Archive for the ‘Malcolm Hulke’ Category
Doctor Who and the Sea Devils by Malcolm Hulke
published in 1974
where I got it: purchased used
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Having recently watched the Utopia/Sound of Drums/Last of the Time Lords episodes without much context, I wanted to learn more about The Doctor’s relationship with The Master (Yes, I’m one of those annoying newb fans who discovered the show in the 2000s). While thinking on that, I came across the novelization of The Sea Devils story arc. “The Master” was on the back cover, so of course the book had to come home with me!
It’s funny, being a “new” Doctor Who fan. I don’t have any visual context for the classic story arcs. From the descriptions and illustrations in the book, I can figure out that this was during Jon Pertwee’s time, but having never watched or heard him, I don’t hear his voice or see his mannerisms while reading. But you know what? that was okay. Being able to regenerate, the Doctor is fluid, able to wear different faces and speak with different voices. Also, reading this and not watching it, I was able to fill in the special effects with my imagination, and not worry about not-so-hot tv special effects!
anyway, onto the story!
After the events of Doctor Who and the Demons, The Master has been imprisoned in an island chateau. A beautiful prison built for one, he faces a sentence of life imprisonment, and of course his jailors have no idea that what a “lifetime” means for the Master. Nearby is an oil rig and a small Naval base, and fishing boats have recently gone mysteriously missing. The Doctor and Jo Grant arrive, to both investigate the missing boats, and to check up on the Master, to make sure he hasn’t tried to hypnotize anyone working at the chateau. Which is pretty much exactly what’s happened. The Master has already convinced the governor of the luxurious prison, the weak willed Colonel Trenchard to help him make contact with the underwater creatures, to the point where Trenchard helps him steal parts from a nearby Naval Base.
the Little Red Reviewer 
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