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{{Infobox Story
{{Infobox Story SMW
|image= Synthespians™.jpg
|image       = Synthespians™.jpg
|series=[[BBC Past Doctor Adventures]]
|series       = [[BBC Past Doctor Adventures]]
|number= 67
|number       = 65
|doctor= Sixth Doctor
|doctor       = Sixth Doctor
|companions= [[Peri Brown|Peri]]
|companions   = [[Peri Brown|Peri]]
|enemy= {{il|[[Walter J. Matheson]]|[[Nestene Consciousness]]|[[Auton]]s}}
|enemy       = {{il|[[Walter J. Matheson]]|[[Nestene Consciousness]]|[[Auton]]s}}
|setting= [[New Earth Republic]], [[101st century]]
|setting     = [[New Earth Republic]], [[101st century]]
|writer= [[Craig Hinton]]
|writer       = Craig Hinton
|publisher= BBC Books
|publisher   = BBC Books
|cover=[[Black Sheep]]
|cover       = [[Black Sheep]]
|release date= [[19 July (releases)|19 July]] [[2004 (releases)|2004]]
|release date = 19 July 2004
|format= Paperback Book; 15 Chapters, 277 Pages
|format       = Paperback Book; 15 Chapters, 277 Pages
|isbn= ISBN 0-563-48617-1
|isbn         = ISBN 0-563-48617-1
|prev= The Eleventh Tiger (novel)
|prev         = The Eleventh Tiger (novel)
|next= The Algebra of Ice (novel)
|next         = The Algebra of Ice (novel)
}}{{prose stub}}
}}
'''''{{StoryTitle}}''''' was the sixty-seventh [[BBC Past Doctor Adventures]] novel. It featured the [[Sixth Doctor]] and [[Peri Brown]]. This was author [[Craig Hinton]]'s last ''[[Doctor Who]]'' novel.
'''''Synthespians™''''' was the sixty-fifth novel in the [[BBC Past Doctor Adventures]] series. It was written by [[Craig Hinton]], released [[19 July (releases)|19 July]] [[2004 (releases)|2004]] and featured the [[Sixth Doctor]] and [[Peri Brown]].
 
This was author Craig Hinton's last ''[[Doctor Who]]'' novel.


== Publisher's summary ==
== Publisher's summary ==
"We've been colonising planets for a thousand million years," she said, turning to the camera and giving her trademark smile. "All right, Mr. Matheson — I'm ready for my close-up."
"We've been colonising planets for a thousand million years," she said, turning to the camera and giving her trademark smile. "All right, Mr. Matheson — I'm ready for my close-up."


In the 101st century, nostalgia is everything. [[Television]] from the [[20th century]] is the new obsession, and [[Reef Station One]] is receiving broadcasts from a distant [[Earth]] of the past, transmitting them to a waiting audience.
In the [[101st century]], nostalgia is everything. [[Television]] from the [[20th century]] is the new obsession, and [[Reef Station One]] is receiving broadcasts from a distant [[Earth]] of the past, transmitting them to a waiting audience.


When the [[Sixth Doctor]] and [[Peri Brown|Peri]] arrive on Reef Station One, they find a fractured society, totally dependent on film and television. They also discover that the Republic's greatest entrepreneur [[Walter J. Matheson]] is in league with one of the Doctor's [[Nestene Consciousness|oldest enemies]].
When [[Sixth Doctor|the Doctor]] and [[Peri Brown|Peri]] arrive on [[Reef Station One]], they find a fractured society, totally dependent on [[film]] and [[television]]. They also discover that the Republic's greatest entrepreneur [[Walter J. Matheson]] is in league with one of the Doctor's [[Nestene Consciousness|oldest enemies]].


As the [[alien]] influence spreads its [[tentacle]]s throughout the Republic, the [[Sixth Doctor]] and [[Peri]] must unravel the link between Walter J. Matheson's business empire and the invaders. Because, if they don't, they'll end up in the deadliest [[soap opera]] of all time.
As the [[alien]] influence spreads its [[tentacle]]s throughout the Republic, the Doctor and Peri must unravel the link between Walter J. Matheson's business empire and the invaders. Because, if they don't, they'll end up in the deadliest [[soap opera]] of all time.


== Plot ==
== Plot ==
Line 44: Line 46:
* [[Sean Brady]]
* [[Sean Brady]]


== References ==
== Worldbuilding ==
=== Individuals ===
=== Individuals ===
* The Doctor has met [[Francis Bacon]], [[Sigmund Freud]], [[Geoffrey Chaucer]] and [[Samuel Johnson]].
* The Doctor has met [[Francis Bacon]], [[Sigmund Freud]], [[Geoffrey Chaucer]] and [[Samuel Johnson]].
* Peri has shopped in a [[25th century]] [[Wal-Mart]].
* Peri has shopped in a [[25th century]] [[Wal-Mart]].
* The Doctor recognises the TARDISes attacking the Nestene Homeworld as [[Type 70]] [[War TARDIS]]es.


=== Planets ===
=== Planets ===
* Some of the planets of the New Earth Republic include [[New California]], [[Tranicula]], [[New Regency]], [[Bel Terra]], [[Paxas]], [[New Aspen]] and [[New Alaska]].
* Some of the planets of the New Earth Republic include [[New California]], [[Tranicula]], [[New Regency]], [[Bel Terra]], [[Paxas]], [[New Aspen]] and [[New Alaska]].
* [[Polymos]] is the Nestene Homeworld.
=== Species ===
* The [[Reverent Pentiarchs of Loorn]] were a species that was completely conquered by the [[Nestene Consciousness]].


=== Television ===
=== Television ===
* Television programmes restored and broadcast from Reef Station One include ''[[Dixon of Dock Green]]'', ''[[The Sweeney]]'', ''[[The Bill]]'', ''[[Dallas (TV series)|Dallas]]'', ''[[Dynasty]]'', ''[[Baywatch]]'', ''[[Professor X]]'', ''[[Babylon 5]]'', ''[[Crossroads]]'', ''[[Falcon Crest]]'', ''[[Z-Cars]]'', ''[[The Forsyte Saga]]'', ''[[The Six Million Dollar Man]]'', ''[[EastEnders]]'', ''[[The Tomorrow People]]'' and ''[[Juliet Bravo]]''.
* Television programmes restored and broadcast from Reef Station One include ''[[Dixon of Dock Green]]'', ''[[The Sweeney]]'', ''[[The Bill]]'', ''[[Dallas (TV series)|Dallas]]'', ''[[Dynasty (TV series)|Dynasty]]'', ''[[Baywatch]]'', ''[[Professor X]]'', ''[[Babylon 5]]'', ''[[Crossroads]]'', ''[[Falcon Crest]]'', ''[[Z-Cars]]'', ''[[The Forsyte Saga]]'', ''[[The Six Million Dollar Man]]'', ''[[EastEnders]]'', ''[[The Tomorrow People]]'' and ''[[Juliet Bravo]]''.
* Original programs broadcast from Reef Station One include ''[[Dreams of Tomorrow]]'', ''[[Executive Desires]]'', ''[[As the Worlds Turn]]'', ''[[Dusty the Fearless Monster Killer]]'', ''[[Space Journey: Traveller]]'', ''[[Star Traveller: The Motion Picture]]'', ''[[The Secret Files]]'', ''[[Confessions of a Monoid]]'', ''[[The Rep]]'', ''[[ReefEnders]]'', ''[[Liberation Street]]'', and ''[[This Evening With Phil and Bev]]''.
* Original programs broadcast from Reef Station One include ''[[Dreams of Tomorrow]]'', ''[[Executive Desires]]'', ''[[As the Worlds Turn]]'', ''[[Dusty the Fearless Monster Killer]]'', ''[[Space Journey: Traveller]]'', ''[[Star Traveller: The Motion Picture]]'', ''[[The Secret Files]]'', ''[[Confessions of a Monoid]]'', ''[[The Rep]]'', ''[[ReefEnders]]'', ''[[Liberation Street]]'', and ''[[This Evening With Phil and Bev]]''.
=== Foods and beverages ===
* Whilst in the cinema, the Doctor demands [[popcorn]], [[chocolate]]s, a [[hot dog]], [[Nacho crisp|nachos]] and dips, and a super-size fizzy drink. He eats [[toast]] with [[strawberry]] [[jam]] for [[breakfast]], with a pot of [[Earl Grey]] [[tea]]. He drinks Glen Garioch [[Whisky|whiskey]] offered by Matheson.
* The Doctor and Peri eat [[waffle]]s, [[maple syrup]], [[egg]]s-over-easy and [[coffee]] in the TARDIS.
* Peri eats [[avocado]] with [[prawn]]s on Reef Station One, and drinks [[espresso]] [[Crème Brulée|crème brulee]] served with a single [[fig]].


== Notes ==
== Notes ==
[[File:Synthepianspreview.jpg|thumb|Illustrated preview from [[DWM 345]].]]
* An illustrated preview for this story appeared in [[DWM 345]].
* The cover for this novel went through several modifications of its design.
* The cover for this novel went through several modifications of its design.
:* The first cover was created by James Gent for [[Craig Hinton]] as a proof of concept, intended to be "like ''[[Spearhead from Space]]'' crossed with ''Dynasty''".
** The first version of the cover was created by James Gent for [[Craig Hinton]] as a proof of concept, intended to be "like ''[[Spearhead from Space (TV story)|Spearhead from Space]]'' crossed with ''Dynasty''".
:* Unfortunately, [[Black Sheep]] (the cover designers for [[BBC Books]]' range of PDAs) interpreted him literally, using copyrighted images of the cast of ''Dynasty'' but as Autons. This was technically illegal, necessitating the entire batch to be pulped.
** Unfortunately, [[Black Sheep]] (the cover designers for [[BBC Books]]' range of PDAs) interpreted Gent's prompt literally and used copyrighted images of the cast of ''Dynasty'' as Autons. This was technically illegal, necessitating the entire batch to be pulped.
:* The third cover was approved for publishing, but featured mirroring on both the background and the two female Autons, prompting Black Sheep to make several modifications to it before publication. <ref>[http://www.millenniumeffect.co.uk/lit/synthespians.php Millennium Effect - Synthespians]</ref>
** The third cover was approved for publishing, but featured mirroring on both the background and the two female Autons, prompting Black Sheep to make several modifications to it before publication.<ref>[http://www.millenniumeffect.co.uk/lit/synthespians.php Millennium Effect - Synthespians]</ref>
* The book was dedicated to author Craig Hinton's friend Adam Richards, who had died suddenly around the time ''Synthespians™'' was finished. Richards' partner, Robbie Langton, later contributed a story and a personal note thanking Hinton to the [[charity anthology]] ''[[Shelf Life]]'', which was released in 2008 in Hinton's memory.
 
== Continuity ==
* Peri and the Doctor have faced [[Cyberman|Cybermen]], ([[TV]]: ''[[Attack of the Cybermen (TV story)|Attack of the Cybermen]]'') [[Gastropod|giant slugs]], ([[TV]]: ''[[The Twin Dilemma (TV story)|The Twin Dilemma]]'') [[Valethske]], ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Superior Beings (novel)|Superior Beings]]'') [[Sil]], ([[TV]]: ''[[Vengeance on Varos (TV story)|Vengeance on Varos]]'') [[Sharaz Jek]], ([[TV]]: ''[[The Caves of Androzani (TV story)|The Caves of Androzani]]'') and [[Tablibik]]. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Fascination (short story)|Fascination]]'')
* The [[Chen Dynasty]] has fallen since the founding of the [[New Earth Republic]]. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[The Crystal Bucephalus (novel)|The Crystal Bucephalus]]'', [[TV]]: ''[[The Daleks' Master Plan (TV story)|The Daleks' Master Plan]]'')
* The [[Cyberlord|group who were once the Cybermen]] are [[pacifist]], and no longer call themselves "[[Cyberman|Cybermen]]". ([[PROSE]]: ''[[The Crystal Bucephalus (novel)|The Crystal Bucephalus]]'', ''[[The Quantum Archangel (novel)|The Quantum Archangel]]'')
* The Doctor tells Peri about [[Shub-Niggurath]]. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Millennial Rites (novel)|Millennial Rites]]'')
* Peri mentions that she's commanded armies and once was once a warlord. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Warmonger (novel)|Warmonger]]'')
* Peri's scar from her recent experience on [[Dorsill]] is healed. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Grave Matter (novel)|Grave Matter]]'')
* The Doctor recalls a history of [[Earth]] in relation to extraterrestrial forces:
** In the [[20th century]], [[human]]ity hadn't heard of the [[Dalek]]s, [[Cyberman|Cybermen]], or [[Sontaran]]s. Humans managed to miss the ancient civilisation of the [[Ice Warrior|Martians]], despite many probes and landings. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Ice Warriors (TV story)|The Ice Warriors]]'', et al.) They also hadn’t looked under the surface of their own world and discovered the [[Earth Reptile]]s in hibernation. ([[TV]]: ''[[Doctor Who and the Silurians (TV story)|Doctor Who and the Silurians]]'')
** Aliens have encountered humanity throughout time, from beings such as the [[Eternal]]s, who saw them as playthings, ([[TV]]: ''[[Enlightenment (TV story)|Enlightenment]]'') to the [[Dæmon]]s, who saw them as laboratory experiments. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Dæmons (TV story)|The Dæmons]]'')
** The earliest alien incursion on Earth was possibly the [[Jagaroth]], ([[TV]]: ''[[City of Death (TV story)|City of Death]]'') but that was arguable: in [[5720]], in the aftermath of [[World War VI]], ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Emotional Chemistry (novel)|Emotional Chemistry]]'') deep-core archaeologists had discovered the crushed and near-fossilised remains of a [[Khorlthochloi]] starship. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Superior Beings (novel)|Superior Beings]]'')
** Civil engineers excavating for a new runway at [[Heathrow Airport]] had quite a surprise when they discovered three-hundred-year-old metallic artefacts that defied analysis ([[TV]]: ''[[The Visitation (TV story)|The Visitation]]'') – and that was before they discovered [[Concorde]] [[Golf Victor Foxtrot]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Time-Flight (TV story)|Time-Flight]]'')


== Gallery ==
<gallery position=center captionalign=center hideaddbutton="true" >
<gallery position=center captionalign=center hideaddbutton="true" >
File:Synthespians_mock_cover.jpg|First cover
File:Synthespians mock cover.jpg|Initial mockup cover by James Gent.
File:Synthespians_dynasty_cover.jpg|Second '''Dynasty''' cover
File:Synthespians dynasty cover.jpg|First [[Black Sheep]] cover with copyrighted ''Destiny'' images.
File:Synthespians_cover_1.jpg|Third cover
File:Synthespians cover 1.jpg|Second Black Sheep cover with mirroring.
File:Synthespians™.jpg|Final Black Sheep cover.
File:Synthepianspreview.jpg|Illustrated preview from [[DWM 345]].
File:Synthespians pulp cover.jpg|"Pulp cover" from ''[[Shelf Life]]''.
</gallery>
</gallery>
== Continuity ==
* In the year [[200,100]], the [[Earth]] was also dependent solely on TV, mainly the broadcasts from the [[Game Station]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Bad Wolf (TV story)|Bad Wolf]]'')
=== Footnotes ===
{{reflist}}


== External links ==
== External links ==
Line 80: Line 102:
* {{whoniverse|pd66|Synthespians™}}
* {{whoniverse|pd66|Synthespians™}}
* [http://mysite.science.uottawa.ca/rsmith43/cloister/synthespians.htm The Cloister Library: '''Synthespians™''']
* [http://mysite.science.uottawa.ca/rsmith43/cloister/synthespians.htm The Cloister Library: '''Synthespians™''']
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20050407072403/http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/news/drwho/2004/06/01/13205.shtml Interview: Synthespians]


== Footnotes ==
{{reflist}}
{{PDA}}
{{PDA}}
{{Nestene stories}}
{{Auton stories}}
{{Auton stories}}
{{TitleSort}}
{{TitleSort}}
Line 90: Line 116:
[[Category:2004 novels]]
[[Category:2004 novels]]
[[Category:Nestene/Auton novels]]
[[Category:Nestene/Auton novels]]
[[Category:Stories set in the 101st century]]

Latest revision as of 19:45, 9 November 2023

RealWorld.png

Synthespians™ was the sixty-fifth novel in the BBC Past Doctor Adventures series. It was written by Craig Hinton, released 19 July 2004 and featured the Sixth Doctor and Peri Brown.

This was author Craig Hinton's last Doctor Who novel.

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

"We've been colonising planets for a thousand million years," she said, turning to the camera and giving her trademark smile. "All right, Mr. Matheson — I'm ready for my close-up."

In the 101st century, nostalgia is everything. Television from the 20th century is the new obsession, and Reef Station One is receiving broadcasts from a distant Earth of the past, transmitting them to a waiting audience.

When the Doctor and Peri arrive on Reef Station One, they find a fractured society, totally dependent on film and television. They also discover that the Republic's greatest entrepreneur Walter J. Matheson is in league with one of the Doctor's oldest enemies.

As the alien influence spreads its tentacles throughout the Republic, the Doctor and Peri must unravel the link between Walter J. Matheson's business empire and the invaders. Because, if they don't, they'll end up in the deadliest soap opera of all time.

Plot[[edit] | [edit source]]

to be added

Characters[[edit] | [edit source]]

Worldbuilding[[edit] | [edit source]]

Individuals[[edit] | [edit source]]

Planets[[edit] | [edit source]]

Species[[edit] | [edit source]]

Television[[edit] | [edit source]]

Foods and beverages[[edit] | [edit source]]

Notes[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • The cover for this novel went through several modifications of its design.
    • The first version of the cover was created by James Gent for Craig Hinton as a proof of concept, intended to be "like Spearhead from Space crossed with Dynasty".
    • Unfortunately, Black Sheep (the cover designers for BBC Books' range of PDAs) interpreted Gent's prompt literally and used copyrighted images of the cast of Dynasty as Autons. This was technically illegal, necessitating the entire batch to be pulped.
    • The third cover was approved for publishing, but featured mirroring on both the background and the two female Autons, prompting Black Sheep to make several modifications to it before publication.[1]
  • The book was dedicated to author Craig Hinton's friend Adam Richards, who had died suddenly around the time Synthespians™ was finished. Richards' partner, Robbie Langton, later contributed a story and a personal note thanking Hinton to the charity anthology Shelf Life, which was released in 2008 in Hinton's memory.

Continuity[[edit] | [edit source]]

Gallery[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • Initial mockup cover by James Gent.

    Initial mockup cover by James Gent.

  • First Black Sheep cover with copyrighted Destiny images.

    First Black Sheep cover with copyrighted Destiny images.

  • Second Black Sheep cover with mirroring.

    Second Black Sheep cover with mirroring.

  • Final Black Sheep cover.

    Final Black Sheep cover.

  • Illustrated preview from DWM 345.

    Illustrated preview from DWM 345.

  • "Pulp cover" from Shelf Life.

    "Pulp cover" from Shelf Life.

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

Footnotes[[edit] | [edit source]]

  1. ↑ Millennium Effect - Synthespians
v • e
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