A Letter from the Doctor (DWM 3 short story)

A Letter from the Doctor
Doctor:	Fourth Doctor
Main setting:	Back Wrangthorn Terrace, Ali-Fax, Wensdi Janri foowerth senti-nine
Key crew
Publisher:	Marvel Comics
Writer:	Dez Skinn
Release details
Printed in:	DWM 3
Release date:	25 October 1979
A Letter from the Doctor
← Previous	A Letter from the Doctor 2
Next →	A Letter from the Doctor 4

A Letter from the Doctor was a short story printed in DWM 3, and was the third in the A Letter from the Doctor series. It was structured as a letter "written" by the Fourth Doctor to the readers of Doctor Who Weekly.

The story was actually written by Dez Skinn, a fact he kept concealed for many years until he revealed it on his website.

Plot

In issue 3's letter, the Fourth Doctor explains he has landed in a place or dimension so totally alien that it is completely unimaginable. Even so, he finds the world's inhabitants friendly enough and two of their race, Albert and Elsie Olthwaite invite him to stay with him where he enjoys their favourite meal, something called "fishupper".

Characters

• Fourth Doctor
• Albert Olthwaite
• Elsie Olthwaite

Worldbuilding

• The Doctor has only been able to translate a few sounds of the natives' language, including "Ey oop — na'thn, owd chuck!" which he interpreted as a form of greeting.
• A few residents of Ali-Fax are aware of life existing elsewhere on the planet.
• The Doctor doubts his letter will arrive in time for issue 3 as the method of transportation is a "somewhat archaic" system known as the "geepe-o".

Notes

• The humour in this story comes from the Doctor mistaking the strong Yorkshire accent for an alien language.

Continuity

• The Doctor notes that those who have been following his letters from distant parts of the galaxy over the past few weeks will have realised that he has seen some incredibly strange places. His first letter was sent from Ganymede while the second came from Runn.