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Doctor Who Target Books (Numerical Order) #52
Doctor Who and the Ribos Operation
Doctor Who travels to the planet Ribos searching for the first of six segments he needs to re-assemble the Key to Time.
Audio CD
First published December 1, 1979
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About the author
Ian Marter
26 books23 followersIan Don Marter was born at Alcock Hospital in Keresley, near Coventry, on the 28th of October 1944. His father, Donald Herbert, was an RAF sergeant and electrician by trade, and his mother was Helen, nee Donaldson.
He was, among other things, a teacher and a milkman.
He became an actor after graduating from Oxford University, and appeared in Repertory and West End productions and on television. He trained at the Bristol Old Vic. He was best known for playing Harry Sullivan in the BBC Television series Doctor Who from 1974 to 1975, alongside Tom Baker and Elisabeth Sladen. He had already appeared in the show as Lieutenant John Andrews in the Jon Pertwee serial Carnival of Monsters. He had numerous TV roles including appearances in Crown Court and Bergerac (Return of the Ice Maiden, 1985, opposite Louise Jameson).
Marter got into writing the novelisations following a dinner conversation. He went on to adapt 9 scripts over ten years. He started with The Ark in Space, the TV version of which he'd actually appeared in as companion Harry Sullivan. In the end he adapted more serials than he appeared in (7 appearances, 9 novelisations), and wrote one of the Companions series, telling of the post-Doctor adventures of Harry in Harry Sullivan's War. Shortly before his death he was discussing, with series editor Nigel Robinson, the possibility of adapting his unused movie script Doctor Who Meets Scratchman (co-written with Tom Baker) into a novel.
He was, among other things, a teacher and a milkman.
He became an actor after graduating from Oxford University, and appeared in Repertory and West End productions and on television. He trained at the Bristol Old Vic. He was best known for playing Harry Sullivan in the BBC Television series Doctor Who from 1974 to 1975, alongside Tom Baker and Elisabeth Sladen. He had already appeared in the show as Lieutenant John Andrews in the Jon Pertwee serial Carnival of Monsters. He had numerous TV roles including appearances in Crown Court and Bergerac (Return of the Ice Maiden, 1985, opposite Louise Jameson).
Marter got into writing the novelisations following a dinner conversation. He went on to adapt 9 scripts over ten years. He started with The Ark in Space, the TV version of which he'd actually appeared in as companion Harry Sullivan. In the end he adapted more serials than he appeared in (7 appearances, 9 novelisations), and wrote one of the Companions series, telling of the post-Doctor adventures of Harry in Harry Sullivan's War. Shortly before his death he was discussing, with series editor Nigel Robinson, the possibility of adapting his unused movie script Doctor Who Meets Scratchman (co-written with Tom Baker) into a novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
April 14, 2023
This serial is most fondly remembered for kicking off the 'Key to Time' series arc as The Doctor is summoned by The White Guardian to find the six segments (conveniently over six stories) with the help from new companion, Time Lady Romanadvoratrelundar.
In truth this is very much a fun light hiest caper that really sets up the basics of the season.
So it's an odd choice for Marter (who's best known for a more darker and gritter take with these novelisations.
Seeing The Doctor and his assistant whom he calls Romana start their quest is quite fractus.
There's no denying that Marter is one of the best writers for the range, but much of this seems overwritten.
For a short fun adventure, it's quite baffling that this Target has a lengthy page count.
It doesn't quite do the televised series justice and ultimately I was glad once the first segment was found.
In truth this is very much a fun light hiest caper that really sets up the basics of the season.
So it's an odd choice for Marter (who's best known for a more darker and gritter take with these novelisations.
Seeing The Doctor and his assistant whom he calls Romana start their quest is quite fractus.
There's no denying that Marter is one of the best writers for the range, but much of this seems overwritten.
For a short fun adventure, it's quite baffling that this Target has a lengthy page count.
It doesn't quite do the televised series justice and ultimately I was glad once the first segment was found.
October 31, 2021
This is a novelization of the first serial of the sixteenth season of Doctor Who, which was broadcast in September of 1978. Robert Holmes wrote the script which was adapted for this book version by Ian Marter, who, in his more familiar role as an actor, had portrayed Harry Sullivan for a couple of years on the show, so he was quite familiar with background. The Doctor was in his classic scarfy fourth regeneration, and Romanadvoratrelundar (which The Doctor quickly shortens to Romana) is introduced as his Time Lady assistant. The inimitable robotic canine K9 is there to keep them in line. This is the first story in the Key to Time sequence; The Black and White Guardians are in competition to assemble the six segments, and we believe that the High Council of Gallifrey has set the TARDIS trio the task of getting there first. The first segment is to be found on Ribos, a semi-feudal world with monster-infested catacombs and traders of questionable ethics. Marter goes a little over the top with adjectives and adverbs from time to time, but it's a pretty good telling of the story, with some nicely alternated tense and humorous moments. The Doctor doesn't treat Romana too well at first, and he'd never get away with such misogyny these days, but it was a still a good story and a fine kick-off to the arc. Her patience is noteworthy. It concludes with The Doctor wrapping the first segment in a spotted handkerchief. ""One down and five to go," he chuckled. "What about some tea?""
September 2, 2024
"You appear to suffer from an unconscious death -wish syndrome, Doctor."- Romana
January 25, 2012
The combination of the classic series' best writer (Robert Holmes) with the arguably the Target novels' best writer (Ian Marter) makes a winning combination for a television adaptation. Add in that "The Ribos Operation" is an underrated script by Holmes and you've got the potential for something really special.
Marter's adaptation of the script tells the same story without necessarily being a play-by-play rehash of what appears on screens. Certain scenes are shifted for sake of the narrative flow but for the most part it's the same story you've seen on TV, VHS or DVD. A strong script full of solid double acts and well crafted characters is enhanced and expanded by Marter with great success. Marter is able to make certain monsters a lot more threatening once freed of the TV budget limitations. He's also able to insert a bit more brutality into the deaths that take place during the fourth episode of the show.
Easily one of the better offerings from the Target range.
As for the audio reading, John Leeson acquits himself fairly well. Of course, his K9 is spot-on, but he does a decent job mimicking Tom Baker and Mary Tamm as the Doctor and Romana in the story.
Marter's adaptation of the script tells the same story without necessarily being a play-by-play rehash of what appears on screens. Certain scenes are shifted for sake of the narrative flow but for the most part it's the same story you've seen on TV, VHS or DVD. A strong script full of solid double acts and well crafted characters is enhanced and expanded by Marter with great success. Marter is able to make certain monsters a lot more threatening once freed of the TV budget limitations. He's also able to insert a bit more brutality into the deaths that take place during the fourth episode of the show.
Easily one of the better offerings from the Target range.
As for the audio reading, John Leeson acquits himself fairly well. Of course, his K9 is spot-on, but he does a decent job mimicking Tom Baker and Mary Tamm as the Doctor and Romana in the story.
September 18, 2024
This is another of those where the book is totally enjoyable, even if the story lags by the end. I enjoyed the first half quite a bit, but I felt like the second half didn't do as much with the political side of things was it just kinda felt like everyone hanging out in the caves. But I'm not mad at any of it.
I am now beginning my younger self's quest to read my way through the Key to Time, something which now includes some MA/PDA, a previously unavailable novelization of Pirate Planet, and also the recently released expanded editions of Stones of Blood and Tara. Heady stuff. Haha.
I am now beginning my younger self's quest to read my way through the Key to Time, something which now includes some MA/PDA, a previously unavailable novelization of Pirate Planet, and also the recently released expanded editions of Stones of Blood and Tara. Heady stuff. Haha.
August 5, 2022
I wish I could say I thought it was better than 3 stars. It was fun and Romana's introduction is great but I do not believe it was outstanding.
March 17, 2018
42 WORD REVIEW:
As a TV serial The Ribos Operation is respected for its production values, script and performances. As a novelisation it becomes saggy and tedious. Wholehearted writer Ian Marter assiduously seizes every conceivable opportunity to unerringly inject knee-hammer adjectives and slavishly conceived adverbs.
As a TV serial The Ribos Operation is respected for its production values, script and performances. As a novelisation it becomes saggy and tedious. Wholehearted writer Ian Marter assiduously seizes every conceivable opportunity to unerringly inject knee-hammer adjectives and slavishly conceived adverbs.
April 15, 2022
Why does Doctor Who and the Ribos Operation have to be told in 140 pages for such a simple story? I praised Robert Holmes for his simple story and to be honest much of the story should be told in a simple way. It really only needs 120 pages maximum to be told adequately in a novelized form, but Marter uses 20 extra pages. What that doesn’t mean, however, is that the extra page length is wasted. No Marter does add in the events just before the original television story opening with the Doctor actually deciding to go onto a holiday before being intercepted by the White Guardian. Is it really needed, no, but as he is going on the script the adaptation of Part One runs much more smoothly considering the original episode had pacing problems in the opening scenes. Marter includes many of the lines and actions of the Doctor and Romana, only about a minute or two’s worth of screen time, left on the cutting room floor before broadcast.
The medium is a bit of a detriment to the performances of the original television story. The Doctor and Romana make it through alright, as they aren’t difficult to capture and Marter knows Tom Baker personally. It’s actually all the supporting characters that become boring here as they don’t have the acting to back them up. There is something lost with Garron and Unstoffe without the performances of Iain Cuthbertson and Nigel Plaskitt. They just lose a lot of the chemistry the actors gave the characters from the script alone when in novel form. The Graff Vynda K, or as Marter decides to change the character to the Graff Vynda Ka, is also really boring without Paul Seed’s over the top emotional portrayal. He just comes across as a standard spoiled brat in the novelization.
To summarize, Doctor Who and the Ribos Operation is not equal to the sum of its parts as it uses a lot of what made the story work on television, but sadly it doesn’t amount to much in the long run of stories. It tells the story with some improvements but many losses to the characters, which was where the magic of the story was. 7/10.
The medium is a bit of a detriment to the performances of the original television story. The Doctor and Romana make it through alright, as they aren’t difficult to capture and Marter knows Tom Baker personally. It’s actually all the supporting characters that become boring here as they don’t have the acting to back them up. There is something lost with Garron and Unstoffe without the performances of Iain Cuthbertson and Nigel Plaskitt. They just lose a lot of the chemistry the actors gave the characters from the script alone when in novel form. The Graff Vynda K, or as Marter decides to change the character to the Graff Vynda Ka, is also really boring without Paul Seed’s over the top emotional portrayal. He just comes across as a standard spoiled brat in the novelization.
To summarize, Doctor Who and the Ribos Operation is not equal to the sum of its parts as it uses a lot of what made the story work on television, but sadly it doesn’t amount to much in the long run of stories. It tells the story with some improvements but many losses to the characters, which was where the magic of the story was. 7/10.
May 3, 2021
Between a 3 and a 4 for me. A start of a new season for TV, and the start to the Key to Time arc (and really, if they consider Trial of a Time Lord one long story, with 14 episodes, then I think this arc could be as tightly connected as well, otherwise I still think Dalek's Masterplan is the longest actual story).
Quite a few changes marked here, we have Romana I enter the TARDIS, with K9 Mark 2, and the tone of the show has a definitive change, where we have moved away from the horror and generally darker tones of the prior seasons, to a lighter, more humorous tone, both of which though maintain the viewer / readers interest quite well, showing one of the strengths of Doctor Who, in the variety of tales it can tell.
An interesting start here, with the idea of the Guardians, and dealing with this mysterious Key to Time, and the first adventure dealing with it is an interesting tale, with some interesting one off characters, especially Garron and Unstaffe, but the Graff as well isn't a one dimensional villain as can often be the case.
The Doctor in good form as usual, with a slightly different style given above tone changes, and Romana a good, strong willed new companion here, on an intellectual level with the Doctor, though somewhat more naïve about the universe outside Gallifrey.
K9 seems a bit more of an after thought though, and to begin with seemed to more or less disappear from the tale, to the point I forgot about him until he was brought back, which is a bit of a shame.
Unusually for an Ian Marter tale though, I found this a bit dry at times, and his tendency to elaborate a lot on the TV stories, normally a strength, just seems to add a bit of drag to this tale, without that I think would have been a solid 4.
Quite a few changes marked here, we have Romana I enter the TARDIS, with K9 Mark 2, and the tone of the show has a definitive change, where we have moved away from the horror and generally darker tones of the prior seasons, to a lighter, more humorous tone, both of which though maintain the viewer / readers interest quite well, showing one of the strengths of Doctor Who, in the variety of tales it can tell.
An interesting start here, with the idea of the Guardians, and dealing with this mysterious Key to Time, and the first adventure dealing with it is an interesting tale, with some interesting one off characters, especially Garron and Unstaffe, but the Graff as well isn't a one dimensional villain as can often be the case.
The Doctor in good form as usual, with a slightly different style given above tone changes, and Romana a good, strong willed new companion here, on an intellectual level with the Doctor, though somewhat more naïve about the universe outside Gallifrey.
K9 seems a bit more of an after thought though, and to begin with seemed to more or less disappear from the tale, to the point I forgot about him until he was brought back, which is a bit of a shame.
Unusually for an Ian Marter tale though, I found this a bit dry at times, and his tendency to elaborate a lot on the TV stories, normally a strength, just seems to add a bit of drag to this tale, without that I think would have been a solid 4.
December 14, 2025
Locatormutor Core – What on earth made Ian change the simple elegant ‘Tracer’ into this monstrosity of a mouthful?
That’s dealt with the elephant in the room, but unfortunately that wasn’t the only change Ian made. The TV version has a light-hearted with much bantering, while the book has tried to be more hard-bitten. But the change has been applied inconsistently, most notably in the characterisation of Garron. In the TV version is always a garrulous swindler, but the book sometimes portrays him as a threatening bully, particularly towards Unstoffe. But it’s not all the time which made the relationship between Garron and Unstoffe seem weird and not believable.
The other character I didn’t credit was Graff Vynda Ka. He’s far more unhinged in the book than is credible for someone with his success. In the TV version Graff does lose his mind at the end, but that was after the death of Sholakh. In the book he’s that deranged for most of it. The little scene on pg 59 with Graff torturing and killing some scorpion-like creatures was simple viciousness, like pulling the wings of flies. It didn’t resonate as the type of action Graff would do.
I think is the worst of his novelisations, although I still have Earthshock to read. It’s not a bad book, just not up to the quality of his other Targets.
That’s dealt with the elephant in the room, but unfortunately that wasn’t the only change Ian made. The TV version has a light-hearted with much bantering, while the book has tried to be more hard-bitten. But the change has been applied inconsistently, most notably in the characterisation of Garron. In the TV version is always a garrulous swindler, but the book sometimes portrays him as a threatening bully, particularly towards Unstoffe. But it’s not all the time which made the relationship between Garron and Unstoffe seem weird and not believable.
The other character I didn’t credit was Graff Vynda Ka. He’s far more unhinged in the book than is credible for someone with his success. In the TV version Graff does lose his mind at the end, but that was after the death of Sholakh. In the book he’s that deranged for most of it. The little scene on pg 59 with Graff torturing and killing some scorpion-like creatures was simple viciousness, like pulling the wings of flies. It didn’t resonate as the type of action Graff would do.
I think is the worst of his novelisations, although I still have Earthshock to read. It’s not a bad book, just not up to the quality of his other Targets.
July 31, 2023
Doctor Who and the Ribos Operation (1979) by Ian Marter is the novelisation of the first serial of the sixteenth season of Doctor Who.
Romana, the Time Lady joins the Doctor and the new K9 as they get an assignment to find the parts of the Key to Time from the White Guardian. Doctor Who started a season long story arc in this episode. The Doctor, Romana and K9 use a tool that guides them to the first segment of the Key of Time on Ribos. There a con man Garron and his assistant Unstoffe who are proposing to con Graff Vynda with a fake sale of the planet. The Graff and his men meanwhile are trying to make the best of things.
There is much going into the catacombs and being persused. It’s all amusing and pretty well done though.
Doctor Who and the Ribos Operation is quite a fun read.
Romana, the Time Lady joins the Doctor and the new K9 as they get an assignment to find the parts of the Key to Time from the White Guardian. Doctor Who started a season long story arc in this episode. The Doctor, Romana and K9 use a tool that guides them to the first segment of the Key of Time on Ribos. There a con man Garron and his assistant Unstoffe who are proposing to con Graff Vynda with a fake sale of the planet. The Graff and his men meanwhile are trying to make the best of things.
There is much going into the catacombs and being persused. It’s all amusing and pretty well done though.
Doctor Who and the Ribos Operation is quite a fun read.
February 28, 2021
I didn't think this was the best of Ian Marter's adaptations, but perhaps it's due to the story he was trying to convey. Also, he seemed to have trouble describing Tom Baker's version of the Doctor, physically, which seemed odd. Maybe the manuscript had to be rushed or something, but it felt off.
I need to go back and watch the Key of Time episodes, because it may be that the individual stories are linked together in a way that made retelling one of them awkward.
The interactions of the Doctor, K9 and Romana were very much the highlight of this story, but the con game surrounding what turns out to be an important artifact is a lot of fun, rather like one the Harry Mudd episodes of Star Trek in blending crime-based humor with a serious story.
I need to go back and watch the Key of Time episodes, because it may be that the individual stories are linked together in a way that made retelling one of them awkward.
The interactions of the Doctor, K9 and Romana were very much the highlight of this story, but the con game surrounding what turns out to be an important artifact is a lot of fun, rather like one the Harry Mudd episodes of Star Trek in blending crime-based humor with a serious story.
August 30, 2025
Ian Marter was one of the better target writers - his dark gothic version of the ark in space is actually better than the brightly lit hokiness of the original - and the ribos operation is one of those brilliantly compact bits of world building vintage who excelled at alongside an offbeat story about two conmen trying to sell a planet to a desposed space tyrant. The book though isn't a great marriage, the alterations - particularly to the dialogue - don't improve on the original and at times it reads like marter is trying to flesh out a thin story with adjectives.
February 17, 2019
Werepenguin Productions Content Description:
Keywords: 4th Doctor, Romana, K9, Key to Time
Violence and Gore: minor realistic (blood from cuts, nosebleeds, split lips, bruises, etc.)
Profanity: PG Language
Sex and Nudity: None
Content descriptions are provided without value judgments. We want to maximize the fun and success rates of finding a new fandom. Since audiences vary in age, culture, and comfort levels we want to help people connect with something they’ll enjoy the most. To learn more about our content description writing process click here.
https://www.werepenguinproductions.or...
Keywords: 4th Doctor, Romana, K9, Key to Time
Violence and Gore: minor realistic (blood from cuts, nosebleeds, split lips, bruises, etc.)
Profanity: PG Language
Sex and Nudity: None
Content descriptions are provided without value judgments. We want to maximize the fun and success rates of finding a new fandom. Since audiences vary in age, culture, and comfort levels we want to help people connect with something they’ll enjoy the most. To learn more about our content description writing process click here.
https://www.werepenguinproductions.or...
December 29, 2023
For Doctor Who in 1978, Ribos Operation was a departure from the norm - instead of the usual 'monster of the week' we got a 4 part character-driven piece, with no discernable villain. Watching it broadcast at the time, I loved it - and still do. Baker and Tamm are wonderful, and the supporting cast all give superb performances. Unfortunately, this doesn't transfer to the printed page. While Marter covers the episodes quite well, the resulting book is rather dull, I'm sorry to say.
May 10, 2017
A good book. But as was often the case with Ian Marter he took a few liberties with the story. The basis of the story is the same, however Romana is already aware that the White Guardian is the one behind the mission, whereas in the televised version she thought it was the President of the High Council.
June 18, 2017
I've always wanted to watch this series of episodes from classic Who. While I didn't feel like spending the $50 on the DVDs, I was content with picking up the old novelizations. This was a great start to The Key to Time and I'm looking forward to finishing the rest this summer.
September 14, 2017
Perhaps the weakest Ian Marter adaption.
It doesn't fit his style. I've never been a fan of the serial, it's over the top and doesn't have any of the laughs of even Horns of Nimon.
Marter does way better going dark, and there is very little to go dark with here.
It doesn't fit his style. I've never been a fan of the serial, it's over the top and doesn't have any of the laughs of even Horns of Nimon.
Marter does way better going dark, and there is very little to go dark with here.
June 29, 2021
An okay read good Robert Holmes character pairings as usual and also nice to read an Ian Marter.
Again a book that's better than the TV show due to budget restraints.
Also the start of the key to time season.
Again a book that's better than the TV show due to budget restraints.
Also the start of the key to time season.
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October 20, 2024Matter writing Holmes horror is wonderful (The Ark in Space) but Marter writing Holmes comedy is a bad fit. He tries to add think atmosphere and grit to a light, witty and characterful tale. A jarring failiure.
December 20, 2024
Marter adds some florid flourishes to a script that probably doesn’t need it except to recapture some idea of the performances in the screened version. Fun, exciting and keeps an even keel between the caper, intrigue and quest stories.
December 20, 2025
3.5/5
So nice to read a DW novelisation that actually feels like it has a take on the source material, even if tonally this isn't always my preferred angle. It often nails a sense of atmosphere though, which is very much appreciated.
So nice to read a DW novelisation that actually feels like it has a take on the source material, even if tonally this isn't always my preferred angle. It often nails a sense of atmosphere though, which is very much appreciated.
September 21, 2018
Eh. I'll stick to the TV show.
July 20, 2019
A good adaptation, but why 75% of the dialogue tags had to be he/she "murmured," I do not know.
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October 21, 2007http://nhw.livejournal.com/763482.html[return][return]What I remember most about the TV version is just the sense of cold; this is a snowy city on a chilly planet. Really very little sense of that in the novel. The intial set-up between the Doctor and Romana is changed substantially, and in my view not for the better; in the TV version, the White Guardian tells the Doctor that he will be assigned an assistant, and the Doctor when he encounters her spends the first few minutes practically hiding from her behind K-9. Marter's novelisation has Romana's arrival as a total surprise, and puts the two characters on a more equal footing, but somehow doesn't sparkle the same way. The final battle is much more gory in the book; but that's as we expect from a Marter novel.
June 6, 2012
This book is a novelisation of the first serial in season 16 of Doctor Who. The White Guardian asks (or compels, depending on your point of view) the Doctor to find the 6 separate parts of the Key to Time. In this book, the Doctor finds the first part, and receives reluctantly an assistant, a recent graduate of the Time Lord Academy, Romanadvoratrelundar. This name being somewhat cumbersome, the Doctor shortens it to Romana, even though she says that she would prefer the name Fred! The best parts of the story are, of course, the verbal sparring between the Doctor and Romana, and the somewhat snide comments of the robot dog, K9.
January 18, 2009
Main story is a bit thin as most of it is used to introduce the new companion, Rommana and the 'Key to Time' store line.
It is a fun story though as the Tardis crew get caught between an amusing duo of con men and a power hungry local lord. All three groups are unfortunately after the same thing. Everyone is up to something and the planet looks like 18th century Russia for some reason.
Light, fun read.
It is a fun story though as the Tardis crew get caught between an amusing duo of con men and a power hungry local lord. All three groups are unfortunately after the same thing. Everyone is up to something and the planet looks like 18th century Russia for some reason.
Light, fun read.
January 30, 2011
I absolutely love this novel, and recommend it with high reviews. A lovely little short read, 'the Ribos Operation' is a perfect introduction to the 'key to time' series and for the 4th Doctor's companion Romana (the first version). The Doctor is at his most hilarious, and condescending towards Romana and the supporting cast, and there is everything from bumbling con men to giant man eating beasts. It is an awesome novel and a must read for anyone who is a fan of Doctor Who classics.
February 6, 2011
Ian Marter's novelizations never disappoint -- his darker, more detailed style makes him the perfect adapter for the pseudo-historical trappings and delicious grand guignol that Robert Holmes applies to his most operatic scripts. "The Ribos Operation" is one such script that gets all the care and attention deserving of its magnificent scope. A real delight, in the heart of an era when one-a-month threadbare transcripts seemed to be the order of the day.
July 18, 2013
This is one of favorite Doctor Who stories. I like Ian Marter's novelization of Robert Holmes' script. Marter paints enough of the picture to help the reader see the story but leaves enough of the canvas blank for the reader to use his/her imagination.
This story features one of my favorite secondary characters, Unstoffe. And the Graff Vynda Ka is a truly mad, mean tyrant.
Ian Marter captures the essence of this story very well and adds his own touches to nice effect.
This story features one of my favorite secondary characters, Unstoffe. And the Graff Vynda Ka is a truly mad, mean tyrant.
Ian Marter captures the essence of this story very well and adds his own touches to nice effect.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews