Tome Time - The Twin Dilemma by Eric Saward

Started November 16th, Finished November 19th.

This is a readalong with Paul's Target blogging which can be found here http://goldfishandparacetamol.wordpress.com/target-books/

I had only recently suffered the TV version of The Twin Dilemma.  THis was going to be interesting.  Would I prefer it to the dramatisation, which I didn't remember being anywhere near as awful as it was...

I found the story to be written with a slightly smug edge.  The descriptions of the father character at the beginning is what highlighted this for me.  It didn't seem to gel with what I expect from a novelisation of a children's story.

It probably didn't win any love from me as I was so let down by the DVD so soon before reading it.

The character of Azmael I expected to be fleshed out a little more.  Made a little more like he can make a difference one way or the other.  I don't think he ever gives enough oomph.  No one in this story seems to fulfil a satisfying role.  I think less characters, fleshed out more may have been a better idea.  They all fail to scare me.  

All in all, this book felt cluttered and not very satisfying.  I can't see me watching or reading this story again any time in the near or middle future.

1 out of 5 pawprints

Next - March Violets

Tome Time - Dr Who and the Daleks by David Whittaker

Started August 15th, finished August 19th.
This is a read-along with Paul's Target blogging.  It is also the first of the re-released Target novels.  It's teh only one I've bought so far but I'll probably pick more up in time.  Paul gives a good overview of the new editions here.
I remember the weird feeling I had when I first saw the Dr Who story The Daleks.  A strange sense of deja vu.  It took my weak brain a while to figure out why this was.  then it dawned on me.  My childhood viewings of the Cushing films.  I hadn't realised they were lifted from original, unseen by me, scripts.  
I was wary of what I would make of the book from the dual viewing of one story already.  I am a fan of teh second Cushing film but not so much the first.  Even the foreword by Neil Gaiman couldn't ready me for what I found between the pages.  I found the rewriting of the opening scenes off-putting enough.  The real killer for me though was the new Ian Chesterton.  I love Ian Chesterton I don't want him changed by an annoying Roy Castle or a writer who's fiddling.  The revamped Ian and especially his 'will they, won't they?' with a temperamental Barbara was very distracting throughout the tale.  It did neither character any favours if you ask me.  I couldn't understand why the Doctor was sidelined for Ian.  It was a bit like a prior Rose Tyler Show.
The Daleks story is quite long and drawn out.  The 'journey' parts do quite well here, better than the tv or film, at making it seem like a journey.  I just couldn't get into the story though.  The narrative from Ian put me off as well.  I can't understand the Thals reasoning for not taking a stand.  I'm surprised they've evolved at all if that's their viewpoint.  This book is not a highpoint in the Target universe for me.
As for this edition.  It does add something to the books when you get to read about famous DW fans for the Target novels.  I am immensely fond of them and I like to see them praised.  Although Gaiman's intro was hardly going to win over new readers on its own.  I couldn't think what was missing from my copy.  Until I read Paul's blog, it was the Target logo.  I imagine no-one wants to put a defunct and not their own logo on a book.  It would have been nice to see it though :-(  The explanation of the story at the end was useful.  How it put into perspective the aired version vs the novel.  Unfortunately it was a bit of a grind finishing the story so I was weary by the time I got to that.  
All in all, I'm glad teh books have been reprinted.  I won't be reading this one again any time soon though.  I wonder what they've done with Doctor Who and the Cybermen.......
2.5 pawprints out of 5
Next The Death of a Mafia Don by Michele Giuttari

Day 10 - Doctor Who Challenge

My Favourite/Least Favourite Script Editor

I'll be open here.  I have no idea what a script editor actually does....

Wikipedia states  "A script editor is a member of the production team of scripted television programmes, usually dramas and comedies. The script editor has many responsibilities including finding new script writers, developing storyline and series ideas with writers, ensuring that scripts are suitable for production. The script editor will work closely with the writer at each draft of their script, giving the writer feedback on the quality of their work, suggesting improvements that can be made whilst also ensuring that practical issues like show continuity and correct running time are adhered to. Unlike the writers, script editors will usually be full-time members of the production team, working closely with the producer."

So, how am I supposed to know what a script editor is given to 'edit'?  It seems that if a story's bad both the Script Editor and the Writer are to blame.  If it's good we don't know if he just passed it as suitable.  He can only get credit if everything goes superbly well.  Any faults at all in scripts and he's for the block.  Not my ideal position of work.

A look through Wikipedia's list of Doctor Who script editors mnakes me think that Writer/Script Editor/Producer were pretty interchangable.  Leading me to believe they all lived happily togther in their own TARDIS with similar skills.  I was surprised to learn Terrance Dicks was the longest on the job and I thought he was a writer only.

I'll leave you with this I found whilst browsing YouTube

Day 9 - Doctor Who Challenge

My Favourite/Least Favourite Producer

I don't know much about the art of producing.  When I watched DW as a child I didn't even know such a role existed.  I can't say until New Who I've ever considered 'production style'.  Does one person really hold that much sway over a production?  Does their style become more or as apparent as the writer's or the director's.  I'm not qualified to judge.  I fall back on the old 'I just enjoy watching it guv' excuse.  I've heard people's opinions on John Nathan Turner but I'd be hard pressed to name another Classic series producer.  I think that that is a good thing.  A producer's name being such a big deal to the show seems a little showy and unnecessary.  I have to give Russell T Davies credit for getting the show back on the screen.  Even if I am a little tetchy about the Rose Tyler Show ;-)

For sheer sentimentality's sake I'd name Verity Lambert as favourite if I had to.  A female producer in the 1960's who enabled my favourite show to begin existence.  That would be enough on its own.  The fact that she comes across as such a lovely woman in all the DVD extras is a big plus point too.  As I say though if you asked me to describe her production style I'd just stare back at you looking a little bit thick.  Oh, and the fact that she was responsible for my guilty pleasure Eldorado makes me love her even more ;-)

Day 8 - Doctor Who Challenge

My Favourite/Least Favourite Director

It's a good job I don't claim to be a super-fan.  I've never really noticed the directing in Doctor Who.  I'm not the most technically observant of people.

So I'll leave you with this set of clips picked out by people more observant than myself.

Day 7 - Doctor Who Challenge

My Favourite/Least Favourite Writer

Now this is where it starts getting tough for me.  My knowledge in the 'not totally obvious' fields of Dr Who is sparse.

So I'll have to give favourite writer jointly to Terry Nation and Gerry Davis for creating the Daleks and the Cybermen.  In an 'Inside Mary's Head Sci-Fi Writer's Battle' Nation would just have to sneak a win.  Due to the fact he also created Survivors, another favourite of mine.  As well as Blake's 7, which though I enjoy I don't love.

I can't give you a least favourite so I'll leave you with this YouTube montage which proves why to struggle is futile

Day 6 - Doctor Who Challenge

My Favourite/Least Favourite Series

Favourite Series

With a long look at the Wikipedia page, I'm going for season 13.  Terror of the Zygons is a big favourite.  Planet of Evil was an interesting story I enjoyed.  Pyramids of Mars is just wonderful, very wonderful.  The Android Invasion was nice and spooky.  The Brain of Morbius was a good Frankenstein story.  Seeds of Doom, well I always like killer plant stories.

Having the fourth Doctor and Sarah Jane is never going to go against it either.

Least Favourite Series

I'd have to go for Series 3 of New Who.  Smith and Jones wasn't a bad tale but the straw p'd me off.  The Jidoon never really worked for me either.  I could never buy into The Shakespeare Code but I did find it fun. I didn't dislike Gridlock really but it did seem a bit heavy on the environmental warning.   The less I have to think about Daleks in Manhattan and Evolution of the Daleks the better.  The Lazarus Experiment would have been good without the family stuff and it being so much set up, Gatiss is always good.  I can't remember 42 :-S  Human Nature and Family of Blood were the stand outs in this series, very good.  Blink was a great horror tale but it wasn't Doctor Who.  Utopia led me to expect a great finale, then we got The Sound of Drums and Last of the Timelords.  Too much Simm and a story I never fully got or enjoyed.  Martha was never written as strong enough.  She was wimpily simpering after the Doctor.  With hindsight Tennant is far from my favourite Doctor too.

Day 5 - Doctor Who Challenge

My Favourite/Least Favourite Master

Favourite Master

This would have to be the original and the smoothest, Mr Delgado.  I doubt I'm in a minority here.  He just played it so well.  He was a great foil for Pertwee and my (only) favourite thing about Jo Grant was the Master's seeming fascination with her.  He was briliant in the Sea Devils and although I'm not sure he was necessary in The Daemons I enjoy him in it.

I haven't really got an opinion on the deformed, monster Master.  Anthony Ainley was ok but I think it wasn't the best idea to have him mimic Delgado's look and performance.  They should have given him a fresh start.

You just can't knock Derek Jacobi can you?  But he wasn't really playing The Master if he didn't realise who he actually was.  John Simm's portrayal I find quite painful at times.  The Jack in a Box, poor man's Joker approach isn't for me.  I'm not a fan of Simm's style anyway so that's no surprise really.

Which leaves us with.....

Least Favourite Master

Obviously, Eric Roberts.  I've seen him play bad in other things where he was much more convincing.  he never had a chance though, seeing as he was in that pile of tosh.  A hammy portrayal of that script was never gonna be acceptable.

30 Day Doctor Who Challenge

Inspired by my friend Paul's blog  I've decided this is a 30 Day Challenge I can't miss.

Now I give you advance warning, my knowledge of writers, editors, other more technical stuff is very bad.  As is my knowledge of the 'extended universe'.  I watch DW and I read the Target novels.  I have a few of the fact books released in the 80's but my attempt will not be as well as full as Paul's.  Go to his for a good version come to mine for the things I love, not so love and attempt to bluff through.

Below is the list of the 30 challenges.  

01. My Favourite / Least Favourite Doctor
02. My Favourite / Least Favourite Companion
03. My Favourite / Least Favourite Villain
04. My Favourite / Least Favourite Monster/Alien
05. My Favourite / Least Favourite Master
06. My Favourite / Least Favourite Series
07. My Favourite / Least Favourite Writer
08. My Favourite / Least Favourite Director
09. My Favourite / Least Favourite Producer
10. My Favourite / Least Favourite Script Editor
11. My Favourite / Least Favourite Theme Tune Arrangement
12. My Favourite / Least Favourite Composer
13. My Favourite / Least Favourite Black & White story
14. The Best and Worst Cliffhanger Endings
15. My Favourite Non-Regular Character
16. My Top 3 Classic Series Stories
17. My Top 3 New Series stories
18. My Favourite / Least Favourite Big Finish Audio Doctor Who Adventure
19. My Favourite / Least Favourite Target Novelization
20. My Favourite / Least Favourite Non-Fiction Doctor Who Book
21. The First Doctor Who Story I Watched
22. The Most Recent Doctor Who Story I’ve Watched
23. The Story I Watch Most As Comfort Viewing
24. A Story That is a Guilty Pleasure
25. My Favourite Doctor Who Spin-Off
26. My Favourite Doctor Who Animation
27. My Favourite Doctor Who Special
28. Who I Think Would Have Been a Good Doctor (in the past)
29. Who I Think Could Be a Good Doctor (in the future)
30. The Missing Story I Would Most Like To See Returned to the BBC Archive

Book 40 of the 50 Book Challenge

Remembrance of the Daleks by Ben Aaronovitch, 152 pages

Started June 11th, finished June 13th.

This is a read along with the Escape to Danger blog.

I haven't seen or read any McCoy since he was on screen.  he was never my favourite Doctor by a very long way.  I wasn't fond of his companions either.  Add to that his appearance in the abomination of 1996 and he's way down my list.

Having said all that, this is one of his stories that stuck in my head.  Probably my favourite that I have faded memories of from his era.

I found this book difficult to immerse myself in though.  The style of writing didn't flow for me.  Not sure if this was my state of mind or the style.  The chapter set up didn't help.  mainly short and snappy.  With occasional much longer ones thrown in.  The chapters aren't titled either, just given diary format, dates and times.

The characters in the book do a lot of looking back to WWII.  This is set in the 60's and the war is still a huge influence.  A theme running through the book is one of inequality and prejudice.  The 'No Blacks' signs in B&B's are highlighted.  Ace remembers her friend's family's suffering due to not being white.  A sad pointer that things hadn't been solved 25 years on.

My (not too) inner child just has to say - Daleks fighting Daleks, oh yes!  Here too the race element is brought into the story.  I hope this theme influenced 80's children for the better about vicious small mindedness.  I am looking forward to getting to the TV version of this in my run through.  I want to see how subtly the themes are dealt with there.  Daleks fighting Daleks is pretty cool.  

This is the story that brought about the flying Dalek.  I remember my jaw dropping as a kid as the Doctor and Ace got to the safety of the stairs.  Only to find the pepperpot could fly.  So much for the Daleks' famous design flaw.

This is a  bloody good story.  I just found it difficult to get through.  I have to say it's one of the stories I'm most looking forward to on my journey through the DVDs.

3 out of 5 pawprints

Total so far, Books - 40, Pages -12, 153

Next - From Bangkok to BC by Wolf E Boy

Book 31 of the 50 Book Challenge

Doctor Who and the Daemons by Barry Letts, 166 pages

Started May 7th, finished May 9th.

This is another of the books I've read following the Escape to Danger Target novel blog.  I have to sa tht this is my favourite Jon Pertwee TV serial.  Pertwee and Jo Grant have never been favourites of mine.  How can I not like this though.  It's Dr Who and 'Dark Magic'.  I have thios story on VHS and it's beena  very long time since I've watched it. 

This is a much better read than the last Target novel I read.  It has a proper flow and is fleshed out well enough.  I particularly liked the character of Olive Hawthorne.  I warmed to her she was slightly off it but fun.  

I used to like the Doctor's explanations of it not being magic but advanced science.  However this time it felt a little flat.  Maybe I'm getting a little miserable in my old age.  As a child, who this was aimed at, it worked perfectly for me.

The 3rd doctor doesn't come off as quite as patronising in this story.  He doesn't seem to be in it for a huge amount of time.  A lot of it focuses more on the UNIT characters than usual.  It was nice to see a bit more of them for a change.

I enjoyed reading this and I will be reading it again in the not too close future.

4 out of 5 pawprints

Total so far, Books - 31, Pages -9,791

Next - The Small Hand by Susan Hill

Book 26 of the 50 Book Challenge

Doctor Who and The Android Invasion  by Terrance Dicks, 120 pages

This is the latest in my following and reading along of Paul's Blog Now as I remember I enjoyed the tv version of this story.  I can't really say the same for the book.  It's not told with any gusto.  It's like a bored person describing the events.  You don't feel any sense of danger, elation, anything.  This should have been a good read.  There's a good story to tell here.  It's the first time I've been disappointed by a Target novelisation.  I'm worried it won't be the last....

2 out of 5 pawprints

Total so far, Books - 26, Pages - 8,026

Next - I'm unsure.  I need to decide on my holiday reading...  I bet the suspense is killing you ;-)

RIP Elisabeth Sladen

Full disclosure, if you want an obituary that does the Doctor Who legend justice you need to look further.  Maybe at some of the blogs I follow to the left of this page.  This is a selfish little post on what Sarah-Jane meant to me personally.

There are two times I feel the TARDIS has carried a perfect Doctor/Companion combination.  The 2nd Doctor & Jamie  and  The 4th Doctor and Sarah Jane.  My two favourite Doctors and my two favourite companions.  Obviously I have seen much more of Sarah Jane Smith, as her stories are more accessible.

As a youngster, watching my VHS releases and reading my Target novels I had no idea about feminism.  I didn't realise that Sarah Jane having a brain, a career, wit and intelligence along with a proper stint as a Companion made her unique.  I just knew I liked her, a lot.  These were the reasons I liked her more than most I just didn't know it.

Sarah Jane didn't need a costume to be remembered.  She is remembered with such fondness because of her personality and the performance.  I always think her stint on Dr Who was much longer than it actually was.  She was such a big part of DW for me it's surprising to learn she was only around for a few years.

She was immensely likable.  Her journalistic inquisitiveness allowed her to get herself into trouble rather than her stupidity.  She didn't squeal a lot but she squealed when appropriate.  I loved the ways she said 'Doctor' or 'Doc-tor....'  I loved her smile and her wry grins.  She was lucky enough to be companion at the beginning of Tom Baker's run.  When he was at the top of his game.  There's a reason the BBC released so much from that era early on.  It was DW gold.  The TARDIS team has never been better.

I have wondered if John Smith and Sarah Jane Smith are family.  That's a nice thought.  They definitely had a wonderful bond.

Having said all this I have never seen the actress in another role.  To me Elisabeth Sladen and Sarah Jane are pretty much indistinguishable from each other.  I don't mean this to be dismissive.  Just that she was so perfect in the role.

I have never watched The Sarah Jane Adventures.  They didn't seem to be for me.  Maybe I will sometime in the future.  For now I'm remembering her and the Fourth Doctor and her feistiness.

RIP Elisabeth Sladen, you will be missed.  Thanks for all you've given us, it was some of the best.

Book 20 of the 50 Book Challenge

Doctor Who and the Cybermen  by Gerry Davis, 144 pages

Started March 26th, finished March 27th

I have been following a friend's blog on the Doctor Who Target novels. Great favourites of my youth and probably the biggest reason for my love of the Doctor Who universe.  Paul's blog can be found at http://doctorwhotarget.blogspot.com/  The latest on his random run through is Doctor Who and the Cybermen. 

I have to be honest here.  I'm totally biased when it comes to this series of books.  I've never found one I don't like.  This novel in question happens to be my favourite.  It was only recently I got to see part of the televised version of the story.  As you'd expect it didn't quite live up to what I'd constructed in my childhood imagination.

The story has the 2nd Doctor, Ben, Polly, Jamie and Cybermen.  Now I wish they hadn't given that away in the title and prologue.  I realise it's a children's book so a little explanation helps.  However I think this would have been a lot more effective minus the giveaway title and prologue.  The first part of the book has a very dark, Gothic, dangerous mystery feel to it.  It may be set on a futuristic Moonbase but it harks back to the best of Gothic suspense.

It's the first part of the book that's stuck in my head over time.  That and the tea tray incident.  I was surprised at how much else had removed itself from my memorybanks.  Given how often I've read this book in the past.  Not for a while though so maybe that's why.

I've always loved the companions Ben and Jamie.  I love the way Ben interacts with Polly.  As they are separate for most of the story you don't get crowded Tardis syndrome.  The Doctor isn't give a whole heap of things to do here.  It's more of a group cast than usual.

I did find it sweet that in the 'future' the poor swines had to eat futuristic dried food but coffee still came in filter bags.  Visions of the future from out past always fascinate me.

The addition of illustrations in the Target novels is always welcome.  I do wish however they would put them after the scene in question not before.

I can't say it's a groundbreaking tale but to me it's one well told.  It's short and snappy as are most of the Target novels.  If you've a spare couple of hours and have any interest in the subject give it a whizz through.

5 out of 5 pawprints (from a very biased reader)

Total so far, Books - 20, Pages - 5,900

Next - How Not to Run a Club by Peter Hook

Matt Smith's Dream Guest Star on Doctor Who

I recently found a new podcast courtesy of the @BlogtorWho Twitter feed, Meet the Filmmaker.

http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/meet-the-filmmaker/id301899522  It's a series of interviews recorded at Apple stores.  The one I'd downloaded was Matt Smith, Karen Gillan and Stephen Moffat in New York.  An appearance before the first episode of the new series aired in the US.

They were asked about the array of excellence on the show in the guest stars this season.  Far too many good British actors to mention.  The bit that got me squealing was Matt Smith describing his dream guest star -

"If I could pick anyone, I don't know if you guys will know him, but I would pick... He was a footballer and he's French and he's called Eric Cantona."  

I knew Matt Smith was a nice guy.  I just didn't know what fabulous taste he had in dream guest stars.  Mr Moffat if you make this happen I will die happy, no more than happy.  Too ecstatic for the limitations of language.