The Well-Mannered War (novel)

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The Well-Mannered War was the thirty-third and final novel in the Virgin Missing Adventures series. It was written by Gareth Roberts and featured the Fourth Doctor, K9 Mark II, Romana II and the Black Guardian.

Uniquely, it portrayed Romana borrowing articles of clothing from the Doctor's old wardrobe. The ending, where the Doctor defeats the Black Guardian by banishing himself to the Time Vortex, may explain why, in The Leisure Hive, it felt like years had passed for the Doctor and Romana.

Summary[[edit] | [edit source]]

"Destroy them! Destroy them all - now!"

Barclow - an Earth-type planet on the fringes of space at an inestimably distant point in the future. Two factions claim it: humans from the nearby colony world of Metralubit and a small group of Chelonian troopers. Yet in nearly two hundred years of conflict, not one shot has been fired in anger, there are regular socials in the trenches and the military commanders are the best of friends.

The Doctor, Romana II and K9 arrive in the midst of these bizarre hostilities to find there's real trouble to come. A crucial election on Metralubit is looming and K9 is forced to begin a new career as a politician. Romana meets an old friend and the Doctor finds that a sinister hidden force may be attempting to alter the war's friendly nature.

What are the plans of Galatea, the leader of the beautiful robotic Femdroids? Who is killing soldiers on both sides of the battle lines? Will K9's oratory save the day?

Just what is going on?

Plot[[edit] | [edit source]]

to be added

Characters[[edit] | [edit source]]

Worldbuilding[[edit] | [edit source]]

Conflicts[[edit] | [edit source]]

The Doctor[[edit] | [edit source]]

Foods and beverages[[edit] | [edit source]]

Individuals[[edit] | [edit source]]

Literature[[edit] | [edit source]]

Species[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • The Doctor briefly mentions the Oraapi.

Theories and concepts[[edit] | [edit source]]

Weapons[[edit] | [edit source]]

Notes[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • This story was released as an e-book on the BBC website in 2006, with the book remaining on the BBC's site until 2010.
  • Daryl Joyce's front and back cover art present the e-book as a Target novelisation, which it was not.
  • This was the last Virgin Missing Adventures novel to be published, hence the odd cliffhanger ending.
  • Romana is said to be wearing an outfit comprised of bits of the Doctor's wardrobe. While helping the Doctor do a bit of "spring cleaning", she discovers a jacket and frilly shirt worn by the Third Doctor and pairs it with the baggy, checked trousers of the Second Doctor. This fact is partially reflected in the book's cover art, which displays Romana in the frilled white shirt, bowtie, red velvet jacket and Inverness cape combination that the Third Doctor wore in seasons 8 and 9.
  • Menlove Stokes also appears in the Virgin Bernice Summerfield New Adventures. His first appearance is in the novel Oh No It Isn't!.
  • In April 2015, Big Finish Productions released a full cast audio adaptation of this story.

Continuity[[edit] | [edit source]]

Illustrations[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • This story includes six illustrations from the e-book by Daryl Joyce. The illustrations, like the e-book cover, were drawn in the style of Target novelisation illustrations.

Associated images[[edit] | [edit source]]

External links[[edit] | [edit source]]