‘THE CONSTANT DOCTOR’
Please feel free to comment on my review.
The Fifth Doctor, Nyssa, Tegan and Adric see the Twelfth Doctor on stage
The final story of ‘Part 3 – Humanity’ and of ‘The Scientific Secrets of Doctor Who’ book is ‘The Constant Doctor’ by Andrew Smith. This was the story I was looking forward to the most in the book. Andrew Smith wrote ‘Full Circle’ in Season 18 of the show and has penned many Big Finish audio stories.
This story features the Season 19 TARDIS team of the Fifth Doctor, Nyssa, Tegan and Adric. It also features the Twelfth Doctor who goes on stage to play the First Doctor. The Season 19 TARDIS team visit the planet Lemaria where the inhabitants celebrate their special holiday called…’Freedom Day’.
Apparently, many years ago on Lemaria, the planet was attacked by lizard-like aliens called the Megrati. They were rescued by the First Doctor along with his companion Susan. The Fifth Doctor is surprised by this when he and his friends Nyssa, Tegan and Adric watch a re-enactment of the event.
I like how Andrew Smith takes the focus of the story from Nyssa’s point of view. Due to Nyssa being my favourite companion, I was able to emphasise with how she witnessed things. This is especially when she sees the Twelfth Doctor perform on stage and rescuing Lemaria again from the Megrati.
The Fifth Doctor, Nyssa, Tegan and Adric do have an inactive role in the tale as they watch events performed on stage rather than actually getting involved. It’s a shame the Season 19 TARDIS team didn’t get to interact with the Twelfth Doctor. But at least the Twelfth Doctor acknowledged the TARDIS foursome.
‘The Constant Doctor’ is accompanied by the chapter called ‘Regeneration’. There is also a ‘further reading’ section; acknowledgements and an index to the book.
‘The Scientific Secrets of Doctor Who’ has been an enjoyable collection of stories as well as featuring interesting essays on the scientific aspects of the show. I can’t say the scientific chapters won me over as I was only interested in the short stories. But it was very intriguing to read them in the book.
The stories themselves tend to be hit and miss for me as with many ‘Doctor Who’ short story collections I’ve come across. But the ones that stood out for me include ‘The Piper’ and certainly ‘The Constant Doctor’. I’m pleased I’ve read ‘The Scientific Secrets of Doctor Who’ book at last.
‘The Constant Doctor’ rating – 8/10
‘The Scientific Secrets of Doctor Who’ book rating – 7/10
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| Return to The Fifth Doctor’s Timeline | |
| Return to Tegan’s Timeline | |
| Return to Nyssa’s Timeline | |
| Return to Adric’s Timeline | |
| Return to The Twelfth Doctor’s Timeline | |
| Return to The Doctors’ Timelines Index | |
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