Doctor Who and the Sontaran Experiment (novelisation): Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox Story | {{Infobox Story SMW | ||
|image=Sontaran Experiment novel.jpg | |image = Sontaran Experiment novel.jpg | ||
|number= 56 (given to later editions) | |number = 56 (given to later editions) | ||
|doctor=Fourth Doctor | |doctor = Fourth Doctor | ||
|companions=[[Sarah Jane Smith|Sarah]], [[Harry Sullivan|Harry]] | |companions=[[Sarah Jane Smith|Sarah]], [[Harry Sullivan|Harry]] | ||
|enemy= [[Styre]] | |enemy = [[Styre]] | ||
|setting= [[Earth]], the far future | |setting = [[Earth]], the far future | ||
|writer= | |writer = Ian Marter | ||
|read by=[[Jon Culshaw]] | |read by = [[Jon Culshaw]] | ||
|publisher= Target Books | |publisher = Target Books | ||
|publisher2= W.H. Allen | |publisher2 = W.H. Allen | ||
|novelisation of= The Sontaran Experiment | |novelisation of = The Sontaran Experiment (TV story) | ||
|cover= [[Roy Knipe]] | |cover = [[Roy Knipe]] | ||
|release date= | |release date= 7 December 1978 | ||
|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 | ||
|series = | |series = [[Target novelisation]]s | ||
|prev = Doctor Who and the Android Invasion (novelisation) | |prev = Doctor Who and the Android Invasion (novelisation) | ||
|next = Doctor Who and the Hand of Fear (novelisation) | |next = Doctor Who and the Hand of Fear (novelisation) | ||
| Line 24: | Line 24: | ||
|next2 = Doctor Who and the Space War (novelisation) | |next2 = Doctor Who and the Space War (novelisation) | ||
|series3 = [[List of Doctor Who television stories|TV series order]] | |series3 = [[List of Doctor Who television stories|TV series order]] | ||
|prev3 = Doctor Who and the Ark in Space | |prev3 = Doctor Who and the Ark in Space (novelisation) | ||
|next3 = Doctor Who and the Genesis of the Daleks | |next3 = Doctor Who and the Genesis of the Daleks (novelisation) | ||
|trailer = Listen! Doctor Who Audiobooks Ft. David Tennant, Matt Smith and Many More... | |trailer = Listen! Doctor Who Audiobooks Ft. David Tennant, Matt Smith and Many More... | ||
}}'''''{{StoryTitle}}''''' was a novelisation based on the 1975 television serial ''[[The Sontaran Experiment]]''. | }} | ||
'''''{{StoryTitle}}''''' was a novelisation based on the 1975 television serial ''[[The Sontaran Experiment (TV story)|The Sontaran Experiment]]''. | |||
== 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. | Landing on [[Earth]], now a barren, desolate planet, [[Sarah Jane Smith|Sarah]], [[Harry Sullivan|Harry]] and the [[Fourth Doctor|Doctor]] are unaware of the large, watching [[Styre's robot|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 | 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? | ||
== Chapter titles == | == Chapter titles == | ||
| Line 45: | Line 46: | ||
== 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 | * Unlike the televised story, in which the Doctor, Sarah, and Harry use [[Space Station Nerva]]'s [[transmat]] to come down to Earth, they arrive 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 | * The Sontarans are described as cyborgs with reptilian skin and talon-like claws. | ||
* The Sontaran robot is called a [[Scavenger (The Sontaran Experiment)|Scavenger]] and is described as hovering and octopus-like. It is much more sophisticated than the version seen in the televised story. | |||
* 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 Doctor's sonic screwdriver]]. | * Sarah destroys one of the patrol robots with [[the Doctor's sonic screwdriver]]. | ||
* Much of [[Erak]] and [[Krans]]' parts are exchanged, making Krans the more aggressive character. (He is described as big and burly, whereas on screen he is below average height.) | * Much of [[Erak]] and [[Krans]]'s parts are exchanged, making Krans the more aggressive character. (He is described as big and burly, whereas on-screen he is below average height.) | ||
* The Doctor falls down the crevice when the | * The Doctor falls down the crevice when the Scavenger lassos Sarah and [[Roth]] while they are lowering him with his scarf. | ||
* [[Zake]] dies when the Scavenger stops him short with a lasso and causes him to break his neck, rather than falling down a crevice. | * [[Zake]] dies when the Scavenger stops him short with a lasso and causes him to break his neck, rather than falling down a crevice. | ||
* Styr is referred to several times as having an inky black breath. | * Styr is referred to several times as having an inky black breath. | ||
* Styr's experiment on Sarah is more elaborate, with her hallucinating drowning, being burned alive in a desert and attacked by a horde of ants. She is imprisoned in a cave rather than tied to a rock, and when Harry enters the cave he is affected too, imagining himself being attacked by a demonic Sarah. The experiment has already begun when Harry first finds her. | * Styr's experiment on Sarah is more elaborate within the budget-free constraints of the novelisation, with her hallucinating drowning, being burned alive in a desert and attacked by a horde of ants. She is imprisoned in a cave rather than tied to a rock, and when Harry enters the cave he is affected too, imagining himself being attacked by a demonic Sarah. The experiment has already begun when Harry first finds her. | ||
* There is an extra scene of the Doctor meeting Harry and finding out about the Sontarans before going off to find Sarah. (A version of this was scripted but apparently | * There is an extra scene of the Doctor meeting Harry and finding out about the Sontarans before going off to find Sarah. (A version of this was scripted for the televised version, but apparently never filmed.) The Doctor is briefly trapped in the force-field at the cave mouth. | ||
* Styr's superior is referred to as the Controller rather than the [[Marshal (The Sontaran Experiment)|Marshal]]. It is revealed that Styr is delaying submitting his report because he is enjoying the experiments. | * Styr's superior is referred to as the Controller rather than the [[Marshal (The Sontaran Experiment)|Marshal]]. It is revealed that Styr is delaying submitting his report because he is enjoying the experiments. | ||
* On screen, Roth refers to two [[GalSec | * On-screen, Roth refers to two [[GalSec]] crewmen killed in the experiments as [[Heath (The Sontaran Experiment)|Heath]] and [[Splear]]. Here, both Roth and Krans refer to Warra and Henk instead. | ||
* The Doctor and Styr start their fight unarmed and both later use the gravity bar as a weapon. | * The Doctor and Styr start their fight unarmed and both later use the gravity bar as a weapon. | ||
* Styr kills [[Vural]] by knocking him over a cliff edge rather than stabbing him. He then throws the Doctor off the edge but he survives because part of the Scavenger's levitation system slows his fall. | * Styr kills [[Vural]] by knocking him over a cliff edge rather than stabbing him. He then throws the Doctor off the edge but he survives because part of the Scavenger's levitation system slows his fall. | ||
* The Doctor weakens Styr during the fight by pouring the contents of a hip-flask into his [[probic vent]]. | * The Doctor weakens Styr during the fight by pouring the contents of a hip-flask into his [[probic vent]]. | ||
* The Doctor speculates that the Sontarans are trying to occupy Earth for its [[terullian]] deposits formed by the solar flares and later discovers it is part of an alliance with another cloned race, the [[Hyperioi]]. There is no mention of the war with the [[Rutan]] as on screen. | * The Doctor speculates that the Sontarans are trying to occupy Earth for its [[terullian]] deposits formed by the solar flares and later discovers it is part of an alliance with another cloned race, the [[Hyperioi]]. There is no mention of the war with the [[Rutan]] as on-screen. | ||
== 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 ''[[ | * Marter also portrayed the character of [[Harry Sullivan]] in the story. He had previously adapted ''[[The Ark in Space (TV story)|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. It established 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. It established 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 == | ||
<gallery position="center" captionalign="center" hideaddbutton="true"> | |||
File:HardbackSontaranExperiment.jpg|1978 Hardback edition | |||
</gallery> | |||
== British publication history == | == British publication history == | ||
First Publication: | First Publication: | ||
* Hardback | * Hardback | ||
: W.H. Allen & Co. Ltd. | : W.H. Allen & Co. Ltd. UK | ||
* Paperback | * Paperback | ||
: Target | : Target | ||
== Audiobook == | == Audiobook == | ||
This Target Book was released [[7 July (releases)|7 July]] [[2016 (releases)|2016]] complete and unabridged by [[BBC Physical Audio]] and read by [[Jon Culshaw]]. | This Target Book was released as an audiobook on [[7 July (releases)|7 July]] [[2016 (releases)|2016]] complete and unabridged by [[BBC Physical Audio]] and read by [[Jon Culshaw]]. | ||
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 version was reissued as part of ''[[The Second Monsters Collection]]'' on [[28 January (releases)|28 January]] [[2021 (releases)|2021]]. | |||
<gallery position="center" captionalign="center" hideaddbutton="true"> | <gallery position="center" captionalign="center" hideaddbutton="true"> | ||
The_Sontaran_Experiment_CD.jpg | The_Sontaran_Experiment_CD.jpg|Audiobook cover | ||
The Second Monsters Collection.jpg|''The Second Monsters Collection'' | |||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
== 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] | ||
{{DWN}} | {{DWN}} | ||
{{TitleSort}} | {{TitleSort}} | ||
[[Category:Fourth Doctor | |||
[[Category:Fourth Doctor novelisations]] | |||
[[Category:Target novelisations]] | [[Category:Target novelisations]] | ||
[[Category:1978 novels]] | [[Category:1978 novels]] | ||
| Line 101: | Line 111: | ||
[[Category:Stories set in the far future]] | [[Category:Stories set in the far future]] | ||
[[Category:Novels set on Earth]] | [[Category:Novels set on Earth]] | ||
[[Category:Target novelisations with audiobook readings]] | |||
Latest revision as of 22:52, 5 February 2024
Doctor Who and the Sontaran Experiment was a novelisation based on the 1975 television serial The Sontaran Experiment.
Publisher's summary[[edit] | [edit source]]
Landing on Earth, now a barren, desolate planet, Sarah, Harry and the 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?
Chapter titles[[edit] | [edit source]]
- Stranded
- Unknown Enemies
- Capture
- The Experiment
- Mistaken Identities
- The Challenge
- Duel to the Death
- A Surprise and a Triumph
Deviations from televised story[[edit] | [edit source]]
- Unlike the televised story, in which the Doctor, Sarah, and Harry use Space Station Nerva's transmat to come down to Earth, they arrive 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 Sontarans are described as cyborgs with reptilian skin and talon-like claws.
- 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.
- 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 Doctor's sonic screwdriver.
- Much of Erak and Krans's parts are exchanged, making Krans the more aggressive character. (He is described as big and burly, whereas on-screen he is below average height.)
- The Doctor falls down the crevice when the Scavenger lassos Sarah and Roth while they are lowering him with his scarf.
- Zake dies when the Scavenger stops him short with a lasso and causes him to break his neck, rather than falling down a crevice.
- Styr is referred to several times as having an inky black breath.
- Styr's experiment on Sarah is more elaborate within the budget-free constraints of the novelisation, with her hallucinating drowning, being burned alive in a desert and attacked by a horde of ants. She is imprisoned in a cave rather than tied to a rock, and when Harry enters the cave he is affected too, imagining himself being attacked by a demonic Sarah. The experiment has already begun when Harry first finds her.
- There is an extra scene of the Doctor meeting Harry and finding out about the Sontarans before going off to find Sarah. (A version of this was scripted for the televised version, but apparently never filmed.) The Doctor is briefly trapped in the force-field at the cave mouth.
- Styr's superior is referred to as the Controller rather than the Marshal. It is revealed that Styr is delaying submitting his report because he is enjoying the experiments.
- On-screen, Roth refers to two GalSec crewmen killed in the experiments as Heath and Splear. Here, both Roth and Krans refer to Warra and Henk instead.
- The Doctor and Styr start their fight unarmed and both later use the gravity bar as a weapon.
- Styr kills Vural by knocking him over a cliff edge rather than stabbing him. He then throws the Doctor off the edge but he survives because part of the Scavenger's levitation system slows his fall.
- The Doctor weakens Styr during the fight by pouring the contents of a hip-flask into his probic vent.
- The Doctor speculates that the Sontarans are trying to occupy Earth for its terullian deposits formed by the solar flares and later discovers it is part of an alliance with another cloned race, the Hyperioi. There is no mention of the war with the Rutan as on-screen.
Writing and publishing notes[[edit] | [edit source]]
- 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. It established 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[[edit] | [edit source]]
1978 Hardback edition
British publication history[[edit] | [edit source]]
First Publication:
- Hardback
- W.H. Allen & Co. Ltd. UK
- Paperback
- Target
Audiobook[[edit] | [edit source]]
This Target Book was released as an audiobook on 7 July 2016 complete and unabridged by BBC Physical Audio and read by Jon Culshaw.
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 version was reissued as part of The Second Monsters Collection on 28 January 2021.
Audiobook cover
The Second Monsters Collection
