Doctor Who and the Sontaran Experiment (novelisation): Difference between revisions

{{Infobox Story SMW

|image = Sontaran Experiment novel.jpg

|number = 56 (given to later editions)  

|doctor = Fourth Doctor  

|companions=[[Sarah Jane Smith|Sarah]], [[Harry Sullivan|Harry]]

|enemy = [[Styre]]  

|setting = [[Earth]], the far future  

|writer = Ian Marter

|read by = [[Jon Culshaw]]

|publisher = Target Books

|publisher2 = W.H. Allen

|novelisation of = The Sontaran Experiment (TV story)

|cover = [[Roy Knipe]]

|release date= 7 December 1978

|format = Hardcover and paperback editions; 96 pages

|isbn = ISBN 0-426-20049-7

|next = Doctor Who and the Hand of Fear (novelisation)

|series2 = [[Target novelisation]] numbering

|next2 = Doctor Who and the Space War (novelisation)

|series3 = [[List of Doctor Who television stories|TV series order]]

|prev3 = Doctor Who and the Ark in Space (novelisation)

|next3 = Doctor Who and the Genesis of the Daleks (novelisation)

'''''{{StoryTitle}}''''' was a novelisation based on the 1975 television serial ''[[The Sontaran Experiment (TV story)|The Sontaran Experiment]]''.

== Publisher's summary ==

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 be able to prevent an invasion and certain disaster, and save both Earth and his companions?

== Chapter titles ==

* 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.

* 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.

* 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.

* 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]] 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 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.

* 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.

 

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]].

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The Second Monsters Collection.jpg|''The Second Monsters Collection''

* [http://www.personal.leeds.ac.uk/~ecl6nb/OnTarget/general/main.htm ''On Target'' a comprehensive guide to the Target novelisations by Tim Neal]