DOCTOR WHO - THE KING'S DEMONS

A TARGET BOOK

Written by Terence Dudley

Novelization copyright Terence Dudley, 1986
Original script copyright Terence Dudley, 1983
'Doctor Who' series copyright British Broadcasting Corporation 1983, 1986




In The King's Demons, written by Terence Dudley, the Doctor and his companions Tegan and Turlough land in England in the middle of a joust on March 4, 1215 - the date where history records that King John of England makes an oath to the Pope as a Crusader. The problem is that King John is not in London where he is supposed to be, but at the country castle where the Doctor and his companions have landed and is demanding funds from his subjects for the Crusade.

The Doctor is quite curious about this King John, who is surprisingly here is the countryside. King John, who is not surprised by the Doctor and his companions arrival, is also quite curious and welcomes the Demons - the Doctor and his companions. The king soon makes the Doctor his new champion over the king's previous champion Sir Giles. The Doctor soon discovers that the real reason for the historical discrepancy - is that an old enemy wants to change world history into which the magna carta does not exist.

This story introduced Kamelion as a companion. I have always felt rather sad for Kamelion. He was never truly respected by the Doctor and his companions. Even when Kamelion was freed, they never really respected him. He was just there and never really became a part of them - and as a result, he had no characterization at all. The lack of respect and characterization for Kamelion was rather sad for me, especially with considering how compassionate the Doctor usually is.

Pancho
All people smile in the same language.

DOCTOR WHO - VENGEANCE ON VAROS

A Target Book

Written by Philip Martin

Novelization copyright Philip Martin 1988
Original script copyright Philip Martin 1985
'Doctor Who' series copyright British Broadcasting Corporation 1985,1988

The role of the Doctor was played by Colin Baker

In Vengeance on Varos, when the TARDIS engine gets stalled in time and space, the Doctor and Peri land on the planet Varos which is the only source for the ore he needs to fix the TARDIS.

When the Doctor saves a rebel leader,the Doctor earns the wrath of the representative of the Galatron Mining Corporation. Concerned that his Corporation's business operations will be compromised - Sil, the representative, orders the Doctor's death. Soon, the breaking news of the Doctor and Peri's escape attempts are broadcast across the planet as the guards search for them as part of the population's entertainment. As a by-product of the broadcasts - the life of the leader of Varos depends on the popularity of his decisions, with the population voting like or dislike from the comfort of their own homes. This was demonstrated by an old married couple constantly bickering to each other about the consequences of each decision. So you wonder in which direction the leadcr of Varos will decide the Doctor's fate - despite the pressure of Sil's threats of withdrawing his Corporation's operations from the planet, thus threatening the planet's economy.

Media popularity has been a major factor in modern-day politics. You wonder how our President would fair under similar media popularity polls the Varos leader underwent.

Pancho
All people smile in the same language.

Doctor Who - Delta and the Bannermen

A TARGET BOOK

Written by Malcolm Kohll
based on the BBC television series by Malcolm Kohll
by arrangement with BBC Books, a division of BBC Enterprises Ltd

Novelisation copyright Malcolm Kohll, 1989
Original script copyright Malcom Kohll, 1987

The BBC producers of Delta and the Bannermen was
John Nathan-Turner.
The Director was Michael Ferguson
The role of the Doctor was played by Sylvester McCoy

At a space toll port, the Doctor and Mel win the Grand Prize from the toll port - which is being part of a Fifties tour to Disneyland on the Planet Earth. Delta, the last of the Chimeron, sneaks on board the tour trying to get away from the aggressive Bannermen who are chasing her. On the tour's way to Disneyland, they hit America's first space satellite and crash land at a resort in the middle of England as the Bannermen follow the tour group back to Earth.

I always felt it was just a little too unbelievable that Billy, the camp mechanic trying to fix the tour's disabled bus, would fall in love with Delta - and suddenly decide to turn himself into a Chimeron, especially with no thought that the process may kill him. It was very selfish of Billy taking the food of Delta's daughter from the little baby and eating it for himself. Despite Billy taking her food, Delta's daughter grows rapidly, which shows how alien her physiology is - and what a radical change Billy must be going through. Searching for Delta, the Bannermen are supposed to be deadly soldiers - but the Bannermen are hard for me to take too seriously with a staff of banners strapped to their backs. It is rare having Americans in the Doctor Who series, which was great to see for once, but the American agents tracking the missing satellite of course have no clue as to what is going on around them.

Pancho
All people smile in the same language.