Logopolis (novelisation)

In theory the TARDIS should be able to change its appearance to blend in unobtrusively wherever it happens to materialise. In practice, however, because of a fault in the chameleon circuit, it always looks like a police box – a minor inconvenience the Doctor now hopes to correct.

Fixing the mechanism involves a visit to Earth and a trip to the planet Logopolis – normally a quiet little place that keeps itself to itself.

But on this occasion the meddling presence of the Doctor's archenemy, the Master, ensures the disruption of normality. And even the Master is horrified by the threat of total chaos he unintentionally precipitates – until he finds a way to turn the imminent destruction of the universe to his own advantage ...

1991 Target Books edition

TEGAN STARED IN BROAD-MINDED AUSTRALIAN DISBELIEF AT THE POLICE BOX THAT HAD MATERIALIZED IN FRONT OF HER EYES...

For as long as anyone can remember the chameleon circuit on the TARDIS has been broken - a minor inconvenience which the Doctor now finally gets around to correcting.

But fixing the mechanism involves a visit to Earth and to the planet Logopolis - a quiet little place that keeps itself to itself.

But on this occasion the meddling presence of the Doctor's arch enemy, the Master, ensures the disruption of normality. And even the Master is horrified by the threat of total chaos he unintentionally precipitates.

Logopolis was the final story to feature the fourth Doctor, as played by Tom Baker.

This is a novelization by Christopher H. Bidmead of his own original script.

Chapter titles

Titles are listed as "Chapter One" through "Chapter Twelve" in TOC, but actual chapter headings are simple numbers ("1"-"12")

Deviations from televised story

The policeman in the opening scene is given the name of Police Constable Donald Seagrave. He has been sorting out a main water flooding in Burnley Street and is checking in with the Superintendent to see if can go home for his tea.
Aunt Vanessa's house is described as being a cottage house in a village-like street and less than 50 miles away from the police box.
The location of the police box is clarified as the Barnet Bypass (although this was the Production Team's original idea for filming, it was not confirmed on-screen that this was still the actual setting until Mawdryn Undead).
The TARDIS Cloisters, seen as a dark, gothic setting onscreen, is described as open and airy with a simulated sky.
There is an added sequence of when the Doctor and Adric walk back from the Cloisters to the console room, they get temporarily lost down a corridor that leads to a small cupboard.
The tyre puncture of Aunt Vanessa's car is caused by Tegan narrowly missing a lorry and hitting a kerb. It is also on the nearside tyre rather than, as on-screen, the offside.
The Doctor inspects the main logic junction which is a mass of fibre optic-type wires located behind a translucent panel and heavy panel within a large oval arch set into a corridor wall.
Adric spots Tegan on the scanner screen and gets a premonition-type feeling that he is going to get to know her.
There are several instances where Adric's questions distract the Doctor.
When going through the infinite regression of police boxes, Adric picks the locks with a coat hanger.
Instead of pretending to have had a bike accident, Adric climbs on top of the TARDIS and throws the bicycle at the police car.
While the Doctor receives a message from Traken about Tremas he gives Adric a volume of Paradise Lost by Milton which the boy starts to read.
When the Doctor attempts to sink the TARDIS in the Thames, it lands on an abandoned wooden pontoon, instead of a ship.
The Doctor provides the Monitor with a data block containing the exterior dimensions rather than a notebook.
The Master's TCE leaves the smell of ozone.
The Watcher is expanded upon.
When chased by the Pharos Project security guards, the Doctor and Tegan run into some workmen on bicycles. The Master fires his TCE at them but misses before the Doctor disarms him.
When the Master returns to his TARDIS in the computer room, he uses the TCE on the waking technician. On-screen, the Master merely retrieves the cassette recorder from the still unconscious man.
The Doctor's visions of various villains and companions is absent.
After regenerating, the Fifth Doctor says a few words, in fact paraphrasing the Monty Python catchphrase, "and now for something completely different."

Writing and publishing notes

This novelisation was later released as part of The Master Collection.

Additional cover images

1982 Hardback cover
1991 edition.
Cover by Alister Pearson

British publication history

First publication:

Hardback

W.H. Allen & Co. Ltd. UK

Paperback

Target

Audiobook

This Target Book was released on 4 February 2010 complete and unabridged by BBC Audio and read by the author, Christopher H. Bidmead.

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.

Audiobook cover

External links

On Target a comprehensive guide to the Target novelisations by Tim Neal