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The Dying Days (novel) (edit)

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|writer= [[Lance Parkin]]  
|writer= [[Lance Parkin]]  
|publisher= Virgin Books  
|publisher= Virgin Books  
|release date=[[18 April (releases)|18 April]] [[1997 (releases)|1997]]
|release date=[[18 April (releases)|18 April]] [[1997 (releases)|1997]]  
|format= Paperback Book; 16 Chapters, 298 Pages  
|format= Paperback Book; 16 Chapters, 298 Pages  
|isbn= ISBN 0-426-20504-9   
|isbn= ISBN 0-426-20504-9   
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In [[Adisham]], [[Kent]], the most dangerous man in Britain has escaped from custody while being transported by helicopter. In [[Whitehall]], the new [[Home Secretary]] is convinced that there is a plot brewing to overthrow the government. In west London, [[MI5]] agents shut down a publishing company that got too close to the top secret organisation known as [[UNIT]]. And, on a state visit to [[Washington DC|Washington]], the [[British Prime Minister]] prepares to make a crucial speech, totally unaware that dark forces are working against him.
In [[Adisham]], [[Kent]], the most dangerous man in Britain has escaped from custody while being transported by helicopter. In [[Whitehall]], the new [[Home Secretary]] is convinced that there is a plot brewing to overthrow the government. In west London, [[MI5]] agents shut down a publishing company that got too close to the top secret organisation known as [[UNIT]]. And, on a state visit to [[Washington DC|Washington]], the [[British Prime Minister]] prepares to make a crucial speech, totally unaware that dark forces are working against him.


As the [[eighth Doctor|Eighth Doctor]] and Professor [[Bernice Summerfield]] discover, all these events are connected. However, soon all will be overshadowed.
As the [[Eighth Doctor]] and Professor [[Bernice Summerfield]] discover, all these events are connected. However, soon all will be overshadowed.


This time, the Doctor is already too late.
This time, the Doctor is already too late.
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== References ==
== References ==
=== Archaeology ===
* Bernice excavated [[Mare Sirenum]] on [[Mars]] when she was twenty-four. This established her reputation as an archaeologist.
=== Books ===
* Bernice stole parts of her diary describing events around the UNIT/Rebel assault on Martian held London from a "tattered old paperback with a creepy eye on the cover". <ref>This describes the cover of [[Lance Parkin]]'s original ''[[A History of the Universe]]''. Which ironically doesn't cover this period.</ref>


=== The Doctor ===
=== The Doctor ===
* [[Eighth Doctor|The Doctor]] refers to himself as the [[Eighth Man Bound]], the champion of Life and Time, the Bringer of Darkness to the Daleks and the Oncoming Storm to the Draconians. And the guy with [[Binary cardiovascular system|two hearts]].
* [[Eighth Doctor|The Doctor]] refers to himself as the [[Eighth Man Bound]], the champion of Life and Time, the Bringer of Darkness to the Daleks and the Oncoming Storm to the Draconians, and the guy with [[Binary cardiovascular system|two hearts]].
* The Doctor is calm about dying after blowing up the Martian War Rocket.
* The Doctor is calm about dying after blowing up the Martian War Rocket.
* After being blown out of the Ice Warrior's War Rocket, the Doctor creates several balloons to slow his descent out of bin bags, curtain rings and a cannister of [[helium]].
=== Cultural references from the real world ===
* The whole [[Alien invasion|Martian invasion]] is viewed as a hoax by the public, serving as a distraction to enable the Provisional Government to keep control of the country.
* Benny looks at a [[John Smith and the Common Men]] album when she and the Doctor are searching Todd's flat.
* [[Bruce Springsteen]] is the American [[President]].
=== Gallifrey ===
* Benny notices the [[Seal of Rassilon]] inside [[the Doctor's TARDIS|the TARDIS]].
* The Doctor left [[Chris Cwej]] on [[Gallifrey]].
=== Governments ===
* [[David Staines]] is Home Secretary of the United Kingdom government.
=== History ===
* Bernice's [[20th century]] knowledge speciality actually ranges from [[1963]] to [[1989]].


=== Individuals ===
=== Individuals ===
* Lord Greyhaven makes a deal with the [[Ice Warrior]]s which leads them to invade the United Kingdom.
* Lord Greyhaven makes a deal with the [[Ice Warrior]]s which enables them to invade the United Kingdom.
* Bernice is staying at the [[The Doctor's House|Doctor's house]] in Kent after getting a lift there with [[Kadiatu Lethbridge-Stewart]] and [[aM!xitsa]].
* Bernice is staying at the [[The Doctor's House|Doctor's house]] in Kent after getting a lift there with [[Kadiatu Lethbridge-Stewart]] and [[aM!xitsa]].
* The Brigadier mentions debriefing [[Jo Grant]] after her adventures with the Doctor, one involving the Ice Warriors and [[Peladon]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Curse of Peladon (TV story)|The Curse of Peladon]]'')
* [[Alexander Christian]] knew Jo Grant when she was studying her A levels.
* [[Alexander Christian]] knew Jo Grant when she was studying her A levels.
* [[Winifred Bambera]] is married to Ancelyn, who has gone with the Crown into exile, as befits a Knight of the Realm.
* [[Winifred Bambera]] is married to Ancelyn, who has gone with the Crown into exile, as befits a Knight of the Realm.
* The Brigadier reminds Bambera that he is still technically retired, despite being the figurehead of the anti-Martian/Greyhaven rebellion.
* The Brigadier reminds Bambera that he is still technically retired, despite being the figurehead of the anti-Martian/Greyhaven rebellion.
* At the Queen's re-coronation, the Brigadier points out the [[Fourth Doctor]], [[Romana II|Romana]] and [[K9]] to [[Doris Lethbridge-Stewart|Doris]].
* At the Queen's re-coronation, the Brigadier points out the [[Fourth Doctor]], [[Romana II|Romana]] and [[K9]] to [[Doris Lethbridge-Stewart|Doris]].
* Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart is promoted to General by the end of this story.
* Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart is promoted to General.
 
* The Doctor tells Benny that she is his longest-serving companion as of that time.
=== Languages ===
* [[Xznaal]], despite being an Ice Lord, doesn't wear the traditional armour, instead wearing the shell of a Warrior. According to Benny, this implies his eccentricity and is an insight into his mindset: militaristic and close-minded.
* Bernice knows how to isolate electrics from the fuel supply of a 20th century [[helicopter]].
* Bernice excavated [[Mare Sirenum]] on [[Mars]] when she was twenty-four. This established her reputation as an archaeologist.
* Bernice stole parts of her diary describing events around the UNIT/Rebel assault on Martian held London from a "tattered old paperback with a creepy eye on the cover". <ref>This describes the cover of [[Lance Parkin]]'s original ''[[A History of the Universe]]'', which ironically doesn't cover this period.</ref>
* Benny receives a letter (from [[2593]]) offering her the Edward Watkins chair of archaeology at [[St. Oscar's University]], [[Dellah]].
* The Brigadier met the Eighth Doctor in [[Hong Kong]] in [[1988]] when they discovered the secret of the [[Embodiment of Gris]].
* The Brigadier spent time waiting for the Doctor in the UNIT parking bays with Bessie.
* The Doctor left [[Chris Cwej]] on [[Gallifrey]].
* [[David Staines]] is Home Secretary of the United Kingdom government.
* Bernice's [[20th century]] knowledge speciality ranges from [[1963]] to [[1989]].
* [[Veronica Halliwell]] is Director General of [[MI5]].
* Bernice can speak [[Martian]].
* Bernice can speak [[Martian]].
=== Media ===
* [[Eve Waugh]] an American news reporter.
* [[Eve Waugh]] an American news reporter.


=== Organisations ===
=== Organisations ===
* [[UNIT]] is much better funded than it was in the 1970s.
* [[UNIT]] is much better funded than it was in the 1970s.
* UNIT has a branch in [[Paris]] (called NUIT).
* UNIT has a branch in [[Paris]] called NUIT.
* [[UNIT]] in the past has dealt with the [[Bandril]] and [[Drahvin]] attempted invasions (without the Doctor's help).
* UNIT in the past has dealt with attempted invasions by the [[Bandril]]s and [[Drahvin]]s without the Doctor's help.
* [[Veronica Halliwell]] is Director General of [[MI5]].
* The [[Martian Communicators Guild]] is an Ice Warrior organisation.
* The Ice Warriors have an organisation called the [[Martian Communicators Guild]].


=== Planets ===
=== Planets ===
* [[Mars]] has a perfectly breathable (though a bit chilly) atmosphere, but the soil is almost completely infertile.
* [[Mars]] has a perfectly breathable atmosphere, if a bit chilly, but its soil is almost completely infertile.
* [[Water]] is a source of great wealth on Mars.
* [[Water]] is a source of great wealth on Mars.
* The [[Arcturan]] Treaty of [[2085]] is the official date of peaceful first contact with aliens.
 
=== Objects ===
* The [[Sword of Tuburr]] is mentioned.
* The [[Sword of Tuburr]] is mentioned.
 
* Benny notices the [[Seal of Rassilon]] inside [[the Doctor's TARDIS|the TARDIS]].
=== Species ===
* [[Xznaal]], despite being an Ice Lord, doesn't wear the traditional armour. He wears the shell of a Warrior. This makes him eccentric and is an insight into his mindset according to Benny (he's militaristic and close-minded).


=== Technology ===
=== Technology ===
* The Doctor uses his [[sonic screwdriver]] to reflect a Ice Warrior sonic blast.
* The Doctor uses his [[sonic screwdriver]] to reflect an Ice Warrior's sonic blast.
* Bernice knows how to isolate electrics from the fuel supply of a 20th century [[helicopter]].
* After being blown out of the Ice Warrior's War Rocket, the Doctor creates several balloons to slow his descent out of bin bags, curtain rings and a cannister of [[helium]].


=== Timeline ===
=== Timeline ===
* Benny receives a letter (from [[2593]]) offering her the Edward Watkins chair of archaeology at [[St. Oscar's University]], [[Dellah]].
* The [[Arcturan]] Treaty of [[2085]] is the official date of peaceful first contact with aliens.
* The Brigadier met the Eighth Doctor in [[Hong Kong]] in [[1988]] when they discovered the secret of the [[Embodiment of Gris]].


=== Vehicles ===
=== Vehicles ===
* The Brigadier kept [[Bessie]] in mothballs for the Doctor and waits for the Doctor in the UNIT parking bays with the car.
* The Brigadier kept [[Bessie]] in mothballs for the Doctor.
 
=== Cultural references from the real world ===
* Benny looks at a [[John Smith and the Common Men]] album when she and the Doctor are searching Todd's flat.
* [[Bruce Springsteen]] is the American [[President]].


== Notes ==
== Notes ==
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* The human names are also written (when viewed from the Ice Warrior's point of view) as they would pronounce them, such as Gerayhavun/Greyhaven, Xztaynz/Staines.
* The human names are also written (when viewed from the Ice Warrior's point of view) as they would pronounce them, such as Gerayhavun/Greyhaven, Xztaynz/Staines.
* Supposedly Philip Segal stated that a big alien invasion couldn't be done on the TV movie's budget because of the cost of multiple prosthetic costumes and the cost of ''showing'' a full alien invasion. ''The Dying Days'' does an alien invasion with three Ice Warriors (there are never more than two Ice Warriors in a room together throughout the book). <ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/classic/ebooks/dyingdays/notes/page10.shtml '''The Dying Days''' Lance Parkin Ebook Author Notes Chapter 7]</ref>
* Supposedly Philip Segal stated that a big alien invasion couldn't be done on the TV movie's budget because of the cost of multiple prosthetic costumes and the cost of ''showing'' a full alien invasion. ''The Dying Days'' does an alien invasion with three Ice Warriors (there are never more than two Ice Warriors in a room together throughout the book). <ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/classic/ebooks/dyingdays/notes/page10.shtml '''The Dying Days''' Lance Parkin Ebook Author Notes Chapter 7]</ref>
* The book's concluding chapter ends with Benny initiating a sexual encounter with the Doctor, a first for the franchise in any licensed media. Debated for many years by fans, the event was finally confirmed in the Big Finish audio drama [[AUDIO]]: ''[[Benny's Story (audio story)|Benny's Story]]''.   
* The book's concluding chapter ends with Benny initiating a sexual encounter with the Doctor, a first for the franchise in any licensed media. Debated for many years by fans, the event was again referenced in the Big Finish audio drama [[AUDIO]]: ''[[Benny's Story (audio story)|Benny's Story]]''.   
* This book is notable for not having the Doctor Who logo anywhere on the cover, spine or interior, due to Virgin not having the rights to the logo introduced for the Eighth Doctor (the rights to which were owned by BBC Books) and not wanting to use the Seventh Doctor's logo. Instead, Virgin Publishing's logo is used instead. In addition, the title ''Doctor Who'' appears nowhere on the back cover or interior pages until one gets to the copyright page. There is also a brief mention on an acknowledgements page.
* This book is notable for not having the Doctor Who logo anywhere on the cover, spine or interior, due to Virgin not having the rights to the logo introduced for the Eighth Doctor (the rights to which were owned by BBC Books) and not wanting to use the Seventh Doctor's logo. Instead, Virgin Publishing's logo is used instead. In addition, the title ''Doctor Who'' appears nowhere on the back cover or interior pages until one gets to the copyright page. There is also a brief mention on an acknowledgements page.
* The book concludes with the afterword, "The End and a new beginning", signed by the editors of the New Adventures line, acknowledging this as the final ''Doctor Who'' novel and promoting the start of the [[Virgin Bernice Summerfield New Adventures]] line.
* The book concludes with the afterword, "The End and a new beginning", signed by the editors of the New Adventures line, acknowledging this as the final ''Doctor Who'' novel and promoting the start of the [[Virgin Bernice Summerfield New Adventures]] line.
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* [[Ashley Chapel Logistics]] ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Millennial Rites (novel)|Millennial Rites]]'') and [[I2]] ([[PROSE]]: ''[[System Shock (novel)|System Shock]]'') are amongst the companies that supplied parts for the Mars Probe.
* [[Ashley Chapel Logistics]] ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Millennial Rites (novel)|Millennial Rites]]'') and [[I2]] ([[PROSE]]: ''[[System Shock (novel)|System Shock]]'') are amongst the companies that supplied parts for the Mars Probe.
* Christian attempted to get in touch with the Brigadier via his daughter, [[Kate Lethbridge-Stewart]]. ([[HOMEVID]]: ''[[Downtime]]'', [[TV]]: ''[[The Power of Three (TV story)|The Power of Three]]'')
* Christian attempted to get in touch with the Brigadier via his daughter, [[Kate Lethbridge-Stewart]]. ([[HOMEVID]]: ''[[Downtime]]'', [[TV]]: ''[[The Power of Three (TV story)|The Power of Three]]'')
* [[PROSE]]: ''[[Christmas on a Rational Planet]]'' is the first novel to mention a re-coronation of the Queen. But this was actually [[Lawrence Miles]] explaining a continuity problem in [[TV]]: ''[[Battlefield]]'' (a throwaway line of there being a King). <ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/classic/ebooks/dyingdays/notes/page13.shtml '''The Dying Days''' Lance Parkin Ebook Author Notes Chapter 10]</ref>
* [[PROSE]]: ''[[Christmas on a Rational Planet]]'' is the first novel to mention a re-coronation of the Queen. But this was actually [[Lawrence Miles]] explaining a reference  in [[TV]]: ''[[Battlefield]]'' to there being a King. <ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/classic/ebooks/dyingdays/notes/page13.shtml '''The Dying Days''' Lance Parkin Ebook Author Notes Chapter 10]</ref>
* The Doctor tells Benny that she is his longest-serving companion as of that time.
* The final chapter strongly implies that a sexual encounter takes place between Benny and the Doctor. For years this was a matter of debate and speculation, until it was confirmed in [[AUDIO]]: ''[[Benny's Story]]''.


== Footnotes ==
== Footnotes ==
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