From rec.arts.sf.reviews Mon Aug 29 12:38:37 1994 Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.reviews Path: news.ifm.liu.se!liuida!sunic!pipex!howland.reston.ans.net!agate!library.ucla.edu!csulb.edu!csus.edu!netcom.com!postmodern.com!not-for-mail From: RCTST2@vms.cis.pitt.edu (Ray Tate) Subject: A WHOREVIEW (LEGACY by Gary Russell) Message-ID: <01HGG7IM0BPI90RQ08@vms.cis.pitt.edu> To: sf-reviews@presto.ig.com Followup-To: rec.arts.sf.written Sender: mcb@postmodern.com (Michael C. Berch) Organization: The Internet Date: Sun, 28 Aug 1994 23:22:24 GMT Approved: mcb@postmodern.com (rec.arts.sf.reviews moderator) Lines: 95 A WHOREVIEW by Ray Tate If asked who is the oldest sf television character, your response should be "Exactly." In 1963, the Doctor, or Doctor Who, first appeared out of his TARDIS (Time and Relative Dimensions in Space.) He has fought Daleks and Cyberman, Masters and Meddling Monks all in the name of justice for--get this--thirty years! It makes Kirk and Spock seem like babies, doesn't it? Until the BBC reared its ugly rear, the Doctor never knew defeat, but though the taskmasters at the "Beeb" pulled the plug, the Doctor refused to go down the drain. Even as I type, a movie may be made, and the FOX television network has shown interest in producing a new season. While fans wait for definite movement, books chronicling the Doctor's further adventures are hitting the shelves at B. Dalton's, Walden's and Borders Books across the land--which brings me to Doctor Who's new Adventure LEGACY by Gary Russell. LEGACY is a good read for fans and an excellent book for those curious to see what's all this fuss about that Doctor chap. The story details the evolution of Peladon, a planet serving as the setting for two episodes from the television show. New readers won't be left out. The planet's history is chronicled in chapter one, and we also get a slice from the third Doctor's life. At this point I think it wise to explain the Doctor's origins. The Doctor--we do not know his true name--is a Time Lord. As you might gather from the race name and the acronym TARDIS, he is a time traveler--capable of true time travel and sidewise through time travel. The Doctor is a renegade and was even put on trial twice by his nearly omnipotent peers who refuse to use their knowledge and power to fight the good fight. As a result of the first trial's verdict, the Doctor lost his life. No not really. He regenerated. Time Lords have the ability to regenerate twelve times. This isn't the regeneration of--say a starfish. Regeneration refers to a total cellular make-over. There have been seven Doctor. The same mind in the same body but with different forms. The first Doctor was played by William Hartnell. When Mr. Hartnell became to ill to continue, Pat Troughton was called in as a replacement. Mr. Troughton was several feet shorter and several years younger than Mr. Hartnell. They looked nothing alike, and so the change in actors was explained as regeneration. For thirty years, seven men have shared the role of the Doctor, and each Doctor is nothing alike. Back to Legacy. The current Doctor is number seven played by Sylvester McCoy. In the story, he is asked by the Federation--not the one with a prime directive--to investigate some shady dealings on the planet Peladon. As always, he is not alone. Always, he has companions. Never are they lovers. Always, they are friends. His current companions are Ace and Bernice "Benny" Summerfield. It's always easy to judge characterizaion based on a television program. If you can hear an actor's voice, if you can visualize an actress doing what is written, then you know the author's on the right track. I heard the Doctor's voice. I saw Sophie Aldred--Ace--eye a blaster while listening to her Suede tape. I also heard the hiss of the Ice Warriors--a possible menace on Peladon. Characters not based on the show--such as Benny--had voices none the less. Characterization is only one part of writing, but in LEGACY, the other parts are just as good. The pacing is well-done; often in leass less-organized novels, the change in setting is confusing. LEGACY doesn't have that problem. Mr. Russell's style is fluid, and he has a light touch. As a bonus, LEGACY is a fair-play mystery. We meet the suspects. We see the clues, and if you're like me, you totally blow the solution. This was a lot more satisfying than some of the dreck I've read from the mystery section. Doctor Who used to be only for kids. The BBC long recognized how many adults attended conventions so when the decision to produce new novels was reached, they decided to gear the novels for adults. This doesn't mean blood and guts or leather and lace. Ace has a brief humorous liason with Bill Cook a starship officer, but the prime adult issue explored in LEGACY is Xenophobia. The Xenophobia comes from a surprising source. The Doctor. The Doctor has thrice fought the Ice Warriors, and though they claim claim to be members in good-standing of the Federation, he cannot shake his prejudice. Well, done Mr. Russell. %A Russell, Gary %T Legacy %I Virgin Publishing Ltd. %C London UK %D 1994 %G ISBN 0-426-20412-3 %O paperback, GBP5.95 %S The New Adventures of Doctor Who Apologies in advance for any grammatical, syntax or informational errors. Information errors will be corrected in next review. Good-bye, Mr. Cushing. We'll miss you.