The Time Meddler (novelisation): Difference between revisions

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{{Infobox Story SMW
{{Infobox Novel|
|image= <gallery>Time Meddler novel.jpg|1988 edition
name= Doctor Who - The Time Meddler|
CumminsTimeMeddler.jpg|1992 edition
image=  Time_Meddler_novel.jpg |
</gallery>
series=[[Target novelisation]]s |
|series = [[Target novelisation]]s
number= 126 |
|number= 126  
doctor=First Doctor |
|novelisation of= The Time Meddler (TV story)
companions= [[Vicki Pallister]]<br />[[Steven Taylor]] |
|doctor= First Doctor  
enemy= [[The Monk]] |
|companions= [[Vicki Pallister|Vicki]], [[Steven Taylor|Steven]]
year= [[England]], [[1066]] |
|enemy= [[First Monk]]  
writer= [[Nigel Robinson]] |
|setting= [[England]], [[1066]]
publisher= [[Target Books]], [[W.H. Allen & Co]] |
|writer= Nigel Robinson
release date= [[October]] [[1987]] (hardcover)<br />[[March]] [[1988]] (paperback) |
|read by= [[Peter Purves]]
format= Hardcover and paperback editions, 144 Pages |
|cover = [[Jeff Cummins]]
isbn= ISBN 0-426-20312-7|
|publisher= Target Books
prev= The Chase (novelisation)|Doctor Who – The Chase |
|publisher2= W.H. Allen
next= Galaxy Four (novelisation)|Doctor Who – Galaxy Four  }}
|release date= 17 March 1988
|format= Hardcover and paperback editions; 13 Chapters, 144 Pages
|isbn= ISBN 0-426-20312-7
|prev= Terror of the Vervoids (novelisation)
|next= The Mysterious Planet (novelisation)
|series2 = [[List of Doctor Who television stories|TV series order]]
|prev2= The Chase (novelisation)
|next2= Galaxy Four (novelisation)
|soundcloudclip = https://soundcloud.com/penguin-books/doctor-who-the-time-meddler-bbc-audio-audiobook-extract
|trailer      = Listen! Doctor Who Audiobooks Ft. David Tennant, Matt Smith and Many More...
}}
'''''{{StoryTitle}}''''' was a novelisation based on the 1965 television serial ''[[The Time Meddler (TV story)|The Time Meddler]]''.
 
== Publisher's summary ==
=== 1988 Target Books edition ===
When [[the Doctor's TARDIS|the TARDIS]] materialises on an apparently deserted [[Northumbria]]n beach, [[Steven Taylor|Steven]] disputes [[First Doctor|the Doctor]]'s claim that they have travelled back to the [[11th century|eleventh century]]. The discovery of a modern [[watch|wristwatch]] in a nearby forest merely reinforces his opinion.
 
But it is [[1066]], the most important date in [[England|English]] history, and the Doctor's arrival has not gone unnoticed. Observing the appearance of the TARDIS is a [[First Monk|mysterious monk]] who recognises the time-machine for what it is. He also knows that the Doctor poses a serious threat to his master plan - a plan which, if successful, could alter the future of the entire world...
 
=== 1992 Target Books edition ===
'HOW DO YOU THINK IT WOULD AFFECT GALACTIC HISTORY? THINK IF THE TYRANTS OF THE [[Middle Ages|MIDDLE AGES]]; IMAGINE THEM ROAMING THE UNIVERSE!'
 
The TARDIS materialises on a deserted Northumbrian beach. The Doctor says that he and his two companions have arrived in the eleventh century - but Steven finds a modern wristwatch in the nearby forest.


== Novelisation ==
However, the years is AD 1066 and the Doctor's arrival has been noticed by a mysterious monk who recognises the TARDIS as a time machine and its owner as a threat to his carefully laid plans.
* This novelisation is based on the original television serial usually called [[TV]]: ''[[The Time Meddler]]'', which included individual episode titles. It was written by [[Dennis Spooner]] and shown from [[3 July]] [[1965]].
* The cover and information on the right are for the original Target edition. It featured the artwork of [[Tony Masero]]. (See below for information on editions with different covers).


== Publisher's summary ==
''The Time Meddler'' was first broadcast in [[1965 (releases)|1965]] and starred [[William Hartnell]] as the first incarnation of the Doctor; it has recently been shown again on [[BBC2]]. This novelization is by [[Nigel Robinson]], who has written a number of Doctor Who books including ''Timewyrm: Apocalypse'', one of the New Adventures series.
=== 1988 edition ===
When the [[the Doctor's TARDIS|TARDIS]] materialises on an apparently deserted Northumbrian beach, [[Steven Taylor|Steven]] disputes the [[First Doctor]]’s claim that they have travelled back to the [[11th century|eleventh century]]. The discovery of a modern wristwatch in a nearby forest merely reinforces his opinion.<br />
But it is [[1066]], the most important date in [[England|English]] history, and the Doctor’s arrival has not gone unnoticed. Observing the appearance of the TARDIS is a [[Mortimus|mysterious monk]] who recognises the time-machine for what it is. He also knows that the Doctor poses a serious threat to his master plan - a plan which, if successful, could alter the future of the entire world…


== Illustrations ==
== Chapter titles ==
None
* Prologue
# The Watcher
# The Saxons
# The Monastery
# Prisoners of the Saxons
# The Vikings
# An Empty Cell
# Unwelcome Visitors
# The Secret of the Monastery
# The Monk's Master Plan
# A Threat to the Future
# A Parting Gift
* Epilogue


== Deviations from televised story ==
== Deviations from televised story ==
Although not technically a deviation, the novelisation states quite clearly that The Doctor and The Monk recognise each other immediately, whereas the televised story, arguably, gives no such indication.
* In a prologue, Steven makes his way through the jungle, trying to avoid the Fungoids, and comes across the TARDIS.
* The bars of the Monk's trap in the monastery are made from rusted iron rather than pared wood.
* The Doctor and the Monk are said to recognise one another instantaneously. This is not strictly contradicted by the televised story, but not supported by it either. The only thing we have to go on in the televised the story is the Doctor's rather ambiguous comment about being "fifty years earlier" than the Monk. However, in the television serials ''[[The Daleks' Master Plan (TV story)|The Daleks' Master Plan]]'', the Monk states that the Doctor and he knew each other.
* The Monk cooks his prisoner's breakfast using a Baby Belling stove, a non-stick frying pan, rusty toaster and a stainless steel spatula, all the while whistling a tune that won't be written for another nine centuries. The meal is toast, eggs, bacon (with the option of tomato sauce), and a side of instant coffee. It's this meal that is thrown back into the Monk's face through the viewing hatch in the cell door, rather than the large amount of water (possibly the contents of a washbasin) used on television.
* Vicki and Steven discuss the Monk's plan as they did in the televised version, but the Doctor interrupts them and describes what the Monk's plan will do to them. Since Vicki and Steven are both English, the Doctor states clearly if the Monk succeeds in his plan then they will never have existed because without the Vikings' involvement, it's possible one of their ancestors was Norman and if that ancestor is killed they could not exist.
* The Doctor instructs Vicki and Steven to remove everything from the monastery that does not belong in 1066 (such as the gramophone, for example) so as not to interfere with history, saying the place must be exactly as it was before the Monk arrived.
* After stealing the Monk's dimensional circuit from his TARDIS, the Doctor makes special mention of removing the atomic cannon from the cliff edge.
* In an epilogue featuring original content, after Ulf and Sven are killed by the Saxons, the Monk makes several additional efforts to change the outcome of the Battle of Hastings after his original plan fails, before he returns to the monastery to discover that the Doctor has marooned him in 1066.


== Writing and publishing notes ==
== Writing and publishing notes ==
* The inside back cover includes colour details of Fantastic Doctor Who Poster Offers!
* The inside back cover includes colour details of "Fantastic ''Doctor Who'' Poster Offers!".
* The Virgin edition was a rushed reprint to coincide with a repeat screening of this serial on television. The cover artwork was reused but reversed.
* The cover for the original Target edition featured an artwork cover by [[Jeff Cummins]].
* The Virgin edition was a rushed reprint to coincide with the 1992 repeat screening of this serial on [[BBC Two]], and bore a red hexagonal flash reading <small>NOW BACK ON TELEVISION</small>. Jeff Cummins' cover artwork was reused for the reprint, but for reasons unknown a reversed image was used (the Monk is shown wearing his watch on his right wrist instead of the left).


== Additional cover images ==
== Additional cover images ==
 
<gallery position=center captionalign=center hideaddbutton="true" >
<gallery hideaddbutton="true" >
File:HardbackTimeMeddler.jpg|1987 Hardback edition
file:2TimeMeddler.jpg|1992 edition; Cover by [[Alister Pearson]]
File:CumminsTimeMeddler.jpg|1992 edition, with a reversed image of Jeff Cummins' cover artwork
</gallery>
</gallery>


== British publication history ==
== British publication history ==
: '''Hardback''' (October 1987)
: Hardback (October 1987)
* W.H.Allen & Co. Ltd. UK ISBN:0491033370, copies priced £7.95 (UK))
* W.H.Allen & Co. Ltd. UK ISBN:0491033370, copies priced £7.95 (UK))
: '''Paperback''' (March 1988)
: Paperback (March 1988)
* Target / W.H. Allen & Co. Ltd. One single paperback edition, estimated print run: 22,500, priced £1.99 (UK).
* Target / W.H. Allen & Co. Ltd. One single paperback edition, estimated print run: 22,500, priced £1.99 (UK).
: '''Paperback''' (May 1992)
: Paperback (May 1992)
* Target / Virgin Publishing Cover artwork was reversed, priced £2.99 (UK).
* Target / Virgin Publishing Cover artwork was reversed, priced £2.99 (UK).
 
== Audiobook ==
This Target Book was released as an audiobook on [[6 October (releases)|6 October]] [[2016 (releases)|2016]] complete and unabridged by [[BBC Audiobooks|BBC Physical Audio]] and read by [[Peter Purves]].


== Editions published outside Britain ==
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]].
''To be added''
 
The audiobook was reissued on [[2 February (releases)|2 February]] [[2023 (releases)|2023]] as part of the audiobook anthology ''[[The Renegades Collection]]''.
 
<gallery position=center captionalign=center hideaddbutton="true" >
File:The Time Meddler novelisation audiobook cover.jpg|Audiobook cover
The Renegades Collection.jpg|''The Renegades Collection''
</gallery>


== See also ==
* '''[[The Target Book]]''' by [[David J Howe]] ([[Telos Publishing]] 2007)
== External links ==
== External links ==
* {{On target|1988/timemedd/88timeme.htm|Doctor Who - The Time Meddler}}
''to be added''
 
{{DWN}}
{{DWN}}
{{TitleSort}}
{{TitleSort}}


[[Category:Target novelisations|Time Meddler]]
[[Category:Target novelisations]]
[[Category:1987 novels|Time Meddler]]
[[Category:1988 novels]]
[[Category:First Doctor novelisations]]
[[Category:The Monk novels]]
[[Category:Stories set in Northumbria]]
[[Category:Stories set in 1066]]
[[Category:Target novelisations with audiobook readings]]

Latest revision as of 20:51, 3 November 2024

RealWorld.png

The Time Meddler was a novelisation based on the 1965 television serial The Time Meddler.

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

1988 Target Books edition[[edit] | [edit source]]

When the TARDIS materialises on an apparently deserted Northumbrian beach, Steven disputes the Doctor's claim that they have travelled back to the eleventh century. The discovery of a modern wristwatch in a nearby forest merely reinforces his opinion.

But it is 1066, the most important date in English history, and the Doctor's arrival has not gone unnoticed. Observing the appearance of the TARDIS is a mysterious monk who recognises the time-machine for what it is. He also knows that the Doctor poses a serious threat to his master plan - a plan which, if successful, could alter the future of the entire world...

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

'HOW DO YOU THINK IT WOULD AFFECT GALACTIC HISTORY? THINK IF THE TYRANTS OF THE MIDDLE AGES; IMAGINE THEM ROAMING THE UNIVERSE!'

The TARDIS materialises on a deserted Northumbrian beach. The Doctor says that he and his two companions have arrived in the eleventh century - but Steven finds a modern wristwatch in the nearby forest.

However, the years is AD 1066 and the Doctor's arrival has been noticed by a mysterious monk who recognises the TARDIS as a time machine and its owner as a threat to his carefully laid plans.

The Time Meddler was first broadcast in 1965 and starred William Hartnell as the first incarnation of the Doctor; it has recently been shown again on BBC2. This novelization is by Nigel Robinson, who has written a number of Doctor Who books including Timewyrm: Apocalypse, one of the New Adventures series.

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

  • Prologue
  1. The Watcher
  2. The Saxons
  3. The Monastery
  4. Prisoners of the Saxons
  5. The Vikings
  6. An Empty Cell
  7. Unwelcome Visitors
  8. The Secret of the Monastery
  9. The Monk's Master Plan
  10. A Threat to the Future
  11. A Parting Gift
  • Epilogue

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

  • In a prologue, Steven makes his way through the jungle, trying to avoid the Fungoids, and comes across the TARDIS.
  • The bars of the Monk's trap in the monastery are made from rusted iron rather than pared wood.
  • The Doctor and the Monk are said to recognise one another instantaneously. This is not strictly contradicted by the televised story, but not supported by it either. The only thing we have to go on in the televised the story is the Doctor's rather ambiguous comment about being "fifty years earlier" than the Monk. However, in the television serials The Daleks' Master Plan, the Monk states that the Doctor and he knew each other.
  • The Monk cooks his prisoner's breakfast using a Baby Belling stove, a non-stick frying pan, rusty toaster and a stainless steel spatula, all the while whistling a tune that won't be written for another nine centuries. The meal is toast, eggs, bacon (with the option of tomato sauce), and a side of instant coffee. It's this meal that is thrown back into the Monk's face through the viewing hatch in the cell door, rather than the large amount of water (possibly the contents of a washbasin) used on television.
  • Vicki and Steven discuss the Monk's plan as they did in the televised version, but the Doctor interrupts them and describes what the Monk's plan will do to them. Since Vicki and Steven are both English, the Doctor states clearly if the Monk succeeds in his plan then they will never have existed because without the Vikings' involvement, it's possible one of their ancestors was Norman and if that ancestor is killed they could not exist.
  • The Doctor instructs Vicki and Steven to remove everything from the monastery that does not belong in 1066 (such as the gramophone, for example) so as not to interfere with history, saying the place must be exactly as it was before the Monk arrived.
  • After stealing the Monk's dimensional circuit from his TARDIS, the Doctor makes special mention of removing the atomic cannon from the cliff edge.
  • In an epilogue featuring original content, after Ulf and Sven are killed by the Saxons, the Monk makes several additional efforts to change the outcome of the Battle of Hastings after his original plan fails, before he returns to the monastery to discover that the Doctor has marooned him in 1066.

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

  • The inside back cover includes colour details of "Fantastic Doctor Who Poster Offers!".
  • The cover for the original Target edition featured an artwork cover by Jeff Cummins.
  • The Virgin edition was a rushed reprint to coincide with the 1992 repeat screening of this serial on BBC Two, and bore a red hexagonal flash reading NOW BACK ON TELEVISION. Jeff Cummins' cover artwork was reused for the reprint, but for reasons unknown a reversed image was used (the Monk is shown wearing his watch on his right wrist instead of the left).

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

  • 1987 Hardback edition

    1987 Hardback edition

  • 1992 edition, with a reversed image of Jeff Cummins' cover artwork

    1992 edition, with a reversed image of Jeff Cummins' cover artwork

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

Hardback (October 1987)
  • W.H.Allen & Co. Ltd. UK ISBN:0491033370, copies priced £7.95 (UK))
Paperback (March 1988)
  • Target / W.H. Allen & Co. Ltd. One single paperback edition, estimated print run: 22,500, priced £1.99 (UK).
Paperback (May 1992)
  • Target / Virgin Publishing Cover artwork was reversed, priced £2.99 (UK).

Audiobook[[edit] | [edit source]]

This Target Book was released as an audiobook on 6 October 2016 complete and unabridged by BBC Physical Audio and read by Peter Purves.

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.

The audiobook was reissued on 2 February 2023 as part of the audiobook anthology The Renegades Collection.

  • Audiobook cover

    Audiobook cover

  • The Renegades Collection

    The Renegades Collection

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

to be added

v • e
Doctor Who novelisations
 
First Doctor
Susan, Barbara, Ian
Barbara, Ian, Vicki
Barbara, Ian, Vicki, Steven
Vicki, Steven
Vicki, Steven, Katarina
Steven, Katarina, Sara
Steven, Sara
Steven
Steven, Dodo
Dodo, Ben, Polly
Ben, Polly
 
Second Doctor
Ben, Polly
Ben, Polly, Jamie
Jamie, Victoria
Jamie, Zoe
 
Third Doctor
Liz
Jo
Sarah
 
Fourth Doctor
Sarah, Harry
Sarah
Alone
Leela
Leela, K9 Mark I
Romana I, K9 Mark II
Romana II
Romana II, K9 Mark II
Romana II, K9 Mark II, Adric
Adric
Adric, Nyssa, Tegan
 
Fifth Doctor
Adric, Nyssa, Tegan
Nyssa, Tegan
Nyssa, Tegan, Turlough
Tegan, Turlough
Turlough, Peri
Peri
 
Sixth Doctor
Peri
Mel
 
Seventh Doctor
Mel
Mel, Ace
Ace
 
Eighth Doctor
Grace
Solo
 
Ninth Doctor (Scream of the Shalka)
Alison
 
Ninth Doctor
Rose
Rose, Adam
 
Tenth Doctor
Rose
Donna
Alone
 
Eleventh Doctor
Amy
Amy, River
Clara
 
Twelfth Doctor
Clara
Alone
Bill, Nardole
 
Thirteenth Doctor
Yaz, Ryan, Graham
 
Fourteenth Doctor
Donna
 
Fifteenth Doctor
Ruby
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