations from televised story == | ||
*Unlike the televised story, in which the Doctor, Sarah, and Harry use [[Space Station Nerva]]'s [[transmat]] to come down to Earth, they come down in the TARDIS, which is then accidentally returned to Nerva by the transmat. | * Unlike the televised story, in which the Doctor, Sarah, and Harry use [[Space Station Nerva]]'s [[transmat]] to come down to Earth, they come down in the TARDIS, which is then accidentally returned to Nerva by the transmat. | ||
*Nerva is consistently referred to by the Doctor and other characters as "Terra Nova". | * Nerva is consistently referred to by the Doctor and other characters as "Terra Nova". | ||
*Despite being called Styre on the back cover, within the text the Sontaran refers to himself as Sontaran Military Assessor Styr. | * Despite being called Styre on the back cover, within the text the Sontaran refers to himself as Sontaran Military Assessor Styr. | ||
*After falling down a hole, the Doctor has a dream about rats chewing their way into the TARDIS. | * After falling down a hole, the Doctor has a dream about rats chewing their way into the TARDIS. | ||
*Harry initially believes the Sontaran to be a Golem. | * Harry initially believes the Sontaran to be a Golem. | ||
*The Sontaran robot is called a Scavenger and is described as hovering and octopus-like. It is much more sophisticated than the version seen in the televised story (probably owing to the limitations of a television budget). | * The Sontaran robot is called a Scavenger and is described as hovering and octopus-like. It is much more sophisticated than the version seen in the televised story (probably owing to the limitations of a television budget). | ||
*Styr's energy weapon is built into his armour, and described as "concealed" by the armour. | * Styr's energy weapon is built into his armour, and described as "concealed" by the armour. | ||
*The Sontaran ship is much larger than the ones seen in the televised version, and a description of its interior as multi-chambered is given. It is also apparently patrolled by smaller versions of the Scavenger. | * The Sontaran ship is much larger than the ones seen in the televised version, and a description of its interior as multi-chambered is given. It is also apparently patrolled by smaller versions of the Scavenger. | ||
*Inside the Sontaran ship, Harry discovers two more Sontarans, apparently hibernating. | * Inside the Sontaran ship, Harry discovers two more Sontarans, apparently hibernating. | ||
*Sarah destroys one of the patrol robots with the the Doctor's [[sonic screwdriver]]. | * Sarah destroys one of the patrol robots with the the Doctor's [[sonic screwdriver]]. | ||
==Writing and publishing notes== | == Writing and publishing notes == | ||
* [[Ian Marter]] suggested novelising this two-parter which no-one else was interested in doing. | * [[Ian Marter]] suggested novelising this two-parter which no-one else was interested in doing. | ||
* Marter also portrayed the character of [[Harry Sullivan]] in the story. He had previously adapted ''[[Doctor Who and the Ark in Space|The Ark in Space]]'', in which he had also appeared. These two books are unique as being, to date, the only examples of a ''Doctor Who'' actor adapting his own TV stories. Marter would go on to write numerous other novelisations for Doctor Who before his death in 1986 (with posthumous publications continuing for more than a year thereafter). | * Marter also portrayed the character of [[Harry Sullivan]] in the story. He had previously adapted ''[[Doctor Who and the Ark in Space|The Ark in Space]]'', in which he had also appeared. These two books are unique as being, to date, the only examples of a ''Doctor Who'' actor adapting his own TV stories. Marter would go on to write numerous other novelisations for Doctor Who before his death in 1986 (with posthumous publications continuing for more than a year thereafter). | ||
* This was the first time a two-episode story was adapted for a novel, and established that it was possible to expand the somewhat scant material of a two-parter into a full-length novel, opening the door for later adaptations of the other two parters in the series. | * This was the first time a two-episode story was adapted for a novel, and established that it was possible to expand the somewhat scant material of a two-parter into a full-length novel, opening the door for later adaptations of the other two parters in the series. | ||
==Additional cover images== | == Additional cover images == | ||
''To be added'' | ''To be added'' | ||
==British publication history== | == British publication history == | ||
'''First Publication:''' | '''First Publication:''' | ||
| Line 59: | Line 59: | ||
''To be added'' | ''To be added'' | ||
==Editions published outside Britain== | == Editions published outside Britain == | ||
''To be added'' | ''To be added'' | ||
==See also== | == See also == | ||
* '''[[The Target Book]]''' by [[David J Howe]] ([[Telos Publishing]] 2007) | * '''[[The Target Book]]''' by [[David J Howe]] ([[Telos Publishing]] 2007) | ||
==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] | * [http://www.personal.leeds.ac.uk/~ecl6nb/OnTarget/general/main.htm ''On Target'' a comprehensive guide to the Target novelisations by Tim Neal] | ||
{{DWN}} | {{DWN}} | ||
Revision as of 00:33, 4 November 2011
Novelisation
- This novelisation is based on the original television serial (DW): The Sontaran Experiment which was and written by Bob Baker and Dave Martin and shown from 22nd February 1975.
- The cover and information shown on the right is for the original Target novel. It featured the artwork of Roy Knipe. (See below for information on other editions with different covers).
Publisher's summary
Landing on Earth, now a barren, desolate planet, Sarah, Harry and the Fourth Doctor are unaware of the large, watching robot. The robot is the work of Styre, a Sontaran warrior, who uses all humans landing here for his experimental programmes.
What has happened to the other space explorers who have come here? Why is the Sontaran scout so interested in Earth and is brutally torturing humans, including Sarah Jane? Will the Doctor, be able to prevent an invasion and certain disaster, and save both Earth and his companions?
Illustrations
- None
Deviations from televised story
- Unlike the televised story, in which the Doctor, Sarah, and Harry use Space Station Nerva's transmat to come down to Earth, they come down in the TARDIS, which is then accidentally returned to Nerva by the transmat.
- Nerva is consistently referred to by the Doctor and other characters as "Terra Nova".
- Despite being called Styre on the back cover, within the text the Sontaran refers to himself as Sontaran Military Assessor Styr.
- After falling down a hole, the Doctor has a dream about rats chewing their way into the TARDIS.
- Harry initially believes the Sontaran to be a Golem.
- The Sontaran robot is called a Scavenger and is described as hovering and octopus-like. It is much more sophisticated than the version seen in the televised story (probably owing to the limitations of a television budget).
- Styr's energy weapon is built into his armour, and described as "concealed" by the armour.
- The Sontaran ship is much larger than the ones seen in the televised version, and a description of its interior as multi-chambered is given. It is also apparently patrolled by smaller versions of the Scavenger.
- Inside the Sontaran ship, Harry discovers two more Sontarans, apparently hibernating.
- Sarah destroys one of the patrol robots with the the Doctor's sonic screwdriver.
Writing and publishing notes
- Ian Marter suggested novelising this two-parter which no-one else was interested in doing.
- Marter also portrayed the character of Harry Sullivan in the story. He had previously adapted The Ark in Space, in which he had also appeared. These two books are unique as being, to date, the only examples of a Doctor Who actor adapting his own TV stories. Marter would go on to write numerous other novelisations for Doctor Who before his death in 1986 (with posthumous publications continuing for more than a year thereafter).
- This was the first time a two-episode story was adapted for a novel, and established that it was possible to expand the somewhat scant material of a two-parter into a full-length novel, opening the door for later adaptations of the other two parters in the series.
Additional cover images
To be added
British publication history
First Publication:
- Hardback
- W.H. Allen & Co. Ltd. UK
- Paperback
- Target
Re-issues: To be added
Editions published outside Britain
To be added
See also
- The Target Book by David J Howe (Telos Publishing 2007)
