Doctor Who and the Leisure Hive (novelisation)

The Leisure Hive on the planet Argolis is an entertainment centre for galactic travellers. At the heart of the Hive is the Tachyon Recreation Generator, a machine with a most extraordinary performance capability and vital to the continued existence of the Argolin after their devastating war with the reptilian Foamasi...

While visiting the Hive, the Doctor and Romana are sucked into a whirlpool of treachery and deceit, and are eventually arrested on suspicion of murder...

1993 Target Books edition[[edit] | [edit source]]

THE FACE CAME AWAY LIKE A MASK. UNDERNEATH THEY COULD SEE GREEN SCALY SKIN...THE FEATURES OF A LIZARD.

The Leisure Hive on the planet Argolis is an entertainment centre for galactic travellers. At the heart of the Hive is the Tachyon Recreation Generator, a machine vital to the continued existence of the Argolin after their devastating war with the reptilian Foamasi. When the Doctor and Romana arrive, they soon find themselves embroiled in murder and intrigue - and on trial for their lives.

This is an adaptation by David Fisher of his own original screenplay, which featured Tom Baker in the role of the Doctor.

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

Brighton
Argolis
Brock
The Generator
Intruders
Hardin
Mirror, Mirror, on the Wall
The Foamasi
Rebirth

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

There is much material about the back story of the Argolin and Foamasi. The Argolin were a warlike tribe who conquered or killed all the other tribes of their planet, relying on formal duels until they discovered space travel and began conquering other worlds. The Foamasi have a history as assassins, the original use of their skin suits.
There are extra sequences of a deckchair man and candy floss seller observing the Doctor and Romana on the beach, and two journalists seeing Mena and Hardin leaving Earth but ignoring them.
The Doctor questions Pangol about the use of tachyonics during the demonstration. There is more interaction with the tourists, with Loman being a speaking part.
The faked rejuvenation recording is playing on a loop when the Doctor and Romana are brought to the board room, explaining their familiarity with it.
Some material in the latter part of the story is truncated, such as the Doctor's arrest.
The fake Brock does not take a seat on the board but merely give the West Lodge's offer.
It is mentioned that most of the surviving Argolin are members of Morix's old crew, who were attacking Foamas at the time of Argolis' bombardment. Most of the surviving Foamasi are guards and inmates of an underground prison. The guards formed the Foamasi Bureau of Investigation while the prisoners kept up inter-clan violence until only two criminal families remain, the West Lodge and Twin Suns.
An extra Argolin guide, Dorant, appears with Vargos in several scenes.
Pangol exposing Hardin as a fraud is omitted. More is made of whether the Doctor's ageing means he passed his trial or not.
Klout is captured by the Foamasi investigators while planting an explosive.
The West Lodge's modus operandi is expanded on: They arrange deaths and accidents to force races to sign their contracts, give a down payment, then arrange for the planet's population to be wiped out and claim ownership by default.
It is established that Argolin and Foamasi have never met in person before.
The Doctor and Romana state that losing the Randomiser means neither they nor the Black Guardian will know where they are going...the opposite of on screen, where this was the function of the Randomiser.

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

Cover page indicates this is a Star Book published by the paperback division of W.H. ALLEN & Co, Ltd

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

1982 Hardback cover
1993 edition; cover by Alister Pearson

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 4 July 2013 complete and unabridged by BBC Audio and read by Lalla Ward.

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[[edit] | [edit source]]

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