Whilst visiting the MASTER, who has been exiled to a luxurious castle prison on a small island, DOCTOR WHO and Jo Grant learn that a number of ships have vanished in the area. Whilst investigating these mysterious disappearances, Jo and the Doctor are attacked by a SEA-DEVIL, one of a submarine colony distantly related to the Silurians. Soon they discover that the SEA-DEVILS plan to conquer the Earth and enslave humanity, aided and abetted by the MASTER. What can DOCTOR WHO do to stop them?
1981 Hardback edition
When The Doctor and Jo visit The Master in the island prison to which he has been sentenced for life, they learn that a number of ships have mysteriously disappeared at sea.
While investigating they are attacked by a Sea-Devil, one of a submarine species related to the Silurians.
The Doctor uncovers a plot to conquer the Earth and enslave the population. His attempts to prevent it’s success are frustrated because the authorities refuse to believe that the Sea-Devils are not a figment of the Doctor’s imagination or that The Master is not to be trusted…
NOTES
CHAPTER TITLES
‘Abandon Ship!’
Visitors for The Master
The Vanished Ships
Stranded!
Air-Sea Rescue
‘This Man Came to Kill Me!’
Captain Hart Becomes Suspicous
The Submarine
Visitors for Governor Trenchard
The Diving Bell
‘Depth Charges Away!’
Attack in Force
Escape
DEVIATIONS FROM THE TELEVISED STORY
The novelisation uses Sea-Devil rather than Sea Devil.
We learn about media publicity surrounding The Master’s lengthy trial and the ethical debate as to whether to execute him and the ethical difficulty of putting an immortal being, a Time Lord, in prison for life. During the trial, The Doctor gave testimony urging punishment other than the death penalty.
The Third Doctor frequently tells Jo that the Sea Devils are related to the Silurians and that they are “just like those cave monsters we met in Derbyshire”. This perhaps implies that Jo herself met the Silurians, which she never did on screen.
On page 83, The Master‘ tells The Doctor that he plans to use the Sea Devils, just like he used the Ogrons. As the book was published a year after Frontier in Space was transmitted, Malcolm Hulke included the reference. In Frontier and its novelisation Doctor Who and the Space War, The Master tells The Doctor he thought he’d come and see him in prison like he came to see him when he was locked up in Sea.
At the end of the book, The Master escapes in a helicopter, rather than a hovercraft which he used in the televised version.
The Doctor and Jo find a spooky engraving suggesting the locals know about the Sea Devils.
The Master tells The Doctor off for murdering The Sea Devils and then claiming the moral highground.
Several characters are given first names: Thomas Robbins, Robert Walker, Robin Ridgeway and Tony Mitchell.
Several of the SS Pevensey Castle“s crew are given names or nicknames: the radio operator is nicknamed Sharps, the First officer is named Mason, and several other crew members are nicknamed: the Jamaican, the Scouse and Jock.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. I will assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. I also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.