Doctor Who: Synthespians [Paperback]

Doctor Who - Synthespians, by Craig Hinton. BBC Books, 2004.

Paperback, 276 pages.

If you like books or movies with pop culture references (Shrek 2 comes

to mind), or if you're a child of the '80's, you'll like this book.

This adventure features the Sixth Doctor (Colin Baker) and Peri

(Nicola Bryant).

From the book:

"We've been colonizing other planets for a thousand million years,"

she said, turning to the camera and giving her trademark smile. "All

right, Mr. Matheson - I'm ready for my close-up."

In the 101st century, nostalgia is everything. Television from the

20th century is the new obsession, and Reef Station One is receiving

broadcasts from a distant Earth of the past, transmitting them to a

waiting audience.

When the Doctor and Peri arrive on Reef Station One, they find a

fractured society, totally dependant on film and television. They also

discover that the Republic's greatest entrepreneur is in league with

one of the Doctor's oldest enemies.

As the alien influence spreads in tentacles throughout the Republic,

the Doctor and Peri must unravel the link between Walter J. Matheson's

business empire and the invaders. Because, if they don't, they'll end

up in the deadliest soap opera of all time.

Synthespians is one of the best books I've read in a long time. It's

not just good Doctor Who, it's good sci-fi. Very-well thought-out.

Excellent execution of the plot, very credible characters, wonderful

use of the typical tongue-in-cheek humor associated with the Sixth

Doctor. This would have made a brilliant episode on television. Maybe

a tad expensive, but worth it.

An excellent read, even to the acknowledgements and dedications.

If you want to find out for youself, stop here. The are spoilers ahead.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - SPOILERS - - - - - - - - - - -

- - - - - - - - - -

Walte J Matheson enters a deal with Nestene Conscienceness to rescue

it from destruction by, of all people, the Time Lords. The Nestene

agree to have itself "downloaded" to a single Auton host, in the form

of Dominique Delacroix, soap opera mega-star. Matheson is playing two

sides, though. He is sickened at how mankind has allowed itself to

become the mindless sheep they have, enslaved to the entertainment

media - movies and television. Matheson has successfully taken over

several major ventures on Reef Station One to secure his future and

the Nestene invasion. He ownes the mobile phone industry, the 3DTV

industry, and the small appliance industry (toasters, vacuum cleaners,

tootbrushes, etc). He has also created a new non-surgical plastic

surgery technique called Skin Deep. (You can even hear the TM). Then

there are the Synthespians, synthetic thespians created to take the

more dangerous roles that some actors wouldn't be willing to take. But

Synthespians have also made themselves part of everyday life in roles

such as taxi drivers, consierges, cooks in private homes, etc.

Once downloaded, the Nestene would colonise the Republic. Matheson

would make a plea to the Union to come their aide and, once the

Nestene were destroyed, become a hero. The slaughter of millions would

be collateral damage.

The Doctor and Peri, with the help of Claudia Brubakker, whose father

owned the mobile phone industry prior to Matheson's hostile takeover,

and Marcus Brooks, washed up soap opera actor, must stop Matheson and

the Nestene without themselves getting killed in the process.

The Doctor goes through his own personal demons in trying to stop the

insidious plan.

This book is the perfect set up for the events of the Trial of a Time

Lord, but is both better Doctor Who and better science fiction. A

must-read for all Doctor Who fans.

› Go to Amazon.com to see the review  5.0 out of 5 stars