Time of Your Life (novel): Difference between revisions

From Tardis Wiki, the free Doctor Who reference
No edit summary
m (Changed protection settings for "Time of Your Life (novel)": Per Forum:Move protection of source pages (see talk page after bot run is finished for details) ([Move=Allow only autoconfirmed users] (indefinite)))
 
(13 intermediate revisions by 11 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{title dab away}}
{{title dab away}}
{{real world}}
{{real world}}
{{Infobox Story
{{Infobox Story SMW
|image       = Ma-8.jpg
|image           = Ma-8.jpg
|series       = [[Virgin Missing Adventures]]  
|series         = [[Virgin Missing Adventures]]
|number       = 8  
|range          = Virgin Missing Adventures
|doctor       = Sixth Doctor  
|number in range = 8
|companions   = [[Grant Markham|Grant]]  
|number          = 8
|enemy       = [[Krllxk]]  
|doctor         = Sixth Doctor
|setting     = [[Torrok]], [[2191]]
|companions     = [[Grant Markham|Grant]]
|writer       = [[Steve Lyons]]  
|enemy           = [[Krllxk]]
|publisher   = Virgin Books  
|setting         = [[Torrok]], [[2191]]
|release date = [[16 March (releases)|16 March]] [[1995 (releases)|1995]]
|writer         = Steve Lyons
|format       = Paperback Book; 13 Chapters, 278 Pages  
|cover          = [[Paul Campbell]]
|isbn         = ISBN 0-426-20438-7
|publisher       = Virgin Books
|prev         = The Ghosts of N-Space (novelisation)
|release date   = 16 March 1995
|next         = Dancing the Code (novel)  
|format         = Paperback Book; 13 Chapters, 278 Pages
|isbn           = ISBN 0-426-20438-7
|prev           = The Ghosts of N-Space (novelisation)
|next           = Dancing the Code (novel)
}}{{prose stub}}
}}{{prose stub}}
'''''Time of Your Life''''' was the eighth book in the [[Virgin Missing Adventures]] series. Written by [[Steve Lyons]], it featured the [[Sixth Doctor]] and introduced the short-lived [[companion]], [[Grant Markham]]. However, much as [[Jamie McCrimmon]] in ''[[The Highlanders (TV story)|The Highlanders]]'', Markham is largely a background character until the Doctor offers to take Markham on "one trip" in [[the TARDIS]] at the end of the novel. This proved to be no hyperbole; Markham did get only one more official trip, [[1996 (releases)|1996]]'s ''[[Killing Ground (novel)|Killing Ground]]''.
'''''Time of Your Life''''' was the eighth book in the ''[[Virgin Missing Adventures]]'' series. Written by [[Steve Lyons]], it featured the [[Sixth Doctor]] and introduced the short-lived [[companion]] [[Grant Markham]]. Much like [[Jamie McCrimmon]] in ''[[The Highlanders (TV story)|The Highlanders]]'', Grant was largely a background character in his debut story until the Doctor offered to take him on "one trip" in [[the Doctor's TARDIS|the TARDIS]] at the end of the novel. This proved to be no hyperbole; Markham did get only one more official trip, in [[1996 (releases)|1996]]'s ''[[Killing Ground (novel)|Killing Ground]]''.


In presenting a society that had begun to devolve because of its innate addiction to [[television]], the narrative had a lot of obvious similarity to the television stories ''[[Paradise Towers (TV story)|Paradise Towers]]'' and ''[[Vengeance on Varos (TV story)|Vengeance on Varos]]''. Indeed, it may have provided some level of inspiration to ''[[Bad Wolf (TV story)|Bad Wolf]]''. The story also contains a mostly subtle, but sometimes gross, criticism of ''[[Doctor Who]]'' fandom, of a kind also seen in ''[[The Greatest Show in the Galaxy (TV story)|The Greatest Show in the Galaxy]]''.
In presenting a society that had begun to devolve because of its innate addiction to [[television]], the narrative had a lot of obvious similarity to the television stories ''[[Paradise Towers (TV story)|Paradise Towers]]'' and ''[[Vengeance on Varos (TV story)|Vengeance on Varos]]''. The story also contains a mostly subtle, but sometimes gross, criticism of ''[[Doctor Who]]'' fandom, of a kind also seen in ''[[The Greatest Show in the Galaxy (TV story)|The Greatest Show in the Galaxy]]''.


== Publisher's summary ==
== Publisher's summary ==
:''"Organic bugs must be purged from the system," the screen told him. Then, more succinctly, "You die."''
:''"Organic bugs must be purged from the system," the screen told him. Then, more succinctly, "You die."''


[[The Network (Time of Your Life)|The Network]] broadcasts entertainment to the planets of the [[Meson system]]: ''[[Death-hunt 3000]]'', ''[[Prisoner: The Next Generation]]'', ''[[Bloodsoak Bunny]]''... Sixteen channels, and not one of them worth watching. But for the citizens of poverty-stricken [[Torrok]], [[television]] offers the only escape from a reality too horrible to face.
[[The Network (Time of Your Life)|The Network]] broadcasts [[entertainment]] to the planets of the [[Meson system]]: ''[[Death-hunt 3000]]'', ''[[Prisoner: The Next Generation]]'', ''[[Bloodsoak Bunny]]''... Sixteen [[Television channel|channels]], and not one of them worth watching. But for the citizens of [[poverty]]-stricken [[Torrok]], [[television]] offers the only escape from a reality too horrible to face.


[[Angela Jennings|Angela]], a young inhabitant of Torrok, leaps at the chance to travel to the Network with a [[hermit]] who calls himself the Doctor. However, all is not well on the giant, chaotic space station. A soap star has [[murder]]ed his wife's lover; the [[robot]]ic regulars of [[Timeriders]] are performing random kidnappings; and a lethal new game show is about to go on the air.
[[Angela Jennings|Angela]], a young inhabitant of Torrok, leaps at the chance to travel to the Network with a [[hermit]] who calls himself [[Sixth Doctor|the Doctor]]. However, all is not well on the giant, chaotic space station. A soap star has [[murder]]ed his wife's lover; the [[robot]]ic regulars of [[Timeriders]] are performing random kidnappings; and a lethal new game show is about to go on the air.


Can the Doctor uncover the cause of the apparently random disturbances — or will his appearance as a competitor on Death-hunt 3000 be the last of his life?
Can the Doctor uncover the cause of the apparently random disturbances — or will his appearance as a competitor on Death-hunt 3000 be the last of his life?
Line 53: Line 56:
* [[Terry Marston]]
* [[Terry Marston]]


== References ==
== Worldbuilding ==
''to be added''
''to be added''


== Notes ==
== Notes ==
* The decision by the Doctor to become a recluse is a reflection of the television story ''[[The Twin Dilemma (TV story)|The Twin Dilemma]]'', after another violent episode involving [[Peri Brown|Peri]].
* The decision by the Doctor to become a recluse is a reflection of the television story ''[[The Twin Dilemma (TV story)|The Twin Dilemma]]'' following after another violent episode involving [[Peri Brown|Peri]].
* [[Steve Lyons]] originally proposed this novel as an introductory story to the character of [[Melanie Bush]], whose first meeting with the Doctor had not been shown in televised ''Doctor Who.'' [[Rebecca Levene]], [[Virgin New Adventures]]' editor at the time, rejected the idea in favour of introducing a new companion for the Doctor. Mel's introduction would later be written by [[Gary Russell]] in the novel ''[[Business Unusual (novel)|Business Unusual]].''
* [[Steve Lyons]] originally proposed this novel as an introductory story for the character of [[Melanie Bush]], whose first meeting with the Doctor had not been shown in televised ''Doctor Who.'' [[Rebecca Levene]], ''[[Virgin New Adventures]]''{{'}} editor at the time, rejected the idea in favour of introducing a new companion for the Doctor. Mel's introduction would later be written by [[Gary Russell]] in the novel ''[[Business Unusual (novel)|Business Unusual]].''
* The [[Virgin Missing Adventures covers|front cover]] is the only one in the ''[[Virgin Missing Adventures]]'' to feature no other character alongside [[the Doctor]] on the left. In breaking this convention, it joins ''[[Invasion of the Cat-People (novel)|Invasion of the Cat-People]]'', which features two other characters as opposed to one.
* This story marked the debut of new companion Grant Markham. Due to the end of the range, Grant never received a departure story. ''[[Short Trips: Repercussions]]'' would however later imply one.


== Continuity ==
== Continuity ==
* The Doctor was put on trial by the [[Time Lord]]s ([[TV]]: ''[[The Trial of a Time Lord]]'') and faced [[the Valeyard]], an evil future incarnation of himself. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Ultimate Foe]]'')
* The Doctor was put on trial by the [[Time Lord]]s ([[TV]]: ''[[The Mysterious Planet (TV story)|The Mysterious Planet]]'') and faced [[the Valeyard]], an evil future incarnation of himself. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Ultimate Foe (TV story)|The Ultimate Foe]]'')
* Reference is made to [[Drathro]], the [[L3]] maintenance [[robot]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Mysterious Planet]]'')
* Reference is made to [[Drathro]], the [[L3]] maintenance [[robot]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Mysterious Planet (TV story)|The Mysterious Planet]]'')
* The [[Celestial Intervention Agency]] make an appearance. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Brain of Morbius]]'', [[AUDIO]]: ''[[Blood of the Daleks]]'')
* The [[Celestial Intervention Agency]] make an appearance. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Brain of Morbius (TV story)|The Brain of Morbius]]'', [[AUDIO]]: ''[[Blood of the Daleks (audio story)|Blood of the Daleks]]'')
* The mass transit systems were outlawed long ago. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Transit]]'')
* The mass transit systems were outlawed long ago. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Transit (novel)|Transit]]'')
* The Doctor recalls the [[poison]] vines and [[acid]] baths on [[Varos]] ([[TV]]: ''[[Vengeance on Varos (TV story)|Vengeance on Varos]]'') and [[Gustave Lytton|Lytton]]'s death on [[Telos]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Attack of the Cybermen (TV story)|Attack of the Cybermen]]'')
* The Doctor recalls the [[poison]] vines and [[acid]] baths on [[Varos]] ([[TV]]: ''[[Vengeance on Varos (TV story)|Vengeance on Varos]]'') and [[Gustave Lytton|Lytton]]'s death on [[Telos]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Attack of the Cybermen (TV story)|Attack of the Cybermen]]'')
* The Doctor refers to his visit to the last [[Intergalactic Peace Conference]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Frontier in Space (TV story)|Frontier in Space]]'')
* The Doctor refers to his visit to the last [[Intergalactic Peace Conference]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Frontier in Space (TV story)|Frontier in Space]]'')
Line 75: Line 80:
{{MA}}
{{MA}}
{{TitleSort}}
{{TitleSort}}
[[Category:MA novels]]
[[Category:MA novels]]
[[Category:Sixth Doctor novels]]
[[Category:Sixth Doctor novels]]
[[Category:1995 novels]]
[[Category:1995 novels]]
[[Category:Stories set in 2191]]
[[Category:Stories set in 2191]]

Latest revision as of 20:32, 9 November 2023

RealWorld.png

prose stub

Time of Your Life was the eighth book in the Virgin Missing Adventures series. Written by Steve Lyons, it featured the Sixth Doctor and introduced the short-lived companion Grant Markham. Much like Jamie McCrimmon in The Highlanders, Grant was largely a background character in his debut story until the Doctor offered to take him on "one trip" in the TARDIS at the end of the novel. This proved to be no hyperbole; Markham did get only one more official trip, in 1996's Killing Ground.

In presenting a society that had begun to devolve because of its innate addiction to television, the narrative had a lot of obvious similarity to the television stories Paradise Towers and Vengeance on Varos. The story also contains a mostly subtle, but sometimes gross, criticism of Doctor Who fandom, of a kind also seen in The Greatest Show in the Galaxy.

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

"Organic bugs must be purged from the system," the screen told him. Then, more succinctly, "You die."

The Network broadcasts entertainment to the planets of the Meson system: Death-hunt 3000, Prisoner: The Next Generation, Bloodsoak Bunny... Sixteen channels, and not one of them worth watching. But for the citizens of poverty-stricken Torrok, television offers the only escape from a reality too horrible to face.

Angela, a young inhabitant of Torrok, leaps at the chance to travel to the Network with a hermit who calls himself the Doctor. However, all is not well on the giant, chaotic space station. A soap star has murdered his wife's lover; the robotic regulars of Timeriders are performing random kidnappings; and a lethal new game show is about to go on the air.

Can the Doctor uncover the cause of the apparently random disturbances — or will his appearance as a competitor on Death-hunt 3000 be the last of his life?

Plot[[edit] | [edit source]]

to be added

Characters[[edit] | [edit source]]

Worldbuilding[[edit] | [edit source]]

to be added

Notes[[edit] | [edit source]]

Continuity[[edit] | [edit source]]

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

v • e
Virgin Missing Adventures
First Doctor
Susan, Ian, Barbara
Ian, Barbara
Ian, Barbara, Vicki
Vicki, Steven
Dodo
Second Doctor
Ben, Polly
Jamie, Victoria
Jamie, Zoe
Third Doctor
Liz, UNIT
Jo, UNIT
Jo, Yates
Sarah, Jeremy,
The Brig
Fourth Doctor
Sarah, Harry
Sarah
Romana I, K9
Romana II, K9
Fifth Doctor
Adric, Nyssa, Tegan
Nyssa, Tegan
Tegan, Turlough, Kamelion
Turlough
Sixth Doctor
Peri
Grant
Mel
Seventh Doctor
Chris, Roz
Other
Victoria, Sarah, The Brig
Second, Third, Seventh Doctors
with Dodo and UNIT
Retrieved from "https://tardis.wiki/w/index.php?title=Time_of_Your_Life_(novel)&oldid=3649534"