Doctor Who and the Mutants
3rd Doctor Novelisation
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Doctor Who and the Mutants
Narrated by:
Jon Culshaw
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Narrated by:
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Jon Culshaw
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By:
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Terrance Dicks
About this listen
Jon Culshaw reads this gripping novelisation of a classic adventure for the Third Doctor.
The Time Lords send the Doctor and Jo on a mysterious mission to Skybase One in the late 30th Century, from where the Earth Empire governs affairs on the primitive planet Solos.
Yet on the eve of their independence, something is happening to the Solonians: their hands are becoming claws and their skin is changing scales. Why are they gradually turning into monsters?
The Doctor and Jo soon discover that the natural order on Solos is threatened by the ruthless Marshal and his scientist Jaeger. Their dangerous quest has only just begun…
Text of book copyright © Terrance Dicks, Bob Baker and Dave Martin 1977
Reading produced by Neil Gardner
Recorded at Ladbroke Audio Ltd
Sound design by Simon Power for Meon Productions
Executive producer: Michael Stevens
TARDIS sound effect composed by Brian Hodgson
Cover illustration © Jeff Cummins
Doctor Who and the Mutants first published by Target Books 1977
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Dr Culshaw does it again.
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Now, onto the story itself. Unlike other Doctor Who audio novels I have listened to, The Mutants is not one I have previously seen on television or DVD. My favourite period of Doctor Who being the first half of the Tom Baker era when Hinge cliff and Holmes were working behind the scenes to deliver the Gothic horror phase of Who. however, Pertwee's reign as the Doctor is my second favourite Who era, but I tend to not find the Earth based stories, of which there were so many in the Pertwee years, nearly so interesting and so The Mutants stands out as one of the relatively few non Earth bound stories that naturally appeal to me.
Having now listened to the story, I have ordered the DVD. What left a big impression on me, was just how much there is in this story. There are multiple threads and a plot which is not sparse or simple, unlike a lot of newer Who. It sort of surprises me as to how involved the plot is given it was "supposed" to be squarely aimed at a younger audience back in the early 1970's. This might have something to do with the current state of British TV with regard to younger viewers and the seemingly much shortened attention spans of the children of today.
I haven't seen the DVD version yet and I'm sure there will be the usual shaky sets, simple special effects compared with today and some dodgy electronic music, but the underlying strength of the story is what really counts here. The Mutants clearly comes from an era when stories could take more time to develop, which is an aspect I like and appreciate. if anything, perhaps the Mutants was a tad too long, but I'd rather have that than the fast paced, wrap everything up as quickly as possible type formats more common today. We really get the time needed to understand and get to know the characters here.
This is another wonderfully adapted television story by Terrance Dicks and I do love his clear and efficient writing style. However, unless I missed something, there did seem to be a glaring plot hole in this story, namely the Solons seem to have no trouble breathing the atmosphere on Sky base i.e an environment suitable to humans, yet changing their planet' to have the same atmosphere as Earth, is going to kill them, I didn't understand that.
Other than that minor niggle, The Mutants is an excellent story well worth your time. Having said that, if you like your Who to be somewhat more "modern" then it's probably not for you as you will likely find the plot unfolds too slowly. For old fossils like me, it's something to relax and drink in slowly like a fine wine and not to be rushed :)
Great Classic Who
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