The Myth Makers

I first read Donald Cotton's novelisation of this story many years ago and thought it was one of the funniest books I'd read. Now having listened to the soundtrack I'm adding it to my list of stories I wish were rediscovered. The cast sound like they're having a high old time with the script but the final episode sees a real change of pace once the horse makes its way into Troy and history takes its course. So if it's out there can someone send it back to the BBC?

Next story on the missing stories audio list is the epic The Daleks Master Plan. Now that one I am looking forward to hearing!

Marco Polo

Now that the DVD realises have come to an end I'm going back and listening to the stories I've never seen and possibly never will (why? Because the BBC in their wisdom wiped the tapes!). Fortunately, thanks to some enterprising fans, the audio of these stories exist.

We begin with the earliest example of these stories and the one most people would like rediscovered: Marco Polo. I have to admit I was quiet surprised at how well the story flowed and the performances are excellent, even if I wanted to smack Polo around for being so pig-ignorant. But it's easy to see why this is one of the stories people want rediscovered. Sadly it might be too late for that. But last years rediscovery of Enemy of the World and The Web of Fear proves anything's possible.

The Tenth Planet

"What did you say, my boy? It's all over? That's what you said... but it isn't at all. It's far from being all over..."

The interesting thing on this DVD release is not The Tenth Planet itself. It's the three minutes of footage from an interview with William Hartnell for a BBC regional news programme; the only filmed interview with Hartnell known to exist. It's a fascinating portrait.

But what of The Tenth Planet itself? It's one of the most historical stories from this era being the first appearance of the Cybermen and the first regeneration. It starts out strongly enough but then goes all wonky due to Hartnell coming down ill prior to the recording of episode 3. But I still wish episode 4 could be rediscovered just so this story can finally be complete. Until then we have the animated version of that episode to complete the story. And compared to what footage does exist it's a pretty good reconstruction.

It doesn't see the First Doctor bow out in a blaze of glory or is the strongest story of the era. But it's still worth a look for historical value.

Ten Little Aliens

"Deep in the heart of a hollowed-out moon the First Doctor finds a chilling secret: ten alien corpses, frozen in time at the moment of their death. They are the empire’s most wanted terrorists, and their discovery could end a war devastating the galaxy. But is the same force that killed them still lurking in the dark? And what are its plans for the people of Earth?"

To celebrate Doctor Who's 50th anniversary, BBC Books is re-releasing one novel per Doctor. This is the First Doctor's contribution.

My thoughts. I first read this book when it was first realised over ten years ago. It obviously didn't make much of an impression on me because I couldn't remember anything about it (except for the title). In his introduction to this new edition Stephen Cole calls the story a cross between Agatha Christie meets Starship Troopers. Personally I found it really disappointing. I always thought the criteria for the past Doctor range was it should feel like the era it belongs too (but with a much bigger budget) and this to me didn't feel like the Hartnell era to me (though the First Doctor, Ben and Polly did feel spot on). I'm not sure what the criteria for selecting the novels for re-realise was either but looking back I thought that Steve Lyons' Salvation and The Witch Hunters were stronger stories.

Nice cover though.